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DI Jake Sawyer #1
Creepy Crawly
"Just because you don't feel fear, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be afraid."
DI JAKE SAWYER is the brightest star of the Met Police murder squad. Sharp, tough and pathologically fearless.
Now he’s quit the capital and returned to his home town in England’s Peak District, to investigate the savage murder of his mother, thirty years earlier.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in a shallow grave, close to woodland where Sawyer used to play as a child, he’s called in to help decode the killer’s nightmarish methods.
But as the victims stack up and the case takes an unexpected turn, Sawyer must risk his own life to hunt the hunter and save an innocent.
Creepy Crawly is Book One in the DI Jake Sawyer series. Dive in now and discover a new breed of detective, with stories that reveal the dark side of one of England's brightest beauty spots.
Praise for Andrew Lowe:
"Prose that gets under your flesh and into your bones."
"Taut and compelling. Not a wasted word."
"Plot and character perfectly intertwined."
"Keeps you reading through the night."
"Poetic and utterly gripping."
(Amazon reviews).
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2018
1369 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Lowe
15 books55 followersAndrew Lowe was born in the North of England, back when it was okay to play outside and people ate trifle a lot.
He has written for The Guardian and Sunday Times, and contributed to numerous books on film, music, TV, videogames, sex and shin splints.
The Ghost is his first novel.
He has written for The Guardian and Sunday Times, and contributed to numerous books on film, music, TV, videogames, sex and shin splints.
The Ghost is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 11, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up!
It took me a while to get used to the author's writing style but once fully engaged I didn't look back. DI Jake Sawyer is a troubled individual, a fast tracked London detective who suddenly ups and leaves the Metropolitan police and transfers back to where his career began - his boyhood home in the Derbyshire Peak district. He was planning to investigate certain anomalies concerning his deceased mother, who was brutally murdered some thirty years previously. However, as soon as he arrives in Derbyshire he is plunged into a murder case that is threatening to overwhelm the local police. Someone is abducting apparent strangers, burying them alive, filming their final moments and sending copies to the distraught families. This was a dark and disturbing thriller that I just couldn't put down until the final page. It is the start of a series and I cannot wait for the sequels. Highly recommended!
It took me a while to get used to the author's writing style but once fully engaged I didn't look back. DI Jake Sawyer is a troubled individual, a fast tracked London detective who suddenly ups and leaves the Metropolitan police and transfers back to where his career began - his boyhood home in the Derbyshire Peak district. He was planning to investigate certain anomalies concerning his deceased mother, who was brutally murdered some thirty years previously. However, as soon as he arrives in Derbyshire he is plunged into a murder case that is threatening to overwhelm the local police. Someone is abducting apparent strangers, burying them alive, filming their final moments and sending copies to the distraught families. This was a dark and disturbing thriller that I just couldn't put down until the final page. It is the start of a series and I cannot wait for the sequels. Highly recommended!
July 31, 2018
This is a very interesting crime story that uses some scary scenes in telling the story. We meet DI Jake Sawyer, returning to the area he grew up in from a stint with the police force in London. He would like to return to the force here, where he used to be, but is also figuring it is time to deal with his mother's death, as the person in jail for the crime is innocent!
The story is good with some great characters and eventful scenes, as there is a person who has murdered two people that the police are hunting. Jake engages his cop friends, putting himself in place to assist in their search, even though he is not supposed to be starting with their department yet. A young boy, who had been in an accident and met Jake in the hospital, is kidnapped from there by the man behind the murders. Working together Jake and the cops believe that the victims must know each other, and investigate all avenues trying to locate where!
An exciting start to a new series, as the end of the book sets up a great second one! I received this story from Hidden Gems and author Andrew Lowe, both of whom I thank for a great adventure, and I can put my thoughts in this review in hope others may take a chance on this creepy ride...
The story is good with some great characters and eventful scenes, as there is a person who has murdered two people that the police are hunting. Jake engages his cop friends, putting himself in place to assist in their search, even though he is not supposed to be starting with their department yet. A young boy, who had been in an accident and met Jake in the hospital, is kidnapped from there by the man behind the murders. Working together Jake and the cops believe that the victims must know each other, and investigate all avenues trying to locate where!
An exciting start to a new series, as the end of the book sets up a great second one! I received this story from Hidden Gems and author Andrew Lowe, both of whom I thank for a great adventure, and I can put my thoughts in this review in hope others may take a chance on this creepy ride...
July 3, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
The storyline in Creepy Crawly is definitely creepy, the opening scenes are pretty graphic and brutal, as DI Jake returns to his hometown to work a case where victims are being buried alive. I’m not exactly sure what fell flat for me, I didn’t warm to Jake at all, I empathised with him, but I didn’t like him, but I don’t always have to like an mc to be able to enjoy a book, then I struggled a lot to get to grips with the whole host of characters that appear throughout the book. As I say though there’s definitely a strong story, which does merit the 3 🌟 review. I just maybe didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
It also seems like this is another older title to be newly audiofied🎧
I enjoyed Mike Roger’s narration.
Huge thanks to W F Howes Ltd and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
The storyline in Creepy Crawly is definitely creepy, the opening scenes are pretty graphic and brutal, as DI Jake returns to his hometown to work a case where victims are being buried alive. I’m not exactly sure what fell flat for me, I didn’t warm to Jake at all, I empathised with him, but I didn’t like him, but I don’t always have to like an mc to be able to enjoy a book, then I struggled a lot to get to grips with the whole host of characters that appear throughout the book. As I say though there’s definitely a strong story, which does merit the 3 🌟 review. I just maybe didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
It also seems like this is another older title to be newly audiofied🎧
I enjoyed Mike Roger’s narration.
Huge thanks to W F Howes Ltd and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
July 28, 2018
Creepy Crawly starts with an opening scene that is nothing short of chilling. From there, it goes into a rather lengthy description of characters - a lot of characters, including our main character, Jake, who has his own reasons for moving back to his home town. I'll admit I wasn't crazy about Jake, especially in the beginning. He's certainly intelligent, but he also comes across as quite arrogant. As the story progresses, we understand where some of that comes from, but there were still some things about him that put me off. We do have an interesting murder mystery, but it's somewhat bogged down with so many characters, some seemingly completely removed from the case, and some right in the thick of things. Things do slowly start to come together and make sense, and the conclusion is tense and heart-racing. While this particular case is tied up by the book's end, there are still loose ends in Jake's personal life that I'm assuming will be ongoing with the series. In the end, there were things I liked about the story and things that I didn't, leaving me somewhere in the middle. While Jake Sawyer is an interesting character, I am still undecided about whether I'll continue with his journey.
August 22, 2025
A great start to a series! I was hooked pretty much instantly and a bit dismayed when I found that there are plenty of books out, but only this one audiobook!
OK, the 2nd is out now too, but when I listened to this one it wasn't - and the following ones aren't either. I dread thinking of all the waiting I will have to do before the audio production has caught up with the written books.
*sigh* I would really like to binge this series. It feels like my kind of series for that thing. So I guess I will just have to be really, really patient. 😮💨
OK, the 2nd is out now too, but when I listened to this one it wasn't - and the following ones aren't either. I dread thinking of all the waiting I will have to do before the audio production has caught up with the written books.
*sigh* I would really like to binge this series. It feels like my kind of series for that thing. So I guess I will just have to be really, really patient. 😮💨
July 13, 2024
Riveting!
Cleverly written, very funny in places - love the dry humour, also full of suspense, can’t wait to read Book 2!
Cleverly written, very funny in places - love the dry humour, also full of suspense, can’t wait to read Book 2!
July 28, 2018
DI Jake Sawyer is superb in his role of the best at his job. He goes home to investigate his mother’s murder from many years ago. I couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait for the next in this series.
September 10, 2022
3.5 stars. Will give book 2 of the series a go and see if Sawyer grows on me.
July 23, 2024
Got really bored with this book so gave up
May 31, 2025
Just couldn’t get into this one.
July 17, 2021
What a great start to this series! Jake Sawyer is incredibly unique, and it makes this series so different from other Brit detective series. I marathoned all five books and just finished book six. Love them all!
November 7, 2024
It took me a while to get into this book and I almost didn't finish it.
There are a lot of local (British) words that I was not familiar with. Characters were described mainly by their clothing and brief physical description. Also, local areas that meant nothing to me...I had to Google them to see what they looked like and that helped.
The main character (Jake Sawyer) has no sense of fear (from a childhood injury) which provides an interesting twist and puts him in dangerous situations.
The book ends with a "preview" or "teaser" to entice you to read the next in the series. I'm undecided at this point if I will. :-)
There are a lot of local (British) words that I was not familiar with. Characters were described mainly by their clothing and brief physical description. Also, local areas that meant nothing to me...I had to Google them to see what they looked like and that helped.
The main character (Jake Sawyer) has no sense of fear (from a childhood injury) which provides an interesting twist and puts him in dangerous situations.
The book ends with a "preview" or "teaser" to entice you to read the next in the series. I'm undecided at this point if I will. :-)
August 12, 2018
As reviewing goes, there's two strange things happening here. Giving something an ostensibly objective 'star rating', and reviewing something a friend has done. I'll come back to these.
I loved Andy's first book, The Ghost. Was less enamoured of Savages, but enjoyed the shorter stories he released. So I was looking forward to this because, well, it's Andy's latest book.
Well. To cut to the quick, this is a little cracker of a thriller. It made me feel like he was just warming up with previous stuff. That's not to damn it with faint praise - The Ghost is *good* - but Creepy Crawley sounds like an author starting to get into his stride.
There's an economy of writing here that manages to get the balance just right of giving plenty of detail where it is needed without getting bogged dow and supports the action moving the story along at a nice clip of a pace. Never did I feel that I was waiting for the next thing to happen, or didn't getting all the info around what was happening when it did. The result is a tidy little page turner (screen-swiper?).
Well researched (I *learnt* things from reading this book), well presented and grounded nicely in the area it is set. Believable, engaging and downright *entertaining*.
Nicely plotted - Andy introduces an intriguing mix of people, lots of potential links and motives. A couple of times I was second guessing where it was going to go. I was wrong. Both times. I liked that.
So. how many stars? By now you'll have seen I've given it 5. This isn't because I'm putting it up there as some of the greatest literature ever written. But at this time, in this place, written by this chap and for reasons which include some of the things above - it's one of the most enjoyable things I've read this year.
Can't wait for the next. I like dark.
I loved Andy's first book, The Ghost. Was less enamoured of Savages, but enjoyed the shorter stories he released. So I was looking forward to this because, well, it's Andy's latest book.
Well. To cut to the quick, this is a little cracker of a thriller. It made me feel like he was just warming up with previous stuff. That's not to damn it with faint praise - The Ghost is *good* - but Creepy Crawley sounds like an author starting to get into his stride.
There's an economy of writing here that manages to get the balance just right of giving plenty of detail where it is needed without getting bogged dow and supports the action moving the story along at a nice clip of a pace. Never did I feel that I was waiting for the next thing to happen, or didn't getting all the info around what was happening when it did. The result is a tidy little page turner (screen-swiper?).
Well researched (I *learnt* things from reading this book), well presented and grounded nicely in the area it is set. Believable, engaging and downright *entertaining*.
Nicely plotted - Andy introduces an intriguing mix of people, lots of potential links and motives. A couple of times I was second guessing where it was going to go. I was wrong. Both times. I liked that.
So. how many stars? By now you'll have seen I've given it 5. This isn't because I'm putting it up there as some of the greatest literature ever written. But at this time, in this place, written by this chap and for reasons which include some of the things above - it's one of the most enjoyable things I've read this year.
Can't wait for the next. I like dark.
August 8, 2023
I loved this. What a great start to a series and this definitely leaves me wanting more. Jake is a great character, troubled yes, but with a drive for justice both for current victims and also for his mother who was murdered years before. Jake is convinced her convicted killer who is coming up for parole, is innocent. This is an intriguing sidetrack to the main event where someone is abducting and killing people , leaving them in a coffin while filming the whole show.
The story was terrific and Jake is quite a funny droll character, a bit annoying at times but with the cleverness that makes it easy to put up with him. I want to know more about his past especially with Maggie and the relationship with his brother brings out a different side to him. The reveal as to the killer and especially the motive was quite shocking. If this doesn't leave you wanting to read more in the series, I don't know what will.
The story was terrific and Jake is quite a funny droll character, a bit annoying at times but with the cleverness that makes it easy to put up with him. I want to know more about his past especially with Maggie and the relationship with his brother brings out a different side to him. The reveal as to the killer and especially the motive was quite shocking. If this doesn't leave you wanting to read more in the series, I don't know what will.
March 9, 2024
I’m slightly at odds with this one. There are parts of the book that are addictive, fast paced and intriguing and other parts where I felt completely lost and thought I had missed out a few paragraphs. This may be the authors style of writing in which case it takes some getting used to. I did however like the plot and the ending but the jury is still out with the characters. I will probably read the second book just to see how the author progresses.
March 23, 2022
Page turner
Enjoyed the way the different threads come together. And the caving sequence. But, why, oh why, do so many police procedural stories have a cop with a tragedy in the past making a new start with a different force? Well done here and Jake is an engaging character but I do wonder about the endurance of the formula.
Enjoyed the way the different threads come together. And the caving sequence. But, why, oh why, do so many police procedural stories have a cop with a tragedy in the past making a new start with a different force? Well done here and Jake is an engaging character but I do wonder about the endurance of the formula.
June 13, 2023
Twists & Turns
This is a new author for me. Took me quite a few chapters to get use to the writing style. However, when I did, I sank into the story. I like the protagonist, Jake Sawyer. He is interesting, with many layers. Look forward to reading more about him. A good plot. Well worth reading.
This is a new author for me. Took me quite a few chapters to get use to the writing style. However, when I did, I sank into the story. I like the protagonist, Jake Sawyer. He is interesting, with many layers. Look forward to reading more about him. A good plot. Well worth reading.
August 22, 2023
A great start to a new series, not for the faint hearted, this novel isn’t afraid to go to some dark places but it’s well handled and plotted, I enjoyed it enough to download the second one straight away. 4.5* from me
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April 13, 2025Book Review: Creepy Crawly (DI Jake Sawyer #1) by Andrew Lowe
In Creepy Crawly, the first installment in the DI Jake Sawyer series, Andrew Lowe deftly combines gripping detective work with a chilling exploration of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a small English town, this novel introduces readers to DI Jake Sawyer, a seasoned investigator grappling with his own demons while trying to solve a series of disturbing crimes.
Engaging Protagonist
DI Jake Sawyer is a compelling protagonist, characterized by his sharp intellect and a strong sense of justice. He is deeply flawed, battling personal issues that add depth to his character and make him relatable. As readers follow him through the investigation, they witness his vulnerabilities, which humanize him and create a strong emotional connection. Lowe skillfully develops Sawyer’s backstory, giving context to his relentless pursuit of the truth.
Atmospheric Setting
The setting of Creepy Crawly plays a vital role in creating tension and unease. Lowe paints a vivid picture of the small town, highlighting its eerie charm and the secrets that lurk beneath its surface. The atmospheric descriptions contribute to a sense of foreboding that keeps readers on edge. As the plot unfolds, the town itself becomes a character, influencing the investigation and enhancing the overall tension.
Intricate Plot and Pacing
The plot of Creepy Crawly is intricately woven, featuring a series of bizarre and unsettling events that lead to a captivating mystery. Lowe expertly balances clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The pacing is well-crafted, with bursts of action interspersed with moments of reflection, allowing for a buildup of suspense that holds readers’ attention throughout.
Themes of Darkness and Resilience
At its core, Creepy Crawly explores darker themes, including the nature of fear, societal pressures, and the complexity of human relationships. Lowe does not shy away from portraying the gritty realities of crime, which adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Yet, amidst the darkness, there are glimmers of resilience and hope, particularly in Sawyer’s determination to confront the truth, no matter the cost.
Conclusion: A Promising Start to a New Series
DI Jake Sawyer #1: Creepy Crawly is a compelling debut that sets the stage for a thrilling detective series. Andrew Lowe’s ability to craft a tense, atmospheric narrative, coupled with a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist, makes this novel a must-read for fans of crime fiction. As the first book in the series, it successfully hooks readers, leaving them eager for more of Jake Sawyer’s journey.
Overall, Creepy Crawly is a blend of mystery, psychological depth, and engaging storytelling that promises to captivate both seasoned crime fiction enthusiasts and new readers alike. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a gripping tale that delves into the darker side of human nature.
In Creepy Crawly, the first installment in the DI Jake Sawyer series, Andrew Lowe deftly combines gripping detective work with a chilling exploration of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a small English town, this novel introduces readers to DI Jake Sawyer, a seasoned investigator grappling with his own demons while trying to solve a series of disturbing crimes.
Engaging Protagonist
DI Jake Sawyer is a compelling protagonist, characterized by his sharp intellect and a strong sense of justice. He is deeply flawed, battling personal issues that add depth to his character and make him relatable. As readers follow him through the investigation, they witness his vulnerabilities, which humanize him and create a strong emotional connection. Lowe skillfully develops Sawyer’s backstory, giving context to his relentless pursuit of the truth.
Atmospheric Setting
The setting of Creepy Crawly plays a vital role in creating tension and unease. Lowe paints a vivid picture of the small town, highlighting its eerie charm and the secrets that lurk beneath its surface. The atmospheric descriptions contribute to a sense of foreboding that keeps readers on edge. As the plot unfolds, the town itself becomes a character, influencing the investigation and enhancing the overall tension.
Intricate Plot and Pacing
The plot of Creepy Crawly is intricately woven, featuring a series of bizarre and unsettling events that lead to a captivating mystery. Lowe expertly balances clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The pacing is well-crafted, with bursts of action interspersed with moments of reflection, allowing for a buildup of suspense that holds readers’ attention throughout.
Themes of Darkness and Resilience
At its core, Creepy Crawly explores darker themes, including the nature of fear, societal pressures, and the complexity of human relationships. Lowe does not shy away from portraying the gritty realities of crime, which adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Yet, amidst the darkness, there are glimmers of resilience and hope, particularly in Sawyer’s determination to confront the truth, no matter the cost.
Conclusion: A Promising Start to a New Series
DI Jake Sawyer #1: Creepy Crawly is a compelling debut that sets the stage for a thrilling detective series. Andrew Lowe’s ability to craft a tense, atmospheric narrative, coupled with a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist, makes this novel a must-read for fans of crime fiction. As the first book in the series, it successfully hooks readers, leaving them eager for more of Jake Sawyer’s journey.
Overall, Creepy Crawly is a blend of mystery, psychological depth, and engaging storytelling that promises to captivate both seasoned crime fiction enthusiasts and new readers alike. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a gripping tale that delves into the darker side of human nature.
July 29, 2018
This is a crime story, with Detective Inspector Jake Sawyer having recently left the MET in London, possibly under some sort of shadow, to come back to where he had been brought up, in the Peak District. He was supposed to be taking a few weeks holidays before he started his new job and visit his dad and brother, Michael. He is still obsessed with the murder of his mother and is still trying to investigate the case. Jake doesn’t feel any kind of fear – but this is due to the damage he received in the attack that killed his mother. Michael hasn’t coped well at all and can’t live independently.
A teenage boy’s body is found in the woodlands, having been buried in a shallow grave. Due to his knowledge of the area, he is asked back in to work early. This is not the first case and more victims pile up – there could be a serial killer working in this quiet holiday area. Jake has to find out what is the killers motive, why is he killing in this manner and to try and stop more people being killed.
The story takes a very different twist, just over halfway through the book, when an innocent is taken and Jake has to put his life on the line to save this innocent. There are other little side plots going on at the same time and you could get a little lost before the action picks up and ramps up to a conclusion. Creepy Crawly is an apt description for parts of this book and areas to be searched bring to mind a recent international rescue. Not that this is a comparison in any way, but I just couldn’t help think about it.
Jake is not a normal copper (police officer/cop) and seems to be able to get into suspects minds fairly well and has learnt to listen to his gut quite a bit. What he actually does, may not be exactly factually or allowable by some in real life police work, but hey, this is a work of fiction, so the more unusual and quirky the character can be, all the better and more interesting to read. After the first hook into the book, it did slow down a bit, but this is book one of what is obviously meant to be a series with Jake as the main character, dealing with different cases each time.
It gets more involved and starts to ramp up the main action later in the book and while some have said parts seem to be unnecessary, perhaps they will make sense in future books in the series, yet to come. An intriguing main character and I can see this series taking off once more books are added. An interesting and easy read. I received an ARC copy of the book from Hidden Gems and I have given my own opinion of the book above.
A teenage boy’s body is found in the woodlands, having been buried in a shallow grave. Due to his knowledge of the area, he is asked back in to work early. This is not the first case and more victims pile up – there could be a serial killer working in this quiet holiday area. Jake has to find out what is the killers motive, why is he killing in this manner and to try and stop more people being killed.
The story takes a very different twist, just over halfway through the book, when an innocent is taken and Jake has to put his life on the line to save this innocent. There are other little side plots going on at the same time and you could get a little lost before the action picks up and ramps up to a conclusion. Creepy Crawly is an apt description for parts of this book and areas to be searched bring to mind a recent international rescue. Not that this is a comparison in any way, but I just couldn’t help think about it.
Jake is not a normal copper (police officer/cop) and seems to be able to get into suspects minds fairly well and has learnt to listen to his gut quite a bit. What he actually does, may not be exactly factually or allowable by some in real life police work, but hey, this is a work of fiction, so the more unusual and quirky the character can be, all the better and more interesting to read. After the first hook into the book, it did slow down a bit, but this is book one of what is obviously meant to be a series with Jake as the main character, dealing with different cases each time.
It gets more involved and starts to ramp up the main action later in the book and while some have said parts seem to be unnecessary, perhaps they will make sense in future books in the series, yet to come. An intriguing main character and I can see this series taking off once more books are added. An interesting and easy read. I received an ARC copy of the book from Hidden Gems and I have given my own opinion of the book above.
May 28, 2025
Although following a trusted formula this crime thriller is a cut above the average. Jake Sawyer is a DI with obligatory baggage from his past, including a rare condition which makes him immune to fear. Other than his sidekick Shepherd his police colleagues are no more than background characters compared with some similar works. The murders are particularly novel and scary and one fears for the young lad taken by the suspect and pursued by Sawyer. The Peak District is the location and it is well portrayed. The writing is crisp, the plot straightforward without too many sideshows and complications, a nice change. An interesting diversion is the stage psychic whose remote viewing skills are exposed to be fraudulent. I wonder if the author will, during the series, play with this again - police forces have used psychics with success though they won't admit as much. All in all an entertaining read and I'm certainly moving on to #2.
July 10, 2025
Creepy Crawly was a great read—dark, clever, and unsettling in all the right ways. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator really made it memorable, capturing the tension and pace perfectly while bringing each character to life.
The plot hooked me straight away. It follows a chilling series of events with a genuinely creepy atmosphere that builds slowly but steadily. The writing is sharp, and I appreciated the way the tension was layered without relying on obvious twists. Characters felt believable and flawed, which only added to the realism and made the more disturbing moments hit harder.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with an edge of the unexpected and a slightly sinister undercurrent, this one’s definitely worth picking up. A solid four stars from me—and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Andrew Lowe.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.
The plot hooked me straight away. It follows a chilling series of events with a genuinely creepy atmosphere that builds slowly but steadily. The writing is sharp, and I appreciated the way the tension was layered without relying on obvious twists. Characters felt believable and flawed, which only added to the realism and made the more disturbing moments hit harder.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with an edge of the unexpected and a slightly sinister undercurrent, this one’s definitely worth picking up. A solid four stars from me—and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Andrew Lowe.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.
July 16, 2025
This book has often appeared in my social feeds, but I primarily 'read' audiobooks and this one was not available ...... until now!
The premise of this book made me eager to listen and it didn't disappoint. This is a very dark and disturbing thriller right from the start. The storyline is strong and the characters are interesting. I disliked Jake Sawyer to begin with but I thawed as the book progressed. His backstory is certainly interesting and explains why he is the way he is. I did find the pacing of the book a bit off. There were parts that were really fast paced and then things slowed down and there was quite a bit of padding. This is the reason for 4* and not 5. I am looking forward to listening to Book 2 when it is released on Audible, especially after that cliffhanger at the end of this one!
I enjoyed the narration by Mike Rogers.
The premise of this book made me eager to listen and it didn't disappoint. This is a very dark and disturbing thriller right from the start. The storyline is strong and the characters are interesting. I disliked Jake Sawyer to begin with but I thawed as the book progressed. His backstory is certainly interesting and explains why he is the way he is. I did find the pacing of the book a bit off. There were parts that were really fast paced and then things slowed down and there was quite a bit of padding. This is the reason for 4* and not 5. I am looking forward to listening to Book 2 when it is released on Audible, especially after that cliffhanger at the end of this one!
I enjoyed the narration by Mike Rogers.
October 26, 2024
I wasn't sure about this to begin with as it took a while to get going. There are a lot of characters and I took a while to get them straight in my head. I'm glad I stuck with it as it turned out to be a pretty good thriller.
*****************************
"Just because you don't feel fear, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be afraid."
DI JAKE SAWYER is the brightest star of the Met Police murder squad. Sharp, tough and pathologically fearless.
Now he’s quit the capital and returned to his home town in England’s Peak District, to investigate the savage murder of his mother, thirty years earlier.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in a shallow grave, close to woodland where Sawyer used to play as a child, he’s called in to help decode the killer’s nightmarish methods.
But as the victims stack up and the case takes an unexpected turn, Sawyer must risk his own life to hunt the hunter and save an innocent.
*****************************
"Just because you don't feel fear, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be afraid."
DI JAKE SAWYER is the brightest star of the Met Police murder squad. Sharp, tough and pathologically fearless.
Now he’s quit the capital and returned to his home town in England’s Peak District, to investigate the savage murder of his mother, thirty years earlier.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in a shallow grave, close to woodland where Sawyer used to play as a child, he’s called in to help decode the killer’s nightmarish methods.
But as the victims stack up and the case takes an unexpected turn, Sawyer must risk his own life to hunt the hunter and save an innocent.
July 17, 2025
First of all this was a NetGalley Audiobook I was fortunate to get.
However, bearing in mind these are the kind of detective mystery novels I usually really like, I have found this a real struggle.
First of all the narration by Mike Rogers wasn’t bad considering how much there was to read.
I felt overall that the story was far too descriptive, so much so that I often felt I loathe the focus of the plot!!
The main character is very likeable and I was able to picture this confident quirky detective who has personal issues to resolve ( don’t they all)
However the story was just so over detailed for a very basic story of revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book, unfortunately it was way off the mark for me.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up!
However, bearing in mind these are the kind of detective mystery novels I usually really like, I have found this a real struggle.
First of all the narration by Mike Rogers wasn’t bad considering how much there was to read.
I felt overall that the story was far too descriptive, so much so that I often felt I loathe the focus of the plot!!
The main character is very likeable and I was able to picture this confident quirky detective who has personal issues to resolve ( don’t they all)
However the story was just so over detailed for a very basic story of revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book, unfortunately it was way off the mark for me.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up!
March 23, 2020
Former London hotshot DI Jake Snyder returns to his home to police and to finally discover the truth behind his mother's brutal tragic murder. Hei s quickly involved in an investigation where a killer is burying his victims alive and sending videos of their final moments to their families. And when a supposed psychic demonstrates his skills in a structured university environment, doubts still linger.
This was an interesting book There are a lot of characters and backstories, too many actually. The serial killer plot connects some of them, I did like Jake and will be interested in seeing his storylines develop. Not a bad mystery but character heavy and not quite as quick as it could be.
This was an interesting book There are a lot of characters and backstories, too many actually. The serial killer plot connects some of them, I did like Jake and will be interested in seeing his storylines develop. Not a bad mystery but character heavy and not quite as quick as it could be.
July 17, 2025
Creepy Crawly by Andrew Lowe
Narrated by Mike Rogers
Publication Date 3rd July 2025
Thank you to @andylowe99 @netgalley and @wfhowes for this audiobook.
I just finished this book tonight. I loved it. The narrator was really good, played so many characters and nailed the various accents, you would think it was more than one person narrating. I loved Jake Sawyer and can’t wait to read more of him, especially after that ending!!!! (No spoilers, I promise). This would make a great tv series! If you love a detective series, with a horrendous murder or two, then this is for you. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrated by Mike Rogers
Publication Date 3rd July 2025
Thank you to @andylowe99 @netgalley and @wfhowes for this audiobook.
I just finished this book tonight. I loved it. The narrator was really good, played so many characters and nailed the various accents, you would think it was more than one person narrating. I loved Jake Sawyer and can’t wait to read more of him, especially after that ending!!!! (No spoilers, I promise). This would make a great tv series! If you love a detective series, with a horrendous murder or two, then this is for you. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 28, 2018
3.5 Grabs you from the very beginning in scary Hitchcock way. Then the world building begins with way to many characters. I like detective Jake. Unfortunately every person I met there after had a love hate relationship with him. I got lost a couple if times but didn't give up as I wanted to find out how all the threads tied together. I would have been happier if this was in two books so I could savor the plot. I will try book 2 as I am sure it will get better. Thank you Hidden Gem for the opportunity to read this. I voluntarily leave this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
August 19, 2018
Provided with a free ARC for an honest review. Very good police procedural, even though it seemed to drag just a little at times. Characters are well written and I particularly like Sawyer and would like to read more about him. The plot involves a very creepy serial killer as well as Sawyer's own tragic past. There is some UK colloquializms, which I found confusing at times, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. Although the case is solved in the end, there is a bit of a cliffhanger regarding Sawyer's past. Looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended.
March 27, 2024
Not a book for me.
I must have been reading a different book to some of the people who have reviewed this. I found it very slow, far too much unnecessary waffle, descriptive txt. I nearly gave up a number of times, but kept going as I wanted to know who the killer was, I just skim read until I got to important parts of the story. The last quarter of the book was good, hence the 3 stars, but it was a long, slow, laborious read to get there. I won't be reading any more, I just can't waste my precious reading time.
I must have been reading a different book to some of the people who have reviewed this. I found it very slow, far too much unnecessary waffle, descriptive txt. I nearly gave up a number of times, but kept going as I wanted to know who the killer was, I just skim read until I got to important parts of the story. The last quarter of the book was good, hence the 3 stars, but it was a long, slow, laborious read to get there. I won't be reading any more, I just can't waste my precious reading time.
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