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DI Garibaldi #5
The Carousel of Time
'A first-class mystery…Bernard O'Keeffe is on a roll to the big time' Daily Mail. 'Perfect comfort reading' The Times. 'An enthralling mix of mystery and murder' Mail on Sunday. 'An enthralling mix of mystery and murder' Mail on Sunday. What goes around comes around on the carousel of time. Every summer four friends gather at Barnes Fair to ride the carousel in memory of Esther, the school friend they lost in a car crash they were all involved in as teenagers.
This year, the morning after the fair, one of those friends, Shelley Gregory, is found murdered on that very carousel. DI Garibaldi has questions to ask. Who killed Shelley, and why there? Is her death linked to the tragedy the friends commemorate each year, or do the answers lie closer to home in the quiet Thameside village of Barnes, where Shelley was well known but not always well liked? As Garibaldi pieces together the events of that summer night, he uncovers dark undercurrents beneath Barnes's genteel surface and begins to see the what goes around comes around when you ride the carousel of time.
This year, the morning after the fair, one of those friends, Shelley Gregory, is found murdered on that very carousel. DI Garibaldi has questions to ask. Who killed Shelley, and why there? Is her death linked to the tragedy the friends commemorate each year, or do the answers lie closer to home in the quiet Thameside village of Barnes, where Shelley was well known but not always well liked? As Garibaldi pieces together the events of that summer night, he uncovers dark undercurrents beneath Barnes's genteel surface and begins to see the what goes around comes around when you ride the carousel of time.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2026
About the author
Bernard O'Keeffe
7 books219 followersI studied English at Oxford, and started out in advertising. It wasn’t for me, and I soon escaped to train as a teacher.
I turned to crime writing when I stopped teaching. The Final Round, the first DI Garibaldi novel, came out in 2021, and the series has grown from there.
If I had to describe the books, I’d call them cosy procedurals—books with dark elements but not hard-boiled, gritty or violent.
As The Times put it:
“Bernard O’Keeffe’s series is as genteel as the suburb (SW13) in which it is set. Swearing, graphic sex and gore are, for once, off the menu. The gentle humour, oodles of clues and happyish ending create perfect comfort reading.”
Like DI Garibaldi, I live in Barnes. When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading, listening to music, playing Elizabethan Bowls, or watching football—or at least the version of it that QPR play.
I turned to crime writing when I stopped teaching. The Final Round, the first DI Garibaldi novel, came out in 2021, and the series has grown from there.
If I had to describe the books, I’d call them cosy procedurals—books with dark elements but not hard-boiled, gritty or violent.
As The Times put it:
“Bernard O’Keeffe’s series is as genteel as the suburb (SW13) in which it is set. Swearing, graphic sex and gore are, for once, off the menu. The gentle humour, oodles of clues and happyish ending create perfect comfort reading.”
Like DI Garibaldi, I live in Barnes. When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading, listening to music, playing Elizabethan Bowls, or watching football—or at least the version of it that QPR play.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 16, 2026
**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**
The Carousel Of Time is book five in the DI Garibaldi series. I haven’t read the other books yet but this worked well as a standalone.
It is a slow paced police procedural that is told through multiple POVs, including DI Garibaldi - who is a character that at first I didn’t like for reasons I couldn’t put my finger on, but as the story progressed I started to like him more.
The story is written well, I didn’t know who to trust and it didn’t go the way I thought it would which I enjoyed! I do wish at times things were explored a bit more but it is a good read as a whole.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a police procedural read.
Thank you Random Things Tours and Bernard for letting me read and review.
I give this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon)
The Carousel Of Time is book five in the DI Garibaldi series. I haven’t read the other books yet but this worked well as a standalone.
It is a slow paced police procedural that is told through multiple POVs, including DI Garibaldi - who is a character that at first I didn’t like for reasons I couldn’t put my finger on, but as the story progressed I started to like him more.
The story is written well, I didn’t know who to trust and it didn’t go the way I thought it would which I enjoyed! I do wish at times things were explored a bit more but it is a good read as a whole.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a police procedural read.
Thank you Random Things Tours and Bernard for letting me read and review.
I give this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s always tough reviewing a novel that is part of series already in progress. You have missed character development. You don’t know the ins and outs of the interactions of characters. The premise of “The Carousel of Time” was so interesting to me that I decided to jump in on this series even though it is the 5th book in the series.
Honestly, DI Garibaldi got on my nerves at the beginning of this novel. I didn’t really like him at all. You add to that the “dig” at people of faith in his opening scene really turned me off. But much like moss, DI Garibaldi started growing on me be the latter part of the novel.
The actual story moves at a slow, procedural pace. There were a few moments that I felt like we covered the same material more than once and could have be cut out and shortened the novel. I enjoyed the interaction between Garibaldi and those he was interviewing. His ability to let them grow uncomfortable with silence and watch them squirm. All the while, knowing he really didn’t know where the investigation was going. I did appreciate the author not making him so hyper intelligent that you thought he knew the answers way before the reader. Nope. O’Keeffe wrote Garibaldi just one footstep ahead of us. Everyone looked suspicious and that added to the enjoyment of the novel.
DI Garibaldi’s adventures are definitely worth checking out.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Honestly, DI Garibaldi got on my nerves at the beginning of this novel. I didn’t really like him at all. You add to that the “dig” at people of faith in his opening scene really turned me off. But much like moss, DI Garibaldi started growing on me be the latter part of the novel.
The actual story moves at a slow, procedural pace. There were a few moments that I felt like we covered the same material more than once and could have be cut out and shortened the novel. I enjoyed the interaction between Garibaldi and those he was interviewing. His ability to let them grow uncomfortable with silence and watch them squirm. All the while, knowing he really didn’t know where the investigation was going. I did appreciate the author not making him so hyper intelligent that you thought he knew the answers way before the reader. Nope. O’Keeffe wrote Garibaldi just one footstep ahead of us. Everyone looked suspicious and that added to the enjoyment of the novel.
DI Garibaldi’s adventures are definitely worth checking out.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 22, 2026
Every summer, four friends gather at Barnes Fair to ride the carousel in memory of Esther, the school friend they lost in a car crash when they were teenagers. This year, the morning after the fair, one of them is found murdered on that very carousel and DI Garibaldi is called in to investigate.
I was intrigued by this book because I live near Barnes and know many of the places mentioned so it added an extra layer of interest for me. This is the fifth book in the DI Garibaldi series, though it works well as a standalone. I found Garibaldi slightly abrasive at first, but as the investigation progressed he grew on me. His interview style where he lets silence do the work and allows suspects to become uncomfortable was one of the aspects of the procedural element that I most enjoyed.
This is an enjoyable police procedural with a strong “secrets among friends” premise. There are multiple suspects, each with plausible motives, and the sense that everyone is withholding something keeps the tension ticking along. That said, I did guess both the murderer and the motive relatively early on, which took a little of the suspense out of the final reveal.
A recommended read for fans of the DI Garibaldi series, The Thursday Murder Club, and Janice Hallett's The Appeal.
Thank you to Random Things Tours and Muswell Press for providing me with a paperback copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by this book because I live near Barnes and know many of the places mentioned so it added an extra layer of interest for me. This is the fifth book in the DI Garibaldi series, though it works well as a standalone. I found Garibaldi slightly abrasive at first, but as the investigation progressed he grew on me. His interview style where he lets silence do the work and allows suspects to become uncomfortable was one of the aspects of the procedural element that I most enjoyed.
This is an enjoyable police procedural with a strong “secrets among friends” premise. There are multiple suspects, each with plausible motives, and the sense that everyone is withholding something keeps the tension ticking along. That said, I did guess both the murderer and the motive relatively early on, which took a little of the suspense out of the final reveal.
A recommended read for fans of the DI Garibaldi series, The Thursday Murder Club, and Janice Hallett's The Appeal.
Thank you to Random Things Tours and Muswell Press for providing me with a paperback copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2026
Got completely hooked on thsi who dunnit with a difference. Repeatedly thought I'd solved the murder myself and guessed the end but nope I was following the numerous red herrings and side stories right to the end. Its not often I look for excuses to sneak off and have a quick read during the day but I was so keen to find out the end I kept doing just that.
Jim Garabaldi is a complex character and I enjoyed the way the author fleshed out his character rather than leaving him two dimension and relying on the story to keep the reader's attention. You really feel for him and the impact the case had on his own private life. A quote I once read "He was a man who understood the virtue of small things" definitely suits him!
Loved the references to popular songs, books, films and other time sensitive items.
The writer obviously knows Barnes and the type of people who live there very well!
I felt each of the characters were well written and you could immediately "see" them in your mind and the type of person they were. We've all met most of them and many were those types we love to hate in village life.
All in all a great read - I read the first book in this series and has made me want to fill inthe gaps on the ones I've missed.
Jim Garabaldi is a complex character and I enjoyed the way the author fleshed out his character rather than leaving him two dimension and relying on the story to keep the reader's attention. You really feel for him and the impact the case had on his own private life. A quote I once read "He was a man who understood the virtue of small things" definitely suits him!
Loved the references to popular songs, books, films and other time sensitive items.
The writer obviously knows Barnes and the type of people who live there very well!
I felt each of the characters were well written and you could immediately "see" them in your mind and the type of person they were. We've all met most of them and many were those types we love to hate in village life.
All in all a great read - I read the first book in this series and has made me want to fill inthe gaps on the ones I've missed.
March 4, 2026
It’s Sunday morning, and Detective Inspector Garibaldi receives a phone call that a body has been found at Barnes Fair, which he attended the night before. 📱
The victim is identified as Shelley Gregory, a middle-aged woman found murdered in the middle of the carousel at Barnes Fair. 🎡
DI Garibaldi discovers that Shelley and her friends attend Barnes Fair every summer to ride the carousel in memory of Esther, the school friend they lost in a car crash when they were teenagers. But could Esther’s tragedy be linked to Shelley’s death… and why? 🤔
I saw this email pop up from Random Things Tours, and the blurb sounded so good that I signed up straight away. 🤪 Later, I found out that this book is the 5th in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone if you prefer. 🙌🏼
I’ll definitely be checking out more of Bernard’s books, as I really enjoyed reading this one. 📚👀
Thank you to Bernard and Random Things Tours for the gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in this tour. ♥️
The victim is identified as Shelley Gregory, a middle-aged woman found murdered in the middle of the carousel at Barnes Fair. 🎡
DI Garibaldi discovers that Shelley and her friends attend Barnes Fair every summer to ride the carousel in memory of Esther, the school friend they lost in a car crash when they were teenagers. But could Esther’s tragedy be linked to Shelley’s death… and why? 🤔
I saw this email pop up from Random Things Tours, and the blurb sounded so good that I signed up straight away. 🤪 Later, I found out that this book is the 5th in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone if you prefer. 🙌🏼
I’ll definitely be checking out more of Bernard’s books, as I really enjoyed reading this one. 📚👀
Thank you to Bernard and Random Things Tours for the gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in this tour. ♥️
March 15, 2026
As the quote on the front of the cover states “A first class mystery” . This is a murder mystery that delivers on all levels and will keep you guessing right until the very last pages. Bernard has created an intriguing storyline that weaves its way through all the different characters that were part of Shelley Gregory’s life , each with their own story to tell, or hide, as D I Garibaldi has questions to ask of each of them in his pursuit of the truth.
As you build a file for each of them in your head you will find yourself asking “What are they hiding ?”, over and over again and “Why?”.
I really like DI Garibaldi and his side kick Gardiner, both of whom remind you of many famous detective duos like Morse and Lewis , DCI Barnaby and DS Troy to name but a couple. In fact this story would lend itself well to a television adaptation and it would be good to see some new detectives on the screen.
Now that I know that this is the fifth book in the DI Garibaldi series I will be going back to read the others and find out what crimes have previously been solved around Barnes.
As you build a file for each of them in your head you will find yourself asking “What are they hiding ?”, over and over again and “Why?”.
I really like DI Garibaldi and his side kick Gardiner, both of whom remind you of many famous detective duos like Morse and Lewis , DCI Barnaby and DS Troy to name but a couple. In fact this story would lend itself well to a television adaptation and it would be good to see some new detectives on the screen.
Now that I know that this is the fifth book in the DI Garibaldi series I will be going back to read the others and find out what crimes have previously been solved around Barnes.
February 21, 2026
Book 5 in the D. I Garibaldi series. You can read as a standalone book but it is worth picking up the others so you can get to know Garibaldi. He's a funny character with a great sense of humour - better than the biscuits.
This story has you (and the detectives) going round and round with a load of suspects all holding on to secrets; past and present. You can take your pick of motives and that's what makes the story hold your attention throughout. You quickly realise there's nothing straightforward about this and it keeps you in suspense right until the end.
Some interesting characters with different connections to the victim. All building up a picture of someone who is well-known but not necessarily as well regarded as initially led to believe.
The cosy crime was a good one. I did have concerns for Garibaldi and the 'W' word though. Seems far too stressful 😆
#giftedbook #booktour #digaribaldi
This story has you (and the detectives) going round and round with a load of suspects all holding on to secrets; past and present. You can take your pick of motives and that's what makes the story hold your attention throughout. You quickly realise there's nothing straightforward about this and it keeps you in suspense right until the end.
Some interesting characters with different connections to the victim. All building up a picture of someone who is well-known but not necessarily as well regarded as initially led to believe.
The cosy crime was a good one. I did have concerns for Garibaldi and the 'W' word though. Seems far too stressful 😆
#giftedbook #booktour #digaribaldi
May 10, 2026
This is the fifth in the DI Garibaldi series which I did not realize. I've never read this author before and it was not a problem to begin mid-series.
The characters are well written especially Garibaldi. The story includes some insight into his live but this is not obtrusive. I did not feel I was missing anything by not having read the earlier books.
The plot is complex and centres around a group of friends and their annual reunion to remember a friend killed in a road traffic accident. When another murder occurs, suspicion falls on the friend group.
There's lots of suspicious, tension, twists and deceit. It was a very enjoyable police procedural that was cleverly written with interesting characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
The characters are well written especially Garibaldi. The story includes some insight into his live but this is not obtrusive. I did not feel I was missing anything by not having read the earlier books.
The plot is complex and centres around a group of friends and their annual reunion to remember a friend killed in a road traffic accident. When another murder occurs, suspicion falls on the friend group.
There's lots of suspicious, tension, twists and deceit. It was a very enjoyable police procedural that was cleverly written with interesting characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to @netgalley for a advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
This detective story delivers a serviceable mix of mystery and procedural detail. The plot follows a familiar rhythm a crime, a trail of clues, a few red herrings and while none of the twists are groundbreaking, they’re engaging enough to keep the pages turning. The protagonist feels believable.
The pacing is steady, the dialogue occasionally sharp, and the atmosphere has that classic energy. Still, the book leans heavily on genre tropes, and readers looking for something innovative might find it predictable. For a casual read, though, its a decent mystery
This detective story delivers a serviceable mix of mystery and procedural detail. The plot follows a familiar rhythm a crime, a trail of clues, a few red herrings and while none of the twists are groundbreaking, they’re engaging enough to keep the pages turning. The protagonist feels believable.
The pacing is steady, the dialogue occasionally sharp, and the atmosphere has that classic energy. Still, the book leans heavily on genre tropes, and readers looking for something innovative might find it predictable. For a casual read, though, its a decent mystery
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Muswell Press for the eARC.
DI Garibald, an interesting policeman (he has a fear of driving a car and uses a bicycle instead) is heading the case of a woman found dead on a carousel. She was part of a group of longtime friends who were all at the annual Barnes Festival. All of them were involved in a fatal car accident many years ago and each of them harbours secrets.
The story is pleasant, but not much different from many other cozies I've read.
I like Garibaldi, he's pedantic, which amuses me.
A good read for lovers of cozies.
DI Garibald, an interesting policeman (he has a fear of driving a car and uses a bicycle instead) is heading the case of a woman found dead on a carousel. She was part of a group of longtime friends who were all at the annual Barnes Festival. All of them were involved in a fatal car accident many years ago and each of them harbours secrets.
The story is pleasant, but not much different from many other cozies I've read.
I like Garibaldi, he's pedantic, which amuses me.
A good read for lovers of cozies.
February 9, 2026
The synopsis of this one caught my attention and had me intrigued. I felt like I couldn’t trust most of the people involved that DI Garibaldi was questioning and who knew Shelley. I had the feeling that most of them were keeping secrets and not being honest. I liked DI Garibaldi’s interview style with how unsettled he made the person feel and to pile on the pressure. Will happily continue the series.
February 19, 2026
A great murder mystery that kept me guessing and I really got to like Garibaldi and although this is book 5 in the series I had no problem following the story and characters, but it has got me wanted to read the earlier books now too.
A cleverly written plot certainly kept my interest and I finished the book really quickly, the flow was good and there were plenty of suspense and intrigue.
Throughly enjoyed this read.
A cleverly written plot certainly kept my interest and I finished the book really quickly, the flow was good and there were plenty of suspense and intrigue.
Throughly enjoyed this read.
February 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this read. It’s the second DI Garibaldi book that I have read and I really do like his character, he’s quirky but likeable. In this he’s investigating a murder of a woman who is found dead on a carousel.
There are plenty of suspects that could potentially have murdered her but no real motive. It does however seem that everyone the DI interviews is hiding something from him! It seems that no one is fully willing to share the truth but all for very different reasons.
I loved how he finally worked out who had done it and I was impressed that he also managed to stop telling everyone that the carousel was actually called a galloper!
There are plenty of suspects that could potentially have murdered her but no real motive. It does however seem that everyone the DI interviews is hiding something from him! It seems that no one is fully willing to share the truth but all for very different reasons.
I loved how he finally worked out who had done it and I was impressed that he also managed to stop telling everyone that the carousel was actually called a galloper!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews