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DI Emma Christie Crime Thriller #4
The Dead of Deva: A DI Emma Christie Crime Thriller
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.
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.
- GenresCrime
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books453 followersMartin 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 8, 2026
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….
Just finished this and enjoyed it immensely, couldn’t stop reading. Love that it’s about Chester. Roll on the next one….
March 9, 2026
Outstanding!
Another terrific entry into this gritty series. I read this in just under eight hours. Could not put it down!
Another terrific entry into this gritty series. I read this in just under eight hours. Could not put it down!
March 26, 2026
A bit of a slow start, but picked up fairly early on.
March 17, 2026
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
A fast paced and gripping book that keeps the reader guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next book
April 10, 2026
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.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews