What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Capstan #3
The Thrills & Spills of Genocide Jill
A BLONDE, A BOMB AND A MURDER INVESTIGATION THAT GOES WRONG
The third case for Inspector Capstan in which he meets graduate Miss Jill Meadowbank, who seems to have a natural aptitude for both business and murder, and having discovered that the two complement each other remarkably well, sets her sights on European monopolisation of the industrial marketplace with the aid of a World War Two Lancaster bomber and a couple of Spitfires.
The third case for Inspector Capstan in which he meets graduate Miss Jill Meadowbank, who seems to have a natural aptitude for both business and murder, and having discovered that the two complement each other remarkably well, sets her sights on European monopolisation of the industrial marketplace with the aid of a World War Two Lancaster bomber and a couple of Spitfires.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2016
14 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
David Blake
41 books297 followersNO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR
With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.
Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:
www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID
With number one bestsellers in both the UK and Australia, to date David has written twenty-two books along with a collection of short stories. He's currently working on his twenty-third, Bluebell Wood, which is the next in his series of fast-paced crime thrillers. When not writing, David likes to spend his time mucking about in boats, often in the Norfolk Broads, where his crime fiction books are based.
Get news of all future releases, ARC reader info, free books, and all promo offers by signing up to my newsletter:
www.david-blake.co.uk/CONTACTDAVID
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 18, 2017
It wasn’t until chapter four onwards that I began to realise this book takes place in an utterly surreal, almost alternate reality, one in which the laws of cause and effect don’t operate as they should, and where ethical considerations are almost entirely lacking. There’s no moral centre and certainly no karmic force in operation. As a reader, I found this almost liberating and I’m ashamed to say (well, not really) I could almost empathise with both the supremely ambitious Jill and her meteoric rise within MDK Aviation and (because he’s such a pantomime villain, although a first-class psychopath) the PM, Robert Bridlestock, a man motivated solely by the desire to become the richest man in the UK. The ending, both with the bombings (something worthy of Auric Goldfinger or Ernst Blofeld) and the final scene where Jill receives the bedraggled Capston and Dewbush in her office elevated this book. The Thrills and Spills of Genocide Jill might be a detective story but it is certainly no morality tale.
Although I couldn’t claim I found the book consistently humorous, and even found the dialogue on occasion somewhat forced, especially some of the misunderstandings between the characters, there was nevertheless a great deal which I liked in this work. Some scenes in particular stood out. The opening was hilarious. The overweight, ugly yet overly confident Jack Parsonage was a wonderful caricature of the blatant sexist. A man who thinks buying a woman a Big Mac warrants acts of carnal gratitude. There was only one moment which didn’t quite work in the scene though, when the third person narrative suddenly jumped from Jill’s perspective to her lecherous date’s for a single paragraph. The second scene was when Capston and Dewbush (more of them in a moment) are chewed out by Chief Inspector Morose when the “fat, miserable bastard” puts forward his solution for increasing the murder detection rate. In fact, Morose (not to be confused with Colin Dexter’s creation) was my favourite character in the book. I would like to see him return, although without giving away any spoilers there would be one or two issues the author would need to iron out for this to happen. The third scene was when Jill and Sir Peter go through CV’s for a new post and the former’s “efficient” way of reducing the candidates. Finally, there’s the scene where Jill gives her MDK press conference, using a combination of feminine charm and bluff to get through, directing the journalist’s attention to the buffet she’s laid on at every opportunity.
In my humble opinion though there are a couple of things the work needs. The first is that to stand out against an assembly of absurd caricatures, a little more depth is necessary for Jill’s character. She is essentially the main protagonist, although as an anti-hero. She needs a brief back story and psychological scar which would explain her actions better. The second is I couldn’t detect an individual voice or mannerism for Inspector Capstan. Beyond the simple description of being French looking and using a walking cane, I found it difficult to imagine him as a character. This for me is probably the biggest problem for me in the entire work. I need the eponymous Inspector to come to life more.
Anyway, I don’t wish to end on a negative tone. The Thrills and Spills of Genocide Jill is a very, very entertaining read and I enjoyed it a lot. If you like humour with a capital “H” then this is one for you.
Although I couldn’t claim I found the book consistently humorous, and even found the dialogue on occasion somewhat forced, especially some of the misunderstandings between the characters, there was nevertheless a great deal which I liked in this work. Some scenes in particular stood out. The opening was hilarious. The overweight, ugly yet overly confident Jack Parsonage was a wonderful caricature of the blatant sexist. A man who thinks buying a woman a Big Mac warrants acts of carnal gratitude. There was only one moment which didn’t quite work in the scene though, when the third person narrative suddenly jumped from Jill’s perspective to her lecherous date’s for a single paragraph. The second scene was when Capston and Dewbush (more of them in a moment) are chewed out by Chief Inspector Morose when the “fat, miserable bastard” puts forward his solution for increasing the murder detection rate. In fact, Morose (not to be confused with Colin Dexter’s creation) was my favourite character in the book. I would like to see him return, although without giving away any spoilers there would be one or two issues the author would need to iron out for this to happen. The third scene was when Jill and Sir Peter go through CV’s for a new post and the former’s “efficient” way of reducing the candidates. Finally, there’s the scene where Jill gives her MDK press conference, using a combination of feminine charm and bluff to get through, directing the journalist’s attention to the buffet she’s laid on at every opportunity.
In my humble opinion though there are a couple of things the work needs. The first is that to stand out against an assembly of absurd caricatures, a little more depth is necessary for Jill’s character. She is essentially the main protagonist, although as an anti-hero. She needs a brief back story and psychological scar which would explain her actions better. The second is I couldn’t detect an individual voice or mannerism for Inspector Capstan. Beyond the simple description of being French looking and using a walking cane, I found it difficult to imagine him as a character. This for me is probably the biggest problem for me in the entire work. I need the eponymous Inspector to come to life more.
Anyway, I don’t wish to end on a negative tone. The Thrills and Spills of Genocide Jill is a very, very entertaining read and I enjoyed it a lot. If you like humour with a capital “H” then this is one for you.
April 1, 2017
This is my first foray into the books of David Blake and I was really surprised I hadn't found them before. This is a comedic book in which Inspector Capstan tries to solve a murder alongside the hapless Sergeant Dewbush. It seems the crime figures are down and the Chief Inspector has a rather unusual way of fudging the figures. Jill is the receptionist with MDK Aviation but she has other plans and she will stop at nothing to get her way. I loved the plot and the whole 'who cares about institutions' feel, it made great humour and laugh out loud content. I will definately be looking out for more from David Blake.
February 22, 2017
yet again another silly and funny book in the capstan series. David definitely knows where his expertise lies when writing books and this story follows on from the previous two in its slightly unbelievable storyline following the two inept police officers missing obvious clues and being distracted by pretty female mass murderers. this story follows a woman named Jill who manages to kill off two people from her work before quickly working up the company through dead man's shoes. the storyline flows well and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to read he fourth one in the series.
October 25, 2016
Often people bemoan the lack of strong female characters in novels.In each of the Inspector Capstan series a strong female uses her brain and occasionally a homicide or 2 to win the day. These books are laugh out loud humor where our daring heroine rises above the mediocrity and dullness of her colleagues to reach the top of her chosen profession.
In this case a first year receptionist becomes the CEO of an aerospace firm with a few well placed deaths. What makes these books delightful is the sheer disdain for institutions such as the constabulary and the Office of the Prime Minister. Each rather dull (slow witted) person is paired with a complete moron. The exchanges between the dumb and the addled is just a treat for the reader as each one leads to utter hilarious insanity.
In this book Jill determines that the best way to beat the competition is to literally eliminate them. And having access to a WW2 era Lancaster bomber is the best way to destroy their competitors.. as well as rid herself of those pesky policemen who keep showing up to ask about all dead marketing men from her company.
In this case a first year receptionist becomes the CEO of an aerospace firm with a few well placed deaths. What makes these books delightful is the sheer disdain for institutions such as the constabulary and the Office of the Prime Minister. Each rather dull (slow witted) person is paired with a complete moron. The exchanges between the dumb and the addled is just a treat for the reader as each one leads to utter hilarious insanity.
In this book Jill determines that the best way to beat the competition is to literally eliminate them. And having access to a WW2 era Lancaster bomber is the best way to destroy their competitors.. as well as rid herself of those pesky policemen who keep showing up to ask about all dead marketing men from her company.
March 12, 2017
Another great from David Blake for the inept Inspector Capstan and Sergeant Dewbush this time with Jill a lady with a marketing degree stuck as a receptionist in the world of arms.
The men in these books are mostly old school who think women should be in the kitchen or bedroom and I love how these women fight back!
The inspector is as clueless as ever how he gets where he does is a mystery but leads to endless chuckles especially with Dewbush and his idiocy.
Great plot this time we're in the skies. The time David takes to get all the info in his books is wonderful.
The men in these books are mostly old school who think women should be in the kitchen or bedroom and I love how these women fight back!
The inspector is as clueless as ever how he gets where he does is a mystery but leads to endless chuckles especially with Dewbush and his idiocy.
Great plot this time we're in the skies. The time David takes to get all the info in his books is wonderful.
May 25, 2019
Funny romp
Another busy funny romp with the dynamic duo. The play in the British establishment is very inventive with a money grabbing self serving Prime minister, I wonder where that idea came from,lol.
Another busy funny romp with the dynamic duo. The play in the British establishment is very inventive with a money grabbing self serving Prime minister, I wonder where that idea came from,lol.
February 24, 2019
Silly, Funny...an easy read. Really enjoyed the whole series
March 25, 2017
Jill is an ambitious and very clever gorgeous blonde who breezes her way through multiple murders and genocide all with the aim of building her career and getting rid of the utterly ridiculous men who try to stand in her way. I enjoyed David Blake’s previous books but really loved this book and all its splendid silliness. The twists and turns Jill goes through to get away with murder are very funny and brilliantly written with tongue firmly in cheek. Investigated once again by the hapless Inspector Capstan, David’s work really is farce at its absolute comic best. Bring on the next one!
July 3, 2018
kindle unlimited, still not getting it, again, liked the 'space' ones better, and still not really getting some of the humor, even though watch brit tele all the time, oh and never liked bennie hill and the like. Having at least liked the others just thought this one would be more...something, both books, other than what it was for me. Interesting but....
The third case for Inspector Capstan in which he meets graduate Miss Jill Meadowbank, who seems to have a natural aptitude for both business and murder, and having discovered that the two complement each other remarkably well, sets her sights on European monopolisation of the industrial marketplace with the aid of a World War Two Lancaster bomber and a couple of Spitfires.
BEFORE
The Slaughtered Virgin of Zenopolis (Inspector Capstan #1)
The Curious Case of Cut-Throat Cate (Inspector Capstan #2)
The Thrills & Spills of Genocide Jill (Inspector Capstan #3)
The Herbaceous Affair of Cocaine Claire (Inspector Capstan #4)
Capstan's Case Files - Inspector Capstan Books 1-4
1 Space Police: Attack of the Mammary Clans, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Jan 11, 2018)
2 Space Police: The Final Fish Finger, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Feb 7, 2018)
3 Space Police: The Toaster That Time Forgot, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Mar 7, 2018)
4 Space Police: Rise of the Retail-Bot, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Apr 12, 2018)
The third case for Inspector Capstan in which he meets graduate Miss Jill Meadowbank, who seems to have a natural aptitude for both business and murder, and having discovered that the two complement each other remarkably well, sets her sights on European monopolisation of the industrial marketplace with the aid of a World War Two Lancaster bomber and a couple of Spitfires.
BEFORE
The Slaughtered Virgin of Zenopolis (Inspector Capstan #1)
The Curious Case of Cut-Throat Cate (Inspector Capstan #2)
The Thrills & Spills of Genocide Jill (Inspector Capstan #3)
The Herbaceous Affair of Cocaine Claire (Inspector Capstan #4)
Capstan's Case Files - Inspector Capstan Books 1-4
1 Space Police: Attack of the Mammary Clans, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Jan 11, 2018)
2 Space Police: The Final Fish Finger, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Feb 7, 2018)
3 Space Police: The Toaster That Time Forgot, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Mar 7, 2018)
4 Space Police: Rise of the Retail-Bot, an almost funny SciFi space comedy (Apr 12, 2018)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews