Long Time Dead

Detective Sheridan Holler #1

by T.M. Payne

A cold case that’s no longer cold. A suspect who’s been murdered. A silenced witness.

"A brilliant debut."—Steve Cavanagh

"True fans of Val McDermid will love Payne's writing.”—A. J. West

"One of the most exciting new voices in crime fiction."—Kia Abdullah

DI Sheridan Holler is used to solving crimes on Liverpool’s streets, but after a decayed corpse turns up in a cemetery, she finds herself reopening not one but two cold cases. Seven years earlier, two women were gunned down and the only suspect, small-time drug dealer John Lively, was never seen again. Case closed. Until the body in the cemetery is identified as his.

Holler needs to work out if Lively was killed out of revenge, or was just a victim of the criminal world he inhabited. When shocking evidence is revealed about the murder weapon, Holler’s cold case starts to look hopeless once more.

But defeat is not an option. Driven by the unsolved and traumatic murder of her brother when they were children, DI Holler’s pursuit of justice is relentless. As old wounds are reopened, the police close in on the killer, but the threat of them striking again is all too real. Can DI Holler put the pieces of the puzzle together before anyone else winds up dead?

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, LGBT

Audible Audio

First published March 1, 2024

About the author

T.M. Payne’s Detective Sheridan Holler series will be published by Amazon Publishing in 2024 and 2025.

Agent: Broo Doherty, DHH Literary Agency
Editor: Victoria Haslam, Thomas & Mercer
Twitter: @Tinap66Payne

T. M. Payne was born in Lee-On-Solent, Hampshire and now lives on the Wirral with her wonderful partner.

Having worked in the criminal justice system for 18 years, the last 14 of which she was a Police Case Investigator within the Domestic Violence Unit, she has now taken a break to concentrate on her passion for writing crime novels.

She is crazy about animals and if you walk past her with your dog, she will probably ask if she can pat it on the head. Or take it home with her. Or both.

She loves laughing, Christmas, playing golf (badly) walking along New Brighton beach (not walking her dog because she hasn’t got one) snow, sunsets, family and friends.

She dislikes beetroot. Very much dislikes beetroot.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

The storyline and plot are good, it has pace and there are twists. However, the start is disjointed and then the end also becomes that way, dragging the novel out unnecessarily. Until that point it’s a four star read but when my eyes start rolling with frustration it has to be downgraded to a 3. There are a lot of plot threads and some are unresolved- either they are a distraction or will be picked up in the next book?? Not sure if I’ll bother tbh.

[The Pastel Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Mike Finn]

I think a lot of people will like this book and follow the series but it's not for me.

'A Long Time Dead' has a good plot populated by lots of interesting and believable women.

The exposition was smooth, with information being disclosed not just by following DI Holler and her team but through what I learned following other characters. I liked the way this invited me to put the pieces together for myself and sometimes gave me the feeling that I was ahead of Holler and her team. I also liked that the police are shown as competent and collaborative, avoiding the cliché of the lone Detective working hard and still getting grief from their less-than-competent boss. The police procedures and the atmosphere in the team felt real to me.

I liked that most of the people who move the plot forward are women and that the women are very different from one another.

The story is set in Liverpool but I didn't feel any strong connection to the place or its people. The place names were right but other than that, this could have been in Manchester.

The writing is light and confident.The individual scenes, like the first killing and the one with the grave digger, are vivid, dramatic and memorable.

So why have I set it aside at 20%?

My problem was that I felt I was getting a camera-eye view of the events and the characters that never took me beneath the surface to deal with things a camera wouldn't catch. I know that this style works well for many people. It reminds me of some of Ann Cleeves' novels and, like those novels, I'd be happy to watch this as a TV programme but I wasn't getting enough traction to keep me engaged with it as a novel.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly recommended 5 star and more read !
What a fantastic start to a new series I can’t wait for the next one and I’m sure this is going to be one of my all time favourites going by the first book. From the very start I just fell in love with this read it kept me guessing all the way through and has one of the most satisfying end I have read. The characters are all superb and so well crafted , the humour is just spot on and had me laughing a lot especially the very lovely Maud !
The book is filled with unpredictable twists that I didn’t see coming and when you read a lot of mystery thrillers as I do that always a big bonus. I just can’t fault the read in any way and my only sadness is I have to wait for the next to find out what is going to be happening next.
My thanks to TM Payne…. well girl you did yourself proud this is an amazingly good read and one that’s not to be missed, please write the next one soon.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[EmmaReadsCrime · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

This is book 1 in the DI Sheridan Holler series, where a body is discovered buried above a coffin.

I love detective novels and police procedural series, but sometimes they can be a bit too samey. At first glance, this sounds like a generic detective book, but saying that does this book a disservice!

I thought this was a fantastic book and, in particular, the characters were brilliant. I especially loved the main character, Sheridan. She was so relatable and had a lot of depth.
We are given backstory about the characters, but the information didn’t dominate or distract from the main story.

I think the ending could have been wrapped up a bit quicker, but apart from that I loved this book and cannot wait to continue with the series.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
Wow, I absolutely loved this book, wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
DI Sheridan Holler is one of a cast of very likeable characters. I enjoyed the relationships between the many 'good guys' and hated the few bad ones. And I laughed at Maud, the cat, sooo cute!
The story is terrific, as is the way it's presented. It's clever, surprising and absolutely absorbing. And it has a lot of heart. I just can't say enough about it, it's that good. Hopefully there are many more in this series, because this first one is awesome. Highly recommended!

[Peter Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much going on, too many stories within stories, none of the characters really convincing other than the big hearted care worker, Joni. Could have been a good story line, but seemed to lose credibility and only became interesting at 65%. And the author doesn’t know when to end the book, crime solved but rather than a brief epilogue to tie up loose ends, carries on for another 5 chapters!!!

[Cynth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider me hooked, this series truly lives up to the hype! I am adding the rest of the DI Sheridan Holler series to my TBR. I wish I read it sooner. I loved the cold case element and the super short chapters. The writing was so gripping and I loved Sheridan! Can’t wait to keep reading!

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Sheridan Holler is called to a crime scene in a cemetery where a body has been uncovered by the grave digger. Who is the murder victim? How did they end up here? How were they killed? This book is updownable and the only reason I stopped was I needed sleep and to recharge the Kindle, lol!! The story is told over several time periods. DI Sheridan Holler, when she was a child, her brother Matthew was killed. Fast forward to the present day, she wants to find the killer. It is a plot full of twists and turns!! It is well written and very descriptive and I could see the locations used in my mind! The characters are well written and I enjoyed their interactions with each other. All the threads from the sub plots were all tied together with a dramatic ending! I highly recommend this book.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a new author for me and this first book in series is amazing. the story pulls you in from page one. Detective Sheridan Holler. has never forgotten her brother who was murdered they never found the killer.so she joined the force. to help others. Garry Lee is getting a grave ready. And he finds a body on the top. and its John Lively who killed a police officer and a woman who survived. but in a nursing home Joni works at that nursing home and looks after that victim Ellie. Its Sheridan and her team that has to put everything together. there a lot of twists and turns a very gripping read so looking forward to book 2. so recommend

[Katrin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ... bei Seite 204.

Hab die Hälfte gelesen und ich muss sagen, es reizt mich absolut nichts daran es zu ende zu lesen.

Die Ermittlerin ist für mich eine der langweiligsten, die ich jemals gelesen habe.
Und auch den Rest finde ich leider nicht sonderlich spannend.

[Valen · Rating 5 out of 5]

excelente plot twist!!!!
era como un capitulo de law & order pero en versión libro🤪
todas las noches me dormía con las ganas de seguir leyendo porque cada capítulo era mejor que el anterior! claramente ya me baje los libros siguientes🤩

[Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first T.M Payne book and I loved it! I can't wait to follow Sheridan on her journey. I absolutely love crime series that follow the same main characters!

I rated 4 stars as I felt it went on waaaaay longer than was necessary.

[George’s Books83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Amazon first read! So glad I chose this one. The beginning of the book jumped between a few parts of the story which is something I usually find confusing but this quickly started to link up so I actually really enjoyed the way it was done.
I really liked the characters used in the book and the way you got to know them.
I have already pre-ordered the second book in the series which comes out in October and really hope that the ongoing story with Sheridan’s brother continues!
A great crime novel with other things such as romance added in to make it very wholesome!

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the body of a petty criminal is discovered some seven years after his disappearance it sparks the reopening of an investigation into a shooting that occurred at around the same time.

It’s a good solid, tense police procedural with an intriguing storyline. However, there were some things that I struggled with. It’s a bit hard to keep track of all the characters in the early stages, especially as some of them are rather one-dimensional. And although it’s set on Merseyside I didn’t really get a strong sense of place. There’s also a tendency to ‘head hop’ in parts rather than maintaining a consistent POV through each scene.

The plot is enough to get you through but this never quite manages to generate the shine needed to stand out in a crowded field.

Obtained free under the Amazon First Reads programme.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d heard good things about T M Payne’s books so maybe I just read the wrong one because this was just a bit meh.

This is a good police procedural with a strong female character at the forefront. The story begins 7 years ago with a case that remains unsolved today. However, I found it quite difficult to keep track of all the characters at the start and found it didn’t really get easier through the book, especially as some of these characters were quite one dimensional.

I also found the plot had too many threads to it sometimes and I found it hard to work out what the main focus of the book was. I think this made the book feel a bit confusing and it became a bit waffly because I wasn’t sure what was actually relevant. It also made it quite forgettable because there wasn’t a hugely strong plot line for me.

All in all, it was ok but I probably won’t be picking up the next book.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the prologue to the very last page I was engrossed in this novel.
The prologue begins with a shooting in a supermarket car park, fast forward seven years and DI Sheridan Holler is still trying to discover who killed her brother Matthew twenty seven years previously. But when a decomposed body is discovered and later revealed as John Lively, the man suspected of supermarket crime, her time and effort moves to that case.
With lots of characters you could be forgiven for wondering how they are all linked together but by the end of the novel all the threads come together to a satisfactory conclusion. I look forward to more in the series

[Fay Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

New author for me but enjoyed this book. Liked the development of the characters and interesting story. Would read another

[Aleisha Poskitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good page turner, couldn’t really see where it was going to begin with but there was a good few twists which I didn’t expect.. 3.5 ⭐️

[Debbie Crease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed meeting a new detective who felt so real. Next book is waiting to be read and I’ve preordered book 3!

[Kelly Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another detective story which I really enjoyed. I loved the writing style, the storyline and all the suspense, twists and turns till the end when the mystery was solved. I loved it! My favourite type of book I love to read.

[Luke Pedley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just to echo what other similar reviews have said: I have no idea how this is rated 4 stars.

This feels like someone's first attempt at writing a book - which, fair enough, it is. It has the kind of writing you'd expect to find in a year 11 English student's effort. Pumped full of empty adjectives, shallow dialogue, and unrealistic characters.

Almost every 'said' is post modified by something. e.g. 'Joni said sarcastically, shaking her head.' There's just no need.

And it's like everything is spoon-fed to the reader, because the writer's worried we won't understand how the protagonists are feeling. There's a constant need to mention 'raised eyebrows', 'winks', 'sarcastic smiles'. Or my personal favourite: 'her hazel eyes showed she didn't miss a thing'. Tell us through the plot, not through tired clichés.

Showing Sheridan as omniscient was a weird habit throughout the book. From the beginning, she has a suspect and she 'knows from the start' despite others having doubts. She was a jarring and unrealistic character.

It was just in desperate need of an editor. Within 12 lines, the lead detective was saying felt that they needed a break in the case - something 'to get their teeth into'. Then the phone rings. Then they get a break. Twelve lines.

I won't be carrying on with the series.

[Jessica Dempsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really expected a lot more when I saw it had over 4⭐️ on here.
Such bad writing with unnecessary overly descriptive sentences “she stood there with a huge apple in her hand” (sorry, what?!)
Way too many characters with absolutely nothing about them
Constant 2 second pointless conversations between characters
Hated it, I’m sorry 🙈

[Linda Jewell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this got so many favourable reviews.
I gave up at a quarter of way through as Id already been pushing myself to continue.
The characters were as flat as the writing.

[Tom Mott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent premise and plot but I found the writing lacked nuance and a distinctive voice. The characters were dull and the dialogue was forgettable. Meh.

[Judefire33 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review –

First, I must thank Tina Payne for so very kindly sending me a signed copy of Long Time Dead, the first Di Sheridan Holler novel. It’s always exciting finding new authors and a privilege to read their works.

I had no idea how I had passed this series by, because I absolutely loved Long Time Dead, and here’s why.

We are introduced to DI Sheridan Holler in a court setting, where we get a taste of her type of character! When a decomposed body is found in a graveyard, Sheridan is leading the team on the investigation. And when it turns out that this is a small-time drug dealer who was accused of shooting two women seven years earlier, DI Holler and her team have to reopen a cold case and investigate.

This is a slickly written crime fiction novel of high calibre. The police procedural side is exemplary and easy enough for the layman to understand, and the realistic portrayal of Police Officers and Detectives working under pressure is superb. It’s clear that Tina has brought her time in the Criminal Justice system to bear here, and she has researched well how a criminal investigation works. The storyline is engrossing, and the plot is extremely well written – I thought I had an idea of the outcome, but I was SO wrong! I love that, reading a lot of crime fiction does sometimes mean you can see the perp and how the novel will go, but not with Long Time Dead, the plot was very unique and gripping!

I admired the cast of characters, Di Sheridan Holler is a clever, intelligent Detective who is well-liked by her team and colleagues. For me, her being a strong, Lesbian lead character was brilliant, it’s so nice to have someone to relate to for a change in a crime fiction series. And I loved that we got to find out her backstory, and her relationship with the very lovely Sam (not forgetting Maud the cat!), This was really well written and realistic. I’ve already fallen in love with Sheridan and cannot wait to read book two!

The story is pacey and when things really start to rack up, I could not put the book down (abandoning chores to read!), and the end was brilliant, a real surprise!

So my rating, well, a huge 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read and a brilliant start to what I hope will be a spectacular new series for me to binge read!

[Maryann Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say WOW! You know that feeling when you have just finished a book and you want to read everything the author has ever written? That is me at this moment; I just finished Long Time Dead, the first book in the DI Sheridan Holler Thriller series written by T. M. Payne. I so thoroughly enjoyed it that I hated to stop reading to sleep. DI Sheridan Holler is a single, feisty, respected detective of the Liverpool Police Department. Her life and her parents lives were devastated by the unsloved murder of her her 12 year old brother almost 30 years ago. That tragedy was the driving force in Sheridan's decision to join the force and her commitment to solving his murder has never wavered.
The story begins in December, 1997 when two women entering the supermarket are shot by a runaway driver on a motorcycle. One woman, Kate Armitage, a policewoman died. The other woman, Elle Sands, a local newspaper editor, suffered severe head injuries. After a long hospitalization Ellie was transferred to a long term nursing home.
Fast forward seven years, and a gravedigger discovers the remains of a body burried on top of a woman who died seven years ago. When Kate and her team begin investigating unsolved missing persons cases around that time, the name John Lively comes up. He had been a local drug user and often appeared on the police radar, especially that of Kate Armitage. Could the body be John Lively? Oh there is so much more to share, but I don't want to give anything away. Suffice to say Long Time Dead is a terrific thriller that will captivate your interest from the first page to the last. It is a fast-paced novel; the sub- plots and characters intriguing- its just a wonderful read. Oh and be sure and read the acknowledgements- they are a hoot. Long Time Dead is the first T.M. Payne work I have read; it will not be my last. Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of the book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion. 5 stars.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven years ago two women were gunned down outside a Liverpool supermarket, the suspect was believed to be drug dealer John Lively but he was never caught and the case remained unsolved, that is until now, when a body discovered in a cemetery is identified as the missing suspect. DI Sheridan Holler and her team now need to figure out when and why he died but, when new evidence comes to light about the murder weapon, it throws both cases into turmoil. Alongside all this Sheridan is desperate to find out who murdered her brother when he was a child and she won't rest until she does, but these cases must be dealt with first before anyone else is killed.

Long Time Dead is the first in this detective series, it's a multi layered plot with plenty going on and the author throws in a few twists along the way just to keep us readers on our toes. I felt, at first, that it was a bit too descriptive but as the story went on that seemed to settle down, picking up a good pace and I was hooked for the rest of the book. This was more than just a crime novel though, the author injects a certain level of comedy into her writing too, which shone through in the chapters involving Maud, the cat. There are some great characters in this novel, I particularly liked Sheridan and look forward to getting to know her, and the rest of the team, better in the next book. A great read from a new to me author and I can't wait for book two!

I'd like to thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Long Time Dead reminded me exactly why I enjoy a good detective series. Whilst the premise initially sounds like a classic police procedural — a body discovered buried above a coffin leading to the reopening of a cold case — it quickly became much more than that.

The real standout for me was DI Sheridan Holler. She's a brilliant lead character with plenty of depth, and I loved how her personal history and grief were woven into the story without ever overshadowing the investigation itself. The character development felt natural, and I found myself just as invested in Sheridan as I was in the mystery.

The investigation is gritty, immersive, and feels incredibly authentic throughout. The twists are well-earned, the pacing kept me hooked, and the flashbacks added another layer to an already compelling case. T.M. Payne's background really shines through in the procedural details, making everything feel grounded and believable.

I did feel the ending could have wrapped up a little more quickly, but that's a very minor complaint in what was otherwise a fantastic start to the series.

A gripping, character-driven police procedural with a detective I'm already looking forward to spending more time with. And of course, a special mention for Maud the cat, who completely stole my heart.

[powerlireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 Stars ⭐️

Told through multiple POVs, we follow DI Sheridan Holler after a decayed corpse is discovered in a cemetery, a discovery that cracks open not one but two cold cases.

I was genuinely surprised to learn this was the author’s debut. I really enjoyed her writing, and the short chapters kept the pace quick and engaging.

There was a great mix of characters, and there are definitely a few I’m hoping to see more of as the series continues.

Sheridan herself was a really likeable FMC, dedicated and hardworking, but also incredibly caring, which makes her so easy to warm to and someone you naturally find yourself rooting for.

As it’s part of a series, some parts of the wider story are still left open, and I’m guessing they’ll be picked up in the next books, but the central mystery is wrapped up really well. Nothing felt rushed or left hanging, and I came away feeling fully satisfied with the resolution.

A few chapters didn’t really move the plot along, but because they’re so short, they never pulled me out of the story and actually added a little more insight into the characters and their relationships.

And I have to mention Maude the cat, as her little antics added a lovely bit of humour to the story, and I really enjoyed every scene she appeared in.

Overall, a fun, compelling thriller and a brilliant start to the series. I can’t wait to read the next one.