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Driven
Meet private detective James Leipfold, computer whizzkid Maile O’Hara and good-natured cop Jack Cholmondeley in the first book of the Leipfold series.
A car strikes in the middle of the night and a young actress lies dead in the road. The police force thinks it’s an accident, but Maile and Leipfold aren’t so sure.
Putting their differences aside, and brought together by a shared love of crosswords and busting bad guys, Maile and Leipfold investigate. But not all is as it seems, as they soon find out to their peril…
A car strikes in the middle of the night and a young actress lies dead in the road. The police force thinks it’s an accident, but Maile and Leipfold aren’t so sure.
Putting their differences aside, and brought together by a shared love of crosswords and busting bad guys, Maile and Leipfold investigate. But not all is as it seems, as they soon find out to their peril…
- GenresMysteryAdult Fiction
Kindle Edition
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About the author
Dane Cobain
22 books321 followersDane Cobain (High Wycombe, UK) is a published author, freelance writer and (occasional) poet and musician with a passion for language and learning. When he’s not working on his next release, he can be found reading and reviewing books while trying not to be distracted by Wikipedia.
His releases include No Rest for the Wicked (supernatural thriller), Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home (poetry) Former.ly (literary fiction), Social Paranoia (non-fiction), Come On Up to the House (horror), Subject Verb Object (anthology), Driven (crime/detective), The Tower Hill Terror (crime/detective), Meat (horror), Scarlet Sins (short stories), The Lexicologist’s Handbook (non-fiction) and The Leipfold Files (crime/detective).
His short stories have also been anthologised in Local Haunts (ed. R. Saint Clare), We’re Not Home (ed. Cam Wolfe), Served Cold (ed. R. Saint Clare and Steve Donoghue) and Eccentric Circles (ed. Cynthia Brackett-Vincent).
Cobain’s love of words grew from an early age, whether he was rewriting the lyrics to pop songs or teaching his elder siblings – maths and computer science students at university – how to execute commands in MS-DOS, all before he hit double digits. He started writing at fourteen, and progressed from lyrics and music to journals, short stories and poetry before writing the first draft of an early novel whilst in lectures. He studied creative writing at London’s Roehampton University, earning a 2:1 bachelor’s degree before starting a career as a social media marketer.
It was this career in marketing, combined with his love for reading and writing, which led to the creation of SocialBookshelves.com, his book blog, which was featured on multiple “best book blog” lists and has since been merged with DaneCobain.com. Through SocialBookshelves.com, he met Jesse James Freeman, the former VP of Community Management at Booktrope Publishing. Cobain’s debut novella, a supernatural thriller called No Rest for the Wicked, was released by Booktrope’s Forsaken imprint on June 11th 2015.
His second release, a collection of poetry called Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home, was released by Booktrope Editions in March 2016. Cobain performed his poetry at stand up nights, slams and open mic nights, memorised all 101 poems in the book.
Cobain’s third book, a literary fiction novel called Former.ly, was released on June 11th 2016. It follows the story of the rise and fall of a social networking site for the dead. Users sign up to the site, create a profile that they populate with updates that only they can see, and then when they die, their profile goes live to the public. But there’s something sinister about the site – something that people are willing to kill for.
Former.ly was followed by a non-fiction book called Social Paranoia: How Consumers and Brands Can Stay Safe in a Connected World, which was released in August 2016. The year was rounded off with Come On Up to the House, a horror novella and screenplay, in November.
In 2017, Cobain quit his marketing job to focus on full-time self-employment as an author and freelance writer. He also released Subject Verb Object: An Anthology of New Writing, which features 18 pieces from different authors and which was collected by Cobain and edited by Dane Cobain and Pam Elise Harris. That was followed in 2018 by Driven, a crime/detective novel.
In the following months, Driven was picked up for re-release by Encircle Publications, with its sequel, The Tower Hill Terror, released in 2020. In the same year, he independently released Meat, a horror novel set on a factory farm.
2021 saw the release of short story collection Scarlet Sins and non-fiction book The Lexicologist’s Handbook. The third book in the Leipfold series, The Leipfold Files, was released in 2022.
Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok to stay up-to-date and to hear more about new releases as and when they happen.
His releases include No Rest for the Wicked (supernatural thriller), Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home (poetry) Former.ly (literary fiction), Social Paranoia (non-fiction), Come On Up to the House (horror), Subject Verb Object (anthology), Driven (crime/detective), The Tower Hill Terror (crime/detective), Meat (horror), Scarlet Sins (short stories), The Lexicologist’s Handbook (non-fiction) and The Leipfold Files (crime/detective).
His short stories have also been anthologised in Local Haunts (ed. R. Saint Clare), We’re Not Home (ed. Cam Wolfe), Served Cold (ed. R. Saint Clare and Steve Donoghue) and Eccentric Circles (ed. Cynthia Brackett-Vincent).
Cobain’s love of words grew from an early age, whether he was rewriting the lyrics to pop songs or teaching his elder siblings – maths and computer science students at university – how to execute commands in MS-DOS, all before he hit double digits. He started writing at fourteen, and progressed from lyrics and music to journals, short stories and poetry before writing the first draft of an early novel whilst in lectures. He studied creative writing at London’s Roehampton University, earning a 2:1 bachelor’s degree before starting a career as a social media marketer.
It was this career in marketing, combined with his love for reading and writing, which led to the creation of SocialBookshelves.com, his book blog, which was featured on multiple “best book blog” lists and has since been merged with DaneCobain.com. Through SocialBookshelves.com, he met Jesse James Freeman, the former VP of Community Management at Booktrope Publishing. Cobain’s debut novella, a supernatural thriller called No Rest for the Wicked, was released by Booktrope’s Forsaken imprint on June 11th 2015.
His second release, a collection of poetry called Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home, was released by Booktrope Editions in March 2016. Cobain performed his poetry at stand up nights, slams and open mic nights, memorised all 101 poems in the book.
Cobain’s third book, a literary fiction novel called Former.ly, was released on June 11th 2016. It follows the story of the rise and fall of a social networking site for the dead. Users sign up to the site, create a profile that they populate with updates that only they can see, and then when they die, their profile goes live to the public. But there’s something sinister about the site – something that people are willing to kill for.
Former.ly was followed by a non-fiction book called Social Paranoia: How Consumers and Brands Can Stay Safe in a Connected World, which was released in August 2016. The year was rounded off with Come On Up to the House, a horror novella and screenplay, in November.
In 2017, Cobain quit his marketing job to focus on full-time self-employment as an author and freelance writer. He also released Subject Verb Object: An Anthology of New Writing, which features 18 pieces from different authors and which was collected by Cobain and edited by Dane Cobain and Pam Elise Harris. That was followed in 2018 by Driven, a crime/detective novel.
In the following months, Driven was picked up for re-release by Encircle Publications, with its sequel, The Tower Hill Terror, released in 2020. In the same year, he independently released Meat, a horror novel set on a factory farm.
2021 saw the release of short story collection Scarlet Sins and non-fiction book The Lexicologist’s Handbook. The third book in the Leipfold series, The Leipfold Files, was released in 2022.
Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok to stay up-to-date and to hear more about new releases as and when they happen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 3, 2018
I want to thank my friend Dane Cobain for sending his book my way. I love reading and sharing fellow BookTubers books with my friends and subscribers. This one I would be in the category of cozy mystery. That might not be how Dane defines it. It was a lovely read. 4 stars for keeping me engaged. What I found the most fun about the story is, it reminded me of the 80's movie murder mystery CLUE.
This story Driven has a nice handful of characters that may or may not be the murderer. The story starts off with a hit and run and murder of Donna Thompson. There are two men working the case. Jack Cholmondeley a cop and James Leipfold a private investigator. They work together on the "down-low" and sometimes help each other solve cases. Leipfold's in dire need of money his "shop" is on the cusp of closure and he thinks if he solves this case he will get a load of clients.
I really enjoyed this story not only because it reminded me of the movie CLUE, but it was just a fun read. Maile the side-kick to Leipfold is a cute and feisty. I like that she's small and can take care of herself. I especially like that she plays World of Warcraft because I too am a huge girl gamer. Just gave me more reasons to like her.
I heard that "Driven" was going to have a sequel (it says book#1 on the cover) and I can not wait to see what happens to Leipfold's business, if he gets to work more with the grouchy Cholmondeley and what kind of mystery they'll solve next.
This story Driven has a nice handful of characters that may or may not be the murderer. The story starts off with a hit and run and murder of Donna Thompson. There are two men working the case. Jack Cholmondeley a cop and James Leipfold a private investigator. They work together on the "down-low" and sometimes help each other solve cases. Leipfold's in dire need of money his "shop" is on the cusp of closure and he thinks if he solves this case he will get a load of clients.
I really enjoyed this story not only because it reminded me of the movie CLUE, but it was just a fun read. Maile the side-kick to Leipfold is a cute and feisty. I like that she's small and can take care of herself. I especially like that she plays World of Warcraft because I too am a huge girl gamer. Just gave me more reasons to like her.
I heard that "Driven" was going to have a sequel (it says book#1 on the cover) and I can not wait to see what happens to Leipfold's business, if he gets to work more with the grouchy Cholmondeley and what kind of mystery they'll solve next.
June 21, 2019
It was hard to decide on whether to give this 3 stars or 4 - I usually end up rounding up to 4 when I'm thinking 3.5, but looking over what I've given 4 stars to before, I think 3 is closer. As the hover text says, "I liked it" comes closer than "I really liked it" for me.
Pros:
Good plot - the crimes involved kept my interest
Good characters - I liked all the main characters. It reminded me of the Cormoran Strike characters a lot
The mystery - twists, turns, and misdirection, kept me guessing about the outcome
Cons:
Writing - while the story flowed along quite well, everything seems kind of flat. I never found myself lost (even a little bit) in their world.
Character development - characters seemed to change mood from one sentence to the next, and then back again. It's one thing for a single character to act like that, but it seemed EVERYONE had the big mood swings.
Story inconsistencies - too many times I would read something and say, "Wait, what?" because it didn't fit with what happened before. Two (non-spoilery) examples - a character spends time trying to figure out who did something when they recognized the person when it happened; a character who asks someone about something they did gets the response "You know about that?" when that character had mentioned that very thing to them the first time they met. Story elements in a mystery have to be pretty tight, and too many things here weren't.
I really wanted to like this one more, but it was hard to get past some of the flaws. This appears to be planned as a series, so perhaps the follow up books can deliver on the promise.
Pros:
Good plot - the crimes involved kept my interest
Good characters - I liked all the main characters. It reminded me of the Cormoran Strike characters a lot
The mystery - twists, turns, and misdirection, kept me guessing about the outcome
Cons:
Writing - while the story flowed along quite well, everything seems kind of flat. I never found myself lost (even a little bit) in their world.
Character development - characters seemed to change mood from one sentence to the next, and then back again. It's one thing for a single character to act like that, but it seemed EVERYONE had the big mood swings.
Story inconsistencies - too many times I would read something and say, "Wait, what?" because it didn't fit with what happened before. Two (non-spoilery) examples - a character spends time trying to figure out who did something when they recognized the person when it happened; a character who asks someone about something they did gets the response "You know about that?" when that character had mentioned that very thing to them the first time they met. Story elements in a mystery have to be pretty tight, and too many things here weren't.
I really wanted to like this one more, but it was hard to get past some of the flaws. This appears to be planned as a series, so perhaps the follow up books can deliver on the promise.
August 21, 2022
Just as important to me {probably more so} as the plot are the characters.
That Driven has both a compelling plot that is just that little bit different; the murder weapon, well, lets just leave it at the murder weapon is somewhat unique.
That is also has interesting characters in the form of down on his luck private detective James Leipfold, computer whizzkid Maile O’Hara {a feisty, small, World of Warcraft playing woman who is well able to take care of herself ... just the kind of female character I love} and cop Jack Cholmondeley {who has something of a begrudging respect for Leipfold} makes it a hugely enjoyable read.
Well fleshed out; I found myself engrossed in the use of innovative technology, that there are several different threads to the story, none of which without take away from/disrupt the flow of the main plot, that I quickly invested in the characters, all particularly impressive given that at 214 pages this is a relatively short read.
The first in what I'm hoping is going to be a long running series, Leipfold, O'Hara and Cholmondeley certainly have a lot of mileage in them if Driven is anything to go by; I'm sure I won't be the only reader eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... Received For Review, the thoughts on this are my own, no financial compensation was asked for nor given
That Driven has both a compelling plot that is just that little bit different; the murder weapon, well, lets just leave it at the murder weapon is somewhat unique.
That is also has interesting characters in the form of down on his luck private detective James Leipfold, computer whizzkid Maile O’Hara {a feisty, small, World of Warcraft playing woman who is well able to take care of herself ... just the kind of female character I love} and cop Jack Cholmondeley {who has something of a begrudging respect for Leipfold} makes it a hugely enjoyable read.
Well fleshed out; I found myself engrossed in the use of innovative technology, that there are several different threads to the story, none of which without take away from/disrupt the flow of the main plot, that I quickly invested in the characters, all particularly impressive given that at 214 pages this is a relatively short read.
The first in what I'm hoping is going to be a long running series, Leipfold, O'Hara and Cholmondeley certainly have a lot of mileage in them if Driven is anything to go by; I'm sure I won't be the only reader eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... Received For Review, the thoughts on this are my own, no financial compensation was asked for nor given
July 29, 2021
I was a bit apprehensive going into this book, police detective is a genre I rarely reach for, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this.
The book is told in third person, so we follow several different characters who are investigating the suspicious death of a woman.
Most of the time we follow Leipfold, a private detective who is a bit down on his luck in terms of work, he decides to look into the mystery for his own gain - to get recognition and media attention in hopes of enticing new clients in. Young computer whiz Maile joins his operation in hopes of clinching a proper job (but also just killing time doing what she loves.) I really like the alternative / goth female tech trope (see Garcia in Criminal Minds and Abby in NCIS) so of course I warmed to Maile straight away. Finally we have Jack Cholmondeley, the head detective of the case police initially rule an accident (somehow) who has a complicated friendship / begrudging respect for Leipfold, so they are soon sharing information to try and solve the mystery before more bodies turn up.
The reading experience was enjoyable, I liked the pacing and the story unfolds in an engaging way.
The book is told in third person, so we follow several different characters who are investigating the suspicious death of a woman.
Most of the time we follow Leipfold, a private detective who is a bit down on his luck in terms of work, he decides to look into the mystery for his own gain - to get recognition and media attention in hopes of enticing new clients in. Young computer whiz Maile joins his operation in hopes of clinching a proper job (but also just killing time doing what she loves.) I really like the alternative / goth female tech trope (see Garcia in Criminal Minds and Abby in NCIS) so of course I warmed to Maile straight away. Finally we have Jack Cholmondeley, the head detective of the case police initially rule an accident (somehow) who has a complicated friendship / begrudging respect for Leipfold, so they are soon sharing information to try and solve the mystery before more bodies turn up.
The reading experience was enjoyable, I liked the pacing and the story unfolds in an engaging way.
January 30, 2023
I received a complimentary electronic copy of this excellent London Police Procedural courtesy of the author, Dane Cobain. I have read Driven of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to add Dean Cobain to my favorite authors and recommend him to friends and family. He writes a compelling mystery with a fast pace and fully characterized protagonists.
Driven is the first of the Leipfold Series, and you can tell it's going to be a good one. Young geek Maile O’Hara adds her computer skills and sparkle to the experience and good-natured personality of Murder Detective Jack Cholmondeley. It will take both of them working hard to solve the mystery of the murdered actress, run over by a self-driving car in the wee hours of the morning. though captured on CC film, there was no driver in the vehicle and there were several people, including her mother and her agent, who all had motives. I am looking forward to number 2.
Reviewed on November 12, 2022, at Goodreads. Reviewed on January 18, 2023, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
Driven is the first of the Leipfold Series, and you can tell it's going to be a good one. Young geek Maile O’Hara adds her computer skills and sparkle to the experience and good-natured personality of Murder Detective Jack Cholmondeley. It will take both of them working hard to solve the mystery of the murdered actress, run over by a self-driving car in the wee hours of the morning. though captured on CC film, there was no driver in the vehicle and there were several people, including her mother and her agent, who all had motives. I am looking forward to number 2.
Reviewed on November 12, 2022, at Goodreads. Reviewed on January 18, 2023, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
June 1, 2019
If you like cozy mysteries but are tired of little old ladies and 30 something divorced bakers solving crimes then this cozy detective story might be just the thing you have been waiting for. James Leipfold is a throw back to the old school noir hard boiled detectives but without the sexist mindset of that era. His assistant is a modern young woman with punk style and who knows her way around a computer, much like Lisbet Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) but without the dysfunction. There is also Detective Inspector Jack Cholmondeley who is not exactly bumbling but he is somewhat reluctant to rely on Leipfold's gut instincts. They play off each other quite well throughout the story. The plot jumps right into the murder and we learn early on that the murder weapon is very unique and it raises some interesting questions about our own near future. There is decent cast of potential suspects that will keep you guessing until the end.
March 29, 2018
I gave this 4.5 stars! I like a murder mystery that I can't figure out! I also liked the contrast between the two main characters, James Leipfold and Maile O'Hara!
January 31, 2023
I'm picky with mystery/thrillers, so this one was fine, but not really anything special to me. I liked the characters and the overall story, and especially toward the end I got invested with what was going on. It was a fun story overall and I was along for the ride, but I'm not sure I'll pick up the other books in the series.
I didn't really get along with the writing style. It felt kind of stilted to me and didn't flow well. The scenes were all very short (generally less than two pages) and it made the book feel a little jumpy. I was never able to get in a good rhythm with it. The dialogue also felt off, like the characters were always over explaining themselves.
The physical descriptions of characters were a lot. Almost every time we were introduced to someone new, the narrative would pause and we'd get a paragraph describing their appearance. Sometimes, we'd even get multiple descriptions, like when a different POV character was introduced to them. I get that physical descriptions are important, but it always felt jarring to me and kind of over the top. On page 201 (of 214) we were introduced to a new character who existed only on that page for that one paragraph and there were six sentences about her, down to the allergy bracelet on her wrist. It felt so entirely unnecessary.
To be honest, this reminded me a fair amount of Agatha Christie. I read a handful of her books last year for the first time and gave them all three stars, so maybe it's just not for me. If you're a Christie fan, you will probably have a much better time with this than I did.
I didn't really get along with the writing style. It felt kind of stilted to me and didn't flow well. The scenes were all very short (generally less than two pages) and it made the book feel a little jumpy. I was never able to get in a good rhythm with it. The dialogue also felt off, like the characters were always over explaining themselves.
The physical descriptions of characters were a lot. Almost every time we were introduced to someone new, the narrative would pause and we'd get a paragraph describing their appearance. Sometimes, we'd even get multiple descriptions, like when a different POV character was introduced to them. I get that physical descriptions are important, but it always felt jarring to me and kind of over the top. On page 201 (of 214) we were introduced to a new character who existed only on that page for that one paragraph and there were six sentences about her, down to the allergy bracelet on her wrist. It felt so entirely unnecessary.
To be honest, this reminded me a fair amount of Agatha Christie. I read a handful of her books last year for the first time and gave them all three stars, so maybe it's just not for me. If you're a Christie fan, you will probably have a much better time with this than I did.
October 1, 2024
Solid 4.1
This is a great series opener
Picture Sam Spade mixed with Perry Mason but transplanted into a tech full world
Beautifully done
A fun mystery too, lots of suspects and a good reveal
This is a great series opener
Picture Sam Spade mixed with Perry Mason but transplanted into a tech full world
Beautifully done
A fun mystery too, lots of suspects and a good reveal
October 24, 2019
I was given this book by the author as part of an exchange of 2 of my books for 2 of his, Thank you!
So Driven starts with an actress being killed in what appears to be a hit and run incident. Police detective Cholmondeley starts his investigations, as does PI Liepfold along with his newly hired employee Maille. Cholmondely and Liepfold end up helping each other through the twisty investigation, with Maille being the key mind to solve the mysteries of the crime (which at first is assumed to be an accident).
The writer is clearly a crime fan and knows how to put this kind of story together. The book had the feel of an Agatha Christie, especially at the denouement, which gave it almost a warm traditional feeling. However, the combination of ex-alcoholic Liepfold with techy Maille gave a (much tamer) feeling of the Stieg Larsson Books. I enjoyed the technological side of it and I also look forward to seeing the friendships between the 3 investigative leads develop in future books.
I would have liked an ending that felt more of a shock - not to say it was predictable, but just that I personally love an ending to a crime novel that is like a slap in the face. The revelation is more of a gradual twisty road that slowly builds up the picture. No bad thing, more of a personal preference.
Enjoyable, well written and interesting. Great book Dane!
So Driven starts with an actress being killed in what appears to be a hit and run incident. Police detective Cholmondeley starts his investigations, as does PI Liepfold along with his newly hired employee Maille. Cholmondely and Liepfold end up helping each other through the twisty investigation, with Maille being the key mind to solve the mysteries of the crime (which at first is assumed to be an accident).
The writer is clearly a crime fan and knows how to put this kind of story together. The book had the feel of an Agatha Christie, especially at the denouement, which gave it almost a warm traditional feeling. However, the combination of ex-alcoholic Liepfold with techy Maille gave a (much tamer) feeling of the Stieg Larsson Books. I enjoyed the technological side of it and I also look forward to seeing the friendships between the 3 investigative leads develop in future books.
I would have liked an ending that felt more of a shock - not to say it was predictable, but just that I personally love an ending to a crime novel that is like a slap in the face. The revelation is more of a gradual twisty road that slowly builds up the picture. No bad thing, more of a personal preference.
Enjoyable, well written and interesting. Great book Dane!
August 23, 2018
I've followed Dane Cobain through social media for some time and so when he quit his day job to become a full time writer I was intrigued what his books would be like. I've had this book on my personal tbr list for some time and am so glad I finally got around to reading it.
It really was a cracking read. I loved the characters, especially Maile with her bang up to date internet sleuthing skills. In fact the book was full of great tech references even down to the killer car. Once I started to read I really couldn't put it down, I just loved the writing it flowed beautifully from the page. It reminded me a little of Galbraith's duo in that we have a PI down on his luck who lives mainly in his office and an assistant willing to work for little or nothing. The writing was just as good as Galbraith too.
Kept me guessing to the end as to who did what and why - a great twisting and turning plot. I would love to give the book five stars but I am going with four. Much as I love Agatha Christie I wasn't such a fan when Dane decided to use one of her literary vehicles in his book! Just didn't hit the spot with me. I won't say more as I don't do spoilers, maybe he meant it as a homage?
It really was a cracking read. I loved the characters, especially Maile with her bang up to date internet sleuthing skills. In fact the book was full of great tech references even down to the killer car. Once I started to read I really couldn't put it down, I just loved the writing it flowed beautifully from the page. It reminded me a little of Galbraith's duo in that we have a PI down on his luck who lives mainly in his office and an assistant willing to work for little or nothing. The writing was just as good as Galbraith too.
Kept me guessing to the end as to who did what and why - a great twisting and turning plot. I would love to give the book five stars but I am going with four. Much as I love Agatha Christie I wasn't such a fan when Dane decided to use one of her literary vehicles in his book! Just didn't hit the spot with me. I won't say more as I don't do spoilers, maybe he meant it as a homage?
March 9, 2022
I’ve become a fan of Dane Cobain from watching his YouTube channel Dane Reads. From those videos, I’ve heard him perform some of his own work, as well as give reading performances from the work of other authors.
This private detective murder mystery novel had everything that I would want from this type of story. I thought it was a brilliant example of the genre. As I read through the book, I found myself smiling at several places, pausing, and talking to other people about my excitement regarding the story and characters. The inclusion of newer technology was innovative, including the murder of a woman by a car with what appeared to be no one at the wheel.
I highly recommend this book for fans of murder mystery novels. I’ve already picked up the second book in the series and am happy to see the adventures of the characters continue.
This private detective murder mystery novel had everything that I would want from this type of story. I thought it was a brilliant example of the genre. As I read through the book, I found myself smiling at several places, pausing, and talking to other people about my excitement regarding the story and characters. The inclusion of newer technology was innovative, including the murder of a woman by a car with what appeared to be no one at the wheel.
I highly recommend this book for fans of murder mystery novels. I’ve already picked up the second book in the series and am happy to see the adventures of the characters continue.
July 2, 2019
A detective story using themes and motifs from the Golden Age of crime, this book is a modern day interpretation of the locked room mystery. Driven's mystery is that of a woman killed by a driverless car - many have designs against her and it is up to private detective James Leipfold and his assistant Maile O'Hara to discover just who the murderer is.
This book reminded me of a few of my favourite crime series - there are hints of Poirot and Paul Temple - and I think that if you're a fan of the genre you ought to read it.
This book reminded me of a few of my favourite crime series - there are hints of Poirot and Paul Temple - and I think that if you're a fan of the genre you ought to read it.
September 3, 2018
A fast-paced and fun to read mystery!
This was a fast-paced and fun to read detective story. The main characters of the detective and his assistant were very likeable and worked well together. The plot was engaging and I enjoyed puzzling out the mystery till the very end. I look forward to more books in this series.
This was a fast-paced and fun to read detective story. The main characters of the detective and his assistant were very likeable and worked well together. The plot was engaging and I enjoyed puzzling out the mystery till the very end. I look forward to more books in this series.
March 23, 2018
A modern mystery
This was a unique premise fit into a classic PI/ Police Procedural mystery. The characters were very likeable and well fleshed out. Imagine a self driving car as a murder weapon. I loved it!
This was a unique premise fit into a classic PI/ Police Procedural mystery. The characters were very likeable and well fleshed out. Imagine a self driving car as a murder weapon. I loved it!
March 26, 2018
This book drew me in until the end. Once picked up it was hard to put down. Many twists in the story. Brilliant characters and written well. I am pleased to note that this is the first in a series. Cannot wait for the second one. Definitely one to read. I recommend it highly
February 10, 2019
First of all, I would like to thank Dane for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I like the writing style. I would be very interested to read more of Dane and can't wait to see where he goes with these characters in the Leipfold series.
I really enjoyed this book. I like the writing style. I would be very interested to read more of Dane and can't wait to see where he goes with these characters in the Leipfold series.
February 24, 2020
It took me a few chapters but I ended up very much enjoying this crime fiction mystery. I look forward to the next in the series. See my review on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/y6ZbXIvO1kc
https://youtu.be/y6ZbXIvO1kc
June 16, 2022
This was a thriller following a private investigator in a similar vein as the modern Cormoran Strike books or the older-fashioned Agatha Christie novels. We start out with a crime, interview and investigate a variety of suspects and clues, and end with the private investigator monologuing to assembled suspects about what he discovered happened during the crime. While this is generally a formula that I enjoy, this novel was a little bit of a harder sell to me than the other I've listed. I was interested in the crime and some of the high-tech elements of the story, but the characters themselves tended to fall a little flat. I usually expect characters to all be trying to fool each other and lie in a thriller, but a lot of people seemed too honest and straightforward here. They would try to get away without mentioning something, but the second they were called on it, they would admit what they'd done. It was kind of cute in a way, but difficult to believe.
I also felt like the perpetrators of the crimes in this story were a little too obvious from the beginning. Sure, there were a few different people with motives, so you couldn't be sure of all the details about how the crimes came to be, but nothing about it was really that surprising at the end of the day.
Plus, there was a whole second random crime that our characters were hired to solve during the course of this novel. While this added realism to the novel, it felt a little out of place since investigating this second crime didn't seem to bring them any closer toward solving the main one.
Additionally, the monologuing bit at the end was hard to believe. In Agatha Christie novels, characters are often trapped together, such as in The Murder on the Orient Express when they're all passengers on the same train. This naturally leads to scenes where all the possible suspects are gathered together and can listen to our protagonist monologue. In Driven, that is not the case. We are in a city, and anyone has the freedom to go anywhere at any time. Therefore, in order to facilitate the climactic monologue, every character who our protagonist has interacted with throughout the course of the novel is brought to his office at the same time to listen to him monologue. It felt very contrived and and made me super aware that I was reading a novel, since no one would waste the time and effort to do this in real life when they could just have the person they suspect arrested.
I also felt like the perpetrators of the crimes in this story were a little too obvious from the beginning. Sure, there were a few different people with motives, so you couldn't be sure of all the details about how the crimes came to be, but nothing about it was really that surprising at the end of the day.
Plus, there was a whole second random crime that our characters were hired to solve during the course of this novel. While this added realism to the novel, it felt a little out of place since investigating this second crime didn't seem to bring them any closer toward solving the main one.
Additionally, the monologuing bit at the end was hard to believe. In Agatha Christie novels, characters are often trapped together, such as in The Murder on the Orient Express when they're all passengers on the same train. This naturally leads to scenes where all the possible suspects are gathered together and can listen to our protagonist monologue. In Driven, that is not the case. We are in a city, and anyone has the freedom to go anywhere at any time. Therefore, in order to facilitate the climactic monologue, every character who our protagonist has interacted with throughout the course of the novel is brought to his office at the same time to listen to him monologue. It felt very contrived and and made me super aware that I was reading a novel, since no one would waste the time and effort to do this in real life when they could just have the person they suspect arrested.
December 18, 2022
I read this well over a year ago and just saw it in my want to read list!
It's the first book in the Leipfold Mysteries series, where we follow a private detective, and his new assistant help the police with their investigation.
You should check it out if you like your cosy mysteries.
Dane is a man of good standing.
It's the first book in the Leipfold Mysteries series, where we follow a private detective, and his new assistant help the police with their investigation.
You should check it out if you like your cosy mysteries.
Dane is a man of good standing.
July 7, 2022
Disclosure. This is a review of an ebook I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.
The story starts by introducing us to Donna Thompson but by the end of chapter 1, she is dead, killed in a hit and run. Then chapter 2 feels slow with random snapshots as we meet private investigator James Leipfold, play director Tom Townsend and computer whizz Maile O’Hara. Chapter 3 was equally slow, this time meeting Detective Inspector Jack Cholmondeley, Sergeant Gary Mogford, Constable Groves and informing Donna’s next of kin, her mother Eleanor, who hasn’t seen Donna in years.
Then with the highlight of chapter 4 initially seeming to be skint Leipfold advertising for an intern and reading the newspaper, which mentions the hit and run, I was about ready to give up on this book. It was just way too slow, however I persevered. Leipfold decides to visit the scene where he bumps into Cholmondeley who he knows from way back. From his investigative methods, I started to get the feeling that Leipfold may be the one who can find the mystery driver rather than the police, as he quickly finds a house nearby with CCTV. And by the end of the chapter, we have linked in another of the main characters, Maile is waiting outside Leipfold’s office. She wants to be his intern.
As things start to hot up, I’m glad I kept going with this book, but I would suggest to the author that he needs to hook the reader in sooner. The CCTV appears to indicate that the car has no driver. How can this be? Is the driver hiding out of view? Is the vehicle being controlled remotely? Could it be pre-meditated murder rather than an accidental hit and run?
So in true whodunnit style, potential suspects start to stack up for the crime. And so do alibis.
I loved the way Leipfold shares little clues to the police, then relying on them to do the necessary graft.
A modern detective mystery to get you thinking whodunnit. It is the first book in a series, so I’m looking forward to reading more and hoping that now we have been introduced to the sleuths, that the next title will unfold faster.
And if you would like to win a paperback copy of Driven, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog, (closes 6 Aug 2022). Link in my profile.
The story starts by introducing us to Donna Thompson but by the end of chapter 1, she is dead, killed in a hit and run. Then chapter 2 feels slow with random snapshots as we meet private investigator James Leipfold, play director Tom Townsend and computer whizz Maile O’Hara. Chapter 3 was equally slow, this time meeting Detective Inspector Jack Cholmondeley, Sergeant Gary Mogford, Constable Groves and informing Donna’s next of kin, her mother Eleanor, who hasn’t seen Donna in years.
Then with the highlight of chapter 4 initially seeming to be skint Leipfold advertising for an intern and reading the newspaper, which mentions the hit and run, I was about ready to give up on this book. It was just way too slow, however I persevered. Leipfold decides to visit the scene where he bumps into Cholmondeley who he knows from way back. From his investigative methods, I started to get the feeling that Leipfold may be the one who can find the mystery driver rather than the police, as he quickly finds a house nearby with CCTV. And by the end of the chapter, we have linked in another of the main characters, Maile is waiting outside Leipfold’s office. She wants to be his intern.
As things start to hot up, I’m glad I kept going with this book, but I would suggest to the author that he needs to hook the reader in sooner. The CCTV appears to indicate that the car has no driver. How can this be? Is the driver hiding out of view? Is the vehicle being controlled remotely? Could it be pre-meditated murder rather than an accidental hit and run?
So in true whodunnit style, potential suspects start to stack up for the crime. And so do alibis.
I loved the way Leipfold shares little clues to the police, then relying on them to do the necessary graft.
A modern detective mystery to get you thinking whodunnit. It is the first book in a series, so I’m looking forward to reading more and hoping that now we have been introduced to the sleuths, that the next title will unfold faster.
And if you would like to win a paperback copy of Driven, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog, (closes 6 Aug 2022). Link in my profile.
February 10, 2018
The first chapter pulls you straight in with the death of Donna Thompson and from there you get introduced, one by one, to the three main characters. Driven is very well written and in a way you are following a few different story lines which all happen to interlink at times so you are encouraged to keep reading and if you are anything like me you will be desperate to find out what happens next in the crazy world of Driven.
The author keeps you guessing with regards to the number of suspects but a very slight little niggle would be that when the truth was revealed in the final few chapters I could not help but be slightly disappointed with how obvious the conclusion was, I had figured out the ending before it came and I guess I was hoping I would be wrong. That said, it is still a great read and my premature prediction of how the book would end really didn’t take anything away from the reader experience on the whole.
If you are a fan of detective novels, then this is a must read. From the minute I picked up the book to start reading it I was hooked. Not only is it incredibly well written, the characters are extremely likeable and easy to identify with every page leaving you wanting more, making it impossible to put down. The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was that when I did put it down I would walk back in the room to find my husband reading it too so I would then have to wait until he had finished before I could read more.
It is extremely obviously that the author takes inspiration from the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie so if you enjoy those authors then I would highly recommend giving Driven a try. So far, it has to be one of my favourites of 2018 and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of Book #2 and I strongly believe that in a couple of years time we will see this series being transformed into a screen adaptation which I would definitely watch.
Read my full review: https://www.haleyryan.co.uk
The author keeps you guessing with regards to the number of suspects but a very slight little niggle would be that when the truth was revealed in the final few chapters I could not help but be slightly disappointed with how obvious the conclusion was, I had figured out the ending before it came and I guess I was hoping I would be wrong. That said, it is still a great read and my premature prediction of how the book would end really didn’t take anything away from the reader experience on the whole.
If you are a fan of detective novels, then this is a must read. From the minute I picked up the book to start reading it I was hooked. Not only is it incredibly well written, the characters are extremely likeable and easy to identify with every page leaving you wanting more, making it impossible to put down. The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was that when I did put it down I would walk back in the room to find my husband reading it too so I would then have to wait until he had finished before I could read more.
It is extremely obviously that the author takes inspiration from the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie so if you enjoy those authors then I would highly recommend giving Driven a try. So far, it has to be one of my favourites of 2018 and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of Book #2 and I strongly believe that in a couple of years time we will see this series being transformed into a screen adaptation which I would definitely watch.
Read my full review: https://www.haleyryan.co.uk
April 1, 2018
Driven is the first book I've read by Dane Cobain, and as a good friend of mine I have no choice but to be critical.
In total I honestly found 1 editing mistake, which is pretty good as I have read some indie books with many more! And even J K Rowling had editing mistakes. (It has been noted to correct in future copies).
Now to get onto the story...
Driven is a detective novel involving private investigator James Leipfold, and a nerdy computer geek Maile. We also have the police force lead by detective Jack Cholmondelay, and together these three help to crack the case.
I liked the character Leipfold. He had a lot of character and his passion for the case you could definitely tell.
Maile was a character I could relate to.
Cholmondelay came across as a serious grumpy detective, and actually reminded me of Jack Frost.
I enjoyed seeing Leipfold and Maile work together the most.
There was one point of this book where I felt it was dragging a little, but then it didn't take long to get back into the story.
I liked how we had all the suspects and we went backwards and forwards through them to get the stories, and I didn't get too confused between all the characters.
I wish the case would have closed fully at the end as it feels like some ties still haven't been sorted because of unfound evidence. I actually personally would have wanted Maile and Leipfold to help find it. Maybe we will be told in the next book. Who knows?
Overall I enjoyed the book and look forwards to seeing what next crime they solve!
In total I honestly found 1 editing mistake, which is pretty good as I have read some indie books with many more! And even J K Rowling had editing mistakes. (It has been noted to correct in future copies).
Now to get onto the story...
Driven is a detective novel involving private investigator James Leipfold, and a nerdy computer geek Maile. We also have the police force lead by detective Jack Cholmondelay, and together these three help to crack the case.
I liked the character Leipfold. He had a lot of character and his passion for the case you could definitely tell.
Maile was a character I could relate to.
Cholmondelay came across as a serious grumpy detective, and actually reminded me of Jack Frost.
I enjoyed seeing Leipfold and Maile work together the most.
There was one point of this book where I felt it was dragging a little, but then it didn't take long to get back into the story.
I liked how we had all the suspects and we went backwards and forwards through them to get the stories, and I didn't get too confused between all the characters.
I wish the case would have closed fully at the end as it feels like some ties still haven't been sorted because of unfound evidence. I actually personally would have wanted Maile and Leipfold to help find it. Maybe we will be told in the next book. Who knows?
Overall I enjoyed the book and look forwards to seeing what next crime they solve!
September 1, 2022
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
This is the first book in the Leipfold Mystery series. It’s a good mystery with several suspects. I couldn’t decide who the murderer was, so I had to wait until Leipfold’s big reveal. I like how he gathered everyone related to the case no matter how small a role they played to reveal how things went down.
The characters in Driven are interesting, and I enjoyed them as much as I did the mystery. Leipfold is kind of different, and his new assistant, Maille, is very different, but I like them both. I especially enjoyed the development of their relationship.
I’m looking forward to starting the next book in the series, The Tower Hill Terror!
This is the first book in the Leipfold Mystery series. It’s a good mystery with several suspects. I couldn’t decide who the murderer was, so I had to wait until Leipfold’s big reveal. I like how he gathered everyone related to the case no matter how small a role they played to reveal how things went down.
The characters in Driven are interesting, and I enjoyed them as much as I did the mystery. Leipfold is kind of different, and his new assistant, Maille, is very different, but I like them both. I especially enjoyed the development of their relationship.
I’m looking forward to starting the next book in the series, The Tower Hill Terror!
March 4, 2018
Punkette computer-brain drops in on grizzled ex-army misery and they embark on their first case together. A fine page-turner ensues full of murder, mayhem and other things beginning with M. There's a fine conventional detective involved too whose name is pronounced Chumley. I look forward to the follow-ups.
September 10, 2020
A really interesting premise however it took me a while to warm to the major characters and a few elements of the plot seemed a tad far fetched. However I loved the classic Agatha Christie-esque gathering of all the suspects in one room while Leipfold shone as a modern day Poirot. I think we will see Dane grow in confidence with the next book in the series.
July 31, 2022
Well written good story line. Thank you for the entertaining read
September 21, 2022
What a concept! A great start to a series! Love the depth of the characters and the interplay of their personalities.
August 17, 2024
In Driven, Dane Cobain crafts a gripping narrative that delves into the heart of an intense and complex investigation. The story follows detective James Leipfold, computer expert Maile O'Hara, and an amiable cop named Jack Cholmondeley as they work to uncover the truth in their new high-stakes case. As the team dives deeper, they encounter a web of personal motivations and mysterious connections that challenge their pursuit of justice. Among the fascinating cast of characters and mounting tension, the question remains: How far will they go to uncover the truth, and what will be the ultimate cost of their pursuit?
With each chapter, Cobain weaves a complex narrative that keeps readers turning the pages from start to finish. The tension builds gradually, drawing readers deeper into the web of mysteries. A good example of this, without giving away any spoilers, is when a clue is discovered that hints at something darker and more nefarious. Cobain lingers on the eerie silence of the surroundings and the racing thoughts of the protagonist, creating a slow, methodical pace that keeps readers on edge, anticipating what will happen next.
The characters are well-crafted, each bringing something unique to the story. Cobain does an excellent job of creating believable, relatable characters that fit seamlessly into the novel's noir atmosphere. With a mix of vulnerability and determination, their stories become more engaging. Even the antagonists are given multiple layers, avoiding the stereotypical one-dimensional portrayal, which adds further complexity to the narrative. Cobain's character development ensures that readers are invested not only in the plot but also in the fates of the characters.
Driven by Dane Cobain stands out as a blend of suspense, character depth, and intricate plotting. The skillful storytelling and character development make for a compelling read that keeps readers engaged from the first page to the last. The tension, personal stakes, and quest for truth make for both a thrilling and thought-provoking mystery story. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy a story rich with layers of intrigue and emotional depth.
With each chapter, Cobain weaves a complex narrative that keeps readers turning the pages from start to finish. The tension builds gradually, drawing readers deeper into the web of mysteries. A good example of this, without giving away any spoilers, is when a clue is discovered that hints at something darker and more nefarious. Cobain lingers on the eerie silence of the surroundings and the racing thoughts of the protagonist, creating a slow, methodical pace that keeps readers on edge, anticipating what will happen next.
The characters are well-crafted, each bringing something unique to the story. Cobain does an excellent job of creating believable, relatable characters that fit seamlessly into the novel's noir atmosphere. With a mix of vulnerability and determination, their stories become more engaging. Even the antagonists are given multiple layers, avoiding the stereotypical one-dimensional portrayal, which adds further complexity to the narrative. Cobain's character development ensures that readers are invested not only in the plot but also in the fates of the characters.
Driven by Dane Cobain stands out as a blend of suspense, character depth, and intricate plotting. The skillful storytelling and character development make for a compelling read that keeps readers engaged from the first page to the last. The tension, personal stakes, and quest for truth make for both a thrilling and thought-provoking mystery story. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy a story rich with layers of intrigue and emotional depth.
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