Head in the Sand

DI Nick Dixon #2

by Damien Boyd

The discovery of a severed head in a bunker on Burnham and Berrow golf course triggers a frantic race to find a serial killer that brings the seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea to a standstill.

When the connection is made with a series of unsolved murders over thirty years before, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon finds himself chasing ghosts from the past in a race against time that takes him the length and breadth of the country.

The brutal killing of an elderly man in a flat on Burnham seafront raises the stakes and, as he closes in, Dixon begins to question whether he is chasing one serial killer or two....

A fast paced crime thriller and the second in the DI Nick Dixon Crime Series.

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

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2013

About the author

Damien Boyd is a former solicitor turned crime fiction writer.

Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.

Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.

Reviews

[Kylie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable crime novel, which sees the return of DI Nick Dixon. Dixon has been called out to a crime scene on a golf course, where a severed head has been found in a bunker. The body is soon located and Dixon and his team have their work cut out figuring who the body belonged to, and why they were murdered. The clues take them back to a decades old incident, and they start to narrow their list of suspects, but will they find the perpetrator in time?

Quick and easy to read, I'm finding this to be quite an enjoyable series. With good characters and interesting plots, it's not quite in the unputdownable level, but worth reading none the less.

[Barry who enjoys well-written thrillers, mysteries , & espionage & loathes romance, horror & supernat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this book and, since my brain is past its sell-by date, I only recall generalities about it and, for that, I apologize because this review won't contain as much information as I generally include. Mia culpa, mia culpa, mia maxima culpa. Okay, now that that shit´s ought of the way, on to the review.

A human head is found in a sand trap on a golf course near the idyllic town of Burnham-on-Sea. There is no trace of the body to which the head would be a match. Hardnose Detective Inspector Nick Dixon is on the case. He finds a link to another murder that took place many years before. Many, many years before.

Then another body of more recent vintage is found and this body is clearly related to the case. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or maybe two? Why the huge time gap between the murders?

Head in the Sand was an enjoyable, plausible, read that moved along at a nice pace, had mostly believable characters and maintained my interest to the extent that I have decided to read another in the DI Nick Dixon series. From my perspective, that is the most important feedback an author can receive.

Finito

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in a police procedural series based in the South West, Burnham on Sea area, with DI Nick Dixon.
This is a compact story where a complicated case is solved in double quick time due to the team working all hours to get to the bottom of a murder that has a direct links to an unsolved murder some 30 years before.
The writing is crisp and to the point; very little is wasted in telling this story, no padding, just the basic facts like a 60 minute crime drama.
I like the control Dixon holds over his team and the sense of group working. however the lack of personal management of his own condition leads to poor judgement and ultimately could lose him his job. This and his 'secret' relationship with one of his officers are the only narratives going other than the main plot for the murder mystery. Indeed his lack of care of his diabetes could point to Dixon having his head in the sand regarding self-control.
As a detective though he is first rate, impulsive and quick thinking. A grasp of facts and a good analytical mind lead him to move on quickly in this case and ultimately solve the murders almost single-handed.
It is perhaps too soon to make firm judgements but from the evidence to date Damien Boyd has real potential to write a top ten best seller and rise to the top of the crime thriller charts.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grisly discovery of a head on a golf course is investigated by Detective Nick Dixon and he finds a link to murders over 30 years ago. Another murder steps up the case- and they have got to find the killer before he gets the chance to strike again. But why is there such a gap between the two sets of crimes- is he looking for one or two killers?

This was a fairly fast paced book and second in a gripping series. I am keen to read more.

Many thanks to Amazon Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars.

Definitely better and a lot less boring than the first book of the series, I enjoyed this one. The mystery was interesting, the development in the romance between the H and his lady was sweet, and I'm glad I listened to Trish and stuck with it.

There wasn't any sex in this book and I liked that a lot. I also appreciate that the author doesn't mention how handsome/pretty/good looking any of the characters is every other chapter. The story telling is still sort of dry, with lots of dialogue and abrupt action, but I think I'm getting used to it. Hopefully Damien Boyd will get better and better.

[Rich B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off OK - who doesn't like a good decapitation in a crime novel? - but ran out of steam halfway through, and by the end I was finding the writing and characters quite grating.

I did wonder at one point whether the author was aiming for a specific word count (never a good sign) as there is a lot of unnecessary filler material that slows the pace down and reads more like the style of a policeman giving factual evidence in court than a 'fast paced crime thriller' as it's been described. A good editor could have stripped this book back to it's core elements and produced a much better read. Chekov's gun was sadly absent in this book.

A couple of examples - if you can't see why these would be grating, maybe you'd enjoy this book?

* At one point, a couple of paragraphs are taken up with what I could basically describe as "the (character) searched for (plot point) on google". The length of time the search took and how many results it gave - hmm, don't care really.

* Other reviewers have pointed out the insistent use of time of day for every plot point (at 8.30am he did this, but 10am he was doing this, then there was this briefing for the team at 6pm etc), I'd also add the insistent use of specific addresses, description of houses and locations and descriptions of basically knocking on someone's door and them answering - these all generally take up a few paragraphs every time the main character visits somewhere new e.g to meet a certain witness and grow pretty tedious as they are used repeatedly.

* Also, every new character is basically described in the same way, gender, hair colour, clothing, that's about it. Nothing distinguishing or memorable really, and by the end I'd forgotten or didn't really care who was who. He was an older man with greying hair wearing brown trousers and a cream shirt while she was blonde-haired woman in her thirties wearing a black skirt and a white blouse with a beige cardigan. Occasionally a character might be 'on the phone' or 'eating a sandwich' when we meet them. Yawn.

* The main character also developed quite an annoying habit of reacting to anyone who didn't IMMEDIATELY do what he asked them (even if it was someone like a doctor's receptionist who didn't even know who he was) saying "It's a murder enquiry! You'll do it right now!" - like repeatedly and make him come across as a bit of a pompous prat to be honest. Also, while 'disregard for the rules' is a bit of a trope in these detective characterisations, the 'rules' that DI Dixon breaks aren't really done for the good of solving the crime, and are done in a very cack-handed way (failing to report an accident, sleeping with an officer on his team etc) that didn't make him come across well at all.

I did really want to like these books as I'm familiar with the area they are set in, but this was quite disappointing really. There are many many better books in this genre.

[Nick Masters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was excellent and the unraveling of the mystery was carried out superbly.

I just wish there could be more character development. The book is written in a very fact based manner, which doesn't allow much emotion to develop anywhere. Even when there are pivotal moments for the characters, they are carried out in a very fact based manner. I can't take anything away from the fast paced crime aspect of the novel, just wish i knew a little more about the characters and their outlooks.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery (the series is set in the UK). Starts out good with the very first page!

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable police procedural crime story in this series. Looking forward to the next.

I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

[Bicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable run of the mill police procedural. The first book in the series is the weakest.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it..

So, title: Head in the Sand. In actuality it’s not just the title there really is a-head-in-the-sand, on the 12th hole of the golf course. Ewww. Nice way to start a story. If that doesn’t catch your attention nothing will. Then there was another headless body found and the hunt was really on. And the way they went through list after list until they narrowed things down and made the arrest, only to find out the guy was innocent. Then having to start over again.

I love Dixon and his crew, and I really like the relationship he has with Jane. There’s nothing romantic about it but you can still feel the closeness they share. No sex! Not even a simple kiss. Bummer.

I liked this book much better than the first one. But the first one was all about rock-climbing and I didn’t understand half of what was said about that.

There was swearing in this and the F-bomb was used 30 times.

As to the Narrator: Napoleon Ryan is just fantastic. His men sound so different and the women sound so gentle and sweet, and like a woman! One reviewer said this, “You would swear multiple people were reading,” and I couldn’t agree more. His many voices are just amazing.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really bad detective story.

Supposed to be fast paced and gripping but not for me. It's the second in the DI Nick Dixon series and in this one he is investigating the case of a head found in the bunker of the golf course. So far so good except not.

I think the problem is that the author tries to make it too fast paced. There is little in the way of descriptions, characterization or emotion and this causes it to fall far short in my opinion.

A description of a character comes to tall/short, man/woman with (insert colour here) hair. An interview with a key witness or suspect runs to 6 questions max. There is absolutely no conflict. Everyone gets along and supposed angry or upset people are smoothed over with a word.

Maybe I just expect too much but I doubt I'll be reading any more in this series.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: HEAD IN THE SAND by Damian Boyd

Surprisingly, the figure of speech is literal, blazingly so. Author Damian Boyd gives Avon and Somerset Police Detective Inspector Nick Dixon a massively convoluted, crimes-in-different-eras, gritty noirish case to unravel. As his off-scene relationship with Detective Constable Jane Winter deepens, Dixon is tasked with a series of inexplicable crimes, and troubled by his diabetes.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! It may be a short and sweet book, but it reels you in and there’s no guessing where you will end.

[Jane Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the first in this series but this second one is great !!
It’s like the first was the scene setter for the characters .. now I ‘know’ them a little bit I’ve really really enjoyed this next instalment . This book is not so much PAZZZAZZZ and far fetched conclusions but more good old fashioned detective work . Can’t wait to start the third book now .

[Brian Deegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely paced and good progression with the case.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Nick Dixon series about a Detective Inspector in a small seaside town in Somerset, solving mysteries with Jane, his colleague and lover - bit dodgy that, since he's also her boss. This one is a more straightforward police procedural, with nothing about rock climbing, like the first.

A serial killer is decapitating people with a link to a past tragedy, leaving the heads in strange places (I didn't understand the significance of the sink.)
Dixon is a good hero, despite being a bit bolshy and judgemental - he's smart but not "special" or damaged like so many crime series leads. The writing is pretty good, and the plot moves swiftly enough - I like that these books are not too long, and do focus on the detecting rather than the detective's personal life. I'm glad there are 3 or 4 more to look forward to.

[James Calhoun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, but could have been excellent!!

This is a very good story. I like the plot and the mystery. It could be much improved by adding more detail to the story line. For example, Nick & Jane have dinner. What do they talk about? What are they wearing? How do they feel? I'm reading book 3 now and I don't recall at all what Jane looks like. Adding missing detail would also lengthen the novel from a couple hundred pages to 300 to 400 pages!

[Safina Hussain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is great and is well written however it is rushed from start to finish. Damien Boyd seems to lack character development in this series and so i don't think I'll be continuing (although the first book was better than this one so if you are only to read one read that!) There are a couple of excellent plot twists but it is a shame that they weren't covered in more detail.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to read other readers' notions of story and character development. What I like about this series in the way it sketches in relationships and character through a narrative of police procedure. It is subtle and engaging. The narrative focuses on the police trail - and I found it gripping. The story takes us down each of the 'lines of enquiry' so we build a picture. Rather than 'red herrings' we see the elimination of possibilities, the impact of wrong conclusions.

There is enough personal life for us to understand the strengths and weaknesses of bonds within a team - the inevitability, limitations and power of them.

Boyd is a good storyteller. There is a sense of integrity - of the processes on which both Crome solutions and relationships are built - underpinning his narrative.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps to the point

I read this a couple of years ago and it loses nothing in a second read. I like that there is no unnecessary padding. Everything is relevant to the case being investigated. This is the second book in the series. As the title suggests a severed head is found in the sand and investigation quickly finds the body nearby. A second body turns up having suffered a similar fate before the detectives are eventually directed to a another case which happened years ago. Unexpected links suggest the same killer but is it and why go to the trouble of removing the heads?

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Nick Dixon is back, this time investigating a series of grisly murders stretching back decades. Together with canine companion Monty and DC Jane Winter at his side, Dixon works his way through some solid detective work, and clocks up a fair few miles on the M5, on his way to solving the case. This is a detective story of the old school, with a main protagonist who is only slightly flawed, and a satisfactory ending. I thought I'd worked it all out, but I was wrong! A most enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more in the series.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Di Nick Dixon Crime Series. I'm pretty new to this series, having only read book one and two so, but I consider myself quite lucky as I can dive into the rest of the series so far at my leisure. No hanging around waiting for the next one.

​I've enjoyed this book, I'm slowly getting to know characters and making my mind up of what I think of them. 
​A head is found in the sand at a golf course. It's down to the team to figure out the who, why and how. And it's done very well. 
​When the case seems to be linked to a case decades before the story really gets going and makes you think.
​Very well written and thoroughly enjoyable. Gorey but not to over done. A crime thriller to keep you guessing, and will keep you turning the pages.

[Gary Dowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced thriller from Damien Boyd as DI Nick Dixon is on the trail of a murderer who dispatches their victims in a very public and gruesome manner. Much like the first book, character development comes second to the speed and pacing of the story which may not be to everyone's liking but it was fine with me. It is effectively a whodunnit with a couple of decent red herrings thrown in for good measure and if you fancy a gory whodunnit then you could do a lot worse than this.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed being able to continue this series and get a better feel for the world-building and characters. It's totally satisfying as they work the police procedures and gather evidence. The characters are a bit odd, but hey, people are a bit odd. I can't decide if that makes it more or less realistic. There is a bit of the humor in the DI's personal issues.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I found the characters interesting and the plot credible. I really loved the strong sense of place - I've been to many of the places described and that just added to the story for me.

[Jean Waddup]

Went at a good pace.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collision Course

History meets present day, revenge, and people holding grudges from different eras, not understanding of the medical changes and understanding as time goes on.

Excellent book, very twisting ending but this shows twists and turns throughout, and the ending was a surprise.

It is interesting showing how old fashioned policing methods work

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio version of this book 📕 a good addition to the series, I just wish the main character was more likeable !!