A Place of Safety

DS Coupland #2

by Emma Salisbury

A drive-by shooting leaves a witness in fear for her life.
At first the case looks like a local turf war gone wrong, but someone in power is doing everything they can to cover the killer’s tracks. What are they trying to hide?
DS Kevin Coupland, still coming to terms with his wife’s illness has a new DCI to contend with. DS Alex Moreton, due to start her maternity leave at the end of the week has a replacement DC snapping at her comfy low heels.
Will the detectives unravel the tangled web of deceit in order to save a young woman who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…?

Genres: Crime

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2014

About the author

Joffe Books Prize 2024 Finalist. I write gritty, crime fiction that focuses on the 'why'dunnit as well as the 'who'. I worked for a housing association supporting socially excluded men and ex-offenders, which provided me with a lot of inspiration. Fans of BBC series Happy Valley should try both my Coupland and Ashcroft detective series for their unflinching realism and pace.

ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!

Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.

Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland. You can find out more on my website www.emmasalisbury.com and I can be found on Linktr.ee/Emma Salisbury

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two girls go out for a night thinking they are marking a change of their friendship before Becca goes to university. They are not expecting their lives to change forever with one of them not returning home. As soon as the investigative team start digging deeper more killings are committed. DS Coupland and DS Moreton are stretched trying to solve these crimes before there are too many victims but they are both facing massive transitions in their personal lives and it is difficult to turn their attention off these issues.

This is a good addition to the series and it is a fast moving story again with characters built upon from the first book in the series. As a storyline I prefer the first and third book to this one but that could be because I had read book 3 already and therefore knew one of the spoilers in this book. I think it is a series which will go far and I am really looking forward to future books.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Fragile Cord, I was really looking forward to more of the characters Coupland & Moreton. Well I was not disappointed in A Place Of Safety.
With all the familiar characters & more being introduced, this was fast paced, that seems to up tempo even more in the middle, & builds with twist & turns to a captivating end. An exciting well written story. A great sequel, & a good stand alone story, but I'd recommend you read both. More of the same please.

[Victoria Sayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant follow up! This was fast paced and edgy whilst at the same time you get to know more about Coupland and Moreton - I'm hooked! can't wait for the next one!

[Julie Stott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5* book, when is the next Coupland and Moreton book out?

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as first book but quite readable.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series. I do hope there will be more

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it - just as good as the first book!!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Fragile Cord be warned, A Place of Safety is even better...

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved her first book in this series, and loved this one even more. Great plot, expertly paced. I could picture this book as I read it, like I was watching a favourite show on Netflix. Love that the characters, even minor ones, are fully realized, complete with back stories. The plot and ending, the villains, were not over the top and the story felt authentic because of this. I am hooked and have the next installment downloaded.

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place of Safety..DS Coupland Book 2

'A Place of Safety:...(DS Coupland Book 2)' is my second book featuring investigator DS Coupland. Both have been solid law enforcement based storylines. I really enjoy writer Emma Salisbury style and presentation of each story. I look forward to additional books by this author and featuring DS Coupland. -Mr.Bill

[Joy Burniston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sadness and the tension

thoroughly enjoyed this book even though it had several sad or depressing tones. it was full of tension, which built up as it progressed to a tumultuous finale.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up from book 1 really getting to know the characters more not for the faint heart !!on book 3 now hooked now !!

[Pen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has potential but is in need of a good editor. There are many grammatical and spelling errors, including calling a character Abby and Abbey in the same paragraph on multiple occasions.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this - on tenterhooks until the end

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story. As it is the 2nd in the series I am now becoming more invested in the main characters and cant wait to find out whats in store next time.

[Gail Marchant · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC Coupland has another murder to solve
He has family problems
The staff are changing
Can he solve this murder

[Samantha Henthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first book in this series, I enjoyed returning to the characters. What a great story with all the ingredients of plot twists and FEAR (in a good way, it is safe behind the pages!) The book is set in Salford, the writing the vernacular is spot on, although you don't have to be familiar with Salford to enjoy this well thought out story. Really enjoying this series.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cracking good crime novel although there were far too many errors in punctuation;

‘I did,’ He replied, ….

‘I’ll keep the boys safe.’ She whispered.

‘And Lynn got you this.’ He said…..

There were also changes in pov and in the timeline that were not ‘marked’ by a double space so I had to reread to work out what was happening. Eg:

(in hospital)… her tone was soft, but the both knew she wouldn’t budge until Abbey gave her what she wanted.
Abbey sighed.
Earl leaned against the cold brick wall…… (Earl is nowhere near the hospital)

It made it hard to get 'inside' the story. There were also places where sentences were broken by spaces.

I really really wanted to give this four stars, but the SPaG and formatting errors were enough to remove one star. However, I will definitely continue this series.

[Jo Firestick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright

Enjoyed it. Would recommend for an easy read. Am definitely going to read part 3. 6 out of 10. X

[Patricia Hick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough book once I got into it (it was my first time reading on a Kindle) Good story, pace and ending. Nothing very exciting.