What do you think?
Rate this book
Kate Power #4
Will Power
Still finding her feet in Birmingham, DS Kate Power is back in the Fraud Squad, under-staffed, under-funded and under the leadership of a hostile boss, jealous of Kate's relationship with DI Graham Harvey. But if Graham's marriage keeps him from Kate, Kate's new case makes her neglect him: a complex case involving a forged will soon includes murder and an investigation into what may have been an unnatural death a generation ago.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
659 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Judith Cutler
88 books94 followersJudith Cutler was born and bred in the Midlands, and revels in using her birthplace, with its rich cultural life, as a background for her novels. After a long stint as an English lecturer at a run-down college of further education, Judith, a prize-winning short-story writer, has taught Creative Writing at Birmingham University, has run occasional writing course elsewhere (from a maximum security prison to an idyltic Greek island) and ministered to needy colleagues in her role as Secretary of the Crime Writers' Association.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 15, 2021
Another visit to Birmingham where Kate Power has more than her share of challenges as she is assigned to Fraud once again with a seriously disturbed DI Lizzie King there to insult and humiliate Kate whenever possible. The love life factor is tiresome in this book and hard to accept that a young woman about to turn 30 has not a lick of sense. The other aggravation for me is the way people speak to each other: male to and about female and females doing like harassment.
The crime to be investigated is itself interesting with some colorful characters or I would not have stuck with the book. I have to figure out when this was written as it is so not of today. Well, I can't find the copyright page.
Disappointed the author created a strong female character and then dumped her in the mud.
Kindle Unlimited
The crime to be investigated is itself interesting with some colorful characters or I would not have stuck with the book. I have to figure out when this was written as it is so not of today. Well, I can't find the copyright page.
Disappointed the author created a strong female character and then dumped her in the mud.
Kindle Unlimited
August 21, 2020
Ok, I can't say I didn't enjoy the 4 Kate Power books, but I found myself frustrated by missing parts of the book. Kate was at one precinct, then she's teleported over to a new place *Fraud* with a nasty gaffer. She sleeps with a lot of people and seems to have absolutely no concern for anyone's feelings but her own. Kate does things as she wants, etc. Parts of the book were in great need of editing and basic stuff like showing how she moved from one place to another. She also didn't have continual partners as in work partners, so that got a bit confusing and left me wanting some definite character fleshing. This book, in particular, felt rushed. I recommend it if you're not going to be too upset when your brain says, "Wait, what?" a few times. I liked it. I just felt it was average.
October 7, 2020
Hmmm unfortunately this character is getting right on my nerves. She needs a kick up the bum and a good talking to mya friend. Many if which she is lacking due to her secretive behaviour. Sleeping with another married colleague and feeling sorry for herself as he treats her as a doormat. She doesn't seem to learn by error, just keeps on making the same mistakes. It affects her work and her relationship with colleagues.
She has a gut instinct when a lady turns up with a complaint about her Mothers will. She goes to look into it and another older, sweet talking man turns her into a simpering idiot.
Needless to say it takes the whole book to come to what is obvious from the first few chapters.
I hate spoilers but you won't miss anything if you forgo this book.
Let's hope the rest of the set improves. Meantime I am going down a star at a time.
She has a gut instinct when a lady turns up with a complaint about her Mothers will. She goes to look into it and another older, sweet talking man turns her into a simpering idiot.
Needless to say it takes the whole book to come to what is obvious from the first few chapters.
I hate spoilers but you won't miss anything if you forgo this book.
Let's hope the rest of the set improves. Meantime I am going down a star at a time.
December 6, 2020
Excellent, Intricate and Beautifully Written
This, so far is my favorite in the series. Perhaps I'm becoming invested in these cbaractters. I love the intricacies of the plot. This is such an intelligently written series that I should heartedly encourage anyone who enjoys British Crime novels to read. Ms. Cutler really knows how to weave together a tapestry of crime and the research she clearly puts into her work is smart and thorough. I highly recommend this series and I do hope the next book will not be the last we hear from Kate.
This, so far is my favorite in the series. Perhaps I'm becoming invested in these cbaractters. I love the intricacies of the plot. This is such an intelligently written series that I should heartedly encourage anyone who enjoys British Crime novels to read. Ms. Cutler really knows how to weave together a tapestry of crime and the research she clearly puts into her work is smart and thorough. I highly recommend this series and I do hope the next book will not be the last we hear from Kate.
August 26, 2020
Murder by Fraud
Kate has taken her Inspectors exams and is back working in Fraud. When a woman comes into the station saying that her mother's will has been forged Kate finds herself involved with a difficult and complex case.
I so love the Kate Power books and this one is no exception. The story line is full of twists and turns and the characters stronger than ever.
Highly recommended.
Kate has taken her Inspectors exams and is back working in Fraud. When a woman comes into the station saying that her mother's will has been forged Kate finds herself involved with a difficult and complex case.
I so love the Kate Power books and this one is no exception. The story line is full of twists and turns and the characters stronger than ever.
Highly recommended.
August 31, 2020
Judith Cutler’s Kate Power Books Just Get Better And Better
What can I say? I really enjoyed this. Judith Cutler has done a great job in plotting these books. You just can’t put them down. And as I have said before, you really should read them in order of publication. If you don’t like books with any sex in them or with any “adult “ language in them then these may not be for you.
What can I say? I really enjoyed this. Judith Cutler has done a great job in plotting these books. You just can’t put them down. And as I have said before, you really should read them in order of publication. If you don’t like books with any sex in them or with any “adult “ language in them then these may not be for you.
January 12, 2021
Red Herrings Abound
Kate is an intelligent woman, but allows a married man to keep her as a secret, at the end of a telephone, and always available. I thought that she probably wasn't very efficient, but I was wrong. A will caused some questions to be answered and Kate needed to do that. I liked that it was a very complicated and intriguing case with twists and turns that kept me riveted to the story.
Kate is an intelligent woman, but allows a married man to keep her as a secret, at the end of a telephone, and always available. I thought that she probably wasn't very efficient, but I was wrong. A will caused some questions to be answered and Kate needed to do that. I liked that it was a very complicated and intriguing case with twists and turns that kept me riveted to the story.
December 14, 2023
Mills and Boone?
This was supposed to be a crime thriller, police procedure, murder etc not a story of unrequited love, broken hearts interlaced with a little porn. My cops do not have explicit sex they may be in love with wives, girlfriends or whoever but their minds are totally on the job. There may be some personal conflict thrown in, usually alcohol or injury but thats it.
Yours, A tad disappointed. SW.
This was supposed to be a crime thriller, police procedure, murder etc not a story of unrequited love, broken hearts interlaced with a little porn. My cops do not have explicit sex they may be in love with wives, girlfriends or whoever but their minds are totally on the job. There may be some personal conflict thrown in, usually alcohol or injury but thats it.
Yours, A tad disappointed. SW.
August 16, 2020
Very Unusual!
Kate has been transferred to the Fraud Squad and has an unpleasant woman as supervisor. This is well written, good plot, and great police investigation. However, Kate makes a lot of poor personal choices and then agonizes about them. Lots of sad events lower any feeling of satisfaction. Lots of personal events left as cliffhangers!
Kate has been transferred to the Fraud Squad and has an unpleasant woman as supervisor. This is well written, good plot, and great police investigation. However, Kate makes a lot of poor personal choices and then agonizes about them. Lots of sad events lower any feeling of satisfaction. Lots of personal events left as cliffhangers!
November 8, 2020
Another page turner
Kate's daily life, as complicated as it gets, continues with her personal circumstances conflicting with those of her superiors. A fraud is committed, for all the best reasons. Much digging is required to get to the truth, not helped by personal issues elsewhere in the squads.
Kate's daily life, as complicated as it gets, continues with her personal circumstances conflicting with those of her superiors. A fraud is committed, for all the best reasons. Much digging is required to get to the truth, not helped by personal issues elsewhere in the squads.
December 24, 2020
This crime story is one of a police procedural series featuring detective Kate Power in Brum (Birmingham, England). I had the pleasure of reading one of very first drafts of the first book back in the 1980s* straight from the author's word processor.
It is classic in approach and concerns shenanigans around a will. I cannot reveal more!
Although it is a police procedural, the pacing and scope goes beyond policing and into the central character's universe in the author's sure, capable prose. This is a refreshing approach among today's sea of frantic "thrillers" peppered with short plot-heavy, and character-thin scenes. I confess to not reading the whole series in the first edition, and will now make amends by reading the new edition as we move into 2021!
(*Disclaimer: I know the author as a long-standing friend.)
It is classic in approach and concerns shenanigans around a will. I cannot reveal more!
Although it is a police procedural, the pacing and scope goes beyond policing and into the central character's universe in the author's sure, capable prose. This is a refreshing approach among today's sea of frantic "thrillers" peppered with short plot-heavy, and character-thin scenes. I confess to not reading the whole series in the first edition, and will now make amends by reading the new edition as we move into 2021!
(*Disclaimer: I know the author as a long-standing friend.)
July 28, 2023
I can't decide whether I like Kate Powers or not. She's a good police officer but hopeless at relationships, in this particular story I found her overall approach really unappealing. And then there seems an unending supply of inappropriate men falling at her feet... All a bit, odd really. Hoping for something better in the next story.
May 5, 2025
This was another good British crime drama though Kate, in my opinion, continues to make poor personal decisions.
A woman suspects her mother's Will as fraudulent...
I enjoyed the unravelling of the plot and the writing style - Kate's 'voice' highlighting her complex character. The characters suited the plot while the plot was nice and twisty.
Engaging.
A woman suspects her mother's Will as fraudulent...
I enjoyed the unravelling of the plot and the writing style - Kate's 'voice' highlighting her complex character. The characters suited the plot while the plot was nice and twisty.
Engaging.
September 4, 2020
Murder by ftaud
As usual Judith Cutler writes another good book, always a good read as Late Powers gets herself caught up with a married man while solving with the rest of her colleagues case's that so.e her wait to start the next book.
As usual Judith Cutler writes another good book, always a good read as Late Powers gets herself caught up with a married man while solving with the rest of her colleagues case's that so.e her wait to start the next book.
January 11, 2021
Another great story
Another great story by Judith Butler featuring Kate and the rest of the various teams she had to work with.A very well written story with lots of twists and turns and an interesting w.Looking forward to reading more.
Another great story by Judith Butler featuring Kate and the rest of the various teams she had to work with.A very well written story with lots of twists and turns and an interesting w.Looking forward to reading more.
August 22, 2024
Not as preachy as the previous books in the series, but any preaching about women’s rights and dignity is hard to take coming from a protagonist who has no problem sleeping with other women’s husbands.
The plot was convoluted as usual.
The plot was convoluted as usual.
September 7, 2020
Very well written
I enjoyed it from begining to end.it was easy to read and every time I put it down I couldn't wait to start reading again.
I enjoyed it from begining to end.it was easy to read and every time I put it down I couldn't wait to start reading again.
December 2, 2020
Good book
This is the fourth book in the series and each one only seems to get better than the one before.
This is the fourth book in the series and each one only seems to get better than the one before.
January 26, 2021
Murder by Fraud
Another compelling read absolutely loved this book,one of the best for ages could not put it down it was fantastic Thankyou
Another compelling read absolutely loved this book,one of the best for ages could not put it down it was fantastic Thankyou
August 7, 2021
I enjoyed some aspects of this series. The story-lines were pretty interesting and many of the characters as well, but I got tired of the lead character's constant angst over her love life.
February 17, 2022
Intriguing
Great plot with great character development. Not one boring moment. Rewarding read. Loved the detailed exploration into human frailties of emotions.
Great plot with great character development. Not one boring moment. Rewarding read. Loved the detailed exploration into human frailties of emotions.
July 23, 2020
Loved this book!
This is #4 in this series. Definitely the best one in the series. Character development is stronger in this book, with more believable good guys and wretches.
This is #4 in this series. Definitely the best one in the series. Character development is stronger in this book, with more believable good guys and wretches.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews