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Noughts & Crosses: A gripping serial killer with a shocking twist
Not yet published
Expected 30 Dec 25The game is simple. The consequences are fatal.
Deep in the Surrey Hills, a body is discovered with a game of noughts and crosses carved into their flesh. The victim played the same online game before they died. They lost.
Now DI Stephanie Broadbent and her team must work to stop the killings before more players are marked for death. But as she digs deeper into the twisted mind behind the game, the investigation takes a personal turn — one that threatens to drag her past into the present.
The game has only just begun.
Deep in the Surrey Hills, a body is discovered with a game of noughts and crosses carved into their flesh. The victim played the same online game before they died. They lost.
Now DI Stephanie Broadbent and her team must work to stop the killings before more players are marked for death. But as she digs deeper into the twisted mind behind the game, the investigation takes a personal turn — one that threatens to drag her past into the present.
The game has only just begun.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 30, 2025
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Jack Probyn
156 books100 followersI’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received as an Advance Reader Copy. Possible spoilers!
DI Stephanie Broadbent is back in the fourth book in this astounding series. The book carries on from the end of The Burning Man, with her sister Kimberley living with her and dealing with the fallout of her marriage and subsequent miscarriage.
Stephanie is called out to a murder scene with a difference; the body has a noughts and crosses game carved on the victim’s body. With no tangible leads, it slowly appears that the victim’s shared a link; but what?
The book then has a nice crossover with DS Bowen, and a follow on from Deaths Past; regular readers will appreciate this!
I don’t want to give too much away; I spotted an Easter egg planted midway through the book and guessed the killer; however in true Jack style, the twists and turns came thick and fast, with some memorable one liners and genuinely laugh out loud moments! This series is a lot darker than his previous novels and as a fan of Chris Carter and MW Craven I love it. It’s well paced and, as with other books in this series, one of the other characters is bought to the front more, which is great. The end twist was a shock; but I had worked out the identity, I wasn’t expecting it to play out the way it did! Jack can always pull a last page shocker and this didn’t disappoint!
DI Stephanie Broadbent is back in the fourth book in this astounding series. The book carries on from the end of The Burning Man, with her sister Kimberley living with her and dealing with the fallout of her marriage and subsequent miscarriage.
Stephanie is called out to a murder scene with a difference; the body has a noughts and crosses game carved on the victim’s body. With no tangible leads, it slowly appears that the victim’s shared a link; but what?
The book then has a nice crossover with DS Bowen, and a follow on from Deaths Past; regular readers will appreciate this!
I don’t want to give too much away; I spotted an Easter egg planted midway through the book and guessed the killer; however in true Jack style, the twists and turns came thick and fast, with some memorable one liners and genuinely laugh out loud moments! This series is a lot darker than his previous novels and as a fan of Chris Carter and MW Craven I love it. It’s well paced and, as with other books in this series, one of the other characters is bought to the front more, which is great. The end twist was a shock; but I had worked out the identity, I wasn’t expecting it to play out the way it did! Jack can always pull a last page shocker and this didn’t disappoint!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Noughts and Crossing is the fourth book in the DI Stephanie Broadbent series by Jack Probyn and another fabulous edition to the series.
When a body is discovered in the hills of Surrey with Noughts and crosses etched in their flesh DI Stephanie Broadbent and her team have a difficult time finding the killer before they strikes again. When another body turns up, they find a link that the two victims were sent an invitation to play an online game of Noughts and Crosses from an Anonymous sender and both victims lost.
In her person life, Stephanie’s sister Kimberley is now living with her after the breakup of her marriage and the loss of her baby. But tensions soon start to rise when Kimberley want to go to a reunion with some of the people that where also residing in the foster care home, they both lived in as children. But Stephanie is not convinced it is a good idea.
Wow What can I say. This is another fabulous read from Jack Probyn full of suspense and action. This time the case is more personal to Stephanie as it is linked to both her and sisters Kimberley’s past. The storyline kept me guessing and guessing and had a few red herrings along the way. I also like how Tomek Bowen was included in the storyline. Maybe they could do another story with a case together? I can’t wait to see what’s next instore for Stephanie. I highly recommend this series. 5 stars from me.
When a body is discovered in the hills of Surrey with Noughts and crosses etched in their flesh DI Stephanie Broadbent and her team have a difficult time finding the killer before they strikes again. When another body turns up, they find a link that the two victims were sent an invitation to play an online game of Noughts and Crosses from an Anonymous sender and both victims lost.
In her person life, Stephanie’s sister Kimberley is now living with her after the breakup of her marriage and the loss of her baby. But tensions soon start to rise when Kimberley want to go to a reunion with some of the people that where also residing in the foster care home, they both lived in as children. But Stephanie is not convinced it is a good idea.
Wow What can I say. This is another fabulous read from Jack Probyn full of suspense and action. This time the case is more personal to Stephanie as it is linked to both her and sisters Kimberley’s past. The storyline kept me guessing and guessing and had a few red herrings along the way. I also like how Tomek Bowen was included in the storyline. Maybe they could do another story with a case together? I can’t wait to see what’s next instore for Stephanie. I highly recommend this series. 5 stars from me.
December 26, 2025
This is the 4th book in the DI Stephanie Broadbent series
A body is found with noughts and crosses etched on their body, Stephanie and her team have to solve the crime before it happens again.
Due to personal circumstances from the previous book, Stephanie's sister is living with her which adds more complications to her life. They attend a reunion with people from the foster home they lived in and this could turn out to be a bad decision.
There is a great crossover with the Character Tomek Bowen who is from a different series of books written by Jack Probyn, definitely recommend them too!
Lots of twists and turns in this book that keeps you interested, looking forward to the next one.
A body is found with noughts and crosses etched on their body, Stephanie and her team have to solve the crime before it happens again.
Due to personal circumstances from the previous book, Stephanie's sister is living with her which adds more complications to her life. They attend a reunion with people from the foster home they lived in and this could turn out to be a bad decision.
There is a great crossover with the Character Tomek Bowen who is from a different series of books written by Jack Probyn, definitely recommend them too!
Lots of twists and turns in this book that keeps you interested, looking forward to the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Woah this was a great read, couldn't put it down. DI Stephanie Broadbent and her crew, her past and her troubled sister really keep things happening. I love this series and how Tomek pops up as well, love it. This really kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I would recommend that if you haven't started this series that you get all 4 books and start reading. Great series Jack, keep 'em coming!!
Review of advance copy
Another gripping book from Jack. Lots of twists and turns and a red herring. No spoilers but I loved the way that the two series overlapped, bringing Jack and Stephanie together. Very cleverly done. I wonder where these two will go next? Can't wait for the next book in either series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews