The Felt Tip Murders

DCS Palmer & the Serial Murder Squad #2

by B.L. Faulkner

Two prominent London City accountants and a banker are murdered. The only clue a felt tip message written on their foreheads. The more Palmer and the team look into it the more past financial actions taken by the three victims point towards a client taking revenge. But which client? And then there's the upcoming Holiday Cruise Palmer has promised Mrs P. If he doesn't get the case done and dusted before the sailing date he won't be in her good books. The pressure is on and DS Singh's kidnapping doesn't help.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2014

About the author

Barry Faulkner was born into a family of South London petty criminals who ran with the Richardson's Crime Gang in the 60's-90's. Being the youngest his mother, a top fashion model, was determined he would not follow in the criminal footsteps of the rest of the family and enrolled him into the Morely Academy of Dramatic Art to pursue a career in acting. Sadly young Faulkner was asked to leave after three months when no acting ability had surfaced. He went onto become an advertising copywriter with the English branch of the US Agency Erwin Wasey Ruffraf and Ryan where he got lucky with some scripts he sent to the BBC TV and became a scriptwriter and editor for them and several ITV companies. During this time the DCS Palmer plots were amassed in various notebooks and three years ago Faulkner finally found time to write and publish them. His early insight into the criminal world of his family has added authenticity to the characters and plots that makes them credible and the pace keeps the reader glued to the end. His signature end twist will always surprise you. Check out his top rated crime blog at geezers2016.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Robert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hugely entertaining story in the Serial Murder Squad series as the team pursues a killer who’s targeting the financial sector. Can DCS Palmer and his team identify and apprehend the person who has suffered at the hands of these accountants and bankers before another murder is committed?

Like the other stories in the series, The Felt Tip Murders may be on the short side, but it’s stuffed full of drama, tension, sharp dialogue and twists. With a direct, fast-paced style, the story only pauses for Palmer to eat another of his wife’s excellent meals, often in the middle of the night after a long, tiring day detecting.

The story and characters are very visual with some lovely dialogue and one-liners to lighten the mood. Frustrated by his rulebook guvnor, who specialises in stealing the glory and delegating the blame, Palmer escapes into the field with Gheeta and is soon on the trail of the killer. Even as they close in for an exciting climax, there’s still another twist or two to wrong foot them.

If you enjoy honest, no-nonsense story-telling with likeable and lively characters, plots that don’t come out of a formula book, and a generous helping of humour, you should give this crime series a try.

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Chief Superintendent (get the rank right) Palmer and Detective Sergeant Singh. The work so well together and not only get on well but really care for each other.
In this second book they are hunting a serial killer who writes, in felt tip pen on the forehead of the corpses. Like book one, the connection between these disparate bodies takes some finding. Despite the amusing banter between Palmer and Singh there is a real nastiness at the heart of the story.
I will certainly look for book three.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable tale from the pen of B. L. Faulkner!

DCI Palmer is taking Mrs P. on holiday – a cruise no less – when not one, but three murders land on his desk. There is always pressure to clear up murders but this is added to by the knowledge of what will happen on the personal front if he doesn’t embark on time. All three bodies have a message written in felt tip on their foreheads, so it’s down to Palmer’s team to work out the why. They are linked by their connection to the financial sector and it all points to some dissatisfied client taking their revenge – but who, and why?

I’m fast becoming a real fan of this series; the characters are beautifully crafted, solving the crime keeps me on my toes and there are always lighter moments to make me smile. A shorter read in comparison to a lot of crime novels, but everything is there and it kept me hooked right from the first to the very last. Terrifically enjoyable, and a series I’m loving working my way through. No doubt about it, this is a five star read and one I heartily recommend.

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

Great Follow up story

A great second book in the Chief Superintendent Palmer series. Lots of action with plenty of amusing incidents and a great ending.

[Andy Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short but twisty case for the Serial Murder Squad. Enjoyable but could have done with another proof read