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Murder on Line One
The instant Sunday Times bestseller. 'A deftly-written whodunnit' Jennie Godfrey There's a killer on the airwaves… and they're calling for you.
Darkness looms over sunny Sidmouth, when an unsolved murder comes to the attention of late-night radio talk show host Edward Temmis.
Recently sacked from his beloved job, Edward meets Stevie, whose grandmother died in a suspicious fire. Well, nobody hurts his listeners and helping Stevie might just give him the purpose he needs.
Reinvigorated, Edward joins forces with Stevie and his old fling, Kim, only to uncover a sinister plot.
Can they get to the bottom of this mystery before it’s too late?
'Hugely enjoyable' Janice Hallett
'Full of heart' C.L. Taylor
Sunday Times bestseller list 4 May 2025
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries.
Darkness looms over sunny Sidmouth, when an unsolved murder comes to the attention of late-night radio talk show host Edward Temmis.
Recently sacked from his beloved job, Edward meets Stevie, whose grandmother died in a suspicious fire. Well, nobody hurts his listeners and helping Stevie might just give him the purpose he needs.
Reinvigorated, Edward joins forces with Stevie and his old fling, Kim, only to uncover a sinister plot.
Can they get to the bottom of this mystery before it’s too late?
'Hugely enjoyable' Janice Hallett
'Full of heart' C.L. Taylor
Sunday Times bestseller list 4 May 2025
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries.
Audible Audio
Published April 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
April 19, 2025
2 Stars
One Liner: This didn't work
Edward Temmis feels adrift when he is let go from his beloved late-night talk show on the radio. He then meets Stevie, whose grandmother listened to his shows and died under mysterious circumstances. Edward finds his purpose and tries to investigate the case with help from Kim, a local real estate agent. Soon, he discovers that Stevie’s grandmother wasn’t the only one among his listeners who died. Can he find who has been targeting his listeners and why?
The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Well, seems my inability to resist mysteries has put me in a tough spot this year. This is the third new mystery book that backfired.
The premise is pretty cool. Imagine a radio show host trying to solve the murder of his listeners, all of whom are seniors and mostly women. Amateur sleuths are fun, but not always.
I guess the writing style is the big question mark here. If you like it, you might enjoy the book more. I found it interesting in the first two chapters, but then my head started to spin, and oh boy, it did spin like a spun candy machine!
While I appreciated the themes of grief (loss of a child, grandparent, etc.), abuse, etc., I couldn’t empathize with the characters. It was hard to feel for the main character as well, and that didn’t help (at all). Some of the dialogue was odd, too. Was it British humor? IDK!
I decided to do what was needed and switched over to speed-reading. It helped some. At least, the plot started to progress. Still, this book should have been 70 pages shorter. You don’t need 400 pages for a mystery. There’s too much repetition.
The mystery is actually decent, but I couldn’t enjoy it much. I appreciate the topic even if the execution wasn’t good. The criminal was obvious, so I had to wait for them to catch up. There isn’t much sleuthing either. Still, when we get to the ‘why’ part, I’m disappointed. It can be better than that. I’m sure of it! While there’s a subplot, I could guess that one too.
One thing I did like about the book was the setting. The sea is an integral part of the place, so it does play a good role. The house on the cliff is also good and can be a metaphor for the MC’s life.
To summarize, Murder on Line One was a slow and repetitive mystery. I can see its potential, but it’s not for me. Those who like the author (he’s a popular journalist, I guess) might enjoy it more.
Thank you, NetGalley, and HarperCollins UK (HarperFiction), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderOnLineOne
One Liner: This didn't work
Edward Temmis feels adrift when he is let go from his beloved late-night talk show on the radio. He then meets Stevie, whose grandmother listened to his shows and died under mysterious circumstances. Edward finds his purpose and tries to investigate the case with help from Kim, a local real estate agent. Soon, he discovers that Stevie’s grandmother wasn’t the only one among his listeners who died. Can he find who has been targeting his listeners and why?
The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Well, seems my inability to resist mysteries has put me in a tough spot this year. This is the third new mystery book that backfired.
The premise is pretty cool. Imagine a radio show host trying to solve the murder of his listeners, all of whom are seniors and mostly women. Amateur sleuths are fun, but not always.
I guess the writing style is the big question mark here. If you like it, you might enjoy the book more. I found it interesting in the first two chapters, but then my head started to spin, and oh boy, it did spin like a spun candy machine!
While I appreciated the themes of grief (loss of a child, grandparent, etc.), abuse, etc., I couldn’t empathize with the characters. It was hard to feel for the main character as well, and that didn’t help (at all). Some of the dialogue was odd, too. Was it British humor? IDK!
I decided to do what was needed and switched over to speed-reading. It helped some. At least, the plot started to progress. Still, this book should have been 70 pages shorter. You don’t need 400 pages for a mystery. There’s too much repetition.
The mystery is actually decent, but I couldn’t enjoy it much. I appreciate the topic even if the execution wasn’t good. The criminal was obvious, so I had to wait for them to catch up. There isn’t much sleuthing either. Still, when we get to the ‘why’ part, I’m disappointed. It can be better than that. I’m sure of it! While there’s a subplot, I could guess that one too.
One thing I did like about the book was the setting. The sea is an integral part of the place, so it does play a good role. The house on the cliff is also good and can be a metaphor for the MC’s life.
To summarize, Murder on Line One was a slow and repetitive mystery. I can see its potential, but it’s not for me. Those who like the author (he’s a popular journalist, I guess) might enjoy it more.
Thank you, NetGalley, and HarperCollins UK (HarperFiction), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderOnLineOne
November 30, 2024
I received this an an Arc from NetGalley. There is not a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I found it really hard to follow and felt like it was way too long for a mystery book. I felt there was a lot of unnecessary information that made the story feel so long and dragged out. I wanted to DNF this book a lot while reading it but got to the end. Overall it wasn’t an enjoyable read for me, you may enjoy it but I personally did not.
April 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in return for an impartial review. It seems everyone is trying their hand at a cosy mystery these days, spurred on by the meteoric rise of Richard Osman into assuming anyone can do it. Unfortunately, it is certainly not the case that they can!
There’s the potential for an interesting story here, and Vine sticks to an area he’s familiar with - that of radio. However, for a large part of the book, seemingly unrelated storylines meander around, struggling to develop and some of the actual writing verges on the ridiculous, particularly when it comes to the relationships in the book.
It starts well, but quickly falls away, only really picking up in the last 15-20% of the book. I won’t give away the twist but suffice to say that even I managed to work it out.
Perhaps another editor could turn this around as there is the nucleus of a good plot here, but as it stands it just doesn’t deliver. I really had to force myself to read at times, which definitely isn’t usually the case with this genre of book. The book is about substantially longer than it needs to be and it would have been better at half the length.
It’s also not sure what it really wants to be - is it a cosy mystery, a thriller or a romance? These different styles don’t work well together and in particular the romance parts are dire.
Not a book I could recommend I’m afraid.
There’s the potential for an interesting story here, and Vine sticks to an area he’s familiar with - that of radio. However, for a large part of the book, seemingly unrelated storylines meander around, struggling to develop and some of the actual writing verges on the ridiculous, particularly when it comes to the relationships in the book.
It starts well, but quickly falls away, only really picking up in the last 15-20% of the book. I won’t give away the twist but suffice to say that even I managed to work it out.
Perhaps another editor could turn this around as there is the nucleus of a good plot here, but as it stands it just doesn’t deliver. I really had to force myself to read at times, which definitely isn’t usually the case with this genre of book. The book is about substantially longer than it needs to be and it would have been better at half the length.
It’s also not sure what it really wants to be - is it a cosy mystery, a thriller or a romance? These different styles don’t work well together and in particular the romance parts are dire.
Not a book I could recommend I’m afraid.
February 20, 2025
Rating: 2.2/5
I am always a bit wary of reading novels by celebrities who have made their name doing something else. Occasionally they succeed in translating their skills into the new medium, but far too often I find myself disappointed and wishing they had stuck to their day job. Broadcaster, Jeremy Vine, is the latest to try his hand at it.
Wisely, the author sets the story around a working environment with which he is familiar. Lead protagonist, Edward Temmis, hosts a radio talk show, but following a traumatic life event, his boss decides that Edward's services are no longer required. Unexpectedly, Edward then finds himself looking into the death of an elderly lady, who had been a dedicated listener of his and his investigations take him down a path that he could never have envisaged.
Jeremy Vine is, without doubt, an intelligent man and his background as a journalist means that he has a decent command of the English language. However, the best writers of fictional drama have the ability to tell a story - and, sadly, Jeremy Vine is clearly not a natural storyteller. There is a half-decent plot contained within the covers of this book, but I found it a real drag on many occasions as I slowly ploughed my way through it. I would normally expect to finish a novel of this length in 3-4 days, but it took me nine days to read this one. There is an awful lot of repetition and treading of water. The book is about 50% longer than it needs to be and it would have been far more impactful with some committed editing. At times it reads like a cosy mystery, at others it seems like the author wants it to be something edgier. The differing styles do not sit comfortably together and have a grating effect.
Overall, although this is better than many celebrity offerings I have read, I hope that Jeremy Vine feels that he has scrathched the itch and satisfied his desire to write a novel, because I won't be rushing to read any more from him.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
I am always a bit wary of reading novels by celebrities who have made their name doing something else. Occasionally they succeed in translating their skills into the new medium, but far too often I find myself disappointed and wishing they had stuck to their day job. Broadcaster, Jeremy Vine, is the latest to try his hand at it.
Wisely, the author sets the story around a working environment with which he is familiar. Lead protagonist, Edward Temmis, hosts a radio talk show, but following a traumatic life event, his boss decides that Edward's services are no longer required. Unexpectedly, Edward then finds himself looking into the death of an elderly lady, who had been a dedicated listener of his and his investigations take him down a path that he could never have envisaged.
Jeremy Vine is, without doubt, an intelligent man and his background as a journalist means that he has a decent command of the English language. However, the best writers of fictional drama have the ability to tell a story - and, sadly, Jeremy Vine is clearly not a natural storyteller. There is a half-decent plot contained within the covers of this book, but I found it a real drag on many occasions as I slowly ploughed my way through it. I would normally expect to finish a novel of this length in 3-4 days, but it took me nine days to read this one. There is an awful lot of repetition and treading of water. The book is about 50% longer than it needs to be and it would have been far more impactful with some committed editing. At times it reads like a cosy mystery, at others it seems like the author wants it to be something edgier. The differing styles do not sit comfortably together and have a grating effect.
Overall, although this is better than many celebrity offerings I have read, I hope that Jeremy Vine feels that he has scrathched the itch and satisfied his desire to write a novel, because I won't be rushing to read any more from him.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
February 1, 2025
Until the opportunity to review this book came up, I didn't know that Jeremy Vine wrote books. After reading the synopsis I was eager to read more.
It will come as no surprise to learn that the backdrop for Murder On Line One is a radio station, and the central character, Edward Temmis, is the former host of a late night talk show. 🎙📞
The story is a bit of a slow burn at first, but when the pace picks up, that's when the fun really begins. With a series of elaborate online scams designed to part elderly ladies from their money, a murder and a disfigurement, not to mention the hit and run in which Edward lost his son, there's quite a lot going on in the little town of Sidmouth.
There's quite the cast of characters too, and all are likeable, especially Edward.
Despite the heavy themes, there is some gentle humour throughout, and it is this that made it such an enjoyable read for me.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
It will come as no surprise to learn that the backdrop for Murder On Line One is a radio station, and the central character, Edward Temmis, is the former host of a late night talk show. 🎙📞
The story is a bit of a slow burn at first, but when the pace picks up, that's when the fun really begins. With a series of elaborate online scams designed to part elderly ladies from their money, a murder and a disfigurement, not to mention the hit and run in which Edward lost his son, there's quite a lot going on in the little town of Sidmouth.
There's quite the cast of characters too, and all are likeable, especially Edward.
Despite the heavy themes, there is some gentle humour throughout, and it is this that made it such an enjoyable read for me.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
August 23, 2025
A slow burner that rewards patience, ‘Murder on Line One’ by Jeremy Vine takes its time setting the scene, but once it finds its rhythm, it unfolds into a thoughtful and engaging mystery.
Set in a quiet coastal town, the story follows Edward Temmis, a radio host grappling with grief and guilt, as he’s pulled into a dark and unexpected investigation.
Though the early pacing may test some readers, the emotional depth and ultimately satisfying plot make it a solid debut with heart and intrigue.
Set in a quiet coastal town, the story follows Edward Temmis, a radio host grappling with grief and guilt, as he’s pulled into a dark and unexpected investigation.
Though the early pacing may test some readers, the emotional depth and ultimately satisfying plot make it a solid debut with heart and intrigue.
November 19, 2024
I am new to Jeremy Vine, this is the first time I have read any of his books. Murder on Line One is a clever and absorbing mystery that mixes dark intrigue with the warmth of community bonds. With its unique backdrop of late-night radio and a protagonist whose life unravels only to find unexpected purpose, this book strikes an engaging balance between suspense and human connection.
The setting of Sidmouth, with its seemingly sleepy charm, serves as the perfect foil for the grim events that unfold. Edward Temmis, our protagonist, is a brilliantly drawn character—flawed, grieving and struggling with the loss of his radio career. His love for his listeners radiates off the page, making his quest for justice feel deeply personal and heartfelt. Vine’s exploration of Edward’s internal struggles adds depth to the story, making him a relatable and compelling lead.
The mystery itself is chillingly original. The idea of someone targeting elderly radio listeners is both heartbreaking and sinister, creating an undercurrent of dread throughout the narrative. Edward’s partnership with Stevie and Kim brings a dynamic energy to the investigation. Stevie’s youthful determination and Kim’s no-nonsense practicality complement Edward’s introspective nature, forming a trio you can’t help but root for.
Vine weaves a plot with well-placed clues and red herrings that keep you guessing until the final chapters. The pacing is steady, though it occasionally slows as Edward reflects on his demons. These moments, however, are touching and lend the story a depth that goes beyond its mystery elements.
The climax delivers a satisfying resolution while leaving room for reflection on the book’s larger themes of grief, redemption and the importance of human connection. Vine’s background in broadcasting shines through in the vivid descriptions of Edward’s radio world, adding authenticity and charm to the story.
Murder on Line One is more than just a mystery; it’s a heartfelt exploration of how we rebuild ourselves after loss, with a sprinkle of humour and a dash of romance to lighten the mood. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, this book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a character-driven whodunit with a unique twist.
https://featzreviews.com/murder-on-th...
The setting of Sidmouth, with its seemingly sleepy charm, serves as the perfect foil for the grim events that unfold. Edward Temmis, our protagonist, is a brilliantly drawn character—flawed, grieving and struggling with the loss of his radio career. His love for his listeners radiates off the page, making his quest for justice feel deeply personal and heartfelt. Vine’s exploration of Edward’s internal struggles adds depth to the story, making him a relatable and compelling lead.
The mystery itself is chillingly original. The idea of someone targeting elderly radio listeners is both heartbreaking and sinister, creating an undercurrent of dread throughout the narrative. Edward’s partnership with Stevie and Kim brings a dynamic energy to the investigation. Stevie’s youthful determination and Kim’s no-nonsense practicality complement Edward’s introspective nature, forming a trio you can’t help but root for.
Vine weaves a plot with well-placed clues and red herrings that keep you guessing until the final chapters. The pacing is steady, though it occasionally slows as Edward reflects on his demons. These moments, however, are touching and lend the story a depth that goes beyond its mystery elements.
The climax delivers a satisfying resolution while leaving room for reflection on the book’s larger themes of grief, redemption and the importance of human connection. Vine’s background in broadcasting shines through in the vivid descriptions of Edward’s radio world, adding authenticity and charm to the story.
Murder on Line One is more than just a mystery; it’s a heartfelt exploration of how we rebuild ourselves after loss, with a sprinkle of humour and a dash of romance to lighten the mood. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, this book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a character-driven whodunit with a unique twist.
https://featzreviews.com/murder-on-th...
February 21, 2025
Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧
This was actually a huge surprise. Remarkably good.
A solid mystery. Jammed with warm, endearing characters, a horribly tragic backstory, the storyline plays out beautifully, I guessed the twists then doubted myself only to be right all along but I had a hell of a lot of fun getting there and that’s what really matters!
The narration by the author was good, but there were a few little sound quality issues that I’m sure will be corrected in time for publication 🎧
Huge thanks to Harper Collins audio U.K. and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
This was actually a huge surprise. Remarkably good.
A solid mystery. Jammed with warm, endearing characters, a horribly tragic backstory, the storyline plays out beautifully, I guessed the twists then doubted myself only to be right all along but I had a hell of a lot of fun getting there and that’s what really matters!
The narration by the author was good, but there were a few little sound quality issues that I’m sure will be corrected in time for publication 🎧
Huge thanks to Harper Collins audio U.K. and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
April 14, 2025
Grieving radio presenter Edward Temmis is in the thick of things!
Murder on Line One is a hugely entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I got was an engaging mystery, threaded with a sense of justice and a concern for the downtrodden or the misfits in society. There’s also warm and humane humour, especially through Stevie’s direct speech, that adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
I found the plot both fast paced and intriguing and loved the hooks at the ends of chapters that propel the reader into wanting to discover more. Murder on Line One has a kind of mycorrhizal structure, with tentacles spreading within the local community, linking events and characters together very intricately. It took me a little while to settle into those links, but once I did I thought they were brilliantly executed; as was the manner in which the story was resolved. I loved the sense of small coastal town claustrophobia that is so clearly depicted too because it placed me there with the characters.
I thought those characters were excellent. The triumvirate of Edward, Kim and Stevie is brought together perfectly, so that the potential for future stories is set up and leaves the reader definitely wanting more. Their lives, their interaction, and the developing relationship between them, especially that between Edward and Kim, feels authentic, natural and realistic. I was incredibly convinced by the way Edward’s grief is illustrated because it has a resonant depth that is emotional and relatable. I found myself very moved at times as I was drawn into his back story.
Equally engaging, given one of the author’s day jobs as a radio presenter, is the self-deprecating humour surrounding Edward. His removal from the radio station, his need for approbation and his realisation that he has quickly become persona non grata, feels warm, humorous and sensitively handled.
Murder on Line one might, perhaps, be defined as cosy crime with an added edge. The themes threaded through the narrative are modern, authentic and only too prevalent in the real world. Obviously I don’t want to spoil the plot for others, but Jeremy Vine illustrates what could easily happen to any one of us, or to someone we know. With sensitive consideration of mental health, guilt, shame, and the impact of scams, there’s an understanding of human nature that permeates the story so that it is absorbing and thought-provoking as well as interesting.
If I’m honest, I never really have high hopes for books written by authors better known in other spheres, but here Jeremy Vine has confounded me. There’s very much a sense of him in the writing, there’s a wickedly clear understanding of the politics of radio broadcasting and, above all else, there’s a simply smashing story that is huge fun to read.
I thought Murder on Line One was totally absorbing, witty and entertaining. I thoroughly recommend it.
Murder on Line One is a hugely entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I got was an engaging mystery, threaded with a sense of justice and a concern for the downtrodden or the misfits in society. There’s also warm and humane humour, especially through Stevie’s direct speech, that adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
I found the plot both fast paced and intriguing and loved the hooks at the ends of chapters that propel the reader into wanting to discover more. Murder on Line One has a kind of mycorrhizal structure, with tentacles spreading within the local community, linking events and characters together very intricately. It took me a little while to settle into those links, but once I did I thought they were brilliantly executed; as was the manner in which the story was resolved. I loved the sense of small coastal town claustrophobia that is so clearly depicted too because it placed me there with the characters.
I thought those characters were excellent. The triumvirate of Edward, Kim and Stevie is brought together perfectly, so that the potential for future stories is set up and leaves the reader definitely wanting more. Their lives, their interaction, and the developing relationship between them, especially that between Edward and Kim, feels authentic, natural and realistic. I was incredibly convinced by the way Edward’s grief is illustrated because it has a resonant depth that is emotional and relatable. I found myself very moved at times as I was drawn into his back story.
Equally engaging, given one of the author’s day jobs as a radio presenter, is the self-deprecating humour surrounding Edward. His removal from the radio station, his need for approbation and his realisation that he has quickly become persona non grata, feels warm, humorous and sensitively handled.
Murder on Line one might, perhaps, be defined as cosy crime with an added edge. The themes threaded through the narrative are modern, authentic and only too prevalent in the real world. Obviously I don’t want to spoil the plot for others, but Jeremy Vine illustrates what could easily happen to any one of us, or to someone we know. With sensitive consideration of mental health, guilt, shame, and the impact of scams, there’s an understanding of human nature that permeates the story so that it is absorbing and thought-provoking as well as interesting.
If I’m honest, I never really have high hopes for books written by authors better known in other spheres, but here Jeremy Vine has confounded me. There’s very much a sense of him in the writing, there’s a wickedly clear understanding of the politics of radio broadcasting and, above all else, there’s a simply smashing story that is huge fun to read.
I thought Murder on Line One was totally absorbing, witty and entertaining. I thoroughly recommend it.
March 13, 2026
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the first half of this book, and thought the concept of someone preying on vulnerable people who phone into a radio show was very clever. However, I guessed the murderer quite early on and, perhaps because of that, thought the second half of the book was very drawn out. I was also unconvinced by the relationship between Edward and Kim. That said, I would be interested to see how the characters develop, and would read the sequel.
October 21, 2026
This was definitely the disappointing kind of celebrity thriller, rather than the unexpectedly gripping kind. I don’t know why, but I think this was too ‘cosy crime’ for me, without any of the humour which usually makes the genre worth reading.
I was bored, to put it mildly. It wasn’t until the final few chapters when things started to fall into place and we were in the radio station again that things got exciting. There were a few unexpected twists and turns, but by the time I got to them I was kind of just ploughing through.
Don’t think Jeremy Vine is going to be added to my must read pile any time soon.
I was bored, to put it mildly. It wasn’t until the final few chapters when things started to fall into place and we were in the radio station again that things got exciting. There were a few unexpected twists and turns, but by the time I got to them I was kind of just ploughing through.
Don’t think Jeremy Vine is going to be added to my must read pile any time soon.
July 25, 2026
I was interested to see how Jeremy Vine wrote and I wasn’t disappointed. This was a topical plot about women being scammed for money believing they were having a lovely romance. Set around radio station the characters were believable and solid. A good conclusion too
April 24, 2025
Darkness comes to sunny Sidmouth, when, unable to cope after a devastating tragedy, late night radio talk show host Edward Temmis is let go from his beloved job. Cast adrift, his outlook is bleak – until he meets Stevie, whose grandmother, a devoted listener, died in a suspicious fire last year. Well, nobody hurts his listeners and helping Stevie might just give him the purpose he needs. When their investigation stalls, they enlist local estate agent Kim, with whom Edward had a doomed fling last year. Working together, they discover Stevie’s grandmother wasn’t the only one of his listeners targeted.
This was a case of half listening to the audio book & half reading & I much preferred listening as the narrator brought life to the book. A slow start to the book & I think if I’d just been reading I would have given up but the narrator saved it for me. I think this book shows that there isn’t a book in all celebrities
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
This was a case of half listening to the audio book & half reading & I much preferred listening as the narrator brought life to the book. A slow start to the book & I think if I’d just been reading I would have given up but the narrator saved it for me. I think this book shows that there isn’t a book in all celebrities
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
April 11, 2025
Edward is still reeling from the death of his son when he is sacked from the radio station, but life really starts to fall out of control when Stevie shows up, saying she thinks he had something to do with her nans death.
Edward and Stevie along with Kim start investigating what happened.
There are a lot of characters in this book who get a voice, and I think that was to it's detriment, it was hard to follow in places and took me out of the story. The mystery itself was intriguing, although I did guess quite early on who the culprit was.
It was a solid cosy crime, but not one that will stay with me.
Edward and Stevie along with Kim start investigating what happened.
There are a lot of characters in this book who get a voice, and I think that was to it's detriment, it was hard to follow in places and took me out of the story. The mystery itself was intriguing, although I did guess quite early on who the culprit was.
It was a solid cosy crime, but not one that will stay with me.
July 24, 2026
I just could not get going with this book . It seemed all over the place lots of characters but the story just wasn't there . I was glad to finish it .
August 4, 2026
I loved it
Loads of twists and turns as a good murder mystery should have.
As usual I failed to guess the culprit!
Well worth a read
Loads of twists and turns as a good murder mystery should have.
As usual I failed to guess the culprit!
Well worth a read
November 15, 2024
Murder On Line One by Jeremy Vine:
This is technically Vine’s second novel and even on Socratic terms, it’s pushing the envelope. Edward Temming was the host of a lunchtime phone in, in Sidmouth, Devon till a family tragedy intervenes. Made redundant by his employer, Edward discovers a plot.
Well, I can’t really say anymore as it may ruin your enjoyment. Vine is an English eccentric and it’s a truly bizarre wedge of prose; with a surreal line in simile and metaphor. See also: the characterisations of women in this novel (which vary between traitorous/menopausal/libidinous) and a character later in the novel which I would consider to be transphobic.
Linking the narrative is a random chain of objects and events. These include variously: a catfishing scam, antique automata, a Scooby Gang of angry pensioners, an old episode of Columbo, the early Hitchcock ‘Rebecca’ and a computer hard drive filled with acid. No, I’m not making this up.
And although it is nice to see a real place (I should, know, my wife lived there) it is too overworked as a gimmick. Put it this way: if you don’t like it you can use it as SatNav to find your way round the South West. Sidmouth, a place where nothing happens on a daily basis is portrayed as a cross between 1930’s Chicago and millennial Baltimore.
It’s at least fifty pages too long and an editor should have ended the book in Sidmouth Costa. A series is planned. Less snark, more logic and sharper editing may improve it. It’s published by Harper Collins on April 25th, 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy.
This is technically Vine’s second novel and even on Socratic terms, it’s pushing the envelope. Edward Temming was the host of a lunchtime phone in, in Sidmouth, Devon till a family tragedy intervenes. Made redundant by his employer, Edward discovers a plot.
Well, I can’t really say anymore as it may ruin your enjoyment. Vine is an English eccentric and it’s a truly bizarre wedge of prose; with a surreal line in simile and metaphor. See also: the characterisations of women in this novel (which vary between traitorous/menopausal/libidinous) and a character later in the novel which I would consider to be transphobic.
Linking the narrative is a random chain of objects and events. These include variously: a catfishing scam, antique automata, a Scooby Gang of angry pensioners, an old episode of Columbo, the early Hitchcock ‘Rebecca’ and a computer hard drive filled with acid. No, I’m not making this up.
And although it is nice to see a real place (I should, know, my wife lived there) it is too overworked as a gimmick. Put it this way: if you don’t like it you can use it as SatNav to find your way round the South West. Sidmouth, a place where nothing happens on a daily basis is portrayed as a cross between 1930’s Chicago and millennial Baltimore.
It’s at least fifty pages too long and an editor should have ended the book in Sidmouth Costa. A series is planned. Less snark, more logic and sharper editing may improve it. It’s published by Harper Collins on April 25th, 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy.
February 8, 2025
Edward Temmis is a late night radio talk show host in sunny Sidmouth. He’s popular with all his listeners but unable to cope after the tragic death of his son Matty, he’s asked to leave. Finding work in a garden centre is all he can manage and life feels bleak and worthless.
But then he meets Stevie. Her grandmother, an avid listener of his show, died last year in a fire. Stevie is convinced the fire was no accident and asks him to help her investigate. Along with a local estate agent, Kim, they team up and discover that there’s a whole lot more to this than they originally thought. Embezzlement, blackmail and murder to say the least. Can this formidable trio find out who is the culprit?
This isn’t my usual kind of genre, but I’m a huge Jeremy Vine fan so I just had to read it. And I was actually very pleasantly surprised. It’s a bit of a slow burn, while the characters are built up and the scenes are set - and there’s a lot of detail. But this really captures the relationships between the characters and creates such a vivid atmosphere that you can really picture the drama unfolding.
There’s a lot of humour in here, which I didn’t expect.And juxtaposed alongside that is emotion, Edward is still reeling from the death of his son but the lighter moments ensure that the story isn’t too heavy. It also has thrills and tension and it also has a great whodunnit puzzle running through it.
Highly recommended!
But then he meets Stevie. Her grandmother, an avid listener of his show, died last year in a fire. Stevie is convinced the fire was no accident and asks him to help her investigate. Along with a local estate agent, Kim, they team up and discover that there’s a whole lot more to this than they originally thought. Embezzlement, blackmail and murder to say the least. Can this formidable trio find out who is the culprit?
This isn’t my usual kind of genre, but I’m a huge Jeremy Vine fan so I just had to read it. And I was actually very pleasantly surprised. It’s a bit of a slow burn, while the characters are built up and the scenes are set - and there’s a lot of detail. But this really captures the relationships between the characters and creates such a vivid atmosphere that you can really picture the drama unfolding.
There’s a lot of humour in here, which I didn’t expect.And juxtaposed alongside that is emotion, Edward is still reeling from the death of his son but the lighter moments ensure that the story isn’t too heavy. It also has thrills and tension and it also has a great whodunnit puzzle running through it.
Highly recommended!
June 6, 2025
A friend gave me this book as a present. It is probably the worst present I have ever received.
Edwards Temmis is a DJ in Sidmouth and somebody is bumping off his audience. Frankly, if Ed is as good a DJ as Vine is a writer, they’re probably committing suicide!
To be a crime writer, the prime requisite is to be able to tell a story and on that score Vine falls flat. His language is stilted and some of his descriptions are just plain weird. Also, the book is too black to be cosy crime and too cosy to be a crime thriller.
A good developmental editor would have helped by cutting out the masses of dross and probably made it more readable (although, I suspect, a complete rewrite would actually be required.)
One wonders what the publisher’s reaction would be to any writer who wasn’t a multimillionaire ‘celebrity’ presenting this script. Very short shrift, I imagine.
Save your brain … avoid!
Edwards Temmis is a DJ in Sidmouth and somebody is bumping off his audience. Frankly, if Ed is as good a DJ as Vine is a writer, they’re probably committing suicide!
To be a crime writer, the prime requisite is to be able to tell a story and on that score Vine falls flat. His language is stilted and some of his descriptions are just plain weird. Also, the book is too black to be cosy crime and too cosy to be a crime thriller.
A good developmental editor would have helped by cutting out the masses of dross and probably made it more readable (although, I suspect, a complete rewrite would actually be required.)
One wonders what the publisher’s reaction would be to any writer who wasn’t a multimillionaire ‘celebrity’ presenting this script. Very short shrift, I imagine.
Save your brain … avoid!
February 14, 2026
Murder on Line One is the first book in the Sidmouth Murder Mysteries series by Jeremy Vine. To give myself a break from actual reading I chose the audio book which is narrated by Jeremy himself which gave the added feel of listening to a radio broadcast and quite fitting considering the setting.
Edward Temmis is on leave from his job at a Sidmouth radio station following the death of his son. A meeting with his boss sees him being let go even though he had risked his own life to save her from the sea. Whilst working at his new job in a garden centre he is approached by Stevie, a young woman whose grandmother had recently died following a fire at her house. Stevie is convinced that Edward has some vital information regarding her relative as she was an avid listener to his show and she wants him to prove that her death was no accident. Edward is reluctant at first but after talking to her some more he agrees to look into it even though it means he has to find a way to access the radio stations records.
I wasn’t sure about Edward to begin with. I know that he was suffering after the death of his son, but when he was let go from his job, he seemed to believe that this should not have happened as he had been grieving but was ready to get back to work. He seemed to just be drifting through life until Stevie came barrelling in, demanding that he help her and it was only after this kick up the bum that showed him that he is not the only one suffering in the world that I really started to gel with him as a character. I loved Stevie right from the start. She was forceful and knew her own mind and don’t shoot me for this I howled at the fact that as a pastor’s daughter with bourettes she would find herself swearing and then almost immediately doing some kind of verbal penance. Estate agent Kim was the third main character in this book, and it took me a while to understand her connection with the story, but when it is revealed, it opens up other elements to the book that may take you by surprise.
The book started off slowly allowing me to get to know all the characters and there were times that I found myself chucking out loud at some of the descriptions. There were quite a few twists and turns in the book and just when you were sure you knew what was going on and who was behind everything another clue would pop up making you rethink everything. With the all to real subject of scams and their vulnerable targets I am sure that Jeremy Vine tapped into his vast experience with his radio show to bring an authentic feel to just how easy people can be drawn in no matter how intelligent they may be, especially if they are lonely. This is a solid start to the series and I am looking forward to see what comes next.
Edward Temmis is on leave from his job at a Sidmouth radio station following the death of his son. A meeting with his boss sees him being let go even though he had risked his own life to save her from the sea. Whilst working at his new job in a garden centre he is approached by Stevie, a young woman whose grandmother had recently died following a fire at her house. Stevie is convinced that Edward has some vital information regarding her relative as she was an avid listener to his show and she wants him to prove that her death was no accident. Edward is reluctant at first but after talking to her some more he agrees to look into it even though it means he has to find a way to access the radio stations records.
I wasn’t sure about Edward to begin with. I know that he was suffering after the death of his son, but when he was let go from his job, he seemed to believe that this should not have happened as he had been grieving but was ready to get back to work. He seemed to just be drifting through life until Stevie came barrelling in, demanding that he help her and it was only after this kick up the bum that showed him that he is not the only one suffering in the world that I really started to gel with him as a character. I loved Stevie right from the start. She was forceful and knew her own mind and don’t shoot me for this I howled at the fact that as a pastor’s daughter with bourettes she would find herself swearing and then almost immediately doing some kind of verbal penance. Estate agent Kim was the third main character in this book, and it took me a while to understand her connection with the story, but when it is revealed, it opens up other elements to the book that may take you by surprise.
The book started off slowly allowing me to get to know all the characters and there were times that I found myself chucking out loud at some of the descriptions. There were quite a few twists and turns in the book and just when you were sure you knew what was going on and who was behind everything another clue would pop up making you rethink everything. With the all to real subject of scams and their vulnerable targets I am sure that Jeremy Vine tapped into his vast experience with his radio show to bring an authentic feel to just how easy people can be drawn in no matter how intelligent they may be, especially if they are lonely. This is a solid start to the series and I am looking forward to see what comes next.
April 24, 2025
Murder On Line One is a brilliantly plotted, wonderfully layered whodunnit, filled with a quirky cast of characters and an intriguing mystery to solve. I always think 'writing what you know' is a brilliant approach for anyone writing a book, and Jeremy Vine's radio background makes for such an engaging, original concept here.
Despite the first half of the book having a slower pace, there was some excellent character building. Rich backstories, deep conversations and a splash of humour really brought everyone to life and I loved it. I was constantly theorising, but when those twists and reveals hit in all the right places, I still didn't guess the outcome!
It's an entertaining and absorbing read with surprises, laughs and emotion tucked neatly into every corner, but also has that tension, the uncertainty and that dark feeling that I crave from a murder mystery. A fantastic first book in this new series!
Despite the first half of the book having a slower pace, there was some excellent character building. Rich backstories, deep conversations and a splash of humour really brought everyone to life and I loved it. I was constantly theorising, but when those twists and reveals hit in all the right places, I still didn't guess the outcome!
It's an entertaining and absorbing read with surprises, laughs and emotion tucked neatly into every corner, but also has that tension, the uncertainty and that dark feeling that I crave from a murder mystery. A fantastic first book in this new series!
April 23, 2025
Find the full review at whatthebook.co.uk.
I have *loved* Murder on Line One. It's not exactly an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but prepare yourself for a gentle-paced whodunnit mystery and you're going to love every moment of it. The story centres on Edward, who has had a tough time lately: he's lost his son in a hit-and-run, and then his job as a beloved local radio host. He's at a loose end, then he gets a call from a young woman named Stevie. Her grandmother, a fan of Edward’s, has died suspiciously — and a letter she supposedly sent to him might hold the key.
Edward and Stevie, joined by Edward’s love interest Kim, become an odd trio of sleuths. What they uncover is much bigger than one mysterious death, and it seems dozens of Edward’s old listeners may be involved. Saying more than that, though, will spoil things for you! 🤐
Jeremy Vine has written believable, three-dimensional characters who you can't help but like. Edward is troubled but endearing, Stevie is loveable, larger than life and with an intriguing background, and Kim’s relationship with Edward becomes integral to the story.
Even if you guess the culprit (as I did), the mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked. More 'cosy crime' than thriller, this is one to curl up under the blankets with. Brilliantly written, surprisingly emotional, and well worth your time.
My only criticism? I'm not a huge fan of the title - it's not all that reflective of the story. But don't let that put you off!
I have *loved* Murder on Line One. It's not exactly an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but prepare yourself for a gentle-paced whodunnit mystery and you're going to love every moment of it. The story centres on Edward, who has had a tough time lately: he's lost his son in a hit-and-run, and then his job as a beloved local radio host. He's at a loose end, then he gets a call from a young woman named Stevie. Her grandmother, a fan of Edward’s, has died suspiciously — and a letter she supposedly sent to him might hold the key.
Edward and Stevie, joined by Edward’s love interest Kim, become an odd trio of sleuths. What they uncover is much bigger than one mysterious death, and it seems dozens of Edward’s old listeners may be involved. Saying more than that, though, will spoil things for you! 🤐
Jeremy Vine has written believable, three-dimensional characters who you can't help but like. Edward is troubled but endearing, Stevie is loveable, larger than life and with an intriguing background, and Kim’s relationship with Edward becomes integral to the story.
Even if you guess the culprit (as I did), the mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked. More 'cosy crime' than thriller, this is one to curl up under the blankets with. Brilliantly written, surprisingly emotional, and well worth your time.
My only criticism? I'm not a huge fan of the title - it's not all that reflective of the story. But don't let that put you off!
May 7, 2026
Absolutely the worst book I've read in a while.
It was agonising.
First off, the initial chapters felt so disjointed I had no idea what was going on and for the first time ever, I had to read the blurb to get some sort of handle on the situation. And my goodness! The blurb actually solves the mystery??!
Like the main breakthrough which happens 60% of the way in, is revealed right there in the blurb! Why??!
There was so much waffling! The writer obviously thought he is masterfully blending Edward's grief into the mystery but his writing was so terrible, all it did was give me a headache trying to follow it.
Points are endlessly repeated. Stevie was just weird. As were her parents.
Actually, there were no likeable characters.
The story was really difficult to follow despite being so rubbishly simple! Like the writing was just that bad.
And of course, the perpetrator was super obvious.
None of the twists worked bcoz everything was super obvious.
Just really boring and needlessly stretched out.
Skim read the whole thing and yet it was far too long.
It was agonising.
First off, the initial chapters felt so disjointed I had no idea what was going on and for the first time ever, I had to read the blurb to get some sort of handle on the situation. And my goodness! The blurb actually solves the mystery??!
Like the main breakthrough which happens 60% of the way in, is revealed right there in the blurb! Why??!
There was so much waffling! The writer obviously thought he is masterfully blending Edward's grief into the mystery but his writing was so terrible, all it did was give me a headache trying to follow it.
Points are endlessly repeated. Stevie was just weird. As were her parents.
Actually, there were no likeable characters.
The story was really difficult to follow despite being so rubbishly simple! Like the writing was just that bad.
And of course, the perpetrator was super obvious.
None of the twists worked bcoz everything was super obvious.
Just really boring and needlessly stretched out.
Skim read the whole thing and yet it was far too long.
January 5, 2026
Sadly I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected to. Whilst I loved the start, which made me swept up in the story immediately; and enjoyed the characters, I felt the culprit was obvious and so the last 100 pages or so just didn’t make sense to me. I couldn’t under how anyone could think someone else was guilty and the novel didn’t convince me otherwise, so the twist didn’t work for me.
I have to say, I’m not usually so good at picking out guilty parties in novels and I do like Vine on the radio so I would try another detective novel by him in future.
I have to say, I’m not usually so good at picking out guilty parties in novels and I do like Vine on the radio so I would try another detective novel by him in future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
This didn’t start quite how I expected but did have a little plot development early on that was engaging. An ex-radio presenter goes on to investigate a potential murder of one of his listeners. The central character was nicely drawn although I didn’t love some of the other main characters. There are two big twists in the latter section that I ultimately suspected were coming. The writing style was fine but parts of the intended humour didn’t quite come through for me.
July 7, 2026
I think I’ve come to the conclusion that cozy mysteries just aren’t my genre.
Murder On Line One had an interesting premise, but I found myself waiting for something to really happen. The pacing felt quite slow, and while there were plenty of clues and quirky characters along the way, I never felt fully invested in the mystery.
Murder On Line One had an interesting premise, but I found myself waiting for something to really happen. The pacing felt quite slow, and while there were plenty of clues and quirky characters along the way, I never felt fully invested in the mystery.
November 9, 2025
I’d give this book 3.5 if I could. I listened as an audio book, narrated by the author, and enjoyed it in the main. I felt there were a few holes in the plot and the characters were a bit too ‘made up’. A romping tale though and would bet there’ll be another book to create a series.
October 24, 2026
Who gave Jeremy vine a book deal and why did they inflict it on the world? It’s as terrible as his awful radio show. The whole thing reads like a pitch for a tv show in the way it’s written, and the characters are all so two dimensional that they could fit into the book itself. Waste of my time.
March 20, 2026
I did not think i'd enjoy the story that much but i did. Bonus point for the british accent living rent free in my head since last wednesday.
April 28, 2026
This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the plot and thought the characters were written well, however I did guess where the plot was heading just over halfway through the book.
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