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Henry Johnstone Mystery #3
Kith and Kin
When two bodies are washed up in the Kentish marshes, Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone is propelled into a disturbing investigation.
December, 1928. When two bodies are found washed up in the Kentish marshes, it doesn’t take long for DCI Henry Johnstone and DS Mickey Hitchens to identify at least one of them. Billy Crane was a known associate of Josiah Bailey, one of the East End’s most notorious gangsters. But what were the victims doing in this remote and desolate spot? Is it a set-up? A revenge attack? Or could this be the start of a vicious turf war?
If so, who would be brave enough to challenge Josiah Bailey, whose tentacles have a disturbingly long reach? With witnesses too frightened to talk, the two London detectives must dig deep into the past if they are to make headway in the investigation and stop the escalating violence.
December, 1928. When two bodies are found washed up in the Kentish marshes, it doesn’t take long for DCI Henry Johnstone and DS Mickey Hitchens to identify at least one of them. Billy Crane was a known associate of Josiah Bailey, one of the East End’s most notorious gangsters. But what were the victims doing in this remote and desolate spot? Is it a set-up? A revenge attack? Or could this be the start of a vicious turf war?
If so, who would be brave enough to challenge Josiah Bailey, whose tentacles have a disturbingly long reach? With witnesses too frightened to talk, the two London detectives must dig deep into the past if they are to make headway in the investigation and stop the escalating violence.
- GenresMystery
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2018
9 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Jane A. Adams
59 books151 followersSome of her early books were published under the name of Jane Adams. This should not be confused with this Jane Adams who is a different author.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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March 7, 2022Did not finish. Too many characters to track - even using a pad.
March 3, 2022
GNabKo Jane A. Adams writes a tight, image-packed tale, bringing forth all the empathy, joy and angst we are able to spare. We follow detective Sergeant Mickey Hitchens and Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone of the central office of Scotland Yard as they are presented with cases of murder in the chilly sopping wet grey of December 1928 on the mud flats of Otterham Creek in Kent.
Flashbacks to 1918 in Rainham set us up with the gypsy clan of Dalla - Dalina Cooper to family - as she and her children Malina and Kem make their way to the compound on Ash Tree Lane in Gillingham after her abusive husband Manfred Beaney is murdered shortly after his release from prison, and the family home burned down by the Josiah Bailey mob from London.
Flashbacks to 1925 bring into play Ricky or Rico Clough, who manages to break out of prison and establish himself and his compatriots over the next three years into a strong threat to the Bailey mob.
Sounds confusing, but the timeline changes are well done and the characters easy to keep clear in mind. This is an excellent story, the good folk at Scotland Yard and their families are well defined, and the bad boys kill each other off with regularity. We enjoy Christmas in 1928 London as Mickey and Henry attempt to wrap up this case and tie it with a bow.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Jane A. Adams, and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Jan 1, 2019
OR Dec 1, 2018
Severn House Publishers
Reviewed Jan 1, 2019, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
Flashbacks to 1918 in Rainham set us up with the gypsy clan of Dalla - Dalina Cooper to family - as she and her children Malina and Kem make their way to the compound on Ash Tree Lane in Gillingham after her abusive husband Manfred Beaney is murdered shortly after his release from prison, and the family home burned down by the Josiah Bailey mob from London.
Flashbacks to 1925 bring into play Ricky or Rico Clough, who manages to break out of prison and establish himself and his compatriots over the next three years into a strong threat to the Bailey mob.
Sounds confusing, but the timeline changes are well done and the characters easy to keep clear in mind. This is an excellent story, the good folk at Scotland Yard and their families are well defined, and the bad boys kill each other off with regularity. We enjoy Christmas in 1928 London as Mickey and Henry attempt to wrap up this case and tie it with a bow.
I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Jane A. Adams, and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Jan 1, 2019
OR Dec 1, 2018
Severn House Publishers
Reviewed Jan 1, 2019, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
May 7, 2019
A Henry Johnstone Mystery
Kith And Kin is the third book in the Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone series. It starts in December 1928 when two bodies are washed up in the marshes of Kent. Henry Johnstone works with DS Mickey Hitchens to uncover what lies underneath this grizzly case. Also, why are the bodies found in such a remote area?
From the outset, Henry and Mickey identify one of the bodies and realise that he had dealings with Josiah Bailey, a notorious London East End gangster. There are flashbacks back to 1918 and 1925, which link up with the events of 1928.
It appears confusing at first, as many characters are introduced to the reader. What is the connection between the low life mobsters, many of whom have served time in prison, and members of the gypsy community?
Suffice it to say all is revealed, but I found that the essence of the tale dragged for me. Usually, I enjoy a gritty plot, especially a historical novel, but for some reason, it didn't quite hit the spot. I can see that Kith And Kin will appeal to many readers, so it's best to judge for yourself.
Galadriel.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
Kith And Kin is the third book in the Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone series. It starts in December 1928 when two bodies are washed up in the marshes of Kent. Henry Johnstone works with DS Mickey Hitchens to uncover what lies underneath this grizzly case. Also, why are the bodies found in such a remote area?
From the outset, Henry and Mickey identify one of the bodies and realise that he had dealings with Josiah Bailey, a notorious London East End gangster. There are flashbacks back to 1918 and 1925, which link up with the events of 1928.
It appears confusing at first, as many characters are introduced to the reader. What is the connection between the low life mobsters, many of whom have served time in prison, and members of the gypsy community?
Suffice it to say all is revealed, but I found that the essence of the tale dragged for me. Usually, I enjoy a gritty plot, especially a historical novel, but for some reason, it didn't quite hit the spot. I can see that Kith And Kin will appeal to many readers, so it's best to judge for yourself.
Galadriel.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
April 20, 2019
Last week, I was browsing the "new" shelf at my library looking for a few mysteries. If I remember correctly I grabbed this one because it was fairly short and I liked the cover which showed some gypsy caravans.
As it turns out, this is not my sort of book. I got over half way through and could not go on. I was fed up with the brutal gang murders. You need a murder or two to have a murder mystery but descriptions of one brutal murder after another was too much for me. I did skip to read the last chapter and the epilogue. I think I found enough good parts describing the family lives of Detective Henry Johnstone and some of the gypsy families that I can give it two stars.
People who like descriptions of brutal beatings may enjoy this book.
As it turns out, this is not my sort of book. I got over half way through and could not go on. I was fed up with the brutal gang murders. You need a murder or two to have a murder mystery but descriptions of one brutal murder after another was too much for me. I did skip to read the last chapter and the epilogue. I think I found enough good parts describing the family lives of Detective Henry Johnstone and some of the gypsy families that I can give it two stars.
People who like descriptions of brutal beatings may enjoy this book.
January 4, 2019
In December 1928 when two bodies are discovered at sea and brought ashore, at Otterham Creek in Kent, Chief Inspector Johnstone and Detective Mickey Hitchens are called in to investigate. When one of the bodies is quickly identified as Billy Crane, a member of Josiah Bailey's East End's gang. Will this be the start of a turf war or connected to something totally different
An enjoyable well-written mystery with interesting main characters. With a writing style that makes it very easy to get involved in the story.
A NetGalley Book
An enjoyable well-written mystery with interesting main characters. With a writing style that makes it very easy to get involved in the story.
A NetGalley Book
December 14, 2018
Nicely done and unique historical procedural. With timelines that move back and forth a bit, the main action is in 1928 when Henry Johnstone and Mickey Hitchens find themselves investigating a double murder of well, bad guys. These two don't give up, even when others might have written off the victims as people who are a plague. They are also good characters. I'd not read Adams before so thanks to Netgalley for the introduction. This is well written and just twisty enough.
December 27, 2018
A very entertaining detective story ... the difference being largely the intertwining of the "gypsy" community and mob relationships. I especially liked page 117 that explains the blood relations of kith and kin. Interesting.
July 19, 2023
The series improves with each book, quality wise.
Gypsies are in this story again, though being gypsies makes really no impact, could be any rurual community. Author must like the culture or want to provide exposure.
Gypsies are in this story again, though being gypsies makes really no impact, could be any rurual community. Author must like the culture or want to provide exposure.
February 5, 2019
I loved it. This whole series is wonderful. Highly recommended!
March 1, 2019
A nice, complex mystery with well drawn characters
June 8, 2019
I was skeptical of the plot at first but whatever the plot lacks is forgiven by the authenticity of setting and characters.
January 22, 2023
I liked it but got confused with the plot line and it ended confusingly too, felt a bit rushed towards the end
August 18, 2025
Continues to be a very good series…
November 29, 2018
I was happy to discover a new great author, one who writes well and can deliver a tight and entertaining book.
This book was amazing, everything was perfect and enjoyable.
The plot is complex and engaging, I liked the way the different timelines worked and never created any confusion.
The characters are well written and interesting.
The historical background is well researched and I liked the descriptions.
A very good book.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
This book was amazing, everything was perfect and enjoyable.
The plot is complex and engaging, I liked the way the different timelines worked and never created any confusion.
The characters are well written and interesting.
The historical background is well researched and I liked the descriptions.
A very good book.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews