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DCI Sophie Allen #7
Shadow Crimes
Looking for a gripping mystery by a best-selling author? Full of twists and turns, this crime thriller will keep you turning the pages until the emotional conclusion.
DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN IS BACK TO SOLVE HER TOUGHEST CASE
An undercover detective disappears.
A retired prison guard is found dead.
Drugs and contraband phones are out of control in the local prisons. How are they getting in?
Can Detective Sophie Allen discover the links between these crimes?
AND WILL SHE FIND THE MISSING DETECTIVE BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT?
A shadowy group with more influence than anyone suspected will stop at nothing to protect themselves.
Discover the truth in this enthralling crime mystery.
If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.
SHADOW CRIMES is book seven of a new series of crime thrillers featuring Sophie Allen, head of the Violent Crime Unit in Dorset.
THE DETECTIVES
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
THE SETTING
Dorset. A beautiful English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY SERIES NOW
DETECTIVE SOPHIE ALLEN IS BACK TO SOLVE HER TOUGHEST CASE
An undercover detective disappears.
A retired prison guard is found dead.
Drugs and contraband phones are out of control in the local prisons. How are they getting in?
Can Detective Sophie Allen discover the links between these crimes?
AND WILL SHE FIND THE MISSING DETECTIVE BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT?
A shadowy group with more influence than anyone suspected will stop at nothing to protect themselves.
Discover the truth in this enthralling crime mystery.
If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.
SHADOW CRIMES is book seven of a new series of crime thrillers featuring Sophie Allen, head of the Violent Crime Unit in Dorset.
THE DETECTIVES
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
THE SETTING
Dorset. A beautiful English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY SERIES NOW
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2018
880 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 24, 2018
Two sets of police teams ... two sets of crimes.
Sophie Allen heads up a team that is investigating the death of a retired prison guard. According to his wife, he had been ill for quite awhile. But what Sophie finds is a wife who doesn't seem to sad about hr husband's death and something that tells them he was living far above his means.
Meanwhile, an undercover policewoman has disappeared ... one who has a tie to the prison guard. Connected in any way?
And then there's the case of drugs and phones being smuggled into the local prisons. IS this all connected or just a coincidence? Sophie doesn't believe in circumstance ....
A shadowy group with more influence than anyone suspected will stop at nothing to protect themselves. But who are they ... and how high do they go. Can Sophie trust the very police that she works with?
This is an action-packed page-turner that will keep the reader engaged and enthralled. Never a dull moment when Sophie is on the job. She's a cracker-jack copper with a brilliant mind and what she wants more than anything is justice for the victims.
Although this is the 7th book in this series, SHADOW CRIMES does well as a stand alone. I highly recommend starting at the beginning .. Sophie and her team are terrific series characters.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley / Books n All Promotions / Jill Burkenshaw for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 23, 2018
DS Sophie Allan has been looking for a connection between a missing detective and the death of a former prison officer. The prison officer was involved in dodgy dealings. Items were being smuggled into the prison. Sophie was determined to get to the bottom of these cases.
Two separate cases that are related. I like Sophie. If I ever had to deal with the police, I would like an officer like her to deal with me. There are the usual twists in this well written book. I like Michael Hambling style in writing which just seems to flow off the page. The characters and plot line are believable. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Michael Hambling for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Two separate cases that are related. I like Sophie. If I ever had to deal with the police, I would like an officer like her to deal with me. There are the usual twists in this well written book. I like Michael Hambling style in writing which just seems to flow off the page. The characters and plot line are believable. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Michael Hambling for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2019
Now that's EXACTLY how a crime procedural should be written!! Riveting, well scripted, excellently written and with characters you can feel invested in - those you love and those that you'd really like to see dead.
I have read one other book by the author but for the life of me I don't know why I didn't start with the first of the series. I've rectified that by downloading a box set! You can always tell how good a book really is by how drawn in you are - and Shadow Crimes drew me in so completely that I put down all the other books I was reading just to finish this one.
I have read one other book by the author but for the life of me I don't know why I didn't start with the first of the series. I've rectified that by downloading a box set! You can always tell how good a book really is by how drawn in you are - and Shadow Crimes drew me in so completely that I put down all the other books I was reading just to finish this one.
October 29, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Shadow Crimes, the seventh novel to feature Superintendent Sophie Allen of the Dorset Police.
When former prison officer Tony Quigley is found dead it is soon confirmed as murder. In the meantime DS Lydia Pillay is investigating an increase in smuggling at the local prisons and discovers that her contact, DC Andrea Ford, has gone missing. It doesn’t take the team long to realise that these events are linked and suspect that something more serious lies behind it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shadow Crimes, as I have all the previous novels in the series, and it held my attention from start to finish, so much that I read it in one sitting. I love the format which is a straightforward third person narrative told mostly, in various voices, from the investigative perspective. It keeps the reader guessing at what will come and gives the twists more of an impact as there is little prior information about them. I equally love the format of the procedural where the investigative team starts with a few disparate pieces of information or events and slowly narrows in on a solution. It works well in this novel with each team member playing to their strengths to build a cohesive, logical case. There are plenty of twists and action along the way to hold the reader enthralled and itching to know what will come next.
I like the newly promoted Superintendent Sophie Allen. She is a breath of fresh air in comparison with the jaded detectives we normally meet. She has no quirks apart from a healthy like of cask ale and has a happy home life, and, as a result, she is an upbeat character with a can do attitude. She works with a like minded team so it’s a pleasure to immerse yourself in their world.
Shadow Crimes is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When former prison officer Tony Quigley is found dead it is soon confirmed as murder. In the meantime DS Lydia Pillay is investigating an increase in smuggling at the local prisons and discovers that her contact, DC Andrea Ford, has gone missing. It doesn’t take the team long to realise that these events are linked and suspect that something more serious lies behind it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shadow Crimes, as I have all the previous novels in the series, and it held my attention from start to finish, so much that I read it in one sitting. I love the format which is a straightforward third person narrative told mostly, in various voices, from the investigative perspective. It keeps the reader guessing at what will come and gives the twists more of an impact as there is little prior information about them. I equally love the format of the procedural where the investigative team starts with a few disparate pieces of information or events and slowly narrows in on a solution. It works well in this novel with each team member playing to their strengths to build a cohesive, logical case. There are plenty of twists and action along the way to hold the reader enthralled and itching to know what will come next.
I like the newly promoted Superintendent Sophie Allen. She is a breath of fresh air in comparison with the jaded detectives we normally meet. She has no quirks apart from a healthy like of cask ale and has a happy home life, and, as a result, she is an upbeat character with a can do attitude. She works with a like minded team so it’s a pleasure to immerse yourself in their world.
Shadow Crimes is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
October 30, 2018
This is book 7 but the books work perfectly as stand alone.
Sophie Allen has been promoted to Detective Superintendent and is still getting used to her new powers when a new case lands on her desk that sees her working once again with Lydia a colleague from her past.
This is a complicated case with prison smuggling becoming entangled with racial hatred and murder that strikes very close to home for the teams when one of their own goes missing.
It is a fast-paced story with many twists and turns as the 2 teams and 2 cases struggle to find a way forward. If you like the detective investigative side of crime fiction you will love this book as we follow the teams as they pick their way through the few clues they have to find a way forward. It isnt until the end that the clues become leads and all the strands start to knit together.
The characters are complex and realistic I particularly like the part played by Danny and his family and overall the compassionate way the scenes were set.
A gripping read that keeps the readers interest all the way through.
Sophie Allen has been promoted to Detective Superintendent and is still getting used to her new powers when a new case lands on her desk that sees her working once again with Lydia a colleague from her past.
This is a complicated case with prison smuggling becoming entangled with racial hatred and murder that strikes very close to home for the teams when one of their own goes missing.
It is a fast-paced story with many twists and turns as the 2 teams and 2 cases struggle to find a way forward. If you like the detective investigative side of crime fiction you will love this book as we follow the teams as they pick their way through the few clues they have to find a way forward. It isnt until the end that the clues become leads and all the strands start to knit together.
The characters are complex and realistic I particularly like the part played by Danny and his family and overall the compassionate way the scenes were set.
A gripping read that keeps the readers interest all the way through.
October 21, 2018
3 stars
Detective Sophie Allen is looking for a connection between a missing detective and the death of a former (now retired), prison guard. Items are being smuggled into the prisons. How is this happening? Is it connected with the previous events?
This book is a little confused. There seem to be facts included that were superfluous to the story line. While Sophie Allen was a good character and the idea of the story was good also, I didn’t get the sense that the author was going anywhere with the book. I liked the previous books by Michael Hambling and I am not sure what happened with this one.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe books for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and enjoy.
Detective Sophie Allen is looking for a connection between a missing detective and the death of a former (now retired), prison guard. Items are being smuggled into the prisons. How is this happening? Is it connected with the previous events?
This book is a little confused. There seem to be facts included that were superfluous to the story line. While Sophie Allen was a good character and the idea of the story was good also, I didn’t get the sense that the author was going anywhere with the book. I liked the previous books by Michael Hambling and I am not sure what happened with this one.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe books for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and enjoy.
June 14, 2023
I read this book in a day
August 20, 2019
Not sure if there will be more Sophie Allen books but I have enjoyed the series so far.
October 29, 2018
This is only the second Michael Hambling book I have read but I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the first one. In Dorset, a retired prison officer is found dead, although his wife insists he had been ill for a long time. They had had a very good life together, so good that the police wonder how he managed to pay for it all on his salary. Then a woman police detective goes missing and there is a race to see if they can find her before she is murdered.
Sophie Allen is the detective in charge of the case with her Sergeant Barry Marsh. They are trying to do away with the amount of smuggling of drugs and mobile phones into the prisons in their area which is leading to many problems for the prison staff. The police know that some of the staff are guilty of 'turning a blind eye' and are possibly being paid for this blindness but they have to tread carefully. When one of Sophie's team realises that the smuggling is being organised by one person and probably affects prisons outside their area, Sophie knows that they have to get to the bottom of the matter and find the brains behind the huge operation.
The story is riveting and the writing style is such that the reader cannot put the book down. I was enthralled from the first page and would recommend to all lovers of police procedural books.
Sophie Allen is the detective in charge of the case with her Sergeant Barry Marsh. They are trying to do away with the amount of smuggling of drugs and mobile phones into the prisons in their area which is leading to many problems for the prison staff. The police know that some of the staff are guilty of 'turning a blind eye' and are possibly being paid for this blindness but they have to tread carefully. When one of Sophie's team realises that the smuggling is being organised by one person and probably affects prisons outside their area, Sophie knows that they have to get to the bottom of the matter and find the brains behind the huge operation.
The story is riveting and the writing style is such that the reader cannot put the book down. I was enthralled from the first page and would recommend to all lovers of police procedural books.
October 21, 2018
Unfortunately, this is an example of a very good plot and very good language being ruined by to much unimportant stuff, too many characters and some bad details. For instance: Some fishermen find a dead body; why do I need to know their relation and what kind of fish they caught? And how can you tell from a crushed finger how many people held a victim down?
This book is for those who just want an easy read to waste some time.
This book is for those who just want an easy read to waste some time.
October 30, 2018
It wasn’t so very long ago that I had the pleasure of reading the Sophie Allen series for the first time. I have read and loved each and every book in the series. I devour each new book as it is released. I have been very impatiently waiting for book seven in the series but ladies and gents, the wait is now over because ‘Shadow Crimes’ was released on 23rd October 2018. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and dive straight in. ‘Shadow Crimes’ was so worth the wait and I absolutely loved it but more about that in a bit.
DCI, now Detective Superintendent Sophie Allen has to be one of my favourite female lead characters. She’s strong, she’s feisty. she’s determined, she’s stubborn, she has a stable sort of family life and she has a cracking sense of humour. Sophie sounds like a lovely person to work with. She takes on her fair share of the workload and she wouldn’t ask you to do anything that she wouldn’t do herself. Sophie is loyal to her colleagues and Sophie has your back. If something doesn’t seem right to her then she won’t hesitate to scratch the itch so to speak and she will investigate until her curiosity has been satisfied and the matter has been fully investigated. Sophie has a knack of getting to the truth and making sure that the guilty party pays for their crimes. This latest case certainly keeps Detective Superintendent Allen out of mischief and gives her a lot to think about.
Oh my giddy aunt, ‘Shadow Crimes’ is another fantastic read from Michael Hambling. I was hooked from the first word on the first page and reading the book felt like reuniting with old friends. Reading ‘Shadow Crimes’ became a serious addiction. I couldn’t get enough of the book and I just couldn’t put the book down. It wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me. If I had to put the book down then I was counting down the time until I could pick the book up again. I begrudged having to break off from reading, which did not go down well with my two dogs. The book is written in such a way that the story jumps off the page and seems to come to life. I know that this is a work of fiction but if I consider a book to be well written, I tend to ‘live’ the story and I also feel part of the story. Reading ‘Shadow Crimes’ was much like being on a slightly scary and very unpredictable rollercoaster ride with twists and turns aplenty. In fact there were more twists and turns in this book than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I have to say that this book certainly kept me guessing. I would smugly think that I had worked out who was the murderer, only to realise that I had the wrong end of the stick entirely and it was actually somebody else.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved reading ‘Shadow Crimes’. I wholeheartedly recommend this author and his books to other readers. The only problem now is that I have to wait a while for the next book to be released. The score on the Ginger Book Geek is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
DCI, now Detective Superintendent Sophie Allen has to be one of my favourite female lead characters. She’s strong, she’s feisty. she’s determined, she’s stubborn, she has a stable sort of family life and she has a cracking sense of humour. Sophie sounds like a lovely person to work with. She takes on her fair share of the workload and she wouldn’t ask you to do anything that she wouldn’t do herself. Sophie is loyal to her colleagues and Sophie has your back. If something doesn’t seem right to her then she won’t hesitate to scratch the itch so to speak and she will investigate until her curiosity has been satisfied and the matter has been fully investigated. Sophie has a knack of getting to the truth and making sure that the guilty party pays for their crimes. This latest case certainly keeps Detective Superintendent Allen out of mischief and gives her a lot to think about.
Oh my giddy aunt, ‘Shadow Crimes’ is another fantastic read from Michael Hambling. I was hooked from the first word on the first page and reading the book felt like reuniting with old friends. Reading ‘Shadow Crimes’ became a serious addiction. I couldn’t get enough of the book and I just couldn’t put the book down. It wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me. If I had to put the book down then I was counting down the time until I could pick the book up again. I begrudged having to break off from reading, which did not go down well with my two dogs. The book is written in such a way that the story jumps off the page and seems to come to life. I know that this is a work of fiction but if I consider a book to be well written, I tend to ‘live’ the story and I also feel part of the story. Reading ‘Shadow Crimes’ was much like being on a slightly scary and very unpredictable rollercoaster ride with twists and turns aplenty. In fact there were more twists and turns in this book than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I have to say that this book certainly kept me guessing. I would smugly think that I had worked out who was the murderer, only to realise that I had the wrong end of the stick entirely and it was actually somebody else.
I absolutely loved, loved, loved reading ‘Shadow Crimes’. I wholeheartedly recommend this author and his books to other readers. The only problem now is that I have to wait a while for the next book to be released. The score on the Ginger Book Geek is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
September 4, 2020
SPOILER ALERT
This installment of the series involves the combined investigation into prison smuggling. Drugs, mini cellphones and dozens of other items are being smuggled into the prison system, and the reduced manpower and resources have reduced the capability of the system to get a handle on it. DS Lydia Pillay believes that it is widespread problem, not just in Portland Prison and Guys Marsh Prison. The various leadership of the counties involved get together and pool their intelligence, including DC Jimmy Melson, DE Kevin McGreedie, DCS Matt Silver, Asst Commissioner Jim Metcalf, DC Rae Gregson, DS Barry Marsh, Sgt Rose Simons and PC George Warrander, Ameera Khan, Senior IT Tech to name a few. DC Andrea Ford appears to be involved in the criminal side and her DCId, Bruce Pitman, who had had an affair with her has let her have free rein in her job. The group is unclear if there are other CID officers involved.
There are some very scary white supremacist gang members who have threatened police and citizens who are believed to be involved. Some of these men appear to have been together in the Army before being discharged. They are Liam Fenners, Tonto Leary and Bill Mapps. An accountant Simon Osman is also suspected as he was the last to see the now missing Ford.
As the police step up their search for various men and the means for getting the supplies and then smuggling them in, several of the players are killed. Tony Quigley, Fenners and Ford. Fenners and his wife die in a fire that his son Danny and daughter Kerry barely escape. Danny has seen some of the men who came to the house. He has Asperger's and plays the saxophone. Lydia is pursued and beaten by Leary, nearly losing her life. The police take others into custody and let them know they could be next. Eventually one of them confesses and the head of the gang, Osman, who had been a major in the Army with some of the others is captured.
This installment of the series involves the combined investigation into prison smuggling. Drugs, mini cellphones and dozens of other items are being smuggled into the prison system, and the reduced manpower and resources have reduced the capability of the system to get a handle on it. DS Lydia Pillay believes that it is widespread problem, not just in Portland Prison and Guys Marsh Prison. The various leadership of the counties involved get together and pool their intelligence, including DC Jimmy Melson, DE Kevin McGreedie, DCS Matt Silver, Asst Commissioner Jim Metcalf, DC Rae Gregson, DS Barry Marsh, Sgt Rose Simons and PC George Warrander, Ameera Khan, Senior IT Tech to name a few. DC Andrea Ford appears to be involved in the criminal side and her DCId, Bruce Pitman, who had had an affair with her has let her have free rein in her job. The group is unclear if there are other CID officers involved.
There are some very scary white supremacist gang members who have threatened police and citizens who are believed to be involved. Some of these men appear to have been together in the Army before being discharged. They are Liam Fenners, Tonto Leary and Bill Mapps. An accountant Simon Osman is also suspected as he was the last to see the now missing Ford.
As the police step up their search for various men and the means for getting the supplies and then smuggling them in, several of the players are killed. Tony Quigley, Fenners and Ford. Fenners and his wife die in a fire that his son Danny and daughter Kerry barely escape. Danny has seen some of the men who came to the house. He has Asperger's and plays the saxophone. Lydia is pursued and beaten by Leary, nearly losing her life. The police take others into custody and let them know they could be next. Eventually one of them confesses and the head of the gang, Osman, who had been a major in the Army with some of the others is captured.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
A man is found dead by his wife. Although a bit of a shock she isn’t really that surprised as he had been ill for quite a while. When she calls the police, one or two things arouse their suspicions and it looks like murder. The victim was a prison officer. Another team is investigating the smuggling of phone and drugs into local prisons, something which is happening nationwide. When a member of their own team gets involved in the wrong way things get rather serious. Could the two cases be connected? DCI Sophie Allen is on the case- a likeable character with a sense of humour. Set in Dorset this is number seven in the series but will happily stand alone. If you like the books of Joy Ellis and Faith Martin then this series could be for you. Characters you take to and a nice easy read with nothing too much to give you nightmares or to put you off your dinner. Teamwork and in this case two wonderful female leads. A good solid plot line and some humour make this a very enjoyable read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
November 2, 2018
Sophie Allen recently promoted to DCI has no intention of being a desk jockey and in Shadow Crimes we find her investigating the death of a retired prison officer and the disappearance of DS Andrea Ford.
Sophies old DS, Lydia Pillay, had been due to meet DS Ford and an informant regarding the smuggling of mobile phones, drugs etc into prisons. She arrives at the meet to find herself in a pub used by a racist group, DS Ford is a no show.
When her body is washed ashore with obvious signs that she was tortured, prior to being thrown into the sea, Sophie and her team have to pull out all the stops and what they turn up indicates a connection between the racist group, the smuggling and the murder of DS Ford.
As the case unfolds there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing, then presented with all the facts Sophie and her team have discovered the truth is finally revealed.
This is an excellent police procedural with a solid plot and a cast of characters that have become firm favourites.
Although you could read this as a standalone I`d definitely recommend reading all the books in the series, I know I`m glad I did.
Thanks to Joffe books for the chance to read this as an ARC.
Sophies old DS, Lydia Pillay, had been due to meet DS Ford and an informant regarding the smuggling of mobile phones, drugs etc into prisons. She arrives at the meet to find herself in a pub used by a racist group, DS Ford is a no show.
When her body is washed ashore with obvious signs that she was tortured, prior to being thrown into the sea, Sophie and her team have to pull out all the stops and what they turn up indicates a connection between the racist group, the smuggling and the murder of DS Ford.
As the case unfolds there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing, then presented with all the facts Sophie and her team have discovered the truth is finally revealed.
This is an excellent police procedural with a solid plot and a cast of characters that have become firm favourites.
Although you could read this as a standalone I`d definitely recommend reading all the books in the series, I know I`m glad I did.
Thanks to Joffe books for the chance to read this as an ARC.
July 13, 2021
The Sophie Allen series is one of my favourites. Not only is she a charismatic character, the stories are highly original and well-written, providing intriguing murder mysteries. The backstory and relationships are first rate, helping to build the characters, add humour to the novels, and give rounded stories that live long in the memory.
Shadow Crimes is no exception with another story that starts out with a murder and soon develops a number of strands that stretch the team in different directions. And with every step forward, there’s the feeling that someone powerful is pulling strings and interfering with the investigation.
But Sophie Allen has proved in the past that she’s more than adept at dealing with the bigger issues. Determined and single minded, she’s a formidable investigator, pulling all the strands together for an exciting twisting climax to yet another breath taking story in the series.
If you’ve never read the series, you should start with the first book and enjoy the development of the characters and teams as they investigate some of the most difficult murders you’re likely to come across.
Shadow Crimes is no exception with another story that starts out with a murder and soon develops a number of strands that stretch the team in different directions. And with every step forward, there’s the feeling that someone powerful is pulling strings and interfering with the investigation.
But Sophie Allen has proved in the past that she’s more than adept at dealing with the bigger issues. Determined and single minded, she’s a formidable investigator, pulling all the strands together for an exciting twisting climax to yet another breath taking story in the series.
If you’ve never read the series, you should start with the first book and enjoy the development of the characters and teams as they investigate some of the most difficult murders you’re likely to come across.
October 26, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable book. Sophie Allen may have been promoted to, what should be, a desk job, but it hasn't stopped her from getting down and dirty with her staff. She definitely leads from the front. After the disappearance of a plicewoman leads into an ongoing enquiry she's determined to bring everyone necessary to justice, including the elusive brain behind the scheme.
Loved it - but there again - I've enjoyed all Michael Hambling books that I've read.
Loved it - but there again - I've enjoyed all Michael Hambling books that I've read.
December 25, 2018
Enjoyable
An interesting and topical book about the drugs swamping English prisons. Like the other books in the series it is based in the lovely county of Dorset and there is a sense of place throughout - Dorchester and the coast of Portland feature as key locations. The main roles are divided between several characters and I wonder if the reader is being prepared for changes to come
An interesting and topical book about the drugs swamping English prisons. Like the other books in the series it is based in the lovely county of Dorset and there is a sense of place throughout - Dorchester and the coast of Portland feature as key locations. The main roles are divided between several characters and I wonder if the reader is being prepared for changes to come
February 2, 2019
"Where's this been hiding?"
I can't understand why I've never comes across this author and the Sophie Allen series before. This quality of police procedural is what I love to read, Compared to the cozy mysteries that have clogged up my TBR pile in 2019 this shines like a diamond. Well, I have some catching up to do - back to book one I go. I can't wait. Great characters. A story line that is straight from current news headlines. A fast-paced thriller that you can't put down.
I can't understand why I've never comes across this author and the Sophie Allen series before. This quality of police procedural is what I love to read, Compared to the cozy mysteries that have clogged up my TBR pile in 2019 this shines like a diamond. Well, I have some catching up to do - back to book one I go. I can't wait. Great characters. A story line that is straight from current news headlines. A fast-paced thriller that you can't put down.
May 19, 2020
Really well done
Smuggling contraband into prisons is a major theme . Then a murder . A group of men who are racist definitely plays a part . Now DCS Sophie Allen, has a part in the first murder . As usual she pulls all of her team in, and manages to do quite a bit of leading in the cases . She is an excellent people manager and her sharp mind misses very little . . Great job
Smuggling contraband into prisons is a major theme . Then a murder . A group of men who are racist definitely plays a part . Now DCS Sophie Allen, has a part in the first murder . As usual she pulls all of her team in, and manages to do quite a bit of leading in the cases . She is an excellent people manager and her sharp mind misses very little . . Great job
October 30, 2021
Topsy turvy
Great way to integrate two separate crimes (we think), and two police teams from different p!aces to work together in what turns out to be one huge case. We get to read about Lydia and Jimmy again, they've been missed, and we got to meet other detectives from another Force. One who was seemingly dirty. Lots of twists and turns, and this time I didn't see any of the end coming. And I had no idea of who the major partner was. Well played sir well p!ayed!
Great way to integrate two separate crimes (we think), and two police teams from different p!aces to work together in what turns out to be one huge case. We get to read about Lydia and Jimmy again, they've been missed, and we got to meet other detectives from another Force. One who was seemingly dirty. Lots of twists and turns, and this time I didn't see any of the end coming. And I had no idea of who the major partner was. Well played sir well p!ayed!
February 25, 2022
The detectives had so many different aspects to consider! Everything got tied up satisfactorily and appropriately in the end. There is still one possible consideration for the last book in the series; it's not a necessary thing, but it left a curiosity that could still be scratched. There is one more book in the series, and if it doesn't address that, so be it. I found the series overall to be satisfying and able to look at many angles in the detective life.
August 25, 2023
I have the box set that includes this story and I thought it was a good crime thriller with characters that suited the plot, well-written and had a great sense of place.
I liked the fast pace and how Sophie treats her team, with respect and understanding. There were disturbing elements, of course, but that's the nature of crime and awful human behaviour.
Another very good read in this series.
I liked the fast pace and how Sophie treats her team, with respect and understanding. There were disturbing elements, of course, but that's the nature of crime and awful human behaviour.
Another very good read in this series.
November 17, 2024
Séptima novela en la que la superintendente jefa de policía Sophie Allen y su equipo harán frente a un caso de contrabando y filtración de objetos en las cárceles cercanas a su localidad. Además de estos delitos, suceden de forma paralela varios crímenes que podrían estar vinculados con estos sucesos. Una policía de la unidad de Sophie Allen se encuentra desaparecida, la cual encontraran sin vida varios días después. Además, un ex empleado de la cárcel donde se están cometiendo estos delitos aparece muerto en su vivienda.
En línea con los anteriores, novela entretenida y recomendable!
En línea con los anteriores, novela entretenida y recomendable!
October 27, 2018
DS Lydia Pillau has arranged to meet a colleague from Weymouth and an informant - she’s hoping for information regarding the smuggling of mobile phones etc into prison. The informant is found dead at home by his wife, at first it appears to be from natural causes but the autopsy indicates otherwise. His handler, DC Andrea Ford, is not forthcoming with information to Lydia and then goes missing. Her disappearance is handled by Detective Superintendent Sophie Allen, Lydia’s former boss. It soon transpires that all three cases, the prison smuggling, the murder and Andra’s disappearance are linked and it becomes one of the most complicated cases that Sophie and her team have investigated. Really good read.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Michael Hambling for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Michael Hambling for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
November 9, 2018
I love discovering great crime fiction. Michael Hambling hooked me from the opening scene. DCI Sophie Allen is a tough, likable character who can get the job done. Loved everything about the book and found the writing to very entertaining. It's easy to lost in the story! I'll definitely be reading the rest of this series.
November 2, 2020
A retired officer at a prison was murder, was he involved in the contraband items that have been smuggled into the prison. A plot that involved. Murder and more murders. Too many did the work and not knowing names in the operation. A police officer got caught up in it and lost her life. A tangled web of greed, that led superintendent Sophia and her team scrabbling to tie it together.
December 1, 2021
This was my favourite book in the series so far, in some of the previous books I wasn’t happy with the amount of time given to the perpetrators, but I thought the balance was much better in this book. There were still a few occasions when I felt the narrative was a bit disjointed, but it didn’t effect my enjoyment of the story.
January 3, 2019
Wonderful read
This book lead me through streets and lanes of mystery and deciept. I would eagerly advise friends and family of the author and of this particular book. Very descriptive and the characters are all excellently portrayed, I espesially liked the Fenners children.
This book lead me through streets and lanes of mystery and deciept. I would eagerly advise friends and family of the author and of this particular book. Very descriptive and the characters are all excellently portrayed, I espesially liked the Fenners children.
April 11, 2019
Enjoyed this book very much , well written good storyline will surely read more works from this author. The only reason I gave it four stars, I found that there were too many characters, I had to keep going back till I finally had them all identified.
Michele zito
Michele zito
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