The Creed

Detective Jason Smith #30

by Stewart Giles

Detective Sergeant Jason Smith thought he'd seen every kind of murderer there was to see.
Until now.
When the body of a man is found in an alley, Smith thinks it's just one more unlucky soul in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But why was his index finger severed, and shoved inside his mouth?
When another corpse is discovered with a finger in his mouth, Smith is baffled.
He gets a break in the investigation in the form of an anonymous call from a woman who claims to know why the men had to die, but the trail hits a dead end when Smith realises what he's dealing with.
A group of people are hell bent on killing, but every one of them has pledged a vow of silence to the creed they hold sacred.
As the bodies keep on piling up, Smith wonders if the silent killers devoted to The Creed are going to be the ones to finally outsmart him.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2024

About the author

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. After Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series - the DC Harriet Taylor Cornwall series. The Beekeeper hit the shelves and hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. The third in the series, The Backpacker I have self-published and is now available.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it’s a good thing that I’m not working alongside DS Smith - I’d be walking! I was way off the mark in guessing who was behind the murders.
I love a story that grips me and keeps me guessing throughout and this story did just that!
A deceased man is found on some wasteland with his finger stump stuffed in his mouth… Smith has his work cut out as more bodies appear with a similar MO, and then the case becomes even more puzzling for the team.
It’s one thing finding a suspect, but when they remain silent that’s something else. The team work hard to break through their wall of silence… Why are they committing these heinous crimes and why the silence?
Smith has enough stress going on in his private life without the added stress from this complex case but I had confidence in him.
I like the characters in this series - old and new alike, I love the banter they share and between them they make a solid team.
The author never disappoints and if you enjoy a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat crime thriller with touches of humour, then I recommend you read this series!

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book thirty Detective Jason Smith.
Dead bodies are been found with left index fingers shoved inside their mouth, what is the significance of them and what is Smith dealing with now.
With the killers pledging a vows of silent to the creed, are they going to outsmart Smith?
After a phone call from a scared woman and a meeting in the Hogs Head is this the breakthrough Smith needs in the investigation.
And once more the city of York is plunged into a serial of murders, so unputdownable right through as we go into some twisted minds.
This book has it all from people who have suffered abuse in relationships and to carry into hypnosis.
This author never writes two books the same, mind-blowing cases that keep you entertained.
Smith is a fantastic detective and a family man that brings the books to life.
I loved it. Once again it's a five stars and more.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man is found on waste ground, stabbed to death with his severed index finger pushed into his mouth. His fingerprints show he was a violent abuser of people, especially women, and naturally his victims are the prime suspects, but DS Jason Smith thinks there must be more to this dumped and displayed corpse. He’s proved correct when another very similar body turns up next to the bins behind a school. Identification proves he’s also known to police for the same kind of crimes but the finger in his mouth belongs to a third nasty piece of work. It looks like someone is exacting retribution on men who hurt women and DI Oliver Smyth’s team of Smith, Smith’s wife DS Erica Whitton, DS Rupert Bridge, PC Baldwin and DCs Kerry King and Harry Moore from York CID are lucky enough to have an eyewitness to one of the killings come forward. She tells them about a dead-eyed woman who controls all her acolytes in something called The Creed, making them kill and forcing them to take a vow of silence. She is too terrified of this woman to make a statement and sure enough, the last person to threaten to blow the whistle is soon found dead in an alley. Smith realises just how dangerous this woman is, a highly skilled mental manipulator taking advantage of already damaged and vulnerable people, even willing to have one of her own followers killed. More bodies soon follow but with such a ruthless leader in charge and no one speaking, just how will Smith crack this case?
This may be number 30 (yes 30!) in this series but this story is as fantastic as ever, as the close and loyal team battle it out with a formidable foe. In addition, Smith and Whitton are having a problematic time adopting little Fran, and Bridge’s love life is not going according to plan. However, in a smashing twisty plot which will keep the reader guessing and with an absolutely brilliant ending, they all pull together when required to keep York CID’s detection rate intact, showing they are the best crime solvers around!

[loopyloulaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The body of a man is found among the rubbish, his own severed finger in his mouth. Then more bodies are discovered with the same mutilation. Smith and his team are met with a vow of silence from the suspects...
The Creed is the 30th book in the DS Jason Smith series of police procedurals. The whole series is brilliant so read them ASAP!
A sinister cult/group is targeting abusers. One member breaks her vow of silence to contact the police but this only leads to more questions for Smith and his colleagues. Could hypnotism be responsible for the silent suspects? Smith decides to explore this angle and it puts him at odds with his superiors once again.
On the personal side of the plot, Smith and Whitton's plan to adopt Fran meets with difficulty in the shape of a jobsworth social worker. His colleagues also have their fair share of emotional turmoil in the form of break ups and this leads to the usual banter and teasing.
The style of writing is easy to read and the characters are brilliantly depicted and brought to life through their dialogue. There is a humour in the character relationships which lightens the tone as well as adding realism. The deaths were not as grisly as other books in the series and the hypnotism gave a unique angle to the case.
The Creed is another excellent addition to the series.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A body is found with a finger in the mouth which is rather odd and possibly symbolic. DS Jason Smith is used to finding out quirks.. It's what he does best and his wife Whitton may even say so has a few himself one way or another. When another similar body is found it's clear someone has a mission and is pulling the strings, but what is this creed they have been told about and who is orchestrating things?

I adore this series and get through the books rather quickly as they are all tantalising page turners. Stewart has a gift of a twisty mind (that is a compliment! honest!) that can take the reader on a journey quite like no other whereas one small piece comes into place and then boom! Another snippet to head down a seemingly different path. Jason is a no nonsense detective with a big heart and often says what we all think, but well meaning. I can’t believe this is book 30 in the series, each and every one has been a stunning brilliant read. Long may it continue. I need my Smith fix!

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the Detective Jason Smith series. This book has a couple of really great twists that surprised me. I love a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat and my mind engaged in trying to figure out the who done it of a mystery, police procedural story, and Stewart Giles is great at doing that with his Detective Jason Smith books.

Detective Jason Smith is a talented and smart detective that won't stop searching for the truth or answers until he has solved a crime he is investigating. He's like a dog with a bone when he starts looking for answers and his wife and sometimes partner in the cases, is a great person for him to bounce his ideas off of. I love Detective Smith and his team of investigators, as well as his boss DI Smythe. The men and women work tirelessly to find the killers and bring them to justice. It's a team effort, but Detective Smith seems to be the person that always has ideas of where to go next or who to bring in to help solve the crimes. I love these stories and while this is book #30 in the series, I hope there will be many more to come.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It's hard to believe we have now reached book 30 in this highly addictive series. It works well as a standalone, but I just love how the characters have progressed in their work and private lives. This is one exceptionally entertaining read.
I didn't dwell too much on the horrific parts as it's not my personal preference. It made a change for DS Smith to be on the receiving side of an interrogation by the adoption agency man. I enjoyed the murder investigation. Smith's personal life is like a soap opera and this for me is the addiction! When I reach the end of the book, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the first book I read in this series and I had some doubt as it's the 30th in the series. It was great to read it as it can be appreciated as stand-alone too
It starts in way that made me think about a thriller-horror story, tense and intriguing.
It's a solid police procedural, a bit dark but with a lot of humour. The characters are fleshed out and I liked their relationships and banters.
The story kept me hooked and guessing, appreciating the twists and the solution.
A good discovery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Still Books for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea where Stewart Giles gets his ideas from but he keeps coming up with unique storylines that grip the reader from the first page and doesn't let go until the last. this book is definitely up there with the best of them.

A very interesting story, adrenaline pumping suspense offset by the amusing parts cleverly integrated into the story. The human side of the characters brings a realism to them. I love that Oliver has a love interest and Bridge has reverted to his 'love them and leave them 'status. Brilliant book- absolutely love it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 30 for Jason Smith and each case has been unique. This time Smith has a lot going on. His home life is busy settling Fran into the Smith family life and struggling with Walter Plover who seems to want to do everything he possibly can to stop the adoption going ahead. On top of this he now has a murderer who leaves dead bodies with the rubbish with index fingers jammed in their mouths. As normal with a book from Stewart it’s a fast paced read that you definitely won’t want to put down. Another fab five star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend.

The creed by Stewart Giles.
Detective Jason Smith book 30.
This is another brilliant read by Stewart. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I can never tire of detective Jason Smith. I do like the team he works with. Erica, Harry, King, Webber, Billie, Bridge, and Smyth. Twisty and gripping. I sort of guessed, but it wasn't what I thought it was. I love how Smith is. Especially with the suspects. I really do hope there is more to come. I would definitely recommend this series.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Creed by Stewart Giles is book 33 in the DS Jason Smith series. Those in the group The Creed, are being manipulated by a woman abusing their vulnerability. Then bodies start turning up, staged in a way to make them noticeable. Smith is sure there is an avenger on the prowl. There are usually plenty of bodies through these books, but they are fun reads mainly due to the great characters. The storylines are usually nasty and twisted, and goodness knows where Stewart gets his ideas from, but the darkness is certainly offset by plenty of humour. I love the names of Jason’s dogs – Theakston and Fred. Such a great read.

[K.M. Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone that knows me will know that I’ve loved this series from the get go. This one felt a little samey for me. It took me a little longer to read, because l was starting and finishing, where as I usually devour these books in one sitting. That said, the crimes itself were interesting, the team had their usual banter, their usual fallouts and makeups. I think when you do have a series this length it is going to be impossible to get the odd story that feels like it’s repetitive and that’s okay. I won’t stop here because I’ve become invested in Smith and the gang.

[david henry muckle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Stewart like all my favorite writers they make you feel like you are there with them in the story you feel like you are part of the story you are so engrossed with it very gripping and hard to put down