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D.I. Jack Dylan #7
When the Killing Starts
Crime is a way of life for the Devlin brothers. Groomed at an early age and trained as criminals by local gangsters, the Devlin brothers get their thrill out of creating fear among their victims. They have a macabre pact; not to be arrested or caged. Brutality hits the town of Harrowfield when the scourge of the community is found dead, his companion slaughtered. The locals react with praise for the killers. The same day firefighters respond to a fire but lose the fight to save Merton Manor. Among the debris two bodies are discovered; executed. As Dylan struggles to cope with the pressure, armed officers await his judgement call. Can he remain professional or will he release his anger?
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2016
20 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Bridgestock
33 books75 followersRC Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, a down-to- earth detective, written with warmth and humour.
Bob was a highly commended career detective of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent. As a police civilian supervisor Carol also received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work.
The couple are the storyline consultants on BAFTA winning BBC One police drama Happy Valley and series 3 of ITV’s Scott & Bailey.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 12, 2016
First published on my blog http://thebookreviewcafe.com
If you enjoy a police procedure story, that’s as dark and gritty as it gets then look no further. When The Killing Starts is the 7th in the DI Jack Dylan series, I have managed to read the first two in the series which I really enjoyed, but unfortunately I haven’t had the time to read the other books due to the amount of TBR books on my ever growing pile, I was able to read this book as a standalone, but I’m sure I have missed the evolution of character through the previous books, which was a shame. When The Killing Starts is a gripping and a very disturbing read, the murders are graphic to say the least and made for a very uncomfortable read, and it’s definitely not one for the faint hearted. I think the authors experience and involvement in high profile cases has provided the fuel that brings their writing to life, as they certainly don’t “sugar coat” the hideous crimes the killers commit.
The Killing starts features heavily on the police procedure side of things and it so well described that as the reader I felt very much part of the investigation, the tension and feelings of urgency to solve the case added to the suspense. It was also interesting to see the effects such investigations have on the very people involved in the case. The protagonist DI Jack Dylan struggles to balance his personal life along side the demands of a very challenging job. Di Jack Dylan is a very likeable character he is tenacious, intelligent and relentless in his pursuit to catch the killers, so much so at times his job seems to come before his family and his health, as I’m sure this is the case for many DI’s up and down the country. Unusually you learn who the killers are almost from the start, so When The Killing Starts focuses more on the police procedures involved in bringing the criminals to justice. The characters in the team are well developed, the dark humour and banter from the team, add some light relief to this gritty tale.
The fact that the authors have worked in the police force is as always very evident and the wealth of knowledge comes across clearly in making the story and plot lines believable at the same time as giving the characters real depth. Although it really does have its moments – this isn’t an edge-of-your-seat hardcore thriller, If you read it with that expectation, you just might be a tad disappointed, but on the other hand if you are a lover of authentic and well plotted police procedural novels then I would highly recommend this book.
If you enjoy a police procedure story, that’s as dark and gritty as it gets then look no further. When The Killing Starts is the 7th in the DI Jack Dylan series, I have managed to read the first two in the series which I really enjoyed, but unfortunately I haven’t had the time to read the other books due to the amount of TBR books on my ever growing pile, I was able to read this book as a standalone, but I’m sure I have missed the evolution of character through the previous books, which was a shame. When The Killing Starts is a gripping and a very disturbing read, the murders are graphic to say the least and made for a very uncomfortable read, and it’s definitely not one for the faint hearted. I think the authors experience and involvement in high profile cases has provided the fuel that brings their writing to life, as they certainly don’t “sugar coat” the hideous crimes the killers commit.
The Killing starts features heavily on the police procedure side of things and it so well described that as the reader I felt very much part of the investigation, the tension and feelings of urgency to solve the case added to the suspense. It was also interesting to see the effects such investigations have on the very people involved in the case. The protagonist DI Jack Dylan struggles to balance his personal life along side the demands of a very challenging job. Di Jack Dylan is a very likeable character he is tenacious, intelligent and relentless in his pursuit to catch the killers, so much so at times his job seems to come before his family and his health, as I’m sure this is the case for many DI’s up and down the country. Unusually you learn who the killers are almost from the start, so When The Killing Starts focuses more on the police procedures involved in bringing the criminals to justice. The characters in the team are well developed, the dark humour and banter from the team, add some light relief to this gritty tale.
The fact that the authors have worked in the police force is as always very evident and the wealth of knowledge comes across clearly in making the story and plot lines believable at the same time as giving the characters real depth. Although it really does have its moments – this isn’t an edge-of-your-seat hardcore thriller, If you read it with that expectation, you just might be a tad disappointed, but on the other hand if you are a lover of authentic and well plotted police procedural novels then I would highly recommend this book.
December 15, 2017
When The Killing Starts is the 7th novel in the DI Jack Dylan series, even though I have really enjoyed all the books in the series, without a doubt in my mind, When The Killing Starts is the best one to date. The authors have really upped their game in this book to deliver an horrific case that will chill any reader to the bone.
The story starts off with an extremely brutal crime that was slightly out of my comfort zone. I had a very mixed reaction to it. It certainly got the adrenaline going and the crime thriller fan in me couldn’t get enough, but as a human being I have to admit it did make for some uncomfortable reading. The remainder of the story though is Dylan and his team working on catching the culprits and boy what a gripping ride that was.
Not only does Jack have a serious crime to investigate, he also has a lot going off in his personal life. My heart really goes out to him in this book. He is always such a strong character but the readers get to see a vulnerable side to him and I loved how the authors tackle a tough subject and not only show how it affects the woman, but how it affects the man also.
It’s almost like Jack is two different people. At work he seems to wear this mask that has him appearing as a toughened detective that can pretty much handle anything but then when he is at home, the mask slips and we get a glimpse of the caring and loving man that he is that only his wife and daughter really gets to see.
When The Killing Starts really is quite an exceptional novel. The authors always manage to get me feeling a whole array of emotions which is something I never expected through reading crime books. The different crimes featured grab the readers attention and keeps them hooked from beginning to end. The tension and excitement that builds through this one is just brilliant and as I’m sure you have guessed by now, I absolutely blooming well loved it!
A brilliant crime series that I can’t recommend highly enough.
My thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts off with an extremely brutal crime that was slightly out of my comfort zone. I had a very mixed reaction to it. It certainly got the adrenaline going and the crime thriller fan in me couldn’t get enough, but as a human being I have to admit it did make for some uncomfortable reading. The remainder of the story though is Dylan and his team working on catching the culprits and boy what a gripping ride that was.
Not only does Jack have a serious crime to investigate, he also has a lot going off in his personal life. My heart really goes out to him in this book. He is always such a strong character but the readers get to see a vulnerable side to him and I loved how the authors tackle a tough subject and not only show how it affects the woman, but how it affects the man also.
It’s almost like Jack is two different people. At work he seems to wear this mask that has him appearing as a toughened detective that can pretty much handle anything but then when he is at home, the mask slips and we get a glimpse of the caring and loving man that he is that only his wife and daughter really gets to see.
When The Killing Starts really is quite an exceptional novel. The authors always manage to get me feeling a whole array of emotions which is something I never expected through reading crime books. The different crimes featured grab the readers attention and keeps them hooked from beginning to end. The tension and excitement that builds through this one is just brilliant and as I’m sure you have guessed by now, I absolutely blooming well loved it!
A brilliant crime series that I can’t recommend highly enough.
My thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2017
This book is number seven in the crime and police procedural D.I.Jack Dylan series. In my opinion they are best read in order to get the true feel for the characters and a background to their personal as well as working lives. The book is set in a fictitious West Yorkshire town which has it's fair share of crime but still the team are shocked to the core by the particularly gruesome murders of a local art dealer and his heavily pregnant wife. They also have another investigation on their hands when a local low life trouble maker and his dog also turn up murdered. I love these books which are obviously well researched by the authors. A well deserved 5*
December 15, 2017
When the Killing Starts is the seventh book in the D.I. Jack Dylan series. However, it is the first book in the series that I have read and I had no problem keeping up so it can easily be read as a standalone book.
RC Bridgestock is in fact two people, a husband and wife team who now write together (and do a huge amount of amazing charity work).
Perhaps because it is written by an ex police officer, this book felt really real and true to life. Dylan's relationship with his wife felt particularly genuine which may well be down to the real life experience of the other half of the writing team.
The main storyline in When the Killing Starts is focused on the frankly evil Devlin brothers. I found their part of the story really good, and I enjoyed reading about how Dylan was tracking them down. While Dylan is running that investigation he is also overseeing another murder investigation. I found that a bit of a distraction really, I would have preferred it if Dylan had focused on one investigation. Although I do recognise that no doubt in real life they do run multiple investigations at the same time.
If you are new to police procedural books then these are great books to start with. The assumption is made that the reader has little to no knowledge of how police investigations work, so things are explained clearly.
When the Killy Starts is a really good book, it is well written and I will definitely be reading more from RC Bridgestock and D.I. Dylan.
I received a copy of When the Killy starts from the authors in return for an honest review.
RC Bridgestock is in fact two people, a husband and wife team who now write together (and do a huge amount of amazing charity work).
Perhaps because it is written by an ex police officer, this book felt really real and true to life. Dylan's relationship with his wife felt particularly genuine which may well be down to the real life experience of the other half of the writing team.
The main storyline in When the Killing Starts is focused on the frankly evil Devlin brothers. I found their part of the story really good, and I enjoyed reading about how Dylan was tracking them down. While Dylan is running that investigation he is also overseeing another murder investigation. I found that a bit of a distraction really, I would have preferred it if Dylan had focused on one investigation. Although I do recognise that no doubt in real life they do run multiple investigations at the same time.
If you are new to police procedural books then these are great books to start with. The assumption is made that the reader has little to no knowledge of how police investigations work, so things are explained clearly.
When the Killy Starts is a really good book, it is well written and I will definitely be reading more from RC Bridgestock and D.I. Dylan.
I received a copy of When the Killy starts from the authors in return for an honest review.
June 12, 2016
This is the 7th book in the DI Dylan series and I enjoyed it as much as first. Please don't be put off if you haven't read the others as each book is stand alone so you'll be able to enjoy this one if it's the first time you've chosen these authors.
I really enjoy the human side to Dylan with his life with Jen outside the job slotted in with what I think is one of the darkest storylines. I'm not going to give too much away but this book had me hooked from the first couple of pages and I read it in less than 24 hrs - I just had to finish it even though at one point I was in tears.
Yet again the authors have managed to weave several storylines in very successfully whilst always managing to ensure procedurally the storyline is spot on.
I also enjoy the banter within the squad that says it how it is - I had a friend who purchased a new handbag!!!!
Another success RC Bridgestock can't wait for Book no. 8.
I really enjoy the human side to Dylan with his life with Jen outside the job slotted in with what I think is one of the darkest storylines. I'm not going to give too much away but this book had me hooked from the first couple of pages and I read it in less than 24 hrs - I just had to finish it even though at one point I was in tears.
Yet again the authors have managed to weave several storylines in very successfully whilst always managing to ensure procedurally the storyline is spot on.
I also enjoy the banter within the squad that says it how it is - I had a friend who purchased a new handbag!!!!
Another success RC Bridgestock can't wait for Book no. 8.
December 15, 2017
This compelling read will have many tears being shed. This is a story really in two parts running together, the investigation into four brutal gruesome murders and a dog beheaded in the process. The police procedures cannot be faulted and lead to the inevitable conclusion and arrests. DI Dylan and his wife Jen suffer a massive trauma as stated earlier, many tears will be shed. This aspect of the book is truly heartrending and emotional. This is not a book to be missed. I received an ARC from the authors for an Honest review.
May 31, 2016
Review to follow
December 15, 2017
another good read as always! a fab series to pick up if you like crime..
December 15, 2017
I came to the party late with this series and as such the first book in the series I read was the last one which was book 6. I struggled with it a little but only due to the fact that I had no history with these characters (proof enough of why I like to start a series at the beginning). Going in to book 7 I was instantly drawn to the story from the very first page. It was incredibly graphic and violent very early on in the book, and yes I know many people may not like that but I was truly gripped and horrified in equeal measure and for me that's a winning formula.
I don't want to delve too much into the storyline as I fear it would spoil the book for somebody new to the book or series. However it results in DI Jack Dylan looking for the person responsible for the murders that occur in the rather grand home that was once Merton Manor. In addition to that Jack and his team are dealing with the death of a local hooligan and although the community aren't sorry the bloke is dead Jack needs to ensure this crime is solved too. There is certainly a lot going on in Jack's career and the book holds a lot of pace very early on. Jack and his team are all incredubly readable and there is a real sense of cameraderie between them. The storyline has plenty of action and a has a true police procedural feel to it.
What I loved about this book was the depth we see Jack and his wife Jen's personal situation develop. Although a truly terrible time that Jack and Jen are having, the situations the book touches on are done with sensitivity and I felt incredibly drawn to them as characters. I have to be honest and say I was a little blown away with this book. The reason being I just wasn't expecting it to be as good as this (meant in a non-rude way). Where I struggled to connect in the last (and my first) book in the series this book made up for all of that and some more on top!
The fact that both the writers (RC Bridgestock are a husband and wife writing team) have 50 years experince between them on the Force is blatantly obvious. The book is done incredibly well with the finer details looked at when it comes to Police work and less of the dramatic and flair we sometimes see in fiction (nowt wrong with that either just pointing out what I see). I can truly say I was thrilled with this book and even more so because I stupidly made the assumption I would struggle with it. This is now a series I would love to keep up with! Luckily for me book 8 is ready to go and for the rest of you book 8 is due for release Thursday 19th October 2017!
I don't want to delve too much into the storyline as I fear it would spoil the book for somebody new to the book or series. However it results in DI Jack Dylan looking for the person responsible for the murders that occur in the rather grand home that was once Merton Manor. In addition to that Jack and his team are dealing with the death of a local hooligan and although the community aren't sorry the bloke is dead Jack needs to ensure this crime is solved too. There is certainly a lot going on in Jack's career and the book holds a lot of pace very early on. Jack and his team are all incredubly readable and there is a real sense of cameraderie between them. The storyline has plenty of action and a has a true police procedural feel to it.
What I loved about this book was the depth we see Jack and his wife Jen's personal situation develop. Although a truly terrible time that Jack and Jen are having, the situations the book touches on are done with sensitivity and I felt incredibly drawn to them as characters. I have to be honest and say I was a little blown away with this book. The reason being I just wasn't expecting it to be as good as this (meant in a non-rude way). Where I struggled to connect in the last (and my first) book in the series this book made up for all of that and some more on top!
The fact that both the writers (RC Bridgestock are a husband and wife writing team) have 50 years experince between them on the Force is blatantly obvious. The book is done incredibly well with the finer details looked at when it comes to Police work and less of the dramatic and flair we sometimes see in fiction (nowt wrong with that either just pointing out what I see). I can truly say I was thrilled with this book and even more so because I stupidly made the assumption I would struggle with it. This is now a series I would love to keep up with! Luckily for me book 8 is ready to go and for the rest of you book 8 is due for release Thursday 19th October 2017!
October 9, 2016
I have to be honest and say I wasn’t especially keen to read When the Killing Starts as it is the seventh book in the series and I thought it would be too reliant on the previous books to enjoy. I was completely wrong.
When the Killing Starts works brilliantly as a stand alone read and is an explosive (in more ways than one!), fast paced and exciting crime thriller. The plot certainly raises the pulse and even though I found a couple of incidents difficult to read, they are not gratuitous, but serve to show the kinds of criminals police deal with. I think the author background in the police gives incredible authenticity to so much of this novel.
I thought the syntactical style was polished and sophisticated so that the contrast between how different characters speak and think gives them depth. The quieter parts of the writing only serve to enhance further the thrill of the faster elements in a very skilful way.
I really liked Jack Davy and his relationships with family and colleagues. I think this is where the husband and wife authoring partnership really works so well as there are layers that are sometimes missing in other crime fiction so that the human emotions are explored highly effectively.
When the Killing Starts is definitely a must read for crime thriller lovers. Having begun not wanting to read the seventh book in the series, I now want to go back and read them all.
When the Killing Starts works brilliantly as a stand alone read and is an explosive (in more ways than one!), fast paced and exciting crime thriller. The plot certainly raises the pulse and even though I found a couple of incidents difficult to read, they are not gratuitous, but serve to show the kinds of criminals police deal with. I think the author background in the police gives incredible authenticity to so much of this novel.
I thought the syntactical style was polished and sophisticated so that the contrast between how different characters speak and think gives them depth. The quieter parts of the writing only serve to enhance further the thrill of the faster elements in a very skilful way.
I really liked Jack Davy and his relationships with family and colleagues. I think this is where the husband and wife authoring partnership really works so well as there are layers that are sometimes missing in other crime fiction so that the human emotions are explored highly effectively.
When the Killing Starts is definitely a must read for crime thriller lovers. Having begun not wanting to read the seventh book in the series, I now want to go back and read them all.
October 27, 2022
This is a full-scale police procedural with Jack Dylan and team searching for the killers in two different cases. The one case involves the killing of a low-life reprobate who, with his dog, sowed grief and terror to all in the neighbourhood. A group of young people no better than he decided to lure him to a car park and end his life, as well as his dog (I don’t like to see dogs get killed in books or movies and this one was horrible). The other case involved an absolutely horrifying attack on a husband and wife (one of the worst descriptions of murder and sexual assault ever written) and unborn child. These two men were the most despicable, vile, evil creatures put into the written word. I didn’t care much for the graphic description of their words and deeds, but agree heartily with their outcome.
August 7, 2025
Two crazy evil brothers start a brutal killing spree & robbery scheme that will keep the team lead by DI Dylan so busy he barely has time to process a tragedy with Jen.
December 15, 2017
The 7th novel to feature DI Dylan and for me the best in the series to date. This time the team have two gruesome and violent murders to solve, as with the previous books this is not just another police procedural but a novel with real feeling and emotion, part of the quality of the books is the juggling that Dylan has to dealing with both the job and family life as at times it appears to be a thin line. This kind of writing can only come from a couple who have vast experience from a life in the police force. The quality of the writing shows the reader the reality of an investigation together with the softer side of the family life. As usual the stories are well plotted which allows the story to flow and the pages to turn, the characters are familiar and believable. Fiction meets reality in the hugely enjoyable novel from a top crime writing duo, highly recommended for anyone who loves crime fiction.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews