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Davy Johnson #1
Truth Lies Waiting
Imagine you've just witnessed a murder.
And you're now being framed for it.
Only the person framing you is a cop...
Davy Johnson is a young man from the wrong side of the tracks with a target on his back. After a spell in prison he is trying to make a life for himself but one cop won’t leave him alone, following him around and carting him off to the station just for the fun of it. The harassment turns sinister when Davy witnesses his nemesis overstep the mark with a local junkie – and makes the mistake of telling him he’s been seen. What happens next sees Davy framed for a string of murders with no one to help him but the gang leader he turned his back on when he got out of jail – but what will he want in return?
With the help of an ex con and a local cabbie Davy goes on the run to prove his innocence but as the body count rises he discovers a connection between what’s happening now and a tragedy involving his father many years before.
Will he be able to work out the truth from the lie in time to save the killer’s next victim?
Scottish crime fiction with a sting in the tail...
And you're now being framed for it.
Only the person framing you is a cop...
Davy Johnson is a young man from the wrong side of the tracks with a target on his back. After a spell in prison he is trying to make a life for himself but one cop won’t leave him alone, following him around and carting him off to the station just for the fun of it. The harassment turns sinister when Davy witnesses his nemesis overstep the mark with a local junkie – and makes the mistake of telling him he’s been seen. What happens next sees Davy framed for a string of murders with no one to help him but the gang leader he turned his back on when he got out of jail – but what will he want in return?
With the help of an ex con and a local cabbie Davy goes on the run to prove his innocence but as the body count rises he discovers a connection between what’s happening now and a tragedy involving his father many years before.
Will he be able to work out the truth from the lie in time to save the killer’s next victim?
Scottish crime fiction with a sting in the tail...
302 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2014
93 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Emma Salisbury
27 books77 followersJoffe Books Prize 2024 Finalist. I write gritty, crime fiction that focuses on the 'why'dunnit as well as the 'who'. I worked for a housing association supporting socially excluded men and ex-offenders, which provided me with a lot of inspiration. Fans of BBC series Happy Valley should try both my Coupland and Ashcroft detective series for their unflinching realism and pace.
ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!
Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.
Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland. You can find out more on my website www.emmasalisbury.com and I can be found on Linktr.ee/Emma Salisbury
ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!
Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.
Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland. You can find out more on my website www.emmasalisbury.com and I can be found on Linktr.ee/Emma Salisbury
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 1, 2017
Sixteenth book of my holiday reads.
3.5 stars
This is what I would class as quite a raw and gritty read. Davy is a fairly likeable guy who for some reason has the local bobby hell bent on making his life hell. You can't help but feel sorry for him.
The story really comes together in the last quarter of the book and when the realisation of the why's hit you it really makes for some gripping reading. By the looks this is the first in a series of which I have no doubt Davy and the stories will go from strength to strength. Will certainly read more by the author.
3.5 stars
This is what I would class as quite a raw and gritty read. Davy is a fairly likeable guy who for some reason has the local bobby hell bent on making his life hell. You can't help but feel sorry for him.
The story really comes together in the last quarter of the book and when the realisation of the why's hit you it really makes for some gripping reading. By the looks this is the first in a series of which I have no doubt Davy and the stories will go from strength to strength. Will certainly read more by the author.
April 3, 2016
Davey Jonhson is released from prison determined to start afresh. Only problem is there's a corrupt cop trying to frame him for murder and the only people people he can turn to for help are the people he's trying to move away from.
I really liked the character of Davey. The choices he tries to make and the impact his own actions, and those of the people around him, have on him are well written. He's an anti-hero, but at heart a good man trying to improve his lot.
I don't understand why some other readers were so against a corrupt police officer being the person creating Davey's problems. A. - this is fiction. B. - there are some corrupt cops in real life anyway! I enjoyed the battle and the friction between the two characters.
This story has a fast moving plot that keeps you on your toes. It is dark and gritty with occasional humour, which I like better than a completely overpowering story. I also liked the author's writing style and recommend this to anyone who enjoys crime suspense novels.
I really liked the character of Davey. The choices he tries to make and the impact his own actions, and those of the people around him, have on him are well written. He's an anti-hero, but at heart a good man trying to improve his lot.
I don't understand why some other readers were so against a corrupt police officer being the person creating Davey's problems. A. - this is fiction. B. - there are some corrupt cops in real life anyway! I enjoyed the battle and the friction between the two characters.
This story has a fast moving plot that keeps you on your toes. It is dark and gritty with occasional humour, which I like better than a completely overpowering story. I also liked the author's writing style and recommend this to anyone who enjoys crime suspense novels.
July 20, 2016
3.5 stars from me: Tough gritty Scottish crime thriller.
Davey Johnson has been released from prison and is determined to make a new start in his life, only one problem there seems to be someone determined to make his life misery, local police officer - McIntryre and this campaign against him heightens until Davey is forced to go on the run as he is framed for murder.
I liked the Davey's character, there is a real sense that underneath the wee toerag there is a decent person trying his hardest to get out, he's had a tough upbringing - his dad disappeared when he was younger, his mum's on the game and his "aunt" Jude is brutally murdered in front of him. Throughout the book he is determined to put some wrongs right and in doing so he uncovers a multitude of past events which have led him to where he now finds himself.
McIntyre the police officer is a nasty piece of work and so it is easy to find yourself defending Davey to the hilt.
I did find some of the scenarios slightly far fetched - but I am always willing to forgive - it's fiction for goodness sake - I'm happy for writers to stretch the boundaries in the quest to give me a story. A niggle for me (and completely trivial and not related to the story at all was the names of 2 of the characters - Candy Staton and Les Mahago (Lesmahagow is a small town in Scotland)(and I'm dying to know if these were deliberate from the author) - I found myself unable to take these 2 characters seriously because of their names ;-) - but as I say this is nothing to do with the actual storyline.
It's a fast paced book with plenty of detail and action - as a reader I was kept interested throughout as I tried to work out what the outcome was going to be; some good Scottish humour - Scottish crime always works well with a wee bit of gallows humour and this one done it for me!
I'd give this a strong 3.5 stars and will definitely be tempted to read the second in the Davey Johnson series. Thanks to Emma for the review copy in return for an honest review.
Davey Johnson has been released from prison and is determined to make a new start in his life, only one problem there seems to be someone determined to make his life misery, local police officer - McIntryre and this campaign against him heightens until Davey is forced to go on the run as he is framed for murder.
I liked the Davey's character, there is a real sense that underneath the wee toerag there is a decent person trying his hardest to get out, he's had a tough upbringing - his dad disappeared when he was younger, his mum's on the game and his "aunt" Jude is brutally murdered in front of him. Throughout the book he is determined to put some wrongs right and in doing so he uncovers a multitude of past events which have led him to where he now finds himself.
McIntyre the police officer is a nasty piece of work and so it is easy to find yourself defending Davey to the hilt.
I did find some of the scenarios slightly far fetched - but I am always willing to forgive - it's fiction for goodness sake - I'm happy for writers to stretch the boundaries in the quest to give me a story. A niggle for me (and completely trivial and not related to the story at all was the names of 2 of the characters - Candy Staton and Les Mahago (Lesmahagow is a small town in Scotland)(and I'm dying to know if these were deliberate from the author) - I found myself unable to take these 2 characters seriously because of their names ;-) - but as I say this is nothing to do with the actual storyline.
It's a fast paced book with plenty of detail and action - as a reader I was kept interested throughout as I tried to work out what the outcome was going to be; some good Scottish humour - Scottish crime always works well with a wee bit of gallows humour and this one done it for me!
I'd give this a strong 3.5 stars and will definitely be tempted to read the second in the Davey Johnson series. Thanks to Emma for the review copy in return for an honest review.
April 20, 2016
I enjoyed this very much, we're introduced to Davy, a character you'd think that you wouldn't feel sympathy for, just out of prison, a bit rough round the edges & not from the best of backgrounds. But as he tries to make a new & fresh start for himself, the story really starts to unravel & you really begin to route for him. He gets victimised by a local police officer, with a very personal grudge, who does he best to ruin everything for Davy. Setting him up for crimes he didn't commit & much, much more. A gripping, powerful, very different kind of plot, fast paced, well written. Yes as some reviews say, a little far fetched in places, but isn't that what good writing is all about, stretching the imagination just that little bit further, pushing beyond the normal, with twist that will have you hooked, & not wanting to put it down.
February 26, 2015
Another great storyline. Written from the perspective of a young man not long out of prison who gets caught up in a murder (he's the witness) but his background and a corrupt cop mean he becomes the suspect. He goes on the run to clear his name. Fast paced but underwritten with his feelings for his absent father you can't help but like Davy and his loyal, if colourful, band of supporters.
Would definitely recommend and can't wait for the next.
Would definitely recommend and can't wait for the next.
September 4, 2016
What a book ( Truth lies Waiting)
I could not wait to start reading it , But then I did not want my read to end twist and turns to the very end. Thank you Emma Salisbury for very enjoyable read .
I could not wait to start reading it , But then I did not want my read to end twist and turns to the very end. Thank you Emma Salisbury for very enjoyable read .
April 1, 2016
Great read
I thought the book was really good, could not put it down, it covered every aspect of crime, from drugs to murder, roll on book 2
I thought the book was really good, could not put it down, it covered every aspect of crime, from drugs to murder, roll on book 2
July 23, 2015
Really gritty & I enjoy the writing style.
July 1, 2017
I am used to the British slang found in some books. This one is a first for me. Scottish brogue is tough to decipher making understanding difficult. Slugged it out till the end though. Davey, the main character wasn't bad throughout.
July 17, 2019
This is quite an interesting book. It is cleverly written with an unique style of writing. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. It kept me interested throughout the book. I want to read more from this author and will be reading more of her books.
September 26, 2019
Big cities
This is life as we all know in large cities. We have all seen the character Davey walking down these streets, looking for something better than what life has thrown them. I enjoyed this book.
This is life as we all know in large cities. We have all seen the character Davey walking down these streets, looking for something better than what life has thrown them. I enjoyed this book.
March 17, 2019
Gripping mystery
I found it hard to read at first because of the authentic wording. After I got that managed it was a gripping murder mystery.
I found it hard to read at first because of the authentic wording. After I got that managed it was a gripping murder mystery.
May 27, 2025
A local is pursuing some kind of vendetta against Davy Johnson, but he doesn't know why. Well plotted Scottish crime thriller.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews