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DS Nathan Cody #1
A Tapping At My Door
From the bestselling author of Cry Baby, the beginning of a brilliant and gripping police procedural series set in Liverpool, perfect for fans of Peter James and Mark Billingham
"Recalls Harlan Coben - though for my money Jackson is the better writer." Guardian
A woman at home in Liverpool is disturbed by a persistent tapping at her back door. She's disturbed to discover the culprit is a raven, and tries to shoo it away. Which is when the killer strikes.
DS Nathan Cody, still bearing the scars of an undercover mission that went horrifyingly wrong, is put on the case. But the police have no leads, except the body of the bird - and the victim's missing eyes.
As flashbacks from his past begin to intrude, Cody realises he is battling not just a murderer, but his own inner demons too.
And then the killer strikes again, and Cody realises the threat isn't to the people of Liverpool after all - it's to the police.
Following the success and acclaim of the Callum Doyle novels, A Tapping at My Door is the first instalment of David Jackson's new Nathan Cody series.
"Recalls Harlan Coben - though for my money Jackson is the better writer." Guardian
A woman at home in Liverpool is disturbed by a persistent tapping at her back door. She's disturbed to discover the culprit is a raven, and tries to shoo it away. Which is when the killer strikes.
DS Nathan Cody, still bearing the scars of an undercover mission that went horrifyingly wrong, is put on the case. But the police have no leads, except the body of the bird - and the victim's missing eyes.
As flashbacks from his past begin to intrude, Cody realises he is battling not just a murderer, but his own inner demons too.
And then the killer strikes again, and Cody realises the threat isn't to the people of Liverpool after all - it's to the police.
Following the success and acclaim of the Callum Doyle novels, A Tapping at My Door is the first instalment of David Jackson's new Nathan Cody series.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2016
149 people are currently reading
1971 people want to read
About the author
David Jackson
16 books514 followersI am the author of a series of crime thrillers featuring Irish-American NYPD Detective Callum Doyle. The first in the series, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Awards. It is published by Pan Macmillan. The follow-ups are The Helper and Marked, and I am hard at work on the fourth in the series. My writing influences include Ed McBain, Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben, amongst many others. My favourite quote about my work is one from the Guardian, now carried on the front of my novels: 'Recalls Harlan Coben - though for my money Jackson is the better writer.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
March 27, 2016
This is the beginning of a new series for David Jackson, a writer I have much admired even if quietly in the crime writing stakes so I was really keen to read “A Tapping at my Door” and see what was what. Loved it. The very definition of a page turner, great characters, terrifically addictive and dark story and a beautiful depth to the writing that just added icing to the cake.
Starting with a shiver inducing murder and staying pretty shiver inducing throughout, A Tapping at my Door has the advantage of being a brilliant police procedural enveloped within some pretty cool pyschological character study, Nathan Cody and his inner turmoil adding some intriguing and fascinating layers into an already fascinating plot.
Weaving a great mystery element around a terrifically drawn cast is not as easy as the huge plethora of crime fiction out there would suggest, you sometimes have to dig deep to find the gems and this is a gem – engaging and thrilling whilst being thought provoking and often horrifying. Some hard hitting scene setting and descriptive prose occasionally had me clutching my head, the beautifully placed little twists and turns worked well, perfectly paced and entirely absorbing throughout.
This novel also has the advantage of having a bang on ending, a resolution that rings true and digs deep, resolving and restarting, this is a series that I am adding to my must read list. Whatever is next for Nathan Cody he ain’t doing it without me.
Highly Recommended.
Starting with a shiver inducing murder and staying pretty shiver inducing throughout, A Tapping at my Door has the advantage of being a brilliant police procedural enveloped within some pretty cool pyschological character study, Nathan Cody and his inner turmoil adding some intriguing and fascinating layers into an already fascinating plot.
Weaving a great mystery element around a terrifically drawn cast is not as easy as the huge plethora of crime fiction out there would suggest, you sometimes have to dig deep to find the gems and this is a gem – engaging and thrilling whilst being thought provoking and often horrifying. Some hard hitting scene setting and descriptive prose occasionally had me clutching my head, the beautifully placed little twists and turns worked well, perfectly paced and entirely absorbing throughout.
This novel also has the advantage of having a bang on ending, a resolution that rings true and digs deep, resolving and restarting, this is a series that I am adding to my must read list. Whatever is next for Nathan Cody he ain’t doing it without me.
Highly Recommended.
August 23, 2017
A few months ago, many of my fellow book bloggers were talking about the second book in the DS Nathan Cody series, Hope to Die. So obviously I bought the first one because as I’m sure you all know by now, there should be a law against starting a series anywhere else but with book one. 😉
I’m not sure why I’d never heard of David Jackson before. It’s a travesty and I’m glad I was made to see the error of my ways. A Tapping At My Door has everything I look for in a good book. A damaged protagonist with what promises to be an exciting backstory, a murder or two, a fascinating killer and brilliant writing! Also, birds. Not so good. I mean, I don’t mind birds. Just not in this instance. You’ll see why when you read the book.
The story begins with a tapping at the door and it’s a deliciously creepy way to reel the reader in from the get-go. Since I was reading this in the dark, while home alone, I have no shame in admitting that it made me feel extremely nervous. The scene was set perfectly with a fantastic reference to Edgar Allen Poe and at that point, I already knew I was going to enjoy this one.
I love this author’s writing style. It flows well and feels completely natural. I’m also very partial to the shorter chapters, especially when the action starts to ramp up and you begin to flip the pages faster and faster. I found myself so utterly engrossed that I forgot to take notes for my review and I stayed up well past my bedtime in order to finish. Worth it.
I thought Nathan Cody was extremely likeable, despite quite obviously being damaged goods. Something bad happened to him in the past but what that may be is revealed quite slowly and had me utterly hooked. This backstory is incredibly promising for the next book and I can’t wait to see where it takes him.
This is one heck of a thriller and a must-read! Fast-paced, brilliantly executed with an exciting hunt for a killer. In case you couldn’t tell, my first introduction to David Jackson went extraordinarily well, I must say. So much so that I have every intention on catching up on his other series as well, which features Callum Doyle. Quite frankly, so should you!
I’m not sure why I’d never heard of David Jackson before. It’s a travesty and I’m glad I was made to see the error of my ways. A Tapping At My Door has everything I look for in a good book. A damaged protagonist with what promises to be an exciting backstory, a murder or two, a fascinating killer and brilliant writing! Also, birds. Not so good. I mean, I don’t mind birds. Just not in this instance. You’ll see why when you read the book.
The story begins with a tapping at the door and it’s a deliciously creepy way to reel the reader in from the get-go. Since I was reading this in the dark, while home alone, I have no shame in admitting that it made me feel extremely nervous. The scene was set perfectly with a fantastic reference to Edgar Allen Poe and at that point, I already knew I was going to enjoy this one.
I love this author’s writing style. It flows well and feels completely natural. I’m also very partial to the shorter chapters, especially when the action starts to ramp up and you begin to flip the pages faster and faster. I found myself so utterly engrossed that I forgot to take notes for my review and I stayed up well past my bedtime in order to finish. Worth it.
I thought Nathan Cody was extremely likeable, despite quite obviously being damaged goods. Something bad happened to him in the past but what that may be is revealed quite slowly and had me utterly hooked. This backstory is incredibly promising for the next book and I can’t wait to see where it takes him.
This is one heck of a thriller and a must-read! Fast-paced, brilliantly executed with an exciting hunt for a killer. In case you couldn’t tell, my first introduction to David Jackson went extraordinarily well, I must say. So much so that I have every intention on catching up on his other series as well, which features Callum Doyle. Quite frankly, so should you!
March 20, 2016
Why have I only come across this author now???
Having just read A Tapping At My Door I will certainly be reading more by him.
A Tapping At My Door is a spellbinding and spine chilling read that had me literally on the edge of my seat.
It had me well and truly gripped from beginning to end. To start off I thought they had mixed the genres up as it was literally like something straight out of a horror movie. The author literally holds no punches when it comes to the brutal murders in this book.
All murders are horrific but I think when someone is going around killing police officers, it makes it a whole lot more personal as well as scary for other members of the police force. It is very much a race against time.
I absolutely love Cody. His background story is an extremely intriguing one and I have to say I am over the moon that this is just the first in the series as I can't wait to meet up with him again.
A Tapping At My Door is a brilliant start to a new crime series. This is definitely one for the adrenalin seeking crime fans out there. It is a very tense read that had me shouting out things like, NO WAY and OMG, that is how wrapped up I was in the story.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Emily at Bonnier Zaffre for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having just read A Tapping At My Door I will certainly be reading more by him.
A Tapping At My Door is a spellbinding and spine chilling read that had me literally on the edge of my seat.
It had me well and truly gripped from beginning to end. To start off I thought they had mixed the genres up as it was literally like something straight out of a horror movie. The author literally holds no punches when it comes to the brutal murders in this book.
All murders are horrific but I think when someone is going around killing police officers, it makes it a whole lot more personal as well as scary for other members of the police force. It is very much a race against time.
I absolutely love Cody. His background story is an extremely intriguing one and I have to say I am over the moon that this is just the first in the series as I can't wait to meet up with him again.
A Tapping At My Door is a brilliant start to a new crime series. This is definitely one for the adrenalin seeking crime fans out there. It is a very tense read that had me shouting out things like, NO WAY and OMG, that is how wrapped up I was in the story.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Emily at Bonnier Zaffre for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2016
I have never read any novels by David Jackson before but, having read this, I am sure that I will be exploring his previous books. I have to admit that, being a huge Beatles fan, I am always drawn to books set in Liverpool and so was keen to read this first in a series (I hope) set in my favourite city and featuring Detective Sergeant Nathan Cody. DS Cody also seems to share an interest in Liverpool’s most famous group, with several songs and places of interest to fans mentioned throughout the book.
Like so many central characters in crime novels, Cody is slightly damaged and has a lot of personal baggage when we first meet him. Previously working undercover, he is now part of the Major Incident Team and, before long, he is thrown into the investigation that all police officers take the most seriously – the killing of one of their own. What’s more, Cody finds that he is working alongside DC Megan Webley, who he was once romantically involved with.
This is a fast paced mystery, with a violent killer and a good supporting cast; including the fierce, but motherly, Detective Chief Inspector Stella Blunt. Of course, Liverpool is also very much a central character in this novel – with the author really invoking the city streets, pubs and people and a resolution which involves the past history of the city itself. There is also a lot of great suspense, with the author building fear and tension cleverly, by making you care about even minor characters that we meet briefly. I hope that DS Cody appears in future books and I will certainly read on in the series if he does.
Like so many central characters in crime novels, Cody is slightly damaged and has a lot of personal baggage when we first meet him. Previously working undercover, he is now part of the Major Incident Team and, before long, he is thrown into the investigation that all police officers take the most seriously – the killing of one of their own. What’s more, Cody finds that he is working alongside DC Megan Webley, who he was once romantically involved with.
This is a fast paced mystery, with a violent killer and a good supporting cast; including the fierce, but motherly, Detective Chief Inspector Stella Blunt. Of course, Liverpool is also very much a central character in this novel – with the author really invoking the city streets, pubs and people and a resolution which involves the past history of the city itself. There is also a lot of great suspense, with the author building fear and tension cleverly, by making you care about even minor characters that we meet briefly. I hope that DS Cody appears in future books and I will certainly read on in the series if he does.
May 20, 2016
Having an irrational fear of birds (completely ridiculous, I know), this book was totally creeping me out at the beginning and I thought I had stumbled into a horror story rather than a crime procedural set in Liverpool. Once I got into chapter 2 and the perspective changed to the introduction of the protagonist, DS Nathan Cody, I was laughing out loud at the wry humor and managed to calm my nerves. By then I was also totally hooked. This really was unputdownable. It is the first book in a new British crime series and I'm hoping David Jackson is a fast writer because I would love to find out how Nathan's story continues.
Nathan is quite a mess. Pretty standard for crime fiction these days, but the way David Jackson develops this character and gradually reveals more and more about Nathan's background and history is brilliant. The interactions between Nathan and the other characters in this book were great and often provided some light relief from what is a very intense, dark and emotional plot. As far as a summary is concerned, I am only going to reveal that a serial killer who is murdering members of the police force is being hunted by Nathan and his team. I was utterly stunned when the who and in particular, the why, was revealed. I would have never predicted the connection. Intelligently plotted and very well written, DS Nathan Cody, DC Megan Webley and their boss, DCI Stella Blunt, could easily establish themselves as one of my favorite police procedural teams.
Highly recommended for all readers of British crime fiction who like suspenseful, clever stories with extremely well-drawn characters.
Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The audio version is read by Jonathan Keeble who skillfully uses a variety of British accents and really knows how to increase the creep and suspense factor by adjusting the speed of the narration or inserting a brief pause. Perfect narration that brings all the characters to life.
Nathan is quite a mess. Pretty standard for crime fiction these days, but the way David Jackson develops this character and gradually reveals more and more about Nathan's background and history is brilliant. The interactions between Nathan and the other characters in this book were great and often provided some light relief from what is a very intense, dark and emotional plot. As far as a summary is concerned, I am only going to reveal that a serial killer who is murdering members of the police force is being hunted by Nathan and his team. I was utterly stunned when the who and in particular, the why, was revealed. I would have never predicted the connection. Intelligently plotted and very well written, DS Nathan Cody, DC Megan Webley and their boss, DCI Stella Blunt, could easily establish themselves as one of my favorite police procedural teams.
Highly recommended for all readers of British crime fiction who like suspenseful, clever stories with extremely well-drawn characters.
Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The audio version is read by Jonathan Keeble who skillfully uses a variety of British accents and really knows how to increase the creep and suspense factor by adjusting the speed of the narration or inserting a brief pause. Perfect narration that brings all the characters to life.
July 22, 2017
I've almost given up on this a number of times, but kept going. I'm now at 93%, right in the middle of the "Great Resolution" on the roof of the Liver Building in Liverpool and I still almost can't be bothered to read to the end. And yet I'm not sure why I feel like this. It's a thriller. It's got a serial killer. It's got a sort of interesting MC, Nathan Cody. But, oh, the writing is just so dire, so flat. It's all show then tell in boring detail, just in case readers are too thick to get the message.
The whole premise of the birds was interesting at first, especially the first tapping at the door, taken from Poe and giving the novel its title. But I swear that the author came up with this a great idea for a serial killer novel, each victim left with a bird and a message relating to that--Cock Robin, Blackbirds baked in a pie...etc. But then I am convinced the author thoughts, shit, how on earth do I pull this together: why is my killer using birds? And then he came up with his solution. It's a stretch so far that the whole thing has just snapped for me.
Besides not swallowing the raison d'etre for the killings because it's just too daft, the manoeuvring of the characters is ludicrous as well. One killer with a crossbow can hold two able-bodied hostages all night, force them to drive across the city and then force then to climb to the top of the Liver Building through security, and milling people? One crossbow? Seriously? It so doesn't work when you read it that the author skips the whole episode and just says it's happened, because no powers of writing could make the scenes work. How the hell do you force two people into a car to drive you when you have a crossbow? How do you actively cover two police officers with a crossbow whilst actively stabbing to death a third man? No, this is just silly.
Also, I've been reading this whilst listening to the master of crime fiction John Connolly on audio tape (not concurrently, you understand). To be honest, this is like a child's version of a crime novel compared to Connolly's magnificent Charlie Parker series.
93% and really, really struggling to be bothered to finish. That's not good. Hence the one star.
The whole premise of the birds was interesting at first, especially the first tapping at the door, taken from Poe and giving the novel its title. But I swear that the author came up with this a great idea for a serial killer novel, each victim left with a bird and a message relating to that--Cock Robin, Blackbirds baked in a pie...etc. But then I am convinced the author thoughts, shit, how on earth do I pull this together: why is my killer using birds? And then he came up with his solution. It's a stretch so far that the whole thing has just snapped for me.
Besides not swallowing the raison d'etre for the killings because it's just too daft, the manoeuvring of the characters is ludicrous as well. One killer with a crossbow can hold two able-bodied hostages all night, force them to drive across the city and then force then to climb to the top of the Liver Building through security, and milling people? One crossbow? Seriously? It so doesn't work when you read it that the author skips the whole episode and just says it's happened, because no powers of writing could make the scenes work. How the hell do you force two people into a car to drive you when you have a crossbow? How do you actively cover two police officers with a crossbow whilst actively stabbing to death a third man? No, this is just silly.
Also, I've been reading this whilst listening to the master of crime fiction John Connolly on audio tape (not concurrently, you understand). To be honest, this is like a child's version of a crime novel compared to Connolly's magnificent Charlie Parker series.
93% and really, really struggling to be bothered to finish. That's not good. Hence the one star.
April 16, 2016
I am at a complete loss with how to start writing my review for A Tapping at My Door. There is so much that I want to say about this story, but a lot of it is about the characters and the plot developments and it would almost certainly ruin the story for potential readers. This is the kind of book that makes me wish I was part of a book club. To put how much I enjoyed this book into perspective, those who read my blog will know that my favourite crime author is Chris Carter. A Tapping at My Door is the best crime fiction novel I've read since Chris's most recent book, I Am Death. All I can say is that if David Jackson continues this series at the standard he's began it with, then he's going to become a favourite author of mine, I'm certain of that. Very few crime novels have provoked the emotional reaction from me that A Tapping at My Door has and I'm already confident that this is going to be one of my top reads of 2016. In fact there's only one upcoming 2016 book that I can even see being any competition for my crime fiction top spot. Should I just stop reading now?
I've spent just a few hours in the company of Nathan Cody and he's without doubt my most favourite detective since Angela Marsons' Kim Stone. He's such an intriguing and multi-layered character, and one who even after learning so much about in this first novel, is one that David Jackson will hopefully continue to explore alongside the main plot of each subsequent novel. Despite the obvious trauma that he has gone through, trauma that is at first held back from the reader but slowly revealed as the story progresses, he is actually quite a humorous character in places with a similar sense of humour and outlook on life as myself. I actually cared about his progression throughout the story, he very quickly became somebody that I could see as a real person. His actions, behaviours and beliefs are believable. He isn't a perfect character, he's flawed, he can make mistakes, and that's what made him feel so real. David has clearly put real thought and effort into creating and establishing this character and I just can't wait to read about him again. This series has to be long running and the second one has to be coming along very soon, right?
It's not just because I am from Liverpool that I was such a fan of the scene setting in A Tapping at My Door, but it's because of how brilliantly it was all done. Liverpool became a character itself in this story. Every single scene of this book, and where it was set was symbolic and had real meaning and each place was used to vividly convey everything that the killer of this novel wanted to put across. It was haunting, it was eerie and because I know the places so well, it was more than a little unnerving at times. The history of the city is interwoven with what is happening in the present day. I was transported into my own city, to places I know and see every day of my life. And it's not just those dark scenes that the city lends itself to so well, but also the scenes of 'normality'. For example Nathan Cody is lucky enough to have a flat on the prestigious and beautiful Rodney Street (not that he always sees it like that) and the book has a brilliant opening with an undercover Nathan busking on Bold Street and lamenting the closure of our beloved Waterstone's (despite the fact there's one just around the corner, that's beside the point as it is the store that holds the most bookish memories for me). My blogging friend Raven over at Raven Crime Reads shared a brilliant guest post from David about the Liverpool setting and I highly recommend you give it a read.
I particularly enjoyed the flow of this novel and I think it was because the focus was always on plot and the characters. We are never bogged down with too much of the procedure and instead just remain at the heart of the action with various asides where the story is allowed to slow down to allow our main characters time to digest exactly what is happening, whilst at the same time try and deal with what's going on in their own lives. Nathan especially as he is soon working alongside a former lover, a former lover who just so happens to be engaged. We also have chapters featuring the killer which were quite frankly disturbing. The images in my mind made me shiver and at times it was like something out of a horror novel. But, later in the story when it becomes clear just what it all meant it became even more disturbing and looking back it's quite impressive how this story was told, and I can't imagine there will be a single reader that will fully work out where this story is heading. The character development in this story is just astounding and our killer is the character that is going to leave a lasting impression in my mind and even now, after finishing the novel I've got so many thoughts running around my mind about this character.
This paragraph contains mild spoilers. I so wish it was possible to discuss what happened in this story because that last third especially just needs talking about. It's knocked me for six if I'm honest because it's just something that I did not see coming and it's the reason I immediately went onto Twitter to shout about how I had been left speechless by the ending. I studied Psychology successfully at A level and less successfully at degree level but it gave me a fascination into how human's react to different things, things such as personal tragedies in their own lives and what leads them to commit certain acts. A Tapping at My Door focuses on something I don't have a personal experience with but it's something I've learnt a lot about, I've met people affected by it through an organisation my grandad has been involved with from the start and so I immediately got goosebumps for the final section of this book. I had genuine tears in my eyes. I felt for these characters (apart from one who I had not one iota of sympathy for). I had no idea how things were going to end. My heart was literally in my mouth and there could have been an explosion in the street outside and I would have been oblivious because nothing mattered more to me at that moment in time than finishing this book. I hope by now this review (or should that be essay) has put across just how much I enjoyed A Tapping at My Door, if that's the right description to use because whilst I did 'enjoy' it, it's that human element, and how thought-provoking the whole book was and how it drew such a real, emotional response from me that has made it one of the best books I have read so far this year. It's an outstanding book, and it's one that I am going to be recommending to everybody.
I've spent just a few hours in the company of Nathan Cody and he's without doubt my most favourite detective since Angela Marsons' Kim Stone. He's such an intriguing and multi-layered character, and one who even after learning so much about in this first novel, is one that David Jackson will hopefully continue to explore alongside the main plot of each subsequent novel. Despite the obvious trauma that he has gone through, trauma that is at first held back from the reader but slowly revealed as the story progresses, he is actually quite a humorous character in places with a similar sense of humour and outlook on life as myself. I actually cared about his progression throughout the story, he very quickly became somebody that I could see as a real person. His actions, behaviours and beliefs are believable. He isn't a perfect character, he's flawed, he can make mistakes, and that's what made him feel so real. David has clearly put real thought and effort into creating and establishing this character and I just can't wait to read about him again. This series has to be long running and the second one has to be coming along very soon, right?
It's not just because I am from Liverpool that I was such a fan of the scene setting in A Tapping at My Door, but it's because of how brilliantly it was all done. Liverpool became a character itself in this story. Every single scene of this book, and where it was set was symbolic and had real meaning and each place was used to vividly convey everything that the killer of this novel wanted to put across. It was haunting, it was eerie and because I know the places so well, it was more than a little unnerving at times. The history of the city is interwoven with what is happening in the present day. I was transported into my own city, to places I know and see every day of my life. And it's not just those dark scenes that the city lends itself to so well, but also the scenes of 'normality'. For example Nathan Cody is lucky enough to have a flat on the prestigious and beautiful Rodney Street (not that he always sees it like that) and the book has a brilliant opening with an undercover Nathan busking on Bold Street and lamenting the closure of our beloved Waterstone's (despite the fact there's one just around the corner, that's beside the point as it is the store that holds the most bookish memories for me). My blogging friend Raven over at Raven Crime Reads shared a brilliant guest post from David about the Liverpool setting and I highly recommend you give it a read.
I particularly enjoyed the flow of this novel and I think it was because the focus was always on plot and the characters. We are never bogged down with too much of the procedure and instead just remain at the heart of the action with various asides where the story is allowed to slow down to allow our main characters time to digest exactly what is happening, whilst at the same time try and deal with what's going on in their own lives. Nathan especially as he is soon working alongside a former lover, a former lover who just so happens to be engaged. We also have chapters featuring the killer which were quite frankly disturbing. The images in my mind made me shiver and at times it was like something out of a horror novel. But, later in the story when it becomes clear just what it all meant it became even more disturbing and looking back it's quite impressive how this story was told, and I can't imagine there will be a single reader that will fully work out where this story is heading. The character development in this story is just astounding and our killer is the character that is going to leave a lasting impression in my mind and even now, after finishing the novel I've got so many thoughts running around my mind about this character.
This paragraph contains mild spoilers. I so wish it was possible to discuss what happened in this story because that last third especially just needs talking about. It's knocked me for six if I'm honest because it's just something that I did not see coming and it's the reason I immediately went onto Twitter to shout about how I had been left speechless by the ending. I studied Psychology successfully at A level and less successfully at degree level but it gave me a fascination into how human's react to different things, things such as personal tragedies in their own lives and what leads them to commit certain acts. A Tapping at My Door focuses on something I don't have a personal experience with but it's something I've learnt a lot about, I've met people affected by it through an organisation my grandad has been involved with from the start and so I immediately got goosebumps for the final section of this book. I had genuine tears in my eyes. I felt for these characters (apart from one who I had not one iota of sympathy for). I had no idea how things were going to end. My heart was literally in my mouth and there could have been an explosion in the street outside and I would have been oblivious because nothing mattered more to me at that moment in time than finishing this book. I hope by now this review (or should that be essay) has put across just how much I enjoyed A Tapping at My Door, if that's the right description to use because whilst I did 'enjoy' it, it's that human element, and how thought-provoking the whole book was and how it drew such a real, emotional response from me that has made it one of the best books I have read so far this year. It's an outstanding book, and it's one that I am going to be recommending to everybody.
April 7, 2016
It takes quite a lot to render me speechless (unfortunately says my family!) but this book did just that. There was a moment near the end that I switched off to everything around me as I wanted to give everything I had as a reader to the final few pages of the book that is definitely going to be in my Top 10 of 2016. There was a highly emotional ending to this crime thriller that I truly did not see coming and my heart literally missed a beat when I saw exactly where this plot had been heading.
This book starts off like one of those creepy horror films that I pretend I don't mind watching but end up seeing more of the back of a cushion than my tv screen! Terri Latham is at home when she hears a tapping at her door. She dismisses it as a plant blowing in the wind but it keeps going and starts tapping at a different location. Scared, she opens the door to find a large raven and then things get seriously creepy as she realises the raven is not alone....
This book is the first in a new series for author David Jackson. After the success of his Callum Doyle series (which is amazing if you haven't read it- especially Cry Baby!) he has moved closer to home with DS Nathan Cody, who lives and works in Liverpool. I love the fact that Liverpool has its own detective series now-its a fascinating city that I love visiting-full of character, with many cultural references used by the author here to great effect. Nathan is a fantastically complex character who has a past that is hinted at but doesn't become clear until later in the book. I have no doubt his relationship with his dysfunctional family will provide us with plenty of drama in future books! As, I'm sure, will his partnership with DC Megan Webley, a former girlfriend now working alongside Nathan as they try to solve the mystery of who is murdering fellow police officers.
This book has been plotted to perfection! The level of tension created by that first chapter was sky high! It introduces us to a main character who is flawed but incredibly likeable. And that is one of the main reasons that this series will work well-we are made to really care about this fictional policeman! I felt very protective of him right from the start, rather like DCI Stella Blunt, and wanted to shout "NOOOOO!" whenever he seemed set on another path of self destruction! I was so totally engrossed in the plot from page one that I didn't even see where it was going until it slapped me in the face! I found it difficult reading the last few pages, for reasons I won't go into, and I know that many people will feel the same but it was handled perfectly.
A Tapping at my Door is a fantastic start to this new series and I hope we don't have too long to wait before the next instalment (I am so impatient-every authors nightmare!) I loved every minute of it and can't wait to see what scrapes Nathan Cody gets himself into next.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
This book starts off like one of those creepy horror films that I pretend I don't mind watching but end up seeing more of the back of a cushion than my tv screen! Terri Latham is at home when she hears a tapping at her door. She dismisses it as a plant blowing in the wind but it keeps going and starts tapping at a different location. Scared, she opens the door to find a large raven and then things get seriously creepy as she realises the raven is not alone....
This book is the first in a new series for author David Jackson. After the success of his Callum Doyle series (which is amazing if you haven't read it- especially Cry Baby!) he has moved closer to home with DS Nathan Cody, who lives and works in Liverpool. I love the fact that Liverpool has its own detective series now-its a fascinating city that I love visiting-full of character, with many cultural references used by the author here to great effect. Nathan is a fantastically complex character who has a past that is hinted at but doesn't become clear until later in the book. I have no doubt his relationship with his dysfunctional family will provide us with plenty of drama in future books! As, I'm sure, will his partnership with DC Megan Webley, a former girlfriend now working alongside Nathan as they try to solve the mystery of who is murdering fellow police officers.
This book has been plotted to perfection! The level of tension created by that first chapter was sky high! It introduces us to a main character who is flawed but incredibly likeable. And that is one of the main reasons that this series will work well-we are made to really care about this fictional policeman! I felt very protective of him right from the start, rather like DCI Stella Blunt, and wanted to shout "NOOOOO!" whenever he seemed set on another path of self destruction! I was so totally engrossed in the plot from page one that I didn't even see where it was going until it slapped me in the face! I found it difficult reading the last few pages, for reasons I won't go into, and I know that many people will feel the same but it was handled perfectly.
A Tapping at my Door is a fantastic start to this new series and I hope we don't have too long to wait before the next instalment (I am so impatient-every authors nightmare!) I loved every minute of it and can't wait to see what scrapes Nathan Cody gets himself into next.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
October 28, 2016
This is the first in a series about yet another psychologically "damaged" police officer. In this first novel, readers don't wonder if DS Cody will survive because of course this is going to be a series so he has to. The setting is Liverpool, and a series of murders of police officers is the focus. DS Cody is, of course, a renegade and reckless. There is a gruesome torture scene later in the book, which reminded me of my avoidance of male-authored crime novels which seem to do this more often than female-authored books.
The audiobook narration had some minuses. The female voices by this narrator were pretty awful. I had a feeling that the Liverpool accents weren't quite right, but my only reference point is the Beatles.
But overall the narration and the story propel the reader to a climatic ending, making this a worthwhile read.
The audiobook narration had some minuses. The female voices by this narrator were pretty awful. I had a feeling that the Liverpool accents weren't quite right, but my only reference point is the Beatles.
But overall the narration and the story propel the reader to a climatic ending, making this a worthwhile read.
November 4, 2017
Mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand, the start was great, the plot seemed to be almost perfect, but on the other hand the final revelation and subsequent ending left me a bit cold. And then, the main character, Nathan Cody… sometimes I wanted to slap him in the face! But he has recently suffered a very traumatic experience, so maybe his erratic behaviour is more than understandable. The rest, a decent police procedural, with promising characters, specially her boss, Stella Blunt, and her ex fiancée, Megan Webley. And of course, we don’t know who the killer is until the very last pages. But, would his motives take him to such great lenghts to, after all these years, take revenge?!
Overall, a good novel. I just hope Cody will get a grip soon, and come back to his senses, seeing that he is decided not to resort to psychiatric help. We’ll see about that in his next book.
Overall, a good novel. I just hope Cody will get a grip soon, and come back to his senses, seeing that he is decided not to resort to psychiatric help. We’ll see about that in his next book.
November 22, 2020
This is the 1st book in the DS Nathan Cody series by author David Jackson. I recently read the latest novel 'The Resident' by this author which was one of my favourite books this year so was eager to read more from him. This book did not have the same fascination for me but there was enough quality to promise more going forward in this series.
The main character is DS Nathan Cody, a perfect character to develop more. Cody has a very troubled past and is still battling demons so is far from the normal police detective often depicted in crime novels. Together with ex girlfriend DC Megan Webley they investigate a very disturbing serial killer.
This is full of action and interesting characters that I am sure will only get better in future books. This is a very good start to a new series and successfully introduces the characters in this blood curdling thriller.
The main character is DS Nathan Cody, a perfect character to develop more. Cody has a very troubled past and is still battling demons so is far from the normal police detective often depicted in crime novels. Together with ex girlfriend DC Megan Webley they investigate a very disturbing serial killer.
This is full of action and interesting characters that I am sure will only get better in future books. This is a very good start to a new series and successfully introduces the characters in this blood curdling thriller.
August 12, 2016
This is the first book I’ve read by David Jackson but I will certainly be reading more. Although I hope that they won’t involve birds. I like birds but as long as they are at a distance and not flying around me. If you want to torture me then put me in an aviary – my idea of hell!
A Tapping at my Door is the first book in a new series featuring DS Nathan Cody and is set in Liverpool. Cody was previously an undercover officer but it is clear that a previous case has gone horribly wrong and has caused him extreme trauma. All the way through, there was speculation and constant references to an event in his past and I was desperate to be told what had happened to affect him so much and make him unpredictable and volatile.
The story starts with a bang with a horrific murder and the rather bizarre addition of a dead bird being placed on the body together with a note. When similar murders follow, it becomes clear that these are not random attacks but targeted ones by a sadistic but clever killer. There was one particular scene recounted later on that was particularly nasty which I had to admit made me feel slightly queasy – and I’m a hardened crime fan!
Cody, now in the Murder Investigation Team, is partnered up with an ex-girlfriend – DC Megan Webley and although there is clearly some issues between them relating to their past history, the chemistry works very well and Webley is more than a match for Cody’s unpredictable nature. Although Megan is now engaged to someone else, there seems to be unfinished business between her and Cody.
In fact most of the characterisations are excellent – from Cody’s damaged and troubled soul to the almost motherly concern of his chief, DCI Stella Blunt, and the common sense of Webley. The only character that I felt could have been fleshed out more was the killer. In the main, the chapters featuring the murderer give little detail, except for their obsession with birds. I really enjoyed the story, it was well paced and cleverly structured with the twists and turns that you would expect in a crime thriller. The who and the why came as a complete surprise – I didn’t see that one coming!
A pacy, suspenseful story with a dramatic finale and with some teasing loose ends that will no doubt be followed up (I hope!) – this is a series that I will happily follow and I look forward to meeting Nathan Cody again.
A Tapping at my Door is the first book in a new series featuring DS Nathan Cody and is set in Liverpool. Cody was previously an undercover officer but it is clear that a previous case has gone horribly wrong and has caused him extreme trauma. All the way through, there was speculation and constant references to an event in his past and I was desperate to be told what had happened to affect him so much and make him unpredictable and volatile.
The story starts with a bang with a horrific murder and the rather bizarre addition of a dead bird being placed on the body together with a note. When similar murders follow, it becomes clear that these are not random attacks but targeted ones by a sadistic but clever killer. There was one particular scene recounted later on that was particularly nasty which I had to admit made me feel slightly queasy – and I’m a hardened crime fan!
Cody, now in the Murder Investigation Team, is partnered up with an ex-girlfriend – DC Megan Webley and although there is clearly some issues between them relating to their past history, the chemistry works very well and Webley is more than a match for Cody’s unpredictable nature. Although Megan is now engaged to someone else, there seems to be unfinished business between her and Cody.
In fact most of the characterisations are excellent – from Cody’s damaged and troubled soul to the almost motherly concern of his chief, DCI Stella Blunt, and the common sense of Webley. The only character that I felt could have been fleshed out more was the killer. In the main, the chapters featuring the murderer give little detail, except for their obsession with birds. I really enjoyed the story, it was well paced and cleverly structured with the twists and turns that you would expect in a crime thriller. The who and the why came as a complete surprise – I didn’t see that one coming!
A pacy, suspenseful story with a dramatic finale and with some teasing loose ends that will no doubt be followed up (I hope!) – this is a series that I will happily follow and I look forward to meeting Nathan Cody again.
July 19, 2016
Well that was different but it wasn't great. After four Callum Doyle books which I enjoyed very much the author has started a new series featuring Sergeant Nathan Cody. I thought he was really weird to start with until his personal demons were explained but I'm not sure the story benefited from that delay. I didn't buy the premise of the story which didn't help in the star department either. The whole bird obsession seemed just too out there. And what was with DCI Stella Blunt? I almost suspect she's his mother or something (we might learn more in later books).
Clearly there will be a sequel which sounds as if it has potential and I'm hoping it will be better. I see that I'm in the minority as most reviewers loved the book but it just didn't work that well for me.
Clearly there will be a sequel which sounds as if it has potential and I'm hoping it will be better. I see that I'm in the minority as most reviewers loved the book but it just didn't work that well for me.
August 13, 2019
This is my first David Jackson novel but certainly not my last. I really enjoy a good British crime novel and I found this very similar to Peter Robinson’s DCI Banks series.
DS Nathan Cody is a flawed but dedicated investigator who finds himself in a complex serial killing scenario. The targets are co-workers, the killer’s signature is a variety of dead birds but the culmination is the brilliance of the story.
A little slow in places because of the heavy procedural nature of his story-telling but still a great read.
DS Nathan Cody is a flawed but dedicated investigator who finds himself in a complex serial killing scenario. The targets are co-workers, the killer’s signature is a variety of dead birds but the culmination is the brilliance of the story.
A little slow in places because of the heavy procedural nature of his story-telling but still a great read.
October 18, 2016
A good thriller featuring a cop serial killer with an avian fetish. DS Cody is a likable enough character, but he fits too perfectly into the mould of troubled hero for me and the ending didn’t entirely satisfy me either. Good but not great.
July 29, 2022
I have had the first four books in this series sitting on my shelf for way too long, and I finally made a start. This is a deliciously gruesome crime thriller that will keep you engrossed from start to end.
I am new to David Jackson’s writing and found myself quickly hooked. I love the way he allows you into Cody’s head. Experiencing events through his eyes. The way you are sharing his thoughts is brilliant. I cannot wait to start the next book in this series. At times there are loads of gory details, but if you can stomach the blood and guts that get spilt along the way you will love this story.
A young woman is murdered, and when the police arrive on the scene they discover that she was a police officer. Her murder is followed by the death of her old partner and all too quickly there are more dead officers. DS Nathan Cody, recovering from a traumatic experience while working undercover is partnered with an ex-girlfriend on the hunt for this killer which leads to old memories they would both rather forget to resurface. Can Cody bury his demons and find this killer before another officer is murdered.
This was a gory read that keep you guessing. I found myself escaping my surrounding as this fictional world claimed my attention. It is an engrossing read with a detailed story that the author wraps up beautifully with a rather unexpected explanation.
DS Nathan Cody dominates the story with his complicated personality. The man endured some horrific events while working undercover and the scars are evident in his behaviour, even when he tries so hard to hide them. The author did a wonderful job with this man. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next book in this series. I want to know if Cody will be able to put his past behind him and move on.
I have to say I love this book. It is dark and might be a little too descriptive for sensitive readers but I enjoyed every minute.
If you are a fan of dark, graphic serial killer tales then this is the book for you. Seasoned thriller fans will race through this gripping tale and find themselves eager for more.
https://featzreviews.com
I am new to David Jackson’s writing and found myself quickly hooked. I love the way he allows you into Cody’s head. Experiencing events through his eyes. The way you are sharing his thoughts is brilliant. I cannot wait to start the next book in this series. At times there are loads of gory details, but if you can stomach the blood and guts that get spilt along the way you will love this story.
A young woman is murdered, and when the police arrive on the scene they discover that she was a police officer. Her murder is followed by the death of her old partner and all too quickly there are more dead officers. DS Nathan Cody, recovering from a traumatic experience while working undercover is partnered with an ex-girlfriend on the hunt for this killer which leads to old memories they would both rather forget to resurface. Can Cody bury his demons and find this killer before another officer is murdered.
This was a gory read that keep you guessing. I found myself escaping my surrounding as this fictional world claimed my attention. It is an engrossing read with a detailed story that the author wraps up beautifully with a rather unexpected explanation.
DS Nathan Cody dominates the story with his complicated personality. The man endured some horrific events while working undercover and the scars are evident in his behaviour, even when he tries so hard to hide them. The author did a wonderful job with this man. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next book in this series. I want to know if Cody will be able to put his past behind him and move on.
I have to say I love this book. It is dark and might be a little too descriptive for sensitive readers but I enjoyed every minute.
If you are a fan of dark, graphic serial killer tales then this is the book for you. Seasoned thriller fans will race through this gripping tale and find themselves eager for more.
https://featzreviews.com
June 10, 2017
I love reading crime novels. I don’t really get to read them as much as I used too when I was in my teens, but crime novels is still one of my favorite genres to read. I devoured a lot of the Karin Slaughter novels, and J.D. Robb is definitely also one of my favorite Authors. So when I was asked to read the David Jackson’s new Nathan Cody series, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
In ‘A Tapping At My Door’ we follow DS Nathan Cody on a new case of a supposed cop killer, who’s leasing some weird messages. This is Cody’s first case back after he was involved with a undercover mission that went terribly wrong. Now Cody doesn’t only have to find out who the murderer is that is brutal killing his colleagues, he also has to find a way to cope with his own demons. Thankfully Cody gets some help from his new colleague, and old girlfriend Megan Webley.
I had some high hopes before I started reading ‘A Tapping At My Door’. It was the first crime novel I read in a while, and I really wanted to be swept away into a interesting murder investigation. And thankfully my high hopes were met, and I completely devoured this book.
Not only was the murder investigation really good, and kept me on the edge of my seat, I also really loved getting to know the main character Cody. There was a lot of mystery about what happened to him on his last case, and I was really intrigued about finding out the truth about him. Off course the Author made sure we still have some thing to wonder about, but we also got some answers which really made me happy.
David Jackson, really made this into a great read that keeps you interested till the very last page. The murders are gruesome and really weird, their are several suspects and there are some personal problems for the main characters. That’s definitely a combination I love. And I for one can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
In ‘A Tapping At My Door’ we follow DS Nathan Cody on a new case of a supposed cop killer, who’s leasing some weird messages. This is Cody’s first case back after he was involved with a undercover mission that went terribly wrong. Now Cody doesn’t only have to find out who the murderer is that is brutal killing his colleagues, he also has to find a way to cope with his own demons. Thankfully Cody gets some help from his new colleague, and old girlfriend Megan Webley.
I had some high hopes before I started reading ‘A Tapping At My Door’. It was the first crime novel I read in a while, and I really wanted to be swept away into a interesting murder investigation. And thankfully my high hopes were met, and I completely devoured this book.
Not only was the murder investigation really good, and kept me on the edge of my seat, I also really loved getting to know the main character Cody. There was a lot of mystery about what happened to him on his last case, and I was really intrigued about finding out the truth about him. Off course the Author made sure we still have some thing to wonder about, but we also got some answers which really made me happy.
David Jackson, really made this into a great read that keeps you interested till the very last page. The murders are gruesome and really weird, their are several suspects and there are some personal problems for the main characters. That’s definitely a combination I love. And I for one can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
June 30, 2017
I don't think it's wise to compare one author to another because in the end, it's a matter of taste and personal preference which one you prefer; however, right on the front cover of this book, there's an excerpt from a review by the Guardian. It says, "Recalls Harlan Coben -- though for my money, Jackson is the better writer." Okay, so that got my interest because Coben is one of my favorite authors. Maybe I have a chip on my shoulder about this, but I prefer Coben. While "A Tapping At My Door" was a good book and a decent read, I found it to be very dragged down in places. I get that the long-winded set-ups and moment-by-moment description of characters' actions were meant to create drama and suspense, but I just found them tedious. The first scene with the woman going to her door to find out what's scratching and tapping takes 13 pages. Thirteen. Could've used half that many pages and still gotten the suspense and the fear across. When it goes on too long, I find myself just skipping over it. So much for having built suspense.
Other issues I had with the book include:
The clumsy handling of the relationship with the former lovers. Hmmm... Clearly this issue will be dealt with in future books, but I didn't like at all the flimsy excuse that causes the break up of the current relationship one of the lovers is in.
The connection to the reason for the murders and the birds was tenuous. I definitely get that the EVENT would be enough to scar someone for life, and the way the villain's life is changed by the event was perfectly reasonable, but pulling in the birds? Seemed like a stretch. The author must feel this way at least a little because after having the villain explain to us why the murders are occurring, we have Cody hash back over the details re-iterating WHY there is a connection to the birds. I don't need to be told twice.
Megan goes to Cody (ick! Cody. Annoying name.) and begs him to share his burden with her. Clearly he's wounded and hurting. Clearly, he needs someone to talk to. Clearly, it's affecting his work. Please, please, please talk to me. Okay. He does. They have a moment, and he shares this heart-rending secret with her. She promises to never reveal what he has told her. Boom, she lasts what? 2 hours before she has told someone? Then, SHE is mad at HIM for being upset about it? Hmmm.... Not sure what the author intended me to feel here. Am I supposed to think Cody is being unreasonable, because if someone did that to me, I would never speak to them again, not go off soul-searching whether my anger was justifiable or not.
Who repeatedly answers the phone when the caller id shows "Unknown"? Okay, let's say you're curious and you pick it up once or twice. Once you know that there's going to be no response on the other end of the line, would you really keep picking it up? Even to the point where the character is holding conversations with the "dead air" on the other end of the line. I can't imagine what would possess the character to do this, and the explanation provided in the book was completely unbelievable.
The repetition of the character going into the room with the birds and standing in bird poop. Okay, the first time it's described, it has its intended effect of grossing us out, but to repeat it every single time the character goes in there is just ridiculous. It's like re-describing a scene every time someone walks into it. You don't need to do that because we remember the description from the first time you told us. If you want us to feel creeped out every time we're in that room, gives us a new detail. Don't just keeping repeating this one detail.
I think some editing could have fixed these things, the end result would've been a stronger, better read.
Other issues I had with the book include:
The clumsy handling of the relationship with the former lovers. Hmmm... Clearly this issue will be dealt with in future books, but I didn't like at all the flimsy excuse that causes the break up of the current relationship one of the lovers is in.
The connection to the reason for the murders and the birds was tenuous. I definitely get that the EVENT would be enough to scar someone for life, and the way the villain's life is changed by the event was perfectly reasonable, but pulling in the birds? Seemed like a stretch. The author must feel this way at least a little because after having the villain explain to us why the murders are occurring, we have Cody hash back over the details re-iterating WHY there is a connection to the birds. I don't need to be told twice.
Megan goes to Cody (ick! Cody. Annoying name.) and begs him to share his burden with her. Clearly he's wounded and hurting. Clearly, he needs someone to talk to. Clearly, it's affecting his work. Please, please, please talk to me. Okay. He does. They have a moment, and he shares this heart-rending secret with her. She promises to never reveal what he has told her. Boom, she lasts what? 2 hours before she has told someone? Then, SHE is mad at HIM for being upset about it? Hmmm.... Not sure what the author intended me to feel here. Am I supposed to think Cody is being unreasonable, because if someone did that to me, I would never speak to them again, not go off soul-searching whether my anger was justifiable or not.
Who repeatedly answers the phone when the caller id shows "Unknown"? Okay, let's say you're curious and you pick it up once or twice. Once you know that there's going to be no response on the other end of the line, would you really keep picking it up? Even to the point where the character is holding conversations with the "dead air" on the other end of the line. I can't imagine what would possess the character to do this, and the explanation provided in the book was completely unbelievable.
The repetition of the character going into the room with the birds and standing in bird poop. Okay, the first time it's described, it has its intended effect of grossing us out, but to repeat it every single time the character goes in there is just ridiculous. It's like re-describing a scene every time someone walks into it. You don't need to do that because we remember the description from the first time you told us. If you want us to feel creeped out every time we're in that room, gives us a new detail. Don't just keeping repeating this one detail.
I think some editing could have fixed these things, the end result would've been a stronger, better read.
April 19, 2016
Prefaced by some lines from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven, rarely have I been so spooked by a book as I was on opening this book where Terri Latham is sat at home having a glass of wine when she hears a tapping at her door… I’m don’t have a particularly nervous nature but I was there, alongside Terri while she debated whether or not to investigate! There is no need to add that David Jackson is a master at setting a scene.
ONCE upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Next we meet DS Nathan Cody at work in the Major Investigation Team who has just found out one of his old girlfriends has joined the team, even better they are to be partners – now that’s not awkward is it? The fact that Megan Webley is now engaged to someone else just ups the potential for problems and while I’m not saying there are none, the author is rightly restrained in keeping the personal life on the fringes of the action allowing the fabulous, and it is outstanding, plot to take centre stage.
I instantly liked Nathan Cody, a former undercover policeman, he clearly had dealt with a major incident in this role, but what it was isn’t revealed for quite some time. This explains his shortish temper, particularly with local reporter, suffers with insomnia and has a hint of recklessness about him but again, David Jackson doesn’t overplay these issues, they are there and clearly a concern, not least to Cody himself, but he does work as part of a team and there are minimal lone wolf moments.
In fact all the characters are beautifully drawn from the victims, suspects and officers and other randomers, every single one was distinct, note authors this always helps the reader keep the story straight, and yet utterly authentic primarily because like real people they aren’t acting a part they are made up of many different facets, so while Cody may bark at a reporter he is capable of helping an elderly man with some shopping moments later, a lovely touch that keeps the reader in tune with, and engaged with the character.
So we have a fabulous plot and great characters so onto the Liverpool setting. This was also very well done with its helpful explanation of the difference between the new touristy bits and those slightly rougher parts of town cleverly slipped into the story to give a sense of place and to me this felt distinct from any generic English city.
But best of all the writing comes with a good dose of wry humour which I love. This meant that despite some gruesome murders, I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to those with weak dispositions, the book never felt depressing.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it is definitely going to be in my top ten reads of 2016, there isn’t one bit that could have been better!
I’d like to say a big thank you to Bonnier Publishing for my copy of this book, this review is my unbiased thank you to them. A Tapping At My Door was published on 7 April 2016.
ONCE upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Next we meet DS Nathan Cody at work in the Major Investigation Team who has just found out one of his old girlfriends has joined the team, even better they are to be partners – now that’s not awkward is it? The fact that Megan Webley is now engaged to someone else just ups the potential for problems and while I’m not saying there are none, the author is rightly restrained in keeping the personal life on the fringes of the action allowing the fabulous, and it is outstanding, plot to take centre stage.
I instantly liked Nathan Cody, a former undercover policeman, he clearly had dealt with a major incident in this role, but what it was isn’t revealed for quite some time. This explains his shortish temper, particularly with local reporter, suffers with insomnia and has a hint of recklessness about him but again, David Jackson doesn’t overplay these issues, they are there and clearly a concern, not least to Cody himself, but he does work as part of a team and there are minimal lone wolf moments.
In fact all the characters are beautifully drawn from the victims, suspects and officers and other randomers, every single one was distinct, note authors this always helps the reader keep the story straight, and yet utterly authentic primarily because like real people they aren’t acting a part they are made up of many different facets, so while Cody may bark at a reporter he is capable of helping an elderly man with some shopping moments later, a lovely touch that keeps the reader in tune with, and engaged with the character.
So we have a fabulous plot and great characters so onto the Liverpool setting. This was also very well done with its helpful explanation of the difference between the new touristy bits and those slightly rougher parts of town cleverly slipped into the story to give a sense of place and to me this felt distinct from any generic English city.
But best of all the writing comes with a good dose of wry humour which I love. This meant that despite some gruesome murders, I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to those with weak dispositions, the book never felt depressing.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it is definitely going to be in my top ten reads of 2016, there isn’t one bit that could have been better!
I’d like to say a big thank you to Bonnier Publishing for my copy of this book, this review is my unbiased thank you to them. A Tapping At My Door was published on 7 April 2016.
February 4, 2022
This started as an interesting mystery. The victims are all police and the killer leaves behind a message (taken from poems) with a dead bird at the murder scene. I was eager to know how the detectives would solve this. But then, the author got too busy getting into the Hero's mental trauma due to some past tragedy. He brings back the Hero's ex-girlfriend and they have to work together. For some reason, this ex can't let things go, though she behaves like an agony aunt, who actually makes matters worse. I can't describe how much I hated this heroine, Megan. I wished, she was the first victim and Cody could add that to one of the reasons for being so morose.
The motive made sense, but the reason for leaving the birds as some sort of 'clue' didn't make any sense. I thought the killer was an environmentalist and was concerned about bird extinction. This reminds me of an Indian movie, where a professor concerned about the ill effects of cell towers on birds starts killing everyone connected with the telecom industry (after committing suicide and turning into a giant bird)
I know most of the readers like to know more about the detective, their personal life when they read a detective series. But I read detective novels solely for the detective mystery and police procedurals Every fictional detective are molded from the same template. It gets tiresome. This is fiction afterall, why can't the detective not have PTSD, have a perfect family life, understanding wife/ GF and completely focus on solving crimes? Where have the good old detectives like Poirot gone? They did well without a traumatic past to brood about.
This series has very high average ratings and hugely popular. I read some of the negative reviews for the the next 3 books. Looks like Nathan Cody's tragic past is not resolved in those books and Megan continues to nag him. Thank you. I am not continuing this series.
The motive made sense, but the reason for leaving the birds as some sort of 'clue' didn't make any sense. I thought the killer was an environmentalist and was concerned about bird extinction. This reminds me of an Indian movie, where a professor concerned about the ill effects of cell towers on birds starts killing everyone connected with the telecom industry (after committing suicide and turning into a giant bird)
I know most of the readers like to know more about the detective, their personal life when they read a detective series. But I read detective novels solely for the detective mystery and police procedurals Every fictional detective are molded from the same template. It gets tiresome. This is fiction afterall, why can't the detective not have PTSD, have a perfect family life, understanding wife/ GF and completely focus on solving crimes? Where have the good old detectives like Poirot gone? They did well without a traumatic past to brood about.
This series has very high average ratings and hugely popular. I read some of the negative reviews for the the next 3 books. Looks like Nathan Cody's tragic past is not resolved in those books and Megan continues to nag him. Thank you. I am not continuing this series.
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February 8, 2017
I hadn't heard of David Jackson, so I read the reviews and thought 'here is an author whose writing I should enjoy'. I tried, I really did, but gave up early in the first few chapters. I get the raven, but a whole chapter? Then the contrived finding of the body? I may go back to it, because of the reviews and the likelihood that it just wasn't for me at the time and/or I might try his next book, but for this reading ... It was all so drawn out - So .. sadly, a DNF.
May 17, 2023
So, I got to the end of 'A Tapping At My Door', the first book in the DS Nathan Cody series and my gut reaction was: I don't want to continue with this series.
Then I argued with myself.
I reminded myself that this was a well-written book. The dialogue is spot-on for Liverpool. The characters were believable and easy to empathise with. There was a strong sense of place and of local culture. There were diverse attitudes towards the police that were conveyed with passion. Moments of high tension were balanced with moments of introspection. The ending was tense and spectacular. So waddaya mean you don't wanna read the rest of the series?
I responded with "Well, just because it's well-written and realistic and has a credible main character doesn't mean that I enjoyed it". DS Cody is a broken man - mentally unstable and lying to himself, his boss and his colleagues about it and thereby putting himself and his colleagues at risk. It makes for a strong story but it makes him a hard man to cheer for. The scene where I found out exactly how he was broken and by whom was one of vivid violence that was necessary in terms of understanding Cody and his problems but one that I'd rather not have had splashed across my imagination.
I also struggled with the motivation of the off-the-wall character who was killing police officers and leaving birds with their corpses. It felt far-fetched and over-elaborate. It's extremely rare for a Police Officer to be murdered in the UK. The idea of multiple murders accompanied by exotic clues felt exploitative to me, especially when the setting for the crimes was so realistic. Later, when I learned that the motivation of the murderer was linked to a single, at that point unrevealed, word I know what the word would be. Most people who grew up on Merseyside would be able to guess. I won't say why here because it would spoil the plot but I found the link distasteful. Even though the distress linked to the word was described with some dignity, the motivation for this crime left a bad taste in my mouth.
Which is why, even though I think 'A Tapping At My Door' was a four-star read, I don't want to read any more of this series.
Then I argued with myself.
I reminded myself that this was a well-written book. The dialogue is spot-on for Liverpool. The characters were believable and easy to empathise with. There was a strong sense of place and of local culture. There were diverse attitudes towards the police that were conveyed with passion. Moments of high tension were balanced with moments of introspection. The ending was tense and spectacular. So waddaya mean you don't wanna read the rest of the series?
I responded with "Well, just because it's well-written and realistic and has a credible main character doesn't mean that I enjoyed it". DS Cody is a broken man - mentally unstable and lying to himself, his boss and his colleagues about it and thereby putting himself and his colleagues at risk. It makes for a strong story but it makes him a hard man to cheer for. The scene where I found out exactly how he was broken and by whom was one of vivid violence that was necessary in terms of understanding Cody and his problems but one that I'd rather not have had splashed across my imagination.
I also struggled with the motivation of the off-the-wall character who was killing police officers and leaving birds with their corpses. It felt far-fetched and over-elaborate. It's extremely rare for a Police Officer to be murdered in the UK. The idea of multiple murders accompanied by exotic clues felt exploitative to me, especially when the setting for the crimes was so realistic. Later, when I learned that the motivation of the murderer was linked to a single, at that point unrevealed, word I know what the word would be. Most people who grew up on Merseyside would be able to guess. I won't say why here because it would spoil the plot but I found the link distasteful. Even though the distress linked to the word was described with some dignity, the motivation for this crime left a bad taste in my mouth.
Which is why, even though I think 'A Tapping At My Door' was a four-star read, I don't want to read any more of this series.
November 17, 2016
This is very well written and I will definitely give David Jackson another read . . . but . . . the basic motivation here just didn't work for me at all. Spoiler coming, so stop if you haven't finished. The whole idea of the murderer being motivated to capture birds and then plant them on the bodies of the police he kills was fine until Jackson reveals why the "birds" are so important. Our murderer, the photographer Chris, was a little boy at a soccer tragedy caused by police incompetence. 96 people died, fans of Liverpool, 1989. Liverpool has a bird crest on the uniform, so the dead were all "birds" to Chris. Just too much. Oddly, I'm guessing Jackson wanted the book as a tribute (we won't forget) to the victims. But the "birds" theme falls flat for me, ultimately trivializing what must have been a horrific event. It also seems to me that "tapping at my door" could have worked without the birds at all.
One last complaint. Nathan Cody hanging from a railing with Chris connected by a rope. His arms, we are told, come out of their sockets, and his spine is stretched excruciatingly. He feels as if he is splitting in half. Yet when Chris is shot and killed, falling to his death, Cody just climbs up and is perfectly okay. My "willing suspension of disbelief" was snapped.
One last complaint. Nathan Cody hanging from a railing with Chris connected by a rope. His arms, we are told, come out of their sockets, and his spine is stretched excruciatingly. He feels as if he is splitting in half. Yet when Chris is shot and killed, falling to his death, Cody just climbs up and is perfectly okay. My "willing suspension of disbelief" was snapped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2016
Frightening. In a dressing gown, watching television and drinking wine. Policewoman Terri Latham hears a tapping , scratching, scrabbling noise at the back door. In bare feet and her dressing gown on she goes to investigate what is making the noise. PC Terri feels something hard and heavy ramming into her skull, and her throat is cut. The police find a large black bird at the scene with a scrap of paper wrapped around the birds scrawny leg with the printed text Nevermore. Was the bird left there as message? Why was she killed? Could it be something in PC Terri Latham's past, something she did or that the killer believes she did? I had never heard of David Jackson until I came across A Tapping At My Door. I enjoyed reading this novel so much, I need to read all David Jackson's other novels.
February 27, 2017
A cop killer is on the loose in Liverpool and the police are panicked as a dead bird on the victim's face- along with a suitably cryptic message - is left at each murder scene. Step forward Detective Sergeant Nathan Cody partnered with his ex-lover and new work colleague, Megan Webley, to solve the mystery.
But, Cody has demons from his past to contend with after a failed undercover operation. So begins a LOT of sturm and drang and major angst as Cody suffers nightmares and the occasional urge to hurt people - especially members of the local media, one of whom has a secret of his own which will provide a vital clue to the identity of the "Bird Killer" and the reason for his killing spree.
This would have been a better story if author David Jackson had toned down the many, many pages of Cody's agonising about his past failure. A pity, because the story had a very promising start.
But, Cody has demons from his past to contend with after a failed undercover operation. So begins a LOT of sturm and drang and major angst as Cody suffers nightmares and the occasional urge to hurt people - especially members of the local media, one of whom has a secret of his own which will provide a vital clue to the identity of the "Bird Killer" and the reason for his killing spree.
This would have been a better story if author David Jackson had toned down the many, many pages of Cody's agonising about his past failure. A pity, because the story had a very promising start.
November 18, 2021
This was my first book by David Jackson and a fantastic entrance to a series I binged. Aspects were very dark and gruesome but never beyond what I felt I could cope with, unlike The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. Having said that I did have the instinct to close my eyes while listening to a particular scene at the autopsy which was less than ideal while listening to this while running on a treadmill…
A Tapping At My Door is a police procedural novel. This involves a murder mystery where the reader experienced the case from multiple perspectives: that of the victims, the killer, and of course - given this is the “DS Nathan Cody” series it will come as no surprise - that of the police detectives. Despite this there is a large aspect of mystery throughout that doesn’t get revealed until the very end at which point everything makes sense. The book is fantastically written exploring the police process in great detail and then leaving the reader able to see all perspectives and not just the black and white narrative often found in books of this nature.
Further to the key theme of this particular case, there is the personal trauma and coping mechanisms of DS Nathan Cody himself that begin to become unraveled over the course of the book leaving me excited to pick up the next in the series to know more about Cody and what will happen next in his personal journey.
A brilliant book and one I would highly recommend.
A Tapping At My Door is a police procedural novel. This involves a murder mystery where the reader experienced the case from multiple perspectives: that of the victims, the killer, and of course - given this is the “DS Nathan Cody” series it will come as no surprise - that of the police detectives. Despite this there is a large aspect of mystery throughout that doesn’t get revealed until the very end at which point everything makes sense. The book is fantastically written exploring the police process in great detail and then leaving the reader able to see all perspectives and not just the black and white narrative often found in books of this nature.
Further to the key theme of this particular case, there is the personal trauma and coping mechanisms of DS Nathan Cody himself that begin to become unraveled over the course of the book leaving me excited to pick up the next in the series to know more about Cody and what will happen next in his personal journey.
A brilliant book and one I would highly recommend.
April 16, 2018
It started out like a Stuart Macbride book. And then evolved into a creature all of its own. What a piece of work Cody is. It’s like he has a death wish. And then you learn about his past. And understand a little bit more. The whodunnit part was a bit out of left field. There were no clues attached to that one. But at least it was all explained in the end.
October 25, 2018
I found this to be a pretty standard police procedural. Definitely kept me listening to find out what happened, but didn't stand out. I didn't feel especially attached to Nathan Cody, so I don't think I'm likely to continue this series. Great narration by Jonathan Keeble on the audiobook.
July 27, 2017
3.5 stars, rounded up because the first third was really good, and this author has promise.
Pros:
Edgar Allan Poe references
Spooky-suspenseful in the first part
Strong narrative drive in the first part
Primary plot was pretty well done overall
Secondary plot woven in well at first
A twist or two
Cons:
When secondary plot finally takes precedence, all the air goes out of the primary plot suspense for quite a
while. You wonder if the book isn't really about the secondary plot (the damage of our poor hero) after all.
There is a section related to the secondary plot which was so graphic that I had to skip/skim a good bit to get through it.
After wondering how much the different threads are going to intersect in the end, you find that a significant plot line is just a set up for book 2.
Just go to therapy already!
Protagonist is proclaimed, far too often, always by female characters, to be THE superlative cop. We don't actually see him being anything special, but boy do we hear about it.
The two (plus one) female characters are there *solely* to:
* proclaim the wonders of our hero
* wring their hands over his well-being (he's a damaged dude who just won't take care of himself, darn it)
* beg him to just open up and share with them
* give him sound advice that he must ignore because even when they're right a guy just can't be shown to take the advice of a woman
* break his heart and be broken-hearted over him
* misunderstand his inexcusable behavior and poor performance because they just don't know how damaged he is, or how hard he's trying, or how well he means
* be unfairly and inconsistently mad at him, because, women
* be proven wrong--sort of--in their misunderstanding of our poor misunderstood hero
* be sacrificed for, maybe, sort of, in order to show them how they shouldn't have doubted him
... and, well, you get the picture. Oy.
The mama bear boss becomes laughable after a while.
When a book starts out with unexpected promise and then disappoints on several levels despite strong storytelling in many regards, it's a big letdown.
Though I would try another of this guy's books before I would read a number of reliably disappointing bestselling authors in this genre, I don't actually plan to do so.
That's maybe the biggest letdown. The cause: the very tired cliches of pity/adore/fret over/misunderstand the exceptional man; and the women who have no real function as characters, beyond their nominal roles, except to be consumed by their relationship to the hero.
You expect some cliche in genre fiction, and this particular cliche isn't as much of a trigger for me as I make it sound, though it is a trigger. It's just really overdone here. I have a bruised head from banging it against my hand.
The powerfully cliched gender roles and ham-fisted insertion of secondary plot spotlight are a shame in an author who has a lot of skill. He could be really, really good.
Pros:
Edgar Allan Poe references
Spooky-suspenseful in the first part
Strong narrative drive in the first part
Primary plot was pretty well done overall
Secondary plot woven in well at first
A twist or two
Cons:
When secondary plot finally takes precedence, all the air goes out of the primary plot suspense for quite a
while. You wonder if the book isn't really about the secondary plot (the damage of our poor hero) after all.
There is a section related to the secondary plot which was so graphic that I had to skip/skim a good bit to get through it.
After wondering how much the different threads are going to intersect in the end, you find that a significant plot line is just a set up for book 2.
Just go to therapy already!
Protagonist is proclaimed, far too often, always by female characters, to be THE superlative cop. We don't actually see him being anything special, but boy do we hear about it.
The two (plus one) female characters are there *solely* to:
* proclaim the wonders of our hero
* wring their hands over his well-being (he's a damaged dude who just won't take care of himself, darn it)
* beg him to just open up and share with them
* give him sound advice that he must ignore because even when they're right a guy just can't be shown to take the advice of a woman
* break his heart and be broken-hearted over him
* misunderstand his inexcusable behavior and poor performance because they just don't know how damaged he is, or how hard he's trying, or how well he means
* be unfairly and inconsistently mad at him, because, women
* be proven wrong--sort of--in their misunderstanding of our poor misunderstood hero
* be sacrificed for, maybe, sort of, in order to show them how they shouldn't have doubted him
... and, well, you get the picture. Oy.
The mama bear boss becomes laughable after a while.
When a book starts out with unexpected promise and then disappoints on several levels despite strong storytelling in many regards, it's a big letdown.
Though I would try another of this guy's books before I would read a number of reliably disappointing bestselling authors in this genre, I don't actually plan to do so.
That's maybe the biggest letdown. The cause: the very tired cliches of pity/adore/fret over/misunderstand the exceptional man; and the women who have no real function as characters, beyond their nominal roles, except to be consumed by their relationship to the hero.
You expect some cliche in genre fiction, and this particular cliche isn't as much of a trigger for me as I make it sound, though it is a trigger. It's just really overdone here. I have a bruised head from banging it against my hand.
The powerfully cliched gender roles and ham-fisted insertion of secondary plot spotlight are a shame in an author who has a lot of skill. He could be really, really good.
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