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An Innocent Victim
It's the year 2000. Newly appointed Detective Constable Dave Slater has spent the evening at home congratulating himself on getting through his first two days as a detective without mishap, but as he climbs into bed, his phone starts to ring.
It's a distress call from a friend in need, and Slater rushes to offer assistance, but soon finds he's been called out to a murder scene. The obvious suspect is the friend in need, but Slater can’t believe the gentle, harmless, Timmy Hopkins could possibly be capable of such a heinous crime.
To Slater’s dismay the first duty detective on the scene is glory seeker DS Nash. Despite Slater’s protestations, Nash is convinced Hopkins is the only suspect and is only too pleased to take over what seems to be an open and shut case.
Dismissed from the scene because of his association with the chief suspect, Slater seems to be helpless to prevent what he believes is an innocent man from being charged with murder. But Slater's not a man to be put off, and while Nash can keep him off the case while he’s on duty, he can do what he wants in his own time.
Something's not right, and someone knows what really happened, if only Slater can find out who.
It's a distress call from a friend in need, and Slater rushes to offer assistance, but soon finds he's been called out to a murder scene. The obvious suspect is the friend in need, but Slater can’t believe the gentle, harmless, Timmy Hopkins could possibly be capable of such a heinous crime.
To Slater’s dismay the first duty detective on the scene is glory seeker DS Nash. Despite Slater’s protestations, Nash is convinced Hopkins is the only suspect and is only too pleased to take over what seems to be an open and shut case.
Dismissed from the scene because of his association with the chief suspect, Slater seems to be helpless to prevent what he believes is an innocent man from being charged with murder. But Slater's not a man to be put off, and while Nash can keep him off the case while he’s on duty, he can do what he wants in his own time.
Something's not right, and someone knows what really happened, if only Slater can find out who.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2018
211 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
56 books240 followersHaving spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 3, 2019
Ooooh ....... I love my Dave Slater stories and this look back in time when the no-nonsense Dave was just starting out as a Detective was entertaining in the extreme. It makes me want to reread the books I have - which I just might do!
April 22, 2019
Young DC Slater Starts Career
I have read everything PF Ford has written and enjoy Dave Slater novels, novellas the best. Dave Slater minus Norman becomes the head strong detective I enjoy to read. Please write more about Dave. Dave and Norman nit pick at each other and it becomes tedious and boring. I would enjoy more novels about Dave's early career back in CID. This is a quick read for an hour relaxing with a will written character. Thanks.
I have read everything PF Ford has written and enjoy Dave Slater novels, novellas the best. Dave Slater minus Norman becomes the head strong detective I enjoy to read. Please write more about Dave. Dave and Norman nit pick at each other and it becomes tedious and boring. I would enjoy more novels about Dave's early career back in CID. This is a quick read for an hour relaxing with a will written character. Thanks.
April 27, 2019
A nice little read..
I am a great fan of PF Ford's books having read everyone of them. This little novella gave an insight to DC Slaters "earlier years" starting out at Tinton CID and his first encounter with DS (Nasty) Nash to which ultimately DS Slater will be responsible for ending his career.
The trouble with going back in time is that we know already what happens in the future.
I am a great fan of PF Ford's books having read everyone of them. This little novella gave an insight to DC Slaters "earlier years" starting out at Tinton CID and his first encounter with DS (Nasty) Nash to which ultimately DS Slater will be responsible for ending his career.
The trouble with going back in time is that we know already what happens in the future.
March 10, 2021
Good Story
I just finished the series of Dave Slater novels...binge reading!...It was fun to read about a case early in his career in this novella. It is also nice to have a novella, so I won't be staying up too late trying to finish a Slater book! one complaint: I would have liked to know more about the relationship between the murderer and the murdered girl and why he killed her.
I just finished the series of Dave Slater novels...binge reading!...It was fun to read about a case early in his career in this novella. It is also nice to have a novella, so I won't be staying up too late trying to finish a Slater book! one complaint: I would have liked to know more about the relationship between the murderer and the murdered girl and why he killed her.
November 1, 2019
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella about Dave Slater's start as a detective. Really glad to read that the author is bringing back the Dave Slater series, as I was quite unhappy that it had finished. Although I did enjoy the book on Detective Sarah Southhall. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a good cozy mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella about Dave Slater's start as a detective. Really glad to read that the author is bringing back the Dave Slater series, as I was quite unhappy that it had finished. Although I did enjoy the book on Detective Sarah Southhall. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading a good cozy mystery.
December 5, 2022
A brilliant introduction to a series.
When a girl is stabbed near the railway station, the obvious suspect is the teenager who is found holding the dead girl.
Newly appointed DC Slater is convinced the boy is not the killer and sets out to prove his theory.
An excellent novella which precedes the Slater and Norman series.
When a girl is stabbed near the railway station, the obvious suspect is the teenager who is found holding the dead girl.
Newly appointed DC Slater is convinced the boy is not the killer and sets out to prove his theory.
An excellent novella which precedes the Slater and Norman series.
June 19, 2019
As a novella this is a good introduction to Dave Slater, at the time a DC in Tinton. Relatively short but basic crime story with good insight into the character of DC Slater and DI Murray. Both characters appear later as a DS and DCI respectively in the PF Ford Slater series.
November 13, 2024
A good start to a promising series
At first I didn’t realise this was a short, or first book in a new series. I suppose you could say it was the first chapter in DC Slaters official serving life. Very good.
At first I didn’t realise this was a short, or first book in a new series. I suppose you could say it was the first chapter in DC Slaters official serving life. Very good.
March 11, 2025
Pretty good book
While not as good as the full length novels. This one short story is still pretty good. I enjoyed learning more about the history of a character I've come to enjoy reading about. Hopefully there will be more stories about Dave Slater in the future.
While not as good as the full length novels. This one short story is still pretty good. I enjoyed learning more about the history of a character I've come to enjoy reading about. Hopefully there will be more stories about Dave Slater in the future.
February 18, 2021
A good read of an early Dave Slater novella
A good read of an early Dave Slater Mystery, which explains the background to his first days as a detective. An enjoyable book.
A good read of an early Dave Slater Mystery, which explains the background to his first days as a detective. An enjoyable book.
July 13, 2022
Not too exciting nor deep. Obviousness is the key in this one. No imagination shown. Just pleasant read.
December 2, 2025
Good quick reading. It kept my interest
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews