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D.C.I. Claire Winters #3
Trial by Execution
An unforgivable crime. A murderous act of revenge. A killer with justice on their side.
Once, the infamous Dahlia Rapist terrorised young women – and their parents alike – with his brutal acts of violence and sinister calling card.
Today, Raymond Knox has shunned his former alias and is being released into society.
But someone suspects that a monster still lurks beneath the surface. And when Raymond Knox is found dead, mutilated to match his victims, DCI Claire Winters is called in to catch a killer the public are calling a hero.
It seems like an open-and-shut case of vigilante justice. But when another body is found, with the same shocking scars, Claire knows she must connect the dots – fast. Because she’s suddenly facing something much more complicated than she ever a serial killer, inspired by past crimes – and determined to leave their own bloody trail of devastation…
DCI Claire Winters faces her toughest challenge yet in Trial by Execution, book 3 in the DCI Claire Winters series.
Once, the infamous Dahlia Rapist terrorised young women – and their parents alike – with his brutal acts of violence and sinister calling card.
Today, Raymond Knox has shunned his former alias and is being released into society.
But someone suspects that a monster still lurks beneath the surface. And when Raymond Knox is found dead, mutilated to match his victims, DCI Claire Winters is called in to catch a killer the public are calling a hero.
It seems like an open-and-shut case of vigilante justice. But when another body is found, with the same shocking scars, Claire knows she must connect the dots – fast. Because she’s suddenly facing something much more complicated than she ever a serial killer, inspired by past crimes – and determined to leave their own bloody trail of devastation…
DCI Claire Winters faces her toughest challenge yet in Trial by Execution, book 3 in the DCI Claire Winters series.
- GenresCrime
Audible Audio
First published February 24, 2017
37 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
T.M.E. Walsh
6 books64 followersTania (T. M. E.) Walsh began writing full time after becoming a casualty to the recession in late 2008.
She successfully self-published the first two novels in the DCI Claire Winters series before being picked up by HQ - a division of HarperCollins - in 2015.
Tania is currently working on a new standalone thriller, and a fourth book in the DCI Claire Winters series.
In 2011 Tania was the winner of the Wannabe a Writer Blurb competition sponsored by Writing Magazine and judged by Matt Bates, the Fiction buyer for WHSmith Travel.
Tania has previously produced digital artwork that was published on a DVD-ROM for ImagineFX magazine's FXPosé section twice in the early and latter part of 2007, which has been published worldwide.
Tania lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and young daughter.
She successfully self-published the first two novels in the DCI Claire Winters series before being picked up by HQ - a division of HarperCollins - in 2015.
Tania is currently working on a new standalone thriller, and a fourth book in the DCI Claire Winters series.
In 2011 Tania was the winner of the Wannabe a Writer Blurb competition sponsored by Writing Magazine and judged by Matt Bates, the Fiction buyer for WHSmith Travel.
Tania has previously produced digital artwork that was published on a DVD-ROM for ImagineFX magazine's FXPosé section twice in the early and latter part of 2007, which has been published worldwide.
Tania lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and young daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 14, 2017
In the third installment of the DCI Claire Winters series, Claire has the unenviable task of finding the person who killed a recently released brutal predator who served 15 years for raping and maiming several young women. The media and the public hail the killer a hero, and little support is forthcoming for Claire's investigation. Was this a revenge killing? Vigilante action? The case takes a sinister turn when a woman is found murdered and left with the same disfigurement the now deceased rapist used to inflict upon his victims.
I very much enjoyed For All Our Sins and The Principle Of Evil, the first two books in this series. This third one was my least favorite so far. While the story was captivating with its insight into the long-lingering effects of a vicious crime on the victims and their families, the execution felt all over the place. The point of views kept changing, there was some first-person narrative, e.g. from the perpetrator's point of view, then third person narrative. The timeline wasn't linear. There'd be a revelation and then a flashback where the action leading up to this revelation would be disclosed. Sometimes, these things work. Here, it was just a bit too choppy.
I'm also losing patience with the protagonist. I liked Claire in books 1 and 2, although she obviously had her flaws (which detective doesn't?). But this time round she just seemed to do her own thing, ignoring everybody else and just taking advantage of people.
The book would work as a standalone, but if you haven't read the first two, you'd probably be missing out on the finer details regarding Claire's complicated relationship with her father, her equally complex connection with her ex-husband, who plays a bigger role in this installment, or her tense working relationship with certain people in her team. I admit by the end I was congratulating her ex-husband on the decision to divorce her years ago. While Claire showed some vulnerability in the previous book, she just appears cold and even more aloof now. Not the personal development I was hoping for. Still, the central storyline was interesting enough that I will be looking out for DCI Winters' fourth adventure in the future.
Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
I very much enjoyed For All Our Sins and The Principle Of Evil, the first two books in this series. This third one was my least favorite so far. While the story was captivating with its insight into the long-lingering effects of a vicious crime on the victims and their families, the execution felt all over the place. The point of views kept changing, there was some first-person narrative, e.g. from the perpetrator's point of view, then third person narrative. The timeline wasn't linear. There'd be a revelation and then a flashback where the action leading up to this revelation would be disclosed. Sometimes, these things work. Here, it was just a bit too choppy.
I'm also losing patience with the protagonist. I liked Claire in books 1 and 2, although she obviously had her flaws (which detective doesn't?). But this time round she just seemed to do her own thing, ignoring everybody else and just taking advantage of people.
The book would work as a standalone, but if you haven't read the first two, you'd probably be missing out on the finer details regarding Claire's complicated relationship with her father, her equally complex connection with her ex-husband, who plays a bigger role in this installment, or her tense working relationship with certain people in her team. I admit by the end I was congratulating her ex-husband on the decision to divorce her years ago. While Claire showed some vulnerability in the previous book, she just appears cold and even more aloof now. Not the personal development I was hoping for. Still, the central storyline was interesting enough that I will be looking out for DCI Winters' fourth adventure in the future.
Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
February 7, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ Digital for an advance copy of Trial By Execution, the third novel to feature DCI Claire Winters.
A notorious rapist is being released after serving 15 years, apparently reformed and ready to atone. Raymond Knox was convicted of raping and mutilating 3 teenagers so when his body is found, mutilated in the same way, Claire and her team are interested in his victims. Knox's murder, however, presents them with dilemma. How do you investigate the murder of man no one will mourn? This is resolved when a teenager is found dead with same wounds - an innocent victim is different.
Trial By Execution is a refreshing read as it has a different and interesting plot. It is well paced and absorbing as a read, although it isn't strictly linear, which I prefer, with some events happening then the explanation afterwords. It also has chapters from the unidentified perpetrator's perspective, fortunately not too many.
The novel tackles some big issues like vigilantism and how a serious assault affects the victims for years but as they are part of the plot it is not a serious examination nor is it resolved in any meaningful way.
I found my enjoyment of the novel marred by the behaviour of the protagonist DCI Claire Winters. I do not find her a sympathetic character and her tendency to act first and think later is unrealistic in this day and age of professional policing. It leads her into situations that make for exciting reading, but I find it hard to swallow my disbelief.
Trial By Execution is an absorbing read with an unusual premise so I can recommend it as a good read.
A notorious rapist is being released after serving 15 years, apparently reformed and ready to atone. Raymond Knox was convicted of raping and mutilating 3 teenagers so when his body is found, mutilated in the same way, Claire and her team are interested in his victims. Knox's murder, however, presents them with dilemma. How do you investigate the murder of man no one will mourn? This is resolved when a teenager is found dead with same wounds - an innocent victim is different.
Trial By Execution is a refreshing read as it has a different and interesting plot. It is well paced and absorbing as a read, although it isn't strictly linear, which I prefer, with some events happening then the explanation afterwords. It also has chapters from the unidentified perpetrator's perspective, fortunately not too many.
The novel tackles some big issues like vigilantism and how a serious assault affects the victims for years but as they are part of the plot it is not a serious examination nor is it resolved in any meaningful way.
I found my enjoyment of the novel marred by the behaviour of the protagonist DCI Claire Winters. I do not find her a sympathetic character and her tendency to act first and think later is unrealistic in this day and age of professional policing. It leads her into situations that make for exciting reading, but I find it hard to swallow my disbelief.
Trial By Execution is an absorbing read with an unusual premise so I can recommend it as a good read.
October 28, 2019
That was quite visceral and grim. I enjoyed it a lot.
February 9, 2019
This is the 3rd I've read in this series but sadly the last. I've mentioned in every review that there are way too many mistakes in them and this one is as bad. It's such a pity and what's even more irritating is that these weren't freebies, either. So, with regret this is my last time with them.
Claire is still pretty hard to like, even though she gets the job done. I could live with that, however, if the presentation was up to snuff. Loved the cover on this one, though.
The first (easily spotted) mistake was nformation written as opposed to Information, there were a lot of instances of fullstops being dropped from sentences, apostrophe mistakes (though she would then get them right the next time, proving she's aware of the difference), saybefore and longtime need a space, power that be needed hyphenating, born was used and not borne, some words were missed from sentences like of or he. Then I've no idea what "The bhollow-like eyes" means !!! Is was written and not in, rereleased and not released......just a mess.
This passage was awful with the repetition of "anyone" in it: "Were you or anyone you know in or around Haverbridge wood ? Did anyone see anyone running from the area ? Did anyone hear anything suspicious ? We're keen to speak to anyone who took their dog....." There was more appalling English with "...she wanted to live with us, and that agreed with Heidi" and "Don't you be so surprised" then "It hadn't been Danny come home to her".......just sloppy beyond belief.
I did have a couple more by her in my wishlist but I've since deleted them. The author nor her publisher clearly pays no attention to reviews and I won't waste my time or money anymore.
Claire is still pretty hard to like, even though she gets the job done. I could live with that, however, if the presentation was up to snuff. Loved the cover on this one, though.
The first (easily spotted) mistake was nformation written as opposed to Information, there were a lot of instances of fullstops being dropped from sentences, apostrophe mistakes (though she would then get them right the next time, proving she's aware of the difference), saybefore and longtime need a space, power that be needed hyphenating, born was used and not borne, some words were missed from sentences like of or he. Then I've no idea what "The bhollow-like eyes" means !!! Is was written and not in, rereleased and not released......just a mess.
This passage was awful with the repetition of "anyone" in it: "Were you or anyone you know in or around Haverbridge wood ? Did anyone see anyone running from the area ? Did anyone hear anything suspicious ? We're keen to speak to anyone who took their dog....." There was more appalling English with "...she wanted to live with us, and that agreed with Heidi" and "Don't you be so surprised" then "It hadn't been Danny come home to her".......just sloppy beyond belief.
I did have a couple more by her in my wishlist but I've since deleted them. The author nor her publisher clearly pays no attention to reviews and I won't waste my time or money anymore.
March 1, 2017
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
Wow, this book was pretty gruesome. I enjoyed TME Walsh's last book The Principle Of Evil but this was miles better.
Two years on from The Principle of Evil, Claire is dealing with the after effects of her Fathers actions. I will not tell you what her Father did but it was shocking.
Rapist Raymond Cox nicknamed The Dahlia Rapist has been released from prison and is living in a probation hostel. Raymond is not sorry for his crimes and put on an act to gain parole. One night he goes to woods near his hostel to meet a potential victim. However he meets a killer who slashes his face into a Glasgow kiss - a joker smile, which is the injury Raymond gave to his victims.
Claire and her team go to visit Raymond victims believing this to be a revenge attack. The victim's are happy apart from the youngest girl who is so traumatized she cannot leave the house.
Then Claire finds another victim who died from the same injuries as Raymond. Claire does not understand how the new victim is related to Knox. Days later a teenager disappears going home from her date. She is found in an adventure playground dead with the same injuries.
This book was so fast-paced it left me breathless. I look forward to book 4.
Wow, this book was pretty gruesome. I enjoyed TME Walsh's last book The Principle Of Evil but this was miles better.
Two years on from The Principle of Evil, Claire is dealing with the after effects of her Fathers actions. I will not tell you what her Father did but it was shocking.
Rapist Raymond Cox nicknamed The Dahlia Rapist has been released from prison and is living in a probation hostel. Raymond is not sorry for his crimes and put on an act to gain parole. One night he goes to woods near his hostel to meet a potential victim. However he meets a killer who slashes his face into a Glasgow kiss - a joker smile, which is the injury Raymond gave to his victims.
Claire and her team go to visit Raymond victims believing this to be a revenge attack. The victim's are happy apart from the youngest girl who is so traumatized she cannot leave the house.
Then Claire finds another victim who died from the same injuries as Raymond. Claire does not understand how the new victim is related to Knox. Days later a teenager disappears going home from her date. She is found in an adventure playground dead with the same injuries.
This book was so fast-paced it left me breathless. I look forward to book 4.
March 11, 2017
review to be posted on publications day.
February 5, 2025
Third installment and my last in the series.
The story was good but Claire isn't very easy to like, and overall the the books haven't been as engaging as some of the other British crime novels.
This book had a different performer and I really missed Julie Maisey. She was great.
The story was good but Claire isn't very easy to like, and overall the the books haven't been as engaging as some of the other British crime novels.
This book had a different performer and I really missed Julie Maisey. She was great.
September 8, 2018
Another great read from T.M.E.Walsh
Never fails to deliver a fast paced read with twists and turns keeping the reader engrossed. Love this authors writing style
Never fails to deliver a fast paced read with twists and turns keeping the reader engrossed. Love this authors writing style
January 8, 2019
Hope rest of series is as good as first 3 books. Another feisty female officer of the law.
July 28, 2019
Urgh terrible.
April 14, 2024
Much better then the previous 2 (this time another narrator)
February 13, 2017
4 stars
Raymond Knox is released from prison after serving fifteen years for the awful mutilation and rape of three young girls.
His body is discovered mutilated in the same manner as his victims. Claire Winters and her team are on the case. They, of course, interview Knox’s victims and others tangential to the case.
Meanwhile, the general public and the press are almost celebrating Knox’s demise. This presents the double-edged sword of the murder of someone no one will miss – even the police themselves. The reader must examine their own conscience on the matter whether to cheer that Knox is dead – perhaps finally getting what he deserves – or whether to feel charity toward him for the manner of his horrible death.
The case turns more serious though when a young girl is found…also mutilated in the same manner.
Searching intensely for clues, Claire and her team finally catch the killer. The person came as a surprise to me.
I must admit that I did not find the character of Claire Winters very likeable. She jumps in without thinking of any consequences. She doesn’t seem to fit into my idea of a detective in this day and age.
The book is well written, Claire aside, and the story idea is a novel one. I will look into reading more of the series, this book having been my first T.M.E. Walsh novel.
Sending a thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK/HQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Raymond Knox is released from prison after serving fifteen years for the awful mutilation and rape of three young girls.
His body is discovered mutilated in the same manner as his victims. Claire Winters and her team are on the case. They, of course, interview Knox’s victims and others tangential to the case.
Meanwhile, the general public and the press are almost celebrating Knox’s demise. This presents the double-edged sword of the murder of someone no one will miss – even the police themselves. The reader must examine their own conscience on the matter whether to cheer that Knox is dead – perhaps finally getting what he deserves – or whether to feel charity toward him for the manner of his horrible death.
The case turns more serious though when a young girl is found…also mutilated in the same manner.
Searching intensely for clues, Claire and her team finally catch the killer. The person came as a surprise to me.
I must admit that I did not find the character of Claire Winters very likeable. She jumps in without thinking of any consequences. She doesn’t seem to fit into my idea of a detective in this day and age.
The book is well written, Claire aside, and the story idea is a novel one. I will look into reading more of the series, this book having been my first T.M.E. Walsh novel.
Sending a thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK/HQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
February 6, 2017
First, this is the 3rd in a series. I haven't read the other 2 but I didn't feel like I was missing out by not having read them. Now that I've read this one, I'm going to go back and check out her first two because this was good.
Once I started this the only thing that made me put it down was literally falling asleep while holding my tablet because it was after 2a then I finished it first thing in the morning when I woke. I also didn’t figure out who the killer was until right as it was being revealed which made me love this book even more when the killer isn’t obvious from chapter one.
I loved how Walsh creates her characters even her villians. There is so much I want to say about that but I have no idea how to express my extreme enthusiasm for what she did without giving something important away. The way she writes I felt like I was actually there crawling out of the ground with one of her victims. She makes it so realistic your skin crawls with the feeling of dirt on it like no shower will be enough.
She sets a good scene with a strong plot line which helps you get from A to B but her writing is so detailed and vibrant you WANT to go on this journey no matter where it’ll take you. She sets these gritty, bloody scenes that are like visual car accidents you can’t turn your head from – not that you want to or risk missing something.
Walsh is a fantastic crime writer that obviously knows how to wring out the best of this genre.
Once I started this the only thing that made me put it down was literally falling asleep while holding my tablet because it was after 2a then I finished it first thing in the morning when I woke. I also didn’t figure out who the killer was until right as it was being revealed which made me love this book even more when the killer isn’t obvious from chapter one.
I loved how Walsh creates her characters even her villians. There is so much I want to say about that but I have no idea how to express my extreme enthusiasm for what she did without giving something important away. The way she writes I felt like I was actually there crawling out of the ground with one of her victims. She makes it so realistic your skin crawls with the feeling of dirt on it like no shower will be enough.
She sets a good scene with a strong plot line which helps you get from A to B but her writing is so detailed and vibrant you WANT to go on this journey no matter where it’ll take you. She sets these gritty, bloody scenes that are like visual car accidents you can’t turn your head from – not that you want to or risk missing something.
Walsh is a fantastic crime writer that obviously knows how to wring out the best of this genre.
March 16, 2025
The third book to feature D.C.I. Claire Winters. A gruesome crime committed may not be all as it seems. When Raymond Knox is released from prison where he had served fifteen years a despicable crime. clearly someone thinks the time served was not enough. What happens next will put the crime and the original case into doubt. Very well written and great story telling.
March 30, 2017
Another fantastic read!
Thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of the DCI Winters book. Tania has a way of creating such visual scenes in my head and writing and plots that makes her books unable to be put down. Looking forward to the next instalment!
Thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of the DCI Winters book. Tania has a way of creating such visual scenes in my head and writing and plots that makes her books unable to be put down. Looking forward to the next instalment!
April 30, 2017
Great read
The best book in this series so far. I like DCI Winters more each time. Look forward to her next outing.
The best book in this series so far. I like DCI Winters more each time. Look forward to her next outing.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews