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Seasonal Thriller #2
Twelve Deaths of Christmas
The second seasonal thriller from author Jackson Sharp, this time introducing DI Kerry Cox.
It's Christmas, but Detective Inspector Kerry Cox is not celebrating. The holiday season is usually tough for Cox, but this year she's preparing to face down the ramifications of her most recent investigation: a fumbled child trafficking case.
Distraction comes when the body of a retired ex-policeman is found, and DI Cox refuses to buy that it's a suicide. Despite warnings and pressures, she follows the trail stubbornly.
Teaming up with the journalist, and ex-lover, who almost ruined her career, their investigations uncover a sinister network of paedophiles operating many years before. The killer they are hunting is desperate for revenge, revenge against those who evaded punishment all those years before.
And as the bodies and historical evidence mount up, DI Cox's focus is torn between tracking down the serial killer, and bringing the upper echelons of British society to justice...
It's Christmas, but Detective Inspector Kerry Cox is not celebrating. The holiday season is usually tough for Cox, but this year she's preparing to face down the ramifications of her most recent investigation: a fumbled child trafficking case.
Distraction comes when the body of a retired ex-policeman is found, and DI Cox refuses to buy that it's a suicide. Despite warnings and pressures, she follows the trail stubbornly.
Teaming up with the journalist, and ex-lover, who almost ruined her career, their investigations uncover a sinister network of paedophiles operating many years before. The killer they are hunting is desperate for revenge, revenge against those who evaded punishment all those years before.
And as the bodies and historical evidence mount up, DI Cox's focus is torn between tracking down the serial killer, and bringing the upper echelons of British society to justice...
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
13 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Jackson Sharp
2 books8 followersJackson Sharp lives in the UK. Trick or Treat was Jackson's first thriller, and Twelve Deaths of Christmas is his second.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 26, 2022
Police Inspector Kerry Cox comes across three suspicious deaths over a few days, when it starts to look like they're connected, Cox finds herself on a dark case whose root is likely a paedophile ring decades in the past, but how high does the conspiracy go? Who can she trust?
Reasons to read: Formulaic historic child abuse thriller that is sound and has a sympathetic female lead in Cox. The story pulls no punches in pointing the figure at mostly privilege White men as the antagonists with the will and power to conspire on such a dreadful crime. It's kind of cool that you come into this book after a previous case nearly destroyed Cox's career, and that's her backstory! An easy read, with large-ish text and short-ish chapters, make it a quick easy read. Reasons not to read: Extremely explicit descriptions of child-abuse in a public enquiry scene. A troublesome dysfunctional non-family life is spanner-ed in with limited detail and little effort. The supporting cast and antagonist are cardboard cut-outs with very limited character development.
I make this a 6 out of 12, Three Star read.
2022 read
Reasons to read: Formulaic historic child abuse thriller that is sound and has a sympathetic female lead in Cox. The story pulls no punches in pointing the figure at mostly privilege White men as the antagonists with the will and power to conspire on such a dreadful crime. It's kind of cool that you come into this book after a previous case nearly destroyed Cox's career, and that's her backstory! An easy read, with large-ish text and short-ish chapters, make it a quick easy read. Reasons not to read: Extremely explicit descriptions of child-abuse in a public enquiry scene. A troublesome dysfunctional non-family life is spanner-ed in with limited detail and little effort. The supporting cast and antagonist are cardboard cut-outs with very limited character development.
I make this a 6 out of 12, Three Star read.
2022 read
December 20, 2019
2.5 stars
December 19, 2020
This was a good Christmas crime read with the most unfortunate of titles especially for this year. The only thing I didn't like was some of the way it was written... For example.... Went into kitchen. Got drink and not using She in front of it etc. I think it was meant to be punchy but I like good old fashioned writing ways. Aside from that a good thriller
January 1, 2016
Although this book is called the twelve deaths of christmas this is not a christmassy thriller. DCI Kerry Cox is called to the suicide of a retired senior policeman. When she turns up at the scene she finds that a man from the Ministry of Justice is overseeing the investigation. She quickly realises this was not a simple suicide and finds out that the policeman had links to a children's home in the 1980s which was closed down due to suspected child abuse in the home. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Jackson Sharp.
December 15, 2024
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Despite taking place at Christmas, this is the least festive thriller you will find. This is a taut, grimy police case introducing DI Kerry Cox hunting a serial killer. The plot involves a boys care home and a 'performance' pedophile ring that goes right to the top. Just enough detail to rub your face in it, and the most grim story at Christmas.
DI Kerry Cox is awaiting an inquest on a previous sex crime case (where a boy was killed, maybe by police error) when a man jumps out of his window on Boxing Day. William Radley was an ex-Met Police Chief and the scene attracts the attention of the Ministry of Justice. A simple suicide they say. Closed case.
Kerry disagrees, then finds the man Radley spent Christmas dinner has also just died, respected child psychologist Dr. Allis. On the side, she investigates with reporter friend Greg Wilson, aided by computer geek DiMacedo. Her boss DCI Pete Naysmith is an alcoholic who blocks her all the way.
Before he died, Radley sent flowers to another deceased friend, Verity Holcombe. All three worked at the boys home in the 80's - someone is perhaps meting their own justice. Some of the boys are tracked down, now grown criminals, and Cox learns others who ran the home may be next on the death list. With a direct order to stop, including suspension, Cox is too late to save one of them, and the other is too high to reach.
Interspersed are flashback accounts of Robbie and his younger brother Stan, two boys trying to make it out of care alive, who provide most of the details of sexual and physical abuse. Robbie is trying to figure out the mysterious goings-on at the home, but has no idea how organized and pervasive it is.
While I found the theme distasteful (especially at Christmas), I have to admit Jackson Sharp pulled off a tight, exciting thriller. The pace, the discoveries, and the characters kept me turning the pages. I read a lot of thrillers, and this actually delivered on the mystery and a bang up finale.
A warning if you are looking for Christmas mysteries - this is absolutely grim.
UK author Sharp has another holiday themed thriller "Trick Or Treat." I would read another Kerry Cox mystery, but I think this was a one off.
Despite taking place at Christmas, this is the least festive thriller you will find. This is a taut, grimy police case introducing DI Kerry Cox hunting a serial killer. The plot involves a boys care home and a 'performance' pedophile ring that goes right to the top. Just enough detail to rub your face in it, and the most grim story at Christmas.
DI Kerry Cox is awaiting an inquest on a previous sex crime case (where a boy was killed, maybe by police error) when a man jumps out of his window on Boxing Day. William Radley was an ex-Met Police Chief and the scene attracts the attention of the Ministry of Justice. A simple suicide they say. Closed case.
Kerry disagrees, then finds the man Radley spent Christmas dinner has also just died, respected child psychologist Dr. Allis. On the side, she investigates with reporter friend Greg Wilson, aided by computer geek DiMacedo. Her boss DCI Pete Naysmith is an alcoholic who blocks her all the way.
Before he died, Radley sent flowers to another deceased friend, Verity Holcombe. All three worked at the boys home in the 80's - someone is perhaps meting their own justice. Some of the boys are tracked down, now grown criminals, and Cox learns others who ran the home may be next on the death list. With a direct order to stop, including suspension, Cox is too late to save one of them, and the other is too high to reach.
Interspersed are flashback accounts of Robbie and his younger brother Stan, two boys trying to make it out of care alive, who provide most of the details of sexual and physical abuse. Robbie is trying to figure out the mysterious goings-on at the home, but has no idea how organized and pervasive it is.
While I found the theme distasteful (especially at Christmas), I have to admit Jackson Sharp pulled off a tight, exciting thriller. The pace, the discoveries, and the characters kept me turning the pages. I read a lot of thrillers, and this actually delivered on the mystery and a bang up finale.
A warning if you are looking for Christmas mysteries - this is absolutely grim.
UK author Sharp has another holiday themed thriller "Trick Or Treat." I would read another Kerry Cox mystery, but I think this was a one off.
December 24, 2022
Excellent book. Short precise sentences. The book, while large, fortunately did not feel the need to graphically explain everything and everyone. Just enough info to give us a good picture. Very good read, though disappointed this will be the last we see in this series.
December 30, 2022
This was a great way to be in the holiday spirit while coming down from the Halloween season. It was a definite slow burn but quickly went left towards the end! I literally didn't know who to pin on the crimes being committed. I would read this again!
June 28, 2021
Strong, likable characters, and some to dislike as well.
January 7, 2023
Ooh great book. Loved the story n characters very good 😆💖📚
January 25, 2016
Twelve Deaths Of Christmas is a page turner. DI Kerry Cox investigates a murderer no one else believes exists. She gets into trouble for her investigation and is hampered at every turn by "higher ups" but she keeps going in dogged pursuit of the truth. Her actions are maverick to say the least and lack plausibility but, boy do they make for a good read. It starts with the death of an ex-police officer. Kerry sees murder but the Department of Justice's representative is very clear it is suicide. When several of the policeman's former friends are also found dead Kerry sees links back to a children's home and everyone else sees a series of unrelated deaths. At the same time she has an inquiry into a previous investigation of child abuse hanging over her.
Kerry Cox is not a particularly likeable person. She puts her career before her family, notably her son, and she is so dogged in her investigation that she has no other interests or the ability to play well with others. I think Mr Sharp is very clever with his gender stereotype reversal in Kerry's case and it pulled me up sharply - Kerry does not have custody of her son and often disappoints him by either cutting short the visit or not making it all. It makes for interesting reading.
The plot has plenty of twists and turns with the present day narrative interspersed with accounts of life in a children's home in 1986. As these accounts involve abuse of all kinds they are quite harrowing, not least for their matter of fact tone, and are not for the faint hearted. I think Twelve Deaths Of Christmas is a very good read and have no hesitation in recommending it as such.
Kerry Cox is not a particularly likeable person. She puts her career before her family, notably her son, and she is so dogged in her investigation that she has no other interests or the ability to play well with others. I think Mr Sharp is very clever with his gender stereotype reversal in Kerry's case and it pulled me up sharply - Kerry does not have custody of her son and often disappoints him by either cutting short the visit or not making it all. It makes for interesting reading.
The plot has plenty of twists and turns with the present day narrative interspersed with accounts of life in a children's home in 1986. As these accounts involve abuse of all kinds they are quite harrowing, not least for their matter of fact tone, and are not for the faint hearted. I think Twelve Deaths Of Christmas is a very good read and have no hesitation in recommending it as such.
January 13, 2017
I got this out of the library over the Christmas holiday, I don't normally read Christmas themed books but thought I'd give it a go as it was on the recommended shelf! With the festivities I forgot about it and picked it up in the new year, we'll I have to say it was very good! I was expecting it to be a little twee with Christmas being a theme but it's hardly mentioned at all and the story is very gripping with a likable main character DI Kerry Cox racing against time to find the killer of a retired police officer! Unravelling a very grim past connecting several recent deaths together with the help of journalist Greg Wilson they uncover truths many would rather stay hidden! I was held captive by this novel and couldn't put it down rising to the kitchen to book the kettle for more coffee so I would have the power and strength to read just one more chapter! Well worth a read. I loved it
February 11, 2016
Bought this as a present for the spousal unit. (we share books ;) )
It's a dark read with a fairly complex plot about child abuse. Violent, creepy and frightening in places, but I would have liked some more depth to the characters, instead of the somewhat stereotypical portrayals. I never felt I was 'in' their heads if you get my drift.
I have to say I wasn't enamoured with Kerry Cox, but that is a personal thing and has no bearing on my rating. However, the use of italics for the 'days of Christmas' was incredibly irritating. I find italics almost impossible to read and in the end I had to skip through all these passages, trusting that I wasn't missing some point that was vital to the overall plot.
Three stars. I liked it, but it was a touch too predictable in places.
It's a dark read with a fairly complex plot about child abuse. Violent, creepy and frightening in places, but I would have liked some more depth to the characters, instead of the somewhat stereotypical portrayals. I never felt I was 'in' their heads if you get my drift.
I have to say I wasn't enamoured with Kerry Cox, but that is a personal thing and has no bearing on my rating. However, the use of italics for the 'days of Christmas' was incredibly irritating. I find italics almost impossible to read and in the end I had to skip through all these passages, trusting that I wasn't missing some point that was vital to the overall plot.
Three stars. I liked it, but it was a touch too predictable in places.
April 7, 2016
This is a good thriller with plenty of hooks, but you may have to forgive a few things. At the beginning I lost patience with the central character, Kerry. She prioritizes her police work while her ex has to look after their child. You might find her dysfunctional boss hard to believe, although perhaps real life in the police can be like that. And in common with many heroes, she is able to function despite what appear to be serious injuries.
The action is engaging and the flashbacks gradually build up a picture of historic child abuse and violence. The official cover-up is well depicted and chilling. There is plenty of drama when the crisis occurs. But the last couple of pages seemed too neat, not quite in tune with my impression of Kerry's personality.
Even so, I enjoyed this book.
The action is engaging and the flashbacks gradually build up a picture of historic child abuse and violence. The official cover-up is well depicted and chilling. There is plenty of drama when the crisis occurs. But the last couple of pages seemed too neat, not quite in tune with my impression of Kerry's personality.
Even so, I enjoyed this book.
February 7, 2016
Easy reading. The chosen subject is a hard one to cover without either getting bogged down in the horror of it or seemingly skirting over it. This book did the latter, the real horror of the past was skirted over to give the current day story a bit of background. there were certainly no real twists in the book, you pretty much had it figured out long before the end but it was good to see how they got to the conclusion. Overall I did enjoy the story and the style.
January 3, 2016
The storyline of a series of murders seemingly random, is interspersed with flashbacks over 3o years ago in a children's home. A good read if a little far-fetched at times with a very over enthusiastic Detective Inspector Cox following up lines of enquiry and leads that had me yelling "wait for back up!" All in all a good read and well put together.
March 22, 2022
Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Jackson Sharp opens with DI Kerry Cox being called to the death of a retired senior officer. She thinks it a murder, her superiors are intent that it's suicide. Suspicions aroused and met with resistance at every turn, Cox goes rogue and begins to unravel a decades-long chain of abuse, murder and corruption. A real page turner of a thriller.
February 19, 2016
Excellent crime theme, kept me guessing
March 9, 2016
kept me turning the pages. Didn't care for DI Cox much, can't believe she'd dump her son at the zoo. Why are all fictional detectives so disfunctional and their bosses complete idiots?
December 16, 2016
Not remotely Christmassy in nature except for the time it was set. However, it was a gripping, gritty crime novel which had me hooked to the last page.
December 29, 2016
really good fast paced book kept you guessing and needing to learn more and I absolutely loved the characters well worth a read.
December 31, 2016
Thoroughly gripping, though at times deeply upsetting, crime thriller with a superbly drawn central detective.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews