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Detective Leon Peterson Mysteries #2
Murder Under Ground
When death hits close to home, is anyone who they seem?
DI Leon Peterson’s Christmas at home is interrupted by the discovery of a body practically on the police station doorstep—but who would brutally stab Paul Easton, a popular youth worker, in the station’s underground car park, and why would suspicion fall on DS Jasmine Todd?
As they work over Christmas and New Year, Leon is forced to bring in other detectives, not all of them welcome additions. They soon realise there’s more to Paul Easton and his life than meets the eye. Conflicts within the team extend both on a personal level and how they view the suspects. No one appears to be who they seem.
For Leon, this case hits home in more ways than one. Yet again he revisits his past as they hunt for Paul Easton’s killer. Meanwhile, he has his own decisions to make regarding his future in the force.
DI Leon Peterson’s Christmas at home is interrupted by the discovery of a body practically on the police station doorstep—but who would brutally stab Paul Easton, a popular youth worker, in the station’s underground car park, and why would suspicion fall on DS Jasmine Todd?
As they work over Christmas and New Year, Leon is forced to bring in other detectives, not all of them welcome additions. They soon realise there’s more to Paul Easton and his life than meets the eye. Conflicts within the team extend both on a personal level and how they view the suspects. No one appears to be who they seem.
For Leon, this case hits home in more ways than one. Yet again he revisits his past as they hunt for Paul Easton’s killer. Meanwhile, he has his own decisions to make regarding his future in the force.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2025
16 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Alex Henry
6 books8 followersAlex Henry is the pen name of three authors who between them have over forty years’ experience of writing crime and romance novels.
JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She writes mysteries and contemporary gay romance, and is frequently accused of humour. Her best-known works include the Plumber’s Mate Mystery series and standalone novel Muscling Through.
Ripley Hayes lives in West Wales, in a small town surrounded by green hills and ancient woodlands. She didn’t take up writing fiction until she retired from a long career as a university lecturer and housing researcher. Since then, she has done little else, to the despair of her friends. Her books are the kinds of books she likes to read: mysteries with wickedness but not too much blood, and romance with real people who make mistakes, all set in interesting places.
When she’s not writing, Ripley likes to read, travel, knit, and eat chocolate, ideally all at once.
Sue Brown is a Londoner who dreams of living on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance, crime, and urban fantasy, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
JL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She writes mysteries and contemporary gay romance, and is frequently accused of humour. Her best-known works include the Plumber’s Mate Mystery series and standalone novel Muscling Through.
Ripley Hayes lives in West Wales, in a small town surrounded by green hills and ancient woodlands. She didn’t take up writing fiction until she retired from a long career as a university lecturer and housing researcher. Since then, she has done little else, to the despair of her friends. Her books are the kinds of books she likes to read: mysteries with wickedness but not too much blood, and romance with real people who make mistakes, all set in interesting places.
When she’s not writing, Ripley likes to read, travel, knit, and eat chocolate, ideally all at once.
Sue Brown is a Londoner who dreams of living on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance, crime, and urban fantasy, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 8, 2025
I'm really enjoying this new series. Leon and his small but growing team is becoming more substantially developed and The ominous plot development at the end will keep me on tenterhooks until I get to the next book. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
May 1, 2025
A series that suits me down to the ground
The second book in this series follows hot on the heels of the first one, picking up just a few days after it ended. With Christmas rapidly approaching, murder seems the furthest from people’s minds until Jas discovers a body in the basement car park of the police station. With a bout of Covid taking down half the police, Leon and Jas are faced with the task of trying to identify who murdered a seemingly well loved community worker.
In this second book we get to experience some of the grittier, darker sides of life, similar to some of the glimpses we got in Ripley Hayes’ “Daniel Owen” series. With simplicity of words the authors paint a vivid picture of life in a block of flats, where gangs vie for turf as its community tries to stave off their influence. As with the first book, the authors introduce some excellently written characters who bring the story to life. The simple pacing still captures the reader and draws you effortlessly into the book. With enough twists and turns, and a couple of dramatic set pieces, this second book in the series firmly establishes itself as another “avid read”.
I really enjoyed this one, just as much as I did the series opener “Murder under construction”. I would still class this as cozy murder mystery, despite some of the difficult social issues this book deals with. There are also some new sinister characters added in this book, one that I think will be playing a bigger role in future ones. However, it’s the lightness of style the three authors have given to this series that really do make it feel like a cozy read. You quickly start to see Leon and Jas as one of the family, as you become very invested in not just their work life but their personal lives too. Thankfully in this book Leon gets around to organising a date with Ben, and Jas and Iqbal have a chance to meet up over the Christmas period.
There was a good amount of character development in this one and we got a chance to explore more about the demands placed on Jas both at home and at work. And it’s good to see the authors not just focusing on the lead detective in this series, particularly as it’s an MM murder mystery. I’m quite looking forward to the third book, though I suspect I’ll have a little while to wait for the remainder of the series, having decided to start this one midway through their writing period. That’s not normally a problem, but as each book tends to end with somewhat of a cliffhanger it makes the wait that bit more difficult. However, if the rest of the series is like these last two books, then it will definitely be worth the wait.
The second book in this series follows hot on the heels of the first one, picking up just a few days after it ended. With Christmas rapidly approaching, murder seems the furthest from people’s minds until Jas discovers a body in the basement car park of the police station. With a bout of Covid taking down half the police, Leon and Jas are faced with the task of trying to identify who murdered a seemingly well loved community worker.
In this second book we get to experience some of the grittier, darker sides of life, similar to some of the glimpses we got in Ripley Hayes’ “Daniel Owen” series. With simplicity of words the authors paint a vivid picture of life in a block of flats, where gangs vie for turf as its community tries to stave off their influence. As with the first book, the authors introduce some excellently written characters who bring the story to life. The simple pacing still captures the reader and draws you effortlessly into the book. With enough twists and turns, and a couple of dramatic set pieces, this second book in the series firmly establishes itself as another “avid read”.
I really enjoyed this one, just as much as I did the series opener “Murder under construction”. I would still class this as cozy murder mystery, despite some of the difficult social issues this book deals with. There are also some new sinister characters added in this book, one that I think will be playing a bigger role in future ones. However, it’s the lightness of style the three authors have given to this series that really do make it feel like a cozy read. You quickly start to see Leon and Jas as one of the family, as you become very invested in not just their work life but their personal lives too. Thankfully in this book Leon gets around to organising a date with Ben, and Jas and Iqbal have a chance to meet up over the Christmas period.
There was a good amount of character development in this one and we got a chance to explore more about the demands placed on Jas both at home and at work. And it’s good to see the authors not just focusing on the lead detective in this series, particularly as it’s an MM murder mystery. I’m quite looking forward to the third book, though I suspect I’ll have a little while to wait for the remainder of the series, having decided to start this one midway through their writing period. That’s not normally a problem, but as each book tends to end with somewhat of a cliffhanger it makes the wait that bit more difficult. However, if the rest of the series is like these last two books, then it will definitely be worth the wait.
September 19, 2025
3.5 stars
Leon Peterson and Jasmine Todd investigates death of a youth worker placed in front of the police station. In here, Leon and Jasmine have a little different opinion of the victim, Paul Easton. Jasmine thought of him as a very good person. While Leon, after questioning the wife, thought that there were secrets that Easton kept and it wasn't all good. It was interesting to read about the DI and his DS not exactly on the same mind this time.
I enjoyed the mystery BUT I thought the conclusion sort of coming out of nowhere and I didn't really understand how Leon came with that answer.
On a different note, there was a blooming problem for Leon at the office since apparently his manipulative bastard of an ex moved to become his supervisor.
Leon Peterson and Jasmine Todd investigates death of a youth worker placed in front of the police station. In here, Leon and Jasmine have a little different opinion of the victim, Paul Easton. Jasmine thought of him as a very good person. While Leon, after questioning the wife, thought that there were secrets that Easton kept and it wasn't all good. It was interesting to read about the DI and his DS not exactly on the same mind this time.
I enjoyed the mystery BUT I thought the conclusion sort of coming out of nowhere and I didn't really understand how Leon came with that answer.
On a different note, there was a blooming problem for Leon at the office since apparently his manipulative bastard of an ex moved to become his supervisor.
March 30, 2025
UGH, some people just can't catch a break. Not sure how I am going to feel about book #3 when it gets here next month... but, I know I will be reading it as soon as it is released. 🤞
March 21, 2025
Even Better Than Book 1
After finishing book one and loving it I dived straight into book two and OMG I loved it even more than book one.
DI Leon Peterson and his sassy sidekick DS Jasmine Todd are wonderful characters and I am fully invested in them and they, and the plot seem so real.
Poor Leon, he is such a good person and a really good detective but the universe seems to conspire against him. I so want him to give the gorgeous Ben a chance as he needs something, apart from his cats, for himself. Jas is brilliant. She is a good detective and always has Leon’s back and she probably understands him more than anyone else.
When a youth worker who everyone seems to think walks on water, is stabbed to death in the police station’s underground car park it opens up a tangled webb of lies and deceit and splits the teams views when Leon is dubious about the too good to be true Paul Easton.
This is a gritty story mostly set in an awful social housing estate where the people live in fear of the turf wars and drug dealers and violence is an everyday occurrence.
I can’t wait to read book three but I will have to wait until the 24th April 😩 Just when we think Leon catches a break the book ends with devastating news.
This series is gripping and I can’t wait to read the next book.
I must just mention that there are typos, it didn’t detract from the plot but there are a few!
After finishing book one and loving it I dived straight into book two and OMG I loved it even more than book one.
DI Leon Peterson and his sassy sidekick DS Jasmine Todd are wonderful characters and I am fully invested in them and they, and the plot seem so real.
Poor Leon, he is such a good person and a really good detective but the universe seems to conspire against him. I so want him to give the gorgeous Ben a chance as he needs something, apart from his cats, for himself. Jas is brilliant. She is a good detective and always has Leon’s back and she probably understands him more than anyone else.
When a youth worker who everyone seems to think walks on water, is stabbed to death in the police station’s underground car park it opens up a tangled webb of lies and deceit and splits the teams views when Leon is dubious about the too good to be true Paul Easton.
This is a gritty story mostly set in an awful social housing estate where the people live in fear of the turf wars and drug dealers and violence is an everyday occurrence.
I can’t wait to read book three but I will have to wait until the 24th April 😩 Just when we think Leon catches a break the book ends with devastating news.
This series is gripping and I can’t wait to read the next book.
I must just mention that there are typos, it didn’t detract from the plot but there are a few!
January 30, 2025
I'm absolutely hooked on this police procedural series!
By this second story, the characters and sense of place are well-established. I love that, rather than the hard-living detective cliche, MC Leon Peterson is a dedicated officer and a quiet man, living in his old family home with his two cats and starting to negotiate the prospect of a new romance with a local builder. In the same way, although the stories are set in London, rather than the bright lights, we're in the distant outer suburbs. The lack of glamour and sense of community makes these stories all the more compelling.
Leon and his terrific sidekicks, Jasmine and Rishi, are involved in investigating the murder of a popular youth worker over the Christmas period. As disturbing facts start to emerge about the dead man, Leon is drawn into his own past together with the people who helped shape him.
The mystery was hugely engaging, and very much about a set of complex issues affecting a local community, rather than a simple whodunnit. The characters are wonderful and fully rounded, and everything is set up for the next in the series. Can't wait!!
By this second story, the characters and sense of place are well-established. I love that, rather than the hard-living detective cliche, MC Leon Peterson is a dedicated officer and a quiet man, living in his old family home with his two cats and starting to negotiate the prospect of a new romance with a local builder. In the same way, although the stories are set in London, rather than the bright lights, we're in the distant outer suburbs. The lack of glamour and sense of community makes these stories all the more compelling.
Leon and his terrific sidekicks, Jasmine and Rishi, are involved in investigating the murder of a popular youth worker over the Christmas period. As disturbing facts start to emerge about the dead man, Leon is drawn into his own past together with the people who helped shape him.
The mystery was hugely engaging, and very much about a set of complex issues affecting a local community, rather than a simple whodunnit. The characters are wonderful and fully rounded, and everything is set up for the next in the series. Can't wait!!
January 28, 2025
A man has been killed and left in the police underground car park. He is found by Jasmine. As its christmas Leon has a few days off and DI Morales is in charge. However, most of her team go down with covid and so Leon has to take over.
Paul, the dead man is a social worker on one of the local estates.
The case escalates with rioting on the estate and Leon is still thinking about the job offer he has been given.
I am enjoying this series. Leon works well with Jas and also Rishi.
I liked the twist at the end with the reveal of the killer also we know Leon is in for a bit of a difficult ride when a face from the past comes back.
Paul, the dead man is a social worker on one of the local estates.
The case escalates with rioting on the estate and Leon is still thinking about the job offer he has been given.
I am enjoying this series. Leon works well with Jas and also Rishi.
I liked the twist at the end with the reveal of the killer also we know Leon is in for a bit of a difficult ride when a face from the past comes back.
February 1, 2025
This was even better than the first story. I really like Leon and love his partners Jasmine and Rishi and disliked Gary. You knew that the murdered man was not the saint that he was believed to be. I did not figure out who the murderer was but you had mixed feelings about it because the murdered man was so awful. Gary was surprising when he wanted Leon to go easy on the kid who pushed him down the stairs at the housing estate and maybe he might improve as a cop but I so shocked when Leon's horrible ex was named as the new boss after Leon had turned down the counter-terrorism job. Really looking forward to the next story.
August 26, 2025
This was interesting. I mostly picked it up because I saw it was a combination of writers which includes one of my faves, Ripley Hayes. Similar to her solo written books, this has some grey atmosphere, and although I enjoyed the procedural approach (as I always do), the glacial pace of the romance side of things could have been improved, LOL. But the mystery was intriguing, and I'll probably pick up the next one, as well.
Note: Any books like this about police procedures in the UK are fascinating -- mostly because they highlight some of the differences between the US and UK when it comes to justice (hint: justice is much more clearly -- and quickly -- served here in the US).
Note: Any books like this about police procedures in the UK are fascinating -- mostly because they highlight some of the differences between the US and UK when it comes to justice (hint: justice is much more clearly -- and quickly -- served here in the US).
August 29, 2025
4.25 Stars rounded down
Alex Henry’s Murder Under Ground isn’t quite as good as Murder Under Construction, the initial volume of the ‘Detective Leon Peterson Mysteries’ series, but it’s still a fascinating read.
That said, this reader is already so invested in the wonderful cast of characters created by UK authors JL Merrow, Ripley Hayes, and Sue Brown (collectively writing as Alex Henry), that it’s right on to the third volume, Murder Under Contract, to find what’s next in the lives of DI Leon Peterson, DS Jasmine Todd, and their friends and colleagues.
My best is that most readers will have the same experience.
Alex Henry’s Murder Under Ground isn’t quite as good as Murder Under Construction, the initial volume of the ‘Detective Leon Peterson Mysteries’ series, but it’s still a fascinating read.
That said, this reader is already so invested in the wonderful cast of characters created by UK authors JL Merrow, Ripley Hayes, and Sue Brown (collectively writing as Alex Henry), that it’s right on to the third volume, Murder Under Contract, to find what’s next in the lives of DI Leon Peterson, DS Jasmine Todd, and their friends and colleagues.
My best is that most readers will have the same experience.
February 10, 2025
I eagerly awaited the second installment in Alex Henry's Leon Peterson series and it did not disappoint. Each of the first 2 books takes place over the period of days, so the stories are relatively small, but the peek inside Leon's life and that of his trusty sidekick Jas are fully fleshed out and feel very real. The mysteries are twisty and interesting, and I love how we're seeing Leon's back story emerge as we get to know him better. The minor cliffhanger for book 3 left me wishing it was coming sooner.
December 12, 2025
An excellent follow up book.
Leon and Jas develop, especially in their private lives but also as work colleagues- and bring Rishii ti the fold. Will have to see how Gary fits in eventually.
There is a bug bear in the distance with an ex though, and Leon’s dad as a link theme didn’t really emerge as i had thought it might - one small reference.
Life on one of outer London’s housing estates is explored in all its gruesome details - people, conditions, exploitation etc
Leon and Jas develop, especially in their private lives but also as work colleagues- and bring Rishii ti the fold. Will have to see how Gary fits in eventually.
There is a bug bear in the distance with an ex though, and Leon’s dad as a link theme didn’t really emerge as i had thought it might - one small reference.
Life on one of outer London’s housing estates is explored in all its gruesome details - people, conditions, exploitation etc
February 11, 2025
This is second of a series of British mysteries and should be read in order starting with Murder Under Construction. A little slow at the start, but picks up speed quickly. The characters are interesting and the plot a step above average. The over-arching plot/character development of the chief protagonist DI Peterson is engaging and I'm looking forward to the next book.
May 7, 2025
Second book in this series and l like it a lot. Again, the emphasis is mostly on the crime, the romance is sill on the slowest of slow burns and there is a lot to unravel in other regards, too. What I really enjoy in this series it the "reality". It reads and feels real, gritty, tired, helpless, overwhelmed, thrilling, elated, and in all really, really thrilling. Loved it, on to the next one.
January 29, 2025
Interesting plot, well rounded characters, believable setting - really easy to read with some concerning insights into the issue of controlling behaviour and who it can affect. Great series and an auto read for me.
January 30, 2025
Will be continuing. Very little romance but I’m still into it.
February 26, 2025
Very good
Good murder case with a twist. Poor Leon, he needs someone to truly love him. Can't wait for the next book.
Good murder case with a twist. Poor Leon, he needs someone to truly love him. Can't wait for the next book.
March 7, 2025
Even better than the first. Nice twists.
Read
March 31, 2025Still ok on the mystery side but zero romance
Read
May 10, 2025DNF - I didn’t get far into this at all, just find it hard to feel invested
June 2, 2025
Be wary of discussion of coercive control in relationships in this one.
June 19, 2025
Another good case. Terrible what happened to Leon with is ex. Interesting ending.
November 26, 2025
4.5 stars
October 20, 2025
There’s a scene in this book that could have been pulled straight from The Wire—chaotic and violent, with bullets flying and buildings burning. I wasn’t expecting that level of intensity in the second book of an LGBTQ+ police procedural with a hint of a budding romance, but it works. The moment comes about halfway through, and yet it sets the tone for the entire book. The overarching mystery is darker than the one in Murder Under Construction, giving the story higher stakes.
Even with that darker backdrop, it’s Leon and the people around him who make the book shine. Leon is quickly becoming one of my favorite modern detectives. I love spending time with him, watching how he works with his team, and seeing how his determination pushes him forward. He’s not a genius on the level of Poirot or Holmes, but he doesn’t need to be—his persistence, loyalty, and instinct for justice make him just as compelling.
Two books in, I find myself admiring Leon more with each case. If book three continues in this direction, I’ll be falling even deeper in love.
Even with that darker backdrop, it’s Leon and the people around him who make the book shine. Leon is quickly becoming one of my favorite modern detectives. I love spending time with him, watching how he works with his team, and seeing how his determination pushes him forward. He’s not a genius on the level of Poirot or Holmes, but he doesn’t need to be—his persistence, loyalty, and instinct for justice make him just as compelling.
Two books in, I find myself admiring Leon more with each case. If book three continues in this direction, I’ll be falling even deeper in love.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews