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Jackman & Evans #11
BLACK NOTICE a gripping crime thriller full of stunning twists
A Black Notice means one thing: unidentified human remains. And this time, five skeletons lie interlocked in the darkness of a wartime pillbox.
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans are the detectives who take on the toughest cases on the Lincolnshire fens. And trouble always comes in threes.
6 a.m. on a dark autumn morning. Retired detective Bob Ruston is about to feed the dog when the doorbell rings. The man on the doorstep has blood running down his cheek and a look of terror on his face. ‘Please! Let me in! They’re going to kill me!’
Bob sees a handcuff dangling from the man’s lacerated wrist.
Later that day, a stylishly dressed woman marches into Saltern-le-Fen police station demanding to see Detective Marie Evans. ‘I want you to find my husband.’
Then a homeowner clearing undergrowth in his back garden makes a horrifying discovery. The decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox.
Detective Jackman asks Interpol to issue a Black Notice. But little is he prepared for the shocking results that come in . . .
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans are the detectives who take on the toughest cases on the Lincolnshire fens. And trouble always comes in threes.
6 a.m. on a dark autumn morning. Retired detective Bob Ruston is about to feed the dog when the doorbell rings. The man on the doorstep has blood running down his cheek and a look of terror on his face. ‘Please! Let me in! They’re going to kill me!’
Bob sees a handcuff dangling from the man’s lacerated wrist.
Later that day, a stylishly dressed woman marches into Saltern-le-Fen police station demanding to see Detective Marie Evans. ‘I want you to find my husband.’
Then a homeowner clearing undergrowth in his back garden makes a horrifying discovery. The decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox.
Detective Jackman asks Interpol to issue a Black Notice. But little is he prepared for the shocking results that come in . . .
436 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2025
1846 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Joy Ellis
62 books2,440 followersJoy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
November 28, 2025
4 Stars
The newest installment in the Jackman and Evans detective series.
Brandon finds dead corpses in what they called a pillbox while he was cleaning out his parents backyard.
A pillbox is a bunker used during the war. Only thing was these corpses weren't that old.
Jackman and Evans are on the case of who these people are.
Meanwhile a man called Lukas is working for an anonymous man named Chaos. His specialty is stealing old valuable artifacts.
Both stories become two cases.
I felt there was abit too much going on but was still intrigued.
Love the characters Joy Ellis develops.
The newest installment in the Jackman and Evans detective series.
Brandon finds dead corpses in what they called a pillbox while he was cleaning out his parents backyard.
A pillbox is a bunker used during the war. Only thing was these corpses weren't that old.
Jackman and Evans are on the case of who these people are.
Meanwhile a man called Lukas is working for an anonymous man named Chaos. His specialty is stealing old valuable artifacts.
Both stories become two cases.
I felt there was abit too much going on but was still intrigued.
Love the characters Joy Ellis develops.
December 21, 2025
*Secrets & Discoveries*
**4.5 Stars**
This is the eleventh book in the Jackman and Evans detective series and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
In this instalment, DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans face their most challenging cases yet. One is a massive case while they also have two other urgent ones to deal with.
A dishevelled man knocks on the door of a retired policeman’s home. He looks worse for wear with cuts and bruises and is clearly in need of help. However, the retired officer is wary of a scam and refuses to let him in.
The second case involves the last woman on earth who would ever step into a police station. Her husband has been released from prison but is missing. She only wants to speak to Marie.
The third case sees a homeowner clearing the undergrowth in their garden when they discover an old WW2 pillbox. Inside, they find a gruesome discovery of five rotting bodies entangled together. Now the pathologists must carefully untangle and identify the bodies.
As the investigation unfolds, Jackman issues a Black Notice via Interpol. This is when things take a dark turn as deep-seated secrets are unearthed and a technical genius is causing havoc for certain people, including the force.
**4.5 Stars**
This is the eleventh book in the Jackman and Evans detective series and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
In this instalment, DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans face their most challenging cases yet. One is a massive case while they also have two other urgent ones to deal with.
A dishevelled man knocks on the door of a retired policeman’s home. He looks worse for wear with cuts and bruises and is clearly in need of help. However, the retired officer is wary of a scam and refuses to let him in.
The second case involves the last woman on earth who would ever step into a police station. Her husband has been released from prison but is missing. She only wants to speak to Marie.
The third case sees a homeowner clearing the undergrowth in their garden when they discover an old WW2 pillbox. Inside, they find a gruesome discovery of five rotting bodies entangled together. Now the pathologists must carefully untangle and identify the bodies.
As the investigation unfolds, Jackman issues a Black Notice via Interpol. This is when things take a dark turn as deep-seated secrets are unearthed and a technical genius is causing havoc for certain people, including the force.
September 21, 2025
Superb as always! RTC.
October 2, 2025
Wasn’t as good as previous books in the series.
I couldn’t get my head around why everyone was so affected by the main crime when they’ve seen so much violence previously. It was just a pile of bones, why was it so bad?
I had a few possibilities in my head as the main villain: I was wrong on every count. I’m still not sure how I feel about the culprit. It feels like there’s something missing.
When it came to twists, this book definitely kept me guessing. I knew certain characters were being involved for a reason, but I got some of those reasons wrong.
This could have been far shorter. There were whole chapters that didn’t need to be there and felt like they were just there to get the word count up.
I think one of the main issues is that with the villain from previous books now dead, there was no sense of urgency. You weren’t worried any of the main characters could die at any moment, or second guessing the entrance & involvement of any secondary characters.
I couldn’t get my head around why everyone was so affected by the main crime when they’ve seen so much violence previously. It was just a pile of bones, why was it so bad?
I had a few possibilities in my head as the main villain: I was wrong on every count. I’m still not sure how I feel about the culprit. It feels like there’s something missing.
When it came to twists, this book definitely kept me guessing. I knew certain characters were being involved for a reason, but I got some of those reasons wrong.
This could have been far shorter. There were whole chapters that didn’t need to be there and felt like they were just there to get the word count up.
I think one of the main issues is that with the villain from previous books now dead, there was no sense of urgency. You weren’t worried any of the main characters could die at any moment, or second guessing the entrance & involvement of any secondary characters.
October 8, 2025
Good mystery with a disappointing ending.
The writing is very frustrating too. Every character has the same voice (I think everyone calls the perp a 'villain' at some point) and seems to enjoy waxing lyrical for half a page, multiple times, about how much the case is affecting them. That, and repeated going over facts of the case meant that it was double the length it needed to be.
The writing is very frustrating too. Every character has the same voice (I think everyone calls the perp a 'villain' at some point) and seems to enjoy waxing lyrical for half a page, multiple times, about how much the case is affecting them. That, and repeated going over facts of the case meant that it was double the length it needed to be.
September 28, 2025
Audiobook Review - ⭐️⭐️
So disappointed with this latest in the Jackman and Evans series. Too much going on, far too long and ultimately saved by Richard Armitage narrating it.
So disappointed with this latest in the Jackman and Evans series. Too much going on, far too long and ultimately saved by Richard Armitage narrating it.
August 17, 2025
A very very twisty book.
Jackson and Evans book eleven.
All these books in the series can be read on their own.
When a retired police officer opens his door to a man with blood on his cheek and a handcuff dangling from his wrist saying someone is out to kill him, he doesn't let him in, calling in the police, and he's gone by the time they arrive.
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans have another missing person Johnny Millard wife Anna needs Marie to help her find him, he's out on parole and is been set up.
On top of this they received a call out when five remains are found in a WW2 pillbox by two men gardening.
Fendyke village has so much going on but is all this connected, black notice has an unhealthy darkness to it now, giving me shivers.
What a book, what almighty chapters, that have you getting goosebumps.
It the best yet from Jackman and Evans, and there's more to the story as you keep on reading.
Top read, top story so much going on in the Fens to give you the creepys.
Jackson and Evans book eleven.
All these books in the series can be read on their own.
When a retired police officer opens his door to a man with blood on his cheek and a handcuff dangling from his wrist saying someone is out to kill him, he doesn't let him in, calling in the police, and he's gone by the time they arrive.
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans have another missing person Johnny Millard wife Anna needs Marie to help her find him, he's out on parole and is been set up.
On top of this they received a call out when five remains are found in a WW2 pillbox by two men gardening.
Fendyke village has so much going on but is all this connected, black notice has an unhealthy darkness to it now, giving me shivers.
What a book, what almighty chapters, that have you getting goosebumps.
It the best yet from Jackman and Evans, and there's more to the story as you keep on reading.
Top read, top story so much going on in the Fens to give you the creepys.
August 25, 2025
Utterly mesmerising! Oh what a tangled web Joy Ellis weaves. I wanted to get to the end, but I didn't want it to finish.
This latest Jackman and Evans book somehow surpasses all we've come to expect in the best possible way.
Our beloved team is immersed in everything from IT to AI, Art Deco to desolate dwellings and forensic anthropology to cyber crime to name but a few layers of this brilliant tale.
Our dear heart Rory Wilkinson shines as brightly as ever, and did I even pick up a piece of news about Nikki and Joseph?
This book has a piece of everything I love. Kindness, loyalty, empathy, hope, laughter, cheeky goings on, but all amongst a series of terrible crimes that could only be solved by our intrepid team.
If 10 ⭐ could be awarded, I'd gladly give them.
I'm so grateful to Joffe Books for the privilege of an ARC.
This latest Jackman and Evans book somehow surpasses all we've come to expect in the best possible way.
Our beloved team is immersed in everything from IT to AI, Art Deco to desolate dwellings and forensic anthropology to cyber crime to name but a few layers of this brilliant tale.
Our dear heart Rory Wilkinson shines as brightly as ever, and did I even pick up a piece of news about Nikki and Joseph?
This book has a piece of everything I love. Kindness, loyalty, empathy, hope, laughter, cheeky goings on, but all amongst a series of terrible crimes that could only be solved by our intrepid team.
If 10 ⭐ could be awarded, I'd gladly give them.
I'm so grateful to Joffe Books for the privilege of an ARC.
October 28, 2025
The best!
September 10, 2025
Black Notice by Joy Ellis is book 11 in the Jackman and Evans series. Anne Millard visits DS Marie Evans to ask for her help to look for her husband, Johnny, who has disappeared after being released early from prison. Then Jackman is called to an old war pillbox after a gruesome find inside. This case is full of horror and darkness and affects the whole team. At the same time, a hacker called Chaos, aptly named, is causing havoc for criminals but what is the end game. All the cases are very intriguing. This is a great series and worth reading from the beginning as so much has happened to the team over the course of the series. Having said that, this book can be read as a standalone. There are some great characters, including Professor Rory Wilkinson, the pathologist. He is such a funny character. They are all likeable, empathetic and a very close knit group. You can feel the camaraderie amongst them. This was so hard to put down and a fabulous read.
October 11, 2025
Neko daudz no šīs negaidīju, kā jau no Audible bezmaksas kataloga, bet bija pat ļoti izklaidējoši.
Asiņains vīrietis nakts melnumā pieklauvē pie pensionēta policista durvīm ar stāstu par to, ka ticis nolaupīts un viņu nogalinās, un pēc tam pazūd bez pēdām. Vecā kara laika bunkurā tiek atrasta samezglojusies (burtiski) kaudzīte ar līķiem, kuri ir daudz svaigāki, lai būtu tur atradušies kopš kara. No cietuma pirms laika atbrīvo iespējams nepatiesi apvainotu datorspeciālistu un nu viņa sieva vēršas policijā, jo viņš ir nozudis. Sen medīts hakeris, kas sadarbojas ar noziedzniekiem, sāk tos pasniegt policijai kā uz paplātes nozieguma vietās.
Tieši tik daudz visa kā te notiek un nevar atslābt ne mirkli. Skatos, ka šī ir 11.grāmata grāmatu sērijā, bet, lai gan bija šādas tādas atsauces uz to, kas noticis agrāk, nebija tā, ka kaut kas traucētu šo baudīt kā pavisam atsevišķu stāstu.
Traki interesants ceļojums. Izklaidei iesaku!
Asiņains vīrietis nakts melnumā pieklauvē pie pensionēta policista durvīm ar stāstu par to, ka ticis nolaupīts un viņu nogalinās, un pēc tam pazūd bez pēdām. Vecā kara laika bunkurā tiek atrasta samezglojusies (burtiski) kaudzīte ar līķiem, kuri ir daudz svaigāki, lai būtu tur atradušies kopš kara. No cietuma pirms laika atbrīvo iespējams nepatiesi apvainotu datorspeciālistu un nu viņa sieva vēršas policijā, jo viņš ir nozudis. Sen medīts hakeris, kas sadarbojas ar noziedzniekiem, sāk tos pasniegt policijai kā uz paplātes nozieguma vietās.
Tieši tik daudz visa kā te notiek un nevar atslābt ne mirkli. Skatos, ka šī ir 11.grāmata grāmatu sērijā, bet, lai gan bija šādas tādas atsauces uz to, kas noticis agrāk, nebija tā, ka kaut kas traucētu šo baudīt kā pavisam atsevišķu stāstu.
Traki interesants ceļojums. Izklaidei iesaku!
October 31, 2025
Jackman & Ellis was one of the first, if not the very first, in a long line of British detective series. It’s been awhile since I’ve read one, so it was nice to check in with old friends. There’s even mention of Nikki Galena! The Kindle Unlimited edition included an audio option with Richard Armitage as narrator. I love the convenience of switching back and forth; an added plus is having such a pro read while in the audio mode.
BLACK NOTICE has a lot of subplots and a lot of characters, none of which are very exciting. It was actually so idyllic, it may even be moving into cozy country, but I still give it an easy four stars.
BLACK NOTICE has a lot of subplots and a lot of characters, none of which are very exciting. It was actually so idyllic, it may even be moving into cozy country, but I still give it an easy four stars.
October 8, 2025
I really enjoy a book read by Richard Armitage. I really like these cosy crime books set in the Fens and feel like I have just had a catch up with a bunch of close friends. Always makes me smile that the crimes always interlink at the end even when you don’t think it will, but you know they will!
October 25, 2025
I listened to this book because narrator Richard Armitage makes everything better and I have followed this series.
The story was intriguing because there were several crimes occurring and the book started with a poor young man who had escaped his kidnappers then disappears.
When a number of dead people are discovered stashed in a Pill Box from World War II, the story started to go off track for me. The police, detectives, and medical examiners were way too spooked for who they are. Cynicism and black humor are the armor of their jobs, and skeletal remains wouldn’t cause them to be so upset.
It was interesting to learn about advances in forensics with a bone expert and 3D imaging that helps create faces from skeletons.
There was a plot about some hackers that led to an unexplained wrap up. A criminal in prison and an art thief are side stories that didn’t really wrap.
The final and biggest issue for me was the murderer. I’ve come to dislike homicides blamed on untreated mental illness. And how the victims were magicked to the pill box location left more questions than answers. There’s speculation, but it wasn’t satisfying.
So I mostly liked it, or at least went along, until the final 4-5 chapters. That’s when disappointment set in. It was diverting enough thanks to the narrator.
The story was intriguing because there were several crimes occurring and the book started with a poor young man who had escaped his kidnappers then disappears.
When a number of dead people are discovered stashed in a Pill Box from World War II, the story started to go off track for me. The police, detectives, and medical examiners were way too spooked for who they are. Cynicism and black humor are the armor of their jobs, and skeletal remains wouldn’t cause them to be so upset.
It was interesting to learn about advances in forensics with a bone expert and 3D imaging that helps create faces from skeletons.
There was a plot about some hackers that led to an unexplained wrap up. A criminal in prison and an art thief are side stories that didn’t really wrap.
The final and biggest issue for me was the murderer. I’ve come to dislike homicides blamed on untreated mental illness. And how the victims were magicked to the pill box location left more questions than answers. There’s speculation, but it wasn’t satisfying.
So I mostly liked it, or at least went along, until the final 4-5 chapters. That’s when disappointment set in. It was diverting enough thanks to the narrator.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2025
I enjoy the Jackman and Evans series like no other, however, I found this one a little underwhelming. I'm not sure if it's because it focuses so much more on cybercrime and the mental health side of things (although I'm not sure if mental health is the right 'category' to place this one), but the gravity of the main crime really just didn't land emotionally for me as I could see it did for the book characters.
Maybe I've just been so de-sensitized to such disturbing stories, but this wasn't my favourite of the series. There were a few minor errors in the audiobook version too, such as Jackman and Evans switching from KFC takeout to a Chinese takeaway, but that's only a minor issue and not really worth complaining about.
I'd still read this series and books by Joy Ellis over many, many others in a heartbeat though and can only hope that there is more Jackman and Evans to come down the track. (and that tv series gets made soon!)
Maybe I've just been so de-sensitized to such disturbing stories, but this wasn't my favourite of the series. There were a few minor errors in the audiobook version too, such as Jackman and Evans switching from KFC takeout to a Chinese takeaway, but that's only a minor issue and not really worth complaining about.
I'd still read this series and books by Joy Ellis over many, many others in a heartbeat though and can only hope that there is more Jackman and Evans to come down the track. (and that tv series gets made soon!)
August 18, 2025
Another winner from Joy Ellis. very excited to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of Black Notice. I've read all of Joys books many of which I've given 5 stars. Sadly this one I gave a 4 star. I struggled to get into this one until about a third of the way though. A few things surprised me. One was victim blaming, on at least two occasions this happened which I never noticed in her other books. A simple word change would've been all that was needed. Once the story kicked off I found I couldn't put it down. It was beautifully brought together. Twice I was caught out. One, who I thought the hacker was. Secondly who the killer was. Over all incredible book Joy. Can't wait for the next book to come out.
November 3, 2025
I enjoyed it because of Richard Armitage but the book felt sloppier than others in the series.
Read
November 3, 2025pulled the plug, not for me
October 27, 2025
Another thrilling "page-turner" by Ms. Ellis.
(I put page-turner in quotes because I availed myself of the audiobook, to immerse myself in the adept narration by Mr. Richard Armitage, who has narrated all the books in this series. *swoon* LOL)
I am simply amazed at how authors can incorporate so many details and weave them all into an engaging and credible story (not that I'm an expert at investigations or black notices or forensics ... ). Once again, Ms. Ellis took what seemed like separate storylines or cases/mysteries and connected them all at the end. More Jackman & Evans adventures, please!
(I put page-turner in quotes because I availed myself of the audiobook, to immerse myself in the adept narration by Mr. Richard Armitage, who has narrated all the books in this series. *swoon* LOL)
I am simply amazed at how authors can incorporate so many details and weave them all into an engaging and credible story (not that I'm an expert at investigations or black notices or forensics ... ). Once again, Ms. Ellis took what seemed like separate storylines or cases/mysteries and connected them all at the end. More Jackman & Evans adventures, please!
November 7, 2025
An excellent mystery.
January 3, 2026
Hmm! A lot of characters, but a nice wee twist
September 16, 2025
Black Notice is book 11 of the DI Jackman & DS Evans series. I’ve not read any of the previous books and do think this can be read as a standalone. It’s a fast paced read.
I thought the premise of this book was fantastic and I do enjoy Joys writing.
Unfortunately I just feel this book was too long. I felt like I was pushing myself to get through it towards the end and I’m a fan of short, snappy chapters so that was a struggle for me.
There we are a couple of theatrical type characters who I felt weren’t quite my cup of tea 😂. Also the overuse of ‘dear heart’ was quite trying. However, I do really like Jackman and Marie as characters.
The story was intense and the twists towards the end, I really liked!
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a longer book full of tense moments.
Overall, I give this 3 stars.
I thought the premise of this book was fantastic and I do enjoy Joys writing.
Unfortunately I just feel this book was too long. I felt like I was pushing myself to get through it towards the end and I’m a fan of short, snappy chapters so that was a struggle for me.
There we are a couple of theatrical type characters who I felt weren’t quite my cup of tea 😂. Also the overuse of ‘dear heart’ was quite trying. However, I do really like Jackman and Marie as characters.
The story was intense and the twists towards the end, I really liked!
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a longer book full of tense moments.
Overall, I give this 3 stars.
September 17, 2025
Here is my review for Black Notice by Joy Ellis
This story was a brilliantly compelling crime mystery read that started with action right from the very start of the book. There’s about three stories all involved in this complicated story making it a very involved story but terrific reading. This story was full of twists and turns making for a complicated story. I like the characters of Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans who are the main characters of the story and they get involved in the cases in this story trying to solve them. The story is brilliantly written and extremely well plotted. I believe it's possible that the author did some research for this story as it's reflected in the realistic writing of the story. I’m really getting into this series by this author and I loved this complicated story. The synopsis for this story was great and I really loved this story. I’m already looking forward to the next story by this author.
Blurb :
The brand-new book from one of Britain’s favourite mystery writers.
A Black Notice means one thing: unidentified human remains. And this time, five skeletons lie interlocked in the darkness of a wartime pillbox.
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans are the detectives who take on the toughest cases on the Lincolnshire fens. And trouble always comes in threes.
6 a.m. on a dark autumn morning. Retired detective Bob Ruston is about to feed the dog when the doorbell rings. The man on the doorstep has blood running down his cheek and a look of terror on his face. ‘Please! Let me in! They’re going to kill me!’
Bob sees a handcuff dangling from the man’s lacerated wrist.
Later that day, a stylishly dressed woman marches into Saltern-le-Fen police station demanding to see Detective Marie Evans. ‘I want you to find my husband.’
Then a homeowner clearing undergrowth in his back garden makes a horrifying discovery. The decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox.
Detective Jackman asks Interpol to issue a Black Notice. But little is he prepared for the shocking results that come in . . .
DON’T MISS THE MOST ENTHRALLING CRIME THRILLER YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR.
This utterly gripping crime mystery is perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter May, Angela Marsons, Peter James, and Elly Griffiths.
THE DETECTIVES
DI Rowan Jackman leads the investigation. He is extremely smart and has a knack for bringing out the best in his diverse team. He’s still reeling from the sudden, shocking death of his partner, and not quite back to his usual cheerful self. DS Marie Evans lost her first husband in a motorbike accident, but has recently found happiness with her new partner, fellow detective sergeant Ralph Enderby. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and colleagues.
THE SETTING
England’s rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.
This story was a brilliantly compelling crime mystery read that started with action right from the very start of the book. There’s about three stories all involved in this complicated story making it a very involved story but terrific reading. This story was full of twists and turns making for a complicated story. I like the characters of Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans who are the main characters of the story and they get involved in the cases in this story trying to solve them. The story is brilliantly written and extremely well plotted. I believe it's possible that the author did some research for this story as it's reflected in the realistic writing of the story. I’m really getting into this series by this author and I loved this complicated story. The synopsis for this story was great and I really loved this story. I’m already looking forward to the next story by this author.
Blurb :
The brand-new book from one of Britain’s favourite mystery writers.
A Black Notice means one thing: unidentified human remains. And this time, five skeletons lie interlocked in the darkness of a wartime pillbox.
Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans are the detectives who take on the toughest cases on the Lincolnshire fens. And trouble always comes in threes.
6 a.m. on a dark autumn morning. Retired detective Bob Ruston is about to feed the dog when the doorbell rings. The man on the doorstep has blood running down his cheek and a look of terror on his face. ‘Please! Let me in! They’re going to kill me!’
Bob sees a handcuff dangling from the man’s lacerated wrist.
Later that day, a stylishly dressed woman marches into Saltern-le-Fen police station demanding to see Detective Marie Evans. ‘I want you to find my husband.’
Then a homeowner clearing undergrowth in his back garden makes a horrifying discovery. The decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox.
Detective Jackman asks Interpol to issue a Black Notice. But little is he prepared for the shocking results that come in . . .
DON’T MISS THE MOST ENTHRALLING CRIME THRILLER YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR.
This utterly gripping crime mystery is perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter May, Angela Marsons, Peter James, and Elly Griffiths.
THE DETECTIVES
DI Rowan Jackman leads the investigation. He is extremely smart and has a knack for bringing out the best in his diverse team. He’s still reeling from the sudden, shocking death of his partner, and not quite back to his usual cheerful self. DS Marie Evans lost her first husband in a motorbike accident, but has recently found happiness with her new partner, fellow detective sergeant Ralph Enderby. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and colleagues.
THE SETTING
England’s rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.
October 22, 2025
Six am in the morning and retired police officer Bob Ruston is confronted on his doorstep by a man with blood on his face and a handcuff dangling from his lacerated wrist, saying ‘Please let me in, they’re going to kill me.’ Conscious of his wife and disabled son in the house, Bob dials 999. But the lad scuttles off.
This is the 11th book in the series featuring DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans.
Both have experienced the loss of a partner and have reached a kind of acceptance. Their morning is interrupted by a request from Anna Millard to speak with Marie. Her husband Johnny Millard has served seven years of a ten-year sentence, and five days ago was released on parole. And yesterday he went missing. I want you to help me find my husband, said Anna. Marie recalled he was an astute villain and found it easy to manipulate the transfer of money. Anna is convinced he was set up because he discovered something he shouldn’t and someone decided to shut him up, by revealing his hacking, fraud and identity theft. Marie and Jackman decide to look into it with DC Robbie Melton, who was proving to be a very good detective.
Enter Lucas, who has concocted a plan to rob a house owned by two brothers that contains the stuff that dreams are made of. Entering the property, Lucas saw that the décor was pure Art Deco. It was way beyond all his expectations. And his carefully formulated plan should run like clockwork since he had found the genius hacker Chaos, who despite the house’s state of the art security can easily control it.
Every couple of months Bryson Smith liked to spend at least a week in the Fens with his parents who had scraped together the money to send him to university to get a degree in fine art. Today he is attacking the garden for them. Particularly the area at the bottom which is incredibly obergrown, and with the arrival of Colin, old Gabriel Reynold’s grandson, they make terrific headway surprisingly discovering an old-World War Two air raid shelter. Sweating from exertion they could now see its shape. Let’s have a look inside, said Colin. As they expected it was full of rubbish, but as they looked closer, they could see tangled limbs, and a skeletal hand reached up. Bryson gasped, there’s someone dead in there. We need the police.
Marie and Jackman hasten to the scene. What they thought was a hoax, was clearly not. The tangle of contorted and twisted limbs showed that there was clearly more than one body.
I have read many books by Joy Ellis, and they are all fascinating mysteries. But this one exceeds all those that have gone before. So where do I start….
Is Johnny Millard dead?
Will Lucas get away with the steal of the century?
Who is the man with the lacerated arm?
Just how many dead bodies are there in the World War Two air raid shelter? Who are they and Who killed them??
Full of twists and turns, this is a gripping, heart in the mouth, edge of your seat thriller.
Most highly recommended. Keep them coming Joy.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
This is the 11th book in the series featuring DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans.
Both have experienced the loss of a partner and have reached a kind of acceptance. Their morning is interrupted by a request from Anna Millard to speak with Marie. Her husband Johnny Millard has served seven years of a ten-year sentence, and five days ago was released on parole. And yesterday he went missing. I want you to help me find my husband, said Anna. Marie recalled he was an astute villain and found it easy to manipulate the transfer of money. Anna is convinced he was set up because he discovered something he shouldn’t and someone decided to shut him up, by revealing his hacking, fraud and identity theft. Marie and Jackman decide to look into it with DC Robbie Melton, who was proving to be a very good detective.
Enter Lucas, who has concocted a plan to rob a house owned by two brothers that contains the stuff that dreams are made of. Entering the property, Lucas saw that the décor was pure Art Deco. It was way beyond all his expectations. And his carefully formulated plan should run like clockwork since he had found the genius hacker Chaos, who despite the house’s state of the art security can easily control it.
Every couple of months Bryson Smith liked to spend at least a week in the Fens with his parents who had scraped together the money to send him to university to get a degree in fine art. Today he is attacking the garden for them. Particularly the area at the bottom which is incredibly obergrown, and with the arrival of Colin, old Gabriel Reynold’s grandson, they make terrific headway surprisingly discovering an old-World War Two air raid shelter. Sweating from exertion they could now see its shape. Let’s have a look inside, said Colin. As they expected it was full of rubbish, but as they looked closer, they could see tangled limbs, and a skeletal hand reached up. Bryson gasped, there’s someone dead in there. We need the police.
Marie and Jackman hasten to the scene. What they thought was a hoax, was clearly not. The tangle of contorted and twisted limbs showed that there was clearly more than one body.
I have read many books by Joy Ellis, and they are all fascinating mysteries. But this one exceeds all those that have gone before. So where do I start….
Is Johnny Millard dead?
Will Lucas get away with the steal of the century?
Who is the man with the lacerated arm?
Just how many dead bodies are there in the World War Two air raid shelter? Who are they and Who killed them??
Full of twists and turns, this is a gripping, heart in the mouth, edge of your seat thriller.
Most highly recommended. Keep them coming Joy.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
September 16, 2025
I love this series, obviously best off starting from the beginning and read in order for maximum enjoyment. I personally played catch-up the first 6 or so by Audiobook read by the amazing Richard Armitage, and have read the subsequent books in his voice in my head!
So, in this, their 11th outing, Jackman and Evans are called out to investigate a rather nasty discovery. The skeletons of multiple bodies have been found in a pill box which sits on a farmers land, backing on to a domestic property, the son of the owners having discovered them as he was clearing undergrowth in their garden.
Meanwhile, retired detective, Bob Ruston, is accosted on his doorstep by a dishevelled young man with a handcuff dangling from his cut wrist, he wants to be let in, but Bob fears a scam and doesn't let him in. He does offer help but the man flees.
And if that wasn't enough to get your teeth into, a woman walks into the station, asking for Evans, as she wants her to find her husband. He being a villain who has just go tout of jail.
Quite how all this connects, if indeed any or all of it does, I will leave for you to find out. Suffice to say that you need your wits about you for this one as, as well as all the usual secrets, lies, twists, and turns, there's convolution and interconnection aplenty. But there's also some well love familiar faces as well as Jackman and Evans to ease your passage...
I love this series. I know I already said that, but I do. I also love the Nikki Galena series which is set in the same place and shares some of the characters - oh and then there's also Matt Ballard, and now Ellie McEwan to join the long list of books I recommend you all read if you haven't already! You could say that I am a bit of a superfan of the author, cut to the chase!
So it's no surprise that I absolutely loved this book. Every box I need for a good book to be a great read was duly ticked. Cracking story, great characters, perfect pacing, wholly satisfying ending, all delivered in a no nonsense, no waffle or padding way. The real deal.
There is also a good balance between the personal and the cases. Obviously with a series book you invest in the characters and follow them as they grow and develop as the series progresses. Sometimes this can overshadow the main story but here, it's complementary rather than intrusive.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue. All that's left is to wait for the audio book to be released and revisit it with Richard reading it to me.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, in this, their 11th outing, Jackman and Evans are called out to investigate a rather nasty discovery. The skeletons of multiple bodies have been found in a pill box which sits on a farmers land, backing on to a domestic property, the son of the owners having discovered them as he was clearing undergrowth in their garden.
Meanwhile, retired detective, Bob Ruston, is accosted on his doorstep by a dishevelled young man with a handcuff dangling from his cut wrist, he wants to be let in, but Bob fears a scam and doesn't let him in. He does offer help but the man flees.
And if that wasn't enough to get your teeth into, a woman walks into the station, asking for Evans, as she wants her to find her husband. He being a villain who has just go tout of jail.
Quite how all this connects, if indeed any or all of it does, I will leave for you to find out. Suffice to say that you need your wits about you for this one as, as well as all the usual secrets, lies, twists, and turns, there's convolution and interconnection aplenty. But there's also some well love familiar faces as well as Jackman and Evans to ease your passage...
I love this series. I know I already said that, but I do. I also love the Nikki Galena series which is set in the same place and shares some of the characters - oh and then there's also Matt Ballard, and now Ellie McEwan to join the long list of books I recommend you all read if you haven't already! You could say that I am a bit of a superfan of the author, cut to the chase!
So it's no surprise that I absolutely loved this book. Every box I need for a good book to be a great read was duly ticked. Cracking story, great characters, perfect pacing, wholly satisfying ending, all delivered in a no nonsense, no waffle or padding way. The real deal.
There is also a good balance between the personal and the cases. Obviously with a series book you invest in the characters and follow them as they grow and develop as the series progresses. Sometimes this can overshadow the main story but here, it's complementary rather than intrusive.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue. All that's left is to wait for the audio book to be released and revisit it with Richard reading it to me.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 15, 2025
Every time Joy Ellis releases a new Jackman and Evans book, I feel a rush of excitement that’s hard to put into words. This series has become such a favourite of mine that each instalment feels like a long-awaited reunion, and Black Notice(eleventh in the series) proves yet again why Joy Ellis is one of the best in the business.
From the very first page, I was hooked. Ellis throws us straight into the kind of tangled mysteries she does so brilliantly, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. She gives us threads that seem completely unconnected at first, yet I knew—because it’s Joy Ellis—that somehow they’d come together in the most jaw-dropping way. And she didn’t let me down. The reveals, the twists, the way everything clicks into place at just the right moment—it’s pure crime fiction magic.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just the cases that keep me coming back. It’s Jackman, Evans, and the rest of the team. Eleven books in, and they feel like old friends now. I love spending time with them. Their warmth, their humanity, and the way they pull together as a team - it balances out the darker, chilling side of the crimes and makes every story richer. That’s the secret ingredient Joy Ellis brings to her writing, and it’s why I never want these books to end.
The pacing is relentless. I was glued to my Kindle, completely lost in the story, whispering “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2am and I’d reached the end. And what an ending it was—tense, shocking, and absolutely worth the ride. Ellis knows exactly how to keep you guessing and how to deliver a finale that leaves you breathless and desperate for the next instalment.
I honestly can’t get enough of this series. Black Notice has everything I adore - twists that made me gasp out loud, characters I love spending time with, and that unmistakable Ellis atmosphere that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Five stars feels like the bare minimum. This book is an event, a treat, a highlight of my reading year—and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
If you’re new to Joy Ellis, you’ve just found your next obsession. And if, like me, you’ve been here from the start, then you already know: Black Notice is another absolute triumph.
From the very first page, I was hooked. Ellis throws us straight into the kind of tangled mysteries she does so brilliantly, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. She gives us threads that seem completely unconnected at first, yet I knew—because it’s Joy Ellis—that somehow they’d come together in the most jaw-dropping way. And she didn’t let me down. The reveals, the twists, the way everything clicks into place at just the right moment—it’s pure crime fiction magic.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just the cases that keep me coming back. It’s Jackman, Evans, and the rest of the team. Eleven books in, and they feel like old friends now. I love spending time with them. Their warmth, their humanity, and the way they pull together as a team - it balances out the darker, chilling side of the crimes and makes every story richer. That’s the secret ingredient Joy Ellis brings to her writing, and it’s why I never want these books to end.
The pacing is relentless. I was glued to my Kindle, completely lost in the story, whispering “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 2am and I’d reached the end. And what an ending it was—tense, shocking, and absolutely worth the ride. Ellis knows exactly how to keep you guessing and how to deliver a finale that leaves you breathless and desperate for the next instalment.
I honestly can’t get enough of this series. Black Notice has everything I adore - twists that made me gasp out loud, characters I love spending time with, and that unmistakable Ellis atmosphere that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Five stars feels like the bare minimum. This book is an event, a treat, a highlight of my reading year—and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
If you’re new to Joy Ellis, you’ve just found your next obsession. And if, like me, you’ve been here from the start, then you already know: Black Notice is another absolute triumph.
September 14, 2025
Black Notice by Joy Ellis is a highly recommended complex and detailed procedural and crime thriller. This is the eleventh book in the DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans series.
On the Lincolnshire fens Detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans have three cases that come to them. First a retired officer Bob Ruston has a terrified bloodstained man with a handcuff dangling from his wrist ring his doorbell and ask for help. The man leaves before police arrive. Second a wife walks into the Saltern-le-Fen police station and asks Marie to help her find her husband who was just released from prison. Third a homeowner discovers the decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox. Woven between these cases is a planned art theft and a hacker called Chaos causing trouble for criminals. All these disparate threads eventually connect and reach a conclusion.
This is a well-written procedural which follows the investigation of several intricate, complicated cases. The clues are logically followed as more information is uncovered in the various investigations and includes several twists along the way. A Black Notice means unidentified human remains, so readers will know what is going to be happening, although the number is surprising. The various cases are interesting, but it did take me a while to actually get engaged with the novel. This was my first foray into the DI Jackman & DS Evans series and at times I did feel a little lost.
The characters are all portrayed as realistic, complicated individuals. Those who have been following the series will likely embrace all of them as known characters and be excited to follow their new investigation. They all certainly work well together as a team. As this was my first introduction to all of them I didn't quite have the background needed to fully appreciate them.
Black Notice will be best appreciated by those who enjoy procedurals and are following the series. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
On the Lincolnshire fens Detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans have three cases that come to them. First a retired officer Bob Ruston has a terrified bloodstained man with a handcuff dangling from his wrist ring his doorbell and ask for help. The man leaves before police arrive. Second a wife walks into the Saltern-le-Fen police station and asks Marie to help her find her husband who was just released from prison. Third a homeowner discovers the decomposing remains of five bodies tangled together in an old WW2 pillbox. Woven between these cases is a planned art theft and a hacker called Chaos causing trouble for criminals. All these disparate threads eventually connect and reach a conclusion.
This is a well-written procedural which follows the investigation of several intricate, complicated cases. The clues are logically followed as more information is uncovered in the various investigations and includes several twists along the way. A Black Notice means unidentified human remains, so readers will know what is going to be happening, although the number is surprising. The various cases are interesting, but it did take me a while to actually get engaged with the novel. This was my first foray into the DI Jackman & DS Evans series and at times I did feel a little lost.
The characters are all portrayed as realistic, complicated individuals. Those who have been following the series will likely embrace all of them as known characters and be excited to follow their new investigation. They all certainly work well together as a team. As this was my first introduction to all of them I didn't quite have the background needed to fully appreciate them.
Black Notice will be best appreciated by those who enjoy procedurals and are following the series. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/0...
October 26, 2025
Unputdownable in parts but too long
This is a good crime mystery, on a par with Ellis’ other books in the Jackman and Evans series. It’s too long though. At over 400 pages, I felt that Ellis spent too much time at the beginning of the book laying out different characters, setting up disparate storylines that, while it might make the book interesting to some readers (“a complex plot”) confused me. So many different police officers, peripheral characters, that, whenever I settled down and picked up the book where I had left off, got back into the story, I had to remind myself who was who. It’s a credit to Ellis that I could usually remember after a few pages but I did feel in parts that it was too much “extra” descriptions, especially at the end where I was left wondering if some of the action had really been just a red herring.
One plot concerns bodies in an old pillbox on a farm and the other concerns thievery, specifically an art theft. For half the book we are given a look into the planning of the theft through the eyes of the thief with sophisticated cyber technology. This technology is also very much highlighted in solving the mystery of who the victims in the pillbox were. AI is mentioned several times, bringing the plot into our modern times.
All of that was interesting and that is indeed one of Ellis’ strengths, she is a very good writer. But the book was just, in my opinion, too long and complicated and the ending has a few loose ends—does she intend to bring some of these characters back in Book 12? At my age and stage I prefer that the main characters solve a crime completely, book by book and the criminals from that book just stay there. Otherwise I start reading a new book in the series, often a year later, and I’ve completely forgotten who was who except for the main characters. Makes me wonder if I need to go back to the previous book but I just don’t want to. Perhaps that could be solved if she had a précis for books that she was bringing characters back into.
Still I do like Ellis and despite my complaining, I will continue to read her.
This is a good crime mystery, on a par with Ellis’ other books in the Jackman and Evans series. It’s too long though. At over 400 pages, I felt that Ellis spent too much time at the beginning of the book laying out different characters, setting up disparate storylines that, while it might make the book interesting to some readers (“a complex plot”) confused me. So many different police officers, peripheral characters, that, whenever I settled down and picked up the book where I had left off, got back into the story, I had to remind myself who was who. It’s a credit to Ellis that I could usually remember after a few pages but I did feel in parts that it was too much “extra” descriptions, especially at the end where I was left wondering if some of the action had really been just a red herring.
One plot concerns bodies in an old pillbox on a farm and the other concerns thievery, specifically an art theft. For half the book we are given a look into the planning of the theft through the eyes of the thief with sophisticated cyber technology. This technology is also very much highlighted in solving the mystery of who the victims in the pillbox were. AI is mentioned several times, bringing the plot into our modern times.
All of that was interesting and that is indeed one of Ellis’ strengths, she is a very good writer. But the book was just, in my opinion, too long and complicated and the ending has a few loose ends—does she intend to bring some of these characters back in Book 12? At my age and stage I prefer that the main characters solve a crime completely, book by book and the criminals from that book just stay there. Otherwise I start reading a new book in the series, often a year later, and I’ve completely forgotten who was who except for the main characters. Makes me wonder if I need to go back to the previous book but I just don’t want to. Perhaps that could be solved if she had a précis for books that she was bringing characters back into.
Still I do like Ellis and despite my complaining, I will continue to read her.
September 19, 2025
Bryson Smith and gardener Colin are delighted to discover a WW2 pillbox whilst clearing his parents’ garden in the quiet village of Fendyke but their joy soon turns to horror when the skeletons of multiple bodies are found inside. Meanwhile DI Rowan Jackson and his team of DS Marie Evans and DCs Robbie Melton, Charlie Button, Gary Pritchard, Max Cohen and Kevin Stoner have other cases on hand including a money laundering gang to catch. Also, Johnny Millard, a very clever hacker and newly released from prison, has disappeared and his wife, adamant that he was set up by someone even more skilled for the cybercrime he was convicted of, is terrified he is dead, and a retired police officer, Bob, has reported an injured and handcuffed man has come to his door claiming he has been kidnapped. Bob calls the police but the man flees when two very suspicious looking vehicles appear to be searching for him. It’s a good job the detectives aren’t even aware of a cunning antiques thief with a highly skilled accomplice who is currently casing a veritable treasure trove of a house. Whilst the wonderful Orac deploys all her skills and that of a bright new recruit to look into Johnny’s case, Rory and The Bone Lady set about identifying the five victims. With all these investigations already running, can things get any more complicated for the team? Oh yes, by a country mile. Read on for another absolutely brilliant story in this great series.
DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans working at Saltern-le-Fen in the Fenland Constabulary police make a great partnership, assisted by their very close and loyal squad and it’s always good to see fond favourites Sam, Julia, Orac and Rory.
Just when I think this series can’t get any better, this marvellous author goes one step further, producing a twisty and cleverly plotted story with some very interesting characters and lots of threads that are expertly woven together. I can thoroughly recommend both this book and the entire series.
DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans working at Saltern-le-Fen in the Fenland Constabulary police make a great partnership, assisted by their very close and loyal squad and it’s always good to see fond favourites Sam, Julia, Orac and Rory.
Just when I think this series can’t get any better, this marvellous author goes one step further, producing a twisty and cleverly plotted story with some very interesting characters and lots of threads that are expertly woven together. I can thoroughly recommend both this book and the entire series.
October 6, 2025
3.5 but rounded down, sadly.
I struggled to get into this book. It just might be a me thing and not because of book itself. It’s possibly been too long since the last J/E book and I’ve simply unable to remember some details and characters. This is why I need to stop all new books and reread everything for my MTW reading journal.
Do love that there’s more than one case going for the team, as difficult as it makes their job, I think it maybe more realistic.
I struggled to feel the contents of the pillbox (underground WW2 bunker) was all that gruesome and beyond other crimes they've encountered. Maybe I'm too desensitized but I really couldn't pull it out from descriptions of scene. For the cast of characters to just lament how bad it was, wasn't enough for me to "feel" how bad it was. The how and why was very clever though.
The second storyline with Chaos bothered me a whole bunch and that's why I have given it a lower rating. Not the crimes, but the who, how, and sort of, the why--I get the big why, the reasoning, but why did Chaos have the reasoning? Maybe I missed something and upon a reread I'll figure it out.
I suspected one person, the newest one to join Orac's team. I was back on forth on it being her but then when Chaos is revealed, I guess I don't understand what Chaos did in their former job/life to have the skills to pull this off, Off so well as to keep experts like Orac and her team or even Johnny Millard from figuring out how Chaos did what they did or who they were.
Of course, with these police procedurals, all the seemingly different cases do manage to come together and it's always fun to see that happen. The workings of a strong writer. I love Joy Ellis' books but there were a few things I left questioning, more than other books. I know she's been recovering from an illness, so I'll mark it down to that. I still think her books are fabulous.
I struggled to get into this book. It just might be a me thing and not because of book itself. It’s possibly been too long since the last J/E book and I’ve simply unable to remember some details and characters. This is why I need to stop all new books and reread everything for my MTW reading journal.
Do love that there’s more than one case going for the team, as difficult as it makes their job, I think it maybe more realistic.
I struggled to feel the contents of the pillbox (underground WW2 bunker) was all that gruesome and beyond other crimes they've encountered. Maybe I'm too desensitized but I really couldn't pull it out from descriptions of scene. For the cast of characters to just lament how bad it was, wasn't enough for me to "feel" how bad it was. The how and why was very clever though.
The second storyline with Chaos bothered me a whole bunch and that's why I have given it a lower rating. Not the crimes, but the who, how, and sort of, the why--I get the big why, the reasoning, but why did Chaos have the reasoning? Maybe I missed something and upon a reread I'll figure it out.
I suspected one person, the newest one to join Orac's team. I was back on forth on it being her but then when Chaos is revealed, I guess I don't understand what Chaos did in their former job/life to have the skills to pull this off, Off so well as to keep experts like Orac and her team or even Johnny Millard from figuring out how Chaos did what they did or who they were.
Of course, with these police procedurals, all the seemingly different cases do manage to come together and it's always fun to see that happen. The workings of a strong writer. I love Joy Ellis' books but there were a few things I left questioning, more than other books. I know she's been recovering from an illness, so I'll mark it down to that. I still think her books are fabulous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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