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Twist
He escaped the city of nightmares once. And now he must return.
William Twist is on the brink of collapse. But even with his detective agency failing, he’s wary when Beth Hilary, an attractive and wealthy widow walks into his office. Yet Twist is in no position to refuse when she makes him a generous offer to look into the suspicious suicide of her son, a philosophy student at Twist's old university.
Following the case back to a city holding dark and disturbing secrets he’s spent twenty years trying to escape, he soon regrets his decision. But people are depending on him, and Twist is determined to rise to the challenge.
But it's only a matter of time before he will find himself cursing the day Beth Hilary walked into his life.
If you like noir mysteries, creeping suspense, intriguing twists, you won’t want to miss Mark L. Fowler’s edgy crime novel.
'Excellent, bring on the next one. This was a brilliant story.' Anita Waller, best selling crime fiction author.
'An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.' Spicewalker, Top 500 Reviewer.
'A Great detective crime book. An intriguing plot with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Some very colourful characters in the story. I’m certainly looking forward to reading more in this new series.' Dee Groocock, reviewer.
'Twist was enjoyable, suspenseful and at times poignant. A dark and simmering thriller. I'll be reading more by this author.' Amazon Customer.
'An intriguing and well written book. Fowler never disappoints.' Maggie Peplow.
'An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.' Jen Med BookLover.
'This is the first in a new detective series, and was also my first read by Mark Fowler, and it most certainly won't be my last. The book was well written and the characters relatable and likeable. Can't wait for more installments in this series. Highly recommended.' Bookworm Stephanie.
Also by Mark L. Red Is The Colour, Blue Murder, The Devil Wore Black, The Smell Of Copper, Scarlet Ribbons, Blood Orange, Green Shoots, Sextet, Silver, The Man Upstairs, The Poisoned Eye Of A Loving God, Coffin Maker, Painted Fire, The Bathroom Murders.
William Twist is on the brink of collapse. But even with his detective agency failing, he’s wary when Beth Hilary, an attractive and wealthy widow walks into his office. Yet Twist is in no position to refuse when she makes him a generous offer to look into the suspicious suicide of her son, a philosophy student at Twist's old university.
Following the case back to a city holding dark and disturbing secrets he’s spent twenty years trying to escape, he soon regrets his decision. But people are depending on him, and Twist is determined to rise to the challenge.
But it's only a matter of time before he will find himself cursing the day Beth Hilary walked into his life.
If you like noir mysteries, creeping suspense, intriguing twists, you won’t want to miss Mark L. Fowler’s edgy crime novel.
'Excellent, bring on the next one. This was a brilliant story.' Anita Waller, best selling crime fiction author.
'An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.' Spicewalker, Top 500 Reviewer.
'A Great detective crime book. An intriguing plot with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Some very colourful characters in the story. I’m certainly looking forward to reading more in this new series.' Dee Groocock, reviewer.
'Twist was enjoyable, suspenseful and at times poignant. A dark and simmering thriller. I'll be reading more by this author.' Amazon Customer.
'An intriguing and well written book. Fowler never disappoints.' Maggie Peplow.
'An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.' Jen Med BookLover.
'This is the first in a new detective series, and was also my first read by Mark Fowler, and it most certainly won't be my last. The book was well written and the characters relatable and likeable. Can't wait for more installments in this series. Highly recommended.' Bookworm Stephanie.
Also by Mark L. Red Is The Colour, Blue Murder, The Devil Wore Black, The Smell Of Copper, Scarlet Ribbons, Blood Orange, Green Shoots, Sextet, Silver, The Man Upstairs, The Poisoned Eye Of A Loving God, Coffin Maker, Painted Fire, The Bathroom Murders.
Audible Audio
First published March 29, 2021
7 people want to read
About the author
Mark L. Fowler
20 books28 followersMark writes in a number of genres, including detective crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and Gothic fantasy.
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 8, 2021
Beth Hilary visits the DMT Detective Agency. She's been referred to William Twist. Her son, Simon, hung himself while at college. Law enforcement is calling it suicide. Beth says there is no way Simon would have taken his own life. She wants Twist to investigate .. and she has a large check to pay him for his services.
Twist has a gut feeling ... and he really doesn't want to take on the care. But the money would come in handy as the business has slowed way down. At first refusing, he then accepts.
In order to investigate, Twist has to go back to a place that he had run from and never looked back, Now that he's back his memories are all bad ... and he rues the day that Beth Hilary walked into his life.
This is the first in a new detective crime series ... and it looks like a good one. Well written, the suspense starts on the very first page and never lets up. There are twists and turns that lead to an unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn. Twist especially bears watching.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 8, 2021
When Beth Hilary turns up at DMT detective agency, she’s hoping to find someone to look into the death of her son, Simon. Did he really commit suicide or is there more to it? It’s not long before Twist discovers that there is more to the story and wishes he hadn’t agreed to take on the case.
An intriguing plot with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Some very colourful characters in the story. I’m certainly looking forward to reading more in this new series.
An intriguing plot with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Some very colourful characters in the story. I’m certainly looking forward to reading more in this new series.
April 10, 2021
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2021
The first book I have read from this author, and it was a enjoyable read. Twist and ex policeman now work as part of a detective agency. Twist takes on a job, very reluctantly that takes him back to Leicester resurrects old memories which he so desperately wants to forget. I found myself liking the character of twist more and more as the story went on.
The first book I have read from this author, and it was a enjoyable read. Twist and ex policeman now work as part of a detective agency. Twist takes on a job, very reluctantly that takes him back to Leicester resurrects old memories which he so desperately wants to forget. I found myself liking the character of twist more and more as the story went on.
March 6, 2021
For a short book this certainly packs in one heck of a lot of action. This is the story of William Twist, one of three private investigators from a firm in Stone. He is approached by a widow who wants him to look into the death of her son, ruled a suicide by police, but which she is certain is far more complex than anyone can understand. What seems like a straightforward, if tragic case, takes Twist back to his former University in Leicester, forcing him to confront a time in his life that he would much sooner forget.
Now if this really was a straightforward case of suicide it would be a much shorter story than it already is but, as Twist and readers find out, nothing is quite so simple. This is a complex and twisted story (no pun intended) which exposes all manner of secrets, conspiracies and puts both Twist and potentially his colleagues in the firing line. I like the way in which the author slowly exposes all the secret parts of the victims life as well as the many complicated aspects of that of his mother, Twist's client, Beth Hilary.
The book has echoes of the classic Private Eye novels, the lead character, Twist, a self confessed fan of Chandler and the classic Detective novels. told in first person, we are privy to all of Twist's thoughts, his fears, and his own confused dreams, a mixture of his present and his past. As a former student of Philosophy, some of his investigations, and his streams of consciousness, seem confusingly high brow, and yet it is soon brought back to base facts and the all important question - did Simon Hilary commit suicide or was he forced into it?
Twist is an interesting character. He has a dark relationship with Leicester, and as both a former student resident and eventually police officer, a suspicion of some of less salubrious areas around the city. His hostility towards Oldcastle and its residents informs the story, and most of the characters he encounters only go to amplify his own prejudices by their behaviour. I adds a kind of menace to the story, if only on the periphery, the majority of the threat seemingly imagined rather than actually ever present. Twist is a reluctant investigator, although his experience and his instincts serve him well and I'd be interested to see how his character can be developed further.
There are many layers to the story, some surprising, others less so. The clues are drip fed although such secrecy and cryptic counsel makes it hard to tell the lies from the truths at times. It is a deceptive read, quick and yet quite detailed. At less than 200 pages, it gives readers just enough be drawn into the story and to engage with the characters, but avoids taking a fantastical turn. It is set in Leicester and Stone after all, not downtown Chicago or New York City so there are limits to the kinds of threat one man can face.
An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.
Now if this really was a straightforward case of suicide it would be a much shorter story than it already is but, as Twist and readers find out, nothing is quite so simple. This is a complex and twisted story (no pun intended) which exposes all manner of secrets, conspiracies and puts both Twist and potentially his colleagues in the firing line. I like the way in which the author slowly exposes all the secret parts of the victims life as well as the many complicated aspects of that of his mother, Twist's client, Beth Hilary.
The book has echoes of the classic Private Eye novels, the lead character, Twist, a self confessed fan of Chandler and the classic Detective novels. told in first person, we are privy to all of Twist's thoughts, his fears, and his own confused dreams, a mixture of his present and his past. As a former student of Philosophy, some of his investigations, and his streams of consciousness, seem confusingly high brow, and yet it is soon brought back to base facts and the all important question - did Simon Hilary commit suicide or was he forced into it?
Twist is an interesting character. He has a dark relationship with Leicester, and as both a former student resident and eventually police officer, a suspicion of some of less salubrious areas around the city. His hostility towards Oldcastle and its residents informs the story, and most of the characters he encounters only go to amplify his own prejudices by their behaviour. I adds a kind of menace to the story, if only on the periphery, the majority of the threat seemingly imagined rather than actually ever present. Twist is a reluctant investigator, although his experience and his instincts serve him well and I'd be interested to see how his character can be developed further.
There are many layers to the story, some surprising, others less so. The clues are drip fed although such secrecy and cryptic counsel makes it hard to tell the lies from the truths at times. It is a deceptive read, quick and yet quite detailed. At less than 200 pages, it gives readers just enough be drawn into the story and to engage with the characters, but avoids taking a fantastical turn. It is set in Leicester and Stone after all, not downtown Chicago or New York City so there are limits to the kinds of threat one man can face.
An intriguing tale and if this is the first of a series, I'm curious to see what comes next.
April 8, 2021
The name of the book is the surname of one of the detectives who tackles the first case in this new series. William Twist is a partner in the DMT detective agency. He had been recommended by someone he knew to take on a new case and look into the suicide of a young man at university. The university is the one he went to himself.
What I found straight away was how different it was to a police investigation. The pace was slower, and there were more toing and froing between people he talked to. There are some strange characters in the story, as Simon, the young man that had died, resurrected with how different people saw him, and it was sad.
I liked how Twist had thought of his own past, at university, and how he had seen his lecturers when he had been there. He saw them in a different light now, many years later. I liked Twist. He is not someone that takes short cuts, although he does make a couple of very dodgy decisions. I feel that this is going to be a good series. It wasn’t the ending that I expected, a good solid story that kept me intrigued to what had really happened.
I wish to thank the author for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
What I found straight away was how different it was to a police investigation. The pace was slower, and there were more toing and froing between people he talked to. There are some strange characters in the story, as Simon, the young man that had died, resurrected with how different people saw him, and it was sad.
I liked how Twist had thought of his own past, at university, and how he had seen his lecturers when he had been there. He saw them in a different light now, many years later. I liked Twist. He is not someone that takes short cuts, although he does make a couple of very dodgy decisions. I feel that this is going to be a good series. It wasn’t the ending that I expected, a good solid story that kept me intrigued to what had really happened.
I wish to thank the author for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
March 28, 2021
I have read books by this author before and the style of Twist is completely different. In my head, I was reading it in an American accent (and in black and white), a downtrodden gumshoe with aspirations of being the hero in a Raymond Chandler novel. Perhaps the front cover made me think of it or the fact that the main character loves reading detective fiction.
Will Twist is an ex-policeman and a partner in a struggling detective agency. Beth Hilary, recently widowed, is the client who wants him to investigate her son’s apparent suicide.
Will has to visit Leicester as part of his investigation, which is where he went to university to study philosophy. Unfortunately, it is the philosophising that lets this book down - I just glossed over it and I’m not really sure how much it added to the story. It is a good plot with good characters, it just doesn’t need it.
I hope this becomes a series but who knows? I will certainly read more by this author, as you’re never really sure what you will get.
Will Twist is an ex-policeman and a partner in a struggling detective agency. Beth Hilary, recently widowed, is the client who wants him to investigate her son’s apparent suicide.
Will has to visit Leicester as part of his investigation, which is where he went to university to study philosophy. Unfortunately, it is the philosophising that lets this book down - I just glossed over it and I’m not really sure how much it added to the story. It is a good plot with good characters, it just doesn’t need it.
I hope this becomes a series but who knows? I will certainly read more by this author, as you’re never really sure what you will get.
April 8, 2021
This is the first in a new detective series, and was also my first read by Mark Fowler, and it most certainly won't be my last. The book was well written and the characters very relatable and likeable. Can't wait for more instalments in this series. Highly recommend!
March 27, 2021
A well paced short read. The author has managed to cram plenty of dead ends and red herring into this read which helps keep the reader guessing.
Good characters and character interaction
Overs a solidly good read
Good characters and character interaction
Overs a solidly good read
April 8, 2021
An enjoyable, well paced story. Having read other books by this author I was confident I would like it and I was correct. A widow is determined to find out whether her son really did end his own life so enlists the help of an ex cop, turned private detective who, intriguingly, has to return to his own ex university to work this all out. We meet a good range of interesting characters as we unravel the tale and there are some poignant and heartfelt moments. I felt engaged with the main characters and keen for the answers, which were drip fed to offer enough intrigue and momentum to carry me through the book. A good, easy read and I enjoy the style.
June 29, 2021
I had high hopes for this book. At first the style was very Raymond Chandler, before dropping into the author's own style. This was justified very well and I thought, "this is a clever writer". However, there is far too much philosophy which adds absolutely nothing to the narrative. There are also many plot points that pop up, totally apropos of nothing. This, plus mistakes like there being two days in a row that are both apparently Sunday make the book not too fun to follow. IMHO, the author should spend less time showing how great he is at philosophy and more time making sure that the book hangs together.
April 11, 2021
This is another far-from-usual crime story by Mark Fowler. William Twist is recommended to help a grieving widow discover whether her only son was murdered or took his own life at university. The PI’s past life as a student of the same subject, philosophy, in the same place comes back to haunt him. There is some philosophical referencing and some dream sequences that manage to thicken the plot. When Twist goes back to his old university there’s a palpable sense of menace. Can a whole family be cursed? You’ll have to read it to find out. I found this a thoroughly satisfying read.
April 9, 2021
Great read
Not what I was expecting but pleasantly surprised story had me intrigued and could relate to real life would recommend to read
Not what I was expecting but pleasantly surprised story had me intrigued and could relate to real life would recommend to read
April 19, 2021
This was a good book. I have read many of the authors, and he doesnt disappoint with his writing at all.
March 25, 2021
I’ve enjoyed previous books by this author and so I was really looking forward to this one. When I started it I felt like I’d walked into a Dashiell Hammett novel; and that was a good thing. The writing is clean and the plot interesting with red herrings leading you to jump to conclusions you maybe shouldn’t.
Briefly, William Twist is a partner in a detective agency which is having a difficult time, financially. Until Beth asks him to investigate her sons apparent suicide. She doesn’t believe that he would have committed suicide and is willing to pay anything to get to the bottom of his death. As Twist is in no position to turn down the more than generous offer he takes the case...
Although I get that it was part of the story, for me there was too much philosophising in the book which I found myself skipping over, and I also felt that it was padded out in places and that less would be more. That said Mark Fowler is clearly a talented author with a great command of the English language and I would read the next book in the series to see how it matures. I think a lot of people will enjoy this more than I did. However, still a respectable 3*, and if I could it would be 3.5*.
Briefly, William Twist is a partner in a detective agency which is having a difficult time, financially. Until Beth asks him to investigate her sons apparent suicide. She doesn’t believe that he would have committed suicide and is willing to pay anything to get to the bottom of his death. As Twist is in no position to turn down the more than generous offer he takes the case...
Although I get that it was part of the story, for me there was too much philosophising in the book which I found myself skipping over, and I also felt that it was padded out in places and that less would be more. That said Mark Fowler is clearly a talented author with a great command of the English language and I would read the next book in the series to see how it matures. I think a lot of people will enjoy this more than I did. However, still a respectable 3*, and if I could it would be 3.5*.
April 10, 2021
I haven't read mark Fowler's books before but I'm always willing to try something new. The Twist of the title is William Twist, a partner in a struggling private detective agency. He is approached by a a widow, Beth Hilary, who asks him to investigate the apparent suicide of her son Simon. This turns out to be anything but straight forward and we learn a lot about Simon through other characters' eyes. The plot is well written with lots of twists and turns which kept me guessing. Only three stars as I wasn't a fan of the philosophy bits (a bit high brow for me) but am looking forward to reading more from this author. I would like to say thank you to the author for the digital arc copy of the book.
April 7, 2021
William Twist is a partner in DMT detective agency and is asked by the mother of a student at Leicester University to investigate his apparent suicide. This takes him back to Leicester where he himself was a student and forces him to face up to a time in his life he would rather forget. Lots of secrets are uncovered and various twists (pardon the pun!) appear. I was reminded very much of Sam Spade and pictured the events happening in black and white!
A bit too much detail in part for my liking hence the three stars but definitely readable and I would read more by this author and more in this series when they are published.
A bit too much detail in part for my liking hence the three stars but definitely readable and I would read more by this author and more in this series when they are published.
March 17, 2021
William Twist is an ex policeman who is now working as a private detective.
He and his partners are going through a difficult time. Beth Hilary a wealthy widow wants Twist to look into her son’s suicide and although he is reluctant she is willing to pay above his usual fee.
I found this book very slow to get going and the plot a little thin.
The author certainly has a way with words and he described the university city and the workings of a philosophy student and lecturers way of dealing with the world very well, but maybe, I missed the relevance.
I
He and his partners are going through a difficult time. Beth Hilary a wealthy widow wants Twist to look into her son’s suicide and although he is reluctant she is willing to pay above his usual fee.
I found this book very slow to get going and the plot a little thin.
The author certainly has a way with words and he described the university city and the workings of a philosophy student and lecturers way of dealing with the world very well, but maybe, I missed the relevance.
I
April 4, 2021
The short book has plenty of Twists and red herrings which made for a good plot and a surprise ending. However the book felt too padded out. The philosophy slowed the book down and I don't felt added anything to this. I ended up skimming the words or having to re read incase I was missing something important which I wasn't. Without this I feel the book would have flowed at a faster pace and make the book more enjoyable.
The writer did create interesting characters though who would be interesting to be developed in further books
The writer did create interesting characters though who would be interesting to be developed in further books
April 8, 2021
I always welcome a new detective with open arms and was looking forward to a good meaty plot. Unfortunately it wasn't. A likeable enough character once he dropped his lame sense of humour, I think he might grow on me as long as the next in the series aren't full of the same level of philosophy babble as this one was.
April 8, 2021
Ex-policeman turned private investigator, Will Twist, is at a crossroads in his life and stuck in a rut. When he is,asked by a mother to investigate the apparent suicide of her son he agrees against his initial instinct. A tale of lies, secrets and life forcing people to face their demons and move on. An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews