What do you think?
Rate this book
Killer On The Set
A dream role in a hit TV drama is not all it seems when actor Holly Elding is warned to turn down the part and run for her life!
A missing actress, a superyacht full of stolen art, an FBI man with a hidden agenda, a chateau set to burst into flames, a love triangle and a web of deceit.
Can Holly and disgraced cop turned stuntman Josh Corton bring down the gang before they’re written out for good?
A missing actress, a superyacht full of stolen art, an FBI man with a hidden agenda, a chateau set to burst into flames, a love triangle and a web of deceit.
Can Holly and disgraced cop turned stuntman Josh Corton bring down the gang before they’re written out for good?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
P.N. Johnson
4 books5 followersAfter a long and successful career in television journalism with the BBC and ITV, Phil Johnson now writes fast-moving action adventure, mystery thrillers.
As a newsreader, reporter and producer, he covered national and regional news stories. These included tracking down criminals to Spain, going on high-octane police chases and interviewing pop stars, politicians and celebrities.
After a career researching, script writing and presenting the news, writing thrillers was an obvious progression. His carefully crafted characters compliment his gripping and action-packed stories and Phil’s books have been Shortlisted and Finalists for numerous awards. Now living near Norwich, England, in addition to his writing Phil loves music, travelling, walking, and sailing.
As a newsreader, reporter and producer, he covered national and regional news stories. These included tracking down criminals to Spain, going on high-octane police chases and interviewing pop stars, politicians and celebrities.
After a career researching, script writing and presenting the news, writing thrillers was an obvious progression. His carefully crafted characters compliment his gripping and action-packed stories and Phil’s books have been Shortlisted and Finalists for numerous awards. Now living near Norwich, England, in addition to his writing Phil loves music, travelling, walking, and sailing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 11, 2026
Holly Elding just landed her dream role in the hit series, Murder in the Manor. She couldn't be more excited, but when her friend Serena suddenly disappears from the show and Holly is warned to turn down the role, things start to get dangerous. Holly is determined to find Serena and uncover the truth. With the assistance of stuntman Josh Corton, they embark on a journey, collaborating with various law enforcement professionals, amidst a backdrop of stolen art, a yacht, a chateau, a love triangle, and a complex web of deceit. Can they find out who's responsible and bring them down before they're written out permanently?
Wow, this book was such a thrilling adventure! It took me from the UK to Spain, to Greece, to France. It was truly a wild ride filled with action, mystery, and suspense. There was a great storyline and fantastic characters. There was lots of drama, high stakes, and a ton of chaos that kept me glued to the pages. There was seriously never a dull moment! From kidnappings to shootouts, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was fast-paced, exciting, and extremely entertaining! I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!🩷
Wow, this book was such a thrilling adventure! It took me from the UK to Spain, to Greece, to France. It was truly a wild ride filled with action, mystery, and suspense. There was a great storyline and fantastic characters. There was lots of drama, high stakes, and a ton of chaos that kept me glued to the pages. There was seriously never a dull moment! From kidnappings to shootouts, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was fast-paced, exciting, and extremely entertaining! I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!🩷
June 13, 2026
I enjoyed Killer on the Set. I enjoyed the story and thought the concept. I liked the cover and thought it worked well. The colours are good. It doesn't give much away other than a sun soaked setting! The writing is really good and the story flowed nicely. The book is cleverly written and loved the techniques used to uncover the perpetrator. The setting in Europe. Most of the locations are on the Mediterranean. The setting worked well. The characters were fun. I liked Holly and Josh. I enjoyed how they worked together. I definitely recommend the book.
June 29, 2026
Crime caper set in LONDON and across SPAIN and GREECE
Holly Elding is an actor and she has been given a part in the TV series Murder in the Manor. She is taking over from Serena, who finds herself injured. Holly endeavours to visit Serena to understand her side of the story because what Holly has gleaned so far about dynamics on the set has proved very unsettling (a clue is in the book title); but Serena has already decamped to the other side of the world. A helpful neighbour, however, lets Holly into Serena’s flat (without further ado, even though she has no real idea who Holly is). Holly is searching for clues and it is clear that Serena left in a hurry. Holly's euphoria at being given this opportunity soon turns to horror when she discovers more about the bigger picture.
As she settles into filming, she senses that something is mightily amiss, and soon she is accompanying Josh on sleuthing adventures to Valencia, where they track down Laura (his ex), who might just have a few answers for them. They find themselves deeply embroiled in something quite alarming. It is then off to Mojácar.
The caper continues across several countries, and they end up in Greece, and Holly discovers secrets within her own family.
There are chases, cars aplenty, a helicopter and a good number of boat rides, and the story starts to have quite the feel of a boys’ own adventure, with a bit of art fraud thrown in.
At the end, the author kindly acknowledges the editing process that the publisher has undertaken, but an even tighter editing hand would nevertheless have made a considerable difference to this work. At one point Josh is referred to as Jason; the reliance on conversation throughout – indeed telling rather than showing – means the action is plentiful but the characters never fully develop. There are turns of phrase that perhaps need a little polish (like: ‘stage stuff’ referring to stage make-up). There is much action that relies on taxis and car rides, drop-offs and the like, which ultimately proves a little tiresome and repetitive; and ‘after breakfast’, ‘after lunch’ are markers that push the narrative along. Thus, further judicious editing input from the publisher would have made this inventive and, at times, exciting story attain another level.
The sense of place isn't strong in this novel. There is indeed mention of buildings and place – the Túria Park, the parakeets, the City of Arts and Sciences, for example, in Valencia - but the focus is more on the exhilarating dash around various countries.
The Spanish words and phrases used in the text add a sense of immediacy and cultural flavour, although the accents need adding where applicable.
Overall, this is a fast-moving adventure with twists and turns that requires refinement.
Holly Elding is an actor and she has been given a part in the TV series Murder in the Manor. She is taking over from Serena, who finds herself injured. Holly endeavours to visit Serena to understand her side of the story because what Holly has gleaned so far about dynamics on the set has proved very unsettling (a clue is in the book title); but Serena has already decamped to the other side of the world. A helpful neighbour, however, lets Holly into Serena’s flat (without further ado, even though she has no real idea who Holly is). Holly is searching for clues and it is clear that Serena left in a hurry. Holly's euphoria at being given this opportunity soon turns to horror when she discovers more about the bigger picture.
As she settles into filming, she senses that something is mightily amiss, and soon she is accompanying Josh on sleuthing adventures to Valencia, where they track down Laura (his ex), who might just have a few answers for them. They find themselves deeply embroiled in something quite alarming. It is then off to Mojácar.
The caper continues across several countries, and they end up in Greece, and Holly discovers secrets within her own family.
There are chases, cars aplenty, a helicopter and a good number of boat rides, and the story starts to have quite the feel of a boys’ own adventure, with a bit of art fraud thrown in.
At the end, the author kindly acknowledges the editing process that the publisher has undertaken, but an even tighter editing hand would nevertheless have made a considerable difference to this work. At one point Josh is referred to as Jason; the reliance on conversation throughout – indeed telling rather than showing – means the action is plentiful but the characters never fully develop. There are turns of phrase that perhaps need a little polish (like: ‘stage stuff’ referring to stage make-up). There is much action that relies on taxis and car rides, drop-offs and the like, which ultimately proves a little tiresome and repetitive; and ‘after breakfast’, ‘after lunch’ are markers that push the narrative along. Thus, further judicious editing input from the publisher would have made this inventive and, at times, exciting story attain another level.
The sense of place isn't strong in this novel. There is indeed mention of buildings and place – the Túria Park, the parakeets, the City of Arts and Sciences, for example, in Valencia - but the focus is more on the exhilarating dash around various countries.
The Spanish words and phrases used in the text add a sense of immediacy and cultural flavour, although the accents need adding where applicable.
Overall, this is a fast-moving adventure with twists and turns that requires refinement.
June 11, 2026
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this book?
I know "I couldn't put it down" is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot, but in this case it couldn't be more true. From the very first page, this grabbed hold of me and refused to let go until the final chapter.
It has everything I look for in a thriller. A cast of fantastic characters, non-stop action, high stakes, twists and turns, and that constant feeling of never quite knowing who can be trusted. Throw in a missing actress, a ruthless crime gang involved in art fraud, lies, deception, stunning locations across Spain, Greece and the UK, and a race against time, and you've got a story that delivers on every level.
The pacing is incredibly tight. There isn't a single moment where the story drags or loses momentum. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, making it impossible not to keep reading "just one more chapter" until suddenly I'd read far more than I'd intended.
The characters were another huge highlight. The group working to uncover the truth were brave, resourceful and thoroughly engaging, both individually and as a team. I found myself completely invested in what happened to them.
While this is undoubtedly an action thriller, it's also so much more than that. I particularly enjoyed the romance subplot and love triangle element. It added an extra layer to the story without overshadowing the suspense and action. Thankfully, it wasn't the frustrating kind of love triangle that leaves you rolling your eyes!
Quite simply, this book was pure perfection for me. It's thrilling, fast-paced, entertaining and packed with surprises. If you're a fan of action-packed thrillers filled with danger, deception and unforgettable characters, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Just be warned: if you're planning to start this book, make sure you've cleared your schedule first. You won't want to put it down.
I know "I couldn't put it down" is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot, but in this case it couldn't be more true. From the very first page, this grabbed hold of me and refused to let go until the final chapter.
It has everything I look for in a thriller. A cast of fantastic characters, non-stop action, high stakes, twists and turns, and that constant feeling of never quite knowing who can be trusted. Throw in a missing actress, a ruthless crime gang involved in art fraud, lies, deception, stunning locations across Spain, Greece and the UK, and a race against time, and you've got a story that delivers on every level.
The pacing is incredibly tight. There isn't a single moment where the story drags or loses momentum. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, making it impossible not to keep reading "just one more chapter" until suddenly I'd read far more than I'd intended.
The characters were another huge highlight. The group working to uncover the truth were brave, resourceful and thoroughly engaging, both individually and as a team. I found myself completely invested in what happened to them.
While this is undoubtedly an action thriller, it's also so much more than that. I particularly enjoyed the romance subplot and love triangle element. It added an extra layer to the story without overshadowing the suspense and action. Thankfully, it wasn't the frustrating kind of love triangle that leaves you rolling your eyes!
Quite simply, this book was pure perfection for me. It's thrilling, fast-paced, entertaining and packed with surprises. If you're a fan of action-packed thrillers filled with danger, deception and unforgettable characters, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Just be warned: if you're planning to start this book, make sure you've cleared your schedule first. You won't want to put it down.
June 12, 2026
This is another pulse-pounding suspense read by PN Johnson.
There is a lot going on in this one, so let's break it down.
Our main character, Holly, auditions for a large part of an ongoing TV series called Murder in the Manor. Holly is replacing Serena, who left the role, and now, mysteriously, is missing.
Holly is thrilled about the exposure for her career, the pay - and to be working with Adam - a well-known actor who knew Holly's mother when she worked as a makeup artist.
From her first day on set, everything is just a bit off. The show-runner, Mull, runs a "tight ship" - to the point of putting everyone in danger as she does not seem to care about safety. The other actors and crew keep hinting to Holly that she should "leave the show" while she has a chance. Adam even warned him...and, no spoilers - we find out why later in the story.
Her real ally on the set is Josh, the stuntman, who has a shady past as a cop. Then...Josh's ex-girlfriend vanishes, and Holly and Josh go on a journey to get to the bottom of all of the strange occurances. This is when the book really picks up.
There are car-jackings, art fraud, gangs, shootouts, super yachts, cops, hospitals, accident after accident, boats, exotic dancers, cross-country travel, the FBI...whew!
Exciting, gripping, perfectly paced - this one is a must for readers who love nonstop action!
I read Murder in the Blue previously by this author, and he is becoming one of my favorite for action thrillers! I highly recommend this one!
There is a lot going on in this one, so let's break it down.
Our main character, Holly, auditions for a large part of an ongoing TV series called Murder in the Manor. Holly is replacing Serena, who left the role, and now, mysteriously, is missing.
Holly is thrilled about the exposure for her career, the pay - and to be working with Adam - a well-known actor who knew Holly's mother when she worked as a makeup artist.
From her first day on set, everything is just a bit off. The show-runner, Mull, runs a "tight ship" - to the point of putting everyone in danger as she does not seem to care about safety. The other actors and crew keep hinting to Holly that she should "leave the show" while she has a chance. Adam even warned him...and, no spoilers - we find out why later in the story.
Her real ally on the set is Josh, the stuntman, who has a shady past as a cop. Then...Josh's ex-girlfriend vanishes, and Holly and Josh go on a journey to get to the bottom of all of the strange occurances. This is when the book really picks up.
There are car-jackings, art fraud, gangs, shootouts, super yachts, cops, hospitals, accident after accident, boats, exotic dancers, cross-country travel, the FBI...whew!
Exciting, gripping, perfectly paced - this one is a must for readers who love nonstop action!
I read Murder in the Blue previously by this author, and he is becoming one of my favorite for action thrillers! I highly recommend this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was hooked from the very first page. Killer on the Set pulls you straight into the glittering but dangerous world of TV drama, and it never lets you go.
Holly Elding is a completely relatable heroine, ambitious, funny, warm, and thrown into situations way beyond anything she signed up for. What starts as the career break of a lifetime turns into a race for survival across some stunning European locations. The writing has a real cinematic quality to it, you can actually see every scene playing out, which makes sense when you know the author's background in TV. It genuinely reads like a Netflix series waiting to happen.
What I loved most was how layered the story is. On the surface it's a fast-paced thriller with art crime, corrupt directors, international gangs and some brilliant action sequences. But underneath it's also a story about trust, loyalty, and finding out who people really are, sometimes in the most shocking ways. That revelation near the end? I did not see it coming. At all.
The ensemble cast is brilliant, Blanca, Serena, Josh and Laura all feel fully fleshed out, and the villain Mull is genuinely menacing. You love to hate her right up to the very last chapter.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with heart, strong female characters, gorgeous settings and a pace that keeps you turning pages at 1am, this is absolutely for you. A fantastic read.
Holly Elding is a completely relatable heroine, ambitious, funny, warm, and thrown into situations way beyond anything she signed up for. What starts as the career break of a lifetime turns into a race for survival across some stunning European locations. The writing has a real cinematic quality to it, you can actually see every scene playing out, which makes sense when you know the author's background in TV. It genuinely reads like a Netflix series waiting to happen.
What I loved most was how layered the story is. On the surface it's a fast-paced thriller with art crime, corrupt directors, international gangs and some brilliant action sequences. But underneath it's also a story about trust, loyalty, and finding out who people really are, sometimes in the most shocking ways. That revelation near the end? I did not see it coming. At all.
The ensemble cast is brilliant, Blanca, Serena, Josh and Laura all feel fully fleshed out, and the villain Mull is genuinely menacing. You love to hate her right up to the very last chapter.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with heart, strong female characters, gorgeous settings and a pace that keeps you turning pages at 1am, this is absolutely for you. A fantastic read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When a film production becomes the backdrop for suspicion and hidden agendas, Killer On The Set shows how quickly things can spiral behind the scenes.
Im new to the work of @pnjohnson_author but I was sucked in by the opening premise of this novel- and I was not disappointed. I was drawn in quickly by the tense, behind-the-scenes look at a film production where things are clearly not as polished as they seem on screen. I really enjoyed how the story uses that setting to build a constant sense of unease.
There’s a nice balance between the glamour of the industry and the darker undercurrents running through it, which kept me interested throughout. I found myself genuinely curious about who could be trusted and how everything would unravel. And as always it’s the ones you least expect who turn out to be dodgy.
This was honestly such a fantastically well written novel - a solid, engaging mystery that kept its momentum and atmosphere right to the end.
Im new to the work of @pnjohnson_author but I was sucked in by the opening premise of this novel- and I was not disappointed. I was drawn in quickly by the tense, behind-the-scenes look at a film production where things are clearly not as polished as they seem on screen. I really enjoyed how the story uses that setting to build a constant sense of unease.
There’s a nice balance between the glamour of the industry and the darker undercurrents running through it, which kept me interested throughout. I found myself genuinely curious about who could be trusted and how everything would unravel. And as always it’s the ones you least expect who turn out to be dodgy.
This was honestly such a fantastically well written novel - a solid, engaging mystery that kept its momentum and atmosphere right to the end.
June 6, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
The main character, Holly, accepts a part in a TV series called Murder in the Manor, but things don't work out entirely as planned…
At first, the book struck me as quite quirky, especially with its TV show element of the storyline. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to any of the characters, but I found Holly quite a likeable protagonist, and some of the other characters struck me as interesting. In the beginning, I felt like there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but that got easier as I carried on reading.
What initially seemed like a cosy read didn't feel quite as cosy later on; it was more suspenseful than I expected, but it was a page turner that kept me guessing, and it was easy to read in one sitting.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
The main character, Holly, accepts a part in a TV series called Murder in the Manor, but things don't work out entirely as planned…
At first, the book struck me as quite quirky, especially with its TV show element of the storyline. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to any of the characters, but I found Holly quite a likeable protagonist, and some of the other characters struck me as interesting. In the beginning, I felt like there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but that got easier as I carried on reading.
What initially seemed like a cosy read didn't feel quite as cosy later on; it was more suspenseful than I expected, but it was a page turner that kept me guessing, and it was easy to read in one sitting.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
June 6, 2026
My Thoughts: I really appreciate when the synopsis of a book gives you nothing but the bare bones of the story, just enough to intrigue but not enough to spoil anything!
I’ve read a book by PN Johnson before so I knew I was in for a good time and this didn’t disappoint, we’re following Holly who had just landed her dream role, so why are people putting her off, she thought they would be happy for her but instead they almost seem worried or scared?
It doesn’t take long for her to realise that the crew are hiding things & that things might not be as good as they seem, the director is very particular and isn’t a friend to tell you when you’re in the wrong.
Holly then finds out that one of the actresses that have just been written out of the show is actually missing and takes it upon herself to find out the truth.. it’s not long before she finds herself stuck in a real life police investigation that is almost parallel to the part she is supposed to play in the show.
Full of tension and intrigue, you can feel it coming through the pages! Yet another one that I really struggled to put down, full of characters that you want to trust but know that that would be stupid!
A rollercoaster of a journey, which left me not knowing which way was up. highly recommend!!
🐧🩷
I’ve read a book by PN Johnson before so I knew I was in for a good time and this didn’t disappoint, we’re following Holly who had just landed her dream role, so why are people putting her off, she thought they would be happy for her but instead they almost seem worried or scared?
It doesn’t take long for her to realise that the crew are hiding things & that things might not be as good as they seem, the director is very particular and isn’t a friend to tell you when you’re in the wrong.
Holly then finds out that one of the actresses that have just been written out of the show is actually missing and takes it upon herself to find out the truth.. it’s not long before she finds herself stuck in a real life police investigation that is almost parallel to the part she is supposed to play in the show.
Full of tension and intrigue, you can feel it coming through the pages! Yet another one that I really struggled to put down, full of characters that you want to trust but know that that would be stupid!
A rollercoaster of a journey, which left me not knowing which way was up. highly recommend!!
🐧🩷
June 4, 2026
Well, this was a fun read! It reminded me a little of Beyond Paradise, where there are a couple of main characters working together then others somehow drift into their circle as they follow the dastardly deeds of the perpetrator to put all the seemingly random pieces together. There’s a little something for everyone: Action, tension, twists, romance, a little spice, and all within the world of TV series celebrities.
I have to wonder whether the author had any specific personal from his work history in mind when he was writing the characters, especially those who were less than kind to others on set!
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and recommend it to those who enjoy the feeling of trying to solve the mystery before the big reveal!
I have to wonder whether the author had any specific personal from his work history in mind when he was writing the characters, especially those who were less than kind to others on set!
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and recommend it to those who enjoy the feeling of trying to solve the mystery before the big reveal!
June 10, 2026
Killer on the Set by PN Johnson
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Holly is a small time actor, who gets her lucky break. Little does she know, she will be lucky to stay alive. Filming takes place in manor houses, where the rooms are stripped of processions and redressed for the shoot
Previous actors advise Holly to walk away and not get involved, but she can't turn down a major role, fame and success!
What follows is a story of underworld crime.
I loved Holly and Josh. Although I did struggle with Josh being in hospital unconscious one day, and then back doing stunts the next
The major storyline is believable. The concept could happen. I just found the ending far fetched with cruise ships and all the different countries. Maybe im not destined for a life in crime!
A page turner and storyline to get stuck into
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Holly is a small time actor, who gets her lucky break. Little does she know, she will be lucky to stay alive. Filming takes place in manor houses, where the rooms are stripped of processions and redressed for the shoot
Previous actors advise Holly to walk away and not get involved, but she can't turn down a major role, fame and success!
What follows is a story of underworld crime.
I loved Holly and Josh. Although I did struggle with Josh being in hospital unconscious one day, and then back doing stunts the next
The major storyline is believable. The concept could happen. I just found the ending far fetched with cruise ships and all the different countries. Maybe im not destined for a life in crime!
A page turner and storyline to get stuck into
Read
July 7, 2026Once again I really enjoyed P N Johnson's latest book, packed full of adventure, edge of the seat stuff and if you blink you'll miss something.
I could feel the tension through P N Johnson's writing that just made me want to read more and quicker and hope that my bus journey will last that bit longer.
I'm well invested in P N Johnson's writing and can't wait till the next adventure! MORE PLEASE AND SOON!
I could feel the tension through P N Johnson's writing that just made me want to read more and quicker and hope that my bus journey will last that bit longer.
I'm well invested in P N Johnson's writing and can't wait till the next adventure! MORE PLEASE AND SOON!
June 9, 2026
A fast paced filled with tension and suspense.
Just when I thought I’d worked it out, there was twist that kept me guessing.
A cleverly written plot which got me second guessing myself, lots of characters but easy to follow and very easy to get completely hooked.
Every chance I got I was reading this, such a great crime mystery thriller.
Just when I thought I’d worked it out, there was twist that kept me guessing.
A cleverly written plot which got me second guessing myself, lots of characters but easy to follow and very easy to get completely hooked.
Every chance I got I was reading this, such a great crime mystery thriller.
June 9, 2026
What I liked about this story was the glimpse behind the scenes on a TV set. It adds another layer of interest to a fast-paced, action-packed story, which is well-plotted and full of twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews