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DCI Warren Jones #4
The Common Enemy
‘Highly recommended. Crime Writing at its very best’ – Kate Rhodes on The Last Straw, book 1 in the DCI Warren Jones series
Two crimes bring a warring community to breaking point – and DCI Warren Jones knows that, if he is to prevent more violence, he can’t afford to take sides…How do you catch a man’s killer when everyone wanted him dead?
In Middlesbury, a rally is being held by the British Allegiance Party – a far-right group protesting against the opening of a new Mosque.
When the crowd disperses, a body is found in an alleyway. Tommy Meegan, the loud-mouthed leader of the group, has been stabbed through the heart.
Across town, a Muslim community centre catches fire in a clear act of arson, leaving a small child in a critical condition. And the tension which has been building in the town for years boils over.
DCI Warren Jones knows he can’t afford to take sides – and must solve both cases before further acts of violent revenge take place. But, in a town at war with itself, and investigating the brutal killing of one of the country’s most-hated men, where does he begin?
Don’t miss Paul Gitsham’s ingenious new DCI Warren Jones novel, The Common Enemy - pre-order now!
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2018
121 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gitsham
18 books89 followersThe first book I ever wrote was a novelization of ET. I was five years old, had a yellow pencil, an exercise book with ET on the front and boundless enthusiasm.
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 29, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ Digital for an advance copy of The Common Enemy, the fourth novel set in the fictional town of Middlesbury to feature DCI Warren Jones of the Hertfordshire police.
It's all go in Middlesbury one Saturday in July when a demonstration by the right wing British Allegiance Party ends in a riot and while the police are dealing with that a mosque is set on fire leaving two people in a critical condition. It's only later in the day that the body of Tommy Meegan, leader of BAP, is found stabbed in an alley. The potential fallout from these two incidents is huge and leads to much pressure to solve them.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Common Enemy which has a good mystery and some unexpected twists. It also gives the reader some insights into far right thinking. I have been reading this series from the beginning so I knew what to expect, an absorbing read with an unexpected conclusion. I like the mixture of procedure, forensics and good old fashioned interviews and I think Mr Gitsham has the balance just right as the novel flows nicely with discoveries in every chapter, some obviously more important and relevant than others but they all move the novel on and keep the reader's attention.
It is interesting that the author has chosen to tackle racism at this time, although with reference to Mrs May as the Home Secretary and no mention of Brexit, the number one topic in the right wing agenda it was obviously written some time ago. Instead he chooses to concentrate on Islamophobia and how it plays out in the wider arena. I found it fascinating reading.
Warren Jones is conscious of the pressure from above to solve the case quickly but with some personal problems he is torn between these priorities at times. Fortunately he has a very understanding wife! He is just the kind of detective I like, smart and good at putting the pieces together but unflashy and with no major quirks, in other words a quiet man going about his business professionally.
The Common Enemy is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
It's all go in Middlesbury one Saturday in July when a demonstration by the right wing British Allegiance Party ends in a riot and while the police are dealing with that a mosque is set on fire leaving two people in a critical condition. It's only later in the day that the body of Tommy Meegan, leader of BAP, is found stabbed in an alley. The potential fallout from these two incidents is huge and leads to much pressure to solve them.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Common Enemy which has a good mystery and some unexpected twists. It also gives the reader some insights into far right thinking. I have been reading this series from the beginning so I knew what to expect, an absorbing read with an unexpected conclusion. I like the mixture of procedure, forensics and good old fashioned interviews and I think Mr Gitsham has the balance just right as the novel flows nicely with discoveries in every chapter, some obviously more important and relevant than others but they all move the novel on and keep the reader's attention.
It is interesting that the author has chosen to tackle racism at this time, although with reference to Mrs May as the Home Secretary and no mention of Brexit, the number one topic in the right wing agenda it was obviously written some time ago. Instead he chooses to concentrate on Islamophobia and how it plays out in the wider arena. I found it fascinating reading.
Warren Jones is conscious of the pressure from above to solve the case quickly but with some personal problems he is torn between these priorities at times. Fortunately he has a very understanding wife! He is just the kind of detective I like, smart and good at putting the pieces together but unflashy and with no major quirks, in other words a quiet man going about his business professionally.
The Common Enemy is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 10, 2018
I do love this series and, yes I do recommend you start from the beginning and read in order as per usual. What I love most about this and the previous book is that they are what I call proper Police Procedurals. Obviously they twist and turn to get to the end but, to date, the emphasis has been on solving an intricately plotted crime rather than throwing in curve ball after curve ball out of left field purely designed to dupe the reader. Yes I admit to thinking about one of those whilst I was reading (I'm a bit conditioned into looking for them too much these days) but I was so far wide of the mark it was a bit embarrassing at the end for me!
So there's a rally being held in Middlesbury. A far right group is dead against the opening of a new big Mosque. The police are doing their best to keep things under control but they drop the ball and not only is there a fire in a community centre but also the leader of the far right group is found dead. Stabbed in an alleyway. Obviously the death is welcomed by some as he was somewhat a hated character, but the crime must still be investigated and the perpetrator caught and punished. With hackles up and the community divided, can DCI Warren Jones and his team cut through all the noise and not only solve the crimes but also restore calm and unity to his city?
The topics discussed in this book are much more prevalent and big news these days, both in the media and indeed in fiction. In the latter, it has to be handled right, with due care and attention and here, the author does just that. It also highlighted the fact that sometimes the Police have to solve the crimes against the bad boys as well as the innocent victims but that they have to put prejudice aside and tackle the investigations the same. But, as Jones and his team find out, there are many suspects and they have their hands full trying to find out exactly what happened, especially as the people they need to speak to, to get valuable information, aren't those who trust or indeed like or respect authority. Throw in a bit of personal stuff going on for Jones and his wife and he finds it a bit heavy going trying to work out what exactly happened that day. But he plods on, goes back to basics and I found his methods of investigation very satisfying indeed as I tried to second guess things with him along the way. He interviews, he talks to people, he has a good team who work well together, it's all played out linearly and slowly, chipping away the irrelevant and uncovering the truth one step at a time by employing what I call proper police methods. Yes it has its twists and turns and the odd red herring but nothing more than you would expect from any investigation. Refreshing to say the least. The action ramps up quite steeply towards the end until we get our final showdown.
And when we do get to the end, when the whole truth came out, I was stunned. I was so far wide of what I though was going to happen that I had to sit back and applaud the author for a job well done. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So there's a rally being held in Middlesbury. A far right group is dead against the opening of a new big Mosque. The police are doing their best to keep things under control but they drop the ball and not only is there a fire in a community centre but also the leader of the far right group is found dead. Stabbed in an alleyway. Obviously the death is welcomed by some as he was somewhat a hated character, but the crime must still be investigated and the perpetrator caught and punished. With hackles up and the community divided, can DCI Warren Jones and his team cut through all the noise and not only solve the crimes but also restore calm and unity to his city?
The topics discussed in this book are much more prevalent and big news these days, both in the media and indeed in fiction. In the latter, it has to be handled right, with due care and attention and here, the author does just that. It also highlighted the fact that sometimes the Police have to solve the crimes against the bad boys as well as the innocent victims but that they have to put prejudice aside and tackle the investigations the same. But, as Jones and his team find out, there are many suspects and they have their hands full trying to find out exactly what happened, especially as the people they need to speak to, to get valuable information, aren't those who trust or indeed like or respect authority. Throw in a bit of personal stuff going on for Jones and his wife and he finds it a bit heavy going trying to work out what exactly happened that day. But he plods on, goes back to basics and I found his methods of investigation very satisfying indeed as I tried to second guess things with him along the way. He interviews, he talks to people, he has a good team who work well together, it's all played out linearly and slowly, chipping away the irrelevant and uncovering the truth one step at a time by employing what I call proper police methods. Yes it has its twists and turns and the odd red herring but nothing more than you would expect from any investigation. Refreshing to say the least. The action ramps up quite steeply towards the end until we get our final showdown.
And when we do get to the end, when the whole truth came out, I was stunned. I was so far wide of what I though was going to happen that I had to sit back and applaud the author for a job well done. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 5, 2019
I am enjoying this series. I started this on in fear and trepidation. Would this writer tar anyone right of centre as an extremist. Initially yes. But as the story wore on there was attemptd to carefully nuanced differences that arose.
Saying that though, A Hate Crime unit? What a waste of resources in a poorly resourced police force! And interminable references to "Islamphobia"-a completely meaningless term. The villains were certainly a violent bunch. But this author really did not research his topic sufficiently and show the differences and distinctions that there are in the conservative side of politics and there was no sympathy with the reasons why there is such a deep rooted distrust of mass migration. There also was the bias towards the Antifa protestors that is obvious in any gathering. I am constantly amazed at the reaction of the police in these stories when there is obvious crime and because policing today is reactive people are left to put up with vandalism and assaults. It was as if when the man in the story was reporting what must have been very frightening vandalism and mayhem, the main character expected people to put up with that and get over it. This is by no means unique to this story. Real life is like that too. But there are enough resources to police social media and "hate crimes".
Saying that though, A Hate Crime unit? What a waste of resources in a poorly resourced police force! And interminable references to "Islamphobia"-a completely meaningless term. The villains were certainly a violent bunch. But this author really did not research his topic sufficiently and show the differences and distinctions that there are in the conservative side of politics and there was no sympathy with the reasons why there is such a deep rooted distrust of mass migration. There also was the bias towards the Antifa protestors that is obvious in any gathering. I am constantly amazed at the reaction of the police in these stories when there is obvious crime and because policing today is reactive people are left to put up with vandalism and assaults. It was as if when the man in the story was reporting what must have been very frightening vandalism and mayhem, the main character expected people to put up with that and get over it. This is by no means unique to this story. Real life is like that too. But there are enough resources to police social media and "hate crimes".
November 13, 2018
DCI Warren Jones series How do you catch a man's killer when everyone wanted him dead? In Middlesbury, a rally is being held by the British Allegiance Party - a far-right group protesting against the opening of a new Mosque. When the crowd disperses, a body is found in an alleyway. Tommy Meegan, the loud-mouthed leader of the group, has been stabbed through the heart. Across town, a Muslim community centre catches fire in a clear act of arson, leaving a small child in a critical condition. And the tension which has been building in the town for years boils over.DCI Warren Jones knows he can't afford to take sides - and must solve both cases before further acts of violent revenge take place. But, in a town at war with itself, and investigating the brutal killing of one of the country's most-hated men, where does he begin? Don't miss Paul Gitsham's ingenious new DCI Warren Jones novel.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
November 20, 2018
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is mainly about extreme views on racism and people being very vocal about their extremist views. They have a particular look that they favour, shaven heads and tattoos depicting Swastika emblems. So when the leader of the group is murdered the police still have to find the killer. When the local mosque is fire bombed and a grandmother dies again those responsible need to be found.
It isn’t an easy book to read because not all of the victims or families are easy to like or feel sorry for and the racist undertones are not easy to read or think about. However it is an extremely clever, well written and informative book.
Highly recommended.
This book is mainly about extreme views on racism and people being very vocal about their extremist views. They have a particular look that they favour, shaven heads and tattoos depicting Swastika emblems. So when the leader of the group is murdered the police still have to find the killer. When the local mosque is fire bombed and a grandmother dies again those responsible need to be found.
It isn’t an easy book to read because not all of the victims or families are easy to like or feel sorry for and the racist undertones are not easy to read or think about. However it is an extremely clever, well written and informative book.
Highly recommended.
December 8, 2023
Loads of action throughout, definitely gives you insight on how some people think & believe, especially when in big groups and think that they are invincible until things go wrong / very wrong and then expect others to pick up the pieces. Just goes to show how quickly things can get out of hand and that you can't always trust those around you, even if it's family.
you never really know what anyone is like or what they are capable of in certain circumstances/ situations.
Sometimes family members & friends can become your biggest enemies and you may not know what they are thinking.
you never really know what anyone is like or what they are capable of in certain circumstances/ situations.
Sometimes family members & friends can become your biggest enemies and you may not know what they are thinking.
October 26, 2018
I’m a big fan of this author, and love his books, but I appear to have missed out some along the way to this one, his latest. I must go back and read the ones I’ve missed, as I am behind with various topics raised in this one.
Another excellent book, very harrowing at times, and handled very well by the author. I really didn’t see the ending coming at all.
My thanks to Paul, the Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
Another excellent book, very harrowing at times, and handled very well by the author. I really didn’t see the ending coming at all.
My thanks to Paul, the Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 19, 2020
This is a decent series and the stories are good. The characters make the books and we learn more about members of the team in this one.
Warren has to deal with some personal issues while trying to solve two murders with multiple suspects and motives. As in previous books, I think he should be giving Susan more attention.
The narration was fabulous.
Warren has to deal with some personal issues while trying to solve two murders with multiple suspects and motives. As in previous books, I think he should be giving Susan more attention.
The narration was fabulous.
September 19, 2020
There was a lot going on in this one and it felt a bit out of control at times. Once one of the cases had been solved, the other dragged on a bit, although there were a couple of shockers at the very end.
July 18, 2021
Another excellent read!
Well paced and intriguing, Paul Gitsham has crafted another superb story in the DCI Warren Jones series. Characters are developed nicely and interactions are very real, and Gitsham really excels in some sneaky foreshadowing.
Solid series highly recommended.
Well paced and intriguing, Paul Gitsham has crafted another superb story in the DCI Warren Jones series. Characters are developed nicely and interactions are very real, and Gitsham really excels in some sneaky foreshadowing.
Solid series highly recommended.
September 25, 2018
3.5 stars. I thought the plot of this book was better than the previous one. In order to reach the next level, the author need to do a better job of character development of his police characters.
October 20, 2018
Brilliant book
Another brilliant book from Paul Gitsham in the DCI Warren Jones series.
Excellent story, topical subject and wonderful finish.
Look forward to more.
Another brilliant book from Paul Gitsham in the DCI Warren Jones series.
Excellent story, topical subject and wonderful finish.
Look forward to more.
March 5, 2019
Good but oh so depressing.
May 15, 2019
This is such a good series with great characters and great twists I will pick up next book in series as soon as its available Highly recommended
May 12, 2020
Best one yet, great series!
February 20, 2022
This book deals with many issues still prevalent in society and focuses on hate crime and racism. It is a gripping story but I should've known my favourite character would die. That was painful
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
Great series and will be enjoyed by those who liked DCI Smith by Peter Grainger!
July 8, 2022
3.5 stars
May 9, 2023
Another cracker in this series - both turning up at the same time from the Library hence the fast turnaround!
December 9, 2021
What a tear jerker
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews