Looking for a mystery series with a lighter touch? Contemporary and classic, the Dave Slater Mystery Novels are a great British blend of character, suspense and humour, making them the ideal for those readers who prefer good story over blood and gore.
This collection includes the first four books in the series:
Book 1: Death of a Temptress Ruth Thornhill went missing six months ago. According to the evidence, she ran off with another man, so the Met closed the case. However, Slater’s enquiries soon find inconsistencies in the original investigation, and after a near-fatal encounter with a London bus, he realises the stakes are far higher than he imagined. An unlikely ally, in the form of fellow scapegoat DS Norman Norman, helps him uncover disturbing connections between the missing woman, a Chinese businessman, a glossy magazine, an online escort agency, a top London banker and senior officers from London’s Serious Crime Unit. The two uncover a mire of corruption, blackmail, deception and possibly the most cunning murder ever seen. The evidence stacks up against one particular suspect and Slater and Norman close in, but as with most things in Slater’s life, nothing is ever simple.
Book 2: Just a Coincidence In the sleepy Hampshire town of Tinton, major crime is rare, and DS Slater and colleague Norman Norman find themselves with nothing to investigate except a flasher and an illiterate counterfeiter. Things are so quiet Slater even arranges to go on his long-awaited date with bombshell waitress Jelena. But things can change in a matter of seconds, and a dog walker’s discovery of a battered body near a local woodland sends Slater and Norman hurrying to the scene. Before they know it, they have three dead bodies on their hands, and the victims are all related. But with 15 years between the murders, is this just a bizarre coincidence, or could the murders be linked? With tensions rising within their close-knit team, can Slater and Norman keep it together to solve their latest mystery?
Book 3: Florence When a little old man is found dead in his home, DS Dave Slater assumes he was simply the victim of a tragic accident. He lived alone, after all, and didn’t seem to have any living relatives. But after some strange occurrences at the old man’s home, Slater finds himself probing deeper. He soon discovers that someone seems to be looking for something, but what was the lonely old man hiding, and why is someone so desperate to find it? And then there’s Florence, a ghost-like figure who is occasionally spotted around town in the early hours of the morning. Slater can’t shake off the feeling she is linked, somehow. But how, and why?
Book 4: The Wrong Man When Diana Woods is found stabbed to death in her kitchen, DS Slater and DS Norman Norman are plunged into another major investigation. The finger of suspicion quickly points at Diana’s estranged husband, Ian, a bully who regularly abused his wife. But as Slater learns more, he begins to wonder if everything is as it seems. When a new suspect appears on the scene, it seems that Slater’s instincts were right. But the evidence seems just a bit too convenient, and Slater and Norman have to face the possibility that their suspect is being framed, and they could be back to square one.
Having spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
I just finished reading the first four Slater and Norman mysteries. May I say that I was surprised and delighted to find a new series that is well written, engrossing, and completely satisfying. I felt like I was following a true police department the whole way through. Congratulations to PF Ford who persisted until he got published. I can't wait to read the next one.
The four books are a cracking good read. They are page turners for me with a good story line and plenty of red herrings - enough to delight any murder story reader. I look forward to reading the next series.
Just finished the first boxed set and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed at the clever dialogue and amusing situations of the title characters. Ford keeps you guessing as to who dunnit. Highly recommend, especially if you like British writers. On to the next set!
Four separate enjoyable police procedurals. Rather than the typical senior detective and a comic underling, these stories have two detectives of equal rank, Slater who has been in the Tinton station for some time, and Norman who has more experience but has been banished from London to the north of England after a falling out with his senior officers. He is being given a chance to redeem himself in Tinton. They are the perfect complement to each other and their banter adds a humorous touch. To fill our the characters there is a rather harassed senior supervisor and several more junior police officers who each have their own special skills.
I liked this series of books (4 of them) better than I have liked other books lately. The author is a very good writer and his characters are well-developed and their actions throughout the series are congruent. The main characters are very likable and their banter is very entertaining. The plots are quite original and varied among the four books. After finishing them, I immediately ordered the next set in the series (4 more). A most enjoyable read.
