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DCI Jack Callum #1
No Evil
A FAST-PACED DETECTIVE MYSTERY THAT WILL HAVE YOU GRIPPED FROM START TO DRAMATIC FINISH
A girl's body is found. Her eyes, ears, and mouth have been sewn shut DCI Jack Callum leads the investigation into this gruesome crime which shatters the peace of a sleepy 1950s English town. Images of three monkeys are sent to the police to taunt them: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Something very nasty is going on and more victims come to light. Who is doing this and why? DCI Callum looks like he’s closing in on the culprits, but then a team of detectives from London is brought in to take over the case.
In a breathtaking finale, Callum must race against time, and break his own rules, to save someone very close to him.
If you like Robert Galbraith, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer. Full of wonderful period detail and twists and turns
NO EVIL is the first in a new series of crime thrillers set in the 1950s, featuring DCI Jack Callum. He’s an ordinary policeman in an ordinary English town. The crimes he investigates are far from ordinary. Jack Callum has a keen mind and is passionate about his job and family. He doesn’t believe in capital punishment but has caught a few villains whose life has come to an end on the gallows.
A girl's body is found. Her eyes, ears, and mouth have been sewn shut DCI Jack Callum leads the investigation into this gruesome crime which shatters the peace of a sleepy 1950s English town. Images of three monkeys are sent to the police to taunt them: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Something very nasty is going on and more victims come to light. Who is doing this and why? DCI Callum looks like he’s closing in on the culprits, but then a team of detectives from London is brought in to take over the case.
In a breathtaking finale, Callum must race against time, and break his own rules, to save someone very close to him.
If you like Robert Galbraith, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer. Full of wonderful period detail and twists and turns
NO EVIL is the first in a new series of crime thrillers set in the 1950s, featuring DCI Jack Callum. He’s an ordinary policeman in an ordinary English town. The crimes he investigates are far from ordinary. Jack Callum has a keen mind and is passionate about his job and family. He doesn’t believe in capital punishment but has caught a few villains whose life has come to an end on the gallows.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2016
86 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Maynard Sims
65 books36 followersMAYNARD SIMS www.maynard-sims.com
The DCI Jack Callum series of crime novels - No Evil,Prime Evil and For Her Sins with The Detective Jack Callum Trilogy. The Bahamas series of thriller novels - Touching The Sun, Calling Down The Lightning, and Raging Against The Storm. The Department 18 series of supernatural crime novels - Black Cathedral, Night Souls, The Eighth Witch, A Plague Of Echoes, and Mother Of Demons. The crime novels Let Death Begin, Through The Sad Heart, and Falling Apart At The Edges. The supernatural novels, Shelter, Demon Eyes, Nightmare City, Stronghold, and Stillwater. The erotic romance novels, under a pseudonym, - The Love Project and The Romance Project.
One screenplay, based on the first two Department 18 books, won the 2013 British Horror Film Festival Award for Best New Screenplay.
Numerous stories have been published in a variety of anthologies and magazines. Collections include, Shadows At Midnight, 1979 and 1999 (revised and enlarged), Echoes Of Darkness, 2000, Incantations, 2002, two retrospective collections of their stories, essays and interviews, The Secret Geography Of Nightmare and Selling Dark Miracles, both 2002, Falling Into Heaven 2004, The Odd Ghosts, 2011, and Flame And Other Enigmatic Tales, and A Haunting Of Ghosts, both 2012. Their tenth collection of ghost stories and strange tales – Death’s Sweet Echo – which includes all their recent and new stories, many of them previously unpublished, is 2016.
Novellas, The Hidden Language Of Demons, The Seminar, His Other Son, and Convalescence have been published in 2002, 2003, 2013 and 2015 respectively. All their stories and novellas have been reprinted in eight uniform volumes through The Maynard Sims Library in 2014. An erotic romance novella, First Time Love, 2015 and First Time Arousal, 2016. Devil is a 2016 crime novella..
They worked as editors on the nine volumes of Darkness Rising anthologies. They co-edited and published F20 with The British Fantasy Society. As editors/publishers they ran Enigmatic Press in the UK, which produced Enigmatic Tales, and its sister titles. They have written essays. They still do commissioned editing projects, most recently Dead Water, and the Capital Crimes anthology for the ITW. They do ghost writing commissions.
Email contact can be made at ms@micksims.f9.co.uk
Find Maynard Sims on most social media - links are on the website
The DCI Jack Callum series of crime novels - No Evil,Prime Evil and For Her Sins with The Detective Jack Callum Trilogy. The Bahamas series of thriller novels - Touching The Sun, Calling Down The Lightning, and Raging Against The Storm. The Department 18 series of supernatural crime novels - Black Cathedral, Night Souls, The Eighth Witch, A Plague Of Echoes, and Mother Of Demons. The crime novels Let Death Begin, Through The Sad Heart, and Falling Apart At The Edges. The supernatural novels, Shelter, Demon Eyes, Nightmare City, Stronghold, and Stillwater. The erotic romance novels, under a pseudonym, - The Love Project and The Romance Project.
One screenplay, based on the first two Department 18 books, won the 2013 British Horror Film Festival Award for Best New Screenplay.
Numerous stories have been published in a variety of anthologies and magazines. Collections include, Shadows At Midnight, 1979 and 1999 (revised and enlarged), Echoes Of Darkness, 2000, Incantations, 2002, two retrospective collections of their stories, essays and interviews, The Secret Geography Of Nightmare and Selling Dark Miracles, both 2002, Falling Into Heaven 2004, The Odd Ghosts, 2011, and Flame And Other Enigmatic Tales, and A Haunting Of Ghosts, both 2012. Their tenth collection of ghost stories and strange tales – Death’s Sweet Echo – which includes all their recent and new stories, many of them previously unpublished, is 2016.
Novellas, The Hidden Language Of Demons, The Seminar, His Other Son, and Convalescence have been published in 2002, 2003, 2013 and 2015 respectively. All their stories and novellas have been reprinted in eight uniform volumes through The Maynard Sims Library in 2014. An erotic romance novella, First Time Love, 2015 and First Time Arousal, 2016. Devil is a 2016 crime novella..
They worked as editors on the nine volumes of Darkness Rising anthologies. They co-edited and published F20 with The British Fantasy Society. As editors/publishers they ran Enigmatic Press in the UK, which produced Enigmatic Tales, and its sister titles. They have written essays. They still do commissioned editing projects, most recently Dead Water, and the Capital Crimes anthology for the ITW. They do ghost writing commissions.
Email contact can be made at ms@micksims.f9.co.uk
Find Maynard Sims on most social media - links are on the website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 25, 2016
This is a crime series set in the 1950s in an small English town.
A young girl's body is found ... here eyes and mouth have been sewn shut. Her ears have been filled with candle wax.
DCI Jack Callum is lead investigator and not having much luck. And then a second girl goes missing. She has been brutalized the same as the first victim. And then the same happens to a teenage boy. Who and Why is this happening?
The only clue they have is a two-tone blue motor scooter. And when Jack's younger daughter goes missing and a witness claims to have seen her riding such a scooter, he goes ballistic.
The tension grows and grows until Jack's race against time to find his daughter, find those who are responsible leads to a breathtaking end.
A lot of this book is centered around Jack, his wife, and three children ... one who has been gone for 3 years and shows up one evening as it was "Family Night'. He describes himself as a normal man, doing a job that he loves, to protect all those who need it. He's a terrific family man with a very understanding wife and the kids .. well, they are typical kids.
The authors did a fine job in breathing life into Jack. A terrific way to start a new series. All the secondary characters are well drawn and add immensely to the story telling.
I am definitely going to be watching for the next in this series.
Many thanks to the authors / Joffe Books / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
A young girl's body is found ... here eyes and mouth have been sewn shut. Her ears have been filled with candle wax.
DCI Jack Callum is lead investigator and not having much luck. And then a second girl goes missing. She has been brutalized the same as the first victim. And then the same happens to a teenage boy. Who and Why is this happening?
The only clue they have is a two-tone blue motor scooter. And when Jack's younger daughter goes missing and a witness claims to have seen her riding such a scooter, he goes ballistic.
The tension grows and grows until Jack's race against time to find his daughter, find those who are responsible leads to a breathtaking end.
A lot of this book is centered around Jack, his wife, and three children ... one who has been gone for 3 years and shows up one evening as it was "Family Night'. He describes himself as a normal man, doing a job that he loves, to protect all those who need it. He's a terrific family man with a very understanding wife and the kids .. well, they are typical kids.
The authors did a fine job in breathing life into Jack. A terrific way to start a new series. All the secondary characters are well drawn and add immensely to the story telling.
I am definitely going to be watching for the next in this series.
Many thanks to the authors / Joffe Books / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
February 2, 2016
Set in the 1950's dci Jack Callum & his team investigate the murder of a 14yr old girl who has been found in the woods with her lips & eyes sewn together and wax poured into her ears. In less than a week another 2 bodies have been found in the same way.
Easy to read this old fashioned detective story shows how police investigations used to be solved before the modern hi tec equipment they use now
Easy to read this old fashioned detective story shows how police investigations used to be solved before the modern hi tec equipment they use now
August 14, 2017
CI Jack Callum investigates the murder of 14 year old Frances Anderton found with her eyes and lips sewn shut and her ears filled with candle wax. A letter is left showing a drawing of the three monkeys (hear no evil, see no evil, say no evil), and the murders continue, all victims are young and innocent but no link between them can otherwise be found. In short, the police hasn't got a single lead.
It’s 1958, methods of investigation as well as people's views and conduct are quite old fashioned, and Jack is an old fashion guy, but with a liberal mind.
The scenery and imagery are appealing, it's an old fashioned town, back in old fashioned England. It’s fun. The characters are believable and likable, even though they sometimes engage in very flat conversations. The Plot of the thriller is a bit lacking: sure you want to find out who has done it and once the perpetrator is discovered you are invested in it as much as Jack (i.e. I really wanted to see the bastard pay). However, in general the plot is also kind of "flat", the motive is far-fetched and even the way the police gained a lead that brings them closed to the conclusion, is by a mere chance, you would expect something a bit smarter there as well.
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, it’s a light read in general and is well written, it's just that the plot and the conclusion did not convince me, and then, at the end of the day, I rather do something else with my time than reading about dead mutilated teenagers... I found the link to Cullum's family (no spoilers don't worry) a ploy to get us further emotionally invested in the far-fetched script, and wasn't impressed.
In conclusion - it's an okay read. Literary wise very accomplished, story-wise, could have been much better in my humble opinion.
It’s 1958, methods of investigation as well as people's views and conduct are quite old fashioned, and Jack is an old fashion guy, but with a liberal mind.
The scenery and imagery are appealing, it's an old fashioned town, back in old fashioned England. It’s fun. The characters are believable and likable, even though they sometimes engage in very flat conversations. The Plot of the thriller is a bit lacking: sure you want to find out who has done it and once the perpetrator is discovered you are invested in it as much as Jack (i.e. I really wanted to see the bastard pay). However, in general the plot is also kind of "flat", the motive is far-fetched and even the way the police gained a lead that brings them closed to the conclusion, is by a mere chance, you would expect something a bit smarter there as well.
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, I did, it’s a light read in general and is well written, it's just that the plot and the conclusion did not convince me, and then, at the end of the day, I rather do something else with my time than reading about dead mutilated teenagers... I found the link to Cullum's family (no spoilers don't worry) a ploy to get us further emotionally invested in the far-fetched script, and wasn't impressed.
In conclusion - it's an okay read. Literary wise very accomplished, story-wise, could have been much better in my humble opinion.
January 19, 2016
REVIEW: NO EVIL by Maynard Sims
(DCI Jack Callum #1)
Seldom does an author "bring it home" to me as powerfully as the writing duo of Maynard Sims. Too often reading fiction is comparable to watching life through a window. Not so with this team: from page 1 I was highly involved and heavily invested in the scenes. Actually, I was so upset and furious at the blatantly callous disregard for human life, good, and innocence, that I wanted to leap into the pages and take action myself! Maynard Sims deliver on a high level, like few others. I'm overjoyed that NO EVIL heralds an amazing new series, set in rural Hertfordshire in the 1950's. A detective who loves his family and exhibits his passion for gardening faces crimes that beggar imagination.
(DCI Jack Callum #1)
Seldom does an author "bring it home" to me as powerfully as the writing duo of Maynard Sims. Too often reading fiction is comparable to watching life through a window. Not so with this team: from page 1 I was highly involved and heavily invested in the scenes. Actually, I was so upset and furious at the blatantly callous disregard for human life, good, and innocence, that I wanted to leap into the pages and take action myself! Maynard Sims deliver on a high level, like few others. I'm overjoyed that NO EVIL heralds an amazing new series, set in rural Hertfordshire in the 1950's. A detective who loves his family and exhibits his passion for gardening faces crimes that beggar imagination.
February 24, 2016
No Evil
Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I hope they write a whole series of Jack Callum books
Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I hope they write a whole series of Jack Callum books
January 25, 2016
Maynard and Sims have certainly got into my head with this period detective mystery set in 1958. It is a story of innocence lost. The murder of shy and unassuming teenagers that no-one would normally notice on the street or notice when they have gone, that is until they don't reach home. It is all very harrowing at how easy it was and your heart breaks for them.
The era is described perfectly which gives the story a real authentic appeal for the reader. DCI Jack Callum is both a committed family man and DCI but his family know that when duty calls Jack has to put his job before family time. The story balances between the two. I really took to Jack straight away a man that goes on gut feelings beside the evidence at the front of him.
This is a cleverly written book where the authors give you, the reader, an insight into the murders but don't go all the way. The inclusion at the end of the book of a Glossary of how the English terms and phrases have changed over the years is a bonus for anyone not familiar with the era. Nice touch.
I wish to thank Netgalley and Joffee Books for allowing me to read and review this book.
The era is described perfectly which gives the story a real authentic appeal for the reader. DCI Jack Callum is both a committed family man and DCI but his family know that when duty calls Jack has to put his job before family time. The story balances between the two. I really took to Jack straight away a man that goes on gut feelings beside the evidence at the front of him.
This is a cleverly written book where the authors give you, the reader, an insight into the murders but don't go all the way. The inclusion at the end of the book of a Glossary of how the English terms and phrases have changed over the years is a bonus for anyone not familiar with the era. Nice touch.
I wish to thank Netgalley and Joffee Books for allowing me to read and review this book.
March 8, 2016
Loved this book. Extremely well written and beautifully put together . Jack Callum the DCI in the case is a family man who cares passionately about his work and his wife and children and being set in the 1950's the book is delightfully reminiscent of a bygone era of innocence whilst showing the callous disregard for life of the perpetrators. Would highly recommend this book.
February 15, 2016
A great read, a fast paced detective mystery, your going to enjoy.
Read
January 22, 2016No Evil is my first Netgalley.com book, and I am very happy to have found this great resource.
No Evil, as hinted at by the title, revolves around the concept of the Three Wise Monkeys – See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil. The thriller is set in 1950’s England. A fourteen year old girl is found strangled, with her eyes and month sewn shut and her ears filled with wax. Soon after, a letter with a depiction of the three monkeys is found at the girl’s house. Jack Callum, a Detective Inspector on the local police force, begins to investigate this crime, and the others that soon follow.
Fairly early on in the book, the reader is given insight into who the killer is. The authors build suspense by introducing the victims and foreshadowing their fate, and by moving back and forth between scenes of the police investigating the crime and of the perpetrators discussing their next move.
As the title states, the book is intended to be a fast paced mystery/thriller. This it accomplishes. No Evil is a quick read and held my interest throughout. However, I did feel that the author sacrificed something to achieve this fast pace. Several of the scenes felt forced. For example, when Scotland Yard is brought in to take over the investigation after an impatient well-connected father complains of the inept handling by the local cops, the immediate, unprovoked hostility between Callum and Scotland Yard is too pat.
Likewise, the development of the character of Peter Lamb seemed to have been rushed along too fast. He as first is a bully, is next portrayed as a sympathetic young man helping out his blind grandfather, and finally an opportunistic killer. I can see how he could be all three but more time was needed to bring out the linkages.
Overall, however, the three wise monkeys made for an interesting theme, and if you are looking for a quick read with some suspense, No Evil is not a bad choice. I liked the the story of Maynard Sims as well – check it out here http://www.maynard-sims.com/.
No Evil, as hinted at by the title, revolves around the concept of the Three Wise Monkeys – See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil. The thriller is set in 1950’s England. A fourteen year old girl is found strangled, with her eyes and month sewn shut and her ears filled with wax. Soon after, a letter with a depiction of the three monkeys is found at the girl’s house. Jack Callum, a Detective Inspector on the local police force, begins to investigate this crime, and the others that soon follow.
Fairly early on in the book, the reader is given insight into who the killer is. The authors build suspense by introducing the victims and foreshadowing their fate, and by moving back and forth between scenes of the police investigating the crime and of the perpetrators discussing their next move.
As the title states, the book is intended to be a fast paced mystery/thriller. This it accomplishes. No Evil is a quick read and held my interest throughout. However, I did feel that the author sacrificed something to achieve this fast pace. Several of the scenes felt forced. For example, when Scotland Yard is brought in to take over the investigation after an impatient well-connected father complains of the inept handling by the local cops, the immediate, unprovoked hostility between Callum and Scotland Yard is too pat.
Likewise, the development of the character of Peter Lamb seemed to have been rushed along too fast. He as first is a bully, is next portrayed as a sympathetic young man helping out his blind grandfather, and finally an opportunistic killer. I can see how he could be all three but more time was needed to bring out the linkages.
Overall, however, the three wise monkeys made for an interesting theme, and if you are looking for a quick read with some suspense, No Evil is not a bad choice. I liked the the story of Maynard Sims as well – check it out here http://www.maynard-sims.com/.
February 12, 2016
I’ve been consistently impressed by the British Police Procedurals released by Joffe Books. No Evil is no different. It is an excellent procedural set in the late 50’s in a small English town. The novel is the first of a series featuring DCI Jack Callum, a detective who is not only smart and focused on his job, he is also a man who cares a great deal about his family. Being a good father and a good husband is as important to him as being good at his job. He is a compassionate and compelling lead.
No Evil is cleverly plotted. While the culprits are revealed early on to the readers, knowing only makes the situation more tense. As the reader watches, youths are abducted only to be discovered days later eyes and mouth sewn shut and ears filled with wax. It is a race against time, as the local team led by DCI Callum struggle to follow leads and prevent further murders. The investigation is hampered when a team of detectives is sent from London to take over the case.
Maynard Sims does an excellent job of creating memorable characters the reader can care for. Jack has a loving relationship with his wife and children, even when difficulties arise. His love for his family is part of what motivates him to seek justice.
No Evil is the first in a new series of police procedurals featuring DCI Jack Callum. I enjoyed this well written novel immensely and look forward to the next book in the series.
5/5
I received a copy of No Evil from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
No Evil is cleverly plotted. While the culprits are revealed early on to the readers, knowing only makes the situation more tense. As the reader watches, youths are abducted only to be discovered days later eyes and mouth sewn shut and ears filled with wax. It is a race against time, as the local team led by DCI Callum struggle to follow leads and prevent further murders. The investigation is hampered when a team of detectives is sent from London to take over the case.
Maynard Sims does an excellent job of creating memorable characters the reader can care for. Jack has a loving relationship with his wife and children, even when difficulties arise. His love for his family is part of what motivates him to seek justice.
No Evil is the first in a new series of police procedurals featuring DCI Jack Callum. I enjoyed this well written novel immensely and look forward to the next book in the series.
5/5
I received a copy of No Evil from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
January 18, 2016
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for allowing me a review copy of No Evil which is a historical police procedural set in 1958. DCI Jack Callum and his team investigate the disappearance and murder of 14 year old Frances Anderton who is found in a wood with her eyes and lips sewn shut and her ears filled with candle wax. Then another young girl disappears.
No Evil is a good read. The plot doesn't stand up too well in the plausibility stakes, not least the motive behind it all, but it held my interest and I just had to keep turning the pages to see what was coming next. The authors have the period details substantially correct, like Jack Callum having a car but no TV and what they eat, and this adds to the authenticity of the novel. I also think they do a good job of portraying the social mores and attitudes of the time, which less than 60 years ago are so different to ours.
As this is a plot driven novel the characters aren't particularly well drawn,apart from Jack Callum, but they don't need to be. Jack himself is a bit of a stereotype, a driven detective more often right than wrong with a strong family life.
This is the first novel I have read by these authors but I am sufficiently impressed by No Evil to want to read the follow up.
No Evil is a good read. The plot doesn't stand up too well in the plausibility stakes, not least the motive behind it all, but it held my interest and I just had to keep turning the pages to see what was coming next. The authors have the period details substantially correct, like Jack Callum having a car but no TV and what they eat, and this adds to the authenticity of the novel. I also think they do a good job of portraying the social mores and attitudes of the time, which less than 60 years ago are so different to ours.
As this is a plot driven novel the characters aren't particularly well drawn,apart from Jack Callum, but they don't need to be. Jack himself is a bit of a stereotype, a driven detective more often right than wrong with a strong family life.
This is the first novel I have read by these authors but I am sufficiently impressed by No Evil to want to read the follow up.
January 26, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for a review.
It was a nice change for me to read about crime solving in the late 1950s instead of the modern, hi-tech detective novels. I also liked that it is set in Hertfordshire, where I live as well. I enjoyed the description of life in that era and the difficult work the police had to do before computers and the internet made it less time consuming to find the bad guys.
DCI Callum is the lead investigator in the disappearance/murder investigation that the story is centred around. Local teenagers go missing only to later turn up dead leaving very few clues behind for the police to go on. The team has their work cut out for them with the added pressure from above. DCI Callum is trying to cover every angle and think outside of the box while hoping to keep the harmony in his family life. Will he succeed? The story definitely kept me wanting to read on until the person responsible is figured out and dealt with. Although the identity of the mastermind is revealed early on in the book, it is still an interesting, fast paced chase.
I am looking forward to the next DCI Callum novel; I think it will be a series well worth reading!
It was a nice change for me to read about crime solving in the late 1950s instead of the modern, hi-tech detective novels. I also liked that it is set in Hertfordshire, where I live as well. I enjoyed the description of life in that era and the difficult work the police had to do before computers and the internet made it less time consuming to find the bad guys.
DCI Callum is the lead investigator in the disappearance/murder investigation that the story is centred around. Local teenagers go missing only to later turn up dead leaving very few clues behind for the police to go on. The team has their work cut out for them with the added pressure from above. DCI Callum is trying to cover every angle and think outside of the box while hoping to keep the harmony in his family life. Will he succeed? The story definitely kept me wanting to read on until the person responsible is figured out and dealt with. Although the identity of the mastermind is revealed early on in the book, it is still an interesting, fast paced chase.
I am looking forward to the next DCI Callum novel; I think it will be a series well worth reading!
September 16, 2016
First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for giving me a copy of the DCI Jack Callum Trilogy in exchange for an honest review.
In its first installment, No Evil, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Callum was obliged to find a 14-year-old young girl who has gone missing which they initially thought was nothing but a teenage theatric. Until the dead body turned up and not only is she dead, her eyes and lips are sewn shut and her ears are filled with candle wax.
It was bad enough that such gruesome act happened to a young girl. It didn't have to happen again... twice.
This book is not going to meddle with your head, trying to explicate what is happening but it does make you want to know what's going to happen next so you keep on flipping the pages until you are done. I think that this was not bad at all. I liked it. I like Jack a lot and Fisher is an annoying 'backside-hole' and I hate him. Any book that conjures emotions (of what is warranted) out from its characters is a good book. I just wanted more detail, and definitely more action.
I hope to enjoy as much, if not more, the second installment to this series. :)
In its first installment, No Evil, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Callum was obliged to find a 14-year-old young girl who has gone missing which they initially thought was nothing but a teenage theatric. Until the dead body turned up and not only is she dead, her eyes and lips are sewn shut and her ears are filled with candle wax.
It was bad enough that such gruesome act happened to a young girl. It didn't have to happen again... twice.
This book is not going to meddle with your head, trying to explicate what is happening but it does make you want to know what's going to happen next so you keep on flipping the pages until you are done. I think that this was not bad at all. I liked it. I like Jack a lot and Fisher is an annoying 'backside-hole' and I hate him. Any book that conjures emotions (of what is warranted) out from its characters is a good book. I just wanted more detail, and definitely more action.
I hope to enjoy as much, if not more, the second installment to this series. :)
February 6, 2016
This is what I would call a good, old-fashioned crime novel. Set in the 1950's, it portrays the period well although some of the attitudes are uncomfortable reading for today's readers. The plot moves along quickly and even though you find out the identity of the killer quite early on, I still found it hard to put down because the stakes keep getting higher and you're kept guessing as to how it will end. The motive for the killings is probably the weakest part of the story and seems far fetched but I guess people do kill for less. What I really liked about book was the main character, Callum, an honest, decent man who loves his wife and family and just does the job he's supposed to do. This makes a refreshing change from many books which have forensic characters interfering in all aspects of police work or such convoluted personal relationships that it completely detracts from the story. All In all a good read and I'd like to thank Netgalley for the ACR.
Read
January 18, 2016Crime thriller set in the late 1950's is the first in a series featuring Jack Callum. Three young people disappear within a week of each other and their bodies are found in separate locations in and around a Herefordshire town. Detective Jack Callum and his small team are given the task of finding the brutal killer before they strike again. Jack is a family man and works all out to find the reasons behind the murders but he is finding it hard to get the much needed break even though he has certain theories in mind. I enjoyed this book it was a change to be transported back into the fifties and personally I would have liked even more accounts of life in this era . Thank you for the ARC and I look forward to more in the series.
January 23, 2016
Be prepared to take a step back to the simpler times of 1958 in the sleepy town of Hertfordshire, England, as Len Maynard & Mick Sims (collectively known as Maynard Sims) weave a grisly tail of serial murder and introduce an array of characters that range from artful and witty to downright disconcerting. As well-written as it is, I could not help but to feel as though the authors seemed to have fallen short on fulfilling their promise of providing the audience with “a fast-paced detective mystery”. Indubitably fast-paced, there is actually very little “mystery” involved in who the culprit(s) are in this story. In point of fact, that is the only potential flaw that I can find in this particular piece. It was otherwise very well put together and a really quick read. Kuddos, gentlemen!
January 24, 2016
This is my first netgalley read and overall I enjoyed the book, but found it a bit too obvious for my usual taste. Set in 1958, this is a departure from my usual modern read, and the different pace of life then is evident. I enjoyed the characters, and as this is the first in the Jack Callum series, I will enjoy getting to know Jack, his family and colleagues better, I imagine Myra Banks will develop as a character too. However, claiming the book as a fast paced detective mystery is stretching facts somewhat. A crime novel yes. A horrific crime takes place and I did want to know what was behind it, although strangely , not who as that is clear from the beginning. The book is very readable, and very short, I read it in two short sessions during the day.
January 21, 2016
The late 1950's was an interesting time frame to set a book. It gave it a really interesting view on things, but there were still grisly murders to be solved. I really liked the character of Jack Callum and I think these characters could form the core of an interesting series. I do hope so. I'll definitely be looking out for more from Maynard Sims.
Thanks to Netgallery for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
Thanks to Netgallery for giving me the chance to read and review this book.
January 21, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it, set in the late fifties it was very fast paced and also a reminder of how police work was carried out in that era before computers and mobile phones. Can't wait to read more from these authors.
I received this as a free book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received this as a free book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
February 13, 2016
This is the first time that I have read any books by this author and it will not be the last. What a page turner! I seldom write what a story is about for fear of spoiling for others, but will say that there was plenty of action. Recommended.
I received this electronic copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this electronic copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2016
Good read
Weak plot but a good crime novel. The suspense was captivating and I enjoyed the investigation parts. However, I felt the motive behind the killings didn't make any sense making the ending a let down for me. I would still recommend this book to friends and family.
Weak plot but a good crime novel. The suspense was captivating and I enjoyed the investigation parts. However, I felt the motive behind the killings didn't make any sense making the ending a let down for me. I would still recommend this book to friends and family.
March 5, 2016
Quite a good start to a new series. The ending left something to be desired as it seemed rushed and no good explanation as to the "why" of the killings. Overall, though, a really good read and I look forward to reading more about DCI Jack Callum.
January 22, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.
Great detective story. I raced through this in a few hours. Lots of action and highly entertaining.
Definitely recommended.
Great detective story. I raced through this in a few hours. Lots of action and highly entertaining.
Definitely recommended.
April 5, 2016
Great book!!
Loved this book!! Couldn't put it down til the end. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Loved this book!! Couldn't put it down til the end. Can't wait to read the next one in the series.
June 28, 2019
I certainly enjoyed the storyline of this book and the characters. It was supposed to be set in the 1950s but was more of a mixture between the present year and 1950s. I think that more research into the 1950s era would have done wonders for this book as well as a much-needed proofread to eliminate all the unnecessary words that didn't fit into the context of what the sentence was trying to convey. In the end, I found this book to be a great read and look forward to the other books from this author.
January 13, 2019
1950s Hertfordshire and DCI Jack Callum and his team are called in when a girl's body is discovered. Found with her eyes, ears, and mouth sewn shut. What is the motive, unfortunately the case is not solved before another body is discovered.
An interesting well-written mystery, a good solid start to the series.
An interesting well-written mystery, a good solid start to the series.
May 18, 2020
Super
It was an amazing read from beginning to end. The characters were outstanding. The plot was intriguing. It had me wondering what more could happen in a marvellous story. The downside was profanity and swearing which put me off reading any follow ups. Thank you for keeping me glued to it.
It was an amazing read from beginning to end. The characters were outstanding. The plot was intriguing. It had me wondering what more could happen in a marvellous story. The downside was profanity and swearing which put me off reading any follow ups. Thank you for keeping me glued to it.
September 25, 2018
While not too bad a murder mystery, it was written in such a simplistic way trying to emulate the feelings and mores of the 1950's or so that it made be view it as somewhat of a children's book. Maybe just me?
January 1, 2021
Adequate
An adequate read. Kept me interested enough to read to the end. Not very convincing resolution.
Characters aren't well developed enough for me to care what happens in sequel.
An adequate read. Kept me interested enough to read to the end. Not very convincing resolution.
Characters aren't well developed enough for me to care what happens in sequel.
January 7, 2021
Nice period detail
Enjoyable murder mystery. Set in late 1950s - not my favourite period but the era is evoked very efficiently. Story quite good - I might look at some more DCI Ryan
Enjoyable murder mystery. Set in late 1950s - not my favourite period but the era is evoked very efficiently. Story quite good - I might look at some more DCI Ryan
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