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DCI Boyd #12
The Fool
With Boyd busy dealing with an under-manned CID department, a new grandchild, and Samantha Okeke desperately worried about her man, Jay... the action switches to Florida.
Jay has taken on a lucrative PI contract with a British businessman. Cash-in-hand no questions asked. But has Jay taken on more than he can handle?
Jay has taken on a lucrative PI contract with a British businessman. Cash-in-hand no questions asked. But has Jay taken on more than he can handle?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
392 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Alex Scarrow
63 books1,052 followersI live a nomadic existence with my wife Frances, and son Jacob. For now we're living in Norwich. I spent the first 10 years out of college in the music business chasing record deals and the next 12 years in the computer games business as a graphic artist and eventually a games designer. For those of you who like their computer games, here's some of the titles I've worked on:
Waterworld, Evolva, The Thing, Spartan, Gates of Troy, Legion Arena
Since signing up as an author with Orion, I seem to spend most of my time hunched over my laptop in various cafes and coffee bars sipping lattes, tapping keys and watching the ebb and flow of shoppers outside on the street. As I write this, I'm awaiting the launch of my next book - the sequel to , LAST LIGHT, and getting ready to find a publisher for the first book in a separate series, ELLIE QUIN. Ahead of me, lies research work for my next thriller, and also some screenplays I'm looking forward to writing. Although I'm glad to be where I am now, I do occasionally kick myself for not having succumbed to the writing bug much earlier. But then we all just muddle along through life, don't we? There's rarely a plan.
-Source: http://www.scarrow.co.uk/page9.html
Waterworld, Evolva, The Thing, Spartan, Gates of Troy, Legion Arena
Since signing up as an author with Orion, I seem to spend most of my time hunched over my laptop in various cafes and coffee bars sipping lattes, tapping keys and watching the ebb and flow of shoppers outside on the street. As I write this, I'm awaiting the launch of my next book - the sequel to , LAST LIGHT, and getting ready to find a publisher for the first book in a separate series, ELLIE QUIN. Ahead of me, lies research work for my next thriller, and also some screenplays I'm looking forward to writing. Although I'm glad to be where I am now, I do occasionally kick myself for not having succumbed to the writing bug much earlier. But then we all just muddle along through life, don't we? There's rarely a plan.
-Source: http://www.scarrow.co.uk/page9.html
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 16, 2025
Where do I start? I liked the DCI Boyd series at the beginning, lots of interesting scenarios based in and around Hastings. In this ridiculous storyline, a lot of the action is in Florida and in an area I am quite familiar with - unfortunately. It involves the hapless Jay, life partner of Sam Okeke. (He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer and one wonders why she is enamoured with him.) Lots of misconceptions about Floridian life (yes, there is more to the place than greasy spoon restaurants and dive bars.) The “friendship” of an illegal restaurant server and her allowing him access to her 7-year old son is so outlandish (there are pedophiles even if they have a British accent.) Jay even takes them to Disney for the day - whoa, five hours -if you are lucky with traffic - round trip and at least $500 US to get in the place and buy food! But that’s just a small quibble. The shoot out in the last chapter made me wonder if Alex Scarrow is hoping for a movie deal. Please get yourself back to Hastings Alan and give us more DCI Boyd. And as a parting note, surely Okeke deserves a better term of endearment than “babycakes”!
September 1, 2025
i really enjoy this series, and the reason i enjoy it is because it’s about DCI Boyd but the last 2 books have focused on Sam and Jay who in my opinion are better as side characters
i’m giving it 3 stars cause there were parts i enjoyed, it was an easy quick read and it’s ended on a cliffhanger so we’ll see how the next one goes
i’m giving it 3 stars cause there were parts i enjoyed, it was an easy quick read and it’s ended on a cliffhanger so we’ll see how the next one goes
May 2, 2025
Beyond terrible
If only if were possible to give negative stars. For some reason the author decided against continuing the interesting Boyd series (despite the claim of it being #12). Instead the story follows one of the minor characters from previous books. We follow the inept PI Jay on a ridiculous mission to Florida. Is the reader supposed to care about the incredibly stupid Jay and a story that is already outdated in 2025? None of it works. None of it is amusing. None of it is entertaining.
If only if were possible to give negative stars. For some reason the author decided against continuing the interesting Boyd series (despite the claim of it being #12). Instead the story follows one of the minor characters from previous books. We follow the inept PI Jay on a ridiculous mission to Florida. Is the reader supposed to care about the incredibly stupid Jay and a story that is already outdated in 2025? None of it works. None of it is amusing. None of it is entertaining.
May 3, 2025
Amateur Hour
In the past we have enjoyed reading all about Mr Boyd and his gang but I can tell you that this story has been the worst that I have read in a long time.
Jay was ok getting the training to be a PI, but was stupid and naive to think that would equate to doing it for real.
His adversory is a trained ex soldier. He has been very lucky so far but it will run out soon.
It will be interesting to see what happens!!!
In the past we have enjoyed reading all about Mr Boyd and his gang but I can tell you that this story has been the worst that I have read in a long time.
Jay was ok getting the training to be a PI, but was stupid and naive to think that would equate to doing it for real.
His adversory is a trained ex soldier. He has been very lucky so far but it will run out soon.
It will be interesting to see what happens!!!
April 18, 2025
Having received an ARC of Scarrow's new DCI Boyd series I was delighted.
Once again he has written a thrilling tale.This time it was an ancillary character centre stage Boyd's officer's boyfriend Jay who in his last book had left for the U.S. on a rather dodgy job as a P.I.
Jay's naivety lands him in deep waters.
This is a really exiting read , like all Scarrow's books in this series.
Having lived in Hastings (Where Boyd's team are based) myself I have read all 12 of the series and thoroughly enjoyed his settings, although personally I would have used The Hastings Arms rather than the pump house for meetings!
Highly recommend not just this book but the other 11 as well.
Once again he has written a thrilling tale.This time it was an ancillary character centre stage Boyd's officer's boyfriend Jay who in his last book had left for the U.S. on a rather dodgy job as a P.I.
Jay's naivety lands him in deep waters.
This is a really exiting read , like all Scarrow's books in this series.
Having lived in Hastings (Where Boyd's team are based) myself I have read all 12 of the series and thoroughly enjoyed his settings, although personally I would have used The Hastings Arms rather than the pump house for meetings!
Highly recommend not just this book but the other 11 as well.
June 8, 2025
This story takes place at the same time as book 11, The Vanishing. Whilst DCI William Boyd and the rest of the team, including DI Steven Minter and DCs Eddie Warren and Ravindra Rajan, investigate a missing person, DS Samantha Okeke is worried about her boyfriend Jay who, in some kind of attempt to reevaluate and prove himself to her, has taken a very dodgy sounding PI job in the USA. Cash in hand, and a lot of it too, with no work visa, and now she hasn’t heard from him in a while. Sounds too good to be true? Jay finds that is definitely the case, as he tails the wife of a British businessman in Palm Beach looking to find proof of her adultery, and soon finds himself on the run from a murder case, a hitman and the FBI. He quickly realises the little PI training he has undertaken has in fact made him the perfect fool in everyone’s eyes, and he needs help fast from the UK. Meanwhile back in Hastings, not everything is hunky dory for Boyd as he learns some disturbing truths about the father of his new granddaughter.
This will clearly be very much a marmite book. Lovers of the series will easily take to this departure from the usual format of the stories, with the different setting and fast and furious action taking place. Others will not be pleased to find the rather abrupt ending with its cliffhangers making some of us desperate to read the next book in the series (that’s me!). Personally, I loved it and I would recommend reading the entire series in order to appreciate where this adventure comes into play.
This will clearly be very much a marmite book. Lovers of the series will easily take to this departure from the usual format of the stories, with the different setting and fast and furious action taking place. Others will not be pleased to find the rather abrupt ending with its cliffhangers making some of us desperate to read the next book in the series (that’s me!). Personally, I loved it and I would recommend reading the entire series in order to appreciate where this adventure comes into play.
June 16, 2025
I have loved the Boyd series so far. But this book annoyed me. It felt like a side quest, taking me away from the main adventure. It felt wrong and out of place.
All the American locations felt map-based, not experience-based. I wasn't there, like I have been with the deeply embedded UK-based stories. And the ending was so annoying. Here we go, rolling along.... and stop. Just like that. But with a clumsy double cliff-hanger for the next book. Nothing resolved.
I'll buy the next Boyd book anyway. I didn't need the literary equivalent of clickbait to get to me, too. Not this deep in a series.
Jay is a great character who enriches the wider series and layers the main characters. But this book felt like when BakeOff went to Channel 4 and got new hosts - a poor facsimile of the real thing. An alternate universe version of something I once loved.
We didn't need his continual, stumbling PI rookie errors to continue Boyd's story. And then, to mirror this, Boyd pops up back at home and makes this stupid, out-of-character decision, which creates another little set-up for the next book. Annoying.
The new book is out later this year. So, for now, I'm going to forget this US/Jay story ever happened and hope it picks up with a return to form winner like the other books have been. Please don't let this be where the series jumps the shark.
All the American locations felt map-based, not experience-based. I wasn't there, like I have been with the deeply embedded UK-based stories. And the ending was so annoying. Here we go, rolling along.... and stop. Just like that. But with a clumsy double cliff-hanger for the next book. Nothing resolved.
I'll buy the next Boyd book anyway. I didn't need the literary equivalent of clickbait to get to me, too. Not this deep in a series.
Jay is a great character who enriches the wider series and layers the main characters. But this book felt like when BakeOff went to Channel 4 and got new hosts - a poor facsimile of the real thing. An alternate universe version of something I once loved.
We didn't need his continual, stumbling PI rookie errors to continue Boyd's story. And then, to mirror this, Boyd pops up back at home and makes this stupid, out-of-character decision, which creates another little set-up for the next book. Annoying.
The new book is out later this year. So, for now, I'm going to forget this US/Jay story ever happened and hope it picks up with a return to form winner like the other books have been. Please don't let this be where the series jumps the shark.
April 19, 2025
I've been looking forward to this since the last book ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger. It takes an entirely different turn as it follows Okeke's boyfriend Jay on his adventures in America. She thought he was an idiot and the job he'd taken had to be too good to be true.
Unfortunately its very quickly established that's very much the case.
Once the action properly kicks off, its relentless. Following Jay as he starts to learn just how big a mess hes got himself into. I absolutely loved the addition of Sylvie and Jorge. A potentially distracting storyline but actually brilliant.
Boyd and the rest take a back seat but they aren't out of it completely. Along with the case he was dealing with in the previous book, Boyd senses something isn't quite right with his daughters boyfriend. I felt he was a bit slow on the uptake here but it is fiction, so...
Both of these stories really heat up and then, the end. I may have called Alex a bad name as we will have to wait again to find out what happens.
Such an engrossing fantastic fast paced read. I loved every single thing about this. Another incredible installment in this series.
Unfortunately its very quickly established that's very much the case.
Once the action properly kicks off, its relentless. Following Jay as he starts to learn just how big a mess hes got himself into. I absolutely loved the addition of Sylvie and Jorge. A potentially distracting storyline but actually brilliant.
Boyd and the rest take a back seat but they aren't out of it completely. Along with the case he was dealing with in the previous book, Boyd senses something isn't quite right with his daughters boyfriend. I felt he was a bit slow on the uptake here but it is fiction, so...
Both of these stories really heat up and then, the end. I may have called Alex a bad name as we will have to wait again to find out what happens.
Such an engrossing fantastic fast paced read. I loved every single thing about this. Another incredible installment in this series.
April 18, 2025
This is another brilliant read in this excellent series. It's a bit different this time in that the main character is Sam's boyfriend Jay who in his new PI role has taken on a job in the US that appears a bit suspicious. He soon finds out that things are definitely not what they initially seemed.
Once things took off in the US, the pace of the book was relentless as Jay finds himself in deep trouble with Sam trying to help back in the UK. Sam and Boyd are more peripheral characters here although Boyd has his own issues to deal with in another riveting thread. The endings for both threads have me on tenterhooks for the next book which can't come soon enough.
Once things took off in the US, the pace of the book was relentless as Jay finds himself in deep trouble with Sam trying to help back in the UK. Sam and Boyd are more peripheral characters here although Boyd has his own issues to deal with in another riveting thread. The endings for both threads have me on tenterhooks for the next book which can't come soon enough.
April 29, 2025
The 12th DCI Boyd Crime Thriller set in Hastings, normally! This time the main action takes place in Florida where DS Samantha ‘Sam’ Okeke’s partner Jay has accepted a very high paying job tailing a wealthy business man’s wife as he believes she is having an affair. Sam tried to persuade him it was too good to be true before he left but he couldn’t see it! This is such a big change from the normal British police procedural and Boyd takes a back seat but I loved it, a whole different level.
Briefly, Jay moves into a seedy motel and starts trailing Mack Wakefield’s wife Kerry. However, it’s not long before matters take a serious turn when Jay finds a dead body. Soon he is on the run with nowhere to go… Meanwhile back in the UK Boyd has a house guest and he is very concerned about their welfare.
This is a fast paced and exciting storyline. Jay does come across as a bit inept at times, I’m not sure he’s completely cut out for working undercover! His eyes were blinded by the massive pay packet promised but they were soon opened. I cannot believe that the author left us with two massive cliffhangers, my mouth dropped when I realised I was getting no more! Mr Scarrow I sincerely hope book 13 is out soon. I mean very soon. Brilliant.
Briefly, Jay moves into a seedy motel and starts trailing Mack Wakefield’s wife Kerry. However, it’s not long before matters take a serious turn when Jay finds a dead body. Soon he is on the run with nowhere to go… Meanwhile back in the UK Boyd has a house guest and he is very concerned about their welfare.
This is a fast paced and exciting storyline. Jay does come across as a bit inept at times, I’m not sure he’s completely cut out for working undercover! His eyes were blinded by the massive pay packet promised but they were soon opened. I cannot believe that the author left us with two massive cliffhangers, my mouth dropped when I realised I was getting no more! Mr Scarrow I sincerely hope book 13 is out soon. I mean very soon. Brilliant.
April 15, 2025
This is book 12 in the brilliant DCI Boyd series. It is a bit different, set between Florida and the UK but equally as engrossing as the previous reads. The focus is more on Jay and his antics this time, he does get himself into some tricky situations! Back at home, Boyd has his own troubles between work and home and is under pressure on both fronts. This is a great addition to the series and fans will enjoy the thrills and suspense, right up to that ending which left me wanting just another chapter!
April 17, 2025
Brilliant. Loved the storyline. I was a bit hesitant at the beginning because a lot of Jays story but not much coming out of Hastings. All good though. I should have just trusted in Alex Scarrows storytelling. And we are left with not one, but two cliffhangers! Are we going to see Boyd and Sam journeying across the high seas to USA? How about the story of Emma and Dan. So many questions. I hope the wait for the next instalment isn’t too long.
May 6, 2025
The fool is a fantastic addition to the Boyd books, the story starts where the last left off, following Jay to Florida on his PI job. If you have followed the whole series and come to love the characters as much as I have then you will know that Jay is doomed before he even got on the plane.
I thought this book was great and a little different from the rest, with the ending leaving my jaw hanging, I am most definitely in need of getting my hands on the next book.
I thought this book was great and a little different from the rest, with the ending leaving my jaw hanging, I am most definitely in need of getting my hands on the next book.
April 15, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book.
WOW! What a book. Slightly different in that the main focus is on Jay in America, although Boyd and Sam are still a big part of the story. Boyd and his family are also central to another thread and both narratives develop, gathering pace towards the end. Prepare for many twists and turns, shocks and surprises. Can’t wait for the next one.
WOW! What a book. Slightly different in that the main focus is on Jay in America, although Boyd and Sam are still a big part of the story. Boyd and his family are also central to another thread and both narratives develop, gathering pace towards the end. Prepare for many twists and turns, shocks and surprises. Can’t wait for the next one.
May 6, 2025
I invested a food deal of time & tension in this book and was utterly disappointed to find that the book ended with the story incomplete. It ends in the middle of a chase of the protagonist by someone who intends him harm and with a potentially devastating revelation for Boyd and his family. Just. Stops. Dead.
This is definitely not acceptable, it is not treating the readers with respect.
This is definitely not acceptable, it is not treating the readers with respect.
May 7, 2025
So Jay is off to USA to put his PI skills to the test, surveilling a rich British man's trophy wife. Only we all know when Jay is involved it will get out of hand and boy does it. Throw in an Alt Right group, FBI, Local Police and a hit man. The book ends pretty abruptly with everything up in the air because book 13 will be out later this summer....
May 14, 2025
The Fool
OMG what a rollercoaster of a read this book has been. I'm a big fan of this series and all the books have been fast paced with good story lines. Also the team has gelled well and become an extended family, but this book has gone in a different direction and taken the series to a new level. Good to have you back Mr Scarrow I look forward to the next installment
OMG what a rollercoaster of a read this book has been. I'm a big fan of this series and all the books have been fast paced with good story lines. Also the team has gelled well and become an extended family, but this book has gone in a different direction and taken the series to a new level. Good to have you back Mr Scarrow I look forward to the next installment
May 15, 2025
I'm so disappointed in this book! No where near as slick as previous Boyd. The writing was cringe worthy and rushed. The tragedy for Boyd's family was insensitive, and to focus on Jay was a big mistake. Oh, and the story ends abruptly, so you have to buy the next book to find out how it ends ( that's a no from me! )
April 30, 2025
so Dissapointed
Why focus on Jay
I have read the series because of Boyd
Why go to America, just why?
And then end the book in the middle of the story … is this a cash grab?
I won’t be continuing with the series … so disappointed!
Why focus on Jay
I have read the series because of Boyd
Why go to America, just why?
And then end the book in the middle of the story … is this a cash grab?
I won’t be continuing with the series … so disappointed!
May 22, 2025
Book 11 pt1
Ridiculous ending and have to wait five months for Pt2. If this author is going to use cliffhanger endings in future Pt 2 will be my last book! A shame as DCI Boyd books were at the top of my list as favourites.
Ridiculous ending and have to wait five months for Pt2. If this author is going to use cliffhanger endings in future Pt 2 will be my last book! A shame as DCI Boyd books were at the top of my list as favourites.
May 26, 2025
I don’t like cliff hangers
I usually really love this series but am very disappointed at the book's abrupt ending with two plots left hanging. The author and the series are good enough that he didn’t have to resort to this. Very disappointed. It ruined the entire read for me.
I usually really love this series but am very disappointed at the book's abrupt ending with two plots left hanging. The author and the series are good enough that he didn’t have to resort to this. Very disappointed. It ruined the entire read for me.
June 17, 2025
Less Boyd more Jay
Another story left in a state of hanging. There must be another book. Gripping stuff. All set in USA but links back to Okeke and Boyd. Is it Da on the tracks and why?
Another story left in a state of hanging. There must be another book. Gripping stuff. All set in USA but links back to Okeke and Boyd. Is it Da on the tracks and why?
July 17, 2025
Holey Moley!!
Wowzers, it's all kicking off in the USA with Jay and in Hastings with Dan and Boyd. Okeke is trying to rescue Jay and I'm hoping he's going to bring Jorge home with him. No answers in this ending so straight on to the next book!
Wowzers, it's all kicking off in the USA with Jay and in Hastings with Dan and Boyd. Okeke is trying to rescue Jay and I'm hoping he's going to bring Jorge home with him. No answers in this ending so straight on to the next book!
August 6, 2025
Not Boyd!
Almost gave this up several times but went on, hoping Jay would be only a small part of the story, not the whole thing as it turned out. To me, this isn't DCI Boyd Book 12. I enjoyed the previous 11 with the whole team, but may not return for 13.
Almost gave this up several times but went on, hoping Jay would be only a small part of the story, not the whole thing as it turned out. To me, this isn't DCI Boyd Book 12. I enjoyed the previous 11 with the whole team, but may not return for 13.
August 19, 2025
Really enjoyed all of the others but this one was just too out there. I like Jay as a character but this was just too unbelievable. Hopefully the rest will return to being about DCI Boyd and the team.
August 26, 2025
ended to abruptly.
So far I have really enjoyed dci Boyd series. However this book ended to abruptly. I had to scroll forward several times on my kindle to make sure the book had really ended . Very disappointing end to this book and don’t appreciate cliff hangers .
So far I have really enjoyed dci Boyd series. However this book ended to abruptly. I had to scroll forward several times on my kindle to make sure the book had really ended . Very disappointing end to this book and don’t appreciate cliff hangers .
October 23, 2025
Errrrmm. Where is the ending??? two cliff hangers it’s not a tv soap. Made me very cross. Annoyed with the hopeless Jay ditch him he is too stupid for words. Hardly anything about Boyd and his team. Not interested in American espionage too boring for words. Wasted my time on this one
May 3, 2025
A Tale of adventure
Exciting adventure. Kept me up reading until the wee hours. Filled with action as well as humor. Highly recommend. Can’t wait to see how Jay’s adventures end.
Exciting adventure. Kept me up reading until the wee hours. Filled with action as well as humor. Highly recommend. Can’t wait to see how Jay’s adventures end.
May 6, 2025
Great Return
A fast moving Story . And also a trip to America
It could well be said that there is no such thing as easy money
A fast moving Story . And also a trip to America
It could well be said that there is no such thing as easy money
May 9, 2025
So annoying when another ends a book in the middle of the story. The next book is apparently not out until September. Wasted a morning reading bcse I was excited to see how it ended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews