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L.A. Cyber Noir Mystery #2
Dark Web
Unmask the darkness where secrets are currency and trust can be fatal.
Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells thought they’d seen the worst humanity had to offer when they brought down the Rose Slayer. But the brutal murders were only the beginning.
Following the conclusion of the Rose Slayer case, a disturbing new threat emerges. Inspired by the Rose Slayer’s crimes and fueled by the internet’s darkest corners, a shadowy network of anonymous users is plotting the ultimate tribute: a perfect copycat murder.
Tasked with leading the LAPD’s fledgling Cyber Crimes Unit, Pawson and Wells dive into the uncharted abyss of the dark web—a labyrinth of encrypted chatrooms, illicit markets, and hidden horrors. With time running out, the detectives and their team must decode cryptic clues, outsmart cyber-savvy criminals, and stop a murder before it’s too late.
But the hunt takes its toll. Pawson battles the demons of his sobriety as Wells wrestles with fears about his own son’s safety.
When a shocking twist links the dark web conspiracy back to the Rose Slayer case, the detectives are thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse—where every move could be their last.
The ‘Dark Web’ is a gripping crime thriller that explores the sinister power of online communities, the fragility of justice, and the resilience of those who dare to fight for it. Welcome to the digital battlefield, where evil hides behind the screen—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells thought they’d seen the worst humanity had to offer when they brought down the Rose Slayer. But the brutal murders were only the beginning.
Following the conclusion of the Rose Slayer case, a disturbing new threat emerges. Inspired by the Rose Slayer’s crimes and fueled by the internet’s darkest corners, a shadowy network of anonymous users is plotting the ultimate tribute: a perfect copycat murder.
Tasked with leading the LAPD’s fledgling Cyber Crimes Unit, Pawson and Wells dive into the uncharted abyss of the dark web—a labyrinth of encrypted chatrooms, illicit markets, and hidden horrors. With time running out, the detectives and their team must decode cryptic clues, outsmart cyber-savvy criminals, and stop a murder before it’s too late.
But the hunt takes its toll. Pawson battles the demons of his sobriety as Wells wrestles with fears about his own son’s safety.
When a shocking twist links the dark web conspiracy back to the Rose Slayer case, the detectives are thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse—where every move could be their last.
The ‘Dark Web’ is a gripping crime thriller that explores the sinister power of online communities, the fragility of justice, and the resilience of those who dare to fight for it. Welcome to the digital battlefield, where evil hides behind the screen—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2025
4 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Bentley
54 books269 followersStephen Bentley is an award-winning author. Of his Operation Julie true crime book, screenwriter and novelist, writer of 'Julie' BBC Drama, Rob Gittins, said, "The fascinating and extraordinary inside story from the man who was actually there.”
Of his later fiction works, British crime author, Pat MacDonald said, “I knew when I read the author’s first book although non-fiction that he could make the transition to writing fiction; I was right. He has an ease of language that lends itself to storytelling; he tells it as if he was there in the plot and why shouldn’t he having been an undercover cop in the real world? Not that Steve Regan is meant to be him, but having the experience means he can do whatever he wants with his fictional characters, and they will always be believable.”
Like some other authors, his life experience is broad and unconventional. He spent 30 years in the legal system, first as a detective for 15 years then as barrister plying his trade as “a wig for hire” in London and the English provinces. He was a pioneering undercover cop on Operation Julie and as a barrister defended in trials involving murder, rape, drug importation, other serious crimes and defended soldiers at courts-martial.
He worked in a warehouse. Rode a big motorbike as a London courier. He drove big articulated trucks and taught how to drive them. He also worked as a hospital porter twice. He drove chilled delivery vans in London in the 1990s to fund his law degree and bar school studies. He spent the last two years of his working life driving plant and operating heavy filtration machinery for Europe’s largest water company. His work mates soon recognised his advocacy skills and elected him as their shop steward.
He has now written over twenty books. Two of them have been optioned and in development; one as a TV drama series, and one as a drama doc.
You can find Stephen at stephenbentley.info
His wife is a better person than him in all regards and is a source of support in his goal of entertaining readers. She has also made him a better person.
Stephen Bentley's book recommendations
Of his later fiction works, British crime author, Pat MacDonald said, “I knew when I read the author’s first book although non-fiction that he could make the transition to writing fiction; I was right. He has an ease of language that lends itself to storytelling; he tells it as if he was there in the plot and why shouldn’t he having been an undercover cop in the real world? Not that Steve Regan is meant to be him, but having the experience means he can do whatever he wants with his fictional characters, and they will always be believable.”
Like some other authors, his life experience is broad and unconventional. He spent 30 years in the legal system, first as a detective for 15 years then as barrister plying his trade as “a wig for hire” in London and the English provinces. He was a pioneering undercover cop on Operation Julie and as a barrister defended in trials involving murder, rape, drug importation, other serious crimes and defended soldiers at courts-martial.
He worked in a warehouse. Rode a big motorbike as a London courier. He drove big articulated trucks and taught how to drive them. He also worked as a hospital porter twice. He drove chilled delivery vans in London in the 1990s to fund his law degree and bar school studies. He spent the last two years of his working life driving plant and operating heavy filtration machinery for Europe’s largest water company. His work mates soon recognised his advocacy skills and elected him as their shop steward.
He has now written over twenty books. Two of them have been optioned and in development; one as a TV drama series, and one as a drama doc.
You can find Stephen at stephenbentley.info
His wife is a better person than him in all regards and is a source of support in his goal of entertaining readers. She has also made him a better person.
Stephen Bentley's book recommendations
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 17, 2025
This was a wonderful, very descriptive story chasing a serial killer copycats. There were many leads in finding killer but many obstacles in way of solving the case. The characters are as interesting as the story itself. The established relationships within the police team worked together. This was a very enjoyable read that kept you guessing at what would happen next.
This was an unbiased review of an ARC read.
This was an unbiased review of an ARC read.
October 27, 2025
Very well-written suspense thriller with tension that builds throughout. Every time you think the bad guy is in the bag, you find out there's more to the story. Exceptional character development and even the heroes have flaws, but are all the more heroic fir fighting their own demons. Highly recommend!
October 26, 2025
Stephen Bentley demonstrates his versatility.
A recent trilogy of his "The Last Message" was characterised by short sharp staccato phrases that highlighted the pace the fight against unknown odds.Here wer have a very different literary style, with rich full descriptions of the situations and of the actions and feelings of the main players. He manages this whilst still maintaining the frantic pace of that earlier series.
In "The Rose Slayer," Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells successfully brought down the killer. there is another killing. Is it a copycat of something far more sinister? The pair are also fighting their own personal demons, Pawson, with his sobriety and Wells with marital issues. The book builds to a breathtaking rooftop conclusion, but is it all over now, or is there more to come?
A recent trilogy of his "The Last Message" was characterised by short sharp staccato phrases that highlighted the pace the fight against unknown odds.Here wer have a very different literary style, with rich full descriptions of the situations and of the actions and feelings of the main players. He manages this whilst still maintaining the frantic pace of that earlier series.
In "The Rose Slayer," Detectives Bill Pawson and Sean Wells successfully brought down the killer. there is another killing. Is it a copycat of something far more sinister? The pair are also fighting their own personal demons, Pawson, with his sobriety and Wells with marital issues. The book builds to a breathtaking rooftop conclusion, but is it all over now, or is there more to come?
October 25, 2025
Another engaging episode in this series where the obvious isn’t always as it seems and the investigative methodology remains unorthodox compared to the normal police procedures. Some surprising twists keep you guessing.
October 31, 2025
Crime that hides behind layers of who's who and how to go about apprehending these monsters. It's real and it's terrifying and it's all here if you dare. An outstanding novel that exposes what happens on the Dark Web. Highly Recommended.
October 25, 2025
Gripping from Start to Finish.
Dark Web by Stephen Bentley is an excellent read which had me hooked right from the very first page. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, with a story that pulls you deep into its dark twists and turns. Bentley’s storytelling is top-notch, and his characters feel real and intense. A truly great piece of work that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I Highly recommended this book for anyone who loves a gripping, and well-written crime thriller. Thank you to Stephen Bentley for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dark Web by Stephen Bentley is an excellent read which had me hooked right from the very first page. The writing is sharp and fast-paced, with a story that pulls you deep into its dark twists and turns. Bentley’s storytelling is top-notch, and his characters feel real and intense. A truly great piece of work that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I Highly recommended this book for anyone who loves a gripping, and well-written crime thriller. Thank you to Stephen Bentley for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 25, 2025
Detective Bill Pawson is not only fighting his inner demons but also the demons of Los Angeles, meanwhile his partner Steve Wells is trying to balance his work life with his family life. Will they catch the bad guy and see that justice prevails. Book 2 of this series and I for one can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
October 16, 2025
Bill Pawson is facing the fight of his life, trying his best to beat his alcohol addiction, while trying to find the Specter that is the Rose Slayer.
Thank goodness for Sean Wells, a partner trying to manage his police career and balance it with his family life, while also ensuring Bill Pawson doesn’t have a total meltdown.
The title is dark, but the perpetrators are darker, and prove to be the biggest challenge yet to LAs finest.
Life often has the ability to drag you down, but dealing with murder victims, and trying to catch the killer? This is a different world, not just the dark web but true unadulterated darkness.
The book is Incredibly well written and the events and places are described with amazing clarity.
You will feel every emotion, some good, some bad, but you won’t be able to put this down.
Enjoy!
Thank goodness for Sean Wells, a partner trying to manage his police career and balance it with his family life, while also ensuring Bill Pawson doesn’t have a total meltdown.
The title is dark, but the perpetrators are darker, and prove to be the biggest challenge yet to LAs finest.
Life often has the ability to drag you down, but dealing with murder victims, and trying to catch the killer? This is a different world, not just the dark web but true unadulterated darkness.
The book is Incredibly well written and the events and places are described with amazing clarity.
You will feel every emotion, some good, some bad, but you won’t be able to put this down.
Enjoy!
October 18, 2025
Unputadownable, brilliant, facing real life situations. The Dark Web gives an insight into what does really go on in the real world. Frightening to think and read about.
The other side is the brilliant team fighting against it, bringing those criminals hiding behind a screen thinking they will never be brought to justice. Pawson and Wells are a force to be reckoned with, watch your back! They are coming For You!
The other side is the brilliant team fighting against it, bringing those criminals hiding behind a screen thinking they will never be brought to justice. Pawson and Wells are a force to be reckoned with, watch your back! They are coming For You!
October 19, 2025
Bill Pawson and Sean Wells and their team are up against sinister criminals who are destroying society. A fast-pace, action packed thriller which is unputdownable. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers .
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews