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DCI Evan Warlow #21
Reckless Deceit: A DCI Evan Warlow Novel
A murder of crows was never so well named.
In an ancient woodland above Brechfa, a man preparing a running trail discovers a body wrapped in black plastic.
The victim is unremarkable, a local minibus driver with no criminal record, no obvious enemies and no apparent reason for anyone to want him dead.
But the violence inflicted upon him suggests this was no random encounter.
As DCI Evan Warlow and his team retrace the victim's final hours, they face a baffling what could an ordinary man have done to provoke such calculated brutality?
The answer lies in a deception as reckless as the killing itself.
Another dark and compelling mystery from the bestselling DCI Evan Warlow series,
Reckless Deceit is the twenty-first fiendishly plotted, with a smidgen of dark humour, and rooted in the landscape of west Wales.
Recommended for readers of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Peter May and Peter Robinson.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT Rhys Dylan’s INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING DCI Warlow
"A tightly written story, by someone who knows how to write a chilling tale.” Amazon Review, THE ENGINE HOUSE
"Love the writing, very compelling, captivating and comfortable to read. Thanks again for a brilliant book." Amazon Review, ICE COLD MALICE
" Wow, that was some read. Again, read in one sitting as the author has the uncanny knack of getting into your head and you thinking, just one more chapter then I'll go and do the housework!" AMZ Review, SUFFER THE DEAD
Based in Wales this, a beautifully written police book with many twists and turns, but with great credibility. Certainly the best I've read for many a month, so roll on the next one.” AMZ Review, GRAVELY CONCERNED
"Justifiably the best around. Do yourself a favour and read this series.” AMZ Review, A MARK OF IMPERFECTION
" Brilliant as always. I really enjoy reading about real places. In fact I confess to comparing the text with google earth maps sometimes.. AMZ review. CROSS CUT
In an ancient woodland above Brechfa, a man preparing a running trail discovers a body wrapped in black plastic.
The victim is unremarkable, a local minibus driver with no criminal record, no obvious enemies and no apparent reason for anyone to want him dead.
But the violence inflicted upon him suggests this was no random encounter.
As DCI Evan Warlow and his team retrace the victim's final hours, they face a baffling what could an ordinary man have done to provoke such calculated brutality?
The answer lies in a deception as reckless as the killing itself.
Another dark and compelling mystery from the bestselling DCI Evan Warlow series,
Reckless Deceit is the twenty-first fiendishly plotted, with a smidgen of dark humour, and rooted in the landscape of west Wales.
Recommended for readers of JD Kirk, TG Reid, Peter May and Peter Robinson.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT Rhys Dylan’s INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING DCI Warlow
"A tightly written story, by someone who knows how to write a chilling tale.” Amazon Review, THE ENGINE HOUSE
"Love the writing, very compelling, captivating and comfortable to read. Thanks again for a brilliant book." Amazon Review, ICE COLD MALICE
" Wow, that was some read. Again, read in one sitting as the author has the uncanny knack of getting into your head and you thinking, just one more chapter then I'll go and do the housework!" AMZ Review, SUFFER THE DEAD
Based in Wales this, a beautifully written police book with many twists and turns, but with great credibility. Certainly the best I've read for many a month, so roll on the next one.” AMZ Review, GRAVELY CONCERNED
"Justifiably the best around. Do yourself a favour and read this series.” AMZ Review, A MARK OF IMPERFECTION
" Brilliant as always. I really enjoy reading about real places. In fact I confess to comparing the text with google earth maps sometimes.. AMZ review. CROSS CUT
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Rhys Dylan
27 books673 followershttps://www.facebook.com/Rhysdylanbooks
https://www.instagram.com/rhysdylanbo...
Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.
Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.
He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.
https://www.instagram.com/rhysdylanbo...
Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.
Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.
He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The quality of this series shows no sign of abating even though we're on the twenty first book already. Jess is on her way back from Milan, Rhys and Gina are on a spa break when the call comes in about the discovery of the body of a bus driver. They soon discover links to past events but there seems to be no real reason for the killing, never mind the violent way it was carried out.
I liked how the investigation gradually progresses and there is plenty of humour throughout as usual from Gil and Rhys. The gradual reveal of events from the past and how things are connected was well done. It's a riveting read and as usual, once I finished reading it I was wishing the next book was already there beside me ready to start.
I liked how the investigation gradually progresses and there is plenty of humour throughout as usual from Gil and Rhys. The gradual reveal of events from the past and how things are connected was well done. It's a riveting read and as usual, once I finished reading it I was wishing the next book was already there beside me ready to start.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book 21 in the DCI Evan Warlow series and it’s another cracking read set in West Wales. This time the team are called out when a runner finds a body wrapped in black plastic in Graig-Dhu woods near Brechfa. As always a well written and easy read book which always gets my little grey cells working.
Briefly, the dead man is identified as Scott Croft who worked for a local taxi minibus firm and was currently living with his brother. His abandoned car is later found and that leads the team to two contract killers. Then some strange deaths come to light when the team start to look into the last passengers Scott drove. Meanwhile, DS Jess Allanby, Warlow’s partner, is on her way back from visiting family in Milan and Rhys and Gina are enjoying a spa break.
As always this is a great police procedural and the darker elements are always peppered with splashes of humour, intended and not, and usually thanks to Gil and Rhys. This is quite a twisty story, although I did guess some of the twists this time, with a number of suspects and the investigation moving well outside their usual patch. A satisfying conclusion to what is without doubt one of my favourite series in this genre.
Briefly, the dead man is identified as Scott Croft who worked for a local taxi minibus firm and was currently living with his brother. His abandoned car is later found and that leads the team to two contract killers. Then some strange deaths come to light when the team start to look into the last passengers Scott drove. Meanwhile, DS Jess Allanby, Warlow’s partner, is on her way back from visiting family in Milan and Rhys and Gina are enjoying a spa break.
As always this is a great police procedural and the darker elements are always peppered with splashes of humour, intended and not, and usually thanks to Gil and Rhys. This is quite a twisty story, although I did guess some of the twists this time, with a number of suspects and the investigation moving well outside their usual patch. A satisfying conclusion to what is without doubt one of my favourite series in this genre.
Review of advance copy
It’s difficult to believe that this is the 21st book in this awesome series as the writing is as fresh as book one.
In Reckless Deceit, when the body of a man is discovered in the woods, DCI Evan Warlow and the team really have their work cut out to find the killer as they can’t find any reason to explain why he would be so brutally murdered. As ever, I felt like I had returned home and once again become part of this close knit police family. Each character has their own important part to play and they do it so well as they bounce perfectly off each other. It also wonderful to see how they’ve developed both in their professional and private lives, and the secret two members of the team are hiding kept me hooked. There are a few shocking moments throughout the pages, and although this is a dark story, as ever, there is some fabulous humour.
I raced through the pages of Reckless Deceit, loving every minute I spent with the team, and I’m now twiddling my thumbs waiting for the next book to be released. Thankfully I’ll only have a few months to wait.
In Reckless Deceit, when the body of a man is discovered in the woods, DCI Evan Warlow and the team really have their work cut out to find the killer as they can’t find any reason to explain why he would be so brutally murdered. As ever, I felt like I had returned home and once again become part of this close knit police family. Each character has their own important part to play and they do it so well as they bounce perfectly off each other. It also wonderful to see how they’ve developed both in their professional and private lives, and the secret two members of the team are hiding kept me hooked. There are a few shocking moments throughout the pages, and although this is a dark story, as ever, there is some fabulous humour.
I raced through the pages of Reckless Deceit, loving every minute I spent with the team, and I’m now twiddling my thumbs waiting for the next book to be released. Thankfully I’ll only have a few months to wait.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reckless Deceit by Rhys Dylan is book 21 in the DCI Evan Warlow series. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favour. It is one of my favourites, and I was hooked from book 1, and the following books haven’t disappointed. They are set in Wales. This book involves a murder which has the team perplexed. I love the sense of empathy and compassion that is very evident throughout the story. There is plenty of humour throughout particularly involving Gil and Rhys. You can’t help laughing along. You can notice the change of pace too as the investigation heats up. There is a terrific cast of characters and the story, for me, is very much about them. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as part of Rhys Dylan's ARC team. Couldn't put this one down. The call comes in about a body found on the side of an out-of-the-way trail in the woods above Brechfa. Why is the body here but the man's car is found not far from his home, which is where he was headed after work was done that night? What did he do to become the victim? What is the truth surrounding this event? As always there are great exchanges between Rhys and Gil that made me smile, and I was certainly glad to see Evan back and in charge. And what's going on with Rhys and Gina? And Catrin?
October 8, 2026
There were so many moving parts and paths, making this book hard to put down because you needed to know where the plot was going next. All the regular characters were there, tying the storyline and their personal lives together. The ending was surprising as multiple mysteries were solved. More into the personal lives of the characters and I can't wait for the next book to see where this all goes next. Only complaint, need more Cadi.
October 7, 2026
Wrong Person
Brilliant story from an author at the top of his game with a terrible travesty of justice when the wrong person is taken and murdered.
Evan and the team were able through exact diligence to finally apprehend the people responsible.
Congrats to Catrin on her new bairn.
Easy to recommend but start at the beginning always helps.
Brilliant story from an author at the top of his game with a terrible travesty of justice when the wrong person is taken and murdered.
Evan and the team were able through exact diligence to finally apprehend the people responsible.
Congrats to Catrin on her new bairn.
Easy to recommend but start at the beginning always helps.
October 8, 2026
Cracking read!
The wolf is very firmly back in the driving seat in this outing of the team. Liked the clear picture given of how police procedures progress and roles each officer plays. Was able to see where this was leading fairly early on but it did not detract from my enjoyment at all. Can't wait for the next one and hope this series continues.
The wolf is very firmly back in the driving seat in this outing of the team. Liked the clear picture given of how police procedures progress and roles each officer plays. Was able to see where this was leading fairly early on but it did not detract from my enjoyment at all. Can't wait for the next one and hope this series continues.
October 10, 2026
Brilliant and griping
Rhys is my all time favourite author. His DCI Evan Warlow books, are griping and never fail to disappoint. Hard core crime alongside humour with great characters. Thank you for another fab story.
Rhys is my all time favourite author. His DCI Evan Warlow books, are griping and never fail to disappoint. Hard core crime alongside humour with great characters. Thank you for another fab story.
October 12, 2026
Best one yet!
Great premise, great characters and a couple of tweaks in the use of reports. I think the author should produce a map of Wales and pin where his books are located!
Loving his attitude on the senior police too.
Great premise, great characters and a couple of tweaks in the use of reports. I think the author should produce a map of Wales and pin where his books are located!
Loving his attitude on the senior police too.
October 13, 2026
Well what can I say, another fantastic read from the author. A series well established that just keeps getting better and better, great storylines, great characters, great books.
Warlow and the team doing what they do best, I won’t re-hash the storyline for my review but will just say what a read.
Warlow and the team doing what they do best, I won’t re-hash the storyline for my review but will just say what a read.
October 7, 2026
as usual, a great read
I continue to be engaged in this series. Albeit I think I miss some of the jokes, mustbe a Scot’s thing
I continue to be engaged in this series. Albeit I think I miss some of the jokes, mustbe a Scot’s thing
October 11, 2026
always enjoyable
Always enjoyable. Well written and a great mix of Warlow's personal life and detective skills. Great to see his team grow.
Always enjoyable. Well written and a great mix of Warlow's personal life and detective skills. Great to see his team grow.
October 11, 2026
I have waited for this book because all of these in the series are excellent. I find myself laughing out loud and caught up in the detectives crime solving.
October 11, 2026
What a rollercoaster
Brilliant, unputdownable, incredible plot with devastating ending ! Definitely a major film in the making. Well done Rhys Dylan on your creative thinking.
Brilliant, unputdownable, incredible plot with devastating ending ! Definitely a major film in the making. Well done Rhys Dylan on your creative thinking.
October 12, 2026
excellent
I love reading these books so entertaining ! They are well written & an easy read . I pre order even this author . P
I love reading these books so entertaining ! They are well written & an easy read . I pre order even this author . P
October 12, 2026
Awaiting the next book! Suspense and humor that can't be beat.
October 12, 2026
Really enjoyed this story and could not figure it out until Catrin did love a book like that
October 13, 2026
Never fails to be perfect. I do enjoy visiting with Evan and the crew. Gil will forever be my favorite.
October 13, 2026
Addictive……
These books are wonderful. I have read them all, eagerly awaiting the next one. The humour is laugh out loud!
These books are wonderful. I have read them all, eagerly awaiting the next one. The humour is laugh out loud!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews