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The DC Ruby Knight Investigations #3
Beneath the Surface
A mysterious dalliance, an apparent suicide, and a female detective who shouldn’t be underestimated.
A teenage boy is found hanged in a secluded area of parkland. A consensus quickly emerges within the police that it is a tragic case of suicide. DC Ruby Knight is not so sure.
But, already in trouble with her superiors for her maverick behaviour, Ruby has trouble making her case heard. In fact, she is threatened with a transfer to another part of the force.
Exploring the boy’s background, she makes a startling discovery. But Ruby realises she must build bridges with her colleagues if anyone is to take her seriously.
If she can prove a murder has taken place, Ruby might be able to convince her superiors to allow her to stay in CID. But with the chips stacked against her, she risks returning to her old ways of rubbing people up the wrong way.
Can this young and dynamic detective stick to her guns and follow her instincts? Or will the male-dominated environment and old boys’ network prove to be too much?
BENEATH THE SURFACE is a gripping crime thriller set in St. Albans, Hertfordshire in central England. It is a standalone in a series of three books charting DC Ruby Knight’s career in CID. Look out for THE DEEP END and SCORNED, both available FREE with Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.
DENVER MURPHY is the author of the bestselling trilogy featuring cop-turned-serial killer DSI Jeffrey Brandt beginning with ONE STEP AHEAD.
A teenage boy is found hanged in a secluded area of parkland. A consensus quickly emerges within the police that it is a tragic case of suicide. DC Ruby Knight is not so sure.
But, already in trouble with her superiors for her maverick behaviour, Ruby has trouble making her case heard. In fact, she is threatened with a transfer to another part of the force.
Exploring the boy’s background, she makes a startling discovery. But Ruby realises she must build bridges with her colleagues if anyone is to take her seriously.
If she can prove a murder has taken place, Ruby might be able to convince her superiors to allow her to stay in CID. But with the chips stacked against her, she risks returning to her old ways of rubbing people up the wrong way.
Can this young and dynamic detective stick to her guns and follow her instincts? Or will the male-dominated environment and old boys’ network prove to be too much?
BENEATH THE SURFACE is a gripping crime thriller set in St. Albans, Hertfordshire in central England. It is a standalone in a series of three books charting DC Ruby Knight’s career in CID. Look out for THE DEEP END and SCORNED, both available FREE with Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.
DENVER MURPHY is the author of the bestselling trilogy featuring cop-turned-serial killer DSI Jeffrey Brandt beginning with ONE STEP AHEAD.
- GenresFiction
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2019
115 people are currently reading
57 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 24, 2019
Feisty Ruby
The detective pulls you into her life, becoming immersed into her thoughts and into her determination to find the killer. Like all of Denver's books, it was an exciting read that moved along at a good pace.
The detective pulls you into her life, becoming immersed into her thoughts and into her determination to find the killer. Like all of Denver's books, it was an exciting read that moved along at a good pace.
January 6, 2020
Ruby gets herself into and out of trouble again.
This is third of the young DCs adventures and Denver Murphy continues to develop this character to good effect. Can we have more please?
This is third of the young DCs adventures and Denver Murphy continues to develop this character to good effect. Can we have more please?
January 4, 2020
Another hit
I think this is probably the best of the series so far- and I’ve enjoyed them all. Fast paced and some really nice development in terms of Ruby and Cooper’s characters and their personal lives. Murphy always flicks impressively between the perspectives of the sleuths and the villains, this time tackling a different and disturbing brand of criminal.
I think this is probably the best of the series so far- and I’ve enjoyed them all. Fast paced and some really nice development in terms of Ruby and Cooper’s characters and their personal lives. Murphy always flicks impressively between the perspectives of the sleuths and the villains, this time tackling a different and disturbing brand of criminal.
January 9, 2020
This was a good read. The story was very plausible, and the characters dealt with it competently. At first, I thought that the relationship between Ruby Knight and her boss - DCI Nelson - was going to be a bit unlikely, but the author cleverly turned it around, and it worked out really well. The story is twisty; surprising and complex in parts, and keeps the reader fully engaged right to the end.
I'll be reading more from Denver!
I'll be reading more from Denver!
January 8, 2020
Ruby Knight has a habit of putting her foot in it and she is being threatened with removal from CID. She must change her ways, but when there is a killer to hunt down, will she be able to rein it in?
September 10, 2024
Knight overwhelmed
This Ruby Knight adventure is better than earlier stories in the series. With her own position under threat and Ruby reacting, as normal, like a bull at a gate, she decides she should play DCI Nelson at his own game. The death of two school boys means Nelson has to allow Knight & Cooper to follow up on the deaths, much to his dismay. As suspicious as ever, Ruby sees the deaths much more than the suicide they are led to believe. Once again, Ruby proves her detective capabilities and instinct for spotting inaccuracies in people's stories comes to the fore. Great Ruby Knight adventure.
This Ruby Knight adventure is better than earlier stories in the series. With her own position under threat and Ruby reacting, as normal, like a bull at a gate, she decides she should play DCI Nelson at his own game. The death of two school boys means Nelson has to allow Knight & Cooper to follow up on the deaths, much to his dismay. As suspicious as ever, Ruby sees the deaths much more than the suicide they are led to believe. Once again, Ruby proves her detective capabilities and instinct for spotting inaccuracies in people's stories comes to the fore. Great Ruby Knight adventure.
October 11, 2020
Once Again, Ruby Prevails
She’s like a supercop/super detective - which I find slightly ludicrous on the one hand. On the other hand, there is a strong cast of supporting characters. So onward!
She’s like a supercop/super detective - which I find slightly ludicrous on the one hand. On the other hand, there is a strong cast of supporting characters. So onward!
May 2, 2021
Another great book
Another great story in the Ruby Knight series. She is a persistent and centred detective who will not give up despite others trying g to block her. A really good read.
Another great story in the Ruby Knight series. She is a persistent and centred detective who will not give up despite others trying g to block her. A really good read.
June 15, 2022
Too many grammatical errors.
June 26, 2022
Well done detective mystery.
July 31, 2023
An enjoyable, well written thriller.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews