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DI Nicki Hardcastle #4
Skin of Their Teeth
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
- GenresMystery
332 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
November 20, 2025
Skin Of Their Teeth’ is an involving thriller that keeps DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team working long hours but also affects her personally. This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I feel it would be better to read it in the full series but feel can also be read as a standalone. The plot is well thought-out and there are numerous twists and turns. I like Nicki who works well with her hardworking team, but I think I would have a better understanding of the background if I read the previous books in the series. Overall I found this to be a thrilling book with good twists.
Big thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Skin of Their Teeth’, book 4 of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series written by Michelle Kidd, in exchange for my honest review.
Big thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Skin of Their Teeth’, book 4 of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series written by Michelle Kidd, in exchange for my honest review.
November 21, 2025
3.5 stars for me.
D.I. Nicki Hardcastle have a hard case to solve.Bodies pile up,and all seem to be connected to year 2005.Not many things make sense,but this case have more secrets uravelling and grotesque murders getting more close to home.
Will Nicki get the killer before more bodies turn up?
Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lifes.I got to know most characters ,and from their POV we get full story of disturbing events,that in time they fasten and there is no coming back from it.Good first book for me by this author,I hope to read more.
Thank you Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
D.I. Nicki Hardcastle have a hard case to solve.Bodies pile up,and all seem to be connected to year 2005.Not many things make sense,but this case have more secrets uravelling and grotesque murders getting more close to home.
Will Nicki get the killer before more bodies turn up?
Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lifes.I got to know most characters ,and from their POV we get full story of disturbing events,that in time they fasten and there is no coming back from it.Good first book for me by this author,I hope to read more.
Thank you Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
February 18, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review
Skin Of Their Teeth
Book 4 in the Nicki Hardcastle series
by author Michelle kidd
It is if no surprise to me that Michelle has once again smashed it with this riveting and gripping police crime thriller, and in my opinion her best one in this series.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle whilst on leave gets a call, she is needed at the station, something she needs to see.
Jacob Towers is found impaled on the fence spikes from a fall from the rooftop of a four story house, did he jump? Nicki and her team have their doubts, some things don't make sense, seven of his own teeth extracted and found in his pocket, could there have been a second person up there and have him a push?
A couple of days later another body found just as brutal and again seven teeth found on his person.
Then there's the voicemails and written messages left for the victims before their deaths.
"It's time for you to pay for what you did" it seems someone is out for justice and revenge. This is a complex case for Nicki and the team as the victims have their secrets there are lies are evident by friends and contacts.
I was completely hooked by this suspense novel by Michelle kidd, a fast-paced and intense police crime thriller.
As always the characters are incredible as are the location settings.
Skin Of Their teeth is an extremely compelling read, and I don't want to put this book down.
Skin Of Their Teeth
Book 4 in the Nicki Hardcastle series
by author Michelle kidd
It is if no surprise to me that Michelle has once again smashed it with this riveting and gripping police crime thriller, and in my opinion her best one in this series.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle whilst on leave gets a call, she is needed at the station, something she needs to see.
Jacob Towers is found impaled on the fence spikes from a fall from the rooftop of a four story house, did he jump? Nicki and her team have their doubts, some things don't make sense, seven of his own teeth extracted and found in his pocket, could there have been a second person up there and have him a push?
A couple of days later another body found just as brutal and again seven teeth found on his person.
Then there's the voicemails and written messages left for the victims before their deaths.
"It's time for you to pay for what you did" it seems someone is out for justice and revenge. This is a complex case for Nicki and the team as the victims have their secrets there are lies are evident by friends and contacts.
I was completely hooked by this suspense novel by Michelle kidd, a fast-paced and intense police crime thriller.
As always the characters are incredible as are the location settings.
Skin Of Their teeth is an extremely compelling read, and I don't want to put this book down.
December 11, 2025
I’ll admit, and apologise here and now that this is not the most interesting intro of all time. But a few months ago I, along with several of my day job colleagues who work in different teams, attended a meeting at one of our client’s offices. As luck would have it, the others all got to speak first and some of them faced what can be best described as “a little bit of a grilling”. Which left me feeling partly sympathetic, and partly increasingly nervous as I wondered what the lady leading the discussion from the client’s side had in store for me.
The short answer, much to my relief, was ‘not much’. It turned out that she was happy with the work that my team had done recently and for that very reason, had no comments to make. Not exactly enthusiastic praise, but praise nonetheless.
And I absolutely mean it as no insult to say that this is a little bit like how it feels to be writing my review of Skin of Their Teeth by Michelle Kidd. For what are undoubtedly all the right reasons, I don’t have a great deal to say.
It’s simply a very good police procedural novel. The plot is very well constructed, with a grim, yet intriguing opening that’s pretty much guaranteed to hook the attention of any crime fiction aficionado, followed by some well-spaced and well-paced revelations, including an unexpected and dramatic final twist. I liked how the story switched between the narratives of different characters, which allows the reader to discover some key information before the police do, and then wonder how on earth they’re going to discover the truth.
I also very much liked the character of DI Nicki Hardcastle, who is the sort of police officer that I’d be happy to be investigating any crime that I’d been the victim of. (Though preferably not my own death.) She’s clearly intelligent and dedicated, yet is also portrayed with just the right amount of personality and vulnerability to make her relatable. It helps too that Nicki has a fascinating, and unique back story which I found myself not only wanting to find out more about, but also wishing I’d known more of before starting this book. There’s one clear solution to that little problem, and it involves adding the three previous books in this series to my ready-to-topple TBR pile.
On the critical side, I wasn’t totally convinced by the explanation given as to how – and this isn’t a spoiler if you’ve read the blurb – a dead man was found to be carrying some of his own teeth in his pocket. I’d like to have seen more of an effort made to develop the location of Bury St Edmunds into a character in its own right – though this might also be something that would develop if I read the other books. And I couldn’t quite understand how the character of Ben fitted in. I’d have liked him to be more sinister than he appeared to be, to the point where I feared for someone else’s life for as long as he remained in it. But none of these points are anything more than quibbles.
My simple conclusion, then, is that Skin of Their Teeth has more than done its job. I enjoyed it very much and would love to read another book by this new-to-me author.
My problem – and I’m quite aware that it’s about as first-world as they come – is that I’ve previously said this exact same thing about Biba Pearce, Louisa Scarr, Jenny O’Brien, Lucie Whitehouse, Jane Badrock, Mel Sherratt, Rachel McLean, Jane Isaac, F E Birch and L J Ross (to name but a few and in no particular order). But I haven’t managed to read a second novel by any of these authors yet, either. And, with so many new crime fiction novels appearing all the time and me still 20 years away from state pension age, I suspect that by the time I’m able to retire from the day job and spend more of the day reading, my TBR pile will fill an entire house from floor to ceiling.
So if any of my readers do happen to know of a solution that involves being paid a decent living wage to do nothing except read and write about books – and preferably one that also involves losing weight by drinking wine and eating chocolate – please let me know. Michelle Kidd is one of a number of authors who deserve it.
My thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on the blog tour. I have reviewed the book voluntarily and honestly. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybookbook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
The short answer, much to my relief, was ‘not much’. It turned out that she was happy with the work that my team had done recently and for that very reason, had no comments to make. Not exactly enthusiastic praise, but praise nonetheless.
And I absolutely mean it as no insult to say that this is a little bit like how it feels to be writing my review of Skin of Their Teeth by Michelle Kidd. For what are undoubtedly all the right reasons, I don’t have a great deal to say.
It’s simply a very good police procedural novel. The plot is very well constructed, with a grim, yet intriguing opening that’s pretty much guaranteed to hook the attention of any crime fiction aficionado, followed by some well-spaced and well-paced revelations, including an unexpected and dramatic final twist. I liked how the story switched between the narratives of different characters, which allows the reader to discover some key information before the police do, and then wonder how on earth they’re going to discover the truth.
I also very much liked the character of DI Nicki Hardcastle, who is the sort of police officer that I’d be happy to be investigating any crime that I’d been the victim of. (Though preferably not my own death.) She’s clearly intelligent and dedicated, yet is also portrayed with just the right amount of personality and vulnerability to make her relatable. It helps too that Nicki has a fascinating, and unique back story which I found myself not only wanting to find out more about, but also wishing I’d known more of before starting this book. There’s one clear solution to that little problem, and it involves adding the three previous books in this series to my ready-to-topple TBR pile.
On the critical side, I wasn’t totally convinced by the explanation given as to how – and this isn’t a spoiler if you’ve read the blurb – a dead man was found to be carrying some of his own teeth in his pocket. I’d like to have seen more of an effort made to develop the location of Bury St Edmunds into a character in its own right – though this might also be something that would develop if I read the other books. And I couldn’t quite understand how the character of Ben fitted in. I’d have liked him to be more sinister than he appeared to be, to the point where I feared for someone else’s life for as long as he remained in it. But none of these points are anything more than quibbles.
My simple conclusion, then, is that Skin of Their Teeth has more than done its job. I enjoyed it very much and would love to read another book by this new-to-me author.
My problem – and I’m quite aware that it’s about as first-world as they come – is that I’ve previously said this exact same thing about Biba Pearce, Louisa Scarr, Jenny O’Brien, Lucie Whitehouse, Jane Badrock, Mel Sherratt, Rachel McLean, Jane Isaac, F E Birch and L J Ross (to name but a few and in no particular order). But I haven’t managed to read a second novel by any of these authors yet, either. And, with so many new crime fiction novels appearing all the time and me still 20 years away from state pension age, I suspect that by the time I’m able to retire from the day job and spend more of the day reading, my TBR pile will fill an entire house from floor to ceiling.
So if any of my readers do happen to know of a solution that involves being paid a decent living wage to do nothing except read and write about books – and preferably one that also involves losing weight by drinking wine and eating chocolate – please let me know. Michelle Kidd is one of a number of authors who deserve it.
My thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on the blog tour. I have reviewed the book voluntarily and honestly. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybookbook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
December 10, 2025
Here is my review for Skin Of Their Teeth by Michelle Kidd
I totally enjoyed this intriguing crime mystery with DI Nicki Hardcastle and DS Graeme Fox plus the other members in her team which is set in Bury St Edmunds which isn't too far from myself. Jacob Towers appears to jump off the top of a building but he was carrying seven of his own teeth in his pocket. Why? Things just didn't add up. Two days later, there's another death which is just as sudden. Just as brutal. Once again, seven teeth! I got hooked into this story right from the start and just couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what happened next. I really liked DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team, they seemed to work really well together. I thought the story was brilliantly written, extremely well plotted and well thought out. The characters were well thought out and seemed realistic. It was very descriptively written and everything was described in detail. I really liked the storyline and can't wait to read more books in this series.
Blurb :
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
I totally enjoyed this intriguing crime mystery with DI Nicki Hardcastle and DS Graeme Fox plus the other members in her team which is set in Bury St Edmunds which isn't too far from myself. Jacob Towers appears to jump off the top of a building but he was carrying seven of his own teeth in his pocket. Why? Things just didn't add up. Two days later, there's another death which is just as sudden. Just as brutal. Once again, seven teeth! I got hooked into this story right from the start and just couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what happened next. I really liked DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team, they seemed to work really well together. I thought the story was brilliantly written, extremely well plotted and well thought out. The characters were well thought out and seemed realistic. It was very descriptively written and everything was described in detail. I really liked the storyline and can't wait to read more books in this series.
Blurb :
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
December 1, 2025
Set in Bury St Edmunds and Hastings both places I know well (is there any corner in this blessed isle in which I don't have relatives...) but not in towns I actually recognise, writer's licence, grab a town but not the description folks living there would actually recognise!!
DI or was she a DCI, no matter, Nicki Hardcastle, a police officer in the unrecognisable Bury, gets a call on her day off to go to a high rise block of flats as the body of a man has been found speared by a railing as he fell. The odd thing is that he has had 7 of his teeth pulled out and put in his pockets. Now that is different I grant you. She isn't sure this is suicide, or is it? A taxi driver on his phone just down the road from him saw him fall and says there was no-one else on the roof with him. Here Nicki enters the world of several men dying in unusual circumstances which are odd to their wives, and each has 7 of their teeth in their pockets.
Now we arrive at the unrecognisable Hastings (the descriptions of these places don't exist), and yet another dead man and this time her parents who live in Rye (join the list of unrecognisable places!), and her dad is a retired police officer (just finished a book about another one of those) and it does seem rather strange that he can't see the pattern until he almost becomes one of his victims too.
All of these men do not know each other, seemingly, all of these are suicides with 7 teeth in their pockets, something which Nicki and her team initally don't seem to give much credence to, and the number 150805 is found in or near their bodies, split that to 15 08 05 not difficult to see that's a date and one which Nicki's dad should remember. But he seems not to, nor does any of the other police officers working with Nicki, now you would think they would use an online almanac to look this up and come up with the date instantly and what happened on that date... but no, not until the end of the book do they pull the facts together. They don't seem to be the brightest of police teams, but then the book would be much shorter if they were!
It's a hmm from me if I want to continue with the series of these police officers who don't seem the brightest team in the world...
DI or was she a DCI, no matter, Nicki Hardcastle, a police officer in the unrecognisable Bury, gets a call on her day off to go to a high rise block of flats as the body of a man has been found speared by a railing as he fell. The odd thing is that he has had 7 of his teeth pulled out and put in his pockets. Now that is different I grant you. She isn't sure this is suicide, or is it? A taxi driver on his phone just down the road from him saw him fall and says there was no-one else on the roof with him. Here Nicki enters the world of several men dying in unusual circumstances which are odd to their wives, and each has 7 of their teeth in their pockets.
Now we arrive at the unrecognisable Hastings (the descriptions of these places don't exist), and yet another dead man and this time her parents who live in Rye (join the list of unrecognisable places!), and her dad is a retired police officer (just finished a book about another one of those) and it does seem rather strange that he can't see the pattern until he almost becomes one of his victims too.
All of these men do not know each other, seemingly, all of these are suicides with 7 teeth in their pockets, something which Nicki and her team initally don't seem to give much credence to, and the number 150805 is found in or near their bodies, split that to 15 08 05 not difficult to see that's a date and one which Nicki's dad should remember. But he seems not to, nor does any of the other police officers working with Nicki, now you would think they would use an online almanac to look this up and come up with the date instantly and what happened on that date... but no, not until the end of the book do they pull the facts together. They don't seem to be the brightest of police teams, but then the book would be much shorter if they were!
It's a hmm from me if I want to continue with the series of these police officers who don't seem the brightest team in the world...
January 23, 2026
Firstly I was unaware that this was part of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series, personally I don't think it affected my enjoyment at all but will definitely be going back to read the previous books.
Set in the picturesque market town of Bury St Edmunds, DI Nicky Hardcastle and her team, including her partner DS Graeme Fox are called to investigate the case of a supposed suicide. It all points to Jacob Towers taking his own life, jumping off the top of a building, until seven teeth, his own teeth are found in his pocket.
Two days later, another brutal death and once again a pocket of teeth. Why is this happening and who would want to instigate such torturous deaths?
Getting to grips with the case, the team soon relates it to a specific date almost 20 years previously.
Told through multiple POVs, showing the story from all views, this really brought the story together perfectly.
DI Nicky Hardcastle is one formidable character, dealing with her own personal issues but fully supported by her team. Even though I haven’t read the previous installments, it felt easy enough to read between the lines and understand small threads of the backstory.
This was such a well written, well plotted story from start to finish, I was completely hooked.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
Set in the picturesque market town of Bury St Edmunds, DI Nicky Hardcastle and her team, including her partner DS Graeme Fox are called to investigate the case of a supposed suicide. It all points to Jacob Towers taking his own life, jumping off the top of a building, until seven teeth, his own teeth are found in his pocket.
Two days later, another brutal death and once again a pocket of teeth. Why is this happening and who would want to instigate such torturous deaths?
Getting to grips with the case, the team soon relates it to a specific date almost 20 years previously.
Told through multiple POVs, showing the story from all views, this really brought the story together perfectly.
DI Nicky Hardcastle is one formidable character, dealing with her own personal issues but fully supported by her team. Even though I haven’t read the previous installments, it felt easy enough to read between the lines and understand small threads of the backstory.
This was such a well written, well plotted story from start to finish, I was completely hooked.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
December 1, 2025
Skin of their Teeth is a brand-new instalment in the DI Nikki Hardcastle mystery series, by Michelle Kidd. I have to say I have read everything that this author has written, and she never disappoints. This is the fourth book in the series, and they are getting more twisted as we go! Not that I am complaining, far from it!
Nikki gets a call while off duty, a man has died by being impaled on a black iron spike. It seems he died by suicide but things don't look right. He had seven of his own teeth in his pocket and there is a voicemail discovered that throws doubt on the whole suicide idea. Two days later someone else dies just as suddenly and with seven teeth in their pocket. There is someone dealing their own type of justice and Nikki Hardcastle is on the case.
Again, a brilliantly written story. Fast-paced and so intriguing! I was riveted by this book. It is definitely a 'just one more chapter' read. So twisty and dark. Michelle Kidd has the skill to keep the reader gripped from start to finish. I couldn't wait to know everything, and then I wished I hadn't read it so quickly!
Anything Michelle Kidd has written comes highly recommended by me and this book is as excellent as the rest!
Nikki gets a call while off duty, a man has died by being impaled on a black iron spike. It seems he died by suicide but things don't look right. He had seven of his own teeth in his pocket and there is a voicemail discovered that throws doubt on the whole suicide idea. Two days later someone else dies just as suddenly and with seven teeth in their pocket. There is someone dealing their own type of justice and Nikki Hardcastle is on the case.
Again, a brilliantly written story. Fast-paced and so intriguing! I was riveted by this book. It is definitely a 'just one more chapter' read. So twisty and dark. Michelle Kidd has the skill to keep the reader gripped from start to finish. I couldn't wait to know everything, and then I wished I hadn't read it so quickly!
Anything Michelle Kidd has written comes highly recommended by me and this book is as excellent as the rest!
December 19, 2025
A man falls from a building and dies after being impaled of a spike. Did he fall accidentally, did he jump or was he pushed? And why were seven of his own teeth in his pocket?
Skin of their Teeth is the 4th book in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series of police procedurals set in Suffolk. There are some elements of the personal plot which I assume came from the last book (found abducted brother Dean, friendship with Ben).
Nicki and her team think they have a straight forward suicide to deal with but the matter of the teeth in the pocket just doesn't add up. It soon becomes clear that there are other deaths where the bodies had their teeth removed, all linked to a specific date almost 20 years ago.
There are multiple perspectives in the narrative to show victims and killer, police and witnesses. Nicki’s own father is also involved (not that he tells her!) but there is a degree of uncertainty on the links between the victims' deaths.
I really enjoyed this book and the way that the police investigation progresses. Nicki is a dedicated officer despite her personal issues, and she is well supported by her team.
Skin of their Teeth is an engaging police procedural and crime thriller with an intriguing mystery and strong lead detective character.
Skin of their Teeth is the 4th book in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series of police procedurals set in Suffolk. There are some elements of the personal plot which I assume came from the last book (found abducted brother Dean, friendship with Ben).
Nicki and her team think they have a straight forward suicide to deal with but the matter of the teeth in the pocket just doesn't add up. It soon becomes clear that there are other deaths where the bodies had their teeth removed, all linked to a specific date almost 20 years ago.
There are multiple perspectives in the narrative to show victims and killer, police and witnesses. Nicki’s own father is also involved (not that he tells her!) but there is a degree of uncertainty on the links between the victims' deaths.
I really enjoyed this book and the way that the police investigation progresses. Nicki is a dedicated officer despite her personal issues, and she is well supported by her team.
Skin of their Teeth is an engaging police procedural and crime thriller with an intriguing mystery and strong lead detective character.
December 1, 2025
This is book 4 in the DI Nicki Hardcastle mysteries, I haven’t read the previous 3 and still really enjoyed the 4th book so it’s fine as a standalone although I’m sure I’ve missed on background stories and context of the main characters.
This was fast paced and a thrilling read, my kind of book! The first pages set the scene of what was to come, I loved the different POV especially the darker side being the implied perpetrator seeking some sort of revenge.
The way the story unfolded from both sides was so good I loved it and couldn’t wait to keep reading.
Nicki is a great strong female lead character but I loved the whole team investigating they worked well together, such a cleverly written plot by Michelle Kidd but then I loved her other series too (Di Jack MacIntosh).
If you love a good police procedural read that has lots of grit and twists then this author is a must read
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour and for introducing me to so many great books and series this year 😍
#MichelleKidd #SkinoftheirTeeth #JoffeBooks
#zooloosbooktours @joffebooks @michellekiddauthor
This was fast paced and a thrilling read, my kind of book! The first pages set the scene of what was to come, I loved the different POV especially the darker side being the implied perpetrator seeking some sort of revenge.
The way the story unfolded from both sides was so good I loved it and couldn’t wait to keep reading.
Nicki is a great strong female lead character but I loved the whole team investigating they worked well together, such a cleverly written plot by Michelle Kidd but then I loved her other series too (Di Jack MacIntosh).
If you love a good police procedural read that has lots of grit and twists then this author is a must read
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour and for introducing me to so many great books and series this year 😍
#MichelleKidd #SkinoftheirTeeth #JoffeBooks
#zooloosbooktours @joffebooks @michellekiddauthor
December 2, 2025
Skin of their Teeth by Michelle Kidd is the 4th book in the DI Nicki Hardcastle mysteries, and it is set in Bury St Edmunds and Hastings. This book was a nice and easy read that will grip you from the very beginning especially as it is full of good twists and turns throughout.
When DI Nicki Hardcastle starts to investigate the death of Jacob Towers after he was seen jumping from the top of a building. The main thought was Jacob had taken his own life, But, when DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team starts to investigate, things start to not add up especially as they found 7 of his own teeth inside his pockets?
But, Why is there 7 of his teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail is left . . . . . . ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. This one was just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth are found on the body!
Someone is dealing out justice, and with one gruesome death at a time. But, they’ve only just begun . . .
With DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team catch the killer before they kill again?
WoW this book was so good I wizzed through it.
When DI Nicki Hardcastle starts to investigate the death of Jacob Towers after he was seen jumping from the top of a building. The main thought was Jacob had taken his own life, But, when DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team starts to investigate, things start to not add up especially as they found 7 of his own teeth inside his pockets?
But, Why is there 7 of his teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail is left . . . . . . ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. This one was just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth are found on the body!
Someone is dealing out justice, and with one gruesome death at a time. But, they’ve only just begun . . .
With DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team catch the killer before they kill again?
WoW this book was so good I wizzed through it.
November 30, 2025
This is book 4 in the Detective Hardcastle series but you can read it as a standalone book. There's a few hints of things that have happened previously but it's fine in a way that explains so you don't get lost with the characters.
There are a number of victims in this and you get an idea of a revenge story but the police haven't yet pieced it together so we're insiders where the culprit is concerned but still in the dark where the motive fully comes into it. We know the who essentially but not exactly why and there's a lot to unpick with corruption as well as some family secrets.
There's a lot to be revealed and quite a few different characters that we get to grips with. They're quite interesting and not everyone is as they seem initially.
There are a number of victims in this and you get an idea of a revenge story but the police haven't yet pieced it together so we're insiders where the culprit is concerned but still in the dark where the motive fully comes into it. We know the who essentially but not exactly why and there's a lot to unpick with corruption as well as some family secrets.
There's a lot to be revealed and quite a few different characters that we get to grips with. They're quite interesting and not everyone is as they seem initially.
November 30, 2025
Skin of Their Teeth by Michelle Kidd
🌟🌟🌟💫
A detective thriller. Loads of twists and turns
I really liked Nicki Hardcastle, a detective that follows the rules and gets the job done. Her personal life deserves a book if its own.
Lots of characters throughout, which I struggled with at times to keep up with who was who, but was so needed in the story. The storyline was enjoyable, but I found the concept hard to swallow. Being detectives, wouldn't they have looked at all the coincidences?
The story had me turning the pages and I couldn't wait to read the next page. I'm looking forward to the next book
🌟🌟🌟💫
A detective thriller. Loads of twists and turns
I really liked Nicki Hardcastle, a detective that follows the rules and gets the job done. Her personal life deserves a book if its own.
Lots of characters throughout, which I struggled with at times to keep up with who was who, but was so needed in the story. The storyline was enjoyable, but I found the concept hard to swallow. Being detectives, wouldn't they have looked at all the coincidences?
The story had me turning the pages and I couldn't wait to read the next page. I'm looking forward to the next book
February 17, 2026
Sometimes a little hard to follow with the millions of characters, sometimes frustrating ( they didn't seem the brightest - a lot of the clues were quite obvious ).
But I enjoyed the story and I do hope we get a little bit more intel on Deano and Ben.
But I enjoyed the story and I do hope we get a little bit more intel on Deano and Ben.
February 28, 2026
great Entertainment
Another wonderful book by Michelle Kidd. Compelling story line and familiar characters. Such an enjoyable read. Ten out of 10
Another wonderful book by Michelle Kidd. Compelling story line and familiar characters. Such an enjoyable read. Ten out of 10
March 11, 2026
Was almost 4 1/2 stars, just let down by the odd incident involving her dad at the end - may be it will be fully explained in the next one.
March 11, 2026
I thought this wasn’t quite a 4* but more of a 3.5*. This one seemed a bit confusing , how was Adrian involved at the end?
Interesting plot though and I’ll read the next.
Interesting plot though and I’ll read the next.
January 2, 2026
📚Skin of their Teeth
✍🏻Michelle Kidd
Blurb:
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
READERS LOVE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a brilliant police procedural! Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story.’ Jennifer T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.’ Mary R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great, fast-paced book to keep you wanting to read on.’ Anita W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me guessing to the end. Just when I thought I had it all sussed out, the author threw in another curve ball! Fast-paced, gripping and tense.’ Martha B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. An engaging mystery and complex plot. Great series!’ Bonita S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic book! It had gripping suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, jaw-dropping twists, and some shocking moments! Can’t wait for more!’ Debbie B.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
My Thoughts:
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.Twisty murder mystery with a solid team and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Set in Bury St Edmunds, a possible suicide leads the team into their latest investigation,This storyline really keeps you interested and puzzled. Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lives. This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together.
Thanks NetGalley, Joffe Books Ltd and Author Michelle Kidd for the advanced copy of "Skin of their Teeth: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#JoffeBooksLtd
#MichelleKidd
#SkinoftheirTeeth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Michelle Kidd
Blurb:
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
READERS LOVE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a brilliant police procedural! Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story.’ Jennifer T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.’ Mary R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great, fast-paced book to keep you wanting to read on.’ Anita W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me guessing to the end. Just when I thought I had it all sussed out, the author threw in another curve ball! Fast-paced, gripping and tense.’ Martha B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. An engaging mystery and complex plot. Great series!’ Bonita S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic book! It had gripping suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, jaw-dropping twists, and some shocking moments! Can’t wait for more!’ Debbie B.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
My Thoughts:
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.Twisty murder mystery with a solid team and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Set in Bury St Edmunds, a possible suicide leads the team into their latest investigation,This storyline really keeps you interested and puzzled. Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lives. This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together.
Thanks NetGalley, Joffe Books Ltd and Author Michelle Kidd for the advanced copy of "Skin of their Teeth: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#JoffeBooksLtd
#MichelleKidd
#SkinoftheirTeeth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 1, 2025
Thanks to the wonderful Joffe books and Netgalley for this eARC.
Michelle Kidd’s Skin of Their Teeth is a taut, relentless crime thriller that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of secrets.
🔍 This novel plunges readers into a world where justice feels precarious and survival hinges on razor-thin margins.
From the opening pages, Kidd crafts an atmosphere of unease—dark alleys, fractured loyalties, and the constant sense that danger is ebbing ever closer. The title itself becomes a motif: characters are forced to scrape through impossible odds, clinging to life and truth by the narrowest of margins.
🧩 Kidd’s detectives are flawed, driven individuals. Their determination to uncover the truth is complicated by their own personal demons and the weight of their past choices.
The antagonists are drawn with chilling realism, with motives rooted in greed, vengeance, and survival. They are not caricatures but complex figures whose brutality feels disturbingly imaginable.
Victims, witnesses, and bystanders add texture, each carrying fragments of the larger mystery.
The interplay between these groups creates a narrative where trust is fragile, and betrayal lurks at every turn.
⚡Skin of Their Teeth explores the thin line between justice and vengeance, the corrosive impact of secrets, and the resilience required to confront darkness. Kidd suggests that survival is not just physical but moral—characters must decide how much of themselves they are willing to sacrifice to see justice done.
This story resonates with contemporary anxieties about corruption, loyalty, and the cost of truth, making it more than just a puzzle to solve.
📚 Kidd’s prose is sharp and cinematic, balancing brisk pacing with moments of psychological depth.
The narrative structure keeps readers off balance, shifting suspicion and revealing new layers of danger. Each chapter ends with a hook that propels the story forward, ensuring the book earns its “unputdownable” label.
The impact is lasting: beyond the thrills, Kidd leaves readers reflecting on the fragility of justice and the human cost of survival.
Skin of Their Teeth is a gripping crime thriller that combines relentless suspense with emotional resonance.
Michelle Kidd delivers a story as compulsively readable as it is thought-provoking, cementing her place among contemporary masters of the genre.
I look forward to my entries in this compelling police procedural series.
Michelle Kidd’s Skin of Their Teeth is a taut, relentless crime thriller that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of secrets.
🔍 This novel plunges readers into a world where justice feels precarious and survival hinges on razor-thin margins.
From the opening pages, Kidd crafts an atmosphere of unease—dark alleys, fractured loyalties, and the constant sense that danger is ebbing ever closer. The title itself becomes a motif: characters are forced to scrape through impossible odds, clinging to life and truth by the narrowest of margins.
🧩 Kidd’s detectives are flawed, driven individuals. Their determination to uncover the truth is complicated by their own personal demons and the weight of their past choices.
The antagonists are drawn with chilling realism, with motives rooted in greed, vengeance, and survival. They are not caricatures but complex figures whose brutality feels disturbingly imaginable.
Victims, witnesses, and bystanders add texture, each carrying fragments of the larger mystery.
The interplay between these groups creates a narrative where trust is fragile, and betrayal lurks at every turn.
⚡Skin of Their Teeth explores the thin line between justice and vengeance, the corrosive impact of secrets, and the resilience required to confront darkness. Kidd suggests that survival is not just physical but moral—characters must decide how much of themselves they are willing to sacrifice to see justice done.
This story resonates with contemporary anxieties about corruption, loyalty, and the cost of truth, making it more than just a puzzle to solve.
📚 Kidd’s prose is sharp and cinematic, balancing brisk pacing with moments of psychological depth.
The narrative structure keeps readers off balance, shifting suspicion and revealing new layers of danger. Each chapter ends with a hook that propels the story forward, ensuring the book earns its “unputdownable” label.
The impact is lasting: beyond the thrills, Kidd leaves readers reflecting on the fragility of justice and the human cost of survival.
Skin of Their Teeth is a gripping crime thriller that combines relentless suspense with emotional resonance.
Michelle Kidd delivers a story as compulsively readable as it is thought-provoking, cementing her place among contemporary masters of the genre.
I look forward to my entries in this compelling police procedural series.
November 25, 2025
In Bury St Edmunds, a man plummets from a four-storey building and dies, impaled on an iron spike. DI Nicki Hardcastle, along with her usual team of DS Graham Fox, DS Royston Carter and DCs Matt Holland, Duncan Jenkins and Darcie Butler are on the case which starts to look very odd after seven of the man’s recently extracted teeth are found in his pocket. He’s identified as Jacob Towers, a graphic designer, who appears to have been threatened when a voicemail and a sickening video are unearthed. Meanwhile Nicki’s father, a retired detective superintendent, is concerned he has a stalker and worried that someone is digging around in his old cases. While the detectives search for more clues surrounding Jacob’s demise, a second death occurs. Once again, the circumstances and appearance of seven teeth make it stand out as suspicious. How could these men be linked and what are they paying for? How many have already died and will there be any more similar deaths to come? Nicki and her team will need to look to the past to reveal the truth behind this bizarre and baffling investigation.
This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together. It wasn’t hard to guess the motive behind the deaths and the link between the victims but there were still plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The book works fine as a stand-alone, and anything relating to past events is well explained, such as the disappearance and eventual discovery of Nicki’s brother. Full of suspense, this story feels a little slower in pace than previous ones but is just as engrossing and gripping as the rest of the series.
This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together. It wasn’t hard to guess the motive behind the deaths and the link between the victims but there were still plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The book works fine as a stand-alone, and anything relating to past events is well explained, such as the disappearance and eventual discovery of Nicki’s brother. Full of suspense, this story feels a little slower in pace than previous ones but is just as engrossing and gripping as the rest of the series.
November 25, 2025
4* A little heavy on minutiae, but a solid police procedural, as expected from this author.
I've not read all the books in this series, so it was a surprise for me to see that the lead's long lost brother had not only been found but was pretty much reunited with his family. I don't think it'll be easy sailing given how conflicted he is, understandably so when his captors were decent to him, but it was a bit of brightness in a dark tale.
A dark and believable tale, yes, but with victims who could possibly have not all died, it felt like. I couldn't quite understand how all gave in to the not-that-heavy threats, and how they thought money ill obtained could actually go to those they left behind.
The ending was a bit confusing where a thug being followed by police kind of saves the day. There's no explanation for his nocturnal adventure but he happens to be at the right place at the right time, using a weapon, but allowing a person to be saved and capturing the baddie. Hmm.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
I've not read all the books in this series, so it was a surprise for me to see that the lead's long lost brother had not only been found but was pretty much reunited with his family. I don't think it'll be easy sailing given how conflicted he is, understandably so when his captors were decent to him, but it was a bit of brightness in a dark tale.
A dark and believable tale, yes, but with victims who could possibly have not all died, it felt like. I couldn't quite understand how all gave in to the not-that-heavy threats, and how they thought money ill obtained could actually go to those they left behind.
The ending was a bit confusing where a thug being followed by police kind of saves the day. There's no explanation for his nocturnal adventure but he happens to be at the right place at the right time, using a weapon, but allowing a person to be saved and capturing the baddie. Hmm.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
November 11, 2025
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.
The sleepy East Anglian town of Bury St Edmunds will never be the same! Michelle Kidd sets this series around her hometown and the surrounding villages. She cleverly feeds in the back story of Nicki's family and its problems and heartaches so that the book comes to life very early.
The story starts with what appears to be a straightforward and tragic suicide. A taxi driver is sitting in his car waiting for another job when he spots someone jumping from the roof of a nearby building he calls 999. The death could easily be passed off as suicide but Nicki is not satisfied that it is as simple as that! The post mort is gruesome enough, but a strange discovery in the man's pocket convinces Nicki and her team that the death is actually a murder.
There follows a mystery going back 14 years with multiple mysterious deaths. This is a twisty-turny thriller that will hook you from the start.
The sleepy East Anglian town of Bury St Edmunds will never be the same! Michelle Kidd sets this series around her hometown and the surrounding villages. She cleverly feeds in the back story of Nicki's family and its problems and heartaches so that the book comes to life very early.
The story starts with what appears to be a straightforward and tragic suicide. A taxi driver is sitting in his car waiting for another job when he spots someone jumping from the roof of a nearby building he calls 999. The death could easily be passed off as suicide but Nicki is not satisfied that it is as simple as that! The post mort is gruesome enough, but a strange discovery in the man's pocket convinces Nicki and her team that the death is actually a murder.
There follows a mystery going back 14 years with multiple mysterious deaths. This is a twisty-turny thriller that will hook you from the start.
November 15, 2025
This excellent multi layered fourth instalment in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series plunges the team into a baffling case. Don't worry if you haven't read the previous books as it's easily read as a standalone.
A man has jumped to his death, but the discovery of seven of his teeth in his pocket turns a suspected suicide into a high-stakes hunt for a killer.
The narrative, told by going back through time, is brilliantly twisty and will keep you turning the pages. As the body count increases, the story provides an intriguing mystery the team are relentlessly trying to solve.
Beyond this core plot, the narrative shines with its strong character development, weaving in Nicki's personal journey, encompassing her new relationship with her long-lost brother and the rebuilding of her bond with her parents.
A fantastic read with an ending tied up as neatly as an envelope full of money wrapped in a bow.
A man has jumped to his death, but the discovery of seven of his teeth in his pocket turns a suspected suicide into a high-stakes hunt for a killer.
The narrative, told by going back through time, is brilliantly twisty and will keep you turning the pages. As the body count increases, the story provides an intriguing mystery the team are relentlessly trying to solve.
Beyond this core plot, the narrative shines with its strong character development, weaving in Nicki's personal journey, encompassing her new relationship with her long-lost brother and the rebuilding of her bond with her parents.
A fantastic read with an ending tied up as neatly as an envelope full of money wrapped in a bow.
November 19, 2025
A good read. An apparent suicide is what DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team are investigating. It soon becomes clear there is much more to this case though. This case will set off a chain of events which will really challenge the investigation team. I found the pace a little slow to start but it does come together nicely towards the end. Its because of this I gave it 4 instead of 3 stars. It was an interesting storyline and the added dramas of the investigation team added a little something extra. It is part of a series but can also be read as a stand alone. Although I do recommend the others in the series. The others were a little bit of a faster pace too. The investigation team are what I enjoy most in this series the author really brings them to life. Its also a good book for the reader to try and figure out the ending. Overall a good read. Had some parts been more condensed it would have been a 5 star review.
November 25, 2025
🦷 Teeth, truth, and a trail of terror 🦷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Justice isn’t blind — she just chooses who to look at.”
Michelle Kidd delivers a razor-sharp thriller that sunk its teeth in from page one and never loosened its grip. Skin of Their Teeth is dark, pacey, and deliciously twisted—this crime novel had me vowing “just one more chapter” until my eyes blurred.
I'm a sucker for a fierce female lead, and Nicki Hardcastle is sharp, stubborn, and walks a knife-edge between professional duty and personal grit. From the first (impaled) body, to the cryptic voicemail, to the macabre trail of missing teeth, Kidd crafts each reveal with precision. The atmosphere hums with deadly menace, the clues are wickedly laid, and the tension climbs like a heartbeat you can’t quite steady.
Verdict: A brutal, brilliantly plotted mystery with a final twist that genuinely made my jaw drop. Five menacing stars, and Kidd earned each bloody one ten times over.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Justice isn’t blind — she just chooses who to look at.”
Michelle Kidd delivers a razor-sharp thriller that sunk its teeth in from page one and never loosened its grip. Skin of Their Teeth is dark, pacey, and deliciously twisted—this crime novel had me vowing “just one more chapter” until my eyes blurred.
I'm a sucker for a fierce female lead, and Nicki Hardcastle is sharp, stubborn, and walks a knife-edge between professional duty and personal grit. From the first (impaled) body, to the cryptic voicemail, to the macabre trail of missing teeth, Kidd crafts each reveal with precision. The atmosphere hums with deadly menace, the clues are wickedly laid, and the tension climbs like a heartbeat you can’t quite steady.
Verdict: A brutal, brilliantly plotted mystery with a final twist that genuinely made my jaw drop. Five menacing stars, and Kidd earned each bloody one ten times over.
October 26, 2025
Detective Nikki Hardcastle is on leave when she is called out to a suspicious death.
There are seven teeth in Jacob Towers' pocket, his own teeth. Nikki and her team are trying to find out why this man has been targeted.
It took me a while to get into this book. I enjoy police procedurals, and I absolutely am a fan of a strong female lead.
However, I do expect the team of police to actually find a clue or two. To research other cases with the same MO - country wide. Namely the discovery of teeth!
The team searched the date on the notes in terms of historical terms. Surely they should have searched the significance of the date in their own area?
If not for a journalist and Nikki's father's sudden epiphany, this case would have been relegated to the cold files I think.
3/5 stars from me. Not quite my cup of tea.
There are seven teeth in Jacob Towers' pocket, his own teeth. Nikki and her team are trying to find out why this man has been targeted.
It took me a while to get into this book. I enjoy police procedurals, and I absolutely am a fan of a strong female lead.
However, I do expect the team of police to actually find a clue or two. To research other cases with the same MO - country wide. Namely the discovery of teeth!
The team searched the date on the notes in terms of historical terms. Surely they should have searched the significance of the date in their own area?
If not for a journalist and Nikki's father's sudden epiphany, this case would have been relegated to the cold files I think.
3/5 stars from me. Not quite my cup of tea.
October 30, 2025
What a brilliant police procedural!! I’ve previously read No Red Lines, by the same author and it was excellent so I was excited to receive this ARC. It didn’t disappoint. Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story. Nicki Hardcastle is tasked with investigating a grim death that initially appears to be suicide. Through investigations, Nicki & her team realise that Somehow this death is linked to a number of other cases and they all seem to have a date in common. But what is the significance of that date? In the meantime Nicki is rebuilding her relationship with her sibling having been reunited, but her Dad, recently retired, seems out of sorts and is worried about something. I inhaled this book - highly recommended! Huge thanks to the author & publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review
November 9, 2025
When Jacob Towers body was found he had seven of his own teeth in his trouser pocket. They initially thought he had committed suicide. They thought he had jumped from a roof.Then there were other deaths in similar circumstances. Detective Nikki Hardcastle and her team have their work cut out for them to solve this case.
It did take me a little while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. But it seemed to take ages before the police started investigating this case properly. So for all of the above, I took one star off my rating, otherwise, this would have been a four star read. Once I was about half way through the book was when I started to enjoy this story a bit more.
Published 18th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #SkinOfTheirTeeth in exchange for an honest review.
It did take me a little while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. But it seemed to take ages before the police started investigating this case properly. So for all of the above, I took one star off my rating, otherwise, this would have been a four star read. Once I was about half way through the book was when I started to enjoy this story a bit more.
Published 18th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #SkinOfTheirTeeth in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2025
Shocking revenge for an injustice.
This book is the latest in a series by Michelle Kidd that features DI Nickki Hardcastle. There are frequent references to events in the earlier books.
A man is spotted by a taxi driver falling from a four storey building. The question for Nikki and her team is, did he jump, or was he pushed? The story switches between Nikki's base in Bury St Edmonds, Hastings, and other locations. A DI currently on Mickleover has curated a list of seemingly unrelated deaths, and Nikki eventually gets access to this list, which suggests a whole new line of enquiry. I managed to spot this link before it was revealed to readers.
It's a very clever storyline, but I found it a little confusing in some parts. Those readers of a sensitive nature might be disturbed by the significance of the title of the book to the story.
This book is the latest in a series by Michelle Kidd that features DI Nickki Hardcastle. There are frequent references to events in the earlier books.
A man is spotted by a taxi driver falling from a four storey building. The question for Nikki and her team is, did he jump, or was he pushed? The story switches between Nikki's base in Bury St Edmonds, Hastings, and other locations. A DI currently on Mickleover has curated a list of seemingly unrelated deaths, and Nikki eventually gets access to this list, which suggests a whole new line of enquiry. I managed to spot this link before it was revealed to readers.
It's a very clever storyline, but I found it a little confusing in some parts. Those readers of a sensitive nature might be disturbed by the significance of the title of the book to the story.
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