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Harry Briscombe #2

The jagged line

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True Grit-Lit To Keep You In Suspense
When Kirsty Cartwright takes herself off to France to lick her wounds, it’s partly out of shame over her father’s actions and partly from shame over her own, for her betrayal of her fiancé. Then she hears that her father has been seriously injured in an accident. Forced to come home and face her demons – and her ex-fiancé – she soon begins to suspect there is more to her father’s accident than meets the eye. Driven by the need to make amends, she resolves to unravel the truth – but the deeper she digs, the more her own life becomes embroiled in the dangerous forces she is unleashing. Things start to spiral out of control until her very survival is under threat. Can she even trust the ones she loves?
DS Harry Briscombe is facing a personal dilemma that threatens his career. Already investigating a local murder, Dominic Cartwright’s accident raises the possibility that the two cases could be linked.
Between the two of them, Harry and Kirsty get caught up in a trail that is increasingly perilous. It’s becoming a race against time … and time is running out.
– If you love Clare Mackintosh and Rachel Abbott, you'll love this book

Questions to the Author

How did the plot idea come to you?
– In drabs and drabs – it was very irritating! I started off with just an idea in my head of a character meeting up with her estranged father because of some secret he was going to tell her, but I didn't know what that secret was. I wrote that whole scene and a couple of others before I ditched it. The current theme (no spoilers) was as a result of a real case that I heard on the radio and I just thought how easily every day people can get caught up in that sort of thing, tempted by the money. The various sub-plots along the way are themes that interest me – and I think everyone has views on them one way or another. The title The Jagged Line is more about the fine line we draw between truth and the stretching of it; between morality and immorality … and how easy it is to cross those lines.

So ... Harry’s got a new side-kick in Beth. Will you continue their stories on?
Definitely! Beth has a very interesting back-story to develop, which was hinted at in The Jagged Line. It will come into its own in my new novel (yet to be named!). We already know that she comes from a tough background but even she will be surprised at what comes out!

And now for the Big question … when will your 4th novel be published?
– That really is the big question! I’ve literally only just started it, so it’s a question of how quickly I can get it done. At the moment I’m struggling with the finer details of the plot, which is slowing things up a bit, but I’m sure I’ll get it sorted and I’m hoping that it will be out in the next 6-9 months. If people would like to be among the first to receive early notification of when it will be published, they can sign up to my website here: www.carolynmahony.com to be notified of its release date.

Categories for The Jagged Line Include
Mystery & Crime books
Psychological Suspense books
Psychological drama books
British Detective Series
Mystery and Suspense books
Women's Grit-Lit

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2017

234 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn Mahony

15 books51 followers
I've written as a hobby for almost as long as I can remember and now that I have books published, I'm living the dream! If you'd like an introduction to my writing, do visit my website at www.carolynmahony.com where you can download a FREE copy of my Prequel Novella, Behind Closed doors, introducing my Detective in the series, Harry Briscombe.
The first full length novel, Cry From The Grave, is a story that was bubbling away inside of me forever, and follows the story of Hannah, who's baby went missing six years previously.
When I'm not writing, marketing or researching, I'm catching up on my sleep but even my dreams are infiltrated by (sometimes totally nonsensical) plots and scenes.
The second full length novel in the series is called The Jagged Line and the third one about to be published any day now, is called No Escape. Each book follows the same detective but is a standalone story in its own right and can therefore be read out of sequence.
Shadow Watcher is a slight drift away from the psychological crime thriller and is a standalone romantic suspense novel. I tried to bring it back into line with the others but it just wasn't co-operating, and in the end I decided to go along for the ride and enjoy it. I hope you do too! Who says crime and romance don't mix?

To contact me or find out about my books, visit my website or contact me on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

Website: www.carolynmahony.com
Twitter: @carolynmahony
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.maho...

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Community Reviews

5 stars
214 (60%)
4 stars
113 (31%)
3 stars
22 (6%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,954 reviews220 followers
October 9, 2018
The Jagged Line states on Amazon it's book 3 but on the cover book 2 in the Harry Briscombe series. Not quite sure which it is but it is the second book in the series I have read and they both read well as stand alone's.

There was a good balance of the case and Harry's personal life which I liked. Harry has moved back in with his gran who is terminally ill. It makes you wonder how someone can concentrate on such a taxing case when a loved one is dying. The parts to do with Harry and his gran were really touching and he uses his job to escape from the reality that awaits him back home.

A lot of the story also focuses on Kirsty who has returned back home from France to find some rather concerning going on's after she goes digging around after events from her dad's death. I really liked Kirsty and you really end up routing for her and that she will get to the bottom of it though my heart was in my mouth more than a few times as she gets further to the truth.

The Jagged Line is a story that picks up pace throughout as we get closer to the conclusion. There were a couple of nice surprises in there that ensured you kept turning those pages and made it a compelling read. Another entertaining read in the series. 
Profile Image for Cheryl .
2,397 reviews80 followers
November 14, 2021
This is a 2.5 star read.

I just couldn't be getting along with this, so it's a DNF at 35% for me. There's nothing wrong with the book, it's probably more a case of "it's me, not you".
1,570 reviews7 followers
April 4, 2020
Liked it, but..

The story was a good one, the people and the relationships between them were complex, the motives clear and well written. There were some tense times with no need for humour at all, and there wasn’t any in this story of insidious ugly crimes. Plodding police and amateur sleuthing combined with a hope of romance.
The ‘ but’ relates to the blasphemy and swearing used. While not excessive, it was not therefore necessary as it did nothing to enhance the story or a persons character.
57 reviews1 follower
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November 21, 2020
2nd in the Harry briscombe series of books. Again Harry and Beth are back with a mystery which unfolds. Brilliantly written, I wasn’t disappointed after reading cry from the grave. I love Harry he’s a lovely person and fair to his colleagues. Hopefully he will find love. He is caring for his relation and he means the world to her. I didn’t see a lot of what was coming and when the end comes it gives you food for thought, that’s why I like carolyn Mahony, books are never what they seem. Always a I didn’t see that coming moment. Now on to the 3rd.
Author 11 books2 followers
September 6, 2017
A great story line – well thought out, leaving you guessing right to the end. This, the second in the series, see’s DS Harry Briscombe busy figuring out a very interesting plot. Told from all sides, things come together in an explosive ending, with some surprises. A good read, one which I would recommend.
Profile Image for Susan.
7,249 reviews69 followers
January 28, 2022
Paul Copeland, ex-convict's body is discovered in a park. But why and by whom. Estate agent Dominic Cartwright is severely injured by a hit and run. Is there a connection between the two events.
DS Harry Briscombe and the team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written story
Though I didn't care much for the Kirsty Cartwright character
785 reviews
December 20, 2017
Another wonderful author

I read the first book and was hooked. I was so anxious to read this story and I might have forgot to leave a review but both books draw you in and make you want to read more.
332 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2019
Excellent Book

The book had wonderful characters that you really enjoyed getting to know. The plot had twists and turns that kept you guessing. The ending was satisfying and I look forward to reading more by this author.
289 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2018
Very good

This was my second one book by the author and I enjoyed it every bit as much. Will read more.
387 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2022
Ok for a 'free' book

Not brilliant, slow and predictable.
I have read a previous book by this writer which was much better. I would possibly try more from her if they were free.
134 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2023
A good story line but disappointed as several bits of the story were never addressed , it just finished leaving bits with no explanation.

Profile Image for Cherime MacFarlane.
Author 101 books614 followers
September 9, 2024
I would have liked it better if whole pages weren't missing from the ebook I bought. It's a testament to how much I liked it that I finished it, missing pages or not.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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