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DS Liam Kilshaw #1
The Lines
9 hours
Once you cross the wrong lines, there’s no turning back.
For DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine who almost died on a mission gone wrong, returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD. But when he’s called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, the dark danger of the waves comes crashing back. The body of a young man is floating in the water, and the zip-tie marks on his wrists show this is no tragic drowning—it’s murder.
It’s not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit the identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang leads Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. But as the brooding Cornish coast and whispered local rumours fold darkly around him, he starts to feel he can’t trust the water or anyone in town.
As the bodies keep coming, he must confront a sinister gangland underworld as well as his own demons—before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
Once you cross the wrong lines, there’s no turning back.
For DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine who almost died on a mission gone wrong, returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD. But when he’s called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, the dark danger of the waves comes crashing back. The body of a young man is floating in the water, and the zip-tie marks on his wrists show this is no tragic drowning—it’s murder.
It’s not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit the identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang leads Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. But as the brooding Cornish coast and whispered local rumours fold darkly around him, he starts to feel he can’t trust the water or anyone in town.
As the bodies keep coming, he must confront a sinister gangland underworld as well as his own demons—before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
Audible Audio
First published October 15, 2025
2399 people want to read
About the author
Matt Brolly
25 books568 followersMatt Brolly is the Amazon number one bestselling author of the DI Blackwell novels set in Weston-supper-Mare, as well as the DCI Lambert crime novels, the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero, and the US thriller, The Controller.
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.
Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK
Matt Brolly books in order:
DI Blackwell:
The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)
DCI Lambert Series
Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time
Other books
Zero
The Controller
For children (as M.J. Brolly)
The Sleeping Bug
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 19, 2025
I was thrilled to see that Matt Brolly had a new series. I’ve enjoyed his Louise Blackwell series and couldn’t wait to read the first book in the new series,
The Lines,
which features Detective Sergeant Liam Kilshaw. Set in and around Bodmin in Cornwall, England, this police procedural and crime novel is a great start to the series.
Liam is called out with the local lifeboat crew when there is a report of a body in the water. A young man is found dead with zip-tie marks on his ankles and wrists. This reminds him of another open case when a woman was also found in the water with similar marks. Are the killings connected? Then the bodies keep coming and Liam and others on the police force must confront criminal gangs, lies, and deceptions.
Liam is a former marine and Special Boat Service member who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after his breathing apparatus failed and he nearly drowned on a mission. He had always loved the water and is volunteering with the local lifeboat team as a type of immersion therapy to help himself (along with his breathing techniques). He tends to keep people at arm’s length, but is working on that. He cares about others and enjoys a decent relationship with his ex-wife and son. He’s also relentless in his pursuit of those who prey on those who are vulnerable and immerses himself in the cases.
Once again, this author starts with a prologue that immediately grabs a reader’s attention and pulls them into the story. Throughout most of the story, there is a sense of urgency as the investigators try to make sense of what has happened and what may happen. While the story ensnared me from the beginning and the ending was action-packed, the middle is solid police work, but slower paced. There are several twists and turns giving readers the opportunity to test their investigative skills as the police search for answers, including motives, relationships, and who is behind the crimes. The author also does a great job of creating atmosphere that makes it easy to feel like you’re with Liam hunting for answers.
Overall, this was a gripping, gritty, and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages as it quickly pulled me into the investigation and the lives of the characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy police procedurals, this author, and British crime dramas will likely enjoy this series.
Amazon Publishing UK – Thomas and Mercer and Matt Brolly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 15, 2025.
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My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Liam is called out with the local lifeboat crew when there is a report of a body in the water. A young man is found dead with zip-tie marks on his ankles and wrists. This reminds him of another open case when a woman was also found in the water with similar marks. Are the killings connected? Then the bodies keep coming and Liam and others on the police force must confront criminal gangs, lies, and deceptions.
Liam is a former marine and Special Boat Service member who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after his breathing apparatus failed and he nearly drowned on a mission. He had always loved the water and is volunteering with the local lifeboat team as a type of immersion therapy to help himself (along with his breathing techniques). He tends to keep people at arm’s length, but is working on that. He cares about others and enjoys a decent relationship with his ex-wife and son. He’s also relentless in his pursuit of those who prey on those who are vulnerable and immerses himself in the cases.
Once again, this author starts with a prologue that immediately grabs a reader’s attention and pulls them into the story. Throughout most of the story, there is a sense of urgency as the investigators try to make sense of what has happened and what may happen. While the story ensnared me from the beginning and the ending was action-packed, the middle is solid police work, but slower paced. There are several twists and turns giving readers the opportunity to test their investigative skills as the police search for answers, including motives, relationships, and who is behind the crimes. The author also does a great job of creating atmosphere that makes it easy to feel like you’re with Liam hunting for answers.
Overall, this was a gripping, gritty, and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages as it quickly pulled me into the investigation and the lives of the characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy police procedurals, this author, and British crime dramas will likely enjoy this series.
Amazon Publishing UK – Thomas and Mercer and Matt Brolly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 15, 2025.
----------------------------------------
My 4.3 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
November 3, 2025
(3.75 stars)
This was my first book by Matt Brolly and I’m glad I took a chance on a new-to-me author.
Brolly has set The Lines in Cornwall, England and his descriptions of the area increased my desire to see this place one day. Liam Kilshaw is an excellent main character, with a tough backstory. In addition to things one cannot see, Kilshaw has alopecia, which makes him stand out. He has PTSD from nearly drowning on a military mission when his equipment failed. He has always loved the sea and can’t imagine not living near it, but his experience has made even thinking about the ocean a traumatic experience, which he is working on overcoming. One way he is doing that is by volunteering on the local lifeboat service, which goes out on emergency calls to rescue people. On one of these calls, the crew recovers a drowned man who has obviously been murdered and that sets off the rest of the book’s action. A major theme of the book is the police’s efforts to stop fentanyl from taking hold in England the way it has in the United States. (And as I learned from watching several seasons of Poldark, Cornwall has quite the history of smuggling, due to its geography!)
The Lines is a bit of a slow-burn police procedural, but the action really takes off in the later parts of the book. In addition to the drug-related cases, we get to see the personal side of Kilshaw. He’s divorced and is starting a new relationship. She gets a realistic look at what life might be like with him when he gets called away in the middle of their first date!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Zooloos Book Tours and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was my first book by Matt Brolly and I’m glad I took a chance on a new-to-me author.
Brolly has set The Lines in Cornwall, England and his descriptions of the area increased my desire to see this place one day. Liam Kilshaw is an excellent main character, with a tough backstory. In addition to things one cannot see, Kilshaw has alopecia, which makes him stand out. He has PTSD from nearly drowning on a military mission when his equipment failed. He has always loved the sea and can’t imagine not living near it, but his experience has made even thinking about the ocean a traumatic experience, which he is working on overcoming. One way he is doing that is by volunteering on the local lifeboat service, which goes out on emergency calls to rescue people. On one of these calls, the crew recovers a drowned man who has obviously been murdered and that sets off the rest of the book’s action. A major theme of the book is the police’s efforts to stop fentanyl from taking hold in England the way it has in the United States. (And as I learned from watching several seasons of Poldark, Cornwall has quite the history of smuggling, due to its geography!)
The Lines is a bit of a slow-burn police procedural, but the action really takes off in the later parts of the book. In addition to the drug-related cases, we get to see the personal side of Kilshaw. He’s divorced and is starting a new relationship. She gets a realistic look at what life might be like with him when he gets called away in the middle of their first date!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Zooloos Book Tours and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 16, 2025
the setup…
Liam Kilshaw was once a marine with the UK Royal Navy Special Forces, assigned to Special Boat Services (SBS) until he almost died during a dive that went terribly wrong. He’s now a Detective Sergeant with the St. Ives police force and is dealing with his PTSD by going out with the volunteer lifeboat rescue crew to face his demons. When he joined them on a recent call out, they discovered the body of a man with zip tie marks on his wrist, indicating he’d been murdered, not drowned. It is suspiciously similar to another body found earlier, a woman with ties to a drug gang. The investigation leads to a much larger conspiracy…and the bodies begin to pile up.
the heart of the story…
This is very much Kilshaw’s story. I felt his pain as he tries to push through his fear of the sea while doing his job. He’s an interesting man and a highly skillful investigator with good instincts and discipline. The case was an enigma and all the while I got the sense that someone was hiding in plain sight.
the narration…
Samuel Roukin made me believe he was Liam Kilshaw. I liked his voice for the character and he was great with the storytelling.
the bottom line…
The attempted introduction of fentanyl into Cornwall through local drug lines by outsiders was the central focus. I admired how law enforcement organized to stop the distribution before it got started, avoiding the US catastrophe. I really liked Liam on a personal and professional level. He’s got issues but has a grounded self awareness and I want to see where he goes next. The last third of the book made my heart race, making it a great series start.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Liam Kilshaw was once a marine with the UK Royal Navy Special Forces, assigned to Special Boat Services (SBS) until he almost died during a dive that went terribly wrong. He’s now a Detective Sergeant with the St. Ives police force and is dealing with his PTSD by going out with the volunteer lifeboat rescue crew to face his demons. When he joined them on a recent call out, they discovered the body of a man with zip tie marks on his wrist, indicating he’d been murdered, not drowned. It is suspiciously similar to another body found earlier, a woman with ties to a drug gang. The investigation leads to a much larger conspiracy…and the bodies begin to pile up.
the heart of the story…
This is very much Kilshaw’s story. I felt his pain as he tries to push through his fear of the sea while doing his job. He’s an interesting man and a highly skillful investigator with good instincts and discipline. The case was an enigma and all the while I got the sense that someone was hiding in plain sight.
the narration…
Samuel Roukin made me believe he was Liam Kilshaw. I liked his voice for the character and he was great with the storytelling.
the bottom line…
The attempted introduction of fentanyl into Cornwall through local drug lines by outsiders was the central focus. I admired how law enforcement organized to stop the distribution before it got started, avoiding the US catastrophe. I really liked Liam on a personal and professional level. He’s got issues but has a grounded self awareness and I want to see where he goes next. The last third of the book made my heart race, making it a great series start.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
October 29, 2025
What I love about Matt Brolly is he draws you into his stories very quickly. There’s no slow burn, and that’s just the way I like it. He is also excellent at keeping the pace all through the book. I’m a fan of his DI Louise Blackwell series, and was excited to read this new one.
This series is centred around DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine, who is battling with PTSD. While volunteering one night with the local lifeboat crew, he is called out to find a young, vulnerable, man who has drowned in the sea. On closer inspection it soon becomes clear that the zip ties around his wrists, point to murder. As the bodies pile up, it all points towards a county lines gang who are smuggling fentanyl, using the Cornish coastline. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
4 ⭐️
Available Now.
This series is centred around DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine, who is battling with PTSD. While volunteering one night with the local lifeboat crew, he is called out to find a young, vulnerable, man who has drowned in the sea. On closer inspection it soon becomes clear that the zip ties around his wrists, point to murder. As the bodies pile up, it all points towards a county lines gang who are smuggling fentanyl, using the Cornish coastline. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
4 ⭐️
Available Now.
August 27, 2025
I am a fan of Matt Brolly’s DI Louise Blackwell mysteries, and this is the beginning of a new series featuring DI Liam Kilshaw. Liam is a former Marine with PTSD from a near-drowning experience while in the service. When Liam and his fellow lifeboat volunteers recover the body of a young man drowned along the Cornish coast, it is the beginning of an investigation into the web of intrigue surrounding the county lines drug trade.
Well plotted and multilayered, there are twists and turns in this suspenseful read, along with a touch of romance. Brolly’s novels are atmospheric and gritty at times, but not graphic. A fast read, I liked some of the new characters introduced and, in particular, the working relationship between Liam and his colleague, Maya.
This is your opportunity to get in on the beginning of a new character-driven police procedural mystery suspense series.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing #ThomasandMercer for the DRC.
Well plotted and multilayered, there are twists and turns in this suspenseful read, along with a touch of romance. Brolly’s novels are atmospheric and gritty at times, but not graphic. A fast read, I liked some of the new characters introduced and, in particular, the working relationship between Liam and his colleague, Maya.
This is your opportunity to get in on the beginning of a new character-driven police procedural mystery suspense series.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing #ThomasandMercer for the DRC.
October 8, 2025
Finished reading: October 7th 2025
"Liam's role as detective sergeant was secondary to his role as a volunteer as far as the lifeboat station was concerned, but when on board he was always expected to deal with the dead."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
November 1, 2025
DS Liam Kilshaw is divorced and has a son, George. Not only is he a detective sergeant, he also volunteers with the local lifeboat team.
Liam has always loved the sea, but since suffering from PTSD ever since he nearly drowned when he was a marine, he’s struggled. Determined to overcome his battle, he thinks volunteering will help him.
When called out to the body of a young man in the sea, it’s quickly discovered that he’s been murdered. It doesn’t take long for it to materialise that there are similarities with a previous death, as well as drugs being brought into Cornwall and cuckooing happening to some of the local residents.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be my last. I was heavily invested in the story, it was really interesting.
I liked that we had a flawed character, but one who was trying to improve and move on. I enjoyed seeing his new relationship play out, as well as seeing how he tried to control the battle with the PTSD.
This was a great storyline and I’m looking forward to the next book in this exciting new series.
I also think that this would make an excellent TV series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Liam has always loved the sea, but since suffering from PTSD ever since he nearly drowned when he was a marine, he’s struggled. Determined to overcome his battle, he thinks volunteering will help him.
When called out to the body of a young man in the sea, it’s quickly discovered that he’s been murdered. It doesn’t take long for it to materialise that there are similarities with a previous death, as well as drugs being brought into Cornwall and cuckooing happening to some of the local residents.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be my last. I was heavily invested in the story, it was really interesting.
I liked that we had a flawed character, but one who was trying to improve and move on. I enjoyed seeing his new relationship play out, as well as seeing how he tried to control the battle with the PTSD.
This was a great storyline and I’m looking forward to the next book in this exciting new series.
I also think that this would make an excellent TV series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 27, 2025
Utterly amazing! I loved this book and would gladly give it ten stars.
We meet Detective Sergeant Liam Kilshaw and his team as they become embroiled in a high-stakes investigation after bodies linked to drug dealers taking over Cornwall are discovered at sea.
The multi-layered story is packed with drama and tension as Liam races to discover who is responsible, and who the dealers are controlling amongst the county's vulnerable inhabitants. Despite personal issues stemming from his time in the SBS and the Royal Marines, Liam’s bravery, determination, and good nature shine through.
The drama ramps up as he relentlessly pursues the truth and strives to protect his loved ones, but who can he trust?
Liam refuses to give up and the book's spectacular ending is put together as neatly as a Cornish pasty. I can't wait for the next instalment!
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
We meet Detective Sergeant Liam Kilshaw and his team as they become embroiled in a high-stakes investigation after bodies linked to drug dealers taking over Cornwall are discovered at sea.
The multi-layered story is packed with drama and tension as Liam races to discover who is responsible, and who the dealers are controlling amongst the county's vulnerable inhabitants. Despite personal issues stemming from his time in the SBS and the Royal Marines, Liam’s bravery, determination, and good nature shine through.
The drama ramps up as he relentlessly pursues the truth and strives to protect his loved ones, but who can he trust?
Liam refuses to give up and the book's spectacular ending is put together as neatly as a Cornish pasty. I can't wait for the next instalment!
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
August 4, 2025
I’ve been lucky to receive an ARC of The Lines by Matt Brolly, the first book in a new series set in Cornwall. The main character is DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine, who is also a member of an RNLI crew. He is involved in investigating two suspicious deaths at sea where the bodies have zip-tie marks on their wrists and ankles. This leads to links with an OCG who are trying to infiltrate Cornwall with supplies of fentanyl, but who is the ruthless leader of this gang? It’s a very fast paced book with lots of twists and turns and some unexpected surprises. A cracking read and I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.
October 30, 2025
It has been an age since I have read a book by Mr Brolly, so when the chance came to read his new masterpiece, I jumped at it...ok, well I waited for the audiobook and listened to it. But what a wild ride!
I loved that Liam was flawed and very relatable; he had realistic fears and PTSD. He was trying to build a life after the Marines and divorce from his wife. We are also introduced to the fact that he's a volunteer as well as a DS. We see all aspects, and what was better was that he was not the big boss man!!! It was so refreshing to see dates ruined by call-outs, someone working hard to follow the clues, even when we do not always have many. I just loved everything about this. I was sucked in right from the start. I learned so much, too - I had never heard the phrase cuckoo and what it meant! Boy, did it worry me!!!
This was so exciting. It was gritty, it played with your head, and it kept you on your toes. And those explosive final few chapters, I was on edge because time was of the essence and there was no way Liam could fail...right?
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW....please :)
I loved that Liam was flawed and very relatable; he had realistic fears and PTSD. He was trying to build a life after the Marines and divorce from his wife. We are also introduced to the fact that he's a volunteer as well as a DS. We see all aspects, and what was better was that he was not the big boss man!!! It was so refreshing to see dates ruined by call-outs, someone working hard to follow the clues, even when we do not always have many. I just loved everything about this. I was sucked in right from the start. I learned so much, too - I had never heard the phrase cuckoo and what it meant! Boy, did it worry me!!!
This was so exciting. It was gritty, it played with your head, and it kept you on your toes. And those explosive final few chapters, I was on edge because time was of the essence and there was no way Liam could fail...right?
GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW....please :)
November 3, 2025
Here is my review for The Lines by Matt Brolly
I really enjoyed this new series featuring DS Liam Kilshaw who started his career in the Navy as a marine. He enjoyed his time there, diving and SBS, until he nearly died on a mission and then he was discharged as he developed a fear of water. He then joined the police but had to be near the sea. He joined the lifeboat crew volunteers as a sort of therapy to combat his PTSD. The coxswain knew his history but he was ex-navy and understood what Liam was going through. On one shout when they are called out at night, they pull the body of a young man from the water in the Cornish coast. There are zip-tie marks on his wrists to show that this drowning was no accident but murder! This is a brilliantly written story that looks into the drug world and gangs that befriend older and lonely people they find in pubs who have no friends. They take over their home, getting them to sell their drugs and dependant on the gang, therefore cuckooing them. I believe the author has done an awful lot of research into the drugs world and written a cracking page-turning story involving them. I was absolutely hooked and intrigued by the superb plotting and how well thought out it all was. The characters were thought out as well with their friendships and backgrounds. It was set around Cornwall so it made it really interesting by mentioning places there. The synopsis drew me to read this book as it sounded a really good storyline and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Blurb :
Once you cross the wrong lines, there’s no turning back.
For DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine who almost died on a mission gone wrong, returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD. But when he’s called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, the dark danger of the waves comes crashing back. The body of a young man is floating in the water, and the zip-tie marks on his wrists show this is no tragic drowning—it’s murder.
It’s not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit community: the identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang leads Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. But as the brooding Cornish coast and whispered local rumours fold darkly around him, he starts to feel he can’t trust the water or anyone in town.
As the bodies keep coming, he must confront a sinister gangland underworld as well as his own demons—before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
I really enjoyed this new series featuring DS Liam Kilshaw who started his career in the Navy as a marine. He enjoyed his time there, diving and SBS, until he nearly died on a mission and then he was discharged as he developed a fear of water. He then joined the police but had to be near the sea. He joined the lifeboat crew volunteers as a sort of therapy to combat his PTSD. The coxswain knew his history but he was ex-navy and understood what Liam was going through. On one shout when they are called out at night, they pull the body of a young man from the water in the Cornish coast. There are zip-tie marks on his wrists to show that this drowning was no accident but murder! This is a brilliantly written story that looks into the drug world and gangs that befriend older and lonely people they find in pubs who have no friends. They take over their home, getting them to sell their drugs and dependant on the gang, therefore cuckooing them. I believe the author has done an awful lot of research into the drugs world and written a cracking page-turning story involving them. I was absolutely hooked and intrigued by the superb plotting and how well thought out it all was. The characters were thought out as well with their friendships and backgrounds. It was set around Cornwall so it made it really interesting by mentioning places there. The synopsis drew me to read this book as it sounded a really good storyline and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Blurb :
Once you cross the wrong lines, there’s no turning back.
For DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine who almost died on a mission gone wrong, returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD. But when he’s called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, the dark danger of the waves comes crashing back. The body of a young man is floating in the water, and the zip-tie marks on his wrists show this is no tragic drowning—it’s murder.
It’s not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit community: the identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang leads Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. But as the brooding Cornish coast and whispered local rumours fold darkly around him, he starts to feel he can’t trust the water or anyone in town.
As the bodies keep coming, he must confront a sinister gangland underworld as well as his own demons—before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
October 27, 2025
Thanks to the Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for this eARC in print and audio format.
🎧 Matt Brolly’s The Lines launches a gripping new series with a protagonist as weathered and watchful as the Cornish coast he patrols. With Samuel Roukin’s taut, emotionally attuned narration, the audiobook becomes more than a procedural—it’s a meditation on trauma, loyalty, and the thin line between justice and vengeance.
🌊 DS Liam Kilshaw, a former Royal Marine turned detective, is trying to rebuild his life after a mission gone wrong left him physically and emotionally scarred. Volunteering with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast, he’s pulled back into the darkness when the body of a young man is found floating in the sea—zip-tie marks on his wrists, and no sign of accident.
When a second body surfaces—a young woman with ties to a county lines drug gang—Kilshaw suspects a pattern. But in a town where silence is currency and the past is never truly buried, the truth is as murky as the waters he patrols.
🎙️Samuel Roukin delivers a masterclass in restraint and resonance. His voice captures Kilshaw’s internal storm—gravelly, deliberate, and edged with fatigue. Roukin’s narration excels in:
- Emotional modulation: He conveys Kilshaw’s PTSD and moral conflict without melodrama.
- Character differentiation: Subtle shifts in tone and cadence distinguish suspects, colleagues, and victims without veering into caricature.
- Atmospheric pacing: Roukin leans into the novel’s coastal noir tone, letting silences and pauses echo like waves against a cliff.
His performance doesn’t just tell the story—it deepens it.
The Lines explores the psychological toll of service, the fragility of redemption, and the corrosive effects of organized crime on rural communities. Brolly’s writing is lean and evocative, with a strong sense of place and a protagonist who feels lived-in rather than larger-than-life.
The title itself is layered: the literal county-lines drug trade, the moral lines Kilshaw must navigate, and the invisible lines between past and present, guilt and duty.
⭐ The Lines is a moody, character-driven thriller that sets the stage for a promising series. With Samuel Roukin’s immersive narration, the audiobook becomes a compelling experience—perfect for fans of Tana French, Ann Cleeves, or gritty British procedurals with emotional depth.
🎧 Matt Brolly’s The Lines launches a gripping new series with a protagonist as weathered and watchful as the Cornish coast he patrols. With Samuel Roukin’s taut, emotionally attuned narration, the audiobook becomes more than a procedural—it’s a meditation on trauma, loyalty, and the thin line between justice and vengeance.
🌊 DS Liam Kilshaw, a former Royal Marine turned detective, is trying to rebuild his life after a mission gone wrong left him physically and emotionally scarred. Volunteering with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast, he’s pulled back into the darkness when the body of a young man is found floating in the sea—zip-tie marks on his wrists, and no sign of accident.
When a second body surfaces—a young woman with ties to a county lines drug gang—Kilshaw suspects a pattern. But in a town where silence is currency and the past is never truly buried, the truth is as murky as the waters he patrols.
🎙️Samuel Roukin delivers a masterclass in restraint and resonance. His voice captures Kilshaw’s internal storm—gravelly, deliberate, and edged with fatigue. Roukin’s narration excels in:
- Emotional modulation: He conveys Kilshaw’s PTSD and moral conflict without melodrama.
- Character differentiation: Subtle shifts in tone and cadence distinguish suspects, colleagues, and victims without veering into caricature.
- Atmospheric pacing: Roukin leans into the novel’s coastal noir tone, letting silences and pauses echo like waves against a cliff.
His performance doesn’t just tell the story—it deepens it.
The Lines explores the psychological toll of service, the fragility of redemption, and the corrosive effects of organized crime on rural communities. Brolly’s writing is lean and evocative, with a strong sense of place and a protagonist who feels lived-in rather than larger-than-life.
The title itself is layered: the literal county-lines drug trade, the moral lines Kilshaw must navigate, and the invisible lines between past and present, guilt and duty.
⭐ The Lines is a moody, character-driven thriller that sets the stage for a promising series. With Samuel Roukin’s immersive narration, the audiobook becomes a compelling experience—perfect for fans of Tana French, Ann Cleeves, or gritty British procedurals with emotional depth.
November 5, 2025
Every so often I pick up a crime thriller that reminds me why I love this genre so much — the atmosphere, the tension, the emotional pull — and The Lines delivered all of that in the best possible way. From the opening scenes, there’s a darkness lingering beneath the surface, the kind that slowly tightens around you until you realise you’re completely hooked.
DS Liam Kilshaw is the heart of this story, and I connected with him far more deeply than I expected to. He’s tough when he needs to be, but there’s a fragility to him as well — the weight of old trauma that he’s still trying to outrun. Watching him navigate the cold Cornish waters while battling the memories they drag back up was genuinely powerful. I felt every moment of unease, every flash of doubt, and every small victory as he pushed through.
The setting is honestly one of my favourite parts. The Cornish coast feels wild and unpredictable, almost a character in its own right. Those scenes at night, with the waves crashing and the wind cutting through everything… I could picture it so clearly that it gave me goosebumps. There’s something haunting about a community so tightly bound by the sea, yet hiding so many dangerous secrets.
The investigation is tense, layered, and cleverly structured, but never confusing. What I really appreciated is that nothing felt thrown in for drama. Every piece of information mattered. Every discovery had weight. I found myself trying to piece things together alongside Kilshaw, and just when I thought I’d cracked it, the next chapter would nudge me in a different direction.
The story also touches on some tough themes — exploitation, fear, the reach of county lines — and it does so in a sensitive, grounded way. You really get a sense of how these things ripple through small communities, how people try to protect each other even when they can’t quite bring themselves to speak the truth out loud.
By the end, I wasn’t just invested in the case; I was invested in Kilshaw himself. It’s been a while since I finished a first-in-series and immediately felt excited to follow a character into whatever comes next, but that’s exactly how I felt here. Matt Brolly has created something gripping, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional — the perfect combination.
A tense, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted start to a new series. I absolutely loved it.
DS Liam Kilshaw is the heart of this story, and I connected with him far more deeply than I expected to. He’s tough when he needs to be, but there’s a fragility to him as well — the weight of old trauma that he’s still trying to outrun. Watching him navigate the cold Cornish waters while battling the memories they drag back up was genuinely powerful. I felt every moment of unease, every flash of doubt, and every small victory as he pushed through.
The setting is honestly one of my favourite parts. The Cornish coast feels wild and unpredictable, almost a character in its own right. Those scenes at night, with the waves crashing and the wind cutting through everything… I could picture it so clearly that it gave me goosebumps. There’s something haunting about a community so tightly bound by the sea, yet hiding so many dangerous secrets.
The investigation is tense, layered, and cleverly structured, but never confusing. What I really appreciated is that nothing felt thrown in for drama. Every piece of information mattered. Every discovery had weight. I found myself trying to piece things together alongside Kilshaw, and just when I thought I’d cracked it, the next chapter would nudge me in a different direction.
The story also touches on some tough themes — exploitation, fear, the reach of county lines — and it does so in a sensitive, grounded way. You really get a sense of how these things ripple through small communities, how people try to protect each other even when they can’t quite bring themselves to speak the truth out loud.
By the end, I wasn’t just invested in the case; I was invested in Kilshaw himself. It’s been a while since I finished a first-in-series and immediately felt excited to follow a character into whatever comes next, but that’s exactly how I felt here. Matt Brolly has created something gripping, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional — the perfect combination.
A tense, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted start to a new series. I absolutely loved it.
October 18, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Liam Kilshaw is the main character in a new series by Matt Brolly. Liam is a former Marine with PTSD after being caught underwater and almost drowning. He still loves the sea and is a member of a lifeboat rescue team. He has a son but never married the mother as he was stationed away.
DS Kilshaw works hard and rather long hours in the police. Recently, there have been bodies turned up drowned but it's clear they were murdered. That pushes right at his PTSD. The people were vulnerable and investigation shows they were likely cuckooed. Gangs selling drugs took over their homes as places to live and store drugs. When it looked like the person might talk, or the place was no longer useful, they killed the person.
The investigation is complicated by DI Grace Hartley who has come from London as part of a drugs task force. Liam went to his basic police training with her and they dated. Not only is she a higher rank, but she seems to want to get personal again. Liam is just starting a relationship with someone else.
Liam often works with his own DI Maya Trent. They work well together. With the task force, he seems to be on his own a lot. He's talking to people in bars to see when the victims were seen and with whom. He also discovers another vulnerable guy, Peter. He goes to his home and his "niece" says he isn't home. His mission becomes to find Peter, as later his house is empty and he is probably another cuckoo victim.
Between careful pursuit of evidence and excellent deductions, Liam is crucial in solving the case. There are plenty of twists I won't spoil. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the DS Kilshaw series. Next up is The Replacement in February.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Liam Kilshaw is the main character in a new series by Matt Brolly. Liam is a former Marine with PTSD after being caught underwater and almost drowning. He still loves the sea and is a member of a lifeboat rescue team. He has a son but never married the mother as he was stationed away.
DS Kilshaw works hard and rather long hours in the police. Recently, there have been bodies turned up drowned but it's clear they were murdered. That pushes right at his PTSD. The people were vulnerable and investigation shows they were likely cuckooed. Gangs selling drugs took over their homes as places to live and store drugs. When it looked like the person might talk, or the place was no longer useful, they killed the person.
The investigation is complicated by DI Grace Hartley who has come from London as part of a drugs task force. Liam went to his basic police training with her and they dated. Not only is she a higher rank, but she seems to want to get personal again. Liam is just starting a relationship with someone else.
Liam often works with his own DI Maya Trent. They work well together. With the task force, he seems to be on his own a lot. He's talking to people in bars to see when the victims were seen and with whom. He also discovers another vulnerable guy, Peter. He goes to his home and his "niece" says he isn't home. His mission becomes to find Peter, as later his house is empty and he is probably another cuckoo victim.
Between careful pursuit of evidence and excellent deductions, Liam is crucial in solving the case. There are plenty of twists I won't spoil. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the DS Kilshaw series. Next up is The Replacement in February.
October 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Lines is a UK-based police / detective mystery that follows an investigation into a complex web of crime, drugs, and deception. As the story unfolds, readers are taken deep into the world of law enforcement, with Detective Inspector Blackwell at the center of the case navigating both the dangers of the streets and the personal struggles that weigh on him.
Falling firmly into the crime, mystery, and police procedural genres, The Lines features familiar tropes such as the weary detective, the entangled case that hits too close to home, and the race against time to uncover the truth. It’s the kind of story that builds its tension through character-driven investigation rather than action-heavy drama.
My thoughts:
The Lines was a mystery with a solid premise and authentic atmosphere. However, I found the pacing a little slow in part. The book felt quite long, and at times it seemed that not much was happening beyond a series of extended conversations with drug dealers or informants. I was hoping for more twists and turns throughout, rather than having most of the big reveals arrive right at the end. When the action did finally pick up, it felt a bit cluttered, as though too much was happening all at once.
I also found myself occasionally lost in the use of police acronyms and procedural terminology, which disrupted the flow of reading since I had to keep checking what they meant. It did lend realism, but perhaps a touch too much for readers less familiar with UK policing structure.
The romantic subplot between Blackwell and Millie, the schoolteacher, felt a bit insta-love to me. Their relationship wasn’t shown developing much beyond a few brief date scenes, so when Blackwell described Millie and his son as his reason for living by the end, it felt a little unearned.
Overall, I’d compare The Lines to daytime TV - it may not thrill you or break new ground in the genre, but it’s a comfortable, steady read that stays just engaging enough to keep you turning the pages.
The Lines is a UK-based police / detective mystery that follows an investigation into a complex web of crime, drugs, and deception. As the story unfolds, readers are taken deep into the world of law enforcement, with Detective Inspector Blackwell at the center of the case navigating both the dangers of the streets and the personal struggles that weigh on him.
Falling firmly into the crime, mystery, and police procedural genres, The Lines features familiar tropes such as the weary detective, the entangled case that hits too close to home, and the race against time to uncover the truth. It’s the kind of story that builds its tension through character-driven investigation rather than action-heavy drama.
My thoughts:
The Lines was a mystery with a solid premise and authentic atmosphere. However, I found the pacing a little slow in part. The book felt quite long, and at times it seemed that not much was happening beyond a series of extended conversations with drug dealers or informants. I was hoping for more twists and turns throughout, rather than having most of the big reveals arrive right at the end. When the action did finally pick up, it felt a bit cluttered, as though too much was happening all at once.
I also found myself occasionally lost in the use of police acronyms and procedural terminology, which disrupted the flow of reading since I had to keep checking what they meant. It did lend realism, but perhaps a touch too much for readers less familiar with UK policing structure.
The romantic subplot between Blackwell and Millie, the schoolteacher, felt a bit insta-love to me. Their relationship wasn’t shown developing much beyond a few brief date scenes, so when Blackwell described Millie and his son as his reason for living by the end, it felt a little unearned.
Overall, I’d compare The Lines to daytime TV - it may not thrill you or break new ground in the genre, but it’s a comfortable, steady read that stays just engaging enough to keep you turning the pages.
October 18, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Liam Kilshaw is the main character in a new series by Matt Brolly. Liam is a former Marine with PTSD after being caught underwater and almost drowning. He still loves the sea and is a member of a lifeboat rescue team. He has a son but never married the mother as he was stationed away.
DS Kilshaw works hard and rather long hours in the police. Recently, there have been bodies turned up drowned but it's clear they were murdered. That pushes right at his PTSD. The people were vulnerable and investigation shows they were likely cuckooed. Gangs selling drugs took over their homes as places to live and store drugs. When it looked like the person might talk, or the place was no longer useful, they killed the person.
The investigation is complicated by DI Grace Hartley who has come from London as part of a drugs task force. Liam went to his basic police training with her and they dated. Not only is she a higher rank, but she seems to want to get personal again. Liam is just starting a relationship with someone else.
Liam often works with his own DI Maya Trent. They work well together. With the task force, he seems to be on his own a lot. He's talking to people in bars to see when the victims were seen and with whom. He also discovers another vulnerable guy, Peter. He goes to his home and his "niece" says he isn't home. His mission becomes to find Peter, as later his house is empty and he is probably another cuckoo victim.
Between careful pursuit of evidence and excellent deductions, Liam is crucial in solving the case. There are plenty of twists I won't spoil. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the DS Kilshaw series. Next up is The Replacement in February.
Narration:
I have enjoyed this narrator previously. It's been awhile though so I wouldn't recognize the voice. The emotional tones and accents felt appropriate. The speech was clear and solid; I might have been able to speed it up a bit more. I listened easily at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Liam Kilshaw is the main character in a new series by Matt Brolly. Liam is a former Marine with PTSD after being caught underwater and almost drowning. He still loves the sea and is a member of a lifeboat rescue team. He has a son but never married the mother as he was stationed away.
DS Kilshaw works hard and rather long hours in the police. Recently, there have been bodies turned up drowned but it's clear they were murdered. That pushes right at his PTSD. The people were vulnerable and investigation shows they were likely cuckooed. Gangs selling drugs took over their homes as places to live and store drugs. When it looked like the person might talk, or the place was no longer useful, they killed the person.
The investigation is complicated by DI Grace Hartley who has come from London as part of a drugs task force. Liam went to his basic police training with her and they dated. Not only is she a higher rank, but she seems to want to get personal again. Liam is just starting a relationship with someone else.
Liam often works with his own DI Maya Trent. They work well together. With the task force, he seems to be on his own a lot. He's talking to people in bars to see when the victims were seen and with whom. He also discovers another vulnerable guy, Peter. He goes to his home and his "niece" says he isn't home. His mission becomes to find Peter, as later his house is empty and he is probably another cuckoo victim.
Between careful pursuit of evidence and excellent deductions, Liam is crucial in solving the case. There are plenty of twists I won't spoil. I'm definitely looking forward to more in the DS Kilshaw series. Next up is The Replacement in February.
Narration:
I have enjoyed this narrator previously. It's been awhile though so I wouldn't recognize the voice. The emotional tones and accents felt appropriate. The speech was clear and solid; I might have been able to speed it up a bit more. I listened easily at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
August 13, 2025
4.99* Well written, well plotted, with the biggest baddie a shock and a betrayal.
This is pretty fast moving, with a tale that felt all too true and believable in 2025 - Anywhere, not only UK. If Fentanyl really is the threat it's made out to be, it's freaking scary that it could be on our shores this easily (not done the research, 2025 is directly enough).
The cop side of the tale works well, with a bunch of competent cops, even if the lead character - I've already forgotten his name - is kind of faceless. I recall his alopecia, that he came near to drowning and has issues with open water, has a kid with an ex, but he didn't stand out like a lead does, although that kind of made for a better tale for me, as I concentrated on the latter, solely. Yes, there's cop politics, and something that's been in the UK press about past police operations reared its head, again done so well, I couldn't figure out if I was seeing a baddie, a good guy turned shades of baddie, or a broken good guy. The ending, although there'd been hints of what transpired, felt believable, and there wasn't any sympathy to be had. The personal betrayal was a shocker, but blaming stuff on 'he was born a sociopath' felt a tad too much suspension of disbelief and didn't get enough page time, so it felt the tiniest bit...convenient. It didn't ruin anything but for me, more of an explanation was needed.
That the romance aspect of the tale wasn't scuppered by what happened in the penultimate chapter (or possibly the last) surprised me. I fully expected the lead to get dumped, and tbh, the tale would've worked well without it, but it's nice that he's getting a life. Definitely worth reading, and I'm up for books 2, and the rest.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
This is pretty fast moving, with a tale that felt all too true and believable in 2025 - Anywhere, not only UK. If Fentanyl really is the threat it's made out to be, it's freaking scary that it could be on our shores this easily (not done the research, 2025 is directly enough).
The cop side of the tale works well, with a bunch of competent cops, even if the lead character - I've already forgotten his name - is kind of faceless. I recall his alopecia, that he came near to drowning and has issues with open water, has a kid with an ex, but he didn't stand out like a lead does, although that kind of made for a better tale for me, as I concentrated on the latter, solely. Yes, there's cop politics, and something that's been in the UK press about past police operations reared its head, again done so well, I couldn't figure out if I was seeing a baddie, a good guy turned shades of baddie, or a broken good guy. The ending, although there'd been hints of what transpired, felt believable, and there wasn't any sympathy to be had. The personal betrayal was a shocker, but blaming stuff on 'he was born a sociopath' felt a tad too much suspension of disbelief and didn't get enough page time, so it felt the tiniest bit...convenient. It didn't ruin anything but for me, more of an explanation was needed.
That the romance aspect of the tale wasn't scuppered by what happened in the penultimate chapter (or possibly the last) surprised me. I fully expected the lead to get dumped, and tbh, the tale would've worked well without it, but it's nice that he's getting a life. Definitely worth reading, and I'm up for books 2, and the rest.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
October 2, 2025
The Lines by Matt Brolly is a highly recommended procedural and is the exciting start of a new series set in Cornwall featuring DS Liam Kilshaw, a former marine.
Detective Sargent Liam Kilshaw also volunteers with the local lifeboat crew on the Cornish coast to help combat the PTSD he suffers after nearly drowning on a mission. When the lifeboat crew is called out for a body in the water it quickly becomes clear that the young man was murdered when Kilshaw notices the zip-tie marks on his wrists and ankles. Kilshaw recalls a previous young woman with connections to local drugs gang who was found dead under the same conditions months earlier. It quickly becomes clear that local drug gangs are involved and the danger is spreading.
This is a well-written, engaging procedural where the clues uncovered during the investigation are logically followed up on and the tension increases along the way. Expect several twists along the way and some surprising directions taken. The police rush to try to find the drug gangs and stop the flow of drugs and subsequent violence. Additionally the story explores themes of trust, danger, and the impact of past traumas. The pace starts and ends fast but the middle slows down during discovery of information.
Liam Kilshaw is an interesting character and he is portrayed as a realistic, complicated individual with strengths and weaknesses. He has a good working relationship with his colleague, Maya. This is a great time to start the series and meet the characters right from the beginning. I'll be looking forward to the next case Kilshaw takes on.
The Lines is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys multilayered procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
Detective Sargent Liam Kilshaw also volunteers with the local lifeboat crew on the Cornish coast to help combat the PTSD he suffers after nearly drowning on a mission. When the lifeboat crew is called out for a body in the water it quickly becomes clear that the young man was murdered when Kilshaw notices the zip-tie marks on his wrists and ankles. Kilshaw recalls a previous young woman with connections to local drugs gang who was found dead under the same conditions months earlier. It quickly becomes clear that local drug gangs are involved and the danger is spreading.
This is a well-written, engaging procedural where the clues uncovered during the investigation are logically followed up on and the tension increases along the way. Expect several twists along the way and some surprising directions taken. The police rush to try to find the drug gangs and stop the flow of drugs and subsequent violence. Additionally the story explores themes of trust, danger, and the impact of past traumas. The pace starts and ends fast but the middle slows down during discovery of information.
Liam Kilshaw is an interesting character and he is portrayed as a realistic, complicated individual with strengths and weaknesses. He has a good working relationship with his colleague, Maya. This is a great time to start the series and meet the characters right from the beginning. I'll be looking forward to the next case Kilshaw takes on.
The Lines is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys multilayered procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
October 17, 2025
The Lines by Matt Brolly is the first book in a new DS Liam Kilshaw series and WoW what an excellent start this was.
It was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that will have you turning the pages to you kindle quickly to find out what happens next. I loved learning about the new character DS Liam Kilshaw who is a former marine and almost died on a mission gone wrong, but returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD.
Now, everything is going ok until he is called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, it is all dark about them whilst at sea and the waves are fast and dangerous around them and crashing back on their lifeboat with a lot of force. Then, they see something. . . . . a body, floating in the water, it is of a young man. When they pull him out of the sea they see the zip-tie marks on his wrists and this may not be a tragic drowning!!!!
Is it’s murder?
This is not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit community. . . .There was an identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang which now has lead DS Liam Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. Whispers of the locals are slowly becoming rumours and DS Liam Kilshaw starts to feel he can't trust people around him and the people in the town.
The bodies are mounting up and DS Liam Kilshaw and his team has to workout what is going on and he must confront a sinister gangland underworld that is terrorising the town. But, most of all DS Liam Kilshaw has to come to terms with his demons, before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
WoW this book The Lines was a 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read and I am looking forward to the next book within the new DS Liam Kilshaw series. I highly recommend it.
It was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that will have you turning the pages to you kindle quickly to find out what happens next. I loved learning about the new character DS Liam Kilshaw who is a former marine and almost died on a mission gone wrong, but returning to the sea was meant to help combat his PTSD.
Now, everything is going ok until he is called out with the lifeboat crew off the rugged Cornish coast at night, it is all dark about them whilst at sea and the waves are fast and dangerous around them and crashing back on their lifeboat with a lot of force. Then, they see something. . . . . a body, floating in the water, it is of a young man. When they pull him out of the sea they see the zip-tie marks on his wrists and this may not be a tragic drowning!!!!
Is it’s murder?
This is not the first suspicious death to shock the tight-knit community. . . .There was an identical discovery of a young woman with connections to a county lines drugs gang which now has lead DS Liam Kilshaw to suspect the killings must be linked. Whispers of the locals are slowly becoming rumours and DS Liam Kilshaw starts to feel he can't trust people around him and the people in the town.
The bodies are mounting up and DS Liam Kilshaw and his team has to workout what is going on and he must confront a sinister gangland underworld that is terrorising the town. But, most of all DS Liam Kilshaw has to come to terms with his demons, before tragedy strikes even closer to home.
WoW this book The Lines was a 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read and I am looking forward to the next book within the new DS Liam Kilshaw series. I highly recommend it.
November 6, 2025
DS Liam Kilshaw works in Devon and Cornwall’s CID in Bodmin. A former marine and SBS operative, he still has nightmares about the time he nearly died during a mission and now has a terrible fear of the water, despite getting slowly better by volunteering for the lifeboat crew. During one of their shouts, they pull a young man, Marlon, from the water, drowned but with the telltale marks of having been tied up. Immediately Kilshaw is put in mind of a much older woman who died in very similar circumstances recently. Both vulnerable people, believed to be the cuckooed victims of a county lines drugs gang, and there could be more people at risk in the same predicament. It’s not long before the detectives, including DI Maya Trent, fear for an elderly man. They are joined by the Met’s Major Crimes, led by Kilshaw’s old flame DI Grace Hartley, as they believe this is part of a huge operation involving a very dangerous product. When they can’t catch a break, how many more lives will be in danger before the gang is brought to justice?
This was a very good start to the new series. Liam is likable, his life complicated enough trying to stay involved in his son’s upbringing and start up a new relationship without the reappearance of Grace and his wondering if he did the right thing splitting up with her. The start of the story is a little slow and quite a lot is made of Liam’s PTSD but hopefully it will have less of an impact on his life as time moves on. The action and pace increase towards the end of the story which finishes with a thrilling and shocking conclusion. Overall this is a solid and engrossing police procedural, with a great and well painted setting as the backdrop and involving very topical and sensitively dealt with themes.
This was a very good start to the new series. Liam is likable, his life complicated enough trying to stay involved in his son’s upbringing and start up a new relationship without the reappearance of Grace and his wondering if he did the right thing splitting up with her. The start of the story is a little slow and quite a lot is made of Liam’s PTSD but hopefully it will have less of an impact on his life as time moves on. The action and pace increase towards the end of the story which finishes with a thrilling and shocking conclusion. Overall this is a solid and engrossing police procedural, with a great and well painted setting as the backdrop and involving very topical and sensitively dealt with themes.
September 15, 2025
Having previously read or listened to the DI Louise Blackwell series on Audible, I was immediately sold when I saw The Lines, the first in a brand new two-part series.
Set in Cornwall, The Lines stars DS Liam Kilshaw, ex-marine, terrified of water, suffering from alopecia and PTSD, divorced and father to George. Now working for the police, he investigates two suspicious drownings.
There is a lot of focus on Liam's PTSD, his fear of water and the reason he left the Navy. There is also a lot of background information about the drowned victims. This includes how they fell prey to cuckooing before their deaths. At times I would have liked to see more focus on action instead of character and background.
The flashbacks of Liam and his work with the rescue brigade as a kind of "exposure therapy" were really exciting, and it was interesting to see how this affected him. Having lived close to the sea and having spent most of my childhood on an island, I can't imagine being afraid of water. I love the sea!
I found the attention and nasty jokes about his alopecia from his superior a bit weird, and at times repetitive. I found the background of the victims interesting, but it slowed down the pace of the story and sometimes I felt there was a bit too much information. The mid-section was a bit slow but towards the end the story picked up. I am looking forward to the sequel, planned for February 2026. I always enjoy reading Matt Brolly's thrillers, and I am delighted that a new series has started.
3.5 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the review copy 🌷
Set in Cornwall, The Lines stars DS Liam Kilshaw, ex-marine, terrified of water, suffering from alopecia and PTSD, divorced and father to George. Now working for the police, he investigates two suspicious drownings.
There is a lot of focus on Liam's PTSD, his fear of water and the reason he left the Navy. There is also a lot of background information about the drowned victims. This includes how they fell prey to cuckooing before their deaths. At times I would have liked to see more focus on action instead of character and background.
The flashbacks of Liam and his work with the rescue brigade as a kind of "exposure therapy" were really exciting, and it was interesting to see how this affected him. Having lived close to the sea and having spent most of my childhood on an island, I can't imagine being afraid of water. I love the sea!
I found the attention and nasty jokes about his alopecia from his superior a bit weird, and at times repetitive. I found the background of the victims interesting, but it slowed down the pace of the story and sometimes I felt there was a bit too much information. The mid-section was a bit slow but towards the end the story picked up. I am looking forward to the sequel, planned for February 2026. I always enjoy reading Matt Brolly's thrillers, and I am delighted that a new series has started.
3.5 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the review copy 🌷
October 14, 2025
DS Liam Kilshaw if former military. And though he loves the water, he is terrified of it after nearly drowning in a mission years ago. Dead bodies at sea and the threat of Fentanyl coming into the area have forced him into facing his fears. Can he overcome it to do his job?
I very often pick up first books in a crime/thriller/police procedural series. I hate when I find a book that interests me only to find out it is like book 15 of a series. Hence me reading endless book 1s. Trying to find a series at the beginning.
This was ok. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it, either. There are so many characters that you don't get to know them well. You do learn a lot about Liam, but no one else really. Not his child, not his girlfriend, no one. I mean, that leaves things to unravel throughout the series, but I needed something.
Personally, I would have done better reading this rather than listening to it. There is nothing wrong with the narration- it is the sheer number of characters to keep straight. Having the visual names would have helped me keep them straight. There are literally dozens- the police- multiple agencies, Liam's boat rescue team, Liam's friends and family, the drug dealers/criminals, etc... So. Many. People. It was a lot. And by the end, I was kind of over the book. Mental exhaustion.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
I very often pick up first books in a crime/thriller/police procedural series. I hate when I find a book that interests me only to find out it is like book 15 of a series. Hence me reading endless book 1s. Trying to find a series at the beginning.
This was ok. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it, either. There are so many characters that you don't get to know them well. You do learn a lot about Liam, but no one else really. Not his child, not his girlfriend, no one. I mean, that leaves things to unravel throughout the series, but I needed something.
Personally, I would have done better reading this rather than listening to it. There is nothing wrong with the narration- it is the sheer number of characters to keep straight. Having the visual names would have helped me keep them straight. There are literally dozens- the police- multiple agencies, Liam's boat rescue team, Liam's friends and family, the drug dealers/criminals, etc... So. Many. People. It was a lot. And by the end, I was kind of over the book. Mental exhaustion.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
This is the first in a new series from Matt Brolly, featuring DS Liam Kilshaw. Liam retrained as a police officer after a diving accident nearly ended his life while serving in the UK Navy’s Special Boat Services (SBS). He’s always loved the sea, so now assigned to St Ives on the Cornish Coast, he is trying to get over the trauma of that experience by volunteering at the local lifeboat station.
When the lifeboat is called out to recover the body of a young man in the water, Liam notices he has suspicious marks from zip ties on his wrists and ankles. This reminds Liam of Eleanor, an elderly woman’s body, pulled out of the sea not long ago, with similar marks on her limbs.
Eleanor was known to live alone in an isolated house and the police believed she may have been the victim of cuckooing, where a drug gang takes over a vulnerable person’s house to use in distributing drugs. With a second similar drowning, Liam is concerned that gangs are trying to establish county lines on the quite Cornish coast through which to distribute dangerous drugs such as fentanyl. The police need to weed out these local connections before the gangs can gain a stronghold in Cornwall.
This is a gritty police procedural with a complex plot. There is a gradual build-up as we get to know Liam, his DI Maya, young son George and ex-wife Kim, but plenty of action later as the tension and danger escalate. The Cornish setting is very atmospheric and the lifeboats and action on the sea make for an interesting backdrop to the investigation.
Liam is a likeable character, flawed as a result of his PTSD, but with a strong sense of morality and intent on facing his demons sooner rather than later. There are some good twists in the plot, that shock Liam as much as the reader, leading up to a suspenseful ending. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series. 4.5★
With thanks to Amazon Publishing for a copy to read via Netgalley.
When the lifeboat is called out to recover the body of a young man in the water, Liam notices he has suspicious marks from zip ties on his wrists and ankles. This reminds Liam of Eleanor, an elderly woman’s body, pulled out of the sea not long ago, with similar marks on her limbs.
Eleanor was known to live alone in an isolated house and the police believed she may have been the victim of cuckooing, where a drug gang takes over a vulnerable person’s house to use in distributing drugs. With a second similar drowning, Liam is concerned that gangs are trying to establish county lines on the quite Cornish coast through which to distribute dangerous drugs such as fentanyl. The police need to weed out these local connections before the gangs can gain a stronghold in Cornwall.
This is a gritty police procedural with a complex plot. There is a gradual build-up as we get to know Liam, his DI Maya, young son George and ex-wife Kim, but plenty of action later as the tension and danger escalate. The Cornish setting is very atmospheric and the lifeboats and action on the sea make for an interesting backdrop to the investigation.
Liam is a likeable character, flawed as a result of his PTSD, but with a strong sense of morality and intent on facing his demons sooner rather than later. There are some good twists in the plot, that shock Liam as much as the reader, leading up to a suspenseful ending. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series. 4.5★
With thanks to Amazon Publishing for a copy to read via Netgalley.
October 9, 2025
Narrated by Samuel Roukin
Provided by NetGalley
This new series by Matt Brolly is kicked off with a new character, Liam Kilshaw, an ex-special forces soldier, who suffers PTSD. I was expecting a fast-paced action-packed adventure. Sadly, this was not the case.
The Lines was a serviceable mystery(?), but there was nothing that made it stand out or was particularly memorable about it. Everything was…functional, the plot, the subplot, the writing, the characters. Too slow for a thriller, not enough tension for a suspense, not enough twists and turns for a police procedural, and barely enough intrigue for a mystery. However, as it was mild intrigue that kept me going, I’m going to classify this as a mystery.
The plot and subplot didn’t deviate from the formulaic and was in no way offensive (if you’re okay reading about murders that is. But then, I suspect that if you weren’t this wouldn’t be your genre).
Personally, I found the book to be far too long for what it was. Kilshaw’s past as an SBS operative was belaboured to the point of eye-rolling. And the obligatory love interest was serviceable. When I say that, I mean it acted as the subplot. There was no chemistry, zing, or even personality, between Kilshaw and his love interest.
The narrator read the story to us in a style that neither added nor detracted from the written word.
Rounded up to 3 stars.
Provided by NetGalley
This new series by Matt Brolly is kicked off with a new character, Liam Kilshaw, an ex-special forces soldier, who suffers PTSD. I was expecting a fast-paced action-packed adventure. Sadly, this was not the case.
The Lines was a serviceable mystery(?), but there was nothing that made it stand out or was particularly memorable about it. Everything was…functional, the plot, the subplot, the writing, the characters. Too slow for a thriller, not enough tension for a suspense, not enough twists and turns for a police procedural, and barely enough intrigue for a mystery. However, as it was mild intrigue that kept me going, I’m going to classify this as a mystery.
The plot and subplot didn’t deviate from the formulaic and was in no way offensive (if you’re okay reading about murders that is. But then, I suspect that if you weren’t this wouldn’t be your genre).
Personally, I found the book to be far too long for what it was. Kilshaw’s past as an SBS operative was belaboured to the point of eye-rolling. And the obligatory love interest was serviceable. When I say that, I mean it acted as the subplot. There was no chemistry, zing, or even personality, between Kilshaw and his love interest.
The narrator read the story to us in a style that neither added nor detracted from the written word.
Rounded up to 3 stars.
October 18, 2025
A gripping start to a new series with a flawed hero you can’t help but root for.
'The Lines' hooked me right from the start. It’s dark, fast-paced, and filled with the kind of tension that keeps you up far later than you planned. Matt Brolly does a brilliant job of creating an atmosphere that feels gritty and real, while weaving in the emotional depth that makes a crime thriller stand out.
I really liked the main character. He’s flawed, complex, and refreshingly human. You can feel the weight of his past decisions in every chapter, and it’s that vulnerability that makes him so compelling. He’s not perfect—far from it—but that’s exactly why I cared about what happened to him. Watching him wrestle with his own demons while still trying to do the right thing made the story hit harder than most police procedurals.
The plot moves at a great pace, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, but it never loses sight of character. Every reveal feels earned, and the writing balances tension and emotion beautifully. By the end, I was already eager to see where this series goes next.
If you enjoy intelligent, character-driven crime fiction with heart and grit, The Lines is an excellent place to start.
My thanks go to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
'The Lines' hooked me right from the start. It’s dark, fast-paced, and filled with the kind of tension that keeps you up far later than you planned. Matt Brolly does a brilliant job of creating an atmosphere that feels gritty and real, while weaving in the emotional depth that makes a crime thriller stand out.
I really liked the main character. He’s flawed, complex, and refreshingly human. You can feel the weight of his past decisions in every chapter, and it’s that vulnerability that makes him so compelling. He’s not perfect—far from it—but that’s exactly why I cared about what happened to him. Watching him wrestle with his own demons while still trying to do the right thing made the story hit harder than most police procedurals.
The plot moves at a great pace, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, but it never loses sight of character. Every reveal feels earned, and the writing balances tension and emotion beautifully. By the end, I was already eager to see where this series goes next.
If you enjoy intelligent, character-driven crime fiction with heart and grit, The Lines is an excellent place to start.
My thanks go to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
October 19, 2025
The Lines by Matt Brolly is the first book in the DS Liam Kilshaw series, and it starts off with a creepy murder case set along a quiet, rocky coastline. DS Liam Kilshaw is called in to solve the case after a body is found, and things quickly get darker as more victims turn up. Each murder seems to follow a strange pattern, and Liam has to figure out what links them before it’s too late. The story has a lot of tense moments, but some parts feel a little slow or stretched out. The mystery is good, but a few of the twists are easy to guess, and the ending doesn’t hit as hard as it could have.
The writing is clear and easy to follow, which makes it a good read for anyone who enjoys crime stories without too much fluff. The setting really stands out — the cold, stormy coast helps create a spooky feel throughout the book. Liam is a strong main character, and you can tell he cares about his job, but we don’t learn much about him beyond the case he's working. His personal life is mentioned, but not explored deeply. The side characters are okay, but they don’t add much. Overall, The Lines is a decent mystery with a solid lead and a dark mood. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good start to a new series and worth reading if you enjoy crime thrillers.
The writing is clear and easy to follow, which makes it a good read for anyone who enjoys crime stories without too much fluff. The setting really stands out — the cold, stormy coast helps create a spooky feel throughout the book. Liam is a strong main character, and you can tell he cares about his job, but we don’t learn much about him beyond the case he's working. His personal life is mentioned, but not explored deeply. The side characters are okay, but they don’t add much. Overall, The Lines is a decent mystery with a solid lead and a dark mood. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good start to a new series and worth reading if you enjoy crime thrillers.
October 26, 2025
344 pages
4 stars
This novel is a great introduction to Matt Brolly’s new character, Liam Kilshaw. Liam is a former Marine who came close to death on a dive. He subsequently left the marines with a severe case of PTSD.
His current occupation is as a Detective Sergeant in the Cornish police. While assisting the rescue boat one night, he comes across a body on the beach. The man has zip tie marks. This is no accident.
As Liam and his team investigate, more similarly bound victims turn up. The murders are linked to fentanyl distribution in the Cornish coastal area. It seems a group of thugs are taking over vulnerable peoples’ homes and using and abusing them to further their drug trafficking. And then …
Liam is investigating the twisty case. He has several suspects, several possibilities to look at. The problem is some are people he knows well.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves police procedurals. Liam’s PTSD interferes with the case as well as a new possible romantic interest.
Mr. Brolly’s writing is clear and crisp. His characters are great and fully fleshed. The book reads quickly. I truly enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more of Liam’s adventures.
I want to thank the GoodReads lottery for forwarding this book to me. The opinions in this review are solely my own.
4 stars
This novel is a great introduction to Matt Brolly’s new character, Liam Kilshaw. Liam is a former Marine who came close to death on a dive. He subsequently left the marines with a severe case of PTSD.
His current occupation is as a Detective Sergeant in the Cornish police. While assisting the rescue boat one night, he comes across a body on the beach. The man has zip tie marks. This is no accident.
As Liam and his team investigate, more similarly bound victims turn up. The murders are linked to fentanyl distribution in the Cornish coastal area. It seems a group of thugs are taking over vulnerable peoples’ homes and using and abusing them to further their drug trafficking. And then …
Liam is investigating the twisty case. He has several suspects, several possibilities to look at. The problem is some are people he knows well.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves police procedurals. Liam’s PTSD interferes with the case as well as a new possible romantic interest.
Mr. Brolly’s writing is clear and crisp. His characters are great and fully fleshed. The book reads quickly. I truly enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more of Liam’s adventures.
I want to thank the GoodReads lottery for forwarding this book to me. The opinions in this review are solely my own.
October 25, 2025
I read this book as an ARC and this review is based on my reading the book.
I have to say I am a bit in two minds having completed the book earlier this week and having had a couple of days to ruminate over it.. The setup for the story was strong and compelling enough for me to select and read the book. A former marine turned detective facing shadows of his past when a dead body appears on the wild Cornish shore. Matt paints the landscape with genuine texture and I could almost taste the sea and hear the crash of waves as scenes unfolded.
Liam carries the heart of the story. His wounds both seen and unseen are treated with tenderness and realism. When he reflects on what he has lost the voice rings true. Supporting characters add warmth and occasional bursts of humour though some connections feel only sketched rather than fully formed.
The storyline has promise but for me it does not always hit its stride. Some clues are too obvious and twists meant to surprise fall flat because I saw them coming having been on a diet of thrillers for a long long time. Subplots that should enrich the tale sometimes feel neglected leaving questions unanswered and moments that were a tad under baked.
The pacing varies with some dwelling on procedural steps in a way that readers like me who love details may savour but for others the momentum lags especially for those craving speed and thrust. The final act delivers tension and conflict that satisfy but some resolutions feel hurried and certain character motivations are underdeveloped.
In sum The Lines is a solid beginning to what could be an excellent series and I would love to read another of Matt's stories. The place is vivid and the lead compelling enough that I would read more. If you love atmospheric crime fiction with character at its core you will find much to enjoy. If you prefer breakneck twists you may feel it moves too steadily.
I have to say I am a bit in two minds having completed the book earlier this week and having had a couple of days to ruminate over it.. The setup for the story was strong and compelling enough for me to select and read the book. A former marine turned detective facing shadows of his past when a dead body appears on the wild Cornish shore. Matt paints the landscape with genuine texture and I could almost taste the sea and hear the crash of waves as scenes unfolded.
Liam carries the heart of the story. His wounds both seen and unseen are treated with tenderness and realism. When he reflects on what he has lost the voice rings true. Supporting characters add warmth and occasional bursts of humour though some connections feel only sketched rather than fully formed.
The storyline has promise but for me it does not always hit its stride. Some clues are too obvious and twists meant to surprise fall flat because I saw them coming having been on a diet of thrillers for a long long time. Subplots that should enrich the tale sometimes feel neglected leaving questions unanswered and moments that were a tad under baked.
The pacing varies with some dwelling on procedural steps in a way that readers like me who love details may savour but for others the momentum lags especially for those craving speed and thrust. The final act delivers tension and conflict that satisfy but some resolutions feel hurried and certain character motivations are underdeveloped.
In sum The Lines is a solid beginning to what could be an excellent series and I would love to read another of Matt's stories. The place is vivid and the lead compelling enough that I would read more. If you love atmospheric crime fiction with character at its core you will find much to enjoy. If you prefer breakneck twists you may feel it moves too steadily.
November 1, 2025
DS Liam Kilshaw, a former Marine and SBS member, is grappling with PTSD following a perilous diving mission from which he narrowly escaped. He has always had a deep affection for the water and is endeavoring to overcome his PTSD by volunteering with a local lifeboat crew. When the crew is dispatched to a rescue operation that ultimately involves the recovery of a body, he is assigned to the case. This is not the first suspicious death, and there appears to be connections. As Liam investigates, he uncovers connections to a gang attempting to smuggle illicit substances onto the coast. This leads him into a disreputable underworld as additional bodies are discovered and his investigation continues. He doesn't trust the water or anyone around him. Will he be able to solve the case before it hits close to home?
I'm a huge fan of police procedurals and this was definitely a good one. It had great pacing and it certainly held my attention. There was a compelling blend of drama, tension, and an intriguing mystery. DS Liam Kilshaw was an interesting character that I loved getting to know. I also loved the setting of the Cornish coast, it really made the book atmospheric. And that ending, I would have never guessed it! This is the start of a new series for the author and I'm excited to see what other cases DS Liam Kilshaw solves in the future. I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it🩷
I'm a huge fan of police procedurals and this was definitely a good one. It had great pacing and it certainly held my attention. There was a compelling blend of drama, tension, and an intriguing mystery. DS Liam Kilshaw was an interesting character that I loved getting to know. I also loved the setting of the Cornish coast, it really made the book atmospheric. And that ending, I would have never guessed it! This is the start of a new series for the author and I'm excited to see what other cases DS Liam Kilshaw solves in the future. I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it🩷
August 14, 2025
Matt Brolly really does write good main characters, making me really care about what they are going through. In this one, we meet DS Liam Kilshaw, still dealing with trauma from his past careers in the Royal Marines and in the Special Boat Squad, as well as the childhood loss of his father. He is ready to move on in his personal life, helped by the amicable relationship he has with his ex and mother of his child. As the title suggests, this book centres on county lines drug gangs and cuckooing with the threat of fentanyl implosion in to Cornwall. It focuses more on the victims to begin with, so you build empathy and sympathy for them and really want the police to succeed. I can't say a lot about what happens without spoilers suffice to say that it impacts on every aspect of Liam's life as he investigates. It is not just a book about drug gang infighting, there are many layers and the plot moves quickly and interestingly.
I was happy to read that this is the first in a new series involving DS Kilshaw and I look forward to reading more.
I was happy to read that this is the first in a new series involving DS Kilshaw and I look forward to reading more.
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