Dying Bad

DI Sarah Quinn #3

by Maureen Carter

A hardhitting Sarah Quinn police procedural

Detective Inspector Sarah Quinn and her team are not having a good week. A series of horrifying, vicious street attacks have left the police baffled, with no leads to follow. Random acts of mindless violence? Or is there more to it than that? Meanwhile, a local businessman is threatening to sue the police for wrongful arrest, and Quinn’s professional nemesis, journalist Caroline King, is on the case in search of a story. But does Caroline have any idea what she’s getting herself into?

Genres: Crime

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Former BBC Newsnight presenter Maureen has worked extensively in newspapers, radio and television. She still freelances in the business, when she's not busy novel writing. As a journalist she's worked closely with the police, covering countless crime stories, including several murders. She's also interviewed victims and seen villains sent down.

Maureen was inspired to write Working Girls by a police pilot scheme to treat younger prostitutes as victims rather than criminals.

"It set me thinking about women on the game," she says. "What made a girl risk her health, and her life, night after night? What, if any, choice did she have? I wondered: could I combine appealing characters from this largely ignored section of society with a measure of social comment and produce an engaging and entertaining crime novel?"

Reviews

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this book as I enjoyed the authors other series with never Morris as the main character, really enjoyed those but just could not get into this series at all as couldn’t warm to the main character

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's just me, but I wish Carter would go back to writing Bev Morriss books. There's nothing wrong with Sarah Quinn, though the Ice Queen nickname is not undeserved. But I like Morriss - she is cheeky and her sense of humor is a treat.

This book deal with disparate crimes - the brutal beatings of three men - different times and places, no apparent connection - and the trial of a man convicted of grooming young girls for prostitution. Both crimes also attract the attention of Sarah's nemesis, crime reporter Caroline King. The police departmental personae and issues are all well done.

[Martin Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining detective drama/whodunnit. The story is well constructed and holds the reader throughout. I have not read Maureen Carter before, but, judging by this, I would not hesitate to read another of her novels.

[Cidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third in the DI Sarah Quinn books. I haven't been impressed by the first two and the third is no exception.

This is a book about paedophiles and child groomers, hang on aren't they the same thing? Anyway, Quinn has taken some groomers to trial and they mostly get off scot free, good old british justice in action again I see. The main man is a guy called Jas Ram, he walks off courtesy of his lawyer Ruby somebody, I can't remember her full name now, another arrogant female so she and Quinn should get along nicely. Then a number of men start turning up dead with something written on them, suggesting "bad" men then. Caroline herself is beaten up one night whilst in a less than salubrious area of town. She is in hospital and Quinn visits, Caroline can only remember going out and that's it. Even I'm thinking rohipnol grief how do you spell that?

To cut to the chase Caroline does remember and Quinn does make a meaningful arrest and some equally not too nice women end up in trouble too. Quinn the character really annoys me, it comes to something when the reptilian journalist that is Caroline King is a bit of a nicer, I say bit here, character than the lead one. Now only have one more book to go in this selection of Quinn books.

[Marj Hall-Venmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely gripping

Another absolutely fantastic read from Maureen Carter..I only came across her first book in the series a few days ago. I have now read three. I seriously am addicted too her books well definitely the DI SARAH QUINN ONES ,the storylines are brilliant the twist and turns lead one way to the other real bone biting topics as in this one abuse in care..very well researched.although I do believe that many do think of obliterating the perpetrators as no prison sense would ever be big enough for people who committed offence of this natute. Not just against females either . Not all abuse took place in care homes of reported it was just brushed away . So I can only say how well.researched the book is a real bone biting book with this kind of subject. It as to be just right too. Loved it absolutely loved it. I even felt some sympathy for Caroline King in this novel. Now if you want to know why all.I will say is you will have to read the book to find out. I do not do spoilers lol 😂

[M. O'Gannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dying Bad – A Sarah Quinn Mystery – Published 2012 - **** - DI Sarah Quinn must solve the beatings and deaths of three unrelated men. Murder that appears to be muggings gone bad. The characters are believable, the crimes unsettling, the dialogue well done. The book is a good police procedural with enough story and plot to keep the reader interested and entertained. The subject matter was heavier than I am used to reading, but it was well written and treated respectively. More books by Carter will be added to my reading list.

[Louise Armstrong · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so bored with child abusers as villains. It's such an easy cliche. It's so overdone it's hard to find a book that doesn't have a pedophile in it.

This book also ducked the hard question: what is so lacking in children's lives that they find groomers attractive? Yes, boo and hiss the villains, but don't forget our own failings. The parents that can't be talked to. The care system that doesn't.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dying Bad

Sarah is investigating the cases of three men all.badly beaten. What she doesn't realise is the case is far more complex then it seems at first glance.
This series of books by Maureen Carter just keeps getting better and better.
Dying Bad won't be for everyone as it is about grooming and child abuse.
But in my opinion it is a tauntly written novel that made me keep wanting to read to find out what came next.
Highly recommended.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the best one so far - better written and no annoying distractions. Nice to see DI Quinn not have a total hard face and she does have a softer side. Almost. Gritty storyline without graphic detail - a lot of it is implied which, to me, says more than the actual detail. Onto the next one!

[christine arlott-clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping tale with detective Quinn

Lots off murders, puzzles and tension keep the pages turning. Great characters, right amount of camaraderie and banter. A great read...next one for me now..enjoy the series

[S H Goode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, irritating style

Storyline confusing at first, but an unexpected good outcome. All spoiled by irritating constant use of verbal cliches making all the characters sound the same. This makes it hard to distinguish between them. I found it distracted from the story.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Another great book featuring DI Sarah Quinn and the rest of the team. A well crafted story with plenty of twists and turns and an exciting ending. Looking forward to reading more.

[Joyce tuffs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read.

DO Sarah Quinns third book in the series. It was disappointing in places but got better towards the end. Not to bad.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick and engaging read with a decent plot and characters.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the DI Sarah Quinn gritty police procedural series, another intriguingly grim story of abuse and revenge.