What do you think?
Rate this book
D.I. Jack Dylan #1
Deadly Focus
The first in the D.I. Jack Dylan series, set in Yorkshire and written by the husband and wife team who are the storyline consultants to TV's Happy Valley and Scott & Bailey.
When a young girl disappears yards from her own front door, Detective Inspector Jack Dylan has to shelve his plans for a quiet Christmas with his partner, Jen. The Yorkshire community of Harrowfield is unsettled and its worst fears confirmed when the naked body of Daisy Hind is found on a bleak, windswept moor.
As the murder investigation gets underway, a second child is abducted. This time a small body is found hanging from a bridge. With the press increasingly on his back, Dylan has to catch a serial killer before another child is abducted.
When a young girl disappears yards from her own front door, Detective Inspector Jack Dylan has to shelve his plans for a quiet Christmas with his partner, Jen. The Yorkshire community of Harrowfield is unsettled and its worst fears confirmed when the naked body of Daisy Hind is found on a bleak, windswept moor.
As the murder investigation gets underway, a second child is abducted. This time a small body is found hanging from a bridge. With the press increasingly on his back, Dylan has to catch a serial killer before another child is abducted.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2009
82 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Bridgestock
33 books75 followersRC Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. Between them they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. The writing duo created the character DI Jack Dylan, a down-to- earth detective, written with warmth and humour.
Bob was a highly commended career detective of 30 years, retiring at the rank of Detective Superintendent. As a police civilian supervisor Carol also received a Chief Constable’s commendation for outstanding work.
The couple are the storyline consultants on BAFTA winning BBC One police drama Happy Valley and series 3 of ITV’s Scott & Bailey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 5, 2016
Deadly Focus is the first book in the D I Dylan series.
I love a good crime book and read plenty of them, so it always takes me by surprise when crimes in one book will affect me a lot more than in others. Reading of someone going around killing innocent and unsuspecting children really got to me. I have to admit that some parts made for uncomfortable reading as well as making me quite emotional.
What I loved about Jack Dylan as well as his colleague Dawn is that they care, and I mean really care. Even though they have been doing the job for quite a while, it has hardened them of course but not enough to not get emotional when they are faced with such sad and pointless losses. The way they deal with the children's families I also thought was great as they came across as being very supportive and caring and it was great to read that in a crime novel.
Jack I have to admit to not knowing quite how I felt about him at first. Out of work he is like a love sick teenager whilst at work he is this very strong confident man who takes no rubbish from anyone. It did take some getting used to but I really warmed to him, especially the relationship he has with his colleague Dawn.
Dawn I really loved and think she is a great character. She is likened to Dawn French in the story and I totally agree.She obviously has a big heart and you can see the job is taking it's toll on her at times. I love the banter she has with Jack, anyone else probably wouldn't get away with it but Jack obviously thinks a lot of Dawn and lets her get away with that little bit more than any of the others, though I very much doubt that anyone else would even dare to joke around with him as he is someone you would not want to upset.
Deadly Focus has some strong and likeable characters as well as a gripping storyline that will have the reader flying through the pages. Great start to a series.
Many thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good crime book and read plenty of them, so it always takes me by surprise when crimes in one book will affect me a lot more than in others. Reading of someone going around killing innocent and unsuspecting children really got to me. I have to admit that some parts made for uncomfortable reading as well as making me quite emotional.
What I loved about Jack Dylan as well as his colleague Dawn is that they care, and I mean really care. Even though they have been doing the job for quite a while, it has hardened them of course but not enough to not get emotional when they are faced with such sad and pointless losses. The way they deal with the children's families I also thought was great as they came across as being very supportive and caring and it was great to read that in a crime novel.
Jack I have to admit to not knowing quite how I felt about him at first. Out of work he is like a love sick teenager whilst at work he is this very strong confident man who takes no rubbish from anyone. It did take some getting used to but I really warmed to him, especially the relationship he has with his colleague Dawn.
Dawn I really loved and think she is a great character. She is likened to Dawn French in the story and I totally agree.She obviously has a big heart and you can see the job is taking it's toll on her at times. I love the banter she has with Jack, anyone else probably wouldn't get away with it but Jack obviously thinks a lot of Dawn and lets her get away with that little bit more than any of the others, though I very much doubt that anyone else would even dare to joke around with him as he is someone you would not want to upset.
Deadly Focus has some strong and likeable characters as well as a gripping storyline that will have the reader flying through the pages. Great start to a series.
Many thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2016
Deadly Focus is the first of a series introducing the reader to DI Jack Dylan. I’ve certainly got a lot of catching up to do, as I believe there is already six books in this series. Dylan is a senior investigating officer tasked with hunting down Daisy’s Hinds killer. Nine year old Daisy was last seen coming home from her grandmother’s house. Somewhere in the last hundred yards, after she turned the corner to her street, she disappeared.
If I’m honest I always find books around children being murdered an uncomfortable and upsetting read, and Deadly Focus was no different, although in the authors defence they handle it with sensitivity and understanding. DI Jack Dylan has all the makings of an excellent serial detective, he appears hard on the exterior, driven but compassionate to the victims and family of hideous crimes,
I did have one small issue and that was Jack Dylan’s relationship with his girlfriend Jen, after a while it began to grate to on me, but this is no way distracted from an excellent read. It was also interesting to see as the investigation intensified the detrimental effect it had on jacks health and his personal life, as he pushed himself to the limits trying to solve the case.
The police procedures were very detailed, and added a very authentic feel to the plot, in fact the authors give a fascinating insight into what comes after the crime, the forensics, the collecting of information, clues and tactics which made for a very credible and compelling read. At times I felt I was there with the investigation team, and feeling their frustration and anger as they tried to first find a killer and then build a case against them. Also the camaraderie and authentic banter between the police team added some light relief to what could have been a depressing read
At times I found Deadly Focus chilling to say the least, this was mostly due to the scenes involving the murdered children, but despite this it was a gripping read, and very well plotted. I wouldn’t consider it to be a fast paced book, as this is a story that builds on the police investigation, so the strands mesh together over time, (as you would expect in a true life murder investigation). Deadly Focus is a promising start to the series, and I will certainly be reading the rest of the books in this series, to see how DI Jack Dylan evolves. If you love a crime thriller that focuses more on the police procedures side then I would definitely recommend this book.
First published on http://thebookreviewcafe.com
If I’m honest I always find books around children being murdered an uncomfortable and upsetting read, and Deadly Focus was no different, although in the authors defence they handle it with sensitivity and understanding. DI Jack Dylan has all the makings of an excellent serial detective, he appears hard on the exterior, driven but compassionate to the victims and family of hideous crimes,
I did have one small issue and that was Jack Dylan’s relationship with his girlfriend Jen, after a while it began to grate to on me, but this is no way distracted from an excellent read. It was also interesting to see as the investigation intensified the detrimental effect it had on jacks health and his personal life, as he pushed himself to the limits trying to solve the case.
The police procedures were very detailed, and added a very authentic feel to the plot, in fact the authors give a fascinating insight into what comes after the crime, the forensics, the collecting of information, clues and tactics which made for a very credible and compelling read. At times I felt I was there with the investigation team, and feeling their frustration and anger as they tried to first find a killer and then build a case against them. Also the camaraderie and authentic banter between the police team added some light relief to what could have been a depressing read
At times I found Deadly Focus chilling to say the least, this was mostly due to the scenes involving the murdered children, but despite this it was a gripping read, and very well plotted. I wouldn’t consider it to be a fast paced book, as this is a story that builds on the police investigation, so the strands mesh together over time, (as you would expect in a true life murder investigation). Deadly Focus is a promising start to the series, and I will certainly be reading the rest of the books in this series, to see how DI Jack Dylan evolves. If you love a crime thriller that focuses more on the police procedures side then I would definitely recommend this book.
First published on http://thebookreviewcafe.com
February 1, 2019
This is a 'first' novel and it shows.
The main character and his sidekick are called Dylan and Dawn - which made me chuckle - sounds like an old, music-hall act! The writing is quite pedestrian and flat; the storyline is very linear and concentrates too much on the 'police procedural' aspect of the plot. I found the mushy romance of the main protagonist - which trundles along in the background - very misogynistic, with the little woman anxiously waiting at home... always understanding, arms open for cuddles and a hot meal on the table.
However, there were parts of the book that were interesting and reasonably well done, this writer could do much better with a bit more sophistication and polish.
The main character and his sidekick are called Dylan and Dawn - which made me chuckle - sounds like an old, music-hall act! The writing is quite pedestrian and flat; the storyline is very linear and concentrates too much on the 'police procedural' aspect of the plot. I found the mushy romance of the main protagonist - which trundles along in the background - very misogynistic, with the little woman anxiously waiting at home... always understanding, arms open for cuddles and a hot meal on the table.
However, there were parts of the book that were interesting and reasonably well done, this writer could do much better with a bit more sophistication and polish.
April 16, 2011
Deadly Focus was written from the heart of a man and woman who between them have nearly half a centry of police experience.
Bob writes the storyline of their crime fiction novels. Carol puts the flesh on the bones to the idea. Having run high profile murder enquires and being in charge of serious incidents, the memories don’t go away easy. We don’t write about factual murders, we feel that would be too painful for the relatives of the victims who have already suffered enough; but every crime scene Bob writes about he has seen. Every post mortem is etched in his sub conscious forever: all he has to do is draw on the memory of the incident. He will never forget. Carol worked for the same force for fifteen years as a civilian employee working in various roles.
Bob was a detective for 28 years of his 30 year service and has performed every role of a detective in the CID office in that time. As you can imagine he has a lot of incidents to choose from. He was a senior detective for 18 years. In his last three years as a Detective Superintendent he took charge of 26 murder investigations, 23 serious incidents including shooting, serious rapes and attempted murders as well as over 50 suspicious deaths. He was also a hostage negotiator taking charge of extortion and suicide intervention cases. Carol woe
Once Bob has a crime scene in his mind as in the first chapter of Deadly Focus he can write about the enquiry till he captures the murderer(s), as he did in real life with all the highs and lows of any investigation he has taken charge of, which could have happened in any CID Office, in any part of the world. When his first draft of around 120,000 words was completed he passed it to Carol. She added the emotion. She drew out of him his feelings, she wrote the scenes from his sometimes harrowing real life descriptions. Carol says it’s cathartic for Bob. Bob says its work. There was never the case of not knowing how to move the story forward or writers block because the investigation opened up automatically just as in real life. The end result is a fictional story with the real life feelings of the man in charge who happens to be called Dylan in their books and his partner Jen.
We’ll never write something because it’s what everyone else is writing. Our experiences and feelings are genuine or we don’t write it at all.
One of Bob’s pet hates is to watch a TV series or read a crime novel and the police procedure is wrongly portrayed. But the story is after all fiction. It’s fluid. Lines blur. Rules change. It’s about writing about the truth of feelings for us and correct police procedure with some version of reality in the murder. There is something about writing something we know.
We hope you enjoy Deadly Focus.
Consequences the sequel will be published in the Summer 2011 by Caffeine Nights Publishing.
Bob writes the storyline of their crime fiction novels. Carol puts the flesh on the bones to the idea. Having run high profile murder enquires and being in charge of serious incidents, the memories don’t go away easy. We don’t write about factual murders, we feel that would be too painful for the relatives of the victims who have already suffered enough; but every crime scene Bob writes about he has seen. Every post mortem is etched in his sub conscious forever: all he has to do is draw on the memory of the incident. He will never forget. Carol worked for the same force for fifteen years as a civilian employee working in various roles.
Bob was a detective for 28 years of his 30 year service and has performed every role of a detective in the CID office in that time. As you can imagine he has a lot of incidents to choose from. He was a senior detective for 18 years. In his last three years as a Detective Superintendent he took charge of 26 murder investigations, 23 serious incidents including shooting, serious rapes and attempted murders as well as over 50 suspicious deaths. He was also a hostage negotiator taking charge of extortion and suicide intervention cases. Carol woe
Once Bob has a crime scene in his mind as in the first chapter of Deadly Focus he can write about the enquiry till he captures the murderer(s), as he did in real life with all the highs and lows of any investigation he has taken charge of, which could have happened in any CID Office, in any part of the world. When his first draft of around 120,000 words was completed he passed it to Carol. She added the emotion. She drew out of him his feelings, she wrote the scenes from his sometimes harrowing real life descriptions. Carol says it’s cathartic for Bob. Bob says its work. There was never the case of not knowing how to move the story forward or writers block because the investigation opened up automatically just as in real life. The end result is a fictional story with the real life feelings of the man in charge who happens to be called Dylan in their books and his partner Jen.
We’ll never write something because it’s what everyone else is writing. Our experiences and feelings are genuine or we don’t write it at all.
One of Bob’s pet hates is to watch a TV series or read a crime novel and the police procedure is wrongly portrayed. But the story is after all fiction. It’s fluid. Lines blur. Rules change. It’s about writing about the truth of feelings for us and correct police procedure with some version of reality in the murder. There is something about writing something we know.
We hope you enjoy Deadly Focus.
Consequences the sequel will be published in the Summer 2011 by Caffeine Nights Publishing.
July 29, 2019
An interesting, gripping and refreshing read.
Deadly Focus is the first of in the series introducing D.I. Jack Dylan. (I’ve certainly got a lot of catching up to do, as there are already 6 books in the series plus a prequel).
The Story
D.I. Dylan is a senior investigating officer tasked with hunting down a child killer and while the press and public hound police for action and justice, D.I. Dylan is under pressure to catch the killer before the next child victim.
Written by former police detectives, Deadly Focus gives some good insights into how a murder investigation is run. The investigation will keep you on your toes, turning pages to find out what happens as you root for Dylan and his team in the race to catch the killer.
Why 5 stars?
The main character is refreshing because he's a top cop of many years and isn't an alcoholic with relationship meltdowns. Instead, he has a loving relationship with his partner and she is supportive of his late nights and missed dinners, outings, etc. He is stressed at times and who wouldn't be in the job he does. He gets into scraps with criminals and colleagues alike but overall, it's keeping on track to catch those that need stopping that keeps him focused on the job.
Other characters are well drawn with some surprising traits.
I did put the novel on hold to read some short stories and to do some writing but overall the story kept me gripped, trying to guess who dunnit as well as how DCI Dylan would sort it.
Recommend it to you if you're looking for something refreshing in your police procedurals.
Deadly Focus is the first of in the series introducing D.I. Jack Dylan. (I’ve certainly got a lot of catching up to do, as there are already 6 books in the series plus a prequel).
The Story
D.I. Dylan is a senior investigating officer tasked with hunting down a child killer and while the press and public hound police for action and justice, D.I. Dylan is under pressure to catch the killer before the next child victim.
Written by former police detectives, Deadly Focus gives some good insights into how a murder investigation is run. The investigation will keep you on your toes, turning pages to find out what happens as you root for Dylan and his team in the race to catch the killer.
Why 5 stars?
The main character is refreshing because he's a top cop of many years and isn't an alcoholic with relationship meltdowns. Instead, he has a loving relationship with his partner and she is supportive of his late nights and missed dinners, outings, etc. He is stressed at times and who wouldn't be in the job he does. He gets into scraps with criminals and colleagues alike but overall, it's keeping on track to catch those that need stopping that keeps him focused on the job.
Other characters are well drawn with some surprising traits.
I did put the novel on hold to read some short stories and to do some writing but overall the story kept me gripped, trying to guess who dunnit as well as how DCI Dylan would sort it.
Recommend it to you if you're looking for something refreshing in your police procedurals.
February 19, 2014
Maybe 2 1/2 stars. As a police procedural it was good. It gave some good insights into how a murder investigation is run, and its not all glamour. I also liked that the main police characters were neither perfect nor deeply flawed.
But - as a mystery/thriller it was lacking. I was still struggling to get into it at the halfway mark. I thought the delivery was rather flat, there was no atmosphere. You were reading the words but you weren't there! Here's hoping the pace picks up in the following books.
But - as a mystery/thriller it was lacking. I was still struggling to get into it at the halfway mark. I thought the delivery was rather flat, there was no atmosphere. You were reading the words but you weren't there! Here's hoping the pace picks up in the following books.
October 10, 2017
This is a good procedural type crime read, a well put together mystery with the main Detective as our central character. I've shelved it as a psychological thriller I'm not sure it quite meets that as their are no real twists and turns and definitely no heart stopping moments. The private life of the main character is also slightly unbelievable too but for an easy whodunit it fulfills the brief.
November 4, 2019
This is a belter of a series opener-within pages not only have you been plunged deep into the community of Harrowfield as if you are one of their own, you immediately have a grasp of who protagonist, Jack Dyan, is a man and as detective, with his earstwhile partner, Dawn.
It takes a writer with confidence to create a first novel with such a horrific crime as a child murderer, you fully sense that the disappearance of Daisy has completely unseated the whole of the town. It's northern sensibility is firmly pinned to its sleeve-surely this a character in and of itself as much as Dylan is. As such, Daisy's quick walk home from her grandmother's house should have been a straightforward one but when she does not return, the alarm is very quickly raised . It is unheard of for a 9 year old girl to vanish like that, and alarm bells ring loudly, and clearly as Dawn brings Dylan back to the station to be briefed on the missing girl.
Heartwrenchingly vivid, and extremely disturbing, this tight knit community draws together to firstly support, and then to condemn, blame and suspect. In the midst of this , Dylan has to balance public expectations with his professional role leading the investigation and the need to justice to be done. When it comes to children, there is nothing people will not do to when they feel aggrieved by due process. Ad this is wonderfully displayed in a town that is grieving first one, then two children. The race is on to find the perpetrator before a third goes missing...
I found this really hard to read as the mother of a 9 year old, this hit too close to home. Last Saturday, Halloween, I came home to find my 9 year old had been let out to trick or treat in our street,with one friend and no adults there. Throwing my shopping at the stairs I yelled at my other half 'This is exactly the kind of headline which covers newspapers! 9 year olds vanish trick or treating on their own doorstep!'
It was dark, cold and everyone was wearing costumes as I ran up the street asking kids if they had seen mine-I found her, all was well and yes that was a complete overreaction but the sheer overwhelming panic to find her gone, even for minutes, was hideous. This book does not use a child disappearing as a plot device-it is neither gratuitous nor gory, it simply is. This is the catalyst for some truly shocking revelations and excellently illustrates the police procedural is a genre which has so much more life in it, and iterations than certain quarters give it credit for.
A huge fan of detective stories, I really enjoyed this novel which has the added kudos of being written by a couple whose combined experience shines through on every page. It has the weight of authenticity behind it and I am so glad to be playing catchup on the Dylan series-there are 4 books so far from Dome and hopefully more!
Highly recommended for fans of Angela Marsons and Caroline Mitchell
It takes a writer with confidence to create a first novel with such a horrific crime as a child murderer, you fully sense that the disappearance of Daisy has completely unseated the whole of the town. It's northern sensibility is firmly pinned to its sleeve-surely this a character in and of itself as much as Dylan is. As such, Daisy's quick walk home from her grandmother's house should have been a straightforward one but when she does not return, the alarm is very quickly raised . It is unheard of for a 9 year old girl to vanish like that, and alarm bells ring loudly, and clearly as Dawn brings Dylan back to the station to be briefed on the missing girl.
Heartwrenchingly vivid, and extremely disturbing, this tight knit community draws together to firstly support, and then to condemn, blame and suspect. In the midst of this , Dylan has to balance public expectations with his professional role leading the investigation and the need to justice to be done. When it comes to children, there is nothing people will not do to when they feel aggrieved by due process. Ad this is wonderfully displayed in a town that is grieving first one, then two children. The race is on to find the perpetrator before a third goes missing...
I found this really hard to read as the mother of a 9 year old, this hit too close to home. Last Saturday, Halloween, I came home to find my 9 year old had been let out to trick or treat in our street,with one friend and no adults there. Throwing my shopping at the stairs I yelled at my other half 'This is exactly the kind of headline which covers newspapers! 9 year olds vanish trick or treating on their own doorstep!'
It was dark, cold and everyone was wearing costumes as I ran up the street asking kids if they had seen mine-I found her, all was well and yes that was a complete overreaction but the sheer overwhelming panic to find her gone, even for minutes, was hideous. This book does not use a child disappearing as a plot device-it is neither gratuitous nor gory, it simply is. This is the catalyst for some truly shocking revelations and excellently illustrates the police procedural is a genre which has so much more life in it, and iterations than certain quarters give it credit for.
A huge fan of detective stories, I really enjoyed this novel which has the added kudos of being written by a couple whose combined experience shines through on every page. It has the weight of authenticity behind it and I am so glad to be playing catchup on the Dylan series-there are 4 books so far from Dome and hopefully more!
Highly recommended for fans of Angela Marsons and Caroline Mitchell
March 31, 2014
This isn't so much a book as a very detailed idea for a book. As if a very knowledgeable friend who worked in the police told you the story of a murder investigation, but he or she is a really boring and un imaginative person with no talent whatsoever for language. It's almost more like a teleplay of a particularly uninspired detective show. The characters are pro forma with no depth or dimension and no personalities. It's just a step by step of the procedures with no insight or perspective. I don't think I have ever read a more boring or less inspired tale. The solution is telegraphed so hard that if you haven't figured it out long before you get to the end you may need to switch to watching television. What an extraordinary waste of time. The only thing that held any interest for me at all was the description of the forms and documents required in an ongoing investigation. In terms of story, it's very much like those cartoons which ridicule the earliest black and white films where a woman is tied to the railroad tracks and the moustachioed villain rubs his hands together with glee as the train approaches. Yawn.....
November 5, 2010
Excellent read. A crime novel by a real policeman and his wife. Great insight into how cases are run. Good series character in Jack Dylan. Looking forward to more.
January 27, 2012
Deadly focus is a steady and balanced British crime fiction book. RC Bridgestock delivers readers a poignant story focusing on the disappearance and murder of two children and the lead investigator on the case, Detective Inspector Jack Dylan.
Based in Yorkshire, England, seasoned D.I. Jack Dylan is called to the site of a troubling abduction and murder of nine-year old Daisy. As the book unfolds, D.I. Dylan is faced with another dead child, and fear grips the town and the department in what looks to be a child serial killer on the loose. As the team digs deeper, ties to the two families become apparent. The case grows more complex and the troubling question of why someone would kill two innocent children looms. What’s worse, D.I. Dylan thinks there may be more victims to come if he can’t crack the case. He is relentless in his pursuit for the killer; which is taking a toll on him personally as well. Dylan is in love with Jen, a coworker, and they’ve been keeping their relationship under wraps. Dylan knows his work is affecting his relationship with Jen and her worry over him.
I enjoyed the main characters immensely. I could feel for Jack and his inner struggle between his calling and his personal life; his need to help victims and his desire to get out of the bureaucracy. As far as plot went, I enjoyed it. I would have liked more ‘red herrings’ as I had figured out ‘who done it’ early on and from then I just wanted Jack and his team to figure it out as well.
Overall, I enjoyed the book immensely. I bought into all of the characters early on, and it made the tough moments all the more heartbreaking. I’m excited to learn there is another book in this series due out this year.
Reviewed for Tracy Riva Books and Reviews- TracyRiva.com
Based in Yorkshire, England, seasoned D.I. Jack Dylan is called to the site of a troubling abduction and murder of nine-year old Daisy. As the book unfolds, D.I. Dylan is faced with another dead child, and fear grips the town and the department in what looks to be a child serial killer on the loose. As the team digs deeper, ties to the two families become apparent. The case grows more complex and the troubling question of why someone would kill two innocent children looms. What’s worse, D.I. Dylan thinks there may be more victims to come if he can’t crack the case. He is relentless in his pursuit for the killer; which is taking a toll on him personally as well. Dylan is in love with Jen, a coworker, and they’ve been keeping their relationship under wraps. Dylan knows his work is affecting his relationship with Jen and her worry over him.
I enjoyed the main characters immensely. I could feel for Jack and his inner struggle between his calling and his personal life; his need to help victims and his desire to get out of the bureaucracy. As far as plot went, I enjoyed it. I would have liked more ‘red herrings’ as I had figured out ‘who done it’ early on and from then I just wanted Jack and his team to figure it out as well.
Overall, I enjoyed the book immensely. I bought into all of the characters early on, and it made the tough moments all the more heartbreaking. I’m excited to learn there is another book in this series due out this year.
Reviewed for Tracy Riva Books and Reviews- TracyRiva.com
January 19, 2016
Nine year old Daisy Hinds was last seen coming home from her grandmother's house after showing off her new bridesmaids dress. Somewhere in the last hundred yards, after she turned the corner to her street, she disappeared.
Deadly Focus is the first of a series introducing the reader to DI Jack Dylan. Dylan is a senior investigating officer tasked with hunting down Daisy's killer. As the book unwinds, Dylan is faced with another dead child. It starts to look like a child serial killer is on the loose and Dylan and his team are afraid there may be more victims in the future if they can't quickly find the killer. The plot seems like a familiar one but the way it's written we don't have any hints about who the killer is until Dylan makes the connection to the motive.
We are also introduced to his 1Ctoo good to be true 1D girlfriend, Jen. She works at the police station and they are trying to keep their relationship under wraps. I found her to be the most unbelievable character in the book. She holds down a full time job, takes care of their home and their dog, and cooks fantastic meals for Dylan every time he comes home, no matter the time and without a harsh word, ever. Seems a little too Stepford Wife to me. I believe she was added because the writing team that makes up RC Bridgestock is comprised of Bob Bridgestock, a 30-year CID veteran and his wife Carol. Carol coauthors and writes the love scenes and personal relationships.
I don't know that I'm curious enough about these bland characters to pick up the next book in the series called Consequences. I didn't dislike the book. There's just nothing there to compel me to pick up the next one.
Deadly Focus is the first of a series introducing the reader to DI Jack Dylan. Dylan is a senior investigating officer tasked with hunting down Daisy's killer. As the book unwinds, Dylan is faced with another dead child. It starts to look like a child serial killer is on the loose and Dylan and his team are afraid there may be more victims in the future if they can't quickly find the killer. The plot seems like a familiar one but the way it's written we don't have any hints about who the killer is until Dylan makes the connection to the motive.
We are also introduced to his 1Ctoo good to be true 1D girlfriend, Jen. She works at the police station and they are trying to keep their relationship under wraps. I found her to be the most unbelievable character in the book. She holds down a full time job, takes care of their home and their dog, and cooks fantastic meals for Dylan every time he comes home, no matter the time and without a harsh word, ever. Seems a little too Stepford Wife to me. I believe she was added because the writing team that makes up RC Bridgestock is comprised of Bob Bridgestock, a 30-year CID veteran and his wife Carol. Carol coauthors and writes the love scenes and personal relationships.
I don't know that I'm curious enough about these bland characters to pick up the next book in the series called Consequences. I didn't dislike the book. There's just nothing there to compel me to pick up the next one.
January 5, 2014
Wow. That's all I can say. This is an absolutely fantastic read and totally and utterly unputdownable (yes I know it's a made up word but I have to use it) It's pace is completely breathtaking.
I was hooked from page one and could. It put it down until I turned the last page.
We have a new hero on the block, the wonderful DI Jack Dylan. He is truly a fantastic down to earth Policeman.
The only slight, and I emphasise slight, criticism I have is that the clues were there at the beginning and I figured it out quite early on. I was shouting at Jack to see what I could see!
From early on I was disturbed at the murders and was in tears at the brutality of them but I honestly felt like I was watching a TV series it is that well written.
Well, I'm away now to start on book two. I hope I don't work out who the perpetrator is from early on, but if I do then so be it.
Absorbing, brilliant read
10/10
I was hooked from page one and could. It put it down until I turned the last page.
We have a new hero on the block, the wonderful DI Jack Dylan. He is truly a fantastic down to earth Policeman.
The only slight, and I emphasise slight, criticism I have is that the clues were there at the beginning and I figured it out quite early on. I was shouting at Jack to see what I could see!
From early on I was disturbed at the murders and was in tears at the brutality of them but I honestly felt like I was watching a TV series it is that well written.
Well, I'm away now to start on book two. I hope I don't work out who the perpetrator is from early on, but if I do then so be it.
Absorbing, brilliant read
10/10
February 28, 2011
This is the very first review I have ever written... But I feel I must share my opinion about one of the most emotionally riveting works I have ever read! R C Bridgestock's tale is truly a work of art! Cutting edge detective work and the credible emotions of each character make this book a believable tale of suspense, from the very first page. Not your regular 'who done it' by far! Expertly written and well researched. I recommend this book for anyone who reads! My favourite genre is historical romance, though after reading Deadly Focus I am anxious for the next book in this series by Bob and Carol Bridgestock! Highly recommended!
July 26, 2022
3.5 stars
This book was ok & I will read the next couple of books at least & see if I want to stick with the series because I guessed quite early on who the perpetrator was & their motive was quite obvious. I was disappointed with the fact that there were no “twists & turns” or red herrings & I wasn’t kept guessing & wasn’t constantly changing my mind to who I thought was the killer however if you want to read a story that goes into great detail about police procedures then this book is ideal as the authors are a retired senior police officer & his wife was a civilian worker for the police. Lastly I didn’t understand the relevance of the attack on Jack when he is first introduced into the story. Nothing about it was explained & I am hoping that it will be addressed in future books because it seemed very random & pointless
This book was ok & I will read the next couple of books at least & see if I want to stick with the series because I guessed quite early on who the perpetrator was & their motive was quite obvious. I was disappointed with the fact that there were no “twists & turns” or red herrings & I wasn’t kept guessing & wasn’t constantly changing my mind to who I thought was the killer however if you want to read a story that goes into great detail about police procedures then this book is ideal as the authors are a retired senior police officer & his wife was a civilian worker for the police. Lastly I didn’t understand the relevance of the attack on Jack when he is first introduced into the story. Nothing about it was explained & I am hoping that it will be addressed in future books because it seemed very random & pointless
February 13, 2025
Man, fuck this book. The start was great, with a “murder mystery” style double child murder, but yet again I find myself being charmed and tricked by the British. The rest of the book is a bunch of British police jargon and soooo much fucking dialogue. This fucker drinks so much goddamn coffee in this book, and it describes how he burns his lips every goddamn time. Like bro, blow on it.
The start had so much merit and I was so excited to see what it went, but it seems like it’s clutching to the coattails of Sherlock and Watson, but alternatively we have Dylan and Dawn 🥱
Was so damn close to DNF’in this boring ass book. No chance in hell I’ll continue this series unless I’m promised to be the next one murdered
The start had so much merit and I was so excited to see what it went, but it seems like it’s clutching to the coattails of Sherlock and Watson, but alternatively we have Dylan and Dawn 🥱
Was so damn close to DNF’in this boring ass book. No chance in hell I’ll continue this series unless I’m promised to be the next one murdered
November 4, 2018
Plot was OK, I didn’t hate the MC, but I did hate the way his girlfriend was written. I know she had a job, but for the life of me I can’t remember as what, she was mostly there to feed the MC.
Audio, narration was meh, he did male voices just fine, whether the character was male or not was apparently irrelevant.
Not going to continue with this series.
Audio, narration was meh, he did male voices just fine, whether the character was male or not was apparently irrelevant.
Not going to continue with this series.
August 10, 2024
Excellent read, it's clear that the author was an ex policeman. There is a lot of terminology and procedural descriptions, but as it's balanced with decent characters it works.
November 19, 2012
Deadly Focus had my gripped from the first page. It has everything you want from a good crime novel:- a tough believable cop in Dylan, a true coppers' copper, a gritty emotive story line, the fantastic relationship between Dylan and Jen that tells you what "the job" does to families and individuals lives.
This had me burning the midnight oil, I had to know what was going to happen. The description of certain events in particular Daisy's abduction and her Mum's reaction to this was harrowing.
I won't describe too much because you have to read it for yourself.
What a fantastic debut novel for Bob and Carol and cannot wait for the next one!!!!
This had me burning the midnight oil, I had to know what was going to happen. The description of certain events in particular Daisy's abduction and her Mum's reaction to this was harrowing.
I won't describe too much because you have to read it for yourself.
What a fantastic debut novel for Bob and Carol and cannot wait for the next one!!!!
May 1, 2013
Deadly Focus is a gripping story that I couldn't put down.The kidnap and murder of a child is always going to tug at the heart strings and stir up deep emotions - and this certainly did just that. I loved the way we got to know DI Jack Dylan, both in his personal and working life and shared his many special moments with partner Jen and felt his deep passion and determination to catch the perpetrator and bring them to justice.
The expertise of the authors on all things to do with police proceedure, investigations and knowledge of the law certainly made the fast moving plot and characters very believable.
This comes highly recommended - i loved it and cant wait to get the next.
The expertise of the authors on all things to do with police proceedure, investigations and knowledge of the law certainly made the fast moving plot and characters very believable.
This comes highly recommended - i loved it and cant wait to get the next.
August 10, 2017
This is atrocious. Sexist in the extreme, deathly dull, and inexplicably cruel
January 21, 2014
katil ilk umduğunuz kişi çıkmazsa üzülmeyin. biraz daha polisiye okuyun...
okuyucularının hepsini karakolda toplayabilen bi dedektifi tanımaya da hazır olun derim. yine trend'den çok yakında!
bridgestock çiftinin polisiyelerini türkçe'de bekleyenlere küçük bi de müjde... kitaplar birbirinin ardına hızla kavuşacak okurlarıyla.
okuyucularının hepsini karakolda toplayabilen bi dedektifi tanımaya da hazır olun derim. yine trend'den çok yakında!
bridgestock çiftinin polisiyelerini türkçe'de bekleyenlere küçük bi de müjde... kitaplar birbirinin ardına hızla kavuşacak okurlarıyla.
February 22, 2015
Very good read, grammar could use some polish...
For those that enjoy British police procedurals, you should find this a very good read. Mr. Bridgestock's grammar and characterizations could use some polish, but I've already purchased the second book in the series and plan on reading it immediately.
For those that enjoy British police procedurals, you should find this a very good read. Mr. Bridgestock's grammar and characterizations could use some polish, but I've already purchased the second book in the series and plan on reading it immediately.
July 29, 2015
Dylan is a selfish man. Everything revolves around him, including his rather servile girlfriend, Jen. He keeps saying he loves her, but he keeps their relationship a secret for some reason. Then, his news at the end comes before everything, even her tragic news. The mystery is okay, but the characters, Jack Dylan and Dawn Farren especially, leave much to be desired.
November 11, 2014
Amazing book, to think that the book is actually written by people who have been there and got the t shirt makes it more authentic and real. The authors are amazing people who write with such depth and clarity that you will not be able to put the book down!
April 26, 2012
Only 10 chapters in but loving this book, downloaded the second book and can't wait for the next three!!!!!
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!!!
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!!!
July 4, 2015
Meat and potatoes police procedural. Found Dylan's relationship a bit twee. Will give next in series a go, tho.
November 17, 2013
brilliant :-)
December 28, 2018
This is a strongly written book; it may be nearly Christmas in Tandem Bridge, but there is violence, murder, and precious little time for celebrating. Detective Inspector Jack Dylan is introduced and injured within a page, but this appears to be his life. Procedure, order and method must happen, but what happens to the people who have lost, and the people who search, and those who love them? Despite the terrible events covered by this novel, this is all about the people, and it is the power of the descriptions of them that is the strongest element of the book. This book is far from being just a murder mystery; it is more concerned with the process of detection and how that impacts on Dylan and the others involved in the investigation. This powerful novel was sent to me by the publishers, and I was pleased to read this complex yet terribly human novel.
As the novel opens a child goes missing, and the disturbing discovery of her body upsets and disturbs even those who have spent much of their adult lives investigating the sad and distressing circumstances of crime. Dylan has just been injured by a man with a grudge, and reveals that there is a great secret in his home life: Jen Jones, who works in a nearby building. She seems to be practically perfect; accepting of long hours, exhaustion and not much contribution to the relationship from Dylan. A sounding board for his anxieties, a provider of all comforts, I found her a little too accepting and perhaps lacking in depth. There is always method to fall back on, the established procedure following a murder, the painstaking team work and the pressure on those who lead it. As another child disappears, Dylan and his team must intensify their work to discover the guilty, and prove that guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. Just as the work seems to be succeeding, Jen finds that her priorities dramatically change, and Dylan struggles on so many levels.
This is a gripping book, satisfyingly complex and always pushing forward so that one more chapter calls out to be read. Undoubtedly written by someone well versed in the everyday life of the police force, this is a detailed portrait of how an investigation happens and how the human beings involved cope. The skill of writing a book which is accurate yet incredibly readable is the most impressive thing about this novel; it will rob you of sleep as you must read it on to find out what happens. It has depths of understanding which emerge as Dylan shows his far from perfect personality, and the families of children reveal their overwhelming loss. Not that it wallows in grief in any sense; it is a book which keeps moving and pushing at the different elements of the people involved. I found it an engaging read from which I learnt a lot about how a police establishment works. It is almost photographic in its detail and range, and I found no difficulty in visualising what was going on, as the sights sounds and even smalls are so well described by these talented authors. I believe this book is part of a series; I am desperately keen to read more!
As the novel opens a child goes missing, and the disturbing discovery of her body upsets and disturbs even those who have spent much of their adult lives investigating the sad and distressing circumstances of crime. Dylan has just been injured by a man with a grudge, and reveals that there is a great secret in his home life: Jen Jones, who works in a nearby building. She seems to be practically perfect; accepting of long hours, exhaustion and not much contribution to the relationship from Dylan. A sounding board for his anxieties, a provider of all comforts, I found her a little too accepting and perhaps lacking in depth. There is always method to fall back on, the established procedure following a murder, the painstaking team work and the pressure on those who lead it. As another child disappears, Dylan and his team must intensify their work to discover the guilty, and prove that guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. Just as the work seems to be succeeding, Jen finds that her priorities dramatically change, and Dylan struggles on so many levels.
This is a gripping book, satisfyingly complex and always pushing forward so that one more chapter calls out to be read. Undoubtedly written by someone well versed in the everyday life of the police force, this is a detailed portrait of how an investigation happens and how the human beings involved cope. The skill of writing a book which is accurate yet incredibly readable is the most impressive thing about this novel; it will rob you of sleep as you must read it on to find out what happens. It has depths of understanding which emerge as Dylan shows his far from perfect personality, and the families of children reveal their overwhelming loss. Not that it wallows in grief in any sense; it is a book which keeps moving and pushing at the different elements of the people involved. I found it an engaging read from which I learnt a lot about how a police establishment works. It is almost photographic in its detail and range, and I found no difficulty in visualising what was going on, as the sights sounds and even smalls are so well described by these talented authors. I believe this book is part of a series; I am desperately keen to read more!
September 23, 2022
The crimes were horrific—a little girl, proud that she was going to be a bridesmaid at her aunt’s wedding, is killed as she returns from showing her bridesmaid’s dress to her grandmother; a young boy jubilant, because he kicked the winning goal of a school game into the net, is hung by the neck from a bridge his face smeared with dog shit. DI Jack Dylan and his team struggle to find clues that would lead them to a murderer. They follow protocol and work hard at the case trying to find a link that would tie the two cases to one suspect. Up until three quarters of the way through the book, they are stumped until they find that the two fathers attended the same school as their children. They stumble upon another lead—both fathers attended a 35-year school reunion. Then they find a bag containing the boy’s sock and a bit of the girl’s dress in the police storage. From this point, it becomes clear who the murderer is. Since it was purely blind luck that caused them to find the hidden bag, I was not exactly overwhelmed by the reveal of the killer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews