On Borrowed Time

Rutland #2

by Adam Croft

Book two in a stunning new crime series from 2m+ international bestseller Adam Croft.




Each morning, the first train of the day leaves Oakham station and thunders through a tunnel under the village of Manton. But today the driver sees something that changes his life: A dead body hangs in the tunnel's exit.




DI Caroline Hills knows this isn't a suicide. It's murder. And when a second apparent suicide appears in Rutland, Caroline uncovers a shocking link: the victims knew each other.




As Rutland Police fight to catch the killer, a group of friends is left with an even more shocking realisation. One of them is the murderer. And one of them will be the next to die.




'Incredible' - BBC News

'A sensation' - The Guardian

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, British Literature

312 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

With more than half a million books sold to date, Adam Croft is one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, and one of the biggest selling authors of the past year.

Following his 2015 worldwide bestseller Her Last Tomorrow, his psychological thrillers were bought by Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing. Prior to the Amazon deal, Her Last Tomorrow sold more than 150,000 copies across all platforms and became one of the bestselling books of the year, reaching the top 10 in the overall Amazon Kindle chart and peaking at number 12 in the combined paperback fiction and non-fiction chart.

His Knight & Culverhouse crime thriller series has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide, with his Kempston Hardwick mystery books being adapted as audio plays starring some of the biggest names in British TV.

In 2016, the Knight & Culverhouse Box Set reached number 1 in Canada, knocking J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off the top spot only weeks after Her Last Tomorrow was also number 1 in Canada.

During the summer of 2016, two of Adam’s books hit the USA Today bestseller list only weeks apart, making them two of the most-purchased books in the United States over the summer.

Before writing full time, Adam had previously worked as an internet marketing consultant, delivery driver and professional actor.

Adam has been featured on BBC Radio, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and a number of other news and media outl

Reviews

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There was an improvement, if compared with the first book in this series.
The characters are more likeable but the plot is not that different.
I thought that some of the dialogues were really good (and some had deep thoughts/themes).
The conclusion was somewhat intense and a bit emotional (Caroline’s problems).
Overall it was very entertaining, and a fast read because there are too many short chapters (70 chapters).

I read the ebook as I listened to the audiobook narrated by Andy Nyman. I did enjoy the audiobook (and I noticed that the narrator in book 4 is a different person - I listened to a sample and I immediately disliked the voice).

E—book (Kobo): 204 pages (default), 55k words

Audiobook: 5.5 hours (unabridged)

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Caroline Hills is called to a gruesome scene. A man is hanging by his neck from a tunnel over the train tracks. If the train hadn't stopped when it did, the poor man would have been scattered all over the place. Suicide .... or murder?

Caroline is betting on murder. Too many things just don't add up for her. And when a second hanging death appears, she is absolutely sure of murder.

The only link between the two victims is that they knew each other. They were part of a group of young people who went to school with each other. Sometimes they all met for coffee or whatever. Sometimes they didn't communicate for long periods of time.

After interviewing all the friends, it is apparent that one of them is the killer .. and one of them will be the next to die.

Caroline Hills is an intriguing character. Undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, she still manages to get to work each day. The most moving scene I came across .... one of her children mentioned that mom had funny hair. She decided to shave what little she had left because she was going to lose it all anyway. Her husband helped her and when he was done, he turned around and shaved off his hair, as well. I had to reach for the tissues.

This police procedural is well written with twists and turns that lead to a surprising, unexpected conclusion. Although second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent addition to the new series by Adam Croft about murders set in the County of Rutland.
When a train driver spots a body hanging at the exit of the Manton railway tunnel it starts off a new investigation for Oakham's new DI Caroline Hills and DS Dexter Antoine. When the pathologist informs them that the death is not as first suspected, a suicide the team swings into action.
Caroline is trying to keep on top of her work whilst battling chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and the tiredness and nausea certainly do not make her job any easier. When a second body turns up with the same MO and then a third the local police are shocked to have what would seem to be Rutland's first ever serial killer on its hands. Caroline and Dexter talk to the friends of the murder victims and find out that they have all been close ever since they were at school but what is the lethal connection that is causing someone to kill the group one by one and who is next on the list?
I just love these stories, they are set in my home town in the county of Rutland and all the places mentioned are well known to me, I have travelled by train through the Manton tunnel many times and even on the old steam trains at a time when Manton still had its own station now long gone.
We all know our local bobby Joe Lloyd, and all the shops and pubs in Oakham that are mentioned, also all the small villages in the county, this makes the books doubly interesting and entertaining.
I did not manage to work out who the murderer was until the very end and there was also a good cliff hanger with regard to Caroline, I can't wait for book three!

[Simon Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was conflicted after book 1 (“What Lies Beneath”) as it was ok/good but I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to seek more (see my other reviews). However, as luck would have it, my mum passed me this one too and I was immediately gripped. Characters (police) seemed eminently more likeable, the murder mystery around apparent ‘suicides’ was fast paced and exciting, and while I could work out the ‘murderer,’ the motives only became apparent at the same time as the police figured them out.
I would now definitely recommend the first book in the Rutland Murders series, just to get a full access to this one.
I shall now be seeking out book 3 “In Cold Blood.”

[Garry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the fact I have been able to complete this book so quickly tells it's own story. This was good follow up from the 1st in the Rutland crime series. Bring on the 3rd Adam I say. Just cannot get enough

[Mary Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book in the Rutland Crime series as much as the first one. It was a very clever plot which had me intrigued plus how DI Caroline Hills coped with personal, physical and mental health issues. A very good book.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in an exciting new series set in the tiny county of Rutland. A real place, it is the smallest county in England, heavily rural and dominated by Rutland Water. DI Caroline Hills relocated from the Met in London accompanied by her two sons and husband Mark. With crime on the increase and one son getting bullied at school, it was a choice that benefited the whole family. Caroline was often the senior investigating officer into some major crimes in London but now only has a team of four detectives comprising herself as sole DI for Rutland Police, DS Dexter Antoine, Sara Henshaw and Aidan Chilcott. It’s not surprising there are so few as traditionally there has been very little serious crime to investigate in the area. That all changed in the first book though and the crime rate looks set to rise again as they are called to a suspicious death. The first train out of Oakham to Stamford had to jam on its brakes to avoid hitting the body of man hanging at the mouth of a tunnel. It was only good fortune that engineering works meant the train was travelling slower than usual and there were no overnight fast trains, otherwise the detectives would have found a lot less to identify. The man is soon discovered to be Thomas Medland, a local thirty four year old. He was last seen making his way home from the pub after a night drinking with his cousin, a known criminal. Caroline is convinced it is murder rather than suicide, and if it is murder she will once again have a battle to keep the case to herself and not have it passed onto East Midlands Special Operations Unit with all their larger resources. Tom’s friends meet up to discuss his death and when another of their number is also found hanged they start to get very worried and accuse each other of being involved. Even when the police discover the friendship between the two dead men, they are still having a hard time deciding if they were suicides or murder and even connected to each other at all. The investigation swings back and forth, and even with promising evidence the detectives are struggling. It may take another attempt on someone’s life to point them in the right direction and send them frantically trying to stop a very determined killer who is stalking their prey. I very much appreciated the maps at the start of the book - it always helps to envisage the layout of the area and I wish more authors would do this! Caroline has come back as a much nicer person in book 2, happier in her new surroundings, very appreciative of her excellent small team and much better in her communication with them. This is reflected by the staunch support given her by Supt Derek Arnold who clearly realises what an asset he has gained from the Met and defends her, despite her behaviour during the previous Operation Foxtrot where two people were murdered and she had a close shave herself. She is still receiving treatment for the ovarian cancer that she was hiding from everyone, including her very loyal and loving husband, although she has now confessed the truth. I was a little unsure whether a police officer would be allowed to still be on active work rather than desk duty while they were receiving chemotherapy, since the side effects including nausea and lethargy could make it hard for them to defend themselves and protect fellow officers, but her Supt seems okay with it so I’ll go with that! It has been great to see this talented team of detectives growing together so far and I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. 4.5*

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only problem with finishing an Adam Croft book is waiting for the next one which wont be until 2021. But reading a Rutland crime series is equivalent to feeling like a proud mama. You done good Adam.

I was not disappointed in once again reading about DI Caroline Hills. Who would not want to read a book that draws you in by this line......"Each morning, the first train of the day leaves Oakham station and thunders through a tunnel under the village of Manton. But today the driver sees something that changes his life: A dead body hangs in the tunnel's exit."

And so we follow the multiple hangings, the police work involved in solving these crimes, Caroline Hills own personal health battle and trying to figure out who done it and why. My kind of book. If you havent read book #1 then you dont know what you are missing. Become a Croft fan, you wont regret it.......#fivestars

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are very easy to read crime books. You don't need to concentrate lots but they are well written. I have already pre-ordered the next in the series.

[Sue Hull]

Really enjoyed this story line

[Sally Sutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather disappointed that the murder plot was very similar to book one. The police characters and relationships have developed and there is a curiosity to see what happens to them but if the story line follows the same pattern it will be tedious.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume two of the Rutland Crime Series was just as entertaining as the first. I probably wouldn't have picked the series up if they hadn't been set in my home town as I don't normally read "Crime Fiction" but these aren't too gory or disturbing so they're fine for my delicate little sensibilities!

DI Caroline Hills is surprised that more murders are being committed in the usually incident free county of Rutland and it's a race for her to get to the bottom of things before she is forced to hand over the crime to the regional investigators. First she needs to work out which are suicides and which are murders...

The book was a VERY quick read - the chapters are incredibly short and there did seem to be lot of blank paper if that makes sense. I also think that the plot was fairly straightforward as there weren't many suspects it could have been (as the main characters were dropping like flies!). I did enjoy it though and will read the rest as they come out. VERY excited for this to appear on TV soon.

[Bert van der Vaart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Improved somewhat from his first Rutland Mystery (What Lies Beneath), Croft's writing can at times be a little vague or cliche, even as he develops a respectable mystery plot set in Oakham, Rutland and the surrounding countryside.

In #2 of the Rutland series, we have a group of old school friends mysteriously diminishing by suicide--or apparent suicide--one by one, until the small Rutland police force finally catches up with what is happening. The small force is led by Caroline--recently moving to Oakham from London to "get away from the pressures of London" but now dealing with phase 2 cancer, and consists of 4 including herself. As it begins to look like a serial killer, her Superintendent is pressured to call in the much larger police force of Leicester or Lincolnshire, but despite her cancer and continued strains at home, Caroline finds a way to keep this from happening. I am not sure whether to think this is laudable or silly, but that is one of the tensions inherent in Rutland ("multum in parvo") against the world.

I love Rutland and consider it one of the world's most lovely but still somewhat unspoiled areas, but I am not convinced herein that Caroline could have, let alone should have, "fought" to keep the investigation in her "shop". But once we get away from that issue, there are other less than wholly explained issues behind the murderer's motivations and planning.

Perhaps because i just finished recently the truly excellent book by Tim Sullivan (The Dentist), but Croft does not have the mastery of police bureaucracy or technology that others do. His books therefore seem like a perfectly respectable "made for TV" mystery series with an adequate twist of two to keep things hopping. However, were i not such a fan of Rutland, I would say there are better mysteries out there (including the Dick Francis novels). BUT, if you love Rutland and are somewhat familiar with it, reading these series is fun enough.

There were a few interesting quotes rendered by the psychologist Caroline is also seeing (as if cancer was not enough), including:

"You are not what you think you are. You are not what other people think you are. You are what you think other people think you are."

and

"Our views on the world are entirely shaped by how we respond to events--not by the events themselves.

There is enough going to make this book enjoyable--but I would rate it a 3.45 for those who love Rutland and a 3 for those who don't know it.

[Louise (Bookmarks and Stages blog) Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Borrowed Time is the second book of the Rutland series by Adam Croft that enraptures and brings crime and health together exceedingly well. It is overall, an exceedingly good read with a new crime being committed and a seemlessly continuation of the thread of personal lives of the main characters....
Gary Stoddart likes his early shift and how the land and skyscapes are over the East Midlands countryside on any ordinary morning. This wasn't to be an average morning though as on his journey, there is a man found hanging at a train tunnel that goes under Manton. The mystery then begins to unfold as to who he is and whether it was suicide or something more grizzly, like murder!

Caroline is now in her treatment stage for cancer. There's a realism about it and is well-written in a matter-of-fact way during the "work chat" with the usually formidable Arnold, who reacts in a natural way in wanting to know things, but trying not to be totally insensitive, but also asking only half questions outright.
The contrast between the working and private life and living in a small area, is nicely done. It's a new case, but her private/personal life continues naturally from the first book with her illness -  cancer  encroaching on her further and treatment beginning. It's emotional, but also shows strength of character, which really suits this book.

Caroline and Dexter end up on the new case together. There's the murder to solve, but also a joviality to the atmosphere between the two colleagues, which makes this very pleasant and brings some humour, but with only a partial number plate and a poor CCTV picture, they certainly have their work cut-out to catch the killer. There is also the press who get all over the story, which becomes pretty heated.

The book then gently twists and turns, with some startling moments, before wrapping up and leaving a question unanswered at the end and more that can explored and may well leave many readers (including myself), wanting more.
The good news is that book 3 is due to be published in 2021.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read

After having read the first of the Rutland crime series, I was eagerly awaiting the second. It goes without saying that I was not disappointed. In fact, I think this was even better than the first. Having been introduced to the characters already, I felt like I was meeting up with friends and it was great to learn a bit more about Caroline Hill’s past and to find out how she was coping in her new job. Right from the outset we were drawn into this, with the first murder, closely followed by more. The whole idea was intriguing and very well thought out. It was almost too easy to think that I knew who the murderer was and their motive for killing, but knowing Adam Croft as I do, I had a feeling that I was nowhere near the truth and it certainly proved to be much more complex than I had guessed. In an extremely well written plot, the author took great delight in interweaving the characters, their thoughts and their actions and creating a chilling experience for the reader. The plot was full of twists and the ending fast paced and thrilling.

The parts of the novel where we learned more about what Caroline was going through with both her physical and mental health was quite emotional, and helped us to get to know her better and I am now keen to read the next one to find out how she will move on. I would love to give this many more than 5 stars, but sadly I don’t have the opportunity. However I am most certainly going to read the next in this series and hope the wait isn’t too long.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As Rutland Police fight to catch the killer, a group of friends is left with an even more shocking realisation. One of them is the murderer. And one of them will be the next to die.”
We are back in Rutland and a man has been found hanging from a railway bridge. Suicide possibly? DI Caroline Hills and her team are rather cautious as things don’t quite add up. Caroline has her own issues with her health and is determined that the case isn’t going to be passed on to the east midlands team as can happen when you are the smallest county and force in the UK. A group of old school friends are rather shaken when a second body is found and yet again it is one of their group. I love this series. There is something quite comfortable about it despite being about murders if that makes sense. Excellent characters that you take to and a well thought out crafted plot to keep the grey matter nicely ticking along with the turning of the pages. This is the second in the series but will stand alone although some main character details will make more sense if the first one has been read- and why miss out on another wonderful read? A highly enjoyable read that kept me within its pages.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the Rutland Crime series and even better than the first - which was very good. An excellent fast paced thriller - an easy read but that is in no way a criticism.
This time out DI Hills must deal with a suspected suicide, A man found hanging from a railway tunnel. But of course all is not as it first appears and soon there is an other similar 'suicide'. Soon the Rutland team find themselves handling a murder case which becomes ever more complex. I didn't see the end coming - mark of a good thriller I think.
The characters in this series are becoming more developed - fleshing out into believable people. I look forward to the next book, which I ordered as soon as I finished this one and hope Mr Croft has some more up his sleeve. I could easily see these books being a TV Series

[Steve Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, particularly as it is set in Oakham which is not far from where I live. This is actually the first novel by Adam Croft I have read, having skipped the first one. The series certainly has potential and I am willing to try more of them.
I was slightly disappointed that the characters of the team, apart from Caroline, are not developed much.
The plot, while moving along at a good place, did have some holes and I was conscious that a fairly obvious thread was not being explored at all - I would hope that in reality the police would investigate more thoroughly. I also get a little tired of the recurring plot line of a couple of officers taking off on their own to confront the prime suspect.

[linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Rutland crime series but can be read as stand alone. Rutland is a small quite place where crime is mostly low key. That is, until a series of events start to happen which put the police force at full stretch. Early one morning, a freight train is slowly travelling through engineering works when the driver suddenly fully engages his brakes, even though he is unsure what he thinks he has seen in the mist. He had closed his eyes, as experience told him anything a train hits is traumatic. Once the train had stopped he reopens them and is shocked to see a body of a man hanging in the tunnel entrance with a rope around their neck. Dead.

[Lins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in a great new series from Adam

This is the second book in Adams new series and he hasn't let us down. I love the fact that it is set quite close to where I live, so a lot of the places mentioned in it are familiar to me. Adam has a knack of keeping you guessing who the murderer is and apart from one small clue quite late into the book, it comes out off the blue. No spoilers, but please read it, you won't be disappointed. Adam, you've done it again and I look forward to the next one in the Rutland series and more importantly, what follows for Caroline, who I'm sure, readers have already taken into their hearts. Thank you Adam

[K Saju · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have found a new author whose publications I'll be following with great interest. DI Caroline Hills, working on her cancer treatment, and with her own self doubts on the decisions which she has to take at work, portrays a very real life character with whom one can empathize. Called on a suicide case which looks