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Luke Sackville Crime Thrillers #8

Tiger Bait: A Compelling British Crime Thriller

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The Luke Sackville Crime Thriller series continues…

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood

Luke Sackville’s Ethics Team has several projects on the go ranging from environmental negligence to social media trolling. As they start to investigate these apparently minor misdemeanours, Luke begins to see a link between them.

Further work reveals connections to an organised crime cartel, but before Luke can act a trap is laid and more than one of his team find themselves fighting for their lives.

Tiger Bait is the eighth book in the series of crime thrillers featuring ex-DCI Luke Sackville and his Ethics Team.


What people are saying about the Luke Sackville Crime Thriller

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’m really enjoying this series and it gets better with each book. The characters are terrific. Well paced and some laugh out loud moments."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So glad I came across SJ Richards, he's definitely rising up there as one of my favourite authors."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very well written, fast plot and extremely likeable characters. I would 100% recommend this series and author to any fan of the crime fiction genre."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves crime novels. I’m loving this series."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a brilliant crime suspense series and I'm really looking forward to the next instalment."

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm absolutely loving this series - the writing is brilliant - the characters a joy and the storylines full of suspense and intrigue."

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

96 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

S J Richards

22 books56 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
1,279 reviews
April 22, 2025
Tiger Bait by S.J. Richards is book 8 in the Luke Sackville series. It is published on 6 May. Barbara’s decision to stay home and watch a yoga video turns out to be a bad decision. When she receives a knock on the door, her day goes downhill very quickly. She’s a funny character. She never stops talking usually, but that soon changes. How does this connect to one of the Ethics Team’s cases? There are several irons in the fire for the Ethics Team and Luke and Josh team up to assist DI Pete Gilmore for one of the investigations. However, it is funny how things turn out. I love the banter between Luke and Josh and it’s almost as though Josh thinks of Luke as a father figure. Lily returns to the team to assist in yet another investigation. They certainly have their hands full. It was terrific to see a mention of another one of my favourite authors in the book as Luke is listening to an audiobook of DCI Bone by TG Reid. This is a tense and gripping read and a wonderful addition to the series. The books are never a disappointment. I also found the Afterword at the back of the book an interesting read.
Profile Image for Pete.
3 reviews
April 14, 2025
After the high-stakes international escapades of Book 7, Luke Sackville and his team are back to dealing with more down-to-earth, apparently mundane, cases as Book 8 opens with a grisly, seemingly unrelated, kidnap plot.

The narrative zips along at a good pace and the author skillfully weaves the disparate arcs together, leading to a nailbiting, satisfying and well thought out conclusion.

It's written well, making it an easy read and single-sitting completion is not unheard of with this author!

The story is shot through with the trademark, genuinely laugh out loud humour of the wider series.

I particularly like how organically the crew, and by extension the characters in the series, are expanding beyond the core team. We've had Pete and Lily, and now Misty joins the roster of recurring characters. Her interaction with Josh alone makes me want her back!

That's not to say this book can't be read as a standalone. Prior knowledge is not necessary for the most part, although the characters and situations will no doubt be enough to make you want to find out more about this well written team.

All in all, a great addition to the Ex-DCI Luke Sackville series and I can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Alyson Read.
1,161 reviews56 followers
April 26, 2025
A plethora of different cases awaits the Filchers Ethics team of Sam, Josh, Maj and Helen led by ex-DCI Luke Sackville in this story. Luke, in his role seconded to Avon and Somerset police part time, gets involved in a drugs busting operation and Josh gets his first taste of police interviews, whilst Maj looks into a problem at the airport, Sam delves into dodgy accounting at a social media company and Helen helps Glen Baxter trace a vicious troll in the amateur dramatics group. Sam’s misguided loyalty to a client is unhelpful, but fortunately the wonderful PI Misty Mitchell becomes key in giving Luke the leads he needs as they converge on a very nasty family.
This story features a great twisty plot with absolutely loads going on and some very interesting themes. It was great to see return appearances from Lily and Misty, as well as DI Pete Gilmore and a new face at the station, whilst Glen, Edward Filcher, Tony and Jazelle are at their hilarious best. Who will forget Glen’s “impala-da-da”s?! I adore this series with its very special cast of characters, and would definitely recommend reading the stories in order to see just how they have grown together as a team. I am already looking forward to book 9, Mr Killjoy, due out in August 2025.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,214 reviews119 followers
April 19, 2025
Book 8 in the series featuring ex DCI Luke Sackville and his Ethics team at Filchers. Reads well as a standalone but the characters and relationships are so much a part of the books I recommend reading the whole series in order. This book start with 3 elderly people being taken hostage for ransom. It is a nasty kidnapping and one of them dies.

Briefly, back at HQ and the team are asked to investigate a number of apparently separate suspicious events varying from money missing from an in-house business to drama club members receiving malicious texts. All of this is happening whilst Luke has to deal with a family tragedy and Josh is summing up the courage to propose, another of the team is kidnapped and faces an awful ending.

So much going on but you can be sure this author will have it all nearly wrapped up by the end. The characters are all good but honestly Josh and his comments are just the best! The humour is laugh out loud at times but that’s needed to counter the darker parts of the plot. Fast paced, thrilling this is another excellent read in the series.
Profile Image for Dee (readaholic_dee).
327 reviews17 followers
April 28, 2025
Book 8 in the Luke Sackville series and they just keep getting better and better. I absolutely love the style in which S J Richards writes, and his characters are a fantastic mix, which is such an integral part of the whole series.

Tiger Bait starts straight off the bat, we are thrown into a complex and twisty story, which becomes rather scary and nerve wracking for the ethics team. Dealing not only with the kidnapping aspect, but they are also thrown into dealing with nasty messages being sent to a drama group, secrecy about missing money and a family tragedy.

Our favourite characters are on top form, with the normal pearls from Josh, Glen and Filcher, I simply love these laugh out loud moments as they help break up the intensity of the plot/story.
S J Richards weaves such a wonderful story, you are drawn in from the beginning.

This is a definite must-read series; it will keep you wanting to read more.

Once again FANTASTIC.

Also, I must just praise the wonderful covers on these books, they are so eye catching and really draw you in.
Profile Image for Allison Valentine.
674 reviews18 followers
March 24, 2025
Tiger Bait is the eighth book in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone but I'd urge you to read the other books in this amazing series.

Luke and rest of the Ethics Team at Filchers have several cases to look into and one that sees the return of the lovely Lily.
Lily is a much needed asset to the team.

With Maj going undercover investigating a possible lack of health and safety at Bristol City airport he soon uncovers something more sinister going on.

Sam is asked to look into a financial situation with the company Stairways but accidentally unearths a situation involving the company director Sebastian which could have deadly consequences.

How are the cases connected and can Luke figure it out before one of his team meets a tragic end?

Tiger Bait is extremely fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat.
Fantastic characters with some brilliant one liners and great banter. Gucci!
Profile Image for Deb.
694 reviews22 followers
April 6, 2025
Here we are again, book 8 in the Luke Sackville Crime Thriller series. The Filchers Ethics Team are involved in a plethora of seemingly unrelated cases & their (the team) interactions are brilliant as they all bring their own specialisms & idiosyncrasies.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot, because spoilers, but suffice it to say it’s fab - convoluted, twisted & innocuous snippets all add to the tension. The lovely Lily is back to assist Glen (I sent her my sympathy), Maj is undercover at Bristol Airport, Sam goes it alone & Josh is like a kid let loose in a sweet shop!

Well paced & tautly written, this is a great read. I love the fact that it’s based in & around locations I know well & the humour is pitched just right. Glen is hilarious & thinking of him in that FADS role made me giggle. Another Bath based author, T G Reid, is once again given a deserving shout out - yes, you should read him too. Until book 9, Gucci!
1,471 reviews25 followers
April 19, 2025
This certainly lives up to the blurb of a compelling thriller. There's a lot going on as usual with Luke and Josh assisting in a police investigation, Sam undertaking her own investigation into some irregular accounting numbers, Maj investigating cargo and baggage handling while Helen finds herself venturing into amateur dramatics when members of the Filchers am dram society find themselves being viciously attacked by online trolls.

Despite the team being so busy with all the various activities, there is never a sense of confusion in following the different threads. Everything flows so seamlessly and this was a joy to read. The humour is terrific as usual but now we have Glen giving Josh a run for his money in the lol comments stakes. This is important to me when some of the story is quite vicious so there's a nice balance between the two. I can't wait for book nine.
77 reviews
March 31, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed Tiger Bait - this series just keep getting better and better. Similarly to the last one, I love how the themes in the book are based around real life events - obviously with the author’s creative take on them.

I had no idea about the Tiger Bait method till I read this - but seeing it play out and steeping the novel in reality really helps bring it to life.

I don’t really have any kind of suggestions for you this time to include/amend etc - apart from one bit really.

Fans of this series will certainly not be disappointed….fast paced, intriguing, some mortal danger and of course the usual band surrounding Luke Sackville.

I just want to read more about what’s next for this fabulous group of people….here’s to book 9!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,751 reviews159 followers
April 13, 2025
Tiger bait is the eight book in the Luke Sackville series and another fabulous read from the author.
We are back with Luke and The Ethics team with a mixture of cases which at first seem unrelated from a protection racket to kidnapping. But as the team investigates, they find more than they bargain for.
This is another fast-paced thrilling read. It is well written with a great plot. It has the same loveable character within the team. With seemly work well together and great banter between them. I love the characters especially Josh with his great one liners that make me laugh.
Yes, you can read this a standalone, but I recommend reading this fabulous series from the start. You won’t regret it 5 stars from me.
Profile Image for Martha Brindley.
Author 2 books34 followers
April 17, 2025
I absolutely love this series of books, with Luke Sackville as the main character. This is fast paced, with oodles of drama and suspense, as Luke and the ethics team investigate a number of cases. I love Josh, his dialogue makes me laugh, as does Glen, and the plot is twisty and interesting. I am trying to avoid spoilers but I know fans will love this latest read from the author. I also liked the mentions of DCI Bone, another of my favourite reads by TG Reid! This is a brilliant addition to this ever improving series. I always say each one is the best yet, but this one definitely is! It can be read as a stand alone but the whole series is worth reading, if you enjoy thrillers. An easy 5* read from me.
10 reviews
April 24, 2025
Another great book in this series by this author.
I love how the various storylines within the book come together into a rollercoaster of an ending.
I end off reading far too late into the night to see what happens next !

The subject matter as always is so interesting and the various aspects that the ethics team explore is interesting and informative - not what you would expect and ties in fantastically with crime with twists and turns along the way.

The characters grow with each book and I can relate with some of the characters from my own background within an office environment! We’ve all met some of the ‘idiots’ !

But a great book, great storyline with twists and turns that will have you in the edge of your seat !
Profile Image for Sylvia Bland.
9 reviews
April 22, 2025
This is the eighth book in the Luke Sackville series and doesn't disappoint. Luke and his Ethics team have a few investigations ongoing with the team working very hard to resolve things. The lovely Lily returns to go undercover in Finchers amateur dramatics group, someone goes undercover as a baggage handler at Bristol airport and there's a very happy outcome for one member of the team.
When it becomes clear that all the investigations are linked it becomes a mad dash to save one team member whose life is on the line.
This book is a cracking read, go ahead you won't be disappointed and I guarantee you'll want to read the previous seven books in the series.
12 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2025
Another five star review for S J Richard’s latest book Tiger Bait!
This is a fast paced story with a lot of complex strands which, amazingly, all join at the end to reach a very exciting and satisfying conclusion.
This book can be read as a stand-alone but I would strongly recommend reading the series in order as part of the enjoyment is seeing the development of the main characters and what is going on in their lives. It also great to see the return of some strong characters from previous books.
As always in this writer’s books there are laugh out loud moments which give a welcome relief to the tension in the plot.
I can’t wait for the next in the series Mr Killjoy.
272 reviews12 followers
June 16, 2025
Audio Version.
!Wowzer!"
Tiger Bait is an absolutely superb 8th book in the Luke Sackville series. S. J. Richards has excelled himself once again. A brilliantly paced and gripping thriller that effortlessly juggles multiple investigations, keeping the listener hooked from start to finish. There are plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments, but Steve's sharp wit and humour are ever present and provide plenty of amusement without detracting from the tension.
Samuel James is outstanding once again as the narrator as his performance brings the characters to life, making an already superb story even better. Well worth 10 stars if that were possible.
9 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2025
So, book 8 in the fantastic Luke Sackville series and it was a very difficult task, in my opinion to beat book 7 in the series. Even though book 7 is still my favourite so far, Tiger Bait is an exceptional addition to this series.
As with all previous instalments, the storyline is well plotted out and I had to force myself to get some sleep rather than continuing reading. Josh has to be my all time character; he’s just adorable and so funny.
Definitely recommend this series to any crime fiction aficionado.
Profile Image for Lindy Protzek.
53 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2025
Wow this 8th book in the Luke Sackville series is my favourite so far. Lots of action, the whole gang working together to get the bad guys and make things right. Luke, Sam, Josh, Maj and Helen are a great team who compliment each other so well. The cases in this book were very intense at times and the fact that they work so closely with the police makes everything that much more interesting. I hope this series has many more books coming our way. I highly recommend you get all 8 books at the ready so you can move from one to the next. Enjoy!
1,051 reviews11 followers
April 10, 2025
This may be read as a standalone however why would you as this is such a brilliant series. The team are gelling together well but the highlight of the book is when Josh and the DCI are having a chat which is hilarious. You can just imagine being in her position !! Lots going on as usual but not so much as you lose the thread and giving us more of the personal sides of the team only adds to the story. Just brilliant !!!

Thanks to the author for the ARC to review
49 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2025
Another cracking read in the Luke Sackville series. There are several cases being investigated by various members of the Ethics team. Following the threads kept me on the edge of my seat and it was fascinating to see them progress. As always there was some personal developments with some of the characters and some humour to relieve the tension. I highly recommend the series and it’s best to read the books in order to fully appreciate the character development.
35 reviews
April 13, 2025
Tiger Bait by S.J. Richards. This is the eighth book in the Luke Sackville series and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new series, but it’s best to read it in order for the back story and character development. Again the Ethics Team are involved with what appears to be unconnected investigations, but it then becomes apparent that there are links between them. It is fast paced and as expected has lots of humour involving Josh and Glen. Another great read.
Profile Image for SkyeWake.
280 reviews2 followers
April 14, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and delighted to find out that this story continues to develop the characters and relationships within and around the Ethics group - Josh in particular. Another fast paced instalment, which has many seemingly unconnected threads to begin with. How they are all connected becomes clear towards the end, but not before several of the group have had tricky assignments. When one of their own is threatened, it’s a race against time to save them.
40 reviews
April 17, 2025
Excellent read. These Luke Sackville and his Ethics team books really are getting better and better. The
staff backstories have some real flesh on the bones now. The humour is laugh out loud funny too. Much needed relief from the pacy, edge of the seat, storylines. Keep them coming please. Looking forward to the next one. Take note production companies…..these books would make a very watchable tv series.
65 reviews2 followers
April 22, 2025
Luke Sackville and his ethics team are once again in the thick of it.

Kidnapping, extortion and racketeering are on the board and the usual scoundrels challenge the team. Through a series of seemingly random investigations, they find reoccurring names in the persons of interest.

The wonderful characters that make up the ethics team add a great depth to these books. Their lives and interactions as they go about their employment makes for entertaining reading.

Thank you for the opportunity to read your book
32 reviews
April 29, 2025
Wow, book 8 already.
I just love this series , the characters are well rounded and the stories are full of humour despite sometimes covering subject matter that can be unpleasant .
The ethics team gel so well together, and I like that Luke Sackville genuinely cares about his staff and friends.
I also like Luke is getting his romantic life together, there have been will they won’t they moments in previous books.
Question is, what is going to happen in the next book. I
232 reviews8 followers
April 9, 2025
What can I say? Everything you want and always get in a Richards' novel: mystery, a touch of romance, and humour. The team works on serious investigations. The side humour of some of the characters is hilarious. The author does a superb job. I highly recommend this series.
This book was received from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
70 reviews
April 22, 2025
Luke Sackville and his ethics team are on the go again. Kidnapping, drugs, extortion are just some of the latest problems. which one of his team is in grave danger and will Josh ask the right question when needed.
I love reading about Luke and the team, getting to know them better and their different lives. A great read and one that will not disappoint Luke fans.
Profile Image for Jennine Oldis.
42 reviews
August 15, 2025
I have read all the previous books and have enjoyed the challenging cases of Luke and the team. Really enjoyed how Glen has become more hilarious and found myself chuckling while pondering how the team would juggle so many investigations. Looking forward to the next book and love that it is set around the West Country!
121 reviews
December 22, 2025
What a great way to show police in action and the amazing steps they take.

The whole caste of this gripping story held my attention even though as my brain ages, there were times when I found it hard to know the role of each character as they came up short chapter by short chapter.
Profile Image for Zara.
34 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2025
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Steve's book, from kidnap and ransom, to bringing in the Greek history behind characters personal background, and playing family against each other, this book had me guessing who was working for who at one point.. Looking forward to Mr. Killjoy! :D
Profile Image for Susan Hunter.
774 reviews
May 9, 2025
Another great read in this Luke Sackville series. Luke and the Ethics team have several tasks to investigate . Yet again the humour amongst the serious investigation adds to the enjoyment of this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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