The Dead of Deva: A DI Emma Christie Crime Thriller

DI Emma Christie Crime Thriller #4

by M.J. Lee

Beneath Chester’s ancient walls, the past is never truly buried.

When a popular Roman tour guide is found murdered at the Temple of Minerva in Edgar’s Field, his body dressed in full gladiator gear and laid out like an ancient offering, Detective Inspector Emma Christie is thrust into a case that grips Chester by the throat. What looks like a theatrical killing soon unravels into something far darker.

As more bodies appear, each displayed in locations steeped in history, Emma Christie begins to see a chilling pattern. Someone is recreating ancient rituals, determined to remind Chester that its glory was built on blood.

With the media circling and the city’s tourist trade collapsing, Emma must race through Chester’s maze of narrow lanes and ruins to unmask a killer who knows every inch of the city—and every story it hides.

Rich in atmosphere and pulsing with suspense, The Dead of Deva is a gripping British crime thriller that could only happen in Chester—where the ghosts of Rome still walk, and the walls remember everything.

A suspenseful crime thriller from the writer of the DI Ridpath series, perfect for readers of Simon McCleave, J D Kirk, M W Craven and L J Ross.

Genres: Crime

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

Martin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.

Reviews

[bogey]

A brilliant page turner

Just finished this and enjoyed it immensely, couldn’t stop reading. Love that it’s about Chester. Roll on the next one….

[Lisa Shower]

Outstanding!

Another terrific entry into this gritty series. I read this in just under eight hours. Could not put it down!

[Tanya Saint]

A bit of a slow start, but picked up fairly early on.

[Karen McGrath]

another excellent book in the series

A fast paced and gripping book that keeps the reader guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next book

[Lynnette Cruz]

Great Series!!

Another home run!! Great book. I will be reading more MJ Lee books for sure! I think I’ve finished the Emma Christie series.

[Deb]

MJ Lee’s The Dead of Deva is a gripping addition to the DI Emma Christie series. Sharp and brilliantly paced, it kept me second-guessing every twist right up to the end. A truly compelling read that crime fans won’t want to put down.

[Beki Leach]

Another great book in this series looking forward to seeing what is next

[Simon. A. Gallimore]

Where to start? Well, M J Lee, has fast become one of my favourite go to authors. I have read all his novels to date. I do wonder where he keeps getting his ideas from. This latest adventure with D I Emma Christie, literally blew me away. It was the fourth in the Christie series and in my humble opinion the best so far. The characters are believeable, the action very fast paced. There is a simmering undercurrent of another story going on in the background which adds an element of additional suspence. I wont spoil it for anyone who is yet to read it. Suffice to say, this is definitely a page turner. I couldn't put it down. It's a big five stars from me. Can't wait for the new Ridpath novel to land in July.

[Sandy Souder]

I enjoy police procedurals and DI Christie's work is always interesting. This book was even more so with the complexity of the case, but I wasn't sure of the drug tie-in...still a good read

[Mrs Jane]

Reasonable story, Interesting to read about locations I know, but writing not good.