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DS Lasser #13
Living Ashes
Christmas time, a time for giving, a time for killing.
The snow is falling but soon it will be stained red, someone is out to settle old scores, someone, who cares little for the lives of others.
Despite the festive season Ann Stevenson isn't happy. Her precious son Simon has done the unthinkable and moved out of the family home.
So, when she finds the man on her doorstep she is in no mood for cold canvassers, although DCI Bannister isn’t selling anything, he's there to break bad news, news that will leave Ann Stevenson in mind-twisting hysterics as her world comes crashing down.
Someone has murdered her golden boy and his girlfriend has vanished.
As the case unfolds and the killer continues to ply his trade, the threads will pull DS Lasser into a past so twisted that he fears he will never find a way back to reality. As the church bells chime and the town in buried under a blanket of white, he must trust his instincts to get to the truth before it is too late. Before anyone else gets caught up in the tangled web of hatred and violence. But sometimes even gut feelings can't be relied upon to save those closest to you.
The snow is falling but soon it will be stained red, someone is out to settle old scores, someone, who cares little for the lives of others.
Despite the festive season Ann Stevenson isn't happy. Her precious son Simon has done the unthinkable and moved out of the family home.
So, when she finds the man on her doorstep she is in no mood for cold canvassers, although DCI Bannister isn’t selling anything, he's there to break bad news, news that will leave Ann Stevenson in mind-twisting hysterics as her world comes crashing down.
Someone has murdered her golden boy and his girlfriend has vanished.
As the case unfolds and the killer continues to ply his trade, the threads will pull DS Lasser into a past so twisted that he fears he will never find a way back to reality. As the church bells chime and the town in buried under a blanket of white, he must trust his instincts to get to the truth before it is too late. Before anyone else gets caught up in the tangled web of hatred and violence. But sometimes even gut feelings can't be relied upon to save those closest to you.
- GenresThriller
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2016
59 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Robin Roughley
46 books152 followersRob Roughley lives in the North West of England (God's coal bunker,the land of the wedding cake made by placing three meat pies on top of one another and whippets on lengths of string)
He is the author of eight crime/thriller novels featuring DS Lasser. The novels are set between the run down streets of a northern town and the beautiful yet desolate west Pennine moors.
If you love your crime fiction crammed with square jawed heroes driving flash cars and glorious women who shimmer with inner light, then the DS Lasser novels are not for you.
However, if you prefer your characters to be flawed, with a sprinkling of dandruff and old acne scars,the plots to be laced with dark humour, then give them a try.
1 The Needle House
2 The Way that it Falls
3 Tethered to the Dead.
4 Twisted
Coming soon:
5 More Equal than Others
6 Vanished Beneath
7 Riven
8 Bad Self
He is the author of eight crime/thriller novels featuring DS Lasser. The novels are set between the run down streets of a northern town and the beautiful yet desolate west Pennine moors.
If you love your crime fiction crammed with square jawed heroes driving flash cars and glorious women who shimmer with inner light, then the DS Lasser novels are not for you.
However, if you prefer your characters to be flawed, with a sprinkling of dandruff and old acne scars,the plots to be laced with dark humour, then give them a try.
1 The Needle House
2 The Way that it Falls
3 Tethered to the Dead.
4 Twisted
Coming soon:
5 More Equal than Others
6 Vanished Beneath
7 Riven
8 Bad Self
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 28, 2022
I've challenged myself the read all the DS Lasser books this year and I'm not regretting my decision at the moment. @robinroughley just keeps getting better and better. Why this isn't a TV series is beyond me.
May 25, 2017
5 Stars
A young couple are strolling the Christmas market when they tire and head for the car park discussing their Christmas plans. They are attacked in the garage and the man is felled by a blow to the head. The woman is kidnapped.
We are off on another fast and amazing ride through some incredible writing by Mr. Roughley.
When advised of their son's death, the mother goes ballistic in a very weird manner. She is key to this story. Lasser, Odette and Bannister are puzzled and frustrated at the man's death. There seems to be no reason for it. It was not a robbery and since the woman is missing, the focus is on her.
The head of a woman is found at an abandoned homestead. Lasser and Odette are attacked in the marketplace. There are some very strange goings on in this novel. And more murders are committed. As the pieces start to come together, Odette vanishes and Bannister is injured. The tension mounts in this fast paced thriller almost to the boiling point.
This is a wonderful book written by a remarkable writer. Mr. Roughley adds just the right amount of tension. With no wasted words, his books are classics. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, so be aware. Number fourteen is waiting in the wings.
A young couple are strolling the Christmas market when they tire and head for the car park discussing their Christmas plans. They are attacked in the garage and the man is felled by a blow to the head. The woman is kidnapped.
We are off on another fast and amazing ride through some incredible writing by Mr. Roughley.
When advised of their son's death, the mother goes ballistic in a very weird manner. She is key to this story. Lasser, Odette and Bannister are puzzled and frustrated at the man's death. There seems to be no reason for it. It was not a robbery and since the woman is missing, the focus is on her.
The head of a woman is found at an abandoned homestead. Lasser and Odette are attacked in the marketplace. There are some very strange goings on in this novel. And more murders are committed. As the pieces start to come together, Odette vanishes and Bannister is injured. The tension mounts in this fast paced thriller almost to the boiling point.
This is a wonderful book written by a remarkable writer. Mr. Roughley adds just the right amount of tension. With no wasted words, his books are classics. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, so be aware. Number fourteen is waiting in the wings.
August 13, 2017
Thrilling xXx 💙 xXx
As usual we're lead into a fast paced world full of twists and turns, Lasser, Bannister and Noble trying to keep up with the mind of a psychotic killer. I've read the Lasser series back to back after they were highly recommended to me and am very glad that I did. I now recommend them to everyone else, can't wait for the next instalment xXx💖 xXx
As usual we're lead into a fast paced world full of twists and turns, Lasser, Bannister and Noble trying to keep up with the mind of a psychotic killer. I've read the Lasser series back to back after they were highly recommended to me and am very glad that I did. I now recommend them to everyone else, can't wait for the next instalment xXx💖 xXx
July 31, 2020
Living Ashes: A CD Lasser Mystery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The more so read these books the more I love them & the relationship between them all.The storylines are so good & I love all the banter between them all.I never want these books to end.I am totally hooked on them ,definitely start reading if your looking for a good series,you won't be disappointed⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The more so read these books the more I love them & the relationship between them all.The storylines are so good & I love all the banter between them all.I never want these books to end.I am totally hooked on them ,definitely start reading if your looking for a good series,you won't be disappointed⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 21, 2016
First class
Another excellent story from Roughley.
Lasser and the team are first class and this story goes along at some pace.
I hope no.14 is coming soon so we can get the next instalment.
Another excellent story from Roughley.
Lasser and the team are first class and this story goes along at some pace.
I hope no.14 is coming soon so we can get the next instalment.
June 25, 2017
Action packed
WARNING: Language, Sex, Incest, Rape, Murder & Mayhem
This is the 13th book in the series, only one more to go.
Lasser seems to be coming to grips with his feelings for a co-worker. Will they be returned?
WARNING: Language, Sex, Incest, Rape, Murder & Mayhem
This is the 13th book in the series, only one more to go.
Lasser seems to be coming to grips with his feelings for a co-worker. Will they be returned?
September 16, 2019
Best series ever
I absolutely love this series, with each book it gets better and better. This one was just as good as the previous ones, I don’t want these books to end, hopefully the author will continue writing them
I absolutely love this series, with each book it gets better and better. This one was just as good as the previous ones, I don’t want these books to end, hopefully the author will continue writing them
April 9, 2020
Riveting stuff!
Lasser sticking to it as always, clever story and well put together, but my Wigan is a miserable wet hole, definitely worth driving on by. Thanks again to the author.
Lasser sticking to it as always, clever story and well put together, but my Wigan is a miserable wet hole, definitely worth driving on by. Thanks again to the author.
December 29, 2019
Great series
Love all the Lasser series. Each one is better than the one before it!! Hard to put down once I start reading.
Love all the Lasser series. Each one is better than the one before it!! Hard to put down once I start reading.
November 20, 2021
Review
Brilliant another great book I loved it these ladder mystery books are really
Worth reading look forward to the next one
Brilliant another great book I loved it these ladder mystery books are really
Worth reading look forward to the next one
January 3, 2023
Another good thriller, bit of a complicated story but still understandable. Get me the next book, and now please
March 6, 2017
This one starts with one person being murdered and one being abducted while going to pick up their car from a multi-storey car park and the body being found the next morning by Barry as he does his normal morning checks before opening the barrier to let in the days shoppers and so starts book 13 of the DS lasser series unlucky for some but not author robin roughley another cracking book hope this series never ends
February 19, 2017
Book 13 fantastic
Robin has done it again. Book 13 has more twists and turns and riddles to solve for DS Lasser. Fantastic read.
Robin has done it again. Book 13 has more twists and turns and riddles to solve for DS Lasser. Fantastic read.
December 13, 2016
Oh Wow! Reading a D.S. Lasser novel to me is like a box of chocolates, a very large one. I know that once I open it I won't stop until the end and there is no more left.
When a young couple are brutally attacked in a multi story car park it puts into action a chain of events that will change and destroy so many more lives, including those of the investigation team. This is the thirteenth novel of the D.S. Lasser series which just continues to give me those OMG moments and a stunning ending when it all comes together. I love this down to earth team especially the sarcastic banter between Lasser and Bannister. I wouldn't want to give away any story but there are definitely more of the 'I didn't see that coming moments'. Brilliant! Lasser is going to be faced with some pretty wicked decisions too, it just doesn't get better!
I have loved this whole series and pine for the next book as soon as I finish one. Robin Roughley provides his readers with balanced all round entertainment, from gruesome murders to the continual difficult love lives of the investigation team. A no heirs and graces novel that is violent and has swearing in it which gives it all a more authentic feel. This story is set in the heart of winter with it's beauty and all the chaos that goes with it too. A perfect read leading up to xmas.
When a young couple are brutally attacked in a multi story car park it puts into action a chain of events that will change and destroy so many more lives, including those of the investigation team. This is the thirteenth novel of the D.S. Lasser series which just continues to give me those OMG moments and a stunning ending when it all comes together. I love this down to earth team especially the sarcastic banter between Lasser and Bannister. I wouldn't want to give away any story but there are definitely more of the 'I didn't see that coming moments'. Brilliant! Lasser is going to be faced with some pretty wicked decisions too, it just doesn't get better!
I have loved this whole series and pine for the next book as soon as I finish one. Robin Roughley provides his readers with balanced all round entertainment, from gruesome murders to the continual difficult love lives of the investigation team. A no heirs and graces novel that is violent and has swearing in it which gives it all a more authentic feel. This story is set in the heart of winter with it's beauty and all the chaos that goes with it too. A perfect read leading up to xmas.
December 14, 2016
A year ago a friend of mine asked me if I'd read any of Robin Roughley's books, an author who sets his books around Wigan. I hadn't so I promptly downloaded book 1 in the series, "The Needle House".
After reading it I was hooked and to date I've read all of Mr, Roughley's books.
I wait with bated breath when I know a new was is due out.
As I know Wigan well, each book takes me on a journey around the town. I live in Spain so I love being reminded of the town.
Even though each book can be read as a stand-alone crime story, reading them in order allows you to follow the personal life of each character, and very interesting they are.
If you love crime/police-procedural thrillers and haven't read any Mr Roughley's books, I urge you to do so. You won't regret a minute of your reading time.
After reading it I was hooked and to date I've read all of Mr, Roughley's books.
I wait with bated breath when I know a new was is due out.
As I know Wigan well, each book takes me on a journey around the town. I live in Spain so I love being reminded of the town.
Even though each book can be read as a stand-alone crime story, reading them in order allows you to follow the personal life of each character, and very interesting they are.
If you love crime/police-procedural thrillers and haven't read any Mr Roughley's books, I urge you to do so. You won't regret a minute of your reading time.
December 13, 2016
And so publication day for Robin Roughley's, Living Ashes. Is it any good. Well... of course it's another 5*+
"Robin Roughley, yet again take us on a non stop roller coaster ride of emotion with so many twists & turns that it defies gravity. This is police procedural at it's finest. The series grows in strength with every novel as do the characters in them. I know them, I laugh with them, I cry with them & my heart breaks for those involved in the crimes, even for some of the criminals. Roughley perfectly interprets that fine line between good & evil, love & hate. As always the ending leaves me screaming for my next hit, my next fix. This book is beyond 5*"
"Robin Roughley, yet again take us on a non stop roller coaster ride of emotion with so many twists & turns that it defies gravity. This is police procedural at it's finest. The series grows in strength with every novel as do the characters in them. I know them, I laugh with them, I cry with them & my heart breaks for those involved in the crimes, even for some of the criminals. Roughley perfectly interprets that fine line between good & evil, love & hate. As always the ending leaves me screaming for my next hit, my next fix. This book is beyond 5*"
December 13, 2016
Another fantastic read from this author, number 13 in the series and the standard is still being kept up. This as DS Lasser at his best, plenty of tension throughout, with a great plot. Whats even better it is set at Christmas, with Bannister baking the worlds greatest christmas cake. Lassers love life is in turmoil again, will he ever find a partner? The ending left me concerned for one of the main characters in this series, hope it turns out well. I will worry until book 14. This is a great must read series for all crime fiction lovers.
January 9, 2017
Well this was a real roller coaster of a read.!
Another page turner keeping up the suspense right to the end. I have read all 13 books in the series in just a couple of weeks and have loved each one. I love Lasser's character and the way these stories unfold. They grab you right from the first word and keep you enthralled until the last. I hope we don't have to wait too long for book 14!
Another page turner keeping up the suspense right to the end. I have read all 13 books in the series in just a couple of weeks and have loved each one. I love Lasser's character and the way these stories unfold. They grab you right from the first word and keep you enthralled until the last. I hope we don't have to wait too long for book 14!
December 20, 2016
Robin Roughley
Living Ashes.
This is book 13 of the DS Lasser series and a very good addition it is.
Lasser, Odette and Banister are brilliant in this book. No Plymouth but still some gruesome deaths.
This book had me gripped from the start and kept my attention all the way to the fantastic ending. An easy five star rating.
5*+ 20 December 2016.
Living Ashes.
This is book 13 of the DS Lasser series and a very good addition it is.
Lasser, Odette and Banister are brilliant in this book. No Plymouth but still some gruesome deaths.
This book had me gripped from the start and kept my attention all the way to the fantastic ending. An easy five star rating.
5*+ 20 December 2016.
December 16, 2016
Living Ashes
Absolutely brilliant loved it from start to finish,Lasser is my all time favourite policeman,the ending has left me wishing for number 14.Please make it soon Mr Roughley.
Absolutely brilliant loved it from start to finish,Lasser is my all time favourite policeman,the ending has left me wishing for number 14.Please make it soon Mr Roughley.
December 17, 2016
Brilliant
Best book of the series. Every thing that you would want. My only complaint is, I was left on a cliff hanger. Looks like I am going to have to wait a long time for the next book
Best book of the series. Every thing that you would want. My only complaint is, I was left on a cliff hanger. Looks like I am going to have to wait a long time for the next book
January 17, 2024
living ashes (ds lasser series book 13)
five stars for this book i don't know how this author does it but every book ive read they just get better every time awesome
five stars for this book i don't know how this author does it but every book ive read they just get better every time awesome
April 12, 2017
Better and Better ,.. LOVE THESE BOOKS
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews