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The DC Ruby Knight Investigations #1
The Deep End
A rookie detective faces the first serious challenge in her career when a man is almost killed in an acid attack.
It is DC Ruby Knight’s first day in CID and she is called upon to investigate a vicious assault. A man has been doused with acid on his doorstep.
Having returned to Hertfordshire after working as a beat bobby in London, Knight is relieved she has been given a serious case. But she has also been partnered with DI Steve Jenkins, a dishevelled detective who looks like he’s almost given up the ghost.
Despite Knight’s enthusiasm, she struggles to find a motive for the crime, which has left the victim fighting for his life. And she becomes increasing frustrated with her partner’s lacklustre approach to policing.
But when another attack occurs the case is blown wide open. Knight’s fears that working in a backwater will be boring, prove quite unfounded. Indeed, she even begins to appreciate her partner’s discreet ways of getting information, and gradually grows fond of him.
But what was a difficult, emotional case will soon become a murder investigation and it will take all of Knight’s intelligence and energy to bring the killers to justice.
It is DC Ruby Knight’s first day in CID and she is called upon to investigate a vicious assault. A man has been doused with acid on his doorstep.
Having returned to Hertfordshire after working as a beat bobby in London, Knight is relieved she has been given a serious case. But she has also been partnered with DI Steve Jenkins, a dishevelled detective who looks like he’s almost given up the ghost.
Despite Knight’s enthusiasm, she struggles to find a motive for the crime, which has left the victim fighting for his life. And she becomes increasing frustrated with her partner’s lacklustre approach to policing.
But when another attack occurs the case is blown wide open. Knight’s fears that working in a backwater will be boring, prove quite unfounded. Indeed, she even begins to appreciate her partner’s discreet ways of getting information, and gradually grows fond of him.
But what was a difficult, emotional case will soon become a murder investigation and it will take all of Knight’s intelligence and energy to bring the killers to justice.
249 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2019
153 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Denver Murphy
16 books34 followersI’m a British author covering a variety of genres but one thing links them all: concerns with the humanity. Whether it’s the greed of individuals, happy to risk what they have in the pursuit of more, or people’s indifference to the ills that blight society, so long as they are not directly affected themselves, each of my books has a dark undertone.
I don’t write to change the world but perhaps my work serves to shine a spotlight on those aspects which trouble me the most. What I really seek to do is to entertain and engross. Literature finds itself with ever more competition with the different ways people can fill their leisure time, and yet no other media can spark the imagination in quite the same way.
A good plot can only become compelling if the characters are rich and varied. My books are always written from their perspective and whether you find yourself rooting for them or not, you will care what happens. They are, similarly, single greatest thing that keeps me writing. I may have created these people but they take on a life of their own and often surprise me with the directions they choose.
If you are a voracious reader who can’t get through the day without picking up a book, or just someone seeking a dose of fiction to accompany them beside the pool on holiday, there is much to find and enjoy in my work.
I don’t write to change the world but perhaps my work serves to shine a spotlight on those aspects which trouble me the most. What I really seek to do is to entertain and engross. Literature finds itself with ever more competition with the different ways people can fill their leisure time, and yet no other media can spark the imagination in quite the same way.
A good plot can only become compelling if the characters are rich and varied. My books are always written from their perspective and whether you find yourself rooting for them or not, you will care what happens. They are, similarly, single greatest thing that keeps me writing. I may have created these people but they take on a life of their own and often surprise me with the directions they choose.
If you are a voracious reader who can’t get through the day without picking up a book, or just someone seeking a dose of fiction to accompany them beside the pool on holiday, there is much to find and enjoy in my work.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 17, 2019
Denver does it again!
WoW - This new book certainly lived up to my expectation of what would be coming next from Denver Murphy, and exceeded it . My only complaint was that I wished it could be even longer, as I hungrily devoured each chapter, the exquisitely crafted characters taking shape easily in my mind, I could not stop reading, so consumed by the story, that I barely realised it was becoming light outside and that I had stayed awake all night reading this - please hurry with “Scorned” Denver !I can’t wait for more ! I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fast paced police procedural with engaging characters that feel like people you know, caught up in situations you hope you never know.
WoW - This new book certainly lived up to my expectation of what would be coming next from Denver Murphy, and exceeded it . My only complaint was that I wished it could be even longer, as I hungrily devoured each chapter, the exquisitely crafted characters taking shape easily in my mind, I could not stop reading, so consumed by the story, that I barely realised it was becoming light outside and that I had stayed awake all night reading this - please hurry with “Scorned” Denver !I can’t wait for more ! I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a fast paced police procedural with engaging characters that feel like people you know, caught up in situations you hope you never know.
October 28, 2020
As the first in a series, it is fitting that this book should start with a constable who is making the transition to CID, arriving at her new station for her very first day. After being paired up with a DI, they receive a call which proves to be her first case as part of CID. This is the time to watch and learn, get handed the unglamorous jobs of knocking on the doors of neighbours, checking CCTV, looking at reams and reams of paperwork and generally just following her senior officer around learning the ropes surely? Not so it would appear. She more or less takes over the case, jumps into things ahead of her boss, tells him what she thinks (of him amongst other things). She gets stuck in and questions people, has a number of famous "niggles" about things she hears and eventually works out who, what, where and why. When they hear of a second case over the police radio, she overrules her boss to ensure they take the case, once again taking far more responsibility than she should be in her first week on the job. Perhaps she is just a natural at being a detective because she is soon picking up on irregularities and things that just don’t "feel right". It’s somewhat incomprehensible that both her DI and her DCI let her have free rein to do more or less whatever she wants to. She takes to investigating murder like a duck to water, no doubts, no second guessing just lots of instinct and hunches. Obviously she is proved right but not until a tragedy has occurred and her own life has been in serious peril.
Despite the lack of congruence described above this proved to be an entertaining read and in the hope that the next book in the series will be an improvement on the procedural elements, I look forward to reading it.
Despite the lack of congruence described above this proved to be an entertaining read and in the hope that the next book in the series will be an improvement on the procedural elements, I look forward to reading it.
July 16, 2019
The Deep End deals with some pretty heavy subject matter. Awful event have a real effect on the protagonist, Detective Ruby Knight and the prose conveys this excellently. I really felt for her as she struggled to keep going with the investigation. When she is excited, the writing has real bounce and I was swept up along with her. Then in moment of sadness, I felt myself really empathising with her.
She is a great new character for Denver Murphy and one that I hope will appear in many future books. An excellent place to start.
She is a great new character for Denver Murphy and one that I hope will appear in many future books. An excellent place to start.
July 16, 2019
There is a new detective on the scene. She's impetuous and ambitious. She's on her first day in CID, having reluctantly accepted a move back to the sticks to get a promotion. But her first case will knock her for six. A man is viciously assaulted in an acid attack. There are no leads. Nevertheless, assigned a partner who has one foot in the grave, she charges headlong into the investigation. Will she get burned?
This is the first in a new series by Denver Murphy whose DCI Brandt serial killer trilogy was met with critical acclaim the world over.
This is the first in a new series by Denver Murphy whose DCI Brandt serial killer trilogy was met with critical acclaim the world over.
July 17, 2019
Denver has done it again
I eagerly awaited this book after loving the Brandt series and I was not disappointed! I think Ruby is very interesting and looking forward to see what she gets up to in the next book.
I eagerly awaited this book after loving the Brandt series and I was not disappointed! I think Ruby is very interesting and looking forward to see what she gets up to in the next book.
July 19, 2019
Fantastic. The detective, Ruby, has great depth. Stayed up late to read on. Waiting for the next one.
August 2, 2019
A cracker!
This got me crying and laughing, and worrying in between. A thoroughly enjoyable read I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in crime fiction.
This got me crying and laughing, and worrying in between. A thoroughly enjoyable read I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in crime fiction.
September 2, 2019
An enjoyable summer read
Nicely written crime drama that is not too heavy with regard to content or topics, but with likeable, well drawn characters. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Nicely written crime drama that is not too heavy with regard to content or topics, but with likeable, well drawn characters. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 15, 2019
A great start to a series. Loved the characters in this. Downloading the second now!
May 17, 2024
The Deep End by Denver Murphy (The DC Ruby Knight Investigations #1)
This is the first book in a series and the main character is Ruby Knight. Ruby is starting as a newly minted Detective Constable in her old home town, after working away in London as a beat bobby. Ruby has high hopes her new start will result in career advancement and a happier work/personal life balance. For her first serious case Ruby is partnered with Detective Inspector Steve Jenkins, a senior detective with years of experience who has problems of his own. The partnership of Ruby and Steve is unusual but seems to work as Steve has a calming influence on Ruby who is portrayed as impulsive and prone to leap to conclusions. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and kept turning pages to find out who are the bad guys and how did the crime get solved. I will not purchase the rest of the books in the series as I did not like part of the plot and Ruby's tendency to act first and think later and lack of self preservation. Overall 3 and half stars.
This is the first book in a series and the main character is Ruby Knight. Ruby is starting as a newly minted Detective Constable in her old home town, after working away in London as a beat bobby. Ruby has high hopes her new start will result in career advancement and a happier work/personal life balance. For her first serious case Ruby is partnered with Detective Inspector Steve Jenkins, a senior detective with years of experience who has problems of his own. The partnership of Ruby and Steve is unusual but seems to work as Steve has a calming influence on Ruby who is portrayed as impulsive and prone to leap to conclusions. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and kept turning pages to find out who are the bad guys and how did the crime get solved. I will not purchase the rest of the books in the series as I did not like part of the plot and Ruby's tendency to act first and think later and lack of self preservation. Overall 3 and half stars.
August 20, 2024
Knight in shining Armour
Have read book 2 in the Ruby Knight series. I am sure if I had to work with her, she would drive me crazy. Never let's go of anything, always asking why this or that event has happened. She is, I suppose, the archetypical detective, who wants to follow the clues until she gets to the truth. In this case, the truth nearly kills her and also causes her to experience loss in many other ways. Enjoyable read.
Have read book 2 in the Ruby Knight series. I am sure if I had to work with her, she would drive me crazy. Never let's go of anything, always asking why this or that event has happened. She is, I suppose, the archetypical detective, who wants to follow the clues until she gets to the truth. In this case, the truth nearly kills her and also causes her to experience loss in many other ways. Enjoyable read.
February 6, 2020
I thought the book was brilliant, and then you had to go and off the newbies partner after you made us warm up to him. And that's just harsh. Overall and without that one mishap I thought it was a really good book and I'm just starting the second one now
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2020
Cracking Good Who-Done-It
A brash, feisty new Detective Constable paired with a seasoned, taciturn, reclusive Detective Inspector, forge a team that perseveres to solve two puzzling cases in this first of a series.
A brash, feisty new Detective Constable paired with a seasoned, taciturn, reclusive Detective Inspector, forge a team that perseveres to solve two puzzling cases in this first of a series.
December 6, 2020
Great Story
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last.A well crafted story with a number of subplots made it a great read and it also had an unexpected ending. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last.A well crafted story with a number of subplots made it a great read and it also had an unexpected ending. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
March 31, 2022
Pity about the ending.. A know all little Rookie. 2 stories in one. And I have to say. Quite poor. Will have to give book 2 a go at some point
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
It was an excellent mystery and the main character is a character. If you like a good mystery give it a read
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews