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DI Grace Dalton #1
Cold Flame
Obsession, lust, murder - and a secret which will rip everyone apart...
Twelve years after participating in a bank heist, Carl Fisher is celebrating his fortieth birthday. Hours later his body is discovered in his hot tub, a single gunshot to his head signifying an execution style killing.
DI Grace Dalton is called upon to crack the case and bring the killer to justice but the more she investigates, the more she realises his lifestyle and criminal activities have accumulated a long list of enemies. Ploughing through a sea of suspects, Grace is not only under pressure to find the killer but also adapt to a new partner, DS Ryan Nash. A rogue detective with an ambiguous past and a playboy image, he's everything she despises, yet despite her protesting to DCI Harris is given no other choice other than to be his reluctant mentor.
To make matters worse, the murder weapon is traced back to a previous crime at the infamous Ringfield Estate, throwing Grace into a precarious position. Known for its gun crime and ruled by the vicious Ringfield Crew, relations between the estate and the police is taut with controversy. With links between Carl and the head of the gang coming to light, Grace finds herself thrown into a confusing maze of suspects and motives. No sooner have the pieces of the puzzle fitted together, the tables of fate turn and send the pieces into disarray.
Grace soon realises that if she is to solve the case she must go back to the start where a shocking revelation will reveal how pure, deep seated rage is found in the most unlikely, and quiet places.
Twelve years after participating in a bank heist, Carl Fisher is celebrating his fortieth birthday. Hours later his body is discovered in his hot tub, a single gunshot to his head signifying an execution style killing.
DI Grace Dalton is called upon to crack the case and bring the killer to justice but the more she investigates, the more she realises his lifestyle and criminal activities have accumulated a long list of enemies. Ploughing through a sea of suspects, Grace is not only under pressure to find the killer but also adapt to a new partner, DS Ryan Nash. A rogue detective with an ambiguous past and a playboy image, he's everything she despises, yet despite her protesting to DCI Harris is given no other choice other than to be his reluctant mentor.
To make matters worse, the murder weapon is traced back to a previous crime at the infamous Ringfield Estate, throwing Grace into a precarious position. Known for its gun crime and ruled by the vicious Ringfield Crew, relations between the estate and the police is taut with controversy. With links between Carl and the head of the gang coming to light, Grace finds herself thrown into a confusing maze of suspects and motives. No sooner have the pieces of the puzzle fitted together, the tables of fate turn and send the pieces into disarray.
Grace soon realises that if she is to solve the case she must go back to the start where a shocking revelation will reveal how pure, deep seated rage is found in the most unlikely, and quiet places.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2018
166 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 29, 2018
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the first in the series with detective Grace Dalton (although there was a prequel. I really enjoyed this book, I found it was easy to read and get lost in.. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
February 2, 2018
Natalie Hames
Cold Flame
This is the first time I have read anything by this author, rest assured it won’t be the last.
I loved this book from the very start the characters were brilliant, the story had me guessing until the very end.
5* 2 February 2018.
Cold Flame
This is the first time I have read anything by this author, rest assured it won’t be the last.
I loved this book from the very start the characters were brilliant, the story had me guessing until the very end.
5* 2 February 2018.
January 29, 2018
Having already read prequel The Death of Me by the same author I was very excited to continue with the main characters that I’d grown to know and love.
Cold Flame by Natalie Hames is the first book in this series featuring DI Grace Dalton.
Years after her own abduction and subsequent rescue Grace is now the leading inspector in charge of solving a murder case. A man executed on his own property. Grace and her new partner DS Ryan Nash must work together to find out who the killer is. Who hated Carl Fisher so much to shoot him in cold blood?
The story leads you through the investigation. The twists and turns and red herrings will keep you guessing til the end. Things are not always as straight forward as they seem. Not all is black and white. Passion, vengeance, lust, wrong doing, they all play a part.
The new working relationship between Grace and Ryan adds a dimension to the book. It follows on from the prequel that Grace must learn to trust others again in order to go forward.
I loved the first book to this series and can’t wait to read more about DI Grace Dalton.
Well done Natalie on another great book.
Cold Flame by Natalie Hames is the first book in this series featuring DI Grace Dalton.
Years after her own abduction and subsequent rescue Grace is now the leading inspector in charge of solving a murder case. A man executed on his own property. Grace and her new partner DS Ryan Nash must work together to find out who the killer is. Who hated Carl Fisher so much to shoot him in cold blood?
The story leads you through the investigation. The twists and turns and red herrings will keep you guessing til the end. Things are not always as straight forward as they seem. Not all is black and white. Passion, vengeance, lust, wrong doing, they all play a part.
The new working relationship between Grace and Ryan adds a dimension to the book. It follows on from the prequel that Grace must learn to trust others again in order to go forward.
I loved the first book to this series and can’t wait to read more about DI Grace Dalton.
Well done Natalie on another great book.
May 21, 2018
Blah, blah, yada, yada
Too much angst to be truly enjoyable. And the plot is so similar to so many others that I almost gave up. Grace, the haunted female detective is forced to work with Ryan, a detective sergeant that gets on her nerves in a big way. How many books, movies, and series have this same format?
Grace was kidnapped and kept prisoner for a year as a young teenager, and lest you forget that, it's brought up again and again. I know that's part of what makes a sympathetic character, but bringing it up ad nauseam makes me far less interested.
The case Grace and Ryan are working on, the murder of a criminal after a party seems almost an afterthought to all the angst and trust issues, and wasn't really that hard to figure out.
Results: I was not impressed.
Too much angst to be truly enjoyable. And the plot is so similar to so many others that I almost gave up. Grace, the haunted female detective is forced to work with Ryan, a detective sergeant that gets on her nerves in a big way. How many books, movies, and series have this same format?
Grace was kidnapped and kept prisoner for a year as a young teenager, and lest you forget that, it's brought up again and again. I know that's part of what makes a sympathetic character, but bringing it up ad nauseam makes me far less interested.
The case Grace and Ryan are working on, the murder of a criminal after a party seems almost an afterthought to all the angst and trust issues, and wasn't really that hard to figure out.
Results: I was not impressed.
January 30, 2018
I received an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Having already read the prequel to this new series I was looking forward to reading this the first book in the DI Grace Dalton series.
I was not disappointed!
The plot is well thought out and the investigation into the murder of a man killed at his own home throws up plenty of possible suspects.
My interest was held throughout and when the perpetrator was finally revealed it wasn`t who I thought it would be.
Always a sign of a good crime thriller.
Grace and her new partner DS Ryan Nash look set to be a formidable team and I can`t wait to read the next instalment in the series.
A well deserved 5* from me.
Having already read the prequel to this new series I was looking forward to reading this the first book in the DI Grace Dalton series.
I was not disappointed!
The plot is well thought out and the investigation into the murder of a man killed at his own home throws up plenty of possible suspects.
My interest was held throughout and when the perpetrator was finally revealed it wasn`t who I thought it would be.
Always a sign of a good crime thriller.
Grace and her new partner DS Ryan Nash look set to be a formidable team and I can`t wait to read the next instalment in the series.
A well deserved 5* from me.
January 31, 2018
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie Hanes has written an excellent whodunnit that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Having read the prequel I was already acquainted with Grace Dalton. Still ridden with personal issues from her kidnapping Grace manages none the less to be an excellent, if slightly unconventional policewoman, with a flare for getting her person. With lots of twists and turns the ending came too soon and was totally unexpected.
I shall look forward to the next Grace Dalton case.
Natalie Hanes has written an excellent whodunnit that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Having read the prequel I was already acquainted with Grace Dalton. Still ridden with personal issues from her kidnapping Grace manages none the less to be an excellent, if slightly unconventional policewoman, with a flare for getting her person. With lots of twists and turns the ending came too soon and was totally unexpected.
I shall look forward to the next Grace Dalton case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
Grace has been given a new partner. much to her annoyance
The first novel in this series featuring Grace Dalton , formerly a child kidnap victim , and Ryan Nash a disgraced ex DCI from Essex . The framing of the characters is well developed , the case plausible obviously researched for authenticity and a fast paced , exciting story gives positive feelings for future projects by Natalie Hames
The first novel in this series featuring Grace Dalton , formerly a child kidnap victim , and Ryan Nash a disgraced ex DCI from Essex . The framing of the characters is well developed , the case plausible obviously researched for authenticity and a fast paced , exciting story gives positive feelings for future projects by Natalie Hames
January 22, 2018
Cold Flame by Natalie Hames is the first in the DI Grace Dalton series is a fast paced gripping thriller in which we see Grace reluctantly partnered with DS Ryan Nash who appear to be polar opposites and I feel on occasion Grace’s attitude towards Ryan is a bit unfair.overall a brilliant read and look forward to book two.Finally a big thanks to Natalie Hames for the advance copy of Cold Flame.
May 4, 2020
At points in this book I was getting very frustrated. Not at the storyline but at Grace. However, the ending ensured a few more stars were added and I now look forward to the next book! Hopefully Grace will learn to accept Ryan a little more in future books as I think they work a lot better when united.
January 30, 2020
Good read
Excellent start to a series. Not sure about DI Dalton at first but she grew on me. DS Ryan is an excellent foil for her. Both of them sharing horrific pasts brings them together. Looking forward to reading mmore in the series.
Excellent start to a series. Not sure about DI Dalton at first but she grew on me. DS Ryan is an excellent foil for her. Both of them sharing horrific pasts brings them together. Looking forward to reading mmore in the series.
September 25, 2020
Horrible writing. I could not get past the first chapter. Jumping from one character musings to another, from one life story to another. A good editor will need to put a lots of effort cutting and pasting, but I am not the one.
March 5, 2018
Fantastic story
I loved this story. I couldn't put it down, Grace is a brilliant character. I eagerly look forward to the next book.
I loved this story. I couldn't put it down, Grace is a brilliant character. I eagerly look forward to the next book.
February 20, 2018
Brilliant
Amazing first book I will be waiting for book two. Full of action interesting caricatures . So get writing Natalie
Amazing first book I will be waiting for book two. Full of action interesting caricatures . So get writing Natalie
March 13, 2018
Who done it
Great police who done it with an unexpected twist or two. Find the weapon find the killer may not be true in this book
Great police who done it with an unexpected twist or two. Find the weapon find the killer may not be true in this book
May 26, 2018
Cold Flame
A great thriller by Natalie Hames. I loved it, especially the end I would have never guessed. I'm planning on buying her second one. Thanks Natalie for a great reat📕👍
A great thriller by Natalie Hames. I loved it, especially the end I would have never guessed. I'm planning on buying her second one. Thanks Natalie for a great reat📕👍
October 11, 2019
What a great start to a new series with yet another dysfunctional detective with a great clear-up rate.
November 19, 2019
Too many adjectives.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews