Red is the Colour

Tyler and Mills #1

by Mark L. Fowler

A GRIPPING NEW POLICE THRILLER

Bullying. Corruption. Murder.

It is the summer of 2002. The corpse of a 15 year old boy, who has been missing for thirty years, is discovered in Stoke-on-Trent. The city is on the cusp of change and Chief Superintendent Berkins wants the case solved quickly. 

DCI Jim Tyler has arrived from London under a cloud, moving to Staffordshire to escape his past. He is teamed up with DS Danny Mills to investigate the case, but there is tension between the detectives.

When the dead boy’s sister comes forward, describing a bright, solitary child, she points a finger at the school bullies, which puts important careers at stake.

Then one of the bullies is found brutally murdered and when Tyler and Mills dig deeper they start to suspect a cover-up.

What is the connection between the death of a schoolboy in 1972 and this latest killing? 

With the pressure building, and the past catching up with DCI Tyler, will he and DS Mills be able to put aside their differences in order to catch a cold-blooded killer?

 

Genres: Thriller

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Mark writes in a number of genres, including detective crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and Gothic fantasy.

He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.

Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.

TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.

THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,

Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.

SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.

COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.

PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Jim Tyler, against his own wishes, has been transferred to a new district ... far sway from his last team. Tyler has had a problem with alcohol and after attacking a suspect, assaulted him. He is now teamed up with DS Danny Mills but the two are slow to warm to each other.

They are called upon to investigate the death of a 15-year-old boy who went missing 30 years ago. His body has just been found. Wa it murder ... an accident .. even suicide?

The boy's sister has a story to tell .... it concerns school bullying, sadistic teachers, and the sister insists that her brother was murdered. With the help of one of the teachers, they come up with a list of 5 names ...

Then one of the bullies is found brutally murdered and when Tyler and Mills dig deeper they start to suspect a cover-up.

This is a well-written crime fiction. It's a police procedural with a lot of action, a lot of suspense. Tyler and Mills must overcome the tension between them in order to find the killer. And when a second bully dies, all bets are off. Tyler is a terrific law officer with personal problems that he is trying to overcome. Mills doesn't trust easily, especially as their investigative tactics are so different. The ending came as quite a surprise.

Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Is The Colour is the first book in a new crime series.

The opening of the book grabbed me straight away and from that point on I was hooked. There is mention of Rudyard Lake in the book which is in Leek. Having rented a holiday home there one year that was right on the lake, I loved being transported back there and being able to easily remember what the surroundings were like.

I loved the story line an old case being re investigated due to the discovery of a body. Sadly there are quite a few cases in the news of people who have been missing for years and the poor families having no closure as to why they have disappeared. It must be the worst thing imaginable. Losing a loved one is horrendous enough but to never actually know what’s happened to them must be mental torture every single day.

There seems to be a little bit of everything in this story. There is an underlying humour in parts which I really enjoyed as well as a strong story line with main characters that grabbed my interest straight away. I have to say I think it is a great start to a new series.

Red Is The Colour is the first in a new crime series that is sure to make it’s mark in this genre. Gripped from start to finish, this is one book that crime fans will struggle to put down. Can not wait for more.

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Tyler left his previous job under a cloud and now finds himself in Staffordshire. There’s no time to adjust to his new surroundings or circumstances as he’s thrown into a murder investigation right away when the body of a fifteen year old boy, who went missing thirty years ago, is found by a kid walking his dog. It soon turns out the victim, Alan Dale, was bullied horrendously at school. When one of the alleged bullies turns up dead, the case takes a sinister turn. Are these events connected? Were the bullies responsible for Alan’s death? Is there a major cover up going on? DCI Tyler and his new colleague, DC Mills, have their work cut out for them.

Red is the Colour is the first instalment in the DCI Tyler and DC Mills series. It is quite slow and not at all action packed but in all honesty, I thoroughly enjoyed this change of pace. It took me a while to get settled in and get used to the writing style but the case the team is investigating really held my interest throughout.

I felt the story had a bit of an old school vibe to it. No quick fixes by doing internet searches or trawling through various databases but good old fashioned pounding the pavement investigating, interviewing people and trying to figure them and their involvement out. You could almost hear the cogs of the detectives’ brain turning. I think it proved to be a real character study which rather fascinated me. Not only the potential suspects but also in the case of DCI Tyler himself, who’s struggling with his own demons.

As for the murder that’s being investigated, there aren’t necessarily massive twists and turns or red herrings but just like DCI Tyler, I was trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together and coming up with nothing. That was me, not DCI Tyler, in case you wondered. Deep down, I never really expected a positive outcome as Alan’s story and ultimate death is quite a heartbreaking one, highlighting the devastating consequences of bullying when those with the power to make a change turn a blind eye. To that end, I think the author brought the storyline to a satisfying conclusion and maybe one of the characters might make a return appearance and still get their comeuppance in future books in this series.

[Joanna Park · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review can also be found at:
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This is quite an old fashioned type of crime book. It isn’t fast paced and there aren’t a lot of twists or sudden reveals in it. Instead the policemen set about unraveling the story slowly through face to face interviews and research rather then relying on crime databases and forensics.

At it’s heart, is a very poignant and real issue that can effect everyone in their lifetime – bullying. As the story unravels and you discover more about the victim, you can’t help but feel sorry for the lonely boy and the suffering he experienced. It also helps raise some important issues like who should have stepped in to stop bullying and why didn’t they. This is a continuing theme throughout the book with hints as to a cover up often mentioned.

The book also highlights the difference in the methods used for discipline and punishment in the 1970’s compared to now. I think it’s fair to say some of them would definitely not be allowed now!

The central partnership of DCI Taylor and DC Mills was an fraught and interesting one. The two men are very different from each other with different methods of doing things. They dislike each other almost instantly which makes having to work together quite hard. Their banter or arguments did help provide some much needed comic relief throughout the novel.

This is Mark L. Fowler’s fourth book, but it is the first that I have read. I do wonder if there will be a sequel to this book using the same characters as I would like to follow their story more.

Thank you to Sarah Hardy and Bloodhound Books for the ARC and the chance to be on the blog tour.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Mark Fowlers first three books, which are all independent stand alone novels, I felt that I knew his style of writing but how wrong I was. His books for me have always had a quirkiness about them but this one conforms more with be it for a better word normality.

The grim discovery of a 15 year old boy's skeletal remains, unearthed by diggers and found by a determined dog after a bone, would finally solve the disappearance, 30 years after the fact, of Alan Dale. This is such a sad story where pure detective work and the right questions gradually build a picture of this young man's solitary life at school and at home but not like pieces of a jigsaw but more like a precarious game of jenga. This was a matter of finding out who the players had been and the same names kept coming up.

The story falls back to the 1970's through the interview process which reveals an era of physical punishments by teachers and a very different outlook on bullying. This really is how it was and Mark Fowler captures it all perfectly. Will someone break and tell the truth after all these years?

Set in Stoke on Trent it brings together two unlikely detectives, DCI Jim Tyler and DS Danny Mills or as you could call them chalk and cheese because these two just don't hit it off. It makes for an interesting partnership and I am really biting at the reigns to find out how these two fair in coming books. I am certainly loving this new Mark Fowler.

I wish to thank Bloodhound books for an ARC of this book for review purpose which I have done in an honest and unbiased way.

[Sarah Maleficent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to start by saying that i was really looking forward to this book. Mark has a brilliant style of writing that captures the readers imagination from the very first page to the last. 
 After all the anticipation, this story is no exception. An excellent start to an all new crime series, and one that did not disappoint. 
Red is the colour introduces us to two new detectives, DCI Tyler & DS Mills. Mills is Stoke born & bred, where as Tyler is new to the area known as the potteries. Arriving at the station in strained circumstances, he is thrown straight in at the deep end when a boy and his dog discover bones of a young schoolboy, missing for 30 years. 
As the duo start their investigation what unfolds is a tale of historic bullying, cover ups, corruption, and a stark difference in the disciplines of then and now. The 70's were a very different time. 
It has to be said that our leading pair don't exactly hit it off. Each suspicious and mistrusting of the other, with a distinct personality clash. Their relationship is as tense and intense as the tale the author has woven. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and watching their relationship unfold and evolve and am so looking forward to reading more.
Mark has beautifully captured the feelings of despair, and heartbreak that goes hand in hand with someone suffering at the hands of bullies. Alan Dale was 15 when he went missing. For years some people have carried their own burdens and feelings of helplessness and inadequacies. Wishing they had done more, wondering if they could have. 
This is a book that for me, had everything i could want. An original and great storyline, perfectly executed. Interesting relationships with the main characters. All brought together by an author with an unquestionable talent for writing. Singularly unique in his storytelling he is a master in his field. This really was worth the wait and now i'm left with the same problem i had before i started this one....I'm now eagerly awaiting the release of his next book! But it's a fabulous problem to have. Thank you Mark!
Although i read this as an ARC from Bloodhound books, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Thank you Bloodhound books for the opportunity.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a redevelopment site in Stoke, a boy and his dog find the bones of a teenager. He went missing on his way home from school thirty years ago. DI Tyler and DS Mills interview his old school mates, teachers and his sister. They begin to pick apart who could have been involved but the problem is evidence. It’s who you know that can keep your nose out of trouble, it seems.

I really enjoyed this crime story, including the plot, which takes us back to a different era in school discipline, and the characters, particularly the two lead detectives on the case. Tyler is new to the area and Mills a native. As you read, you can feel their growing respect for one another. It’s a team that I hope we’ll see again. As in life, not every thread is tied up. There’s someone bad still at large. I wonder if Tyler and Mills will come up against him again. This could be the start of a great new detective series. I really hope so, and heartily recommend this book to all crime readers.

[Caz C Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome start to a new detective series! DCI Jim Tyler has been transferred to Stoke-on-Trent, home city of DS Danny Mills when a 30-year-old corpse is found..

| Introduction |

Tyler & Mills #1

DCI Jim Tyler has blown it again and, this time, he has to accept “his own exile” from the London Metropolitan to work for the Staffordshire Police. In Stoke-on-Trent, they are a bit anxious as they have heard that Tyler is a ‘good one,’ but a city type? To work in their town? DS Danny Mills has more than enough on his plate as he hates his recent move from Stoke-on-Trent’s inner city to the suburbs. When a lifelong football fan with a passion for food and beer pairs up with a city man whose face does not easily betray whether he is serious or sarcastic, how will this partnership work out? As Tyler and Mills learn to know each other, we also find out about Stoke-on-Trent thanks to Mills showing Tyler around and taking us with them. The way Mills describes his city, where the countryside is never far away …

| Storyline |

As DCI Tyler prepares himself for Stoke-on-Trent by learning the tourist guide by heart, DS Mills’s colleagues are not too pleased to receive a new DCI coming from the country’s capital because of the “urge to denounce the stranger…. the redneck impulse that ran deep through the city.” Soon, Tyler will learn the difference between the two football teams of the town – of which Stoke City with its red and white stripes is the preferred club according to Mills. The city is desperate to change, at least the project developers are and when a body of an adolescent boy is found on a building site, the pressure is full on to bring the investigation to a speedy and satisfactory ending. But DCI Tyler is more concerned about Alan Dale, the victim, and his sister, Sheila Dale, the only living relative. The discovery of Alan’s body has brought it all back to Sheila, her brother’s sad life story of a quiet and bit naive boy in constant fear of being bullied.

Sheila also provides the police with a document relating to Alan’s school days, about his friends and teachers at the time. “They never stopped,” is what she has written down and something about Alan being unable or unwilling to “give them what they want.” Time to go back to school – River Trent High where Miss Hayburn rules. Fortunately for DCI Tyler, she is determined to help out where she can. To find out more about the circumstances, leading to Alan’s tragic death, they have to contact his former teachers, his friends, as well as the bullies. Why was Alan bullied and, more importantly, why did no one stop it? DCI Tyler and DS Mills set out to get to the bottom of it but are not prepared for the indifference and the web of intrigue unravelling in a fog of innuendo and pointing fingers from those diverting attention and responsibility from their own actions. Will they discover the dark secrets from the past and bring the bullies to justice?

| My Thoughts |

Red is the Colour is a terrific detective novel that has all the ingredients I love with the perfect combination of a couple of likeable protagonists, scarred by life, beautiful surroundings and a story that not only has a murder to be solved but also does not shy away from topics our society should handle so much better. In this book, Mark Fowler addresses bullying and its devastating impact on people’s lives. We all know it is wrong and yet, while we do not all commit such atrocities, only a few of us have the courage to stand up to bullies regardless of the consequences. I love the author’s writing style which immediately draws you and warms you to the protagonists, the story and the lovely city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Speaking of which, I feel it is a stroke of genius to have DCI Tyler leave the capital and go to this Northern city to pair up with DS Mills because it creates a chance to naturally provide us with a beautiful description of the city and its surroundings. I love this awesome start to a brand new detective series featuring the grumpy but straightforward DCI Jim Tyler and his DS Danny Mills, who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and cannot bear to hear anything negative about it from Tyler. At first, Mills has no idea how to handle his new boss and this causes some great dialogues that were enlightening but also humorous and sometimes touching to witness. They make a great duo and I loved their interaction. I already look forward to reading more about both of them. Needless to say, I highly recommend Red is the Colour.

Read the review on my website:https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/red-is...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brand new in town after an ‘encouraged’ transfer from London, DCI Jim Tyler doesn’t have time to settle in the job or the city of Stoke before he is called to a building site where the long buried bones of an as yet unidentified victim are found. It doesn’t take long to figure out who the victim could be, a young boy who went missing way back in 1972, but what they have yet to determine is whether the boy died a natural or unnatural death. When another body is found, this one fresh and clearly murdered, Tyler is put under pressure to close out the ‘cold case’, but he is not so convinced that the full story has yet been told.

Red if the Colour is not what you would call a fast paced or high tension read. As first cases go, the one facing Detectives Tyler and Mills is a relatively strange and moderately sedate one, at least not up until the point the second victim is found, his death far more undeniably fresh and brutal. The pair manage to work out the victim fairly quickly, the list of likely candidates seemingly very small. As they dig into the case it becomes clear that the young man was subjected to a series of vicious bullying attacks when in school, many of which when unnoticed or at the very least ignored by his own teachers. The more they dig the more the list if suspects grows including some very prominent figures, hence the pressure on Tyler to close it out as swiftly as possible.

I really liked the characters of Tyler and Mills. Tyler is almost like a fish out of water in Stoke amongst a team who are as loyal to their city as they are their football teams, a fact which even lends itself to the books title – red and white being the colours of Stoke City. Tyler has his demons, an apparently fierce temper for one, and a series of regrets, some of which surround his personal life. In stark contrast to bachelor Tyler, Mills is a family man, loving wife, two children and a crippling mortgage on a house which has taken him away from his beloved city. In truth, it is a match that shouldn’t work – they are too different – and yet in some strange way they do. It is a pairing I would definitely want to read more about and although their partnership was tense and controlled to start with, they seem to reach an understanding and some kind of friendship as the investigation progresses.

As I said before, this isn’t a particularly fast paced read, in fact I took a leisurely read of this over a couple of days. This isn’t a criticism, far from it as the more sedate nature of the investigation matched the age of the case perfectly. If you are looking for a high octane thriller, then this isn’t the book for you. If you are more interested in the investigation, in solving a puzzle, then absolutely give this a whirl. I was glad of a change of pace to be fair and the book was no less engaging because of it. There is still an element of organised crime or at the very least corruption in the story which adds a different dimension to the investigation, but the relative simplicity of the case did provide more appeal to me than the side story which may have been a step too close toward being predictable or unbelievable.

The dialogue, especially between the two Detectives, felt natural, not contrived, despite their difficulty in understanding each other initially. And the slow unravelling of secrets kept for thirty years is as emotional as it is compelling. There are so many secrets, so many lies, so many people trying to save their own reputations, that you will not know who to trust and may well be blindsided by the eventual truth. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting.