The byplay between the two lead characters was entertaining. Initially their ability to solve any kind of crime, whether individually or as a team, was doubtful. However by melding the city cop with the small town cop they truly became a crime solving team especially with the addition of “motherly” Jane with her invaluable abilities. Good read!
This is a really great set of books that are so enjoyable and entertaining to read. There are some really good twisted main plots with other less significant crimes solved as well. A lot of good natured ribbing, arguments, head butting and bollocking happening along the way with the solid main two characters make these books a great read at a slower pace. Very good very satisfying.
Nice character development, interesting characters and storyline with some surprise developments although often a little too predictable at times. Conversations often seems too scripted, not natural enough but overall fun books to read.
DEATH OF TEMPTREES Slater and Norman both had to take the fall when a mishap happens on a case. Ends up the guilty guys for them both are related. The police has dismissed this as a simple runaway woman. They are finding she led different roles, the police Chief knew her well, but no closer to what happened with her. The bantering between them is good, the plot is good, First I have read by him and will look for more.
JUST A COINCIDENCE Flasher scenario didn’t care for, and marking down. The plot with the woman thrown out of a plane, and finding bodies from 15 years ago. With the husband wanting a new model age 25 after five year. Gave the twist enough to the plot. As well as the bantering between Slater and Norman.
FLORENCE Milk Man seen his bottles out on the porch, and couldn’t get any answers so called the police. Seemed like he was elderly, falling and hitting his head. They attended his funeral thinking no one else would be there. A mysterious bag lady comes and huddles in the background. Then his home is ramshackle, then the solicitors office. Jolly befriends the bag lady and now the case has taken another turn. Was thIs really a murder and living a quiet life, they soon found from his bank statesman’s there was more than what they had uncovered so far, a sensitive subject and well done. The two detective and how they handle each case is priceless.
WRONG MAN A case of neighbors saying she was so gentle and nice, it had to be her husband that murdered her The autopsy reveals a different picture of hers. The husband whom ever one is saying is guilty, doesn’t fit the picture.They question the hours it took to return home after a job, he could of done it. The words of Slater when he finds a diary “why have one if they aren’t going to use, and to help them in their case. The ending has an unusual twist. Delightful series.
Although I liked all four books, Book 1 was my favourite, followed by Book 4. Book 1 got me hooked. It was investigative police work at its best. Wonderful introduction to the characters, Dave Slater, Norman Norman, Ruth/Ruby, Jenny, well developed, memorable. A story of deceit, revenge and jealousy, all leading to a brilliant conclusion. Book 2 was not as captivating as Book 1 but it managed to hold its own. Again, police procedural at its best with Slater and Norman forming a formidable team. The ending was not as satisfying as Book 1, too many villains escaped. In Book 3, I thought that the side issue of Norman's 'telephone problems' would be brought to a head, it wasn't. So, I stopped guessing and put it down as a non event. It managed to distract me from full enjoyment of the book. Book 4 was my next favorite. PC Jolly is a charm, story surrounding the main character is a bit hard to swallow but as the author says, "It is fiction." I liked the twists and turns but I rather wished the end was different. It just seemed haphazard as if it was created for shock effect rather than a satisfying end to a good story. A very good package, well worth reading. Enjoy.
I enjoyed reading all four books in this boxed set. They take place in the UK.
The two main characters are DS David Slater & DS Norman Norman. They almost have totally different types of personalities. Norman has more positive attitude even in the morning. David mainly focused on finding the evidence & justice. He sometimes he get to thinking to much one piece of evidence, rather the whole picture.
DS Slater wears a suit, shirt & tie, store bought and he uses a dry cleaners. On the other hand DS Norman is very over weight and his suit hardly fits and it looks like slept in his clothes. He doesn't even own an iron! So if anyone has to chase a possible criminal, it will be DS Slater. DS Norman gets out breath walking up stairs to another floor.
There are to many characters list in these books. You need to read them! Sometimes they get themselves in trouble with the people at a higher rank than they are. You'll maybe surprised in the end on what happened.
A great series. Ds Dave Slater has just been given a new partner DS Norman Norman and they both have so much to prove it seems. Can they work together though as they are both so different? Can they solve the case of the missing woman that just disappeared? And what they find we shock them all. They have proven that they can work together and get the results that are needed so will their luck hold for their next case? As the series moves along we get to learn more about them and what makes them tick and what drives them to get justice for the victims.
I thoroughly enjoyed the report between Slater and Norman and Jolly. Good stories and I have already purchased the next set of books. I feel these people are friends. The one downside to the stories is that the author doesn't follow through on his characters....why did Norman have all the secretive phone calls, why can't Slater have a meaningful relationship, why isn't Jolly considered for promotion. I gave the books five stars but it really should have been 4.5 stars.
I enjoyed each book included in this set. It was my first experience with this author. I will be buying the next box set soon.
I enjoyed the development of the characters through the series. I also liked that there were twists and turns in the mysteries and in some of the peripheral characters. Nobody’s perfect, even the very human cops.
This series is a sheer delight. I was introduced to it by receiving a frrr copy of the first quartet in the series.
Slater and Norman are such “real” characters. Their ability to solve cases without skirting the law is refreshing. Their banter gives humor to unpleasant circumstances. Adding Jolly Jane brings a woman’s perspective and pragmatism.
I'm quite new to regular reading and I've never read crime fiction before, so wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised how humorous and yet detailed with plots and sub plots with twist and unexpected turns. Ds Slater and Norman, with their ever helpful and clever PC Jolly make a great team. A crime thriller with a light-hearted and entertaining theme without being gory or too much sexual references. Well recommend.
This is an engaging series. The characters are likable and the mysteries entertaining. This set includes four books. Only one, The Wrong Man, slightly falters as Norman is uncharacteristically grumpy and the supervisors temper was wearing. I did not like the the surprise connection with the case. It just was not credible. Still a good story. The other three are entertaining. Well worth the read.
Found by accident and now I want more! Great characters and plots that hold the reader’s interest so much you might be lost in the story. The crimes all had surprisingly complicated stories. There was plenty of suspense but there were also laugh out loud moments.
DS David Slater and DS Norman Norman make a great team with an interesting supporting cast. Highly recommended
Good solid detective stories. Not too gory. Some humour. Just right! I too live in Wales from Pembrokeshire and am settled in Abergavennynow for many years. I wish I could edit your books. It annoys me to read our language written wrongly. e.g. Not yours just an example "The man was stood at the bar" should be " The man stood at the bar " or "The man was standing at the bar" These errors are frequent. But I love the stories
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Could not put this series down, enjoyed all 4 books and can't wait to start the next. Feel as if I know all of the main characters, Slater and Norman make a brilliant team. Had this as a free book but will definitely buy the rest of his books. Try them and hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I did.
I have just finished a four book box set. Loved every book storyline believable characters normal . The two lead DSs Slater and Norman really build up a good working bond. Then you have PC jolly who makes three . The books are humorous I found once I started I wanted to finish such a delight to read I Will certainly be following P.F.Ford thank you
Dave and Norm certainly seem a mismatched pair but they are identical in their stubborn doggedness to discover the truth and get the right wrong doer. The journey is filled with ups and downs relieved by subtle humor and the openness of their growing friendship. An easy enjoyable read especially on a winter evening sitting by the fire.
Well, DS Slater and Norman have their work cut out for them to solve multiple mysteries in each book. I really enjoyed this series and didn't want to put the book down!
Definitely on the lighter side for sure. Binge reading 4 in a row got tedious and sometimes the stories dragged but when things picked up the reading was enjoyable. If you are into harder stories maybe two at a time...
A good variety of light hearted detective stories. Interesting series of various scenarios using the two main detectives and various other police characters to expand the variety of the books
So this box set was on offer and i though ok why not. I'm so pleased i did. They are well written and the all the stories are enjoyable. Give it a go they are good books. You may be pleasantly surprised
I loved these books,,good stories,lovable characters,though the tiny discrepancies in continuous of following on the private life's of the detectives was a bit annoying.