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DS Catherine Bishop #1
On Laughton Moor
Detective Sergeant Catherine Bishop has an enigmatic new boss, DI Jonathan Knight. How he'll adapt to life in Lincolnshire after years in the Met is anyone's guess.
When the body of a well known local thug is discovered, an intriguing message found on his battered corpse raises unwelcome questions. Is DS Bishop herself being accused of the grisly murder, or does the message point to a more sinister secret?
As the body count grows higher, Bishop and Knight find themselves in a race against time to discover the identity of a merciless, faceless killer whose motivation is a mystery.
When the body of a well known local thug is discovered, an intriguing message found on his battered corpse raises unwelcome questions. Is DS Bishop herself being accused of the grisly murder, or does the message point to a more sinister secret?
As the body count grows higher, Bishop and Knight find themselves in a race against time to discover the identity of a merciless, faceless killer whose motivation is a mystery.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2015
544 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Hartley
24 books57 followersLisa Hartley lives with her partner, son, two dogs and several cats.
She graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Studies, then had a variety of jobs but kept writing in her spare time.
She is currently working on the next DS Catherine Bishop novel, as well as a new series with Canelo.
She graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Studies, then had a variety of jobs but kept writing in her spare time.
She is currently working on the next DS Catherine Bishop novel, as well as a new series with Canelo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 13, 2016
This is book one in the DS Catherine Bishop series but her DI had a pretty equal role. I did like them together (and NOT romantically together) for a change.
A local criminal is found dead with an odd, personal message for DS Bishop by his body that neither she, nor anyone else can figure out why. Soon, another similar body turns up but they need to find the connections between the victims and her.
Overall, it was a quick read and I did like it. It was a bit weak in points and left an entire thread open for another book (which I am never a fan of). However, I enjoyed the characters and the setting and will likely try a second in the series.
A local criminal is found dead with an odd, personal message for DS Bishop by his body that neither she, nor anyone else can figure out why. Soon, another similar body turns up but they need to find the connections between the victims and her.
Overall, it was a quick read and I did like it. It was a bit weak in points and left an entire thread open for another book (which I am never a fan of). However, I enjoyed the characters and the setting and will likely try a second in the series.
October 6, 2017
A decent crime story with a couple of engaging characters - I have to admit to liking Knight more than Bishop though. An author to follow :)
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because of Knight ;)
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because of Knight ;)
May 11, 2015
Enjoyable crime novel with a deft hand for characterisation and interlocking plot pieces. The start of a great crime series - looking forward to more!
September 17, 2019
“On Laughton Moor”, “Double Dealing”, “From the Shadows” by Lisa Hartley
Just finished the Detective Sergeant Catherine Bishop series and loved finding a crime series from a writer I hadn’t come across before. The CID Detective Sergeant and her colleagues work in the gritty underbelly of the small towns of Lincolnshire (UK) dealing with drugs, protestation and murder, but on a level the local force aren’t used to dealing with.
The characters are strong and the team dynamics add depth to the character building, with the key members on a definite journey as they deal with the human cruelty and depravity they uncover. The plots twist and turn, baffling the detectives and only slowly revealing the complex web of connections.
These were Lisa Hartley’s first novels and show a strong style and excellent skill, the story arcs are well done, the narrative well developed and the descriptive passages integrate seamlessly into the well-constructed investigation. Definitely a crime writer I will be on the look out for again.
Just finished the Detective Sergeant Catherine Bishop series and loved finding a crime series from a writer I hadn’t come across before. The CID Detective Sergeant and her colleagues work in the gritty underbelly of the small towns of Lincolnshire (UK) dealing with drugs, protestation and murder, but on a level the local force aren’t used to dealing with.
The characters are strong and the team dynamics add depth to the character building, with the key members on a definite journey as they deal with the human cruelty and depravity they uncover. The plots twist and turn, baffling the detectives and only slowly revealing the complex web of connections.
These were Lisa Hartley’s first novels and show a strong style and excellent skill, the story arcs are well done, the narrative well developed and the descriptive passages integrate seamlessly into the well-constructed investigation. Definitely a crime writer I will be on the look out for again.
October 8, 2022
This was a pretty good story except at times it didn’t go anywhere. I found myself mentally shouting “just get in with it”!!! The ending was a little muddled and the author seemed in a hurry to finish it. I would read another one in this series just to see if it was any better.
February 26, 2017
A puzzling story
The book is a good read, a little disjointed, sometimes the flow of the story is interrupted and really doesn't make sense. Liked the characters, and will read the next one.
The book is a good read, a little disjointed, sometimes the flow of the story is interrupted and really doesn't make sense. Liked the characters, and will read the next one.
April 20, 2015
For a first book a really good effort, A well paced story keeping the readers interest throughout. Some typos but I can live with that. I will give this writers next book a read when it is published.
October 21, 2017
DS Catherine Bishop and DI Jonathan Knight investigate the murder of a local ne'er-do-well. Police aren't sorry to see him dead but his family wants his death explained. Pretty soon there are more dead bodies and the killer is leaving mysterious messages. This was a good debut novel but needed a better editor. I was also slightly bemused by the lack of page numbers.
September 17, 2020
2.5*. This novel could have been streamlined better.
November 30, 2024
3.5.
I knew who the killer was.
I knew who the killer was.
June 16, 2021
Good read but still guessed the final ending / twist before it was revealed
June 19, 2017
Thrilling
My first experience reading a Lisa Hartley work. I love British mysteries as well as British authors and she didn't disappoint. She kept the reader in suspense, us never dreaming who the killer was right up to the end. I never saw it coming. My only criticism is there were quite a few grammatical errors, I.e. words being omitted for the most part. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
My first experience reading a Lisa Hartley work. I love British mysteries as well as British authors and she didn't disappoint. She kept the reader in suspense, us never dreaming who the killer was right up to the end. I never saw it coming. My only criticism is there were quite a few grammatical errors, I.e. words being omitted for the most part. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
February 25, 2016
Good read
Really enjoy reading about the police and their conduct in a country so very different than my own. I was intrigued by the title first ... The moors of UK have fascinated me since my early teens. Having been born in Texas, I was quite used to huge expanses of wild but the moors were that and so much more. Just like the characters in this book ... though from different countries, every character was just plain human. Steal our daughters, sisters? We will kill you. Frankly, if more people went as far as those Eastern Euro men did. A lot of modern slavers would go out of business. But if MEN in our societies refused to pay for prostitutes that cannot even speak the same language...they HAVE to know it's trafficking. I guess Bishop taught me several things: mainly we are the solution as well as the problem. We allow small crimes but they always morph into bigger and bigger problems, bigger worse crimes. But then, there are the psychos out there who either just like to kill or who feel compelled to seek and achieve true justice, even if it means death to themselves. Who was worse in this novel!? Claire? Or the bullies? Not sure but DO know this author does make one stop and think! A rare find!
Looking forward th Hartley's next book! Just downloaded it. If it's as good as this one, I may have just found my new favorite British whodunit writer!
(4 stars but only because I couldn't understand some of the words. Might just be rural dialects. A glossary somewhere easy to find ... sick.
Really enjoy reading about the police and their conduct in a country so very different than my own. I was intrigued by the title first ... The moors of UK have fascinated me since my early teens. Having been born in Texas, I was quite used to huge expanses of wild but the moors were that and so much more. Just like the characters in this book ... though from different countries, every character was just plain human. Steal our daughters, sisters? We will kill you. Frankly, if more people went as far as those Eastern Euro men did. A lot of modern slavers would go out of business. But if MEN in our societies refused to pay for prostitutes that cannot even speak the same language...they HAVE to know it's trafficking. I guess Bishop taught me several things: mainly we are the solution as well as the problem. We allow small crimes but they always morph into bigger and bigger problems, bigger worse crimes. But then, there are the psychos out there who either just like to kill or who feel compelled to seek and achieve true justice, even if it means death to themselves. Who was worse in this novel!? Claire? Or the bullies? Not sure but DO know this author does make one stop and think! A rare find!
Looking forward th Hartley's next book! Just downloaded it. If it's as good as this one, I may have just found my new favorite British whodunit writer!
(4 stars but only because I couldn't understand some of the words. Might just be rural dialects. A glossary somewhere easy to find ... sick.
April 13, 2015
Odd couple of cops
DI Knight and DS Bishop are an odd couple in more ways than one. The story has two sets of crimes converging. I would have liked more character development for Knight and expected more play on the chess references given the two main characters' names.
It was not a bad plot, but I just couldn't get interested in these characters. Maybe if they evolve more in future books I will enjoy the stories more. As it is, I am glad it was a free read on Kindle Unlimited.
DI Knight and DS Bishop are an odd couple in more ways than one. The story has two sets of crimes converging. I would have liked more character development for Knight and expected more play on the chess references given the two main characters' names.
It was not a bad plot, but I just couldn't get interested in these characters. Maybe if they evolve more in future books I will enjoy the stories more. As it is, I am glad it was a free read on Kindle Unlimited.
May 7, 2016
I liked this new police crime novel and its characters Bishop and Knight. It has promise as a good police series. The tale of young men getting murdered by a blow from behind was well woven and intriguing, especially with the linkage to Bishop that could not be explained and seemed to put her in danger and made her get to know the new boss Knight as a person. I will make sure I read the next in the series.
January 10, 2016
This book was just OK.
Catherine was no brilliant crafty detective like Holmes or Colombo. She didn't even have an interesting tortured back story. The mystery was pedestrian. There just wasn't enough going on to keep me reading the series. There was no hook.
Catherine was no brilliant crafty detective like Holmes or Colombo. She didn't even have an interesting tortured back story. The mystery was pedestrian. There just wasn't enough going on to keep me reading the series. There was no hook.
January 24, 2017
Enjoyed this mystery. Lots of suspense and I didn't suspect who the murderer was until close to the end. Well written, good character development.
February 17, 2017
A good read. Look forward to next in series.
May 15, 2017
A good read, makes one excited for the next page
December 1, 2024
Oops didn't know I read it before so perhaps bit unremarkable
March 8, 2019
Worth 2.5 stars, so I will be generous and round it up. A new author, a new series, a reasonable read, but not one I will be following up on. This is a police procedural with a reasonably clever central plot device created by weaving a people smuggling gang into a revenge crime. I’m not giving anything away because the revenge speaks to us several times during the “chase” - a mechanism that often irritates me, as it does here. The investigators are not particularly interesting. The writing is o.k. But that is all.
April 22, 2021
Payback
The bludgeoning death of a local ne'er do well marks the beginning of a rampage by a scrupulous killer bent on vengeance. A lesbian detective and her recently transferred from the Met superior are frustrated by the rising body count and personal drama. They stumble across a human trafficking ring that leads to a vicious crime family.
This is a decent police procedural. It really picks up at the end though only the serial killer case is resolved. None of the characters really stands out and I identified the killer early on. Still a good read.
The bludgeoning death of a local ne'er do well marks the beginning of a rampage by a scrupulous killer bent on vengeance. A lesbian detective and her recently transferred from the Met superior are frustrated by the rising body count and personal drama. They stumble across a human trafficking ring that leads to a vicious crime family.
This is a decent police procedural. It really picks up at the end though only the serial killer case is resolved. None of the characters really stands out and I identified the killer early on. Still a good read.
June 22, 2021
"Decent start"
A police procedural with a flawed character at the head of the investigating team. Where have I read that before? The writing's good, the settings are fine, but I didn't engage with the members of the detective team as much as I have with others from this genre. The killer came from left field, which was a surprise, but if the team didn't spot the links to the past, then how could the reader work it out. Overall, a decent start to a series, hopefully the few flaws in this one will get ironed as the series builds.
A police procedural with a flawed character at the head of the investigating team. Where have I read that before? The writing's good, the settings are fine, but I didn't engage with the members of the detective team as much as I have with others from this genre. The killer came from left field, which was a surprise, but if the team didn't spot the links to the past, then how could the reader work it out. Overall, a decent start to a series, hopefully the few flaws in this one will get ironed as the series builds.
September 3, 2023
Dull
This book was pretty much exactly the same format as dozens of books ive read recently on kindle.
Main character woman detective, with issues.
Big boss nasty bully. Constantly picking on his staff.
Someone gets murdered, everyone sits around the police station stuffing their faces and moaning.
Lots of stuff repeated over and over to pad book out.
Finally at the end there is a little flurry of excitement when the murderer gets caught.
I defiantly won't be reading the next one in the series.
This book was pretty much exactly the same format as dozens of books ive read recently on kindle.
Main character woman detective, with issues.
Big boss nasty bully. Constantly picking on his staff.
Someone gets murdered, everyone sits around the police station stuffing their faces and moaning.
Lots of stuff repeated over and over to pad book out.
Finally at the end there is a little flurry of excitement when the murderer gets caught.
I defiantly won't be reading the next one in the series.
May 6, 2021
A new author to follow
I picked up the second book in the series in paperback and finished it in one session. So I checked Kindle and book 1 was there and again I have finished again in a day. Because of a little leaking from the paperback about the story so far, spoilt it a little I found this an equally good read and book 3 will be downloaded soon. I would recommend reading in order if you can you will not be disappointed I'm sure.
I picked up the second book in the series in paperback and finished it in one session. So I checked Kindle and book 1 was there and again I have finished again in a day. Because of a little leaking from the paperback about the story so far, spoilt it a little I found this an equally good read and book 3 will be downloaded soon. I would recommend reading in order if you can you will not be disappointed I'm sure.
April 1, 2023
I was looking for a new police series and this one did the job. I liked the characters, want to know more about knight and bishop. Also love the chess names and I feel like that will come into play someday.
The story about the murders was good, but not exceptional. It’s all you can ask from this type of book, nothing special though.
If you are looking for an easy read with a decent mystery in line with other police series, give it a go!
The story about the murders was good, but not exceptional. It’s all you can ask from this type of book, nothing special though.
If you are looking for an easy read with a decent mystery in line with other police series, give it a go!
August 8, 2025
A good crime novel that kept you guessing regarding the ending but it was a surprise when you got there!
It's only a 3* for me though because of the Lincolnshire location. Having lived here my life I know we don't have moors - we have Wolds & Fens but Yorkshire has the moors. Just a little thing but it was the Lincolnshire location that attracted me to the book in the first place.
Overall I enjoyed it and will be adding part 2 to my list to be read.
It's only a 3* for me though because of the Lincolnshire location. Having lived here my life I know we don't have moors - we have Wolds & Fens but Yorkshire has the moors. Just a little thing but it was the Lincolnshire location that attracted me to the book in the first place.
Overall I enjoyed it and will be adding part 2 to my list to be read.
October 19, 2017
Enjoyable. Fast paced well plotted, except for the people trafficking sub plot which was left up in the air. No doubt to be continued. Interesting characters looking forward to reading more in this series.
March 7, 2019
Took me a while to get into this and I almost gave up on it but I'm glad I didn't! It had a twist at the end which I realised about 10 seconds before the book confirmed it. Very good! Just starting the second book in the series now.
November 9, 2020
A really good first installment in the DS Bishop series. My first time reading a book by Lisa but I wasn't disappointed. Had me entertained n gripped the whole way through and I didn't expect the ending that's for sure! Looking forward to book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews