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City Streets Mysteries #3
Trapped
When a homeless man dies in suspicious circumstances, Victor Mitchum knows it wasn’t an accident. Someone is targeting Manchester’s most vulnerable―and they’re just getting started.
Harry Sanders is found dead in a derelict pub. The authorities call it a tragic accident, but Victor recognises the signs of something far more sinister. He knew Harry from his own days on the streets―and Harry had been scared, convinced someone was following him.
Working with private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowski, Victor inherits Harry’s dog, Cleo, causing friction with Oscar, his own wilful dog, and uncovers a disturbing pattern. Homeless men with dogs are disappearing across the city. But as Victor closes in on answers, the detective agency itself comes under attack from a corrupt police officer with a vendetta.
Caught between loyalty to his friends and an offer that could finally give him stability, Victor must navigate Manchester’s criminal underworld to unmask a killer. And when the investigation explodes into a deadly confrontation, Victor will have to decide how far he’s willing to go―and who he’s willing to become―to save the people he cares about.
Harry Sanders is found dead in a derelict pub. The authorities call it a tragic accident, but Victor recognises the signs of something far more sinister. He knew Harry from his own days on the streets―and Harry had been scared, convinced someone was following him.
Working with private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowski, Victor inherits Harry’s dog, Cleo, causing friction with Oscar, his own wilful dog, and uncovers a disturbing pattern. Homeless men with dogs are disappearing across the city. But as Victor closes in on answers, the detective agency itself comes under attack from a corrupt police officer with a vendetta.
Caught between loyalty to his friends and an offer that could finally give him stability, Victor must navigate Manchester’s criminal underworld to unmask a killer. And when the investigation explodes into a deadly confrontation, Victor will have to decide how far he’s willing to go―and who he’s willing to become―to save the people he cares about.
- GenresAudiobook
Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75★ rounded up because Victor Mitchum and his chaotic collection of humans and dogs somehow managed to keep me invested even when the mystery wasn't firing on all cylinders.
What I enjoyed most about Trapped wasn't necessarily the murder investigation itself. It was Victor. There's something incredibly satisfying about following a protagonist who has clawed his way up from rock bottom and still refuses to look away when the people society ignores start disappearing. The case begins with the suspicious death of a homeless man, and from there the story dives into a surprisingly layered investigation involving corruption, missing people, criminal networks, and enough danger to make me question Victor's survival instincts on multiple occasions.
And then there are the dogs.
Honestly, Oscar and Cleo nearly stole the show. Every time the story got particularly dark or grim, they brought a little spark of life back into it. If someone told me this series was secretly about dogs reluctantly supervising humans making terrible decisions, I'd believe them.
The strongest aspect of the book is how much heart it has beneath all the crime-thriller elements. The homeless community isn't treated as background scenery or a convenient plot device. Their struggles matter. Their stories matter. That emotional layer gave the investigation weight and made me care about the outcome beyond simply figuring out who was responsible.
That said, I wasn't exactly glued to my seat. This wasn't one of those "cancel all plans and read until 3 a.m." thrillers for me. The mystery kept my attention, but I never felt that desperate need to know what happened next. Some plot developments felt a little too convenient, and a few character decisions had me staring at the page wondering if common sense had collectively left Manchester for the weekend.
Still, the pacing stays brisk, the twists keep things moving, and the cast is memorable enough that I found myself enjoying their interactions almost as much as the actual investigation. Victor, Kasper, and Zofia make a genuinely entertaining team, and their dynamic carries a lot of the story's charm.
Overall, Trapped is the kind of crime novel that succeeds because of its characters. I came for the mystery, stayed for Victor and the dogs, and left interested enough to see where this series goes next.
What I enjoyed most about Trapped wasn't necessarily the murder investigation itself. It was Victor. There's something incredibly satisfying about following a protagonist who has clawed his way up from rock bottom and still refuses to look away when the people society ignores start disappearing. The case begins with the suspicious death of a homeless man, and from there the story dives into a surprisingly layered investigation involving corruption, missing people, criminal networks, and enough danger to make me question Victor's survival instincts on multiple occasions.
And then there are the dogs.
Honestly, Oscar and Cleo nearly stole the show. Every time the story got particularly dark or grim, they brought a little spark of life back into it. If someone told me this series was secretly about dogs reluctantly supervising humans making terrible decisions, I'd believe them.
The strongest aspect of the book is how much heart it has beneath all the crime-thriller elements. The homeless community isn't treated as background scenery or a convenient plot device. Their struggles matter. Their stories matter. That emotional layer gave the investigation weight and made me care about the outcome beyond simply figuring out who was responsible.
That said, I wasn't exactly glued to my seat. This wasn't one of those "cancel all plans and read until 3 a.m." thrillers for me. The mystery kept my attention, but I never felt that desperate need to know what happened next. Some plot developments felt a little too convenient, and a few character decisions had me staring at the page wondering if common sense had collectively left Manchester for the weekend.
Still, the pacing stays brisk, the twists keep things moving, and the cast is memorable enough that I found myself enjoying their interactions almost as much as the actual investigation. Victor, Kasper, and Zofia make a genuinely entertaining team, and their dynamic carries a lot of the story's charm.
Overall, Trapped is the kind of crime novel that succeeds because of its characters. I came for the mystery, stayed for Victor and the dogs, and left interested enough to see where this series goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing a digital review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
The "fun" part of having a chronic illness that affects your memory is that I remember absolutely nothing that I've read a week ago. So a while back I requested a bunch of ARCs, read the synopsis, filtered out the ones that appealed to me, then promptly forgot about it. Fast forward a week later, I got approved, I start reading the book, and I remember absolutely nothing about it. Not the synopsis, not the fact that it's part three in a series, absolutely nothing. Rereading the synopsis before I started would've been helpful, but alas, I went in completely blind and had absolutely zero clue what was happening. Fast forward a few hours later, I'm halfway through the book, and I feel like a blind man wading through water, completely lost and drowning. I struggled connecting to the narrator, it was fairly monotonous and I did not enjoy it, I felt incredibly detached from the book. It would've helped if I read the book in ebook rather than audio, but alas. Do I think it's a bad book? Absolutely not. The dogs definitely stole the show in this book. Also, for a thriller it has a lot of heart, and it's clear our protagonist Victor has clawed himself up from rock bottom and he refuses to back down when the vulnerable outcasts of society start dying. Whenever the book got too dark, the dogs come back around to bring back some light in this book, so it never felt too heavy. That being said, the thriller part of the book felt a little lacking and I never found myself glued to my seat or eager to find out the truth. I was just being dragged along for the ride. I wish I had taken the time to read the previous books in this series, perhaps I would've felt less detached from the story if I had been more familiar with the characters. Despite my numerous complaints, I do recommend this book if you enjoy murder mysteries with a lot of heart and cute dog companions. If you want a gripping thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time, you perhaps have to look elsewhere.
The "fun" part of having a chronic illness that affects your memory is that I remember absolutely nothing that I've read a week ago. So a while back I requested a bunch of ARCs, read the synopsis, filtered out the ones that appealed to me, then promptly forgot about it. Fast forward a week later, I got approved, I start reading the book, and I remember absolutely nothing about it. Not the synopsis, not the fact that it's part three in a series, absolutely nothing. Rereading the synopsis before I started would've been helpful, but alas, I went in completely blind and had absolutely zero clue what was happening. Fast forward a few hours later, I'm halfway through the book, and I feel like a blind man wading through water, completely lost and drowning. I struggled connecting to the narrator, it was fairly monotonous and I did not enjoy it, I felt incredibly detached from the book. It would've helped if I read the book in ebook rather than audio, but alas. Do I think it's a bad book? Absolutely not. The dogs definitely stole the show in this book. Also, for a thriller it has a lot of heart, and it's clear our protagonist Victor has clawed himself up from rock bottom and he refuses to back down when the vulnerable outcasts of society start dying. Whenever the book got too dark, the dogs come back around to bring back some light in this book, so it never felt too heavy. That being said, the thriller part of the book felt a little lacking and I never found myself glued to my seat or eager to find out the truth. I was just being dragged along for the ride. I wish I had taken the time to read the previous books in this series, perhaps I would've felt less detached from the story if I had been more familiar with the characters. Despite my numerous complaints, I do recommend this book if you enjoy murder mysteries with a lot of heart and cute dog companions. If you want a gripping thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time, you perhaps have to look elsewhere.
August 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to enjoy this advance copy of Trapped. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book, I couldn’t wait to catch up with Victor Mitchum again, and Trapped didn’t disappoint. This series has quickly become a favourite of mine, combining a gripping crime story with genuinely memorable characters.
One of the highlights is still Oscar. I love a canine sidekick anyway, but a sarcastic, opinionated dog who can actually communicate brings so much humour and warmth to the story without ever taking away from the tension. His interactions with Victor are brilliant, and the arrival of Cleo adds another emotional layer.
Victor’s own experience of homelessness continues to shape both his character and the investigation, and I thought this was handled with real sensitivity. Through the murder of Harry, a homeless man Victor once knew, and the disappearance of other homeless people and their dogs, the story shines a light on a community that is too often overlooked. It adds real depth to what is already a compelling mystery.
I also enjoyed seeing Victor reunited with Kasper and Zofia from the PI agency introduced in the first book. Their teamwork feels natural, and together they uncover a case that becomes increasingly dangerous as corruption, murder and hidden motives begin to surface.
The narration was excellent, giving each character a distinct voice and capturing both the darker moments and the lighter exchanges with Oscar perfectly. It made it very easy to become completely immersed in the story.
A thoroughly satisfying follow-up with plenty of heart alongside the suspense. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Victor, Oscar and the rest of the team go next.
One of the highlights is still Oscar. I love a canine sidekick anyway, but a sarcastic, opinionated dog who can actually communicate brings so much humour and warmth to the story without ever taking away from the tension. His interactions with Victor are brilliant, and the arrival of Cleo adds another emotional layer.
Victor’s own experience of homelessness continues to shape both his character and the investigation, and I thought this was handled with real sensitivity. Through the murder of Harry, a homeless man Victor once knew, and the disappearance of other homeless people and their dogs, the story shines a light on a community that is too often overlooked. It adds real depth to what is already a compelling mystery.
I also enjoyed seeing Victor reunited with Kasper and Zofia from the PI agency introduced in the first book. Their teamwork feels natural, and together they uncover a case that becomes increasingly dangerous as corruption, murder and hidden motives begin to surface.
The narration was excellent, giving each character a distinct voice and capturing both the darker moments and the lighter exchanges with Oscar perfectly. It made it very easy to become completely immersed in the story.
A thoroughly satisfying follow-up with plenty of heart alongside the suspense. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Victor, Oscar and the rest of the team go next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Battling against corruption: nonstop suspense😲
4.5🌟 stars
It's not a short book, but I just had to keep reading to determine whether justice would prevail in the end. The author is a dab hand at keeping the narrative flowing, with plenty of action, twists and characters you want to triumph.
This third in the series keeps the action and excitement coming, just as fascinating as the first in the series. But whereas Missing focused on a major dispute between criminal elements making the streets dangerous for Victor and his homeless brethren, Trapped tackles local police corruption and how it stymies the investigation of unprovoked, fatal attacks on homeless victims with dogs. Victor and his buddies decide to lead their own inquiries to get to the truth. Simultaneously, a detective agency owners Zofia and Kasper investigate and ask sensitive questions about local shady movers and shakers resulting in escalating hassles and attacks. Neither the homeless, led by Victor and his faithful canine Oscar, nor the p.i.s are ready to just accept the status quo and threats.
I particularly liked the way Victor takes changes in his circumstances in his stride and always remains committed to the homeless community. And the way he has "conversations" with his dog who has a snarky attitude. What a pair!
I was hooked and I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next in the series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5🌟 stars
It's not a short book, but I just had to keep reading to determine whether justice would prevail in the end. The author is a dab hand at keeping the narrative flowing, with plenty of action, twists and characters you want to triumph.
This third in the series keeps the action and excitement coming, just as fascinating as the first in the series. But whereas Missing focused on a major dispute between criminal elements making the streets dangerous for Victor and his homeless brethren, Trapped tackles local police corruption and how it stymies the investigation of unprovoked, fatal attacks on homeless victims with dogs. Victor and his buddies decide to lead their own inquiries to get to the truth. Simultaneously, a detective agency owners Zofia and Kasper investigate and ask sensitive questions about local shady movers and shakers resulting in escalating hassles and attacks. Neither the homeless, led by Victor and his faithful canine Oscar, nor the p.i.s are ready to just accept the status quo and threats.
I particularly liked the way Victor takes changes in his circumstances in his stride and always remains committed to the homeless community. And the way he has "conversations" with his dog who has a snarky attitude. What a pair!
I was hooked and I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next in the series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4*, nearly a 5*, but for some of the slightly implausible actions of people who should be better.
This is another decent sortie in this series, with good dovetailing of the various characters and the woes that befall them even though some were a bit worthy of eye-rolling. At one point I thought the series might be ending here, when Victor rejected an offer, but I think now some shades-of-grey characters are even more beholden to him, and the series might end up going in a slightly different direction. Are we going to find out that the Scots sell Kasper, Zofia and Victor out in the next book, or do they end up beholden themselves and double-crossing 'allies'?
We learn a bit more about Craig's past in this and he turns into a more substantial character, one who does something needed, but which crosses a line morally. Ish, circumstances being what they are. I suspect he'll be bigged-up in the next book because now that some corruption has been weeded out, it'll be gloves off. Scots versus the Mancs.
This is one of the best British series in the last few years.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, for my reading pleasure.
This is another decent sortie in this series, with good dovetailing of the various characters and the woes that befall them even though some were a bit worthy of eye-rolling. At one point I thought the series might be ending here, when Victor rejected an offer, but I think now some shades-of-grey characters are even more beholden to him, and the series might end up going in a slightly different direction. Are we going to find out that the Scots sell Kasper, Zofia and Victor out in the next book, or do they end up beholden themselves and double-crossing 'allies'?
We learn a bit more about Craig's past in this and he turns into a more substantial character, one who does something needed, but which crosses a line morally. Ish, circumstances being what they are. I suspect he'll be bigged-up in the next book because now that some corruption has been weeded out, it'll be gloves off. Scots versus the Mancs.
This is one of the best British series in the last few years.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Trapped by D.E. Beckler (City Streets Mysteries #3)
Date Read: 8 Aug 26 - 8 Aug 26
Source: ARC (NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing)
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: 14 Aug 2026
Song: Disease by Lady Gaga ♫
Rating breakdown:-
Crime & Investigation: ● ● ● ● ○
Suspense & Tension: ● ● ● ● ○
Plot Complexity: ● ● ● ● ●
Character Engagement: ● ● ● ● ○
Ending Satisfaction: ● ● ● ● ○
To be honest, reading Trapped by D.E. Beckler feels like stepping directly into the crosshairs of a ruthless urban conspiracy where the people society ignores are being systematically hunted in the shadows. It is a brilliantly complex and gripping crime thriller that maintains relentless page-turning tension while keeping your heart deeply invested in every perilous twist.
The intricate plot complexity and strong emotional conclusion are the absolute highlights of this experience. D.E. Beckler crafts a clever, high-stakes investigation that brilliantly weaves street-level survival with corrupt institutional danger, all while grounding the story in the fierce loyalty of unforgettable characters.
The characters are defined by stubborn loyalty and hard-earned protective instincts. Victor Mitchum steps up to investigate the suspicious death of an acquaintance named Harry Sanders, taking in Harry's dog Cleo while teaming up once again with private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowski to stop a predator targeting the city's vulnerable.
The plot is a masterclass in escalating danger and shifting odds. The narrative moves with a relentless, breathless momentum, pitting Victor and his allies against a corrupt police officer with a deadly vendetta as they navigate Manchester's darkest corners.
Trapped is a masterclass in gritty urban suspense that reminds us how fiercely ordinary people will fight when the system fails them. It is a powerful testament to the fact that true courage often wears the face of someone the world has chosen to forget.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this eARC
Date Read: 8 Aug 26 - 8 Aug 26
Source: ARC (NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing)
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: 14 Aug 2026
Song: Disease by Lady Gaga ♫
Rating breakdown:-
Crime & Investigation: ● ● ● ● ○
Suspense & Tension: ● ● ● ● ○
Plot Complexity: ● ● ● ● ●
Character Engagement: ● ● ● ● ○
Ending Satisfaction: ● ● ● ● ○
To be honest, reading Trapped by D.E. Beckler feels like stepping directly into the crosshairs of a ruthless urban conspiracy where the people society ignores are being systematically hunted in the shadows. It is a brilliantly complex and gripping crime thriller that maintains relentless page-turning tension while keeping your heart deeply invested in every perilous twist.
The intricate plot complexity and strong emotional conclusion are the absolute highlights of this experience. D.E. Beckler crafts a clever, high-stakes investigation that brilliantly weaves street-level survival with corrupt institutional danger, all while grounding the story in the fierce loyalty of unforgettable characters.
The characters are defined by stubborn loyalty and hard-earned protective instincts. Victor Mitchum steps up to investigate the suspicious death of an acquaintance named Harry Sanders, taking in Harry's dog Cleo while teaming up once again with private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowski to stop a predator targeting the city's vulnerable.
The plot is a masterclass in escalating danger and shifting odds. The narrative moves with a relentless, breathless momentum, pitting Victor and his allies against a corrupt police officer with a deadly vendetta as they navigate Manchester's darkest corners.
Trapped is a masterclass in gritty urban suspense that reminds us how fiercely ordinary people will fight when the system fails them. It is a powerful testament to the fact that true courage often wears the face of someone the world has chosen to forget.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this eARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the third book in the City Streets series and can be read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read the other two books in the series.
Recently homeless Victor was hired by Kasper and Zofia to help with some investigative work and they helped Victor find a place to live. Unfortunately there are glitches and problems arise.
Upon learning a guy Victor knows is murdered, the team investigates to try to solve his murder. Nothing is ever straight-forward and this book has a lot of twisting parts and multiple things happening including multiple murders, corrupt cops, bad guys wanting to turn good, and the possible beginning of a romance.
I love the dynamic between Victor and his dog Oscar and their conversations are priceless! The fact that they understand each other is even better! So far this series is keeping me intrigued and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Recently homeless Victor was hired by Kasper and Zofia to help with some investigative work and they helped Victor find a place to live. Unfortunately there are glitches and problems arise.
Upon learning a guy Victor knows is murdered, the team investigates to try to solve his murder. Nothing is ever straight-forward and this book has a lot of twisting parts and multiple things happening including multiple murders, corrupt cops, bad guys wanting to turn good, and the possible beginning of a romance.
I love the dynamic between Victor and his dog Oscar and their conversations are priceless! The fact that they understand each other is even better! So far this series is keeping me intrigued and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another good novel in the Manchester set series featuring Victor Mitchum - whose journey from homeless to PI brings him into contact with some very dangerous people.
The death of a homeless man in a fire sees Victor and private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowsk i get involved when the police seem disinterested. Their enquiries discover links between criminals and senior police officers - and that brings unwanted attention and harassment. Meanwhile Victor is offered another job, working for a crime family going straight. WIll he take it?
There are a lot of plot lines in Trapped, and a number of them intersect. The pace is fast and the characters always interesting. This series is a little different and a very good read.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The death of a homeless man in a fire sees Victor and private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowsk i get involved when the police seem disinterested. Their enquiries discover links between criminals and senior police officers - and that brings unwanted attention and harassment. Meanwhile Victor is offered another job, working for a crime family going straight. WIll he take it?
There are a lot of plot lines in Trapped, and a number of them intersect. The pace is fast and the characters always interesting. This series is a little different and a very good read.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is Book 3 in the entertaining City Street Mysteries series set in Manchester. The story of Victor and his amusing “talking” dog Oscar continues. Their interactions are rather funny and do lightened the tone. There’s even a canine “friend”/ rival for Zofia’s affection. The dog is rescued when another homeless man is murdered. It’s a gritty situation with the homeless being targeted, and other unsavoury action taken against the PI company. Victor is still working with PIs Kasper and Zofia, but they are experiencing problems, including police harassment, and corruption. Where will this all lead? What actions are forced upon them? What happens next for Victor?
The books should be read in order: Missing, Hunted, Trapped. The audiobook narration by Simon Mattacks enhances the enjoyment of the story. Recommend
The books should be read in order: Missing, Hunted, Trapped. The audiobook narration by Simon Mattacks enhances the enjoyment of the story. Recommend
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Trapped is another great addition to the City Streets Mysteries series. I’ve read all three books, and I really appreciate how D. E. Beckler humanizes homelessness throughout the series. We’ve gotten to know the backstories of many of the homeless characters, which adds depth and compassion to the stories.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I really enjoy the mystery and crime-solving storylines, as well as the compassion and humanity shown by the characters.
The audiobook narration by Simon Mattacks was excellent and truly brought the story to life. Overall, the production quality was outstanding.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with heart.
Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for letting me read this ARC.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I really enjoy the mystery and crime-solving storylines, as well as the compassion and humanity shown by the characters.
The audiobook narration by Simon Mattacks was excellent and truly brought the story to life. Overall, the production quality was outstanding.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with heart.
Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for letting me read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I probably would have DNF’d this one if it wasn’t a NetGalley read. This was my first book by D.E. Beckler, and I kept hoping it would eventually turn around, but unfortunately, it just never really clicked for me.
The story felt a little all over the place, and I kept waiting for something big to happen… but by the end, I felt like not much actually happened at all. One thing that really threw me off was a character having full-on conversations with his dog, including the dog responding like a human. I know fiction can get weird, but that was a little too strange for me. 😂
I’m always willing to give an author another shot, but this one just wasn’t for me.
The story felt a little all over the place, and I kept waiting for something big to happen… but by the end, I felt like not much actually happened at all. One thing that really threw me off was a character having full-on conversations with his dog, including the dog responding like a human. I know fiction can get weird, but that was a little too strange for me. 😂
I’m always willing to give an author another shot, but this one just wasn’t for me.
August 12, 2026
🎧 I received an advanced audiobook copy of Trapped through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I’ll admit, this one took me a while to get into. The beginning felt slow for me, and at around 10% I was honestly wondering if I was going to struggle through the entire book. Thankfully, I stuck with it because once the story started coming together, I became much more invested.
The mystery gradually pulled me in, the tension picked up, and I really enjoyed watching the different pieces fall into place. What started as a slower listen ended up being a solid and entertaining mystery that kept me interested through the second half.
I’ll admit, this one took me a while to get into. The beginning felt slow for me, and at around 10% I was honestly wondering if I was going to struggle through the entire book. Thankfully, I stuck with it because once the story started coming together, I became much more invested.
The mystery gradually pulled me in, the tension picked up, and I really enjoyed watching the different pieces fall into place. What started as a slower listen ended up being a solid and entertaining mystery that kept me interested through the second half.
Read
July 28, 2026Mr. Beckler writes a story that grabs the reader from the first few sentences. The story is gritty yet heartwarming. It speaks of places I never hope to be yet can quickly comprehend as the account unfolds. The characters are fully developed so that the reader can relate to their emotions, fears and desires.
The tension continues as the book progresses, holding the reader's interest in the plight of the characters.I received an advanced copy, which I devoured. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
The tension continues as the book progresses, holding the reader's interest in the plight of the characters.I received an advanced copy, which I devoured. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a great book. I haven’t read the first two but I didn’t feel lost. I love that the author includes homeless characters as MC. They were written with dignity while simultaneously showing homelessness is a complex problem.
The MPOV really did it for me as well. I like being in the minds of several characters.
The audiobook narrator was excellent. I liked that he didn’t try to do female voices, he just read the story. It’s really hard for a guy to make a woman’s voice sound natural. I think opting out of that was the right choice.
The MPOV really did it for me as well. I like being in the minds of several characters.
The audiobook narrator was excellent. I liked that he didn’t try to do female voices, he just read the story. It’s really hard for a guy to make a woman’s voice sound natural. I think opting out of that was the right choice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this early listener copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. In this book do the series we follow Victor as we uncovers the death of a homeless man and the unexpected reasons for this murder. Without giving to much of the storyline away, it dives into the seedy corruption and greed of the city. While I love suspense thrillers more than any other genre of writing, this book fell a little flat for me. The main highlight for me is the personality of Victor’s dog, Oscar. I would recommend this book overall, but it just wasn’t my favorite.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A well written murder mystery with an excellent storyline and a cast of interesting, realistic characters. Multiple events are happening with several twists and turns. A City Street Series that is fast paced, has police corruption, and a dog that interacts with his owner. Victor and Cleo make for a great team in this murder mystery that I highly recommend. Ready for the next adventure with Victor, friends, and his dogs.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️
This audiobook was just okay for me. I honestly didn’t like the way the story was written, and I had a hard time getting into it. The storyline had an interesting premise with Victor investigating the disappearance of homeless men and their dogs, but the way everything was written just didn’t work for me.
Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to stay interested, and overall, this just wasn’t an audiobook I really enjoyed.
This audiobook was just okay for me. I honestly didn’t like the way the story was written, and I had a hard time getting into it. The storyline had an interesting premise with Victor investigating the disappearance of homeless men and their dogs, but the way everything was written just didn’t work for me.
Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to stay interested, and overall, this just wasn’t an audiobook I really enjoyed.
August 15, 2026
A good storyline. The homeless are being murdered and it is up to them, with the help of Victor and PI's Kasper and Zofia, to find the killers. Not an easy task due to police corruption and victimisation. A quirky addition as Victor can comunicate with his dog, bringing humour into a dire situation. Highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from the author through Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a review for the audiobook provided to me from net gallery
The narration was good. There was lots of excitement in the narrators voice which made the audiobook jump to life from the rest. Great job
The narration was good. There was lots of excitement in the narrators voice which made the audiobook jump to life from the rest. Great job
Review of advance copy
This story had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Killing homeless men only who have dogs begs the question, Why? From the bottom of the pile to the corporate world, Victor defied all odds and came out a winner. Victor's Victory. Highly Recommended.
August 20, 2026
Thank you Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love this series, I love that it represents the homeless in the UK, and the characters. This is the third book in the series and I am always eager to see what Oscar and Victor are up to now. This storyline shows that police corruption and shady business deals are sometimes what causes investigations to be mishandled and mislabeled as something other than what it really is, Murder. Victor uncovers these webs of corruption with the help of his PI friends and employers and causes some not so good trouble for their PI business in the process. There is lots of surprising developments in this book and I am eager to see what happens next for Victor and the gang.
I love this series, I love that it represents the homeless in the UK, and the characters. This is the third book in the series and I am always eager to see what Oscar and Victor are up to now. This storyline shows that police corruption and shady business deals are sometimes what causes investigations to be mishandled and mislabeled as something other than what it really is, Murder. Victor uncovers these webs of corruption with the help of his PI friends and employers and causes some not so good trouble for their PI business in the process. There is lots of surprising developments in this book and I am eager to see what happens next for Victor and the gang.
August 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ this one was pretty good, I enjoyed the talking dog but I found myself wanting it to be over sooner.
August 21, 2026
Trapped.
A good story but for me , there were so many characters that it became confusing. The highlight of the story is the communication between Victor and his dog Oscar.
A good story but for me , there were so many characters that it became confusing. The highlight of the story is the communication between Victor and his dog Oscar.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another good novel in the Manchester set series featuring Victor Mitchum - whose journey from homeless to PI brings him into contact with some very dangerous people.
The death of a homeless man in a fire sees Victor and private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowsk i get involved when the police seem disinterested. Their enquiries discover links between criminals and senior police officers - and that brings unwanted attention and harassment. Meanwhile Victor is offered another job, working for a crime family going straight. WIll he take it?
There are a lot of plot lines in Trapped, and a number of them intersect. The pace is fast and the characters always interesting. This series is a little different and a very good read.
The death of a homeless man in a fire sees Victor and private investigators Kasper and Zofia Dąbrowsk i get involved when the police seem disinterested. Their enquiries discover links between criminals and senior police officers - and that brings unwanted attention and harassment. Meanwhile Victor is offered another job, working for a crime family going straight. WIll he take it?
There are a lot of plot lines in Trapped, and a number of them intersect. The pace is fast and the characters always interesting. This series is a little different and a very good read.
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