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DI Bob Willis #1
Deceived by the Light
An innocent man framed. A case closed. A serial killer free to kill again.
It is 1985. Detective Inspector Mungo ‘Bob’ Willis is being forced out of Avon and Somerset Police on medical grounds. His career is in tatters, his body broken, his mind shattered, and his partner—DS Lizzie Harper—dead in a sting operation gone wrong.
Their last case is closed, but Bob is convinced an innocent man has been framed, leaving a serial killer cruising the A303 with impunity, free to target lone women who have broken down by the roadside late at night.
The killer knows the police aren’t looking for anyone else in connection with the murders. What they don’t know is what Bob will do next.
And when another woman is killed in horrifyingly similar circumstances, Bob launches his own—unofficial—investigation. Can he stop a sadistic killer before they kill again? And again…
It is 1985. Detective Inspector Mungo ‘Bob’ Willis is being forced out of Avon and Somerset Police on medical grounds. His career is in tatters, his body broken, his mind shattered, and his partner—DS Lizzie Harper—dead in a sting operation gone wrong.
Their last case is closed, but Bob is convinced an innocent man has been framed, leaving a serial killer cruising the A303 with impunity, free to target lone women who have broken down by the roadside late at night.
The killer knows the police aren’t looking for anyone else in connection with the murders. What they don’t know is what Bob will do next.
And when another woman is killed in horrifyingly similar circumstances, Bob launches his own—unofficial—investigation. Can he stop a sadistic killer before they kill again? And again…
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2025
2767 people are currently reading
6568 people want to read
About the author
Damien Boyd
24 books975 followersDamien Boyd is a former solicitor turned crime fiction writer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
January 15, 2025
I’ve been a huge fan of Damien Boyd’s Nick Dixon series for a long time and was intrigued to see what a new series might bring. It’s fair to say that I am not disappointed! This series is very different from the Dixon one, set in a different era and when the A303 looked a little different to how it looks now. What they do have in common is a detective who won’t just toe the line and follow orders, but will pursue the truth until it’s found. The plot has all the twists, turns and surprises you could wish for and keeps you guessing until the end…and those surprises do continue right up to the very end of the book! I will be eagerly anticipating the next book and hope there will be many more to come.
February 23, 2025
One man’s nostalgia-fuelled stumble through the 1980s; a wayward waft in the direction of a “historical novel” as is mentioned in the back.
I really like Damien Boyd’s books, I’ve made that very clear on a number of occasions. A new series, a new setting, I was very open to the idea and really excited. I shouldn’t have been.
Opportunities are given and wasted almost simultaneously. First-person narration, agreed let’s give it a shot! Oh you’ve ruined it within a few pages. Every few sentences there must be a semi-rhetorical question directed at the reader - no thanks!! It adds nothing and takes away plenty, from the rhythm of the narration, and is so saturated throughout that it just gets annoying.
On the nostalgia point, it really feels like we’re just ramming in anything 80s related for the sake of it. Little Chefs, hot hatches, the Troubles and the IRA (in Somerset??? Sorry???). Historical fiction should feel immersive and properly rooted in its time and place - it should feel authentic and real. It shouldn’t feel like a whirlwind Frankstein’s monster of “things that existed in the 80s” with no real thread running through.
I think I mentioned in recent reviews of the later Nick Dixon series that the body counts were getting a bit silly. More deaths != a better crime novel and here it’s so huge as to be laughable. I think by the time we reached the levels here the incompetent DCS Sharp may have been removed from his post!!
The scenes where the ex-soldiers kept snapping their heels, saluting and stating their rank and name to the protagonist before confessing their sins was just weird, too.
There were some good parts, but I’m struggling to recall them now. What I can say is this was a mercifully quick read.
It’s a shame, I think there was a real opportunity to do something different here, but the execution was way off. We’re a long way from the halcyon days of the early Nick Dixon novels now.
I really like Damien Boyd’s books, I’ve made that very clear on a number of occasions. A new series, a new setting, I was very open to the idea and really excited. I shouldn’t have been.
Opportunities are given and wasted almost simultaneously. First-person narration, agreed let’s give it a shot! Oh you’ve ruined it within a few pages. Every few sentences there must be a semi-rhetorical question directed at the reader - no thanks!! It adds nothing and takes away plenty, from the rhythm of the narration, and is so saturated throughout that it just gets annoying.
On the nostalgia point, it really feels like we’re just ramming in anything 80s related for the sake of it. Little Chefs, hot hatches, the Troubles and the IRA (in Somerset??? Sorry???). Historical fiction should feel immersive and properly rooted in its time and place - it should feel authentic and real. It shouldn’t feel like a whirlwind Frankstein’s monster of “things that existed in the 80s” with no real thread running through.
I think I mentioned in recent reviews of the later Nick Dixon series that the body counts were getting a bit silly. More deaths != a better crime novel and here it’s so huge as to be laughable. I think by the time we reached the levels here the incompetent DCS Sharp may have been removed from his post!!
The scenes where the ex-soldiers kept snapping their heels, saluting and stating their rank and name to the protagonist before confessing their sins was just weird, too.
There were some good parts, but I’m struggling to recall them now. What I can say is this was a mercifully quick read.
It’s a shame, I think there was a real opportunity to do something different here, but the execution was way off. We’re a long way from the halcyon days of the early Nick Dixon novels now.
January 15, 2025
Excellent read
Ok, I've read all the DI Dixon novels (and enjoyed) and wandered blindly into this with vague expectations of A. N. Other police procedural in the absence of anything specific I had to entertain myself with.
It was outstanding. I'm a '75 baby so the weird-yet-familiar tech prehistory amused. I live in the South West. My mum lives just off the A303 (Semley). My partner lives in West Belfast (16 minutes walk from Clondara Street! I checked). Oh, and I love the Levellers which is the entirety of my Battle of the Beanfield background which I now know more about 😊
So hit a few spots there for me
Very well written, absorbing story, and some sensitive topics handled with grace and fairness
Ok, I've read all the DI Dixon novels (and enjoyed) and wandered blindly into this with vague expectations of A. N. Other police procedural in the absence of anything specific I had to entertain myself with.
It was outstanding. I'm a '75 baby so the weird-yet-familiar tech prehistory amused. I live in the South West. My mum lives just off the A303 (Semley). My partner lives in West Belfast (16 minutes walk from Clondara Street! I checked). Oh, and I love the Levellers which is the entirety of my Battle of the Beanfield background which I now know more about 😊
So hit a few spots there for me
Very well written, absorbing story, and some sensitive topics handled with grace and fairness
November 23, 2024
DI 'Bob' Willis's debut is a compelling read, following his unofficial investigation into the deaths of not only his work partner, but other murders as well, he talks you through every step he takes, whilst his superior officer refuses to believe anything that he is told, seemingly for a quiet life, where the murder case is closed. The books setting in 1985 certainly brings back memories to readers old enough to remember queuing along the A303 to the west country and the delights of the little chef breakfasts and especially the jubilee pancakes! Definitely a 5🌟 read, which I hope is the precursor to a new series, and which I feel will be every bit as successful as the DI Nick Dixon books are!
May 2, 2026
This follows DI Mungo “Bob” Willis, a former detective forced out of the police and not coping well with it. When he becomes convinced a case along the A303 was mishandled and that the wrong man was blamed, he can’t let it go. Believing the real killer is still out there, he takes matters into his own hands… and things quickly start to spiral.
The premise instantly hooked me. It’s exactly the kind of thriller I’m drawn to. But for me, the execution didn’t quite live up to it. Some parts pushed believability a bit too far, and the pacing felt uneven in places, with scenes that could’ve been tightened to keep the tension up.
Bob himself didn’t fully land for me either. I didn’t dislike him, but I wasn’t especially invested. That said, his inner monologue did bring in some dark humour, which helped break up the heavier tone. I also struggled to really connect with any of the characters overall, which made it harder to feel fully pulled into the story.
That being said, the writing is strong. There’s a heavy, atmospheric feel throughout that keeps you reading, even when the plot wavers a little.
Overall, this one didn’t completely hit for me, but if you enjoy slower-paced crime fiction with a strong sense of mood over constant twists, it could still be worth picking up.
The premise instantly hooked me. It’s exactly the kind of thriller I’m drawn to. But for me, the execution didn’t quite live up to it. Some parts pushed believability a bit too far, and the pacing felt uneven in places, with scenes that could’ve been tightened to keep the tension up.
Bob himself didn’t fully land for me either. I didn’t dislike him, but I wasn’t especially invested. That said, his inner monologue did bring in some dark humour, which helped break up the heavier tone. I also struggled to really connect with any of the characters overall, which made it harder to feel fully pulled into the story.
That being said, the writing is strong. There’s a heavy, atmospheric feel throughout that keeps you reading, even when the plot wavers a little.
Overall, this one didn’t completely hit for me, but if you enjoy slower-paced crime fiction with a strong sense of mood over constant twists, it could still be worth picking up.
August 17, 2025
I loved this! A real page turner, I couldn’t put it down. Thankfully read it on holiday so didn’t have to. 😀
It’s a serial killer murder mystery with a few twists n turns and my jaw dropped; not quite the ending I expected!! I liked getting inside the mind of our flawed protagonist and enjoyed the writing style. I would’ve liked a few of his personal ends to be more neatly tied up, particularly with his kids, but I’m still giving it 5 stars as I was gripped throughout.
It’s a serial killer murder mystery with a few twists n turns and my jaw dropped; not quite the ending I expected!! I liked getting inside the mind of our flawed protagonist and enjoyed the writing style. I would’ve liked a few of his personal ends to be more neatly tied up, particularly with his kids, but I’m still giving it 5 stars as I was gripped throughout.
December 17, 2025
I really loved this - written conversationally with the main protagonist telling his story directly to us.
July 6, 2025
Was really looking forward to reading this but just couldn’t get into properly? Loved the story line but wasn’t a fan of the writing style
January 18, 2025
Deceived by the Light by Damien Boyd is book 1 in his new series about DI Bob Willis. His name is Mungo Willis, but he has the nickname Bob, after a cricket player. This series is set in 1985. I love the author’s Nick Dixon series. This is quite different, but I certainly enjoyed this first book and keen to see what happens as the series progresses. It is hard to say too much without giving away spoilers. Bob is on sick leave and his boss, Sharp, is trying to get him retired to get rid of him. Bob is still investigating a case that has been closed, and he is very determined to find the perpetrators he still knows are out there. One of them is known from the beginning but mystery surrounds the second. A trail of bodies has been left along the way. I really enjoyed it and found it hard to put down. I really like Bob, and he has an ally in Angela, a journalist. It was written in a first person style which is a bit different to what I’m used to but I still loved it. It suited the story. There was certainly a twist at the end.
April 8, 2026
Deceived by the Light by Damien Boyd is the start of a new series featuring Detective Inspector Mungo ‘Bob’ Willis by the author that brought us the DI Nick Dixon series, which is a personal favourite and auto-read for me.
Set in 1985 we encounter Bob on sick leave from the Avon and Somerset Police Force after a horrific hit & run accident hospitalised him at the scene of the abduction of his Police Partner, Lizzie Harper.
Bob and Lizzie were conducting their own undercover sting operation to try and apprehend the culprit behind a series of shocking abductions & murders of lone females along a secluded roadside. On the evening question Lizzie is in situ awaiting the approach of the perpetrator when Bob is delayed, leaving her on her own and vulnerable to her abductor.
When Bob awakens in hospital a week later, he hears the appalling news that Lizzie was abducted from the scene and has been murdered by the attacker, her body left assaulted and mutilated in the boot of a car. However, the culprit was spotted by other members of the Police and whilst resisting arrest fell from a motorway bridge into the path of an oncoming lorry, killing him instantly.
Following his traumatic injuries, not only is Bob’s body deeply wounded but his mind also, leading him to a psychological breakdown requiring counselling and his boss seeking to force him out of his beloved job for medical reasons. Bob’s case is not helped by the fact that he believes the deceased man felt to be the guilty party is actually an innocent man framed by the actual culprit, who is also an actively serving Police Officer.
Bob’s protestations are unwelcome to say the least, but his enquiries are invigorated when another victim is murdered in very similar circumstances, and he becomes driven to catch the murderous sadist before further victims are slain.
The books are written in a style where it appears the author is enjoying a sense of nostalgia for the 1980’s with some of the references to time and he makes many references to the popular culture of the time and how it is so different and almost quaint when compared to present times. I’ve read some reviews suggesting this was an annoyance but for me I just took as I think it was intended and enjoyed the references. There’s also the 1st person narration at times in the story, which seems to divide opinion, but again I have to say this was a welcome and amusing addition and was an excellent vehicle for developing the personality and temperament of a new series character.
The storyline and plot development was typical Boyd and overall, I devoured this instalment in just over two days and have had to make a deliberate effort not to dive straight into the second instalment so as to protect my 2026 resolution to ‘mix-up’ my reading genres further.
A very easily awarded ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read. Number two is already calling!
Set in 1985 we encounter Bob on sick leave from the Avon and Somerset Police Force after a horrific hit & run accident hospitalised him at the scene of the abduction of his Police Partner, Lizzie Harper.
Bob and Lizzie were conducting their own undercover sting operation to try and apprehend the culprit behind a series of shocking abductions & murders of lone females along a secluded roadside. On the evening question Lizzie is in situ awaiting the approach of the perpetrator when Bob is delayed, leaving her on her own and vulnerable to her abductor.
When Bob awakens in hospital a week later, he hears the appalling news that Lizzie was abducted from the scene and has been murdered by the attacker, her body left assaulted and mutilated in the boot of a car. However, the culprit was spotted by other members of the Police and whilst resisting arrest fell from a motorway bridge into the path of an oncoming lorry, killing him instantly.
Following his traumatic injuries, not only is Bob’s body deeply wounded but his mind also, leading him to a psychological breakdown requiring counselling and his boss seeking to force him out of his beloved job for medical reasons. Bob’s case is not helped by the fact that he believes the deceased man felt to be the guilty party is actually an innocent man framed by the actual culprit, who is also an actively serving Police Officer.
Bob’s protestations are unwelcome to say the least, but his enquiries are invigorated when another victim is murdered in very similar circumstances, and he becomes driven to catch the murderous sadist before further victims are slain.
The books are written in a style where it appears the author is enjoying a sense of nostalgia for the 1980’s with some of the references to time and he makes many references to the popular culture of the time and how it is so different and almost quaint when compared to present times. I’ve read some reviews suggesting this was an annoyance but for me I just took as I think it was intended and enjoyed the references. There’s also the 1st person narration at times in the story, which seems to divide opinion, but again I have to say this was a welcome and amusing addition and was an excellent vehicle for developing the personality and temperament of a new series character.
The storyline and plot development was typical Boyd and overall, I devoured this instalment in just over two days and have had to make a deliberate effort not to dive straight into the second instalment so as to protect my 2026 resolution to ‘mix-up’ my reading genres further.
A very easily awarded ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read. Number two is already calling!
March 2, 2025
This author is well respected for his UK based procedurals, and this is the first in a new series set in the late '80s. Mungo/Bob Willis is a troubled cop who is confident that the public story about a murder doesn't align with his dented memory. He wanders the countryside collecting random clues, meeting lots of interesting characters, and surviving multiple attempts to silence him. In the end, he is proved right, but for the wrong reasons.
The descriptions of the English countryside are wonderful, and the first-person POV is innovative, including breaking the 4th wall occasionally.
But the sum isn't greater than the parts, and the ending was particularly unsatisfying for me. Perhaps if I lived in England, it would have been more entrancing. YMMV.
The descriptions of the English countryside are wonderful, and the first-person POV is innovative, including breaking the 4th wall occasionally.
But the sum isn't greater than the parts, and the ending was particularly unsatisfying for me. Perhaps if I lived in England, it would have been more entrancing. YMMV.
October 14, 2025
This was a fun and fast paced read. I picked it up purely because so much of it happens along the A303 and it’s familiar to me, as was some of the content in Belfast during the troubles. I enjoyed the characters, and I like the fact it takes place in the 80’s - I like the nostalgia crossover with the crime genre. It makes the story feel grittier when the protagonist doesn’t have access to modern technology. So much more is at stake.
August 9, 2025
What I will say is this one has more of a plot, better pacing and offers something a little different to the other book I read by this author.
I like the era it's set in and how it leans into the time for plot points. The lazy aspect of writing in the first and second person narrative is one of the drawbacks.
It was fine: a nice little police procedural.
I like the era it's set in and how it leans into the time for plot points. The lazy aspect of writing in the first and second person narrative is one of the drawbacks.
It was fine: a nice little police procedural.
January 18, 2025
No slow balls.
In this fast paced hunt for a serial killer there is no break in play.
It moves with all the excitement and energy of a one day match.
I literally read it from cover to cover in a day, great read!
Damien don’t hold your breath for an invite to any regimental dinners though.
In this fast paced hunt for a serial killer there is no break in play.
It moves with all the excitement and energy of a one day match.
I literally read it from cover to cover in a day, great read!
Damien don’t hold your breath for an invite to any regimental dinners though.
January 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, and not just because the main character loved Jubilee Pancakes,just like me!
Exciting and fast paced and almost impossible to guess, especially with the various twists.
And the Battle of the Beanfield thrown in for good measure. A right trip down memory lane!
Exciting and fast paced and almost impossible to guess, especially with the various twists.
And the Battle of the Beanfield thrown in for good measure. A right trip down memory lane!
February 21, 2025
Mungo 'Bob' Willis is a completely different character than Nick Dixon, in the first detective series from Damien Boyd. Although different, the storytelling and plot remain excellent. Mungo's POV and his dogged pursuit of the truth, getting him into dangerous situations, is compelling reading. Damien Boyd has really honed his craft. Can't wait for the next one.
January 18, 2025
couldn’t put this book down
Would have read all night if I could have done - a real page turner!
Looking forward to more in this series! And more from the same author!
Would have read all night if I could have done - a real page turner!
Looking forward to more in this series! And more from the same author!
January 24, 2025
Took a while to get into this new series. Told in the first person, which I’m not a fan of, by a policeman on sick leave. He has a conviction the investigation has come to the wrong decision and he is going to find out what happened to his partner and who ran him over. Good story.
March 11, 2025
I did enjoy the read but a few too many murders
April 9, 2025
Wow, this was quite a book. Goes by leaps and bounds over the Nick Dixon books and THEY were terrific. Looking forward to any new book by Damien Boyd
December 29, 2025
IRA scandals in Somerset felt a bit farfetched, was expecting more from the ‘big reveal’ at the end
August 29, 2025
I love Nick Dixon books so excited to see a brand new character. You didn’t disappoint i loved Bob and admired his tenacity. Great story throughly enjoyed will read more
February 2, 2025
very good
A new author for me and was so glad I read this book had good characters and a really good plot . I will look for more in this series
A new author for me and was so glad I read this book had good characters and a really good plot . I will look for more in this series
December 9, 2025
A new character series to get my teeth into. This time mid 80’s time setting - which was enjoyable!
February 9, 2025
In Deceived by the Light , Damien Boyd plunges readers into the shadowy world of 1985 Britain, where Detective Inspector Mungo “Bob” Willis is a man on the brink. Broken in body and spirit after being forced out of the police force, Bob becomes obsessed with reopening a case he believes has been botched—a chilling string of murders along the A303. Convinced an innocent man has been framed and that a sadistic killer remains at large, Bob embarks on an unauthorized investigation. But as bodies continue to pile up and paranoia tightens its grip, the line between justice and vengeance blurs dangerously.
While the premise is undeniably gripping, some parts of the plot stretch believability to their limits, veering into territory that feels far-fetched even for a thriller. Certain scenes could have been trimmed or skipped altogether, leaving the pacing sluggish and the tension diluted. As for Bob Willis himself, he’s not a character who particularly stands out—he’s neither charismatic nor deeply flawed enough to evoke much sympathy. That said, his inner monologue provides moments of dark humor and introspection that are genuinely entertaining, offering brief flashes of levity amidst the gloom. Unfortunately, none of the characters truly captured my investment, which left me yearning for someone—anyone—to root for.
The slow pace may test the patience of even the most dedicated readers, but there’s no denying that Boyd’s writing style shines through. His prose carries a weight and atmosphere that draws you in despite the story’s flaws. For fans of crime fiction who appreciate skillful storytelling over explosive twists, this might still be worth exploring. While Deceived by the Light didn’t quite hit the mark for me, Boyd’s ability to craft mood and tone ensures his work remains intriguing—and sometimes, that’s reason enough to turn the page.
While the premise is undeniably gripping, some parts of the plot stretch believability to their limits, veering into territory that feels far-fetched even for a thriller. Certain scenes could have been trimmed or skipped altogether, leaving the pacing sluggish and the tension diluted. As for Bob Willis himself, he’s not a character who particularly stands out—he’s neither charismatic nor deeply flawed enough to evoke much sympathy. That said, his inner monologue provides moments of dark humor and introspection that are genuinely entertaining, offering brief flashes of levity amidst the gloom. Unfortunately, none of the characters truly captured my investment, which left me yearning for someone—anyone—to root for.
The slow pace may test the patience of even the most dedicated readers, but there’s no denying that Boyd’s writing style shines through. His prose carries a weight and atmosphere that draws you in despite the story’s flaws. For fans of crime fiction who appreciate skillful storytelling over explosive twists, this might still be worth exploring. While Deceived by the Light didn’t quite hit the mark for me, Boyd’s ability to craft mood and tone ensures his work remains intriguing—and sometimes, that’s reason enough to turn the page.
March 4, 2026
6/10 - It's the 1980s in Somerset, England, and Detective Inspector Mungo “Bob” Willis, has been forced out of the police after a traumatic sting operation that left him injured and his partner dead, becomes convinced that their supposedly closed case has left an innocent man framed and a serial killer still at large. As lone women continue to be targeted along the A303 in circumstances eerily similar to the earlier murders, Bob launches an off‑the‑books investigation to uncover the truth.
Overall, an intriguing and atmospheric start to a new series, with an immersive sense of 1980s England in a pre‑digital setting. Relying on legwork, intuition, and era‑appropriate police culture that grounds the story in a convincingly lived-in 1980s landscape, which heightens suspense and continually questions how things were done "back in the old days".
But uneven pacing and stylistic intrusions hold it back from becoming a standout. The middle third lingers too long on internal reflections and procedural repetition; cutting 30 pages would have allowed the narrative to maintain the momentum established early on and deliver a cleaner, more impactful flow.
The most significant stumbling block is the way the narrative occasionally breaks the fourth wall by asking the reader questions, making statements about his procedural thinking, and justifying his actions. These moments disrupt the 1980s atmosphere and tense tone and pulls you out, rather than creating an immersive tension within the book’s dark procedural core. When weighed against the strong investigative storyline and atmospheric setup, these structural choices ultimately keep the novel from reaching its full potential.
A great start to the series and one I will continue with.
Audiobook narrator is very good - the complexities of diverse accents through England and Ireland was quite impressive.
Overall, an intriguing and atmospheric start to a new series, with an immersive sense of 1980s England in a pre‑digital setting. Relying on legwork, intuition, and era‑appropriate police culture that grounds the story in a convincingly lived-in 1980s landscape, which heightens suspense and continually questions how things were done "back in the old days".
But uneven pacing and stylistic intrusions hold it back from becoming a standout. The middle third lingers too long on internal reflections and procedural repetition; cutting 30 pages would have allowed the narrative to maintain the momentum established early on and deliver a cleaner, more impactful flow.
The most significant stumbling block is the way the narrative occasionally breaks the fourth wall by asking the reader questions, making statements about his procedural thinking, and justifying his actions. These moments disrupt the 1980s atmosphere and tense tone and pulls you out, rather than creating an immersive tension within the book’s dark procedural core. When weighed against the strong investigative storyline and atmospheric setup, these structural choices ultimately keep the novel from reaching its full potential.
A great start to the series and one I will continue with.
Audiobook narrator is very good - the complexities of diverse accents through England and Ireland was quite impressive.
November 18, 2025
I listened to Deceived by the Light, and at first I found the writing style a bit hard to grasp. The way the story was told—directly from the point of view of the policeman as if he were speaking to the reader—felt unusual, but I did get used to it after a while.
The setting was a nice surprise. It takes place in Somerset in 1985, which is where I was born, so hearing the familiar places mentioned added a personal touch and made parts of the story more enjoyable.
The plot itself was good, though quite unusual. It did feel slow in places, and some scenes—especially the car chases—seemed drawn out longer than necessary. The story also includes themes of police corruption and cover-ups, which added another layer to the mystery but also made certain sections quite frustrating. One scene in particular, involving hippies doing a peace march, was uncomfortable to listen to because it appeared the police were brutalising them, and that really stood out.
There’s also a serial-killer storyline, and the main policeman is portrayed as somewhat naïve and not particularly skilled, which made his attempts to solve the case feel a bit frustrating at times. We have a sense early on of who one of the killers might be, but the reveal of the second killer felt a bit flat for me. It wasn’t someone I had really considered throughout the story, so the ending didn’t have the impact I expected.
Overall, it was okay. I think the fact that I listened to the audiobook helped me persevere—if I’d been reading it, I’m not sure I would have stuck with it. Will I read more of Damien Boyd’s books? I’m honestly not sure.
The setting was a nice surprise. It takes place in Somerset in 1985, which is where I was born, so hearing the familiar places mentioned added a personal touch and made parts of the story more enjoyable.
The plot itself was good, though quite unusual. It did feel slow in places, and some scenes—especially the car chases—seemed drawn out longer than necessary. The story also includes themes of police corruption and cover-ups, which added another layer to the mystery but also made certain sections quite frustrating. One scene in particular, involving hippies doing a peace march, was uncomfortable to listen to because it appeared the police were brutalising them, and that really stood out.
There’s also a serial-killer storyline, and the main policeman is portrayed as somewhat naïve and not particularly skilled, which made his attempts to solve the case feel a bit frustrating at times. We have a sense early on of who one of the killers might be, but the reveal of the second killer felt a bit flat for me. It wasn’t someone I had really considered throughout the story, so the ending didn’t have the impact I expected.
Overall, it was okay. I think the fact that I listened to the audiobook helped me persevere—if I’d been reading it, I’m not sure I would have stuck with it. Will I read more of Damien Boyd’s books? I’m honestly not sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
I love the Nick Dixon books so was expecting to really love this. Unfortunately I wasn't so sure about this one. Bob Willis is on gardeing leave after he set up an unusual sting operation with the young sergeant Lizzie who worked with him. However it went wrong and it seems the wrong man was attributed with her killing and that of several young women, all of whom had one of their headlights knocked out and drove alone along the A303 (definitely a road to avoid). But the body count is rising with more bodies of young mutilated women turning up. All I can say at this point is that the Somerset police should have been investigated for their appalling lack of diligence in looking for the serial killer.
I also wasn't too sure about writing in the first person, sometimes it worked and sometimes it seemed rather laboured as if the author had forgotten he was writing in the first person, bit weird there. And although I had sympathies with Bob (real name Mungo but the police he worked with renamed him Bob after a cricketer around at that time?), but going gung-ho at anything solo is definitely not going to end all that well. And it didn't, yes Bob got his men but the plot seemed a tad laboured in parts and I found myself giving up when we got to the IRA involvement, which I can believe, but it didn't seem "tidy" after they were involved. Am not sure if I want to read another one in this series.
I also wasn't too sure about writing in the first person, sometimes it worked and sometimes it seemed rather laboured as if the author had forgotten he was writing in the first person, bit weird there. And although I had sympathies with Bob (real name Mungo but the police he worked with renamed him Bob after a cricketer around at that time?), but going gung-ho at anything solo is definitely not going to end all that well. And it didn't, yes Bob got his men but the plot seemed a tad laboured in parts and I found myself giving up when we got to the IRA involvement, which I can believe, but it didn't seem "tidy" after they were involved. Am not sure if I want to read another one in this series.
August 15, 2025
A conversation with the central character
This book is a great read, unexpected plot twists mean the somewhat elderly and bashed about off-sick detective is in grave danger most of the way through but we root for him because he is doing the right thing at serious cost to himself. Yes he is motivated to fight wrongs and bring his partner's killers to justice but he talks directly to us, letting us see what he is thinking and invites us to understand his position even when it is equivocal does not follow police procedure. Set in Devon in the 1980s, it cannot present today's technology but the writer uses that to great advantage by showing us how Willis has to think on his feet. It is a wonderful.Read and the promised sequel is awaited with excitement. Willis is a normal man but his awareness of the readers' perspective and engagement with us gives us an intimacy with both his motives and his ingenuity so we come to regard him as a friend, e enjoy if he makes us concerned about our electric windows. Read this, it is full of frighteningly credible action but seen through the eyes of a good man who has warmth and humour and humanity, and who hows great courage even as he expects to die.
This book is a great read, unexpected plot twists mean the somewhat elderly and bashed about off-sick detective is in grave danger most of the way through but we root for him because he is doing the right thing at serious cost to himself. Yes he is motivated to fight wrongs and bring his partner's killers to justice but he talks directly to us, letting us see what he is thinking and invites us to understand his position even when it is equivocal does not follow police procedure. Set in Devon in the 1980s, it cannot present today's technology but the writer uses that to great advantage by showing us how Willis has to think on his feet. It is a wonderful.Read and the promised sequel is awaited with excitement. Willis is a normal man but his awareness of the readers' perspective and engagement with us gives us an intimacy with both his motives and his ingenuity so we come to regard him as a friend, e enjoy if he makes us concerned about our electric windows. Read this, it is full of frighteningly credible action but seen through the eyes of a good man who has warmth and humour and humanity, and who hows great courage even as he expects to die.
May 9, 2025
( Format : Audiobook )
"I've started so I'll finish."
A new crime series set in England's South West in the mid 1980s but very different from most: DI Mungo 'Bob' Willis is convinced that the wrong man, killed by a lorry when when he jumped from a road bridge, is not the man who had mutilated and murdered three women including his police partner,attacked after breaking down on the A303, and is determined to discover the truth. Unfortunately, he himself was hospitalised for three months after being hit by another car, memory impaired, and was no longer on active duty.
The investigation is told in the first person which puts the reader straight into Bob's head, in a position of discovery as the fast paced and unusual story unfollds. Different, fascinating and hard to put down, it is narrated by Nicholas Boulton, his performance further enhancing the pleasure of the tale with each character voiced individually and the character of Bob himself portrayed with feeling..
This has been my first encounter with author Damien Boyd, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to book two in this series and meanwhile intend to seek out a previous series he has written.
"I've started so I'll finish."
A new crime series set in England's South West in the mid 1980s but very different from most: DI Mungo 'Bob' Willis is convinced that the wrong man, killed by a lorry when when he jumped from a road bridge, is not the man who had mutilated and murdered three women including his police partner,attacked after breaking down on the A303, and is determined to discover the truth. Unfortunately, he himself was hospitalised for three months after being hit by another car, memory impaired, and was no longer on active duty.
The investigation is told in the first person which puts the reader straight into Bob's head, in a position of discovery as the fast paced and unusual story unfollds. Different, fascinating and hard to put down, it is narrated by Nicholas Boulton, his performance further enhancing the pleasure of the tale with each character voiced individually and the character of Bob himself portrayed with feeling..
This has been my first encounter with author Damien Boyd, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to book two in this series and meanwhile intend to seek out a previous series he has written.
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