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Booker & Cash #3
Poor Hands
In a big old building on the south coast of Kent, David Booker runs a book-themed coffee shop and Jo Cash operates a private investigation business. They live there, too. But not like that.
Jo needs help with tracing a mystery client's living relatives. David needs help with his staffing problems. Will they both get what they are looking for?
Sometimes two heads are better than one. Sometimes a poor hand is better than none. But not always...
Jo needs help with tracing a mystery client's living relatives. David needs help with his staffing problems. Will they both get what they are looking for?
Sometimes two heads are better than one. Sometimes a poor hand is better than none. But not always...
340 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2017
63 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Tidy
21 books79 followersCrime and thriller fiction.
My website is the best place to find me.
http://olivertidy.com
I enjoy communicating with readers of my books, so please, if you have any comments or questions, get in touch.
My website is the best place to find me.
http://olivertidy.com
I enjoy communicating with readers of my books, so please, if you have any comments or questions, get in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 12, 2017
I was pretty excited to be returning to Dymchurch, the beautiful coastal town in Romney Marsh, that just shouts come on sit down with a lovely cup of coffee and chill out with a book for a bit. Oh bliss, well it could of been but David Booker needed more staff now that his book shop come coffee bar was taking off, as his regulars kept growing in numbers. Not only that though, when his friend Jo Cash, who shares the living accommodation with him upstairs, needs a hand with her PI venture, after loosing her job as a detective. Well David feels quite responsible, ok yes it was all because of him that the police job went belly up, so he lends her an hand. Now David really has got it quite bad for Jo and seeks her approval at ever turn, but Jo’s detective skills are lacking here because she only sees him as a mate.
Now the whole place just gives me that chilled laid back feeling, which makes the stories more of a cosy read, with a few reality shocks thrown in to remind me that there are some pretty mean bad guys out there that frighten the heebie-jeebies out of me. There are some real great characters in this story, just loved Ben that had special needs but with some pretty neat talents and Maria a young woman that arrived with bags of trouble. Throw in an almost 200 year old mystery and you could say they are in business.
I am getting really comfortable with Booker and Cash now and feel I know mostly how they will react to situations. The pair of them are very different and yet make a well balanced force together. Then add Oliver Tidy’s often subtle dry humour that just rolls off these pages and I know that I shall be entertained. Looking forward to the next one and hope that some of the characters from this story can carry forward into it.
Now the whole place just gives me that chilled laid back feeling, which makes the stories more of a cosy read, with a few reality shocks thrown in to remind me that there are some pretty mean bad guys out there that frighten the heebie-jeebies out of me. There are some real great characters in this story, just loved Ben that had special needs but with some pretty neat talents and Maria a young woman that arrived with bags of trouble. Throw in an almost 200 year old mystery and you could say they are in business.
I am getting really comfortable with Booker and Cash now and feel I know mostly how they will react to situations. The pair of them are very different and yet make a well balanced force together. Then add Oliver Tidy’s often subtle dry humour that just rolls off these pages and I know that I shall be entertained. Looking forward to the next one and hope that some of the characters from this story can carry forward into it.
July 11, 2017
Welcome back to Romney Marsh where David Booker and Jo Cash find themselves pursuing ancient heritage as well as being drawn into the world of dark criminals …
| Introduction |
A Booker & Cash Story #3
The place is Dymchurch in Romney Marsh where both David Booker, the owner of the quirky bookshop and coffee shop and Jo Cash, a former cop turned detective, reside above the bookshop. Each in their own quarters because they are partners and friends but not (yet?) lovers. Reading David’s mind, you know that he is deeply in love with Jo but he fears his feelings are not reciprocated. As Jo is still struggling to make a profit out of her Detective Agency, she is pleased to receive an email from one Bruce Banner – no wonder David nicknames him ‘the Hulk,’ who wants to employ her for ancestral research. The Hulk’s client is a wealthy American lady whose ancestors originate from Romney Marsh. If you know David and Jo, you will also know whose help she will need …
| Storyline |
Before the two of them dive into the world of genealogy, a girl seeks refuge in the bookshop and what looks like “a bad man” comes looking for her. After he leaves, the girl disappears too, only to be found the next morning on the beach. Clearly, Maria, as she is called, is foreign and too afraid to share her story. David feels for her and decides to employ her in his coffee shop. Perhaps that was not such a good idea … In the meantime, Jo and David are determined to get on with matters at hand and visit the little town of Ivychurch where genealogist Cedric Armitage lives. As Jo’s client wants to be anonymous, the only lead they have is a name, Shirley Moor. Where Cedric at first is enthusiastic to help out, both David and Jo feel he is holding back something. As to what and for which reason, they have no idea. Even stranger, when they visit the graveyard to check out Shirley Moor’s last resting place, they find her gravestone broken. David makes a photo of it – which will prove to be one of his smarter moves.
With David and Jo trying to crack the case of the mysterious American’s search for her ancestor, Maria is grateful for the opportunity to work and live in Dymchurch. She loves the little bookshop/coffee shop and especially one of the ‘regulars,’ Ben. Ben has symptoms of Asperger’s and is visually astute: he knows exactly which book is missing from the bookshop, which car everyone drives including the number plates and many other things. David just loves his life in Dymchurch and we see his friendship with Jo intensify with every dinner they have together (David is a great cook) and with every investigation they conduct. They learn to know each other’s strength and come to trust each other’s expertise and, secretly, David hopes to earn some brownie points by sharing her interests and helping her to find the ancestral information she needs for her rich American client, even if he knows that Jo becoming successful as a private investigator will eventually lead to her leaving Dymchurch and him….
| My Thoughts |
It is a delight to come back to Romney Marsh – and I must say I love the description of David Booker’s bookshop, it would be such a pleasure having a coffee there, to browse through the books and soak up the atmosphere. Oliver Tidy’s descriptions make it so real you could easily picture yourself being there. Equally, his descriptions of his main characters David and Jo are so good you feel you know them, especially David since the book is a first person narrative and it is through David’s eyes that we perceive the events. It is an accomplishment when a book’s characters feel like real life friends – I enjoyed reading about the two of them, witnessing their friendship evolve, I fell in love with Oliver Tidy’s characters. This detective novel is an entertaining, at times thrilling, cosy mystery in which the focus lies on the characters and the setting, the beautiful surroundings of Dymchurch in Romney Marsh, where the landscape and the vicinity of the sea make it an appealing place to be. The perfect read for a lazy afternoon!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/poor-h...
| Introduction |
A Booker & Cash Story #3
The place is Dymchurch in Romney Marsh where both David Booker, the owner of the quirky bookshop and coffee shop and Jo Cash, a former cop turned detective, reside above the bookshop. Each in their own quarters because they are partners and friends but not (yet?) lovers. Reading David’s mind, you know that he is deeply in love with Jo but he fears his feelings are not reciprocated. As Jo is still struggling to make a profit out of her Detective Agency, she is pleased to receive an email from one Bruce Banner – no wonder David nicknames him ‘the Hulk,’ who wants to employ her for ancestral research. The Hulk’s client is a wealthy American lady whose ancestors originate from Romney Marsh. If you know David and Jo, you will also know whose help she will need …
| Storyline |
Before the two of them dive into the world of genealogy, a girl seeks refuge in the bookshop and what looks like “a bad man” comes looking for her. After he leaves, the girl disappears too, only to be found the next morning on the beach. Clearly, Maria, as she is called, is foreign and too afraid to share her story. David feels for her and decides to employ her in his coffee shop. Perhaps that was not such a good idea … In the meantime, Jo and David are determined to get on with matters at hand and visit the little town of Ivychurch where genealogist Cedric Armitage lives. As Jo’s client wants to be anonymous, the only lead they have is a name, Shirley Moor. Where Cedric at first is enthusiastic to help out, both David and Jo feel he is holding back something. As to what and for which reason, they have no idea. Even stranger, when they visit the graveyard to check out Shirley Moor’s last resting place, they find her gravestone broken. David makes a photo of it – which will prove to be one of his smarter moves.
With David and Jo trying to crack the case of the mysterious American’s search for her ancestor, Maria is grateful for the opportunity to work and live in Dymchurch. She loves the little bookshop/coffee shop and especially one of the ‘regulars,’ Ben. Ben has symptoms of Asperger’s and is visually astute: he knows exactly which book is missing from the bookshop, which car everyone drives including the number plates and many other things. David just loves his life in Dymchurch and we see his friendship with Jo intensify with every dinner they have together (David is a great cook) and with every investigation they conduct. They learn to know each other’s strength and come to trust each other’s expertise and, secretly, David hopes to earn some brownie points by sharing her interests and helping her to find the ancestral information she needs for her rich American client, even if he knows that Jo becoming successful as a private investigator will eventually lead to her leaving Dymchurch and him….
| My Thoughts |
It is a delight to come back to Romney Marsh – and I must say I love the description of David Booker’s bookshop, it would be such a pleasure having a coffee there, to browse through the books and soak up the atmosphere. Oliver Tidy’s descriptions make it so real you could easily picture yourself being there. Equally, his descriptions of his main characters David and Jo are so good you feel you know them, especially David since the book is a first person narrative and it is through David’s eyes that we perceive the events. It is an accomplishment when a book’s characters feel like real life friends – I enjoyed reading about the two of them, witnessing their friendship evolve, I fell in love with Oliver Tidy’s characters. This detective novel is an entertaining, at times thrilling, cosy mystery in which the focus lies on the characters and the setting, the beautiful surroundings of Dymchurch in Romney Marsh, where the landscape and the vicinity of the sea make it an appealing place to be. The perfect read for a lazy afternoon!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/poor-h...
July 15, 2017
Poor Hands is hands down my favourite book so far in the Booker & Cash series.
This is the third novel in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone as the author gives enough back ground to how the characters have ended up where they are.
Bookers, David’s book shop come cafe, seems to be a bit of a haven for waif’s and strays. What I love about David is that deep down he really is a caring a guy. Not only does he take in a young woman who is jobless and homeless, he also feels drawn to Ben whose very much on his own after his mothers recent passing.
Omg, I loved Ben. He is such a fabulous character and my heart melted as soon as he is introduced to us. He is very vulnerable for quite a few reasons and he is someone that I have no doubt all readers will take straight into their hearts. I so hope we get to see more of him in future books.
The Booker and Cash series is totally unlike any other crime series I have read. There really is a bit of everything. There’s humour, mystery, suspense as well as crime. This isn’t a dark and gritty read by any means yet it had me hooked through out. Booker and Cash kind of remind me of David Addison and Maddie Hayes from Moonlighting. There’s that suspense of will they won’t they which I love.
A series that is certainly going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
This is the third novel in the series but can easily be read as a stand alone as the author gives enough back ground to how the characters have ended up where they are.
Bookers, David’s book shop come cafe, seems to be a bit of a haven for waif’s and strays. What I love about David is that deep down he really is a caring a guy. Not only does he take in a young woman who is jobless and homeless, he also feels drawn to Ben whose very much on his own after his mothers recent passing.
Omg, I loved Ben. He is such a fabulous character and my heart melted as soon as he is introduced to us. He is very vulnerable for quite a few reasons and he is someone that I have no doubt all readers will take straight into their hearts. I so hope we get to see more of him in future books.
The Booker and Cash series is totally unlike any other crime series I have read. There really is a bit of everything. There’s humour, mystery, suspense as well as crime. This isn’t a dark and gritty read by any means yet it had me hooked through out. Booker and Cash kind of remind me of David Addison and Maddie Hayes from Moonlighting. There’s that suspense of will they won’t they which I love.
A series that is certainly going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
July 12, 2017
Read 19/06/17 to 22/06/17
My Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars
This is the 3rd book in the Booker & Cash series and I recommend they are read in sequence.
Jo Cash is an ex policewoman and has history with David Booker which is covered in previous books. Due to past events Jo has had to leave the Police Force and fell upon hard times which has led to her staying with Booker while she gets her PI business off the ground.
Booker and Cash are a relationship waiting to happen and are currently dancing around each other pretending they are not in love. For me I am not sure the romantic element brings anything to the books but …..
Both are complicated characters that have developed well during the series and I enjoyed getting to know them even better in this book.
The main story is a case Jo accepts to trace the history and find a missing relative for an American client. This case gets put on the back burner when David meets a young woman and feels the need to help. What follows is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping side story that keeps the pages turning. This story reaches its conclusion about half way through the book and we are then back to Jo's case with a bit of diversion threaded through when David decided to help Ben, a young man with mental difficulties.
I found the book to be a bit fragmented it didn’t all tie together successfully and it felt like I was reading a thriller and a woman's fiction book all in one which was confusing. I also didn’t like the ending because it wasn’t the end and that annoys me I don’t like loose threads. I assume these will be picked up in the next book but I still think it should have been ended better.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy of this book.
My Rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars
This is the 3rd book in the Booker & Cash series and I recommend they are read in sequence.
Jo Cash is an ex policewoman and has history with David Booker which is covered in previous books. Due to past events Jo has had to leave the Police Force and fell upon hard times which has led to her staying with Booker while she gets her PI business off the ground.
Booker and Cash are a relationship waiting to happen and are currently dancing around each other pretending they are not in love. For me I am not sure the romantic element brings anything to the books but …..
Both are complicated characters that have developed well during the series and I enjoyed getting to know them even better in this book.
The main story is a case Jo accepts to trace the history and find a missing relative for an American client. This case gets put on the back burner when David meets a young woman and feels the need to help. What follows is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping side story that keeps the pages turning. This story reaches its conclusion about half way through the book and we are then back to Jo's case with a bit of diversion threaded through when David decided to help Ben, a young man with mental difficulties.
I found the book to be a bit fragmented it didn’t all tie together successfully and it felt like I was reading a thriller and a woman's fiction book all in one which was confusing. I also didn’t like the ending because it wasn’t the end and that annoys me I don’t like loose threads. I assume these will be picked up in the next book but I still think it should have been ended better.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy of this book.
July 11, 2017
Poor Hands by Oliver tidy.
Out of a big old building on the south coast of Kent, David Booker runs a book-themed coffee shop and Jo Cash operates a private investigation business. They live there, too. But not like that.
Jo needs help with tracing a mystery client’s living relatives. David needs help with his staffing problems. Can they both get what they are looking for?
Sometimes two heads are better than one. Sometimes a poor hand is better than none. But not always…
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow in places. 4*. Bloodhound books.
Out of a big old building on the south coast of Kent, David Booker runs a book-themed coffee shop and Jo Cash operates a private investigation business. They live there, too. But not like that.
Jo needs help with tracing a mystery client’s living relatives. David needs help with his staffing problems. Can they both get what they are looking for?
Sometimes two heads are better than one. Sometimes a poor hand is better than none. But not always…
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow in places. 4*. Bloodhound books.
July 13, 2017
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I really enjoyed this book, it was like reading about old friends having read the others in the series (I will do reviews for them separately but they are all very good)! The storyline was great, I loved the pace and the characters were great as always. Very highly recommended and a high four star review from me for this one! It's definitely worth a read!! This is definitely one to read where you grab yourself a coffee and a slice of cake - I love books like this!
I really enjoyed this book, it was like reading about old friends having read the others in the series (I will do reviews for them separately but they are all very good)! The storyline was great, I loved the pace and the characters were great as always. Very highly recommended and a high four star review from me for this one! It's definitely worth a read!! This is definitely one to read where you grab yourself a coffee and a slice of cake - I love books like this!
July 14, 2017
4.5 Stars
After reading He Made Me I was chomping at the bit to get back to Booker’s cafe/bookshop. It is like visiting old friends or going home after an extended time away. It’s so easy to sink back into the comfort of the shop along with David and his friend Jo. Jo the ex-cop who is now a PI .. lives above the cafe with David but they have separate apartments .. that is the basis of their relationship in a nutshell. David adores Jo, she gives him so much rope then pulls him in again never quite returning his feelings. They are however the best of friends.
Set in a corner of Kent these two seem to attract either needy people or something crime related. This time Jo is trying to trace some ancestors for a wealthy client .. David befriends a homeless immigrant and offers a job.
The depth of the characters is wonderfully portrayed and makes for a great mystery. Not a full on crime, nitty, gritty thriller but a slow steady unravelling tale with some humour along the way. There are some poignant moments involving a grieving Ben.
I like Jo, she knows her own mind but I wish she would stop teasing David, he is in danger of becoming a puppy dog in her presence. I enjoy the sizzling will they, won’t they but give the guy a break!
I really enjoy settling down with these folk imagining I’m in the book cafe sipping some coffee, it induces such a warm cosy glow that means I would be quite content to sit there all day! I have raved about Oliver Tidy books before but this one has surpassed those.
Thanks to the author and Sarah at Bloodhound Books for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
After reading He Made Me I was chomping at the bit to get back to Booker’s cafe/bookshop. It is like visiting old friends or going home after an extended time away. It’s so easy to sink back into the comfort of the shop along with David and his friend Jo. Jo the ex-cop who is now a PI .. lives above the cafe with David but they have separate apartments .. that is the basis of their relationship in a nutshell. David adores Jo, she gives him so much rope then pulls him in again never quite returning his feelings. They are however the best of friends.
Set in a corner of Kent these two seem to attract either needy people or something crime related. This time Jo is trying to trace some ancestors for a wealthy client .. David befriends a homeless immigrant and offers a job.
The depth of the characters is wonderfully portrayed and makes for a great mystery. Not a full on crime, nitty, gritty thriller but a slow steady unravelling tale with some humour along the way. There are some poignant moments involving a grieving Ben.
I like Jo, she knows her own mind but I wish she would stop teasing David, he is in danger of becoming a puppy dog in her presence. I enjoy the sizzling will they, won’t they but give the guy a break!
I really enjoy settling down with these folk imagining I’m in the book cafe sipping some coffee, it induces such a warm cosy glow that means I would be quite content to sit there all day! I have raved about Oliver Tidy books before but this one has surpassed those.
Thanks to the author and Sarah at Bloodhound Books for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
July 17, 2017
Booker and Cash are back in the third instalement, this time in Poor Hands, David and Jo are more settled in there living alongside each other arrangement.
The coffee shop is thriving and David has his ideas for making more changes, however nothing is settled for long and we are soon caught up with Jo's latest investigation with Booker helping her out.
This series has such entertaining characters in David and Jo, with the back story set from Books 1 and Two, Bad Son's and He made me, you can catch up from this book, but to get the full experience of Booker and Cash, I suggest reading them in order.
We are taken on a great adventure, and as always Romney Marsh, gives us a character in it's own right.
I found this book darker and more chilling than the previous two reads, but without venturing too far from the great easy way of seeing life through David Bookers eyes, and his great sense of humour, and sarcasm shows through.
Booker and Cash is an understatedly clever series that bubbles along idyllically, but never for long.
A fantastic third instalment from Oliver Tidy and hoping it won't be long until we are back and seeing what trials are on the horizon for this dynamic duo.
The coffee shop is thriving and David has his ideas for making more changes, however nothing is settled for long and we are soon caught up with Jo's latest investigation with Booker helping her out.
This series has such entertaining characters in David and Jo, with the back story set from Books 1 and Two, Bad Son's and He made me, you can catch up from this book, but to get the full experience of Booker and Cash, I suggest reading them in order.
We are taken on a great adventure, and as always Romney Marsh, gives us a character in it's own right.
I found this book darker and more chilling than the previous two reads, but without venturing too far from the great easy way of seeing life through David Bookers eyes, and his great sense of humour, and sarcasm shows through.
Booker and Cash is an understatedly clever series that bubbles along idyllically, but never for long.
A fantastic third instalment from Oliver Tidy and hoping it won't be long until we are back and seeing what trials are on the horizon for this dynamic duo.
February 15, 2018
This is the third of the Booker and Cash series and I've enjoyed them all. David Booker sees a young girl enter his shop. She's ill-clad and is being pursued by a huge thug of a man. Jo Cash is asked by a mysterious American client to find any surviving family of a woman who died in childbirth. One of David’s customers is a young man he suspects is autistic. A group of people to whom life has dealt a poor hand.
This is another extremely readable tale from Oliver Tidy. Booker and Cash are a great team (though technically, they’re not) and the author makes his readers care about them, and about some of the people they’re dealing with. The strands of the story work together in a satisfying way, and the banter between the main characters is very funny at times. There’s enough excitement for any reader, with a car chase and a hostage scene. It’s heart-racing stuff. Altogether, a most satisfying read.
This is another extremely readable tale from Oliver Tidy. Booker and Cash are a great team (though technically, they’re not) and the author makes his readers care about them, and about some of the people they’re dealing with. The strands of the story work together in a satisfying way, and the banter between the main characters is very funny at times. There’s enough excitement for any reader, with a car chase and a hostage scene. It’s heart-racing stuff. Altogether, a most satisfying read.
July 28, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the third book of B&C and it did not disappoint. I like Olivers style of writing even though the books are crime there is humour in places which adds to the read. Looking forward to more from Oliver from the various series he has written so far.
January 21, 2021
Didn't want to put it down
The story held my interest all through the read leaving me to hope that Booker and Cash would be seen again !!
The story held my interest all through the read leaving me to hope that Booker and Cash would be seen again !!
July 16, 2017
Whilst this is the third in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
David Booker runs a cafe and Jo Cash runs a Private Investigator business out of the same building. This particular book follows Jo trying to trace a client’s long lost relatives, and David trying to resolve staffing issues.
David has a big heart, and he seems to attract waifs and strays. They have a new regular, a young lad named Ben, who is initially described as being on the Autistic Spectrum. He also comes across Maria, who is jobless and homeless. and he takes pity on her too, initially offering her a job and somewhere to stay.
If you’ve been a follower of my blog, you’ll be aware I also read book two of this series. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as that. I still love the characters of Booker and Cash, but I’m tiring of the “will they won’t they” romance as I feel it doesn’t add anything to the storyline.
I felt that this book took too long to get going. There was too much repetition of how they’d got to where they were now. However, when it did get going, it was a good read. The main plot line of the new character Maria brought some darkness to what is mostly a light entertaining read.
I still plan to carry on reading the series.
*Thanks to Bloodhound Books, Sarah Hardy and Oliver Tidy for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
David Booker runs a cafe and Jo Cash runs a Private Investigator business out of the same building. This particular book follows Jo trying to trace a client’s long lost relatives, and David trying to resolve staffing issues.
David has a big heart, and he seems to attract waifs and strays. They have a new regular, a young lad named Ben, who is initially described as being on the Autistic Spectrum. He also comes across Maria, who is jobless and homeless. and he takes pity on her too, initially offering her a job and somewhere to stay.
If you’ve been a follower of my blog, you’ll be aware I also read book two of this series. If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as that. I still love the characters of Booker and Cash, but I’m tiring of the “will they won’t they” romance as I feel it doesn’t add anything to the storyline.
I felt that this book took too long to get going. There was too much repetition of how they’d got to where they were now. However, when it did get going, it was a good read. The main plot line of the new character Maria brought some darkness to what is mostly a light entertaining read.
I still plan to carry on reading the series.
*Thanks to Bloodhound Books, Sarah Hardy and Oliver Tidy for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
July 3, 2017
I put a pinny on, opened a bottle of wine and hey presto! I was Keith Floyd! This gives you an idea of how this wonderful book is written. WIth humour, with excellent characters and a little tongue in cheek. For those who haven't come across Booker and Cash before- David Booker runs a coffee shop that was a bookshop which he inherited and transformed. Jo Cash is an ex detective now working independently as a PI. They are a team, one batting from the other and this works really well as there is two perspectives. Jo is asked to trace descendants from someone born in the 1800’s for a mystery American client. David, meanwhile comes across a young girl needing help and this leads to things he never imagined. A relaxing read over (several) cups of coffee. One of those reads you feel at home with and can almost imagine happening.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
July 5, 2017
This is the third book in the Booker and Cash series. It's well worth reading the books in order as the main characters story develop throughout the series.
David Booker runs a coffee shop in what was his aunt and uncles second hand book shop. The coffee shop is an interesting one, it's walls house hundreds of books
He lets one of the flats upstairs to Jo Cash, an ex detective turned private investigator.
Jo's latest case involves tracing an American clients living relatives and solving an ancient family mystery.
David gets involved in trying to save a young girl who tries to evade her pursuer by hiding in his coffee shop.
David and Jo's efforts to solve both problems are told with skill and humour. This is one of those books you can enjoy all the way through and only regret the fact that you finished it far too quickly.
I received this book as as an arc in return for a free and unbiased review.
David Booker runs a coffee shop in what was his aunt and uncles second hand book shop. The coffee shop is an interesting one, it's walls house hundreds of books
He lets one of the flats upstairs to Jo Cash, an ex detective turned private investigator.
Jo's latest case involves tracing an American clients living relatives and solving an ancient family mystery.
David gets involved in trying to save a young girl who tries to evade her pursuer by hiding in his coffee shop.
David and Jo's efforts to solve both problems are told with skill and humour. This is one of those books you can enjoy all the way through and only regret the fact that you finished it far too quickly.
I received this book as as an arc in return for a free and unbiased review.
July 17, 2017
Love ,greed,past sins .....wonderful storytelling ..
Jo Cash , ex policewoman , now a private detective lives with David Booker a book loving cafe owner. Sometimes David helps Jo on her cases ..although they live under the same roof for Jo its strictly business ...David loves Jo with every beat of his heart...David knows if he makes moves Jo will be gone.Jo asks David to help her on a case David who never misses a beat gets caught up in a dangerous situation... This is my first read by this writer ..I loved the way he saw life through different eyes...I thought David had a heart of gold ...Ben living in his silent world...Maria all the things she has seen ...trying to make her way in life ...and Jo......I enjoyed this storytelling very much ...I hope Jo ..will realise what an absolute diamond David is .....
Jo Cash , ex policewoman , now a private detective lives with David Booker a book loving cafe owner. Sometimes David helps Jo on her cases ..although they live under the same roof for Jo its strictly business ...David loves Jo with every beat of his heart...David knows if he makes moves Jo will be gone.Jo asks David to help her on a case David who never misses a beat gets caught up in a dangerous situation... This is my first read by this writer ..I loved the way he saw life through different eyes...I thought David had a heart of gold ...Ben living in his silent world...Maria all the things she has seen ...trying to make her way in life ...and Jo......I enjoyed this storytelling very much ...I hope Jo ..will realise what an absolute diamond David is .....
August 7, 2017
2 for the price of one
Two main plots, one book. Completely distinct from one another. I really enjoy reading this author's writing and I love the characters in this series. At times there's almost Dr Seuss prose which I do find entertaining.
There's some really silly bits in this book. You get mugged and pistol whipped, you come home and see your best friend bound and gagged in the presence of a lunatic neanderthal, you end up clubbing the guy with a conveniently placed poker after he nearly strangled you, then you sit and watch the sunrise and do a day's work!. Hmm.
As much as I enjoy the writing the story is weak at times. Not enough twists and surprises. I will continue to read Tidy's work because I like the style.
Two main plots, one book. Completely distinct from one another. I really enjoy reading this author's writing and I love the characters in this series. At times there's almost Dr Seuss prose which I do find entertaining.
There's some really silly bits in this book. You get mugged and pistol whipped, you come home and see your best friend bound and gagged in the presence of a lunatic neanderthal, you end up clubbing the guy with a conveniently placed poker after he nearly strangled you, then you sit and watch the sunrise and do a day's work!. Hmm.
As much as I enjoy the writing the story is weak at times. Not enough twists and surprises. I will continue to read Tidy's work because I like the style.
January 22, 2018
Unique interesting mystery
I liked this story because it have,well developed persona movies of the characters, unique story line that has as lot going on. It isn't a simple mystery, things happen and it slowly developed in a nice pace.
A lot of facts are given to help the reader envision what is going on. The reader is given some historica l facts, and touches gently on previous books in the series without wasting pages rehashing what has happened.
This had a unique end that left me wanting another book in the series. I want to know wheat becomes of Ben, Maria, and of course, the two main characters.
It is best to read this series in order to follow smoothly, without confusion.
Well written and no complaints. Truly gifted writer.
I liked this story because it have,well developed persona movies of the characters, unique story line that has as lot going on. It isn't a simple mystery, things happen and it slowly developed in a nice pace.
A lot of facts are given to help the reader envision what is going on. The reader is given some historica l facts, and touches gently on previous books in the series without wasting pages rehashing what has happened.
This had a unique end that left me wanting another book in the series. I want to know wheat becomes of Ben, Maria, and of course, the two main characters.
It is best to read this series in order to follow smoothly, without confusion.
Well written and no complaints. Truly gifted writer.
July 10, 2017
This is the first Booker and Cash book that I've read and I really enjoyed it.
The two characters work really well together and I'd like to read more of these books.
There are two different stories really in this book, but the author has written it so you're interested in both.
The only thing that left me slightly disappointed was the lack of conclusion in one of these stories. I like to know how things turn out rather than being left to wonder!
Putting that to one side though, I did really enjoy this book and would like to thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read it as an advance copy.
The two characters work really well together and I'd like to read more of these books.
There are two different stories really in this book, but the author has written it so you're interested in both.
The only thing that left me slightly disappointed was the lack of conclusion in one of these stories. I like to know how things turn out rather than being left to wonder!
Putting that to one side though, I did really enjoy this book and would like to thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read it as an advance copy.
July 11, 2017
One of the most enjoyable reads for a while. The story of David Booker in his cafe/bookshop and Jo (private investigator) solving another puzzle was very well written, I like the development of their relationship with each other to almost, but not quite, more than friends. I loved the setting of Dymchurch, Romney Marsh as I think they are both beautiful places, and of course the wonderful RHD railway had to become part. I am quite jealous of David's bookshop and the setting, I look forward to reading more about Booker and Cash. I have read the two previous books, but this one easily stands alone
July 13, 2017
Poor Hands is the 3rd book in the Booker and Cash series, although it can be read as a stand-alone.
Each book I read in this series becomes my favourite, so although this is my favourite, knowing me and Mr Tidy's writing book 4 might become my favourite.
Picking up a Booker and Cash novel is like meeting up with old friends and each book reveals a little more about the characters.
In Poor Hands we meet 2 new characters, Ben and Marie. I was a Special Needs teacher and Ben is portrayed perfectly as someone with Asperger's Syndrome.
I hope we meet Ben and Marie in the next book in the series.
If you haven't read any of this series you are in for a treat. It's a 5 star plus series.
March 8, 2018
Yet another exciting and interesting read from this author. I have read the previous two, thoroughly enjoyed the story, the writing style and the escapism these books afford me and I am now waiting for Oliver Tidy to write another. I really like the day to day normality of a lifestyle that drifts into violence and crime through everyday instances or encounters. This is sometimes more frightening than a storyline where events take place in a less than everyday lifestyle, it leaves you with a feeling that these events could just as easily happen to you....worrying!
August 6, 2017
There had better be a book 4!
I began by reading book 1 of the series. I liked it enough to read book 2, though I generally don't like cliffhangers. The same thing happened with moving on to read book 3. Imagine my surprise when there was no book 4 listed for sale. Three had more cliffs than the other two combined. There had better be another one on the way, or I shall be greatly disappointed.
I began by reading book 1 of the series. I liked it enough to read book 2, though I generally don't like cliffhangers. The same thing happened with moving on to read book 3. Imagine my surprise when there was no book 4 listed for sale. Three had more cliffs than the other two combined. There had better be another one on the way, or I shall be greatly disappointed.
July 22, 2017
Solid good read
I'm hoping they flesh out the characters more, which he seems to be doing book by book. Each book gets better, better stories, better plots..I'm really enjoying this series..
I'm hoping they flesh out the characters more, which he seems to be doing book by book. Each book gets better, better stories, better plots..I'm really enjoying this series..
August 3, 2017
Fantastic
Oh I was sorry to reach the end of this book. Please can we have more Booker and Cash stories. They are funny and absorbing and the characters are brilliant. They pull you in and you are hooked
Oh I was sorry to reach the end of this book. Please can we have more Booker and Cash stories. They are funny and absorbing and the characters are brilliant. They pull you in and you are hooked
August 12, 2017
Enjoyable until the end
The ending was most unsatisfactory. Spoiled the whole book for me, which I had enjoyed. The introduction of a couple of new characters was a welcome addition. Just to bad about the end.
The ending was most unsatisfactory. Spoiled the whole book for me, which I had enjoyed. The introduction of a couple of new characters was a welcome addition. Just to bad about the end.
January 23, 2018
Book 3 and Booker and Cash are delving into genealogical research, lost treasure, even more villainous thugs and romance (one-sided). Witty, sad, funny and horrific. Pushes the realms of incredulity a few times, but then this is fiction ;) Looking forward to reading more from Oliver Tidy.
January 24, 2018
Working Their Magic
There is quite a lot happening in this book so you have to stay with it. The author uses very good descriptions about places, buildings, and things in general which will keep a reader glued to the book. Good all around reading!
There is quite a lot happening in this book so you have to stay with it. The author uses very good descriptions about places, buildings, and things in general which will keep a reader glued to the book. Good all around reading!
January 26, 2018
What happened
I love the author. Great writing, great characters but left us hanging in the wind with this book. What happened with Marie ? What happened with Ben ? Did they ever find the necklace ? Disappointed hope there is another book that answers my questions.
I love the author. Great writing, great characters but left us hanging in the wind with this book. What happened with Marie ? What happened with Ben ? Did they ever find the necklace ? Disappointed hope there is another book that answers my questions.
May 24, 2019
Excellent but ending a little odd
I loved the story but the very end was confusing. I Felt like pages were missing at the end. But, still love the author’s writing style and the characters of Booker and Cash.
I loved the story but the very end was confusing. I Felt like pages were missing at the end. But, still love the author’s writing style and the characters of Booker and Cash.
July 11, 2017
Loved this - the characters are great, the scenery described in detail, the plot twisting and turning right until the end. I have read all 3 Booker and Cash books now, and I cannot wait until the next one!
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