Two One Three

DCI Daley #0.5

by Denzil Meyrick

Glasgow, 1986. Only a few months into his new job, Constable Jim Daley is walking the beat. When he is called to investigate a break-in, he finds a young woman lying dead in her squalid flat. But how and why did she die? In a race against time, Daley is seconded to the CID to help catch a serial killer, under the guidance of his new friend DC Brian Scott. But the police are not the only ones looking for the killer . . . Jim Daley tackles his first serious crime on the mean streets of Glasgow, in an investigation that will change his life for ever. This is a stunning eBook only prequel to Denzil Meyrick’s critically acclaimed, best-selling DCI Jim Daley series.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Scotland, Fiction, Novella, Ebooks

91 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2015

About the author

Denzil Meyrick was a Scottish bestselling novelist. Prior to that, he served as a police officer with Strathclyde Police then a manager with Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Argyll. Since 2012 Denzil Meyrick had worked as a writer of Scottish crime fiction novels. He was also an executive director of media production company Houses of Steel.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the problems with so many good books listed in your to read section some books, new authors often get pushed further down the list.
I have been wanting to read Denzil Meyrick’s series centred on DCI Daley for a couple of years and NETGalley often throws up something new and maintains a balance on my choices but it can be at the expense of good intentions. (Re-reading Rankin’s Rebus books perhaps or starting new series or following up authors I liked first time out.)
It was with determination and a conscious effort I found out Two One Three: A DCI Daley Thriller by Denzil Meyrick. Some may appreciate that I enjoy following a character chronologically and would always endeavour to read books in the sequence they were published. Some authors have found time to mix things up by introducing eBook novellas to present their characters in one off cases out of order or like in this case go back in time to a specific point. So with Two One Three in that it takes us back to a young rookie police constable John Daley in the Glasgow of 1986 at the very start of his police career.
Obviously therefore it will appeal to new readers and established fans of this series without any spoilers or problems in the timeline.
For me it confirms what I had assumed that the author was worthy of reading and in Jim Daley we have a character we care about and we’re ready to follow in his journey.
This is an excellent short crime story that serves its purpose of introducing a number of elements but without spoiling a plot or tense thriller. The story stands alone and it is very interesting to see how Constable Daley is encouraged to cross the huge gap between uniform and CID. The difficulties are not overplayed but it shows the merit of role models and encouragement in any career.
Responding to a possible break-in PC Daley arrives at a crime scene. The lead detective who heads up the enquiry asks Daley to do some door to door enquiries and become actively involved as it is possible that the victim is the third suspicious death and Glasgow could have a serial killer on its hands. Young Daley is a natural and despite pressure and jealousy from his own sergeant is drawn into the investigation and finally seconded into the CID team. He shows a natural instinct and flair for the work under the guidance and mentoring of DC Brian Scott.
A fine introduction for a fresh reader like me or an interesting episode for existing fans while they waited for book 4 in the now established series. I now have some catching up to do but have the prospect of some four novels to explore and cement my original inkling that here was an author for me and a character driven series I would appreciate.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good prequel to the DCI Jim Daley series, and shows how he met his partner, Brian Scott, his wife, Liz, and various other characters in the series.

The story was good, and showed Daley's early skills as a young Constable with 15 months on the job. There are some surprises in this one, too, hinting at the things to come in the main series.

If you haven't read the books, DON'T read this short story! It's full of spoilers! :D

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denzil Meyrick - Die Mädchen von Strathclyde
eBook - 70 Seiten

Hmm ich weiß nicht so recht, was ich davon halten soll.
Einerseits war die Story nicht schlecht, hat zweifellos Potential - aber zum einen ging mir alles viel zu schnell.
Da wäre locker noch Platz für ein paar mehr Seiten gewesen, besonders bei der Auflösung des Falls.
Zum anderen hatte ich meine Probleme mit der Sprache - bei dem ganze "Aye..." kam ich mir vor, als würde ich eine Geschichte über Seemänner lesen.
Aber ich denke, das ist Geschmackssache - mal ab davon lies es sich gut und flüssig lesen.
Ich verbringe dann mal noch ein wenig Zeit damit, mir zu überlegen, ob ich die eigentliche Story dazu lesen werde...

* digitales Rezensionsexemplar von NetGalley & HarperCollins

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant wee story, taking us back to when Jim Daley was a probationary young cop on the beat in Glasgow. Although a short story, as always with Mr Meyrick's books, there is lots of suspense, intrigue, humour and just a sprinkling of romance. This particular wee story gives us a fascinating insight to what it was like to be a young cop back in the 80's. I hope we can hear more of the young Jim Daley and Brian Scott's adventures in more episodes!

To be frank, Mr Meyrick is the only reason I use Kindle, just so I can read his short stories. Can't wait till April for the release of his next book, "The Rat Stone Serenade".

[justbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Mädchen von Strathclyde ist ein gelungenes Prequel, welches mir viel Spaß gemacht hat zu lesen und super für Zwischendurch ist. Ein Buch welches in Schottland handelt hatte ich noch nie gelesen und ich muss sagen, dass ich diesen Standort sehr interessant fand und auch die Zeit, welche ich jedoch nicht so ganz genau zuordnen konnte. Die Handlung war sehr spannend und unvorhersehbar. Natürlich war alles nicht so super ausführlich und die Charaktere ausbaufähig, aber als Prequel und Einstieg in neue Krimis perfekt. Nur das Ende hat mich etwas gestört, da mich das Motiv des Täters doch sehr interessiert hätte.

[Kerry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story (although it is a proper story and not just a couple of pages) which might be considered the beginning of the DCI Daley series. In it, Daley meets not only Brian Scott but also Liz, his future partner.

I did enjoy the fact that this was a proper story and I would like to thank Denzil Meyrick for showing readers that respect. There is a crime to be solved (although you can't solve it yourself which is a but irritating) but the emphasis is definitely on the relationships and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

As I said, this is a proper short story and I know there are others to accompany the series. On the strength of this one, I'll definitely be reading more.

[Emanuela Pascari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting "Two One Three" to set the charaters and the moods and landscapes for the series to come. I found very little, if any at all, atmoshpere building. The prose rushes through plot beats, brushing past mood and place-setting, as if eager to get the job done and move on. The city never comes alive, and even the characters feel more like sketches than people with blood and breath.

There’s a simplicity to the writing that could have worked in its favor, had it been paired with a tiny bit of emotional texture or sensory detail. But neither the clipped style nor the liberal sprinkling of “tae” and “aye” could convince me I was truly in 1980s Glasgow. It all felt like a procedural outline missing its soul.

[Misa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually the first book I’ve read in this series, and it’s a great starting point! It takes us back to when Daley was still a Constable, first meeting his friend DC Scott and a stunningly gorgeous girl (I’ll keep reading to see if they end up married with kids, living happily ever after). Each character has such a unique personality that it’s easy to fall in love with them. I also really admire how the author captures the nighttime atmosphere of 1980s Glasgow.

The only challenge for me is that English isn’t my first language, so reading the heavy accents in text form has been a bit tough!

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just read the first book in the series, Whisky from Small Glasses, & noticed my library had this short prequel, so I had to read it. Daley is a Probationary PC working under DS Donald in uniform when he gets seconded to CID as an Acting DC under DCI Burns; here he meets the ineffable DC Brian Scott for the first time, & a perfect partnership is begun. The story is well-written & -paced, shows Daley & Scott's first murder collar, & gives us a very enjoyable view of the main characters' origins.

[Bookish Minx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this short novel prequel to Meyrick's other books in the series. Could imagine to read more of them. The setting is quite interesting (Glasgow in the mid-80s) and a compelling break from the contemporary novels of the genre.
However, the misogynist descriptions were too much for my taste, even considering the topic, setting, et cetera. The story and side characters do not feel more authentic because of it and would have done nicely with a little bit less of stereotyping. Would try the next in the series and decide based on that.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This short story from the early days is realistic of how the era was for many people. Career people trampling the people in the lower echelons causing trouble for how effective the force was and still is. There are the ones in the hierarchy who do enjoy helping bring the career people down a notch or two and helping the main character, a lower ranking D.C. on the path to a career progression.

[margaret chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but sweet.

A great short story showing the creation of DCI Daley. It is all there, his detective instinct, loyalty to his colleague Brian and early attraction to Liz. The story based round the death of a sad junky prostitute. Gritty, exciting and a promise of the excellent series to come.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two One Three is the start of the friendship and partnership of Brian Scott and Jim Daley. It was originally available only as an ebook (or an exclusive) but was published in the 2017 DCI Daley Compendium One Last Dram Before Midnight which contains 7 stories; Two One Three, Dalintober Moon, The Silent Man, Strangers, Empty Nets and Promises, Single End and One Last Dram Before Midnight.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set between Glasgow and Paisley, this is a great wee Introduction to the DCI Daley crime thriller series from Denzil Meyrick. DCI James Daley is just beginning his career in the police force in 1986 when he is seconded to the CID. Although this is just a short story I already feel like I’ve gotten to know James Daley and am looking forward to reading more books in the series.

[Mark Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick introduction to DCI Daley

Before he was a DCI, Jim Daley was a beat cop in Glasgow. This short story sets the scene, introduces the main characters, and get Jim Daley on his way.

[N.W. Moors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Daley is a beat policeman in Glasgow who is seconded to DCI Burns when he finds a murdered woman. This short story is the introduction to the DCI Daley series. We also meet Brian Scott and Jim's future wife, Liz. It was a good story and a nice introduction to a fine series.

[Lavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

It is amazing how Denzil Meyrick succeeds to have all the great elements of the DCI Daley series integrated in such a short book. It's funny, and interesting and the mystery is pretty good and unpredictable. Brian is super funny and it's great to see where it all started.

Loved it!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Early career of DCI Daley.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story about the young Jim Daley's introduction to life in CID in the 1980s.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief introduction to this series - curious about a full book now.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story, nice to have some background on Jim.

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely little prequel to the series. DCI Daley origin story. Solved in 77 pages.

[Lorraine Hillyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all the characters in this book series.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little detective mystery involving a police constable’s first case as an acting detective constable. Finding the serial killer and the guy trying to kill hi

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story in the early days of Jim Daley and Brian Scott with intriguing mystery, conflicts within the police force and the enjoyable banter between Jim and Brian.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella start/prequel to series. Good strong characters but attitudes were of it’s time!

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first in the series to 'meet' DCI Daley.
Ideal book to read on kobo.
Will read more.

[Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

.5 KINDLE

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read having already listened to all of the DCI Daley series.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a short novella set in Glasgow, a prequel to the DCI Daley set in Kinloch thirty years later. A young Constable Daley becomes an Acting DC to investigate the murder of a prostitute