The Paxton's Tower Murders: A gripping crime thriller full of twists

by Stephen Puleston

A new job. A fresh start. A killer who won’t wait.

Detective Inspector Caren Waits was ready to prove herself on her first day in a new job—but she wasn’t expecting a murder. When a small-time drug dealer is found dead near The Paxton’s Tower, Caren is thrown into a case that demands her full attention.

Leading an unfamiliar team, she must prove she has what it takes to command respect and catch a killer.

But when a second body turns up at the same location, Caren knows she’s dealing with someone calculated and ruthless. As the investigation deepens, she finds herself chasing a murderer who always seems one step ahead.

Can Caren outmanoeuvre a cunning killer before more bodies fall? Or will her first case be her last?

If you love fast-paced crime thrillers with a determined female detective, The Paxton Tower Murders will keep you hooked until the final page.

This is the first novel in the DI Caren Waits series. Perfect for fans of Simon McCleave, Rhys Dylan and Rachel McLean.

Pick up your copy today by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

I write mysteries and thrillers.

I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.

My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.

Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/

I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.

I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA

Reviews

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously read and enjoyed the Blake series and sk was intrigued to read the new series.
I found it really interesting and entertaining and I was eager to find out the conclusion. I would have liked more depth to the conclusion though.

there were a lot of hints to see where the series would go and I am looking forward to reading more.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, in it we find D.I. Caren Waits taking up a new position with the West Wales force. We previously met Caren in the Inspector Drake series.
It may be Caren`s first day in charge of a new team however she finds herself thrown straight into handling a murder investigation. Recently widowed with a young son she luckily has support in the form of her parents for her childcare needs so she can give the case 100%.
The body of a local drug dealer has been discovered at Paxton Towers, a local landmark.
Her new team are a mixed bunch, one, DS Sharp,has years of experience but a jaded viewpoint , DS Davies, young and ambitious whilst new partner Huw, seems to have a secret of his own.
They are mostly supportive though she feels she is working under the shadow of the teams previous DI. No-one as yet seems willing to reveal the circumstances of his early retirement.
The investigations barely begun, there is another murder and an obnoxious newcomer to the area starts posting about the local police forces incompetence.
Could the murderer be from out of town or is it a local?
Where has the brother of one of the victims disappeared to? Could he know something?
Caren is determined to prove herself and solve the case.
This is an engrossing read and I am looking forward to the next instalment featuring Caren and her new team.
Promises to be the start of another brilliant series from Stephen Puleston.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed Stephen Puleston’s Inspector Drake series, I was glad to have an opportunity to read an advance copy of the first ebook in his latest series, featuring DI Caren Waits. We first met detective Waits in the DI Drake series – after her promotion, she moved on to lead her own team in a different town. She is a recent widow w/the responsibilities of caring for her 4 year old son. Luckily, her parents live nearby and are able to provide a great deal of support.
On her first day at her new police station, while meeting her boss, he receives a call about a murder. And she is immersed in the investigation from the start. As a new DI, she is also getting to know her team during the investigation which poses it’s own challenges – getting used to the personalities and dynamics of an existing team, the team getting used to her.
This is a great start to a new police procedural series. While I enjoyed following the investigation and the “storming and norming” of a new team, it seemed that the conclusion was a bit rushed (I don’t want to provide spoilers here, so leaving it at that). I will definitely read more in the series to see how this new team develops.
Thank you to Stephen Puleston for an advanced copy of this e-book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paxton's Tower Murders is the first book in a new series by this author and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Having read most of the Inspector Drake series, I was happy to read a new series featuring a character who appeared in the Drake series. Caren was starting her new job in a new town and had barely settled in when she was called out on her first case. I would be quite nervous as well if I were in her shoes and hadn't even had an opportunity to check in, to figure out the layout of where I was working, or to even have met my team, so to say she was a bit uptight and nervous was understandable.

Personally, I liked Caren better in this book than in the Inspector Drake series, but it's only because I got to learn more about her. Because the book is about her, reading her inner thoughts as she juggled motherhood and a demanding job was interesting, and I could relate to her struggles to provide a normal childhood for her son while being exhausted. The fact she was a bit cool to her colleagues did not bother me as she is the boss and understands the importance of a functional team. Considering the mystery surrounding her predecessor, her more distant behaviour was understandable, but she definitely opened up as the book progressed. She was determined, fair, and was able to see the strengths and weaknesses in her team members and use them appropriately. My only question mark with regards to Caren is her behaviour towards her underlings and it is something to which I rolled my eyes constantly: a 'please' and 'thank you' would not be remiss once in a while, and if you want a cup of coffee, get off your tuff and go make it yourself. In many offices, the way that was demanded would land you in a behaviour, aka manners and DEI training, course. To me, that speaks of a lack of confidence in yourself to be a leader; there's a way to do without being a jerk.

The plot itself had many twists and turns and was quite interesting. The murder investigation itself was done in such a way as to introduce people who lived in the community, people we will probably see in future books, so I liked that a lot. There was also a secondary story woven through the narrative, that of Karen's husband who died in an accident a year ago. That one did not resolve itself in this book, but it definitely made me curious as to know what happened. The investigation did allow Caren to grow as a character and to connect better with her team, something I definitely enjoyed. While the ending was rushed, it was still satisfactory.

The Paxton's Tower Murders was a strong start to a new series and I enjoyed both the character and the plot development. It is well written and I liked the descriptions of the Welsh landscape and some of the background information the author provided. And as a I mentioned above, while I enjoyed Caren's character development, there were some things that did not sit well with me with regards to how she treated her team so hopefully that is all part of her future character development and now displaying how a leader should behave towards one's team. All in all, the mystery and investigation were fun, and I will be reading the next book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Puleston is the author of two of my favorite series, one involving Inspector Drake and the other has Inspector Marco. Detective Inspector Caren Waits assisted Drake in the past, but now she stars in a series of her own, and it is a promotion that was well deserved. A recent widow, she has moved with her son Aled to lead her own team in Western Division of the Wales Police Service. She looked forward to meeting her team and a week of orientation, but a body found at the base of the Paxton’s Tower threw her right into a case. Jimmy Patmore was a small time drug dealer who was hoping to earn enough to marry his pregnant girlfriend. He had spent the evening with his friends and then traveled to the towers to pick up the drugs that would have been left by his supplier. Instead, he was beaten with a bat. It is an isolated area and canvassing the nearby farms brings no help. Caren’s team consists of Huw, an experienced investigator, Rhys, who is relatively new and eager to learn, and Alice, an older officer who is approaching retirement age. When Alice expresses the belief that they probably shouldn’t waste their time investigating someone who sold drugs, Caren is forced to reprimand her, but she later proves her dedication to the job. Mrs. Patmore, Jimmy’s mother, is uncooperative, but she is also worried about her son Walt, who has been missing since Jimmy’s death. They had left their mother’s home together and he may have seen the killer. Finding Walt could be the key to solving the murder. As the case progresses, Caren must also contend with Colin Perkins, an outspoken organizer of a neighborhood watch who has been posting about the murder and the lack of progress in the investigation. Jimmy had partied with two best friends. When one of them is killed in the same location as Jimmy and in a similar manner, the other finally notifies Caren that the word on the street is that it was someone new to the area. This is a case that could make or break Caren’s career and she is under pressure to solve it quickly.

With Caren being new to the area, Stephen Puleston gives you the opportunity to learn about the area and the people she is working with as she familiarizes herself with the job. She has the support of her parents, who live nearby and play an important part in four year old Aled’s life. Her husband had been killed in an auto accident a year earlier. His case has not yet been resolved and insurance has been held up pending the conclusion of the case. It is Inspector Drake that she turns to who offers her words of encouragement and gives her the confidence to follow her instincts. She has a team that pulls together in the end and enables a solution that was not totally unexpected, but was satisfying and left me wanting to see more of Caren and her team. I would like to thank the author for providing this book.

[Marie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL/DR: So you have read the synopsis and now you are here for other peoples opinions. I get it. Let me begin by saying there is no lead up, the FMC, Caren, is thrown into the deep end, a baptism by fire if you will, on her first day on the job. She hasn’t even met her team yet and now her first case is a murder. There is a lot going on in this book and it will keep you entertained and guessing until the end. If you need more, please see below.

Caren has received her dream job, as a detective inspector of her own team, instead of just short term assignments. The catch is it’s in a different division which requires a move, so now she has rent as well as a mortgage to pay.

As if this isn’t hard enough, she lost her husband in a car accident a year ago and is now raising her son with the help of her parents. So yes, she has her dream job, but her son is her priority and she never wants him to feel like her job comes first.

While investigating the first murder, keeping her boss up to date and proving herself, there is another murder, and it is most definitely connected to the first.

I loved how we see Caren’s growth from the beginning of the book to the end. She is learning to connect with her team better than formal introductions ever could have and she is able to clearly convey what she expects from them.

There are a lot of twists and turns in the investigations and just when you think you’ve put it together, you could be wrong.

She is also pushing the solicitors of her husband’s estate to clear it and that comes with a few surprises of its own.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries or suspense or even just a story with a strong female lead. I would like to thank the author, Highgate Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Paxton's Tower Murders
✍🏻Stephen Puleston
Blurb:
A new job. A fresh start. A killer who won’t wait.
Detective Inspector Caren Waits was ready to prove herself on her first day in a new job—but she wasn’t expecting a murder. When a small-time drug dealer is found dead near The Paxton’s Tower, Caren is thrown into a case that demands her full attention.
Leading an unfamiliar team, she must prove she has what it takes to command respect and catch a killer.
But when a second body turns up at the same location, Caren knows she’s dealing with someone calculated and ruthless. As the investigation deepens, she finds herself chasing a murderer who always seems one step ahead.
Can Caren outmanoeuvre a cunning killer before more bodies fall? Or will her first case be her last?
If you love fast-paced crime thrillers with a determined female detective, The Paxton Tower Murders will keep you hooked until the final page.
This is the first novel in the DI Caren Waits series. Perfect for fans of Simon McCleave, Rhys Dylan and Rachel McLean.

My Thoughts:
The plot itself had many twists and turns and was quite interesting. The murder investigation itself was done in such a way as to introduce people who lived in the community, people we will probably see in future books, so I liked that a lot. There was also a secondary story woven through the narrative, that of Karen's husband who died in an accident a year ago. That one did not resolve itself in this book, but it definitely made me curious as to know what happened. The investigation did allow Caren to grow as a character and to connect better with her team, something I definitely enjoyed. While the ending was rushed, it was still satisfactory.
The Paxton's Tower Murders was a strong start to a new series and I enjoyed both the character and the plot development. It is well written and I liked the descriptions of the Welsh landscape and some of the background information the author provided. And as a I mentioned above, while I enjoyed Caren's character development, there were some things that did not sit well with me with regards to how she treated her team so hopefully that is all part of her future character development and now displaying how a leader should behave towards one's team. All in all, the mystery and investigation were fun, and I will be reading the next book in this series. I would recommend this book.
Thanks NetGalley, Highgate Publishing and Author Stephen Puleston for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving my review in appreciation
#NetGalley
#HighgatePublishing
#StephenPuleston
#ThePaxton'sTowerMurders
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until her recent promotion to Detective Inspector, Caren Waits was a DS working in Northern Division for DI Ian Drake, well known to readers from another excellent series by this author. Now one year after her husband Alun was killed in a motor accident, she and their four-year-old son Aled have moved from Conwy to Carmarthen nearer her parents who will undertake much of her childcare as she starts a new posting in Western Division under Supt Brooks. There’s no time for introductions as the body of local lowlife Jimmy Patmore is found at the National Trust’s historic monument Paxton’s Tower in the Tywi Valley. The site was a favoured drug pickup point for the small-time dealer, but could the killer have been his mother’s ex-partner who wanted to muscle in on Jimmy’s business or his regular supplier who learned Jimmy was thinking of moving to a new source? As well as learning to find her way around the area, Caren also has a new team to get to know, consisting of DS Huw Margam and DCs Alice Sharp and Rhys Davies. She also hears rumours about her predecessor DI Sammy Evans who seems to have left under somewhat of a cloud but no one is telling her exactly why. As the investigation moves on, there are occasional glimmers of hope but nothing definitive that can pin the murder on one of their two very good suspects and it also looks like Jimmy’s brother has disappeared, whilst the English leader of the local neighbourhood watch is determined to make trouble for the WPS. Then another body is found by the Tower and the pressure is really on from all sides for Caren to prove she is worthy of her new position.
This is a great opener to a new series, a good solid police procedural with a clever plot and plenty of twists. Caren feels under immense pressure to be both a good mother and detective, and is gradually learning how to relax into the role, as the initial teething problems with the new team are ironed out as the story progresses. She even starts to make some good friends. I loved the initiative to get senior officers speaking Welsh, even though half the people she dealt with in this story had in fact moved from England, and learning Welsh myself I can empathise with her worries since it’s not the easiest language to master! This was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to moving straight onto book 2, The Tenby Harbour Murders.

[Cidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh thank you Mr Puleston for bringing my attention to the Detective Inspector Caren Waits books! This was briliant, I woke up at 3am this morning and read it right through until it was time to get up!!! Fear am not going to be too good for much today then. It was a book you just couldn't break away from, almost each page pulls you onwards. Initially I thought well it's another police procedural and I do like those as I like to move with the main character and work it out with them as the book progresses, but this book sort of grabbed you by the hair and pulled you along with it.

Caren is a recently young widow with a 4yr old son who has moved for promotion from the place where they lived and away from the nightmare memories, to a town, also in my beloved Wales, where her parents live and who can help with childcare whilst Caren is getting to grips with her new job and the death of a drug dealer on top of an ancient monument. She has a great team, with one exception there's always one, but they work well with her as she moves rapidly to find the killer of this victim and of the next victim in the very same place, and also has to contend with a very loud, aggressive, patronising elderly man who runs the local crimewatch committee (at least I think that was what it was called, no matter), and with supreme effort from all her small team she comes up with the killer. Yeah, girl power!

But as I went through each page of Caren's work and life I feel almost as if I know her and I really like her character, so Mr Puleston am off to look at the others in the series and set about buying them today! Thank you!! Except I expect to start them much earlier in the evening before I go to bed. I need my beauty sleep...

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Beneath the brooding shadow of Paxton’s Tower, where mist tangles with memory and secrets echo across the Carmarthenshire hills, Stephen Puleston spins a web of murder and melancholy that is as much psychological terrain as it is geographical.

In The Paxton’s Tower Murders, DI Caren Waits steps into a role that feels carved from the Welsh stone itself—tough, weathered, enigmatic. Puleston’s decision to place a female detective at the helm of this dark procedural does more than diversify the genre: it deepens it. Waits is a study in quiet tension, her personal life clinging to the edge of her investigative rigor like ivy on crumbling stone.

The murders are grisly without indulgence, their brutality tempered by Puleston’s restrained prose. And while the plot initially meanders like a winding country lane, it tightens with each revelation, leading to a conclusion both unexpected and grimly inevitable.

What elevates this novel beyond your average police procedural is Puleston’s ear for atmosphere. The landscapes are not mere backdrops—they haunt. From the unsettling serenity of rural farms to the looming presence of the tower itself, the setting pulses with a low, threatening heartbeat.

For fans of crime fiction that prioritizes mood and moral ambiguity over high-octane thrills, The Paxton’s Tower Murders is a brooding triumph. It’s a slow burn with smoke you can practically taste.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Paxton's Tower Murders (Detective Inspector Caren Waits) by Stephen Puleston is a suspenseful debut for Detective Inspector Caren Waits. The story pulled me in with its intriguing plot and well-developed characters, but there were a lot of police interviews rather than suspenseful action. The narrative was filled with unexpected twists, making the book hard to put down, though.

Caren's determination to prove herself amid the chaos of a murder investigation is inspiring, and her complex character grows more compelling as the case unfolds. I cannot wait to see what will happen next with her, especially after the revelations at the end of the book. The atmospheric setting near The Paxton's Tower adds an intriguing backdrop to the story, enhancing the sense of urgency.

The pacing is okay as Caren races against time to catch a cunning killer. The actual ending in revealing the culprit was a bit anticlimactic. But for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking whodunit with strong character development, The Paxton's Tower Murders is a good read. I can't wait to see where Caren's journey takes her next.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#ThePaxtonsTowerMurders #NetGalley

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Neighborhood . . .

Before Detective Inspector Caren Waits, a widow with a young son, even gets settled in to meet her team (Detective Sergeant Huw Margam, Detective Constable Rhys Davies, and Detective Constable Alice Sharp) and gain their respect, they have a body at the base of the Paxton’s Tower to deal with. The victim, Jimmy Patmore, was a small-time drug dealer who was beaten to death with a bat. Although Jimmy’s mother was questioned, she wasn’t overly helpful with information and was more concerned about her younger son, Walt, who disappeared the day after Jimmy was killed. Caren also has to deal with a neighborhood watch organizer, Colin Perkins, who is pressuring Caren’s team over their lack of progress in the case they had so recently acquired. And the pressure is not over yet as a friend of Jimmy’s is killed in the same way Jimmy was and another friend finally spoke up that someone “new to the neighborhood” may be to blame. Will Caren and her new staff meld together as a team in their investigation and be able to track down the perpetrator before more deaths occur? And will she be ready to tackle yet one more big shocking item in her personal life? Or can it wait until Monday?

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Caren Waits is promoted from working with DCI Drake of Northern Division of the Wales Police Service and with the promotion she moved to Western Division of the Wales Police Service. This is a huge move as she is recently widowed and has a 4 yr old son. Fortunately her parents recently moved to the area of her new job and r willing to help with their grandson.
Shortly after she arrives for her first day there is a murder. She is thrown in head first into the investigation. Soon after there is a second murder. She is keen to prove herself and that she deserves the promotion. She gets to know her new team as she sets off to investigate.
Mr. Puleston is a master at laying out the original storyline with precision and perfection. He gives u interesting and well developed characters along with little clues along the way. This book had many surprises and dramatic moments placed in the perfect spot. He leaves it with a clue to a new mystery in her personal life which I’m excited to uncover. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next book in this new and exciting series! I highly recommend this book and this author.

[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Stephen Puleston for a while now, the creator of the Drake and Marco series, and this is another series, hopefully of Inspector Caren Waits, who lost her husband in an accident and has a small child, so juggling a full-time job is quite a task.
She moves to a new job as an Inspector with a new crew and thankfully near her parents, who are very supportive of her, only to find that as soon as she arrives, a body has been discovered at Paxton Towers.
Stephen is from Wales and describes the scenery beautifully. Although the area sounds idyllic, it also sounds dangerous.
Lots of clues, but do they make sense? A new crew and one constable who has been there a few years is not a fan of the new boss as yet, as her previous boss seems to have left under a cloud, and Caren cannot get anybody to tell her about him and his methods.
It is well written and an exciting read, and I have been fortunate enough to have obtained an ARC, and this review is entirely my make on this thriller, and looking forward to the 2nd edition of Karen Waits saga.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Ugh, it feels like the lead in this book needs basic manners as well as DEI training.

This is a pretty decent read featuring a newly qualified DCI who's been recently widowed; who's in a brand new job; and who by the sounds of it is on her way to being a bit of an alcoholic - I got bored pretty quickly of the mention of a few glasses every night once her child was in bed.

She lacks manners, sadly, without even a basic 'please' in her repertoire, especially when asking a colleague - clearly an underling in her eyes - to make her a coffee. Who does this in 2025 UK, or anywhere else?

Those niggles aside, the tale isn't a bad one, with scallies, a bit of intrigue but with a character who stood out a little too much for the wrong reasons, who overplayed their hand badly - not that the cops saw it - gave the game away.

I'd read more of this series because of the ending, which is likely to disrupt the DCI's world.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Highgate Publishing, for my reading pleasure.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new series by Stephen Puleston features DI Caren Waits, who worked with DI Ian Drake in the Drake series. Caren’s first day as a DI in a new precinct starts with the discovery of a murder victim, so she has to hit the ground running.

Caren is a single parent and parts of the story focus on her emotions about this, including guilt about having to rely on her parents for childcare while she works at a demanding job. Puleston does a good job of putting us in Caren’s place and showing how her thoughts shift from work to personal life and back again.

I had an idea about who the killer was before it was revealed. It took a little too long to get there. There were repetitive sequences with other characters who either knew the murder victim or were suspects. Other than that, I enjoyed this book and will continue reading the series.

I received an advance review copy from the author via Book Funnel. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[TheLisaD · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Paxton’s Tower Murders delivers a gritty, atmospheric murder mystery that pulls readers into a dark world of drugs, deception, and deeply flawed suspects. Stephen Puleston paints a vivid portrait of the criminal underbelly, crafting characters who feel convincingly raw and unsettling. The attention to detail in both setting and character adds a palpable sense of grime and tension that lingers throughout the narrative.

With strong pacing and a well-constructed mystery, the story keeps you engaged from the first clue to the final reveal. Puleston’s skillful storytelling ensures that every twist and turn feels grounded in realism, adding depth to the procedural elements of the investigation. A thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of crime fiction, this installment leaves you eager to see where the author will take us next.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Inspector Drake series, his former Sergeant who left to have a child, has been promoted and is now Inspector Caren Waits living and working in a different area of Wales. As with all this author’s other stories, this one is very well done. For the first in a series, the reader is immersed into the difficulties of showing up at a brand-new job, not knowing anyone or the territory, and then being immediately thrust into a murder inquiry with a team of detectives she’s never met. Excellent police procedural. As the clues and suspects build, there is another murder and Carin’s superiors are starting to believe she may not be ready for this position. Lots of twists and turns to wade through with quite a huge zinger at the very end. Really looking forward to the next story.

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful start to a new series!

Caren Waits from the Inspector Drake novels has been promoted and is in charge of her own unit. You do not need to have read the Inspector Drake novels to understand this new series, but they are very good. Before DI Waits can even meet her new team, there is a murder on her very first day. When a second murder is committed at the same location, the team has to come together to find the killer. The author has once again described the settings so well, if feels like you are there. Enough details, suspense, and red herrings to keep the book very interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next in series.

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Caren's first day on the job as the new DI, and immediately there's a murder to investigate. Caren is a widow with a young son, and balancing a challenging career with odd hours is very difficult, but her parents have stepped in to help. A small time drug dealer has been found dead in a remote area. She meets her new team and they start to investigate when there's another murder. Meanwhile, a local man has been posting about the incompetence of the local Welsh police force. Is the murderer a drug dealer from out of town? Is the victim's brother in hiding because he knows something? A good British police procedural, disappointing only in that it had a cliffhanger ending. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Jayne Southern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Pulston does not disappoint readers in any of his books. In this first volume of a new series, Caren Waits faces the challenges of a new job in a new town. A murder on her first day is another challenge to add to blending recent widowhood, a small child, suspicious, possibly resentful new colleagues, with something as basic as finding her way around. Diligent, determined and perceptive, she nails the murderer. Some of the unnecessary repetition/reiteration pulled me out of the story a few times but the diverse and interesting characters more than compensated.
Watch for the clues embedded as the story progresses. Look forward to volume two to learn more about more pressures added to an already pressured life.

[Sandass · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're back in Wales, this time with Inspector Drake's protégé, Caren Waits on the hot seat to solve a double murder. She had excellent training under Drake, so she should be prepared for her first assignment. But, gosh, that assignment arrives just minutes after her arrival on the first day on the new job.
Waits is lucky her parents have moved to the same town because she relies on them heavily to take care of her young son. We're soon zipping through the streets of Carmarthen a d the surrounding countryside, up to Paxton's Towers, the site of the murders.
For those of you who don't know, Paxton's Towers is a real place. Pull out a map and look it up.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of Mr. Puleston's DI Drake series, I was looking forward to his new character and her new team. Needless to say, Mr. Puleston did not disappoint me. I felt Caren and the story got off to a tough start because she had barely walked in the door before she was handed her first murder case. But Caren and Mr. Pulewston both rise to the occasion. The investigative details ring just as true here as they do in Mr. Puleston's other books; the characters are realistic, there is plenty of action, and unexpected revelations to keep the reader turning pages as quickly as possible. I recommend this series to all fans of British crime drama. You don't want to miss out. I received a review copy from the author at my request, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally, books come along with a story that holds attention throughout but is typical of the genre. Less frequently, the book brings characters to life on the page and develops the relationships between them. Such books are my favourites where character and sense of space and location bring so much to the story. I have the advantage of knowing the area around Paxtons Tower, which adds to the experience. In this book, a new DI arrives in South Wales to be met with two linked murders which makes brings a steep learning curve with regard to the team she is to lead. The story taps along with some pace, and whilst I started to get an inkling as to the perpetrator, I didn't see the motive coming. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Donald Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paxton's Tower Murders Gripping DI Double Murder Investigation

Caren Waits is hit with a murder investigation her first day as Detective Inspector. By the middle of her first week she is investigating two murders in the same location. Great character development and scenic positioning. Through his writing Stephen Puleston brings you into the investigation as describing the steps in detail to finding the players in the countryside believed to be responsible for the crimes. The twists and turns in the investigation keep the reader guessing until the last page turned and the crimes are solved. Excellent writing Stephen Puleston keep imagining and writing to keep your readers entertained. Thanks

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel in a very promising, well written crime thriller series, with a new lead character Caren Waits. I liked the background detail of Caren's home life and I do hope we will find out more about her personal life in a follow up. The setting is Wales and I loved the twists and the fast pace as Caren and her team investigated the murder of two young men involved in drug dealing. The team dynamics are good and the twist at the end surprised me but left me wanting to discover more and eagerly looking forward to another chapter. I am sure fans of crime thrillers will enjoy the read as much as I did. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[J Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series from a well established writer.
Caren Waits is featured as a secondary character in the first of Stephen Puleston's DI Drake books. She has now been promoted to DI, and in this book, she moves to West Wales to take over a team of detectives. On her first day, she is confronted with a murder case and has to work with and lead her team. As well as trying to solve the crime, she has to deal with a pompous, verbose incomer to the area who is very vocal in meetings and online about what he sees as a lack of progress.
This is an engrossing book, and the pages just seem to fly by. It's a brilliant first book of what promises to be an exciting series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new Welsh crime series
First day on the job and DI Caren Waits is investigating a murder. Not the start she wanted when she’s just moved from North to West Wales and needs to settle her young son into his new home and school. But she needs to prove herself – establish her authority with her new team and convince her superiors that she’s capable of handling the investigation, despite the distractions of juggling child care and a shocking discovery as she tries to wind up her late husband’s affairs.
Great characters, interesting and complex plot – everything you want from a crime novel!

[CJ Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a first for me by this author and a first in the series for DI Caren Waits.

Caren is an interesting character brusque, formidable, resilient, are a few traits that spring to mind.

As if juggling a professional career in a new team/newly promoted whilst balancing motherhood as a widow in a new town isn't challenging enough Caren hits the ground running by being thrown into a murder investigation on her first day of the job.

A good solid start although I must admit I was disappointed in the ending as it seemed finish abruptly which didn't fit with the detail and pace of the rest of the book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. The first in a new series from the pen of the author of the Detective Inspector Drake and Detective Inspector Marco series, this time it is Detective Inspector Caren Waits turn. Recently widowed and newly promoted, Caren moved from North Wales to take up her first Detective Inspector role in the Western Division. She is immediately, on her first day, thrown into a murder investigation. A brilliant main plot that hurtles along, keeping you guessing, and a fantastic subplot that has so much to offer, I can't wait to read the next instalment to see how it develops.