A great start to an interesting new series and, more importantly, set relatively locally to me which always makes me smile.

[Elvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the new cop on the block, DCI Jim Tyler partnered with a local staffer, DS Danny Mills. The two pair up to solve what is essentially a cold case from thirty years ago when the bones of a fifteen year old are discovered in Stoke-On-Trent.

I enjoyed this story of school yard bullying and the lengths the detectives have to go to uncover the truth of events surrounding the young man's disappearance. Good pacing, a few red herrings and some background info on our two investigators. I'll be happy to follow this team in future police procedurals.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Is The Colour by Mark L Fowler.
Josh is walking his dog Sam through somewhere he shouldn't be going. But Sam finds something half buried and is determined to pry it loose. When josh sees what it is he is shocked. Detective Sergeant Danny Mills has a new partner Jim Tyler. They have to go back 30 years to find out the truth about what happened.
OMG. This was a fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved how Jim and Danny worked together. I had no idea who it could be. This was a gripping and tense read. 5*.

[Alexina · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Tyler and DS Mills have a fractious relationship to say the least. 
I found this brought a different tension to the story, but did not take away from the main elements of the uncovering of the crime...or if there had been one committed at all. This kepts me interested in watching there relationship develop while hoping they could work it out enough to focus on what had happerned previously, 30 years ago. 
When the layers of the story began to unfold, I found myself absorbed back in to the days of the 70's. Mark captured the era so well and being born in the early 70's, there was slight reminissing also. Bullying at school was different to now, but no less innocent, just because there wasn't devices. 
I found this a wrenching read to get to the heart of why? it was full of suspense with a touch of who done it nature, however this was cleverly balanced with newer up to date crimes. 
The timelines worked while reading and you weren't left floundering of where/when you were reading about. 
It is always uncomfortable to read about childhood deaths, as they are our future. Mark gave this story such believability it grabbed me heart and soul, and he was clever at holding his cards to his chest while revealing the information as we needed it. 
I am keeping this series on my radar and looking forward to where Tyler and Mills go on from here. A story to definitely invest your time in. 

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Mark Fowler so I was unsure what to expect.

The story centres around school bullying which is a subject close to everyone's heart. We have, probably, all experienced it in some form either as a victim, a parent, a friend or even the one doing the bullying. It has gone on in schools for decades and I don’t think we are much nearer solving the problem now than we ever were. It was, therefore, with great interest that I began reading this book to understand the Author's take on the subject.

The body of a teenager is found 30 years after his death. His sister blames the bullies. Sheila Dale plays the part of the loving sister, distraught to find that the brother, she loved, that disappeared all those years ago, has been dead all this time. She garners much sympathy from the police who, understandably, treat her with sheepskin gloves. She is a character it is difficult to work out and the reader is left wondering what it is that we don’t know about her.

Jim Tyler is DCI and moved to Stoke after an incident in his previous role. He has anger issues and comes across as a 'vigilante' type. I didn’t much like his character and there were several aspects of it that I thought unrealistic given his position. I didn’t think that a Detective Chief Inspector would have reached that position with an attitude like Jim's. This lost the book some points.

Danny Mills has the, unenviable, task of working under a DCI with a, not very sparkling, history behind him. However, he buckles down and gets on with the job. He is the father of 2 children and he has fears his son is being bullied which makes this case much more personal for him. He is a dedicated policeman and father and is eager to please.

The villains are many and there are twists and turns all the way through. The person who is actually responsible for the death is hidden among a number of suspects and the reader is unable to sort them out. This keeps the pages turning as we are taken on a very twisted and evil journey through the minds and actions of teenagers and men who think they are untouchable.

A big thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy of the unputdownable book.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant start to an upcoming series that features DCI Tyler and DS Mills. I enjoyed reading this one, hooked from the first chapter. Red is the Colour is written well, easy to read and contains short chapters. I loved how this story focused on the subject of bullying. Bullying has and always will be around but can lead to drastic consequences. This book contains plenty of unsuspecting twists and turns throughout. It is one of those stories that goes AHH! That’s why it’s called that. I must also admit I did not see the outcome at all. SHOCKING… I would highly recommend this story to you all, I awarded a well deserved five stars and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for this new series to indulge in and see what lies ahead for these characters.

[Patricia Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think it necessary to go into the story, as its already been done, except to essay what an exciting read this has been. I love the exceptionally well thought out characters, particularly the protagonist DCI Jim Tyler and his DS, Danny Mills. The reason Tyler left his old job in London, under a cloud and landed up in Stoke On Trent has only been hinted at, which I liked as it just makes him more intriguing and wanting to know more about him.
The storyline and of is genuinely gripping, as its frighteningly plausible and so well written.
The first two chapters, to be perfectly honest had me wondering if this was the right book for me, as I usually go for stories that hit the ground running from the start. Just so glad I carried on reading, as the more I read the more I wanted.
It picks up a pace, where you start to assume that lies, deceit and bullying is the norm, but the tenacious DCI Tyler is not one to be fob off, no matter who's pulling the strings.
I'm a huge fan of British crime and police procedural novels and,this I found to be a fabulously exciting read.
I understand there is a possible book 2. I do hope so, I want more DCI Tyler and DS Mills.

[Kate Bromwich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a brilliant read this was, I don’t want to say much as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone! The story and plot was very credible and extremely well written, the characters Tyler and Mills were brilliant and left me wanting more, can’t wait to read more in the future from this author! 100% recommend :)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good crime book with Bloodhound Books and I’m excited to be apart of the blog tour! RED IS THE COLOUR by Mark L. Fowler is book one in a new crime series the follows Detective Tyler and Detective Mills. With a tagline like, “Bullying. Corruption. Murder.” how could you not be intrigued?

After a body is discovered, Detectives Tyler and Mills are called in to work on this formerly cold case. The body is that of a missing 15 year old boy, Alan Dale. Only thing, he’s been missing for thirty years. Understandably so, the Chief wants this case solved as quickly as possible.

In their investigation they talk with Alan’s sister, she describes her brother as a bright kid who kept to himself. She tells them of the horrific bullying he endured and she gives Tyler and Mills some names. Only problem is that some of these names are now very important people with big connections. However, with the case progressing, one of the bullies is murdered. What is the connection between the murder of Alan Dale in 1972 and this new murder?

This was very interesting to read because of the relationship between the two detectives. They didn’t get along very well, but they had to work together. It’s very different having the two detectives in a crime series not mesh well – typically they’re very close and are on the same page. Well, not these two. It’ll be interesting to see where they go in future books.

The topic of bullying is in the forefront of this novel. An always present topic it seems. What Alan endured in school is unfortunate, and Fowler does a great job capturing how school was in the 1970’s. Bullying was looked upon differently then compared to now. I really enjoyed Fowler’s writing style, the only issues that I had was the flow/pacing of the book, and then the ending. After all of the build up throughout the book it didn’t feel climatic enough (if that makes sense!)

Overall though, I really enjoyed the read and the characters. I will definitely be looking forward to the next novel in the Tyler and Mills series! If you want a good police procedural with a tense dynamic between the characters and a very relevant and present topic, then this is the next crime book for you!

I give this one 4/5 stars!

[Julian Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Jim Tyler relocates from London to Stoke On Trent to escape his troubled past, just as the corpse of a boy missing since the early 70s is discovered. He is paired with DS Danny Mills to investigate the case, but tensions between the two men rapidly emerge and things go from bad to worse when a new murder is committed...
Mark Fowler’s gripping murder mystery-detective novel is an unusually straightforward piece of crime writing from a writer whose work is often hard to pigeonhole. In this case this proves to be a strength since Red is a thoroughly engaging and increasingly tense read that sets up a mystery, ramps up the tension with a subsequent murder and keeps the reader guessing right up to the action-packed finale. I’m not generally a big reader of this kind of fiction but this one kept me gripped throughout: it adheres to the principles of the genre while at the same time carving an original story and introducing a memorable panoply of characters and suspects with some nice touches of unexpected humour. The author drives the story forward with considerable verve, keeps a steady hand on his various twists and turns and shifts into high gear toward the end with admirably well judged timing and skill. All in all a thoroughly terse, tense and entertaining work which definitely deserves a sequel – or even a whole series.

[Sarah Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book good storyline. I particularly enjoyed it as I could visualize some of the places mentioned in the book. Look forward to reading the next instalment.

[Nicki Southwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two boys walking the dog stumbled upon a large bone. Further scrutiny shows that it is attached to more bone. Realising what it is, they go off to summon help.

The pathology department painstakingly conducts tests that show it is the body of 15-year-old Alan Dale, missing for 30 years.

The team is headed up by DCI Jim Tyler, recently transferred from London, and DS Mills is assisting. The length of time since Alan's disappearance makes for a long and difficult enquiry. As they go back over the original missing person's file, they decide they need to trace and interview everyone who was around then, especially school friends.

Their first port of call is with his sister, Sheila. Both parents have since died, so she is the first person they interview. They meet up with one of his teachers, and begin to think that nothing was straight forward. They start to unveil a dark side.

The body of one of the bullies is found. Co-incidence?

The area this is set, Stoke on Trent is well described, and all around 1972 is authentic for those who remember. The characters around the school are well depicted and the story original, with a steady pace.

I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Bloodhound books for the opportunity.

[Simon Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of Mark's I have read and it is completely different to his other books, The Man Upstairs and Coffin Maker.
The book is a lot darker than Mark's older books such as the man upstairs and is more of a straight forward crime thriller book.
The book follows DCI Tyler as he moves from London to a quiet Staffordshire village, where nothing much ever happens.
The story starts with a boy finding a dead body, which has been dead for 30 years. The story then switches to DCI Tyler's move from London to the village. The story then continues with the chemistry between Tyler and Mills and their instant dislike of each other. They have to work together to solve the mystery of the above murder plus a new killing of one of the dead boy's old school bullies.
The story is very much an old style detective story where the police find out the answers by asking questions and interviewing people. The book is a real page turner as I couldn't work out who the killer was before the end and I absolutely loved it.

[Stacey A. Prose and Palate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red is the Colour by Mark L. Fowler is the first book in a new series that follows Detectives Tyler and Mills as they attempt to solve the 30 year old murder of young Alan Dale. When Alan’s body is finally discovered at a construction site, the detectives are pushed to crack the case. Witnesses soon come forward regarding the torment and bullying that Alan endured at the hands of several boys, some of whom have now grown in to powerful government officials. The story focuses on bullying at school, and how often times people look the other way. The writing in this book is smart, but I found it to move slowly in the beginning and it could have been a bit more cohesive regarding the flow. Once the suspects in the case are rounded up, the tension begins to mount and the story moves at a much quicker pace. When the truth of what really happened to Alan is uncovered, it seemed anti-climactic to me after so much anticipation and build up throughout the last half of the book. The dynamic between Detectives Tyler and Mills was certainly tense and it will be interesting to see how that plays out as the series unfolds. If you like your mysteries at a slower pace that focus on a timely and relevant topic, then Red is the Colour is the mystery for you

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red is the Colour
By: Mark L. Fowler
5 out of 5 stars

The story Red is the Colour by Mark L. Fowler is a thrilling, mystery book. It is a story that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I found it to be well-written and included characters that I enjoyed reading about. The story finds DCI Jim Tyler in a new town with a new partner, DS Danny Mills. It does include background information on both detectives so that you get a better understanding of their characters. The body of a 15-year-old boy has been found that had disappeared many years before. The investigation has them interviewing many in the community included those who went to school with him. When one of those that they interview then becomes a murder victim, it is up to Tyler and Mills to uncover if the murders are connected. Will they be able to solve the current murder and also close the case on what happened so many years ago? Read this story to find out. This book does a good job of bringing attention to the subject of bullying. It addresses how it was handled in the past and how not only the ones carrying out the bullying bear a responsibility. I liked that DCI Jim Tyler is a detective that is willing to take chances in the investigation and has a strong determination that justice must be done. The story had my emotions going from sadness to anger when reading some parts. The book will have you trying to put together the clues along with the detectives to find out the truth about what happened. This is a page-turning story that I didn’t want to put down until I had finished. It is a book I would highly recommend reading.

[Livia Sbarbaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark , Tragic and Unputdownable ...

DCI Jim Tyler has moved from London to Staffordshire and is teamed up with DS Mills.Tyler is a loner, a deep thinker and a man with a few regrets about the past.Mills is a family man a man whose heart is in the right place..These two men at first don't seem a good pairing...When a boy out walking his dog stumbles onto a building site ignoring the danger keep out signs...the dog escapes the leash excitedly dig. dig digging ..The boy keeps calling the dog ..by the time he reaches the dog the dog has pulled out the remains of a skeleton.. and so it begins..Tyler and Mills find out that the remains are that of a child who went missing some thirty years before...When they interview the sister of the fifteen year old boy who was found she gives them a letter ..and still distraught insists she wants those that did this brought to justice.. Then a man is found murdered. Tyler knows in his gut...there is a connection here...Tyler and Mills are racing against the clock... will they find out what happened to a fifteen year old child..? This story is one of past sins..murder bullying corruption regrets and lies..It made me cry in parts that a child who had his whole life ahead of him could dissapear in a heartbeat.. That a family could fall apart ...Yet this story pulls you in like a whisper...This was gripping from the start ,completely unputdownable read..I will be keeping watch for the next book by this author...A Moving Dark Unputdownable Read ..

[A.A. Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE DIVIDED CITY OF STOKE-ON-TRENT

A fast-moving police procedural thriller set in Stoke, the geographical, football and social divisions within the city are tightly woven into the plot of "Red is the Colour". An entertaining read.

[Kamini Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbing look into small town life and what bullies can do. Secrets don't always stay buried.

[kenneth Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Football has a lot to answer for

My first experience with this author but I’m sure it won’t be the last , a little llong winded and alien to us southerners in parts this was still an enjoying and thought provoking read.
I was the fat boy at school in the sixties, and us bullying affected my whole school life and the person I am today , some people handle things better than others , I was lucky to escape with some spirit and defiance left in me others crumble and fall by the wayside .
The issues raised have been around for a long time and still have relevance in today’s society with lesser deterrents I wonder how children deal with bullying and just how serious a challenge this is for the weaker among us!

[Greta Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read set in North Staffordshire where I lived for 37 years and knew all the places mentioned extremely well. A credible storyline and loved the authors style of writing.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the series and features DCI Jim Tyler who has been forced to relocate to Stoke, and DS Danny Mills who are investigating the discovery of the body of a young boy, Alan Dale, who had been missing for 30 years. The relationship between the 2 is a bit wary and full of tension, normal I guess when someone new joins the team.

This was a slow burner for me. The pace of the story was slow as both men try to get information from the sister of the dead boy, as well as from the teachers and old classmates from the school where Alan attended. It is clear that he was being bullied but the guys need to figure out if the bullying went further.

Despite finding the pace slow, the tension builds up quite nicely and then I found it took off later on and I was reading quicker and quicker to see what events would now unfold. I enjoyed the twist towards the end and definitely didn't expect it.

I enjoyed the setting of Stoke and the references to the football, both Stoke and Port Vale. I think this is the first book I've read around this area. Now that the ice has been broken between Tyler and Mills, I will read further in the series to see where their next investigation takes them.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this book to read by the author and I really enjoyed it.
DCI Jim Tyler doesn’t have time to settle in his new job or in Stoke, before he is called to a building site where the bones of an unidentified victim are found.
The victim is a teenage boy who went missing back in 1972, but how did he die?
When another body is found, this one fresh and clearly murdered, Tyler is put under pressure to close out the ‘cold case’, but he is not so convinced that the full story has yet been told.
Red if the Colour is not what you would call a fast paced read but the story unfolds at a steady pace.
Tyler works alongside Mills and as they dig into the case it becomes clear that the boy was bullied at school and a few people are hiding secrets.
There’s more to the situation than meets the eye and I really liked the way it unfolded.
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of the book.