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Detective Brook Deelman Mystery #1
Non-Suspicious
Someone is killing British war veterans. Homicide can’t see anything suspicious. In fact, the only person asking questions is a jaded Met detective with breakfast beers on his mind. Shame for the killer…
You shouldn’t underestimate Brook Deelman.
Standing between Brook and the truth: a police cover-up, a professional hitman, and a dark secret going back to the final throes of WW2. But what exactly happened in those last days at Stalag IV-B? And why is the past catching up with people now?
In a web of loyalty and betrayal, revenge and redemption, an old police saying has never been truer: Assume nothing. The closer Brook Deelman gets to the heart of the conspiracy… the more seismic the twists will become.
You shouldn’t underestimate Brook Deelman.
Standing between Brook and the truth: a police cover-up, a professional hitman, and a dark secret going back to the final throes of WW2. But what exactly happened in those last days at Stalag IV-B? And why is the past catching up with people now?
In a web of loyalty and betrayal, revenge and redemption, an old police saying has never been truer: Assume nothing. The closer Brook Deelman gets to the heart of the conspiracy… the more seismic the twists will become.
- GenresMystery
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2020
196 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Ed Church
5 books7 followersEd Church learned about writing as a journalist, then about solving complex cases as a detective in London. After leaving the police, he began writing the dual-timeline mystery “Non-Suspicious”, introducing DC Brook Deelman. Released in 2020, it was soon followed by more titles in the same series – a place where justice can be messy and murky, but always has a long memory.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 4, 2024
Brook, a detective in London, is skeptical when an elderly war veteran's death is classified as non-suspicious. When when another old veteran dies suddenly, he learns that they were both POWs in Germany at the same camp. Or were they? There are some chapters which bring the reader back to the prison camp and some of its horrors, but there is still a strange mystery surrounding the story. It seems as if a superior officer is covering up something, and Brook aims to find out what.
July 27, 2022
When a British war veteran is found dead in a churchyard, Homicide marks it as non-suspicious. However, DC Brook Deelman wants to find out more, if only to track down the old man’s relatives. As he begins to delve into the man’s past, he learns of another veteran who might be able to fill in the gaps. Only trouble is, before Deelman can get to him, the man winds up dead. If the two deaths are linked, who’s killing them and why?
This is the first of Ed Church’s Brook Deelman mysteries and it’s a cracker. The tale gets off to a good start, establishing an exciting pace for the rest of the book. The story shifts between 2016 and 1945, the gradually unfolding plot allowing us to build up a picture of what might have happened. But then the author turns the whole thing on its head, throwing curve balls like they’re going out of fashion.
Ed Church is an excellent storyteller and kept me entertained and enthralled all the way through. His characters are fully formed and fascinating, and with writing that is witty and clever, I couldn’t have wished for a better mystery. The denouement took me by surprise but made perfect sense as well as giving me plenty to think about afterwards.
A cracking good read.
This is the first of Ed Church’s Brook Deelman mysteries and it’s a cracker. The tale gets off to a good start, establishing an exciting pace for the rest of the book. The story shifts between 2016 and 1945, the gradually unfolding plot allowing us to build up a picture of what might have happened. But then the author turns the whole thing on its head, throwing curve balls like they’re going out of fashion.
Ed Church is an excellent storyteller and kept me entertained and enthralled all the way through. His characters are fully formed and fascinating, and with writing that is witty and clever, I couldn’t have wished for a better mystery. The denouement took me by surprise but made perfect sense as well as giving me plenty to think about afterwards.
A cracking good read.
May 12, 2021
Burnt in my brain
You know… I love a detective who enjoys a good pint or two.
I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, and large parts of it are still indelibly burnt in my brain. Almost immediately, I was carried into the novel on the back of a very engaging, and complex, main character, DC Brook Deelman. Early on, I was struck by the authenticity, not just the technical bits of how the police service works in the U.K., but the interplay between the characters. These were real people, who just happened to be in a book.
I loved the questions that were posed as Brook and his allies (some friendlier than others) try to uncover the real answer behind the death of nonagenarian WW2 vet. The dialogue is as sharp as a trail of clues, and a solid punch to the face, but it never feels glib or overwrought—again, the authenticity is what emerges.
So when the novel switches into a deep backstory of what happened in 1945, I was briefly sad, worried even, that I’d be leaving the present day. Backstory can be the death knell for a forward moving novel, especially a police procedural. But the opposite happened—as the parallel story of what took place in a German POW camp begun to emerge, I was hooked, gutted, and served up on a platter with tartar sauce. I couldn’t read this book fast enough, and there were nights when I know the light stayed on too late as I needed to read just one more chapter.
Great storytelling, vivid settings, and the complexity of characters (including a very well-drawn bad guy), ensure that I will be reading more Brook Deelman novels—thankfully, it looks like it’s a series. Highly recommended.
You know… I love a detective who enjoys a good pint or two.
I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, and large parts of it are still indelibly burnt in my brain. Almost immediately, I was carried into the novel on the back of a very engaging, and complex, main character, DC Brook Deelman. Early on, I was struck by the authenticity, not just the technical bits of how the police service works in the U.K., but the interplay between the characters. These were real people, who just happened to be in a book.
I loved the questions that were posed as Brook and his allies (some friendlier than others) try to uncover the real answer behind the death of nonagenarian WW2 vet. The dialogue is as sharp as a trail of clues, and a solid punch to the face, but it never feels glib or overwrought—again, the authenticity is what emerges.
So when the novel switches into a deep backstory of what happened in 1945, I was briefly sad, worried even, that I’d be leaving the present day. Backstory can be the death knell for a forward moving novel, especially a police procedural. But the opposite happened—as the parallel story of what took place in a German POW camp begun to emerge, I was hooked, gutted, and served up on a platter with tartar sauce. I couldn’t read this book fast enough, and there were nights when I know the light stayed on too late as I needed to read just one more chapter.
Great storytelling, vivid settings, and the complexity of characters (including a very well-drawn bad guy), ensure that I will be reading more Brook Deelman novels—thankfully, it looks like it’s a series. Highly recommended.
April 24, 2021
I really liked this book. It started out slowly, with a jerk of a cop investigating a death, and his partner barely containing himself looking forward to the next pint. Strange interference from maybe higher-ups. Questionable actions, the death determined just a drunk falling, but finally we start to see the drinking cop partner wanting to investigate -- what's going on? The story unfolds. Some surprises. The ending (epilogue) wasn't believable, a little cutesy, but on the whole, good writing, kept me reading.
July 24, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written murder mystery with its intrigues and twists within the plot. The way the author used the two timelines to tell the story was very well done and fascinating. It kept me guessing throughout the entire story and I found it an engrossing read. Detective Brook Deelman was persistent in pursuing a case that was deemed a non suspicious death and risked his life to find the truth behind the death of Victor Watson. Thanks Ed for the fabulous read.
October 4, 2025
Great. Very compelling and could not put it down. Loved detective Brook Deelman and want to know more. Plot twists kept me guessing. Going to start the next one now.
November 18, 2023
Excellent Police Mystery
I thoroughly enjoyed this absorbing book.
I originally downloaded it because of the intriguing title, but took a long time to get to it because I'm not into police procedural novels.
However, if all police mysteries were written like this one, I could become addicted!
Thoughtfully written, with characters that live on beyond the book.
Eagerly waiting for Book 2 about Brook Deelman, from Ed Church.
I thoroughly enjoyed this absorbing book.
I originally downloaded it because of the intriguing title, but took a long time to get to it because I'm not into police procedural novels.
However, if all police mysteries were written like this one, I could become addicted!
Thoughtfully written, with characters that live on beyond the book.
Eagerly waiting for Book 2 about Brook Deelman, from Ed Church.
May 31, 2021
Ed Church is my new favorite author! Having now read two of his three Deelman mysteries FREE (through Kindle), I'm ready and willing to pay for the third. Hoping, at the same time, that there will soon be more. Church combines complex, intriguing plots with endearing characters. In this novel the reader is left with the dilemma of deciding who are really the bad guys. And, while I thought the final coincidence as presented in the epilogue was a bridge too far, the rest of the jig saw puzzle was captivating.
January 23, 2021
A real grower
This book started off well and got better and better. I enjoyed it even more than I expected, as the story expanded and evolved. The present day case and characters are good, but it’s the historical timeline that really lifts this story - I loved it. There’s real depth, intelligence and sensitivity beneath the police procedural surface. This book is quick and easy to read but certainly not throwaway. Impressive.
This book started off well and got better and better. I enjoyed it even more than I expected, as the story expanded and evolved. The present day case and characters are good, but it’s the historical timeline that really lifts this story - I loved it. There’s real depth, intelligence and sensitivity beneath the police procedural surface. This book is quick and easy to read but certainly not throwaway. Impressive.
February 4, 2021
Books don't get much better than this one
Snappy dialog, utterly believable characters, and a very complex plot laid out brilliantly. Flashbacks necessary to the story are just as entertaining. The book is a wonderful piece of craft.
Don't believe me? Read a sample. You'll come out of the story 20 pages later knowing that you HAVE to buy this book. And when you do you won't be sorry.
Snappy dialog, utterly believable characters, and a very complex plot laid out brilliantly. Flashbacks necessary to the story are just as entertaining. The book is a wonderful piece of craft.
Don't believe me? Read a sample. You'll come out of the story 20 pages later knowing that you HAVE to buy this book. And when you do you won't be sorry.
Read
December 1, 2021Absorbing and fascinating to the last sentence
I loved this story! A little baby boy dropped off at the Foundling Home, who grew up tough, never knowing the love of parents or siblings grew up and became a POW.
One man targeted him, taunting him, trying to absorb everything about him, to change sides at the end of the war. Read it. Intriguing. I only wish Brook Deelman could have met the real Victor Watson at the end.
I loved this story! A little baby boy dropped off at the Foundling Home, who grew up tough, never knowing the love of parents or siblings grew up and became a POW.
One man targeted him, taunting him, trying to absorb everything about him, to change sides at the end of the war. Read it. Intriguing. I only wish Brook Deelman could have met the real Victor Watson at the end.
November 4, 2020
Brilliant!
This is one of the best books I've read in years.
Brook Delman is a hard drinking, witty, clever detective that won't stop until he gets answers.
This book was funny, entertaining and at times heartbreaking.
Read it, you won't be disappointed.
I look forward to many more!
This is one of the best books I've read in years.
Brook Delman is a hard drinking, witty, clever detective that won't stop until he gets answers.
This book was funny, entertaining and at times heartbreaking.
Read it, you won't be disappointed.
I look forward to many more!
April 28, 2023
This book is incredible! Just incredible!
The author Ed Church puts together a story that is absolutely detailed, spell binding, intriguing, over events and times That boggles the mind And his absolutely impossible to put down. If I could give this book 10 stars I would ! Can't wait to read more from this man!
The author Ed Church puts together a story that is absolutely detailed, spell binding, intriguing, over events and times That boggles the mind And his absolutely impossible to put down. If I could give this book 10 stars I would ! Can't wait to read more from this man!
July 7, 2021
This is not a book I would normally read, but I made an exception and chose it. I can't even explain what I liked about it because it didn't exactly leave me feeling uplifted. Whatever the reason, I rate it 4.5 stars.
January 31, 2022
Who is killing World War II veterans. Starting with 92 year old Victor Watson. Is there any connection to Stalag prison camp in 1945 or the Foundling Hospital. D.C. Brook Deelman investigates.
An interesting well-written mystery. An entertaining read with its likeable characters.
An interesting well-written mystery. An entertaining read with its likeable characters.
February 7, 2021
A really good read. Loved it . Good all the way through. Great end.
April 25, 2021
Very good
A bit slow to start but ended up being an exceptional read. Would recommend highly. Well done to Ed Church . Brilliant
A bit slow to start but ended up being an exceptional read. Would recommend highly. Well done to Ed Church . Brilliant
July 30, 2021
ex read well written hard 2 put down
September 12, 2021
Thrilling read from start to finish. Love the split time line. The plot was well constructed & eloquently written. Thoroughly enjoyed.
January 19, 2022
Tangled web
Life is surely a tangled story this show how some can believe they are worth more than others. A good intro to a series.
Life is surely a tangled story this show how some can believe they are worth more than others. A good intro to a series.
January 28, 2022
Unputdownable
Really fell under the spell of this one. Despite the awful clichéd epilogue. The rest of the book made up for it. Just suspend belief and enjoy a great story!
Really fell under the spell of this one. Despite the awful clichéd epilogue. The rest of the book made up for it. Just suspend belief and enjoy a great story!
August 11, 2022
Excellent read! Would recommend to everyone who enjoys mystery novels
July 17, 2023
Brilliant
What a fantastic book. Loved it from the first couple of pages. Brilliant plot , and certainly didn't see the ending.
What a fantastic book. Loved it from the first couple of pages. Brilliant plot , and certainly didn't see the ending.
November 8, 2025
excellent
I forget how good a book can be. This is brilliant- more twists than you’ll see coming, and a masterfully impressive fight scene.
I forget how good a book can be. This is brilliant- more twists than you’ll see coming, and a masterfully impressive fight scene.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews