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DI Stephanie Broadbent #7
The Shoeman: A chilling crime thriller with a shocking twist
A murder victim. A pair of shoes. A sinister trail...
A woman is murdered at her own front door. She had no enemies, no secrets, no reason to die.
Beside her a pair of blood-stained shoes that aren't hers. Inside, a label with a stranger's name and age.
DI Stephanie Broadbent has seen killers leave a signature before. She's never seen one leave a list.
Because the name in the shoes isn't the victim's. It's the next one's.
He keeps their soles. He takes everything else.
A woman is murdered at her own front door. She had no enemies, no secrets, no reason to die.
Beside her a pair of blood-stained shoes that aren't hers. Inside, a label with a stranger's name and age.
DI Stephanie Broadbent has seen killers leave a signature before. She's never seen one leave a list.
Because the name in the shoes isn't the victim's. It's the next one's.
He keeps their soles. He takes everything else.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2026
About the author
Jack Probyn
362 books133 followersI’m Jack Probyn, and I write murder mysteries and crime thrillers set in England. I studied Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and have always been fascinated by storytelling, particularly the dark and twisty kind.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
I’m the author of the DC Jake Tanner series and the DS Tomek Bowen series, both packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. When I’m not writing, I enjoy building LEGO, solving sudoku puzzles, and occasionally going snowboarding. I live in England with my partner and our British Shorthair cat, Tommy.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
We are back with DI Broadbent and the gang ready for another mind boggling investigation! This time the victim has just returned from holiday and is murdered in their own front room. The only clue is a pair of boots not belonging to them, covered in blood with a name and a number and it is down to the team to work it all out before the body count gets too high! There’s twists and turns, there’s mystery and suspense and it’s the first time a killer has left the name of the next victim beforehand! The author really knows what they are doing as they weave their spell once again and they hold us to the edge of our seat trying to work out the clues and guess the identity of the killer and why before the next murder. It’s a gripping read, intense and alarming and I definitely did not see that ending coming!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Shoeman by Jack Probyn is book 7 in the DI Stephanie Broadbent series.
It starts with a woman just been back from holiday found dead by her nosey neighbour. Not unusual you might say. But, next to the victim was a pair of bloody hiking boots which aren’t hers with the name of the next victim written inside! Who would want to them and why? What are the links to her and the next victim?
Once again, Mr Probyn has done a Brillant job with this next instalment in the Stephanie Broadbent series. It is original and twisty and will you be guessing throughout.
It has the great characters we come to know. With the new addition of the new boss. I am also glad that Stephanie has started working through her demons. But, still giving her 100% and her team to find the killer before more bodies turn up. This is a great follow up and can’t wait for the next instalment in December. 5 stars from me.
It starts with a woman just been back from holiday found dead by her nosey neighbour. Not unusual you might say. But, next to the victim was a pair of bloody hiking boots which aren’t hers with the name of the next victim written inside! Who would want to them and why? What are the links to her and the next victim?
Once again, Mr Probyn has done a Brillant job with this next instalment in the Stephanie Broadbent series. It is original and twisty and will you be guessing throughout.
It has the great characters we come to know. With the new addition of the new boss. I am also glad that Stephanie has started working through her demons. But, still giving her 100% and her team to find the killer before more bodies turn up. This is a great follow up and can’t wait for the next instalment in December. 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok..well I am loving this series more and more with each book. Wonderful characters and I love that Stephanie is evolving and finding happiness and the closeness of herself and her cohorts. This "chapter" was very good, quite intense and caused me some anxiety a few times. If you haven't already get all the books in this series and the DS Tomek Bowen series by this author and ENJOY!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Steph and her team do it again. Another great book in the series by Jack. A page-turner from the beginning, didn't want to put it down as I needed to figure out whom the killer was before the team got there. Looking forward to the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was Jack Probyn at his best, a straightforward murder mystery. A few twists along the way, but easier to read than one or two recently. Really enjoyed this, and glad to see Steph's relationship progressing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The latest edition of the DI Stephanie Broadbent series opens with the murder of a woman in her own home and next to her body, a pair of hiking boots with a name. Who wanted to hurt her? Who do the boots belong to? Another twisty book that had me hooked! I really enjoyed the story, with other storylines intertwined (the fallout from Olivia’s actions, the team coming together to draw strength from each other as Clive’s replacement is imminent, and Stephs own life…!). No spoilers, couldn’t work out who The Shoeman was. Jack is seriously progressing with each novel; he pushes the limits but doesn’t step over into unbelievable territory. Looking forward to the next instalment!
(Honest review in exchange for ARC copy).
(Honest review in exchange for ARC copy).
October 8, 2026
The 7th DI Stephanie Broadbent book.
Penelope is the first victim. Killed literally as soon as she put her suitcase down upon her return from holiday.
Next to the body is a pair of hiking boots and inside a note that says Martin 43. No one related or who knows Penelope can shed any light on the mysterious Martin.
But he soon comes to the police’s attention, when his lifeless body is found at a bus stop. Next to his body, a ladies pair of shoes, with a note of an age and name of - presumably the next victim.
Steph and her team must race against time to locate the third person before they too become a victim, but with just a Christian name and age she, it’s a big ask.
Penelope is the first victim. Killed literally as soon as she put her suitcase down upon her return from holiday.
Next to the body is a pair of hiking boots and inside a note that says Martin 43. No one related or who knows Penelope can shed any light on the mysterious Martin.
But he soon comes to the police’s attention, when his lifeless body is found at a bus stop. Next to his body, a ladies pair of shoes, with a note of an age and name of - presumably the next victim.
Steph and her team must race against time to locate the third person before they too become a victim, but with just a Christian name and age she, it’s a big ask.
October 9, 2026
Oh, my goodness talk about sitting on the edge of my seat and holding my breath. Wow, what a start and a whirlwind all the way through, to wow, what a finish.
I have enjoyed getting to know the character of Stephanie, and her life before and now. Also getting to know the characters of her team and the relationship developed between them.
This is a book not to be missed. A well written gripping, page-turner, on the edge of seat, can't put down storyline and plot, with strong Intresting characters. Which characters you from start to finish.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
I have enjoyed getting to know the character of Stephanie, and her life before and now. Also getting to know the characters of her team and the relationship developed between them.
This is a book not to be missed. A well written gripping, page-turner, on the edge of seat, can't put down storyline and plot, with strong Intresting characters. Which characters you from start to finish.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 24, 2026
Another instalment in the Stephanie Broadbent series. This time a murder victim is found in her home with a pair of bloody shoes next to her body that don’t belong to her. The hunt is on to find the owner of the shoes before the serial killer strikes again.
An interesting reason for the killings, how does Jack Probyn come up with these scenarios?
One criticism I have is that one of the characters has diabetes. It is only mentioned briefly and then not referred to again and so much drama could have been extracted from this fact. Just seemed irrelevant of it wasn’t going to be explored (disclaimer: I have type 1 diabetes).
An interesting reason for the killings, how does Jack Probyn come up with these scenarios?
One criticism I have is that one of the characters has diabetes. It is only mentioned briefly and then not referred to again and so much drama could have been extracted from this fact. Just seemed irrelevant of it wasn’t going to be explored (disclaimer: I have type 1 diabetes).
October 16, 2026
The Shoeman: A chilling crime thriller with a shocking twist (DI Stephanie Broadbent Surrey Hills Crime Thrillers Book 7), my eighteenth read from author Jack Probyn. Well-written, with a well-developed main character a 322-page thriller. Maybe Probyn's best character to date. “I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. High on my TBR list is Death's Past: A Gripping Essex Murder Mystery Novel (DS Tomek Bowen Crime Thriller Book 10). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
September 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is book 7 in the DI Stephanie Broadbent series, The Shoe Man by Jack Probyn
All begins when a woman is found dead by her nosey neighbour after she had returned from holiday. What stands out at the crime scene is a pair of bloody hiking boots, definitely not the victims size.
Well written established characters with new ones to get to know.
A lot of twist and turns that keep you interested to the end.
This is book 7 in the DI Stephanie Broadbent series, The Shoe Man by Jack Probyn
All begins when a woman is found dead by her nosey neighbour after she had returned from holiday. What stands out at the crime scene is a pair of bloody hiking boots, definitely not the victims size.
Well written established characters with new ones to get to know.
A lot of twist and turns that keep you interested to the end.
September 30, 2026
This is book 7 in the DI Broadbent series and this one’s a cracker!
Steph and the team are called to investigate a series of murders where there seems to be no link between the victim. At each scene a clue is left that they ultimately discover links to the next victim.
Meanwhile Wellard is still suspended and as far as Steph can tell beginning to spiral.
What links the victims and will they catch the killer?
Couldn’t put this one down and can’t wait for the next.
Steph and the team are called to investigate a series of murders where there seems to be no link between the victim. At each scene a clue is left that they ultimately discover links to the next victim.
Meanwhile Wellard is still suspended and as far as Steph can tell beginning to spiral.
What links the victims and will they catch the killer?
Couldn’t put this one down and can’t wait for the next.
October 2, 2026
WOW!!! What a fantastic read 👌
What a start to Stephanie and the teams week... including a new DCI to 'break in' ,almost as soon as he arrives, theres a call out to a body of a woman face down in her home in pool of blood, this is just the beginning of a series of murders that have Stephanie, Devon and the rest chasing leads, viewing CCTV and searching the Internet to prevent more murders
This is a complex thriller that makes you turn the pages until you’ve finished 5🌟
What a start to Stephanie and the teams week... including a new DCI to 'break in' ,almost as soon as he arrives, theres a call out to a body of a woman face down in her home in pool of blood, this is just the beginning of a series of murders that have Stephanie, Devon and the rest chasing leads, viewing CCTV and searching the Internet to prevent more murders
This is a complex thriller that makes you turn the pages until you’ve finished 5🌟
October 4, 2026
A murderer called the Shoeman because he leaves shoes covered in blood at the crime scene with a note announcing the name of the next victim. DI Broadbent is the lead investigator with her team. They are trying to find a motive because the killings seem to be random. A page turning thriller that is hard to put down.
October 1, 2026
This is another excellent book in the Stephanie Broadbent series, in which we follow her as she tries to find out who is killing apparently random people, leaving a shoe each time with the name of their next victim. A great story.
October 11, 2026
Wow book 7 in the DI Broadbent series and what great reads they all are.
The shoeman seems to be picking his victims randomly, no rhyme or reason in his choices, or is there.
Steph and the team need to work fast, the shoeman has a quick turn around with his bodies.
The shoeman seems to be picking his victims randomly, no rhyme or reason in his choices, or is there.
Steph and the team need to work fast, the shoeman has a quick turn around with his bodies.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brillaint next installment of the S broadbent series. Loved this one!
October 25, 2026
Great
Another great story I love this series and can't wait too see what Stephanie and her team get up next.
Another great story I love this series and can't wait too see what Stephanie and her team get up next.
October 27, 2026
Once again a brilliant read … cannot wait for the next one .
November 3, 2026
Another fantastic story from Jack. Ireally enjoyed this one and it is as good if not better than his others. Read it you won't be dissapointed.
November 2, 2026
A strange murder without a reason, who committed this terrible crime. DI Stephanie is good at her job but this is extremely dangerous and full of secrets. Impossible to put down, definitely binge worthy.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews