Trapped

City Streets Mysteries #3

by D.E. Beckler

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.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 14, 2026

Reviews

[sclx.archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[moonlitbookwitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Mary Arnold]

Mr. 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.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.