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DI Joseph Stone Crime Thrillers #6
Shadows of the Mind
A race against time. A battle for redemption. And a mind game where trusting the wrong person could be fatal.A man kills a fellow officer—and no one knows why.
Minutes later, DCI Simon Hart steps in front of a van moments later, the mystery deepens.
As more bodies surface, each death echoing the last, DI Joseph Stone realises he’s being dragged back to a case he thought was buried. A flawed conviction. A dead man. And a doubt that never went away. As Joseph and DC Megan Anderson follow the trail, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and revenge—one that blurs the line between memory and truth. But when they finally identify a suspect, the real game begins.
Because this killer doesn’t just want to win.
They want to control the mind.
With his grip on reality slipping and his past closing in, Joseph faces an impossible descend into the darkness to stop a killer… or lose himself to it
Minutes later, DCI Simon Hart steps in front of a van moments later, the mystery deepens.
As more bodies surface, each death echoing the last, DI Joseph Stone realises he’s being dragged back to a case he thought was buried. A flawed conviction. A dead man. And a doubt that never went away. As Joseph and DC Megan Anderson follow the trail, they uncover a pattern of manipulation and revenge—one that blurs the line between memory and truth. But when they finally identify a suspect, the real game begins.
Because this killer doesn’t just want to win.
They want to control the mind.
With his grip on reality slipping and his past closing in, Joseph faces an impossible descend into the darkness to stop a killer… or lose himself to it
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 26, 2025
Having never previously read any of JR Sinclair’s work, I was branching away from my usual ‘go to’ authors which I read when I am looking for the comfort of knowing I was to invest my precious time with a reliably rewarding read. But goodness me what an absorbing thriller Shadows of the Mind proved to be.
Without doubt this was a murder mystery but at times I felt I was in a world of psychic mystique. DI Joseph Stone is faced with a suspicious death that is very close to home when a police friend, who he worked with in the past, seems to have had a mental breakdown and gone from reliable and popular detective, to murderer in the blink of an eye.
When more murders occur that appear to have been the result of a sudden change of normal personality, the race is on to get to the truth and save lives.
I am not usually entertained by matters that imply some sort of paranormal human behaviour but in the confident hands of JR Sinclair, I was fully taken in. And whilst this was book 6 in his DI Joseph Stone Crime Thriller series, I can vouch for the fact it can be read standalone. That said, I now really would like to get to know Stone better and to learn of his journey that has got him to the book I have just so thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommend
Without doubt this was a murder mystery but at times I felt I was in a world of psychic mystique. DI Joseph Stone is faced with a suspicious death that is very close to home when a police friend, who he worked with in the past, seems to have had a mental breakdown and gone from reliable and popular detective, to murderer in the blink of an eye.
When more murders occur that appear to have been the result of a sudden change of normal personality, the race is on to get to the truth and save lives.
I am not usually entertained by matters that imply some sort of paranormal human behaviour but in the confident hands of JR Sinclair, I was fully taken in. And whilst this was book 6 in his DI Joseph Stone Crime Thriller series, I can vouch for the fact it can be read standalone. That said, I now really would like to get to know Stone better and to learn of his journey that has got him to the book I have just so thoroughly enjoyed.
Highly recommend
May 5, 2025
Wow! A premise unlike any other- one which is totally captivating.
When a trusted DI grabs a gun from a crime scene and then shoots his long-time colleague and then jumps in front of a vehicle to kill himself, DI Joseph Stone knows something is off, very off. What would cause someone to do this, something so out of kilter with their normal life? When there is more than one occurrence, and it possibly leads to a stage mentalist, things take a very strange turn. What is going on and how?
Blimey Riley! What a book, what a premise! When you think you have come across most crime acts, something like this comes your way and blows your mind (every pun intended- read the book to find out!). How clever and well researched by the author. This must have taken some planning, I was completely blown away. Brilliant doesn't do this justice, neither does 5 stars. I’m lost for words.
Wow, just wow!
When a trusted DI grabs a gun from a crime scene and then shoots his long-time colleague and then jumps in front of a vehicle to kill himself, DI Joseph Stone knows something is off, very off. What would cause someone to do this, something so out of kilter with their normal life? When there is more than one occurrence, and it possibly leads to a stage mentalist, things take a very strange turn. What is going on and how?
Blimey Riley! What a book, what a premise! When you think you have come across most crime acts, something like this comes your way and blows your mind (every pun intended- read the book to find out!). How clever and well researched by the author. This must have taken some planning, I was completely blown away. Brilliant doesn't do this justice, neither does 5 stars. I’m lost for words.
Wow, just wow!
May 6, 2025
What a read this was. Even if you weren't familiar with the earlier books, the blurb itself would be enough to beckon you in and keep you hooked throughout. When a police detective kills a colleague in front of other colleagues and then commits suicide, both acts leave everyone who was there or who knew the man totally dumbfounded. Coupled with other surprising deaths which seem to have links to a past crime, Joseph is convinced there is something bigger at play here. I loved how the whole plot turned out and he is proved right.
The whole concept blew me away and ensured I had to keep reading to know more. There's plenty of heart in mouth moments when certain characters are majorly impacted and I read this with my heart in my mouth. Even when you things have come to a head, there's time for a further twist.
I really enjoyed the personal side of things and a new development with The Nightwatchmen left me shocked. I wish the next book was here already.
The whole concept blew me away and ensured I had to keep reading to know more. There's plenty of heart in mouth moments when certain characters are majorly impacted and I read this with my heart in my mouth. Even when you things have come to a head, there's time for a further twist.
I really enjoyed the personal side of things and a new development with The Nightwatchmen left me shocked. I wish the next book was here already.
May 6, 2025
Ooft! What a read, what a plot, what a total rollercoaster of a mind blowing read. My brain is exhausted and my emotions are all over the place after reading this latest installment in the DI Joseph Stone series, from a very talented author. He has to be my favourite in the crime fiction genre and this is my best read of the year so far. What a clever piece of plotting, right from the opening chapter to the last. I love the character development, especially Dylan and Megan, as well as the Oxford setting. Buckle up and enjoy the journey in this very unique and clever read. It will blow your mind! One of the best series in the crime fiction genre and one I highly recommend. I am just disappointed I have finished it!
May 15, 2025
The sixth book in the DI Joseph Stone series. DCI Simon Hart murders a fellow officer and friend and then steps out in front of a lorry and is killed. Stone and Anderson begin their investigations only to discover that other people linked to a past case have also taken their own lives. They follow the links and slowly start to solve the investigation although at times it puts them in danger.
Another gripping read that has lots of twists and turns but also with lighthearted moments with some of the regular characters. The books get better and better in this series and I’m looking forward to the next one.
Another gripping read that has lots of twists and turns but also with lighthearted moments with some of the regular characters. The books get better and better in this series and I’m looking forward to the next one.
May 25, 2025
Stone and his team become involved in several cases where people act totally out of character and commit serious crimes, including two of their own. One officer kills another, then himself. Cases pile up and they consult a TV mentalist. Stone himself, in a furiously action-packed and exciting plot, feels the effects. His neighbour on the canal continues to be a wonderful character and great sounding board for Stone's theories. Great characters, superb plotting and a series you can't help but fall into and become totally immersed.
June 1, 2025
Beyond ridiculous
If there was ever a book with a more ridiculous premise I certainly haven't read it. First i thought there would be some kind of reasonable explanation. Then I just continued reading while thinking how absolutely, eye rollingly stupid the "science" was. Finally realizing the waste of time, I skipped to the end only to see if my guess as to the twist was correct. Given how the author had broadcast the whodunnit, there was no surprise. I not only want my money back, I want my time returned.
If there was ever a book with a more ridiculous premise I certainly haven't read it. First i thought there would be some kind of reasonable explanation. Then I just continued reading while thinking how absolutely, eye rollingly stupid the "science" was. Finally realizing the waste of time, I skipped to the end only to see if my guess as to the twist was correct. Given how the author had broadcast the whodunnit, there was no surprise. I not only want my money back, I want my time returned.
April 23, 2026
A really challenging read
Yet another excellent book, the plot is inspiring because it deals with a subject that I knew nothing about. The friction writhing his team is stretched and stretched and seems near to breaking point but the real finale is superb. Thank you for an outstanding read.
Yet another excellent book, the plot is inspiring because it deals with a subject that I knew nothing about. The friction writhing his team is stretched and stretched and seems near to breaking point but the real finale is superb. Thank you for an outstanding read.
May 31, 2025
In some ways this was a really scary book. I can’t go into reasons for this as it would give away too much, but once you have read it you will understand what I’m saying
June 5, 2025
Blowing your mind!
A helter skelter ride to an amazing conclusion. What a great story, with plenty of action. Literally could not put it down. Bravo, Mr Sinclair, another winner!
A helter skelter ride to an amazing conclusion. What a great story, with plenty of action. Literally could not put it down. Bravo, Mr Sinclair, another winner!
June 7, 2025
Plot line seemed a bit out there to me but suspending my disbelief, thoroughly enjoyed the read - kept me guessing almost to very end!!!!
June 12, 2025
A Must Read!!!
So enjoyed this book, with every page, just got better and better! Thrilling too, Looking forward to the next one! Bring it on! This one was 5*****.😊👍
So enjoyed this book, with every page, just got better and better! Thrilling too, Looking forward to the next one! Bring it on! This one was 5*****.😊👍
June 23, 2025
It kept my interest up, but a bit off the wall foe my liking; which took off a star
September 22, 2025
The 6th book in the series and it didn’t disappoint. I continue to enjoy the character development, and the story kept me guessing. Bravo!!
May 8, 2025
Shadows of the Mind by J.R. Sinclair is book 6 in the DI Joseph Stone series. This series is set in Oxford. A drug house in Banbury becomes a bloodbath and is a horrific scene for when DCI Simon Hart arrives to start the investigation. The hunt for the Night Watchmen continues and this latest murder spree looks similar to the other Night Watchmen hits. Then the carnage increases, and this part of the investigation takes them down an unusual and very intriguing path. Joseph and DC Megan Anderson are called on to join this part of the investigation. The method used in these killings and how they are instigated is scary. There are some wonderful characters through the book and my favourite, apart from Joseph, would have to be Professor Dylan Shaw, who lives on the narrowboat next to Joseph’s. His network is extensive as is his knowledge across so many different topics. And what a cook he is with some amazing-sounding culinary delights. This is a fabulous series, but with the Night Watchmen thread continuing on from previous books, it is best if the books are read in order.
May 31, 2026
A good read but slightly improbable occurrences that form the mainstay of the plot. Or are they? Seems a little far fetched at times, however what if it really was probable? could you be certain that you would be immune and be able to detect the tele tail signs??? Maybe something to consider next time you get a headache?? Would recommend, a great read and keeps the series alive
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews