Crossing The Line

DI Joe Keegan #1

by Jamie Sinclair

How far would you go to keep your family safe?

When a body is found in the fire-ravaged remains of a block of flats off Morecambe Promenade, DI Keegan and his team are sent in to investigate. But injuries to the body show that this was no accident. When the landlord of the building is found badly beaten, Keegan realises there might be a connection to a high-profile armed robbery at the nearby university. As the case unravels, DI Keegan must come face to face with an old enemy and risk his family’s safety, his life and his career in order to ensure justice is served.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

305 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2024

About the author

Originally I'm a Yorkshire boy (as of 1976 when I was born) but have lived in Lancashire since I was four. Specifically my parents moved to Morecambe, the seaside and to this day I still love looking at the sea. Morecambe tends to be the setting for my books. My new police procedural, Crossing The Line, is the first to feature DI Joe Keegan. It's set in Morecambe, and neighbouring Lancaster. Earlier crime thriller Beneath The Surface and it's sequel are set in and around some iconic buildings in the town and my detective thriller The Trust also takes place in neighbouring Lancaster. My addictive suspense thriller, I Remember You, published in December 2022, and is also set in Morecambe.

I have an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University. I'd thoroughly recommend the course to anyone interested in writing as it's great to be around like minded folk. I wrote my debut novel as part of the course. Playground Cool is a funny and heart-warming story about love and second chances. It's also set in Manchester.

My favourite author is Stephen King and I maintain that when he's on form he's as good as anyone has ever been. Unfortunately, in my opinion, he is often sold short as merely a writer of horror stories. Still, he's hardly struggling for readers. My favourite book is Catcher in the Rye although it's not everyone's idea of fun.

I'm also a keen supporter of Liverpool Football Club and, before he retired, I was a bit obsessed with Roger Federer. I'm also, thanks in large part to my dad, a big fan of The Rolling Stones.

You can get up to date offers by clicking the 'Follow' button. I'm also on the usual social media channels. For book news go to my Facebook page or track me down on what used to be called Twitter (@Hesty7). For pictures of my garden and which vinyl records I'm listening to have a look at my Instagram (hestbank7).

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Keegan and his partner, DC Torrance, headed to the block of flats on Morecambe Promenade, where the fire department was trying to stem the flames. A couple of explosions kept them all away, then the place was deemed unsafe for sometime - unable to venture inside was frustrating, but they'd do it eventually. Meanwhile there was a break and enter at the nearby university, but Keegan couldn't make any sense of that. There was only small business there, nothing of great value or importance. Was there something more to the buildings at the uni?

The body from the flats was found to be dead before the fire began. A student was about to buy a Porsche - with cash. And the owner of both the flats, and the building at the uni, was beaten almost to death. What on earth was happening in their small town? But when threats were made against Keegan's family, the stakes rose exponentially.

Crossing The Line is the 1st in the DI Joe Keegan series by Jamie Sinclair and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I picked it from my kindle for a challenge, and am so glad I did! Keegan is a bit of a cliché - too much booze; bad hangovers - Torrance has had a hard time after a small mistake. Both are totally likeable and agreeable characters. As is their Super; she's very approachable, quite unlike most I've read about! All in all, a fabulous start to a new (to me) series, one I'll continue! Highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in a series where we meet D.I.Keegan, a likeable, very likeable guy who is struggling with personal issues yet manages ( in his unique style ) to be a more than good Detective

We also meet demoted D.S.Torrance, another real life character, far from perfect but intent on getting her career and life back on track

Together they are a dark humoured pair, sometimes just managing to ‘see off’ their pompous boss…but together they make a fiesty, determined couple of crime solvers in their area of Lancashire

The story itself revolves around corruption and money, lots of it and how it has ended up in the wrong hands….and a fire with a dead body that has perplexed everyone

I loved the writing, chatty and informal and easy to get to know the characters, their lives and foibles and what made them tick, really enjoyed the setting, long long time since I went to Morecambe ( and how I loved the water splash ride ) and the story although involved was explained so well I knew exactly what was happening to who and where ( the procedural bits were not boring ) and any book that mentions ‘Echo and the Bunnymen’ in my view gets bonus points

A really good, gritty and genuine to life start to a series and the title becomes apparent towards the end, making what’s to come from the series even more intriguing

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Keegan works hard … at a major cost to his family. His wife has moved in with another man and taken their children with her. He knows he needs to move on, but he’s struggling.

DC Torrance has been demoted from DS, due to a major error in a case. She has her own issues and there aren’t many who want to work with her.

Keegan and Torrance are put together when they investigate a fire, which has resulted in a death. Who set the fire in the property and they need a name for the body found.

With an armed robbery around Lancaster University as well, they’ve got their work cut out for them.

I found this to be an entertaining and enjoyable read. The characters were believable and their flaws added more depth to the story.

There is a web of lies surrounding the complex cases, and Keegan & Torrance have their work cut out for them.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.

[Vicsta Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the new DI Keegan series. From the off you are reeled in. The reader is in amongst a cordoned off block of flats which is on fire but is this a possible arson attack?

DI Joe Keegan and his sidekick DC Alex Torrance are investigating the fire and a body is found. Who is the deceased and is the fire and death suspicious?

What incident occurs at a university? and are there any connections to the fire?

A story that involves money, blackmail and corruption with lots of twists. I also throughly enjoyed the story that runs alongside the crimes of Keegan’s personal life and his relationship with Torrance. They are a great new solid pairing and I look forward to seeing how they develop in the future.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Keegan is recently divorced, and is having a tough time adjusting. His new partner, Torrance, has been demoted because of an error made on a previous case. They are investigating a fire when they learn that there is a body in the building. Keegan is also assigned to a robbery at a local college by his obnoxious boss, and realizes that the cases are connected. Torrance has some personal problems, and Keegan figures out a way to help her in a very unorthodox manner.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fire sweeps through all the flats in a house at the promenade in Morecambe and DI Joe Keegan, pulled from a drunken stupor in a local pub by DC Alex Torrance, investigates. Soon it’s clear it was a case of arson but that doesn’t explain the murdered woman on the first floor. The trail leads them to an estate agent and letting agency and, as they delve deeper into the landlord, tenants and victim, links are discovered between them all and also to a suspicious armed robbery at the university campus. Suspicious, since very little was taken and it seems the robbers didn’t find what they were looking for. Eventually Keegan has an explanation for the arson but still no murder suspect nor motive for the death. Will the link between this and the robbery open up a whole bigger and more dangerous case for him?
Keegan and Torrance are both excellent detectives although they have flaws and problems in their personal lives, leading to their pairing up as no one else wants to work with them. That aside, they are both streets ahead of their inept DCI and fortunately have a Superintendent who realises their worth. There was some great humour between the pair and I liked both of them a lot. This is a well written twisty and fast paced police procedural with loads going on and lots of trails that eventually link together in a very engrossing story featuring murder, organised crime, threats and lots of money. This was a great opener to the series and I am definitely eager to read more stories featuring this very human pair of detectives.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! One to keep you right between the pages and more! There’s a fire in a block of flats and a body has been found but DI Keegan is recovering from a heavy night- his divorce papers have just come through. He is paired with DC Torrance who has been demoted for making a blunder on a case who was formerly a DS. They are the “ Billy no mates” of a team, given the worst case in town, almost literally. Where to start on a case where no-one appears to know anything? When it gets personal Keegan is fighting not only crime but for his and his family's safety.

This is a new author to me and by a few pages in, I found myself enjoying the relaxed style this is written in and the beginnings of great characters which developed through the book. There's humour and a grit about Keegan which I couldn't help but like and his relationship with Torrance, both needing to prove themselves for different reasons. This is a truly brilliant book I didn't want to put down. A new author and I’m blown away by the skill, the plot and the characters which come across as a very seasoned, talented one I cant wait for the next one. A stunning, engrossing, remarkable read. A big 5*

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
----------------------------------------------------------

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of a new series featuring Detective Inspector Joe Keegan and what a great start to the series. Keegan who is considered washed up as a detective is partnered with DC Alex Torrance, another who has badly blotted her copybook. When a shop parade in Morecambe is ablaze Keegan is sent to investigate if it is a criminal case. Really well written this is a fast paced police procedural that grabbed my attention from the start.

Briefly, when a body is found in the ashes, and it is confirmed that the victim was murdered, things ramp up for the police team. Between fighting the obnoxious DCI Barnes and this complex case, both Keegan and Alex are managing their own private demons.

I’ve read this author before so I expected a great plot with good twists and turns and that’s exactly what I got. Loved the two main characters and you can see how they are beginning to gel, and work off each other. Their conversations were great, full of humour, a bit of sarcasm and supportive of each other; I see great things in the future for both them and the reader! Highly enjoyable police procedural.

[Rosie Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Joe Keegan wouldn't exactly make it as a poster child for the police force, even his flaws have flaws. And his new partner, DC Alex Torrance isn't without her issues either, having been demoted from DS to DC because of an error. But together ~ they make a highly effective team and are soon getting to grips with an arson resulting in a dead body, and an armed robbery at a local university.

Sometimes the first book in a new series is quite staid and gently steals into your consciousness, other times they grab you from the first page and take you on a roller-coaster ride right up to the last. Crossing The Line definitely falls into the latter category, steps up, gives you a quick slap and then runs off leaving you no option but to chase after it and hopefully catch up.

The flaws are what make Keegan and Torrance real, adding depth to their characters that makes you want to read about them, find out what makes them tick.

Personally I can't wait for the second book in the series....

[Pauline Render · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started literally with a bang and after first meeting DC Alex Torrance, then DI Keegan, I knew I was going to be in for one fantastic read. Both have their own personal issues to contend with while trying to solve a possible arson attack and murder. But when their case overlaps with another, it soon became clear to me that there were going to be plenty of twists and turns as most of the characters had something to hide. There’s plenty of action, some great humour and the pairing of Keegan and Torrance is a brilliant combination of two people with their own points to prove. I loved their dialogue and attitude towards each other and can’t wait to see how their relationship grows.
Crossing the Line is the first in the Detective Inspector Keegan series and now I’m just hoping I haven’t got too long to wait before their next case. An easy 5* read from me.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first in a series leans on the flawed detective trope, and by the time Keegan crosses a line between honourable and dishonourable, he does it to save the lives of his family, who've been threatened. He also tries to defend his partner by what he does. It's a gripping and exciting story. I'm looking forward to the next in the series and I wonder whether his actions will come back to bite him.

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in a series and what I hope is many more to follow. Keegan and Torrance are my kind of characters, a little stand offish and have history in their private lives. The book grabbed my interest at the first page and didn’t let go till the last. I am eagerly awaiting to see these characters develop over the series.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. The part were Keegan frames colleague Kieran for a crime, was not very believable.

[SylviaV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossing The Line by Jamie Sinclair. (DI Joe Keegan #1)

This is an interesting read. I read a lot of crime thrillers and detective stories set in the UK. The story line seems familiar to me but I suppose there are only so many story lines out there in this type of genre before they all seem similar.
The story in this book has been well crafted and I was engaged with the characters and story line.