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Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery #1
Murder on the Levels
Please note this book was originally published as Firetrap
Detective Kate Hamblin is doing surveillance on the Somerset Levels, trying to catch a crazed arsonist. She leaves the van for a moment. Then it goes up in flames, killing her two colleagues.
Kate is accused of abandoning them and is excluded from the murder hunt and effectively suspended from duty.
She is desperate to nail the killer herself and clear her name.
She risks all by entering into an unholy alliance with the murder team's chief suspect. Kate finds herself not only targeted in a personal vendetta by her own DCI, but stalked by the very killer she is pursuing .
Can Kate catch the killer before he takes out the only witness? And will her career go up in flames before it’s even really started?
Detective Kate Hamblin is doing surveillance on the Somerset Levels, trying to catch a crazed arsonist. She leaves the van for a moment. Then it goes up in flames, killing her two colleagues.
Kate is accused of abandoning them and is excluded from the murder hunt and effectively suspended from duty.
She is desperate to nail the killer herself and clear her name.
She risks all by entering into an unholy alliance with the murder team's chief suspect. Kate finds herself not only targeted in a personal vendetta by her own DCI, but stalked by the very killer she is pursuing .
Can Kate catch the killer before he takes out the only witness? And will her career go up in flames before it’s even really started?
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
1590 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
David Hodges
24 books55 followersA former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, with thirty years experience in the force, David Hodges is a prolific crime writer and author of twenty crime novels plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. His debut crime novel received critical media acclaim and a welcome accolade from Inspector Morse’s creator, the late great Colin Dexter, and since then he has become the author of several successful stand-alone thrillers, including BLAST, TARGET and BURNOUT, published by Lume Books (formerly Endeavour Media).
In particular, his Somerset murder series, published by Joffe Books, which is set on the mist-shrouded Somerset Levels in England and features the exploits of feisty detective, Kate, and her easy-going partner, Hayden, has gone from strength to strength. It has attracted keen interest in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia as well as in Britain.
The first six previously published thrillers in the series are also available on Audible for sight challenged readers and those who prefer the spoken word. All David's novels are available on amazon in paperback and Kindle format.
David's latest novel in his Murder On The Levels series, SHADOWS ON THE LEVELS, was published by Joffe books on 1st January 2025, and he has now been invited to talk about his books and his 'life of crime' at the Words In Watchet Literary Festival in Somerset. This will take place at the Methodist Church, Harbour Road, Watchet, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025 and readers and non-readers will all be very welcome. (https://www.wordsinwatchet.com)
David has two married daughters and four grandchildren and lives in the UK with his wife, Elizabeth, where he continues to indulge his passion for thriller writing and to pursue his keen interest in wild life and the countryside.
He is a member of the Society of Authors, The Crime Writers Association, The Crime Readers Association and International Thriller Writers Inc.
In particular, his Somerset murder series, published by Joffe Books, which is set on the mist-shrouded Somerset Levels in England and features the exploits of feisty detective, Kate, and her easy-going partner, Hayden, has gone from strength to strength. It has attracted keen interest in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia as well as in Britain.
The first six previously published thrillers in the series are also available on Audible for sight challenged readers and those who prefer the spoken word. All David's novels are available on amazon in paperback and Kindle format.
David's latest novel in his Murder On The Levels series, SHADOWS ON THE LEVELS, was published by Joffe books on 1st January 2025, and he has now been invited to talk about his books and his 'life of crime' at the Words In Watchet Literary Festival in Somerset. This will take place at the Methodist Church, Harbour Road, Watchet, from 2.00 - 3.30 pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025 and readers and non-readers will all be very welcome. (https://www.wordsinwatchet.com)
David has two married daughters and four grandchildren and lives in the UK with his wife, Elizabeth, where he continues to indulge his passion for thriller writing and to pursue his keen interest in wild life and the countryside.
He is a member of the Society of Authors, The Crime Writers Association, The Crime Readers Association and International Thriller Writers Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
November 11, 2020
A new author for me. This was a little hard going to start with, although it did pick up fairly quickly.
The characters are strong and I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment. There is far amount of action, a lot of twists, and the ending is a real nail-biter, full of suspense.
The characters are strong and I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment. There is far amount of action, a lot of twists, and the ending is a real nail-biter, full of suspense.
May 21, 2019
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOOK WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS FIRETRAP
Being a young, female police detective has its problems. While on a stakeout of a probable arsonist, DI Kate Hamblin, must leave the van she and two colleagues are watching from to answer a call of nature.
Moments after she leaves, the van explodes in a fiery blast, leaving the van gutted and her teammates dead. Her supervisor accuses her of abandoning her team and more or less suspends her.
Kate receives a note from the supposed arsonist. Thinking this is her chance to catch the criminal herself, she agrees to a covert meeting with him. She is more than surprised when he states he was not responsible for exploding the police van and that someone deliberately set him up for a fall.
Fighting against the accusations of her own DCI is bad enough, but now someone is stalking her, targeting who he considers the lone witness to his crime.
Worried that her career may soon be over, she comes to realize that her life may also soon be over .....
This is the beginning of a new crime fiction series. The author, himself a former police superintendent, brings his 30 years of experience embedding this story and the finely drawn characters with credibility. There's a lot of action, a lot of twists, and the ending is a real nail-biter, full of suspense.
There is a cliff hanger (this is a 4-part series) which, I'm sure, will lead to a lot more action packed scenarios. The really nice thing is that there is no waiting for book 2 .... REVENGE ON THE LEVELS is available now. I highly recommend reading these books in order.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books 'n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Being a young, female police detective has its problems. While on a stakeout of a probable arsonist, DI Kate Hamblin, must leave the van she and two colleagues are watching from to answer a call of nature.
Moments after she leaves, the van explodes in a fiery blast, leaving the van gutted and her teammates dead. Her supervisor accuses her of abandoning her team and more or less suspends her.
Kate receives a note from the supposed arsonist. Thinking this is her chance to catch the criminal herself, she agrees to a covert meeting with him. She is more than surprised when he states he was not responsible for exploding the police van and that someone deliberately set him up for a fall.
Fighting against the accusations of her own DCI is bad enough, but now someone is stalking her, targeting who he considers the lone witness to his crime.
Worried that her career may soon be over, she comes to realize that her life may also soon be over .....
This is the beginning of a new crime fiction series. The author, himself a former police superintendent, brings his 30 years of experience embedding this story and the finely drawn characters with credibility. There's a lot of action, a lot of twists, and the ending is a real nail-biter, full of suspense.
There is a cliff hanger (this is a 4-part series) which, I'm sure, will lead to a lot more action packed scenarios. The really nice thing is that there is no waiting for book 2 .... REVENGE ON THE LEVELS is available now. I highly recommend reading these books in order.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books 'n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 10, 2020
Maybe just under 2.5 stars.
Its the first book in a series but I'm not sure I'll continue. DC Kate Hamblin is on routine surveillance with two others when she leaves the van for a call of nature. As she is outside the van explodes in a massive fireball killing the two other occupants. And that sets the scene for Kate being perceived as 'wrong' throughout the book. Yeah her big boss is a dickhead misogynist for treating her so poorly but then she goes off the rails constantly putting herself in danger which is hardly professional either.
I therefore didn't think any of the major players acted realistically. I hate a slow, boring book as much as the next person and this certainly had plenty of action. But it seemed like the author was throwing in scenarios and plot twists just to keep the action coming without necessarily making the story any better. All in all I thought it was overly melodramatic and I am unlikely to read any more. Maybe one day...
Its the first book in a series but I'm not sure I'll continue. DC Kate Hamblin is on routine surveillance with two others when she leaves the van for a call of nature. As she is outside the van explodes in a massive fireball killing the two other occupants. And that sets the scene for Kate being perceived as 'wrong' throughout the book. Yeah her big boss is a dickhead misogynist for treating her so poorly but then she goes off the rails constantly putting herself in danger which is hardly professional either.
I therefore didn't think any of the major players acted realistically. I hate a slow, boring book as much as the next person and this certainly had plenty of action. But it seemed like the author was throwing in scenarios and plot twists just to keep the action coming without necessarily making the story any better. All in all I thought it was overly melodramatic and I am unlikely to read any more. Maybe one day...
March 18, 2022
I am so glad that is over!
Stilted unrealistic dialogue, abominable characters and a fantastical plot. One star for getting to the end!
Absolutely, not my cup of tea! But a few other reviewers have different opinions - not sure what they were reading that I missed?
Stilted unrealistic dialogue, abominable characters and a fantastical plot. One star for getting to the end!
Absolutely, not my cup of tea! But a few other reviewers have different opinions - not sure what they were reading that I missed?
May 25, 2019
Didn't enjoy this book at all, won't bother with any others in the series. Lots of stereotyping about the posh character (Old girl, old sport etc, drives a jag etc). All of police station turned against main character but reason just did not make sense, then she goes off and does everything herself. Ridiculous
July 8, 2019
Very Poor
I read around 2-3 books of this genre per week. This is one of the worst I have read in a long time. It insults the reader's intelligence, is poorly plotted and wholly predictable. An extremely disappointing book.
I read around 2-3 books of this genre per week. This is one of the worst I have read in a long time. It insults the reader's intelligence, is poorly plotted and wholly predictable. An extremely disappointing book.
June 13, 2019
Wow love it
David Hodges is a new author to me but I was intrigued to read this series set on the Somerset Levels.
The story kicks off with a bang and the suspense builds from page 1 all the way to the very end. There are many twists and turns along the way and a massive helping of intrigue. Never in a million years would I have worked out who was behind all the action.
Kate Hamblin: a detective who got on the wrong side of her DCI: Roz Callow. Then she escapes with her life while 2 colleagues didn't and although she had to run for her life she still ended up being held accountable and more or less suspended.
Kate is a feisty young woman who won't lie down and die for anyone. Finding out that her superiors suspect Duval and wont be persuaded to consider other options Kate decides she needs to uncover the truth and thereby her innocence herself.
This is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping read with well defined characters. The author brings his knowledge of the Police Force and the Somerset Levels area into the book with skill and expertise to enable the reader to envisage the scenes and area without being subjected to big chunks of descriptive text.
There are several aspects of the story that are totally unique and the twists and turns added to the intrigue kept the pages turning... And turning all the way to the jaw dropping ending.
A brilliant read I am already downloading book 2.
David Hodges is a new author to me but I was intrigued to read this series set on the Somerset Levels.
The story kicks off with a bang and the suspense builds from page 1 all the way to the very end. There are many twists and turns along the way and a massive helping of intrigue. Never in a million years would I have worked out who was behind all the action.
Kate Hamblin: a detective who got on the wrong side of her DCI: Roz Callow. Then she escapes with her life while 2 colleagues didn't and although she had to run for her life she still ended up being held accountable and more or less suspended.
Kate is a feisty young woman who won't lie down and die for anyone. Finding out that her superiors suspect Duval and wont be persuaded to consider other options Kate decides she needs to uncover the truth and thereby her innocence herself.
This is a fast paced, adrenaline pumping read with well defined characters. The author brings his knowledge of the Police Force and the Somerset Levels area into the book with skill and expertise to enable the reader to envisage the scenes and area without being subjected to big chunks of descriptive text.
There are several aspects of the story that are totally unique and the twists and turns added to the intrigue kept the pages turning... And turning all the way to the jaw dropping ending.
A brilliant read I am already downloading book 2.
January 27, 2022
I was so surprised when I went to enter this into my Goodreads record and noted it's average rating. I couldn't help but note that while there are 4 and 5 star reviews there are also those with a 1 star rating and I sit firmly in this camp. I am a self admitted harsh critic, but I honestly do look for redeeming features and only once (recently) did I give up on a book. Generally I acknowledge that someone put so much time into the writing and believing that as it was published it must get better.
In summary, this is a book where a DI spends her whole time undermining and actively disliking and distrusting the key protagonist, Detective Kate Hamblin, to such an extent that it became unbearable, even when we finally learnt the ridiculous reason for this behavior from a "superior" officer! A fellow policeman who constantly peppers his speech with "old boy" and "old girl". A hit man who consistently kills the wrong people. Fellow police officers who are so willing to throw Kate under the bus without ever really questioning or seeking to understand. And Kate herself, who just does her own thing without regard to rank or procedure and too regularly "feeling it in her waters". If I read that phrase one more time! So on a positive note - I hope that if anyone ever hires a hit man to kill me it is this character, and that if I am ever in trouble the police are a little more worthy of my respect - perhaps I have rose coloured glasses.
This was just not for me. I alternated between laughing out loud and screaming, and I don't think either were intended by the author. I had hoped that this might be the start of a good new series but, while many others are looking forward to book two, I wont be looking out for it.
In summary, this is a book where a DI spends her whole time undermining and actively disliking and distrusting the key protagonist, Detective Kate Hamblin, to such an extent that it became unbearable, even when we finally learnt the ridiculous reason for this behavior from a "superior" officer! A fellow policeman who constantly peppers his speech with "old boy" and "old girl". A hit man who consistently kills the wrong people. Fellow police officers who are so willing to throw Kate under the bus without ever really questioning or seeking to understand. And Kate herself, who just does her own thing without regard to rank or procedure and too regularly "feeling it in her waters". If I read that phrase one more time! So on a positive note - I hope that if anyone ever hires a hit man to kill me it is this character, and that if I am ever in trouble the police are a little more worthy of my respect - perhaps I have rose coloured glasses.
This was just not for me. I alternated between laughing out loud and screaming, and I don't think either were intended by the author. I had hoped that this might be the start of a good new series but, while many others are looking forward to book two, I wont be looking out for it.
July 28, 2019
Bought the set so read them all. Good yarns but the characters are way out there. No way on this planet would the main characters (I am trying not to give too much away) get away with such shoddy police work. Instead of promotion they would be out the door. The way she constantly flouts procedure, puts herself and others at physical risk and never receives a reprimand or written warning is way more than I can stand. Even giving way for writers storytelling. It is a disgrace to the writers who spend hours researching the bones of their story. Don't waste your money.
June 22, 2022
No criticism of the book but I just didn’t enjoy it.
September 6, 2019
Almost a great book
The plot is good and the characters mostly interesting but the whole book is ruined by the central character. She is forever bursting into tears which is something I would not expect of a member of the police at her level. When she is not doing that she is wearing expensive leather boots for a clandestine meeting non a beach. I suspect the author writes her character as he would like women to be rather than the reality.
The plot is good and the characters mostly interesting but the whole book is ruined by the central character. She is forever bursting into tears which is something I would not expect of a member of the police at her level. When she is not doing that she is wearing expensive leather boots for a clandestine meeting non a beach. I suspect the author writes her character as he would like women to be rather than the reality.
August 14, 2024
An ok start to a new series, never spotted the main 'villain' before the reveal, quite liked the setting of Somerset so yeah, I'll be carrying on with the next few books at least.
My main gripe is that once again the star of the series has a problematic boss - it's getting tired as a trope.
Think this series will be good as a palate cleanser/holiday read.
My main gripe is that once again the star of the series has a problematic boss - it's getting tired as a trope.
Think this series will be good as a palate cleanser/holiday read.
November 18, 2020
New authur for me. Couldn't be more pleased with the first installment of the series. A real page-turner with an absolutely surprising plot twist.
August 12, 2022
3.5 stars.
March 13, 2024
I purchased (or perhaps "acquired" is more accurate - I think it was offered free on my Kindle) this book, because I live on the Somerset Levels and hoped that it would be filled with local colour, as well as being a cracking thriller. Unfortunately, it missed on both scores. Naturally, living relatively locally to the setting for this story, my ears were likely to be well tuned-in to possible inconsistencies with the geography, etc. They certainly were, and I'm not going to list the many errors in place names etc, which pricked my supersense on this score.
The fact is that this story could have been set anywhere. There was practically nothing to give it the unique sense of place which its title suggested (other than the use of the local word "rhyne" (pronounced "reen") which the author seemed very proud to know, hence used it ad nauseum throughout the book. Having read plenty of thrillers which drew heavily upon the local landscape,history and traditions(Ann Cleves anyone?), this lack of locality was a major disappointment for me.
This lack of geographical specificity could have been forgiven if the story or writing were up to snuff. Unfortunately, they were not. I may have been spoiled by reading Tara French and Ann Atkinson immediately before this, but the prose seemed particularly graceless. During the first couple of chapters, I wanted to scream "No - that is not how you write elegant prose", but going back, having read the whole thing, I cannot single out anything especially objectionable in the style. Equally, I could not pick out a single turn of phrase that labelled this writer as talented - although in my previous two reads, I would have been spoilt for choice.
A cracking plot could have redeemed both of these short-comings, but, once again, this was lacking. There was a revelation/twist of sorts, but nothing out of the humdrum. The protagonist, Kate Hamblin, seemed to have very little agency. Stuff just happened to her, and the case was solved. Hey ho! Add in a vindictive lesbian, a junkie who deserves her fate, and everyone will be happy, won't they? No. Not me for one. An unremarkable read and I certainly won't bother with the next few, which David Hodges might have hoped would have funded his retirement.
The fact is that this story could have been set anywhere. There was practically nothing to give it the unique sense of place which its title suggested (other than the use of the local word "rhyne" (pronounced "reen") which the author seemed very proud to know, hence used it ad nauseum throughout the book. Having read plenty of thrillers which drew heavily upon the local landscape,history and traditions(Ann Cleves anyone?), this lack of locality was a major disappointment for me.
This lack of geographical specificity could have been forgiven if the story or writing were up to snuff. Unfortunately, they were not. I may have been spoiled by reading Tara French and Ann Atkinson immediately before this, but the prose seemed particularly graceless. During the first couple of chapters, I wanted to scream "No - that is not how you write elegant prose", but going back, having read the whole thing, I cannot single out anything especially objectionable in the style. Equally, I could not pick out a single turn of phrase that labelled this writer as talented - although in my previous two reads, I would have been spoilt for choice.
A cracking plot could have redeemed both of these short-comings, but, once again, this was lacking. There was a revelation/twist of sorts, but nothing out of the humdrum. The protagonist, Kate Hamblin, seemed to have very little agency. Stuff just happened to her, and the case was solved. Hey ho! Add in a vindictive lesbian, a junkie who deserves her fate, and everyone will be happy, won't they? No. Not me for one. An unremarkable read and I certainly won't bother with the next few, which David Hodges might have hoped would have funded his retirement.
June 19, 2019
I haven't read any other books by this author and I looked forward to reading it. It didn't disappoint me. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kate Hamblin has finally got a place in CID and is on surveillance in an old van in the Somerset Levels. Her two colleagues are both male and so, when she has to answer a call of nature, she leaves the van and tries to find a quiet, unobtrusive spot. While she is away, someone places a device on the side of the van and it explodes killing both the men inside. Kate's DCI - Roz Callow- blames Kate for getting out of the van and suspends her. Kate is terrified she might lose her job and is then terrified for her life when the killer comes after her as the only witness. Without any back up, Kate thinks she has to find the killer and prove to her colleagues that she didn't walk out on the two men.
Kate gets herself into some desperate situations but she is always helped by her partner Hadyn, who is the only one who believes that Kate is right and that the arsonist who was the subject of the surveillance isn't the killer of the two policemen.
This is the first book in a set of four and I must admit to reading them all, one after the other - I enjoyed the writing and the story so much. I will certainly be looking for more from this writer.
Kate gets herself into some desperate situations but she is always helped by her partner Hadyn, who is the only one who believes that Kate is right and that the arsonist who was the subject of the surveillance isn't the killer of the two policemen.
This is the first book in a set of four and I must admit to reading them all, one after the other - I enjoyed the writing and the story so much. I will certainly be looking for more from this writer.
December 11, 2023
This is an insult to its genre.
January 15, 2020
The author does not really seem to like women.
The principal character is a bumbling, not too clever detective with a university degree (yep, cliche number 1). She's being pestered by a lesbian superior with more ego than professionalism. The other female character in the book is a bitter wife who has her husband killed by a hired gun.
The beginning is pretty irritating because it does not make sense: the whole police station is turned against her but the reason just does not make sense.
A number of clichés: the public school colleague with the posh accent and a jag, the psychopath who was former SAS, etc.
I still give it 2.5 stars because it's an easy read, language better than average, not too predictable till later in the story ...
I do not think however that I will buy more books from this author.
The principal character is a bumbling, not too clever detective with a university degree (yep, cliche number 1). She's being pestered by a lesbian superior with more ego than professionalism. The other female character in the book is a bitter wife who has her husband killed by a hired gun.
The beginning is pretty irritating because it does not make sense: the whole police station is turned against her but the reason just does not make sense.
A number of clichés: the public school colleague with the posh accent and a jag, the psychopath who was former SAS, etc.
I still give it 2.5 stars because it's an easy read, language better than average, not too predictable till later in the story ...
I do not think however that I will buy more books from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2023
I would like to give this book no stars. It’s badly written, very drawn out and utterly ridiculous. I chose it because I live in Somerset and I really hope the police force here is rather more professional than Hodges portrays. He seems to be an anti gay misogynist who hates public school boys, apparently he is an ex policeman, he certainly seems to have a lot of axes to grind. Enough said
December 3, 2020
Sorry to leave a poor review but even though I am usually prepared to suspend my disbelief this was a stretch too far. The plot was admittedly pacey, but I didn't have time to understand what Kate Hamblin was really like, and the events that occurred to her is a short space of time seemed far too incredible, not to mention the reactions of her colleagues.
The writing was I felt not of a very high standard, and I really have to point out that drawing attention to the name of the wharf near Bridgwater (Dunball) as "curious", then mis-spelling it (Dumball) on two occasions was careless.
I am a subscriber to Kindle Unlimited but will not be reading the rest of the series, even though I normally binge read detective series.
The writing was I felt not of a very high standard, and I really have to point out that drawing attention to the name of the wharf near Bridgwater (Dunball) as "curious", then mis-spelling it (Dumball) on two occasions was careless.
I am a subscriber to Kindle Unlimited but will not be reading the rest of the series, even though I normally binge read detective series.
December 1, 2023
Hmm
Well crafted and well paced. Some huge Buts though. Being able to do all that with damaged ribs? One cracked rib and bruising had me semi comatose for days. Evil, murdering lesbians? Give it a break from the misogynistic stereotypes please!
Well crafted and well paced. Some huge Buts though. Being able to do all that with damaged ribs? One cracked rib and bruising had me semi comatose for days. Evil, murdering lesbians? Give it a break from the misogynistic stereotypes please!
November 6, 2023
Badly written rubbish
I've no idea what age David Hodges is, but he writes like a teenager. It's not just the inept use of language or the purple prose but also the heavy reliance on chance and coincidence to give the weak plot any hope of working. Plus, Hamblin and Lewis have to be the thickest detectives ever. I lost count of the number of times Hamblin was completely unaware she was being tailed, or walked into a trap despite knowing a professional killer was after her. Lewis was no better. This was the first book of his that I have read and it will also be the last.
I've no idea what age David Hodges is, but he writes like a teenager. It's not just the inept use of language or the purple prose but also the heavy reliance on chance and coincidence to give the weak plot any hope of working. Plus, Hamblin and Lewis have to be the thickest detectives ever. I lost count of the number of times Hamblin was completely unaware she was being tailed, or walked into a trap despite knowing a professional killer was after her. Lewis was no better. This was the first book of his that I have read and it will also be the last.
July 8, 2019
This book
No too far fetched and do not believe that the police would not listen to their own. Don't go f
No too far fetched and do not believe that the police would not listen to their own. Don't go f
October 23, 2019
DNF. Flat, stereotypical characters and non sensical plot development.
August 28, 2021
Well 2 stars for being fast paced. No stars for being the most unbelievable story I have ever read.. The cops were as stupid as the bad guys..
November 8, 2020
⚠️⚠️ Spoilers ⚠️⚠️
I was keen to read this book because it is set in Somerset, which is where I am from. I like reading about a place when I can visualise where it is. The book was full of suspense & made me want to read more to find out what was happening but unfortunately it was so unbelievable.
For me the story started slowly & once it had gathered pace I had already accepted that the main character, Kate Hamblin was a detective who had 9 lives & was going to work her way through them all in 1 book without any care for police procedure, her safety or that of the public!
The story felt like it had been written for a TV drama with a lot of action & special effects. The characters kept saying or thinking ‘but this isn’t a TV cop show’ or ‘but this isn’t the movies’ (not direct quotes).
The characters all felt like toxic stereotypes. The detective who had been to public school & although he was young, & so was Kate referred to her as “old girl” and “old sport”. The DCI who is a lesbian & has it in for Kate all the way through the story because Kate had once politely declined a date with her.
I felt like the premise that all but 1 of her colleagues not wanting to speak to her & not being offered any support or grief counselling after the death of some of her colleagues in the line of duty was quite ridiculous. I don’t think it helped the perception of the police force to treat a colleague in such a way, although I’m fully aware it is a work of fiction.
I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters & as such I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series but the author did build the suspense for me particularly at the end when Kate was hiding from the murderer.
I was keen to read this book because it is set in Somerset, which is where I am from. I like reading about a place when I can visualise where it is. The book was full of suspense & made me want to read more to find out what was happening but unfortunately it was so unbelievable.
For me the story started slowly & once it had gathered pace I had already accepted that the main character, Kate Hamblin was a detective who had 9 lives & was going to work her way through them all in 1 book without any care for police procedure, her safety or that of the public!
The story felt like it had been written for a TV drama with a lot of action & special effects. The characters kept saying or thinking ‘but this isn’t a TV cop show’ or ‘but this isn’t the movies’ (not direct quotes).
The characters all felt like toxic stereotypes. The detective who had been to public school & although he was young, & so was Kate referred to her as “old girl” and “old sport”. The DCI who is a lesbian & has it in for Kate all the way through the story because Kate had once politely declined a date with her.
I felt like the premise that all but 1 of her colleagues not wanting to speak to her & not being offered any support or grief counselling after the death of some of her colleagues in the line of duty was quite ridiculous. I don’t think it helped the perception of the police force to treat a colleague in such a way, although I’m fully aware it is a work of fiction.
I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters & as such I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the series but the author did build the suspense for me particularly at the end when Kate was hiding from the murderer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2019
Firetrap is by David Hodges. This is a suspense that grabs you.
Kate Hamblin was a Detective Constable on a small police force. She had worked her way onto the investigative team and was on a stakeout watching Tony Duval with two other members of the team, Alf Cross and Andy Sheldon. Both were experienced and were friends of hers. Unfortunately, the transit van did not have a restroom, so she had to leave the van for a few minutes. As she was returning, a car drove up to the van and someone placed something by the door. Before she could draw a breath, the van exploded killing Alf and Andy. She was able to note that the SUV that drove up was different from Duval’s; but that didn’t keep her boss from pointing the finger at Duval and indicating that Hamblin was somehow in cahoots with him.
Hamblin was put on suspension but it didn’t stop her from trying to find the killer as she was convinced it wasn’t Tony Duval. With her boss and her boss’s boss wanting it to be Duval, she had to tread easily. Can she find the killer without being killed herself? Just who can she trust?
Kate Hamblin was a Detective Constable on a small police force. She had worked her way onto the investigative team and was on a stakeout watching Tony Duval with two other members of the team, Alf Cross and Andy Sheldon. Both were experienced and were friends of hers. Unfortunately, the transit van did not have a restroom, so she had to leave the van for a few minutes. As she was returning, a car drove up to the van and someone placed something by the door. Before she could draw a breath, the van exploded killing Alf and Andy. She was able to note that the SUV that drove up was different from Duval’s; but that didn’t keep her boss from pointing the finger at Duval and indicating that Hamblin was somehow in cahoots with him.
Hamblin was put on suspension but it didn’t stop her from trying to find the killer as she was convinced it wasn’t Tony Duval. With her boss and her boss’s boss wanting it to be Duval, she had to tread easily. Can she find the killer without being killed herself? Just who can she trust?
May 6, 2021
Having previously started this book twice before, I decided to persevere on the third reading and was rewarded with an enjoyable story with some good twists and dark humour. Like the story, Kate Hamblin grew on me as a character till I was rooting for her by the end.
It begins when she leaves a police surveillance van in the middle of the night. Moments later, it’s blown up, killing her two colleagues. The killer then hunts her down , but she escapes, only to be accused of abandoning her colleagues, perhaps knowing they were about to be killed.
Kate not only has to clear her name, she has to uncover a resourceful killer, who still wants her dead. The story becomes a cat and mouse affair, which is cleverly plotted and executed as the killer tries to complete the job before he’s identified and arrested.
With some deft dark humour and plenty of twists and narrow escapes, the story rattles along to the climax. While a couple of the characters seemed wooden and stereotyped, it remains an enjoyable and different police procedural story.
I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to Kate in her next adventure.
It begins when she leaves a police surveillance van in the middle of the night. Moments later, it’s blown up, killing her two colleagues. The killer then hunts her down , but she escapes, only to be accused of abandoning her colleagues, perhaps knowing they were about to be killed.
Kate not only has to clear her name, she has to uncover a resourceful killer, who still wants her dead. The story becomes a cat and mouse affair, which is cleverly plotted and executed as the killer tries to complete the job before he’s identified and arrested.
With some deft dark humour and plenty of twists and narrow escapes, the story rattles along to the climax. While a couple of the characters seemed wooden and stereotyped, it remains an enjoyable and different police procedural story.
I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to Kate in her next adventure.
January 28, 2025
A very disappointing read. I struggled on until giving up three-quarters of the way through the book. One-dimensional, stereotypical characters who all seem to share identical speech patterns, and annoying footnotes to 'explain' acronyms. Outdated language which is more suited to 1960s pot boilers - and having worked for both Avon & Somerset and Thames Valley Police I know the term 'policeman' had been replaced with 'police officer' long before 2011 when this book was first published. Add to this a somewhat mysogynistic combination of a salacious lesbian DCI, a 'feisty' female officer, her junkie twin sister and the posh graduate with 'boyish good looks' and you end up with a write-by-numbers effort which really does itself a disservice. There are far better novels set on the Somerset Levels, so I won't be reading any more by this writer.
February 20, 2025
Got into this book fairly quickly which is usually a good sign but although I enjoyed it there were things that didn't sit right
The instant blame on Kate for "abandoning" her colleagues surely any possibility of that would have been investigated by internal affairs. The crime scene investigation at the funeral home - why was the coffin not searched??? And the murderer escaped 😱 The whole being abandoned by your colleagues and no real investigation into Kates statement - proper tunnel vision. The sexual advances of a superior officer and the blatant blindness of the DSO to examine why Kate and her statement was being ignored - sadly does not keave a good feeling about how the police force and SOC operates! I realise this is a fictional book but some of the story lines seem a bit unbelievable.
I thought the author was a former police officer maybe if that is how fellow officers behave it explains why he is now a writer? I will read book 2 and see if my opinion changes
The instant blame on Kate for "abandoning" her colleagues surely any possibility of that would have been investigated by internal affairs. The crime scene investigation at the funeral home - why was the coffin not searched??? And the murderer escaped 😱 The whole being abandoned by your colleagues and no real investigation into Kates statement - proper tunnel vision. The sexual advances of a superior officer and the blatant blindness of the DSO to examine why Kate and her statement was being ignored - sadly does not keave a good feeling about how the police force and SOC operates! I realise this is a fictional book but some of the story lines seem a bit unbelievable.
I thought the author was a former police officer maybe if that is how fellow officers behave it explains why he is now a writer? I will read book 2 and see if my opinion changes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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