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Monika Paniatowski #13
Dead End
The discovery of a body on a local allotment site re-opens an unresolved cold case for Monika Paniatowski and her team.
He was going to have to terminate Monika, he decided. It was a pity, but there it was.
The body has lain buried for years, and has no face and no fingertips. Monika Paniatowski's team have no real leads, but when they discuss the case at her hospital bedside - where she lies paralysed - Monika begins to see possible links with a case she closed four years earlier.
Are the two cases connected? Did the first murder make the second almost inevitable? She doesn't know, but she does know that she is being watched by an old enemy who will kill her if he decides there is ever any chance of her sharing her thoughts and information with her team.
He was going to have to terminate Monika, he decided. It was a pity, but there it was.
The body has lain buried for years, and has no face and no fingertips. Monika Paniatowski's team have no real leads, but when they discuss the case at her hospital bedside - where she lies paralysed - Monika begins to see possible links with a case she closed four years earlier.
Are the two cases connected? Did the first murder make the second almost inevitable? She doesn't know, but she does know that she is being watched by an old enemy who will kill her if he decides there is ever any chance of her sharing her thoughts and information with her team.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2019
20 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Sally Spencer
81 books152 followersA pseudonym used by Alan Rustage.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 3, 2019
Dead End is a police procedural/murder mystery. The author is Sally Spencer, which is a pen name for Alan Rustage. This novel is a sequel to the Monica Paniatowski mysteries and I feel that I would have benefitted from reading these before attempting to read Dead End. This is an interesting mystery which develops while Detective Paniatowski lies in hospital, in a coma. Her staff visit often to discuss the murder cases they are working on, even though she is unresponsive. Someone is keeping an eye on her, waiting to do away with her, should she regain consciousness because she knows too much. In order to improve on the plot, I feel that details from previous novels would have been useful. This does not reflect on the author. This is only my opinion. Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2019
He was going to have to terminate Monika, he decided. It was a pity, but there it was.
The body has lain buried for years, and has no face and no fingertips. Monika Paniatowski’s team have no real leads, but when they discuss the case at her hospital bedside where she lies paralysed Monika begins to see possible links with a case she closed four years earlier.
Overall an enjoyable read, however as there is quite a lot of references to earlier books I felt that if you came to the series with this book then it would be confusing. I've not read all of the previous books & still felt I was wading through mud at times. The story is well paced & the characters have plenty of depth.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The body has lain buried for years, and has no face and no fingertips. Monika Paniatowski’s team have no real leads, but when they discuss the case at her hospital bedside where she lies paralysed Monika begins to see possible links with a case she closed four years earlier.
Overall an enjoyable read, however as there is quite a lot of references to earlier books I felt that if you came to the series with this book then it would be confusing. I've not read all of the previous books & still felt I was wading through mud at times. The story is well paced & the characters have plenty of depth.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
April 3, 2019
Although I did not yet read Ms. Spencer's previous novels, I was able to pick up enough information to know where the story was going and enjoy it.
A plot allotment (land to grow food on) seems to connect the story. Although I was not yet familiar with all of the characters, I still had a feel for "good versus bad".
Monika (a DCI) remains in a coma. This is somehow connected to Arthur Wheatstone. Is he murdered or has he committed suicide?
Monika had thought murder for a number of reasons before the coma left her ability to work impossible.
However, Monika can not only hear but she can process information she hears in her hospital room. It seems as if she has learned enough that she had heard in order to know to keep quiet once (if?) she is out of her coma. However, on the bright side, Monika's three team members on the force, vigilantly visit her and run things by her although Monika is comatose. Little do they know she hears them.
Then comes in the American and the team on Wheatstone's government defense work team.
The action begins!!!
A great read! I look forward to the next book. (I didn't want to leave any spoilers!)
Many, Many Thanks to both Severn House and NetGalley for introducing me to Sally Spencer's books!
A plot allotment (land to grow food on) seems to connect the story. Although I was not yet familiar with all of the characters, I still had a feel for "good versus bad".
Monika (a DCI) remains in a coma. This is somehow connected to Arthur Wheatstone. Is he murdered or has he committed suicide?
Monika had thought murder for a number of reasons before the coma left her ability to work impossible.
However, Monika can not only hear but she can process information she hears in her hospital room. It seems as if she has learned enough that she had heard in order to know to keep quiet once (if?) she is out of her coma. However, on the bright side, Monika's three team members on the force, vigilantly visit her and run things by her although Monika is comatose. Little do they know she hears them.
Then comes in the American and the team on Wheatstone's government defense work team.
The action begins!!!
A great read! I look forward to the next book. (I didn't want to leave any spoilers!)
Many, Many Thanks to both Severn House and NetGalley for introducing me to Sally Spencer's books!
June 2, 2019
DEAD END was a great and suspenseful tale which would have been right up my street. I read many books which are part of a series and usually I'm fine with that but in this case, the storyline was pretty difficult to follow. There were rather too many links to the previous books concerning events and characters to fully understand what was going on. I have read reviews from some of the past books and I am keen to read others in the series by Sally Spencer. Generally, I liked the plot and the pacing.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Severn House via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Severn House via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
April 17, 2019
DCI Monica Paniatowski is in a coma in hospital, this a past and present story with a mysterious body found in an allotment but also about a past case with a suspected "suicide" which isn't a suicide.
I did find this story very confusing it might be a lot easier if you have read the previous books in the series.
But overall a well written story with lots of options for the murderers!
I did find this story very confusing it might be a lot easier if you have read the previous books in the series.
But overall a well written story with lots of options for the murderers!
June 10, 2019
As DCI Monica Paniatowski lies in hospital in a coma she is visited by someone who is considering terminating her in order to protect himself; is she wakes will she reveal what she know to her team?
Unfortunately, I struggled with this book. I have not read the earlier books in the series and I became confused about the backstory and the characters. As a result, although I persevered for 68% of the text, I was still confused and I abandoned it. A rare thing indeed for me.
Huge, huge apologies to the author. I must insist though, that it is not you, it is definitely me in this case.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I struggled with this book. I have not read the earlier books in the series and I became confused about the backstory and the characters. As a result, although I persevered for 68% of the text, I was still confused and I abandoned it. A rare thing indeed for me.
Huge, huge apologies to the author. I must insist though, that it is not you, it is definitely me in this case.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
April 8, 2019
This is a present/past telling of Monica Paniatowski. Police crime drama with a detective who is in a coma but is visited by her team along with the killer of the current and cold case murder. This is my first in this series and feel I did not get my teeth into it due to missing the prior installments. This is a good book and worth the read never the less. "A copy of this book was provided by Severn House via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." WOULD PICK THIS AUTHOR UP AGAIN.
February 12, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
DCI Monica Paniatowski is in a coma in hospital. Her team is investigating the murder of a man (with no fingertips or face) committed and years ago. They visit Monica's bedside and talk to her every day, but there's no way of knowing if she is aware of them.
Soon there's another killing, a hanged man, but was is suicide or murder?
In the meantime a shadowy figure also visits Monica, trying to decide whether or not to terminate her. He can't allow her to wake and tell her team what she knows.
I feel it's unfortunate I hadn't read any of the previous Paniatowski books, because I became muddled at times and would had benefited from knowing the backstory. There are some appealing characters in this story; in particular Colin Beresford, the womanizer who's taken over as DCI and Kate Meadows, who's tough as old boots and made me laugh.
On the whole I liked the read, but as I said, I would have been better off had I read previous books in the series, which I intend to do.
DCI Monica Paniatowski is in a coma in hospital. Her team is investigating the murder of a man (with no fingertips or face) committed and years ago. They visit Monica's bedside and talk to her every day, but there's no way of knowing if she is aware of them.
Soon there's another killing, a hanged man, but was is suicide or murder?
In the meantime a shadowy figure also visits Monica, trying to decide whether or not to terminate her. He can't allow her to wake and tell her team what she knows.
I feel it's unfortunate I hadn't read any of the previous Paniatowski books, because I became muddled at times and would had benefited from knowing the backstory. There are some appealing characters in this story; in particular Colin Beresford, the womanizer who's taken over as DCI and Kate Meadows, who's tough as old boots and made me laugh.
On the whole I liked the read, but as I said, I would have been better off had I read previous books in the series, which I intend to do.
March 21, 2019
I feel like this is a paradigm shift for the author. His previous DCI Monika Paniatowski’s books weren’t as abstruse as this one. As Churchill once stated it felt like “riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma”.
All in all, it was a good suspenseful tale but not an easy one to follow. It was a bit murky like Monica's coma. For a first time reader of the series, I think it would be confusing for it correlates to the past books with its' characters and events to remember in order to fully understand the book.
Thank you Severn House Digital and Netgalley for the ARC to review.
All in all, it was a good suspenseful tale but not an easy one to follow. It was a bit murky like Monica's coma. For a first time reader of the series, I think it would be confusing for it correlates to the past books with its' characters and events to remember in order to fully understand the book.
Thank you Severn House Digital and Netgalley for the ARC to review.
May 22, 2019
Sigh. I got lost in this because I hadn't read any of the earlier books so I knew I was missing references. Monika is in a coma and yet her colleagues come and talk with her about their case, which is an impressive testament to her. At least one of these visitors is a murderer, but which one? It's a well put together mystery I'm sure I would have greatly enjoyed if I knew the nuances. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Make no mistake, this is well written and entertaining.
May 25, 2021
Enjoyable read but did drag a little in places and must say I did get a little confused with the plot at one time. But that may be just me.
Dialogue is great and lots of humour in places, with distinct character traits, it could have done without most of the speech tags, something not many authors achieve.
Not my favourite book but I would certainly give sally Spencer another go.
Dialogue is great and lots of humour in places, with distinct character traits, it could have done without most of the speech tags, something not many authors achieve.
Not my favourite book but I would certainly give sally Spencer another go.
November 5, 2020
I did find this a little confusing - maybe it is one of those books that would read better if you had read the previous ones in the series. Not bad, but I wasn't engaged enough to read more in the series.
August 19, 2019
Started off promising but got very confusing very quickly. Such a shame as I was really looking forward to this one.
April 19, 2020
Have liked this series since Charlie Woodend was the protagonist. Disappointed somewhat in this one.
July 28, 2020
First I have read in the series and I was bored. Still not sure I get who did what or why or how they worked it out!
January 18, 2022
Always love this series.
June 26, 2023
Convoluted story about multiple murders, with sections relating to different periods on a time-line extending over several years.
Finished it, but still didn't understand it.
Finished it, but still didn't understand it.
June 15, 2019
Must Read
Love the Monika Paniatowski books. Happy she didn’t die and looking to more books about her and her team. Hopefully soon!
Love the Monika Paniatowski books. Happy she didn’t die and looking to more books about her and her team. Hopefully soon!
April 16, 2019
How sad that we see the ending of an era in this latest Paniatowski outing. A great series by a great writer. A mixture of policing and a touch of MI5.
September 29, 2020
Good read but only if you’ve read some or at least most of the previous books in the series! Good reading for the pandemic, since the books move fast in the short novel format of this series!
January 5, 2020
While DCI Monika Paniatowski lies in a coma, her dispirited team, consisting of acting DCI Colin Beresford, DS Kate Meadows, and DC Jack Crane, are doing their best to carry on without their boss. "Dead End," by Sally Spencer (the pseudonym of Alan Rustage), opens in 1978 and flashes back to 1974. Quite by accident, Monika's daughter, Louisa, a rookie cop, finds a corpse in a Lancashire allotment. Meanwhile, a shadowy group of men, led by an overbearing and smug fellow named Forsyth, are determined to make sure that potentially explosive secrets involving murder and espionage remain hidden.
The most entertaining aspect of this novel is its wacky humor, which is a bit reminiscent of Mick Herron at his most sassy and sarcastic. Spencer has a field day portraying Monika's crew of eccentric detectives. Beresford is an unabashed ladies' man; Meadows engages in weird extracurricular activities that might be deemed inappropriate for someone who works in law enforcement; and Crane is an Oxford-educated poet with a sensitive nature. We get to know Monika mostly in the chapters that take place in the past; she is an in-your-face type who does not suffer fools gladly. Others who play an important role are a stern-looking but sensual ward nurse, an adulterous man whose wife detests him, and a husband who physically and verbally abuses his brilliant but downtrodden spouse. These individuals are involved, either directly or peripherally, in the aforementioned conspiracy, and not everyone will emerge unscathed.
It is unfortunate that "Dead End," which had initial promise, culminates with such a dizzying conclusion. When it takes at least ten pages of exposition to explain what really happened, it indicates that there are too many elements competing for our attention. Although some of the elements are intriguing, when the author finally gets around to connecting the dots, the overall picture is jumbled and wearisome. This would have been a far better police procedural had Spencer kept matters simpler. As it stands, there are wry and clever passages that are laugh-out-loud funny, but ultimately, "Dead End" sinks under the weight of its annoyingly cumbersome plot.
The most entertaining aspect of this novel is its wacky humor, which is a bit reminiscent of Mick Herron at his most sassy and sarcastic. Spencer has a field day portraying Monika's crew of eccentric detectives. Beresford is an unabashed ladies' man; Meadows engages in weird extracurricular activities that might be deemed inappropriate for someone who works in law enforcement; and Crane is an Oxford-educated poet with a sensitive nature. We get to know Monika mostly in the chapters that take place in the past; she is an in-your-face type who does not suffer fools gladly. Others who play an important role are a stern-looking but sensual ward nurse, an adulterous man whose wife detests him, and a husband who physically and verbally abuses his brilliant but downtrodden spouse. These individuals are involved, either directly or peripherally, in the aforementioned conspiracy, and not everyone will emerge unscathed.
It is unfortunate that "Dead End," which had initial promise, culminates with such a dizzying conclusion. When it takes at least ten pages of exposition to explain what really happened, it indicates that there are too many elements competing for our attention. Although some of the elements are intriguing, when the author finally gets around to connecting the dots, the overall picture is jumbled and wearisome. This would have been a far better police procedural had Spencer kept matters simpler. As it stands, there are wry and clever passages that are laugh-out-loud funny, but ultimately, "Dead End" sinks under the weight of its annoyingly cumbersome plot.
September 20, 2019
Oh my! Reviewers said they got lost because they hadn't read the earlier books. I have read many but haven't followed the series closely. I still found myself mired in the complex plot. This story was particularly dense while simultaneously being particularly clever (hence the four stars!). It took me awhile to grab hold and and not get lost trying to see how the various interesting individual scenes fit together. You just had to put each one on hold and hope there would be understanding ahead. But. there were so many twists and turns that, even with the brilliant ending, I had ceased to be completely involved. I just wanted to know about the characters I cared about. The story line revolving around the fate of Monic and her concerned team was very, very clever.
June 22, 2020
A four-year old case; a present day case; Monica still in coma; Beresford in charge; Government secrets involving Britain, USA, France and Saudi Arabia. Kate and Jack fill out the team to great satisfaction. Louisa is a cadet and has a minor role. A great read and series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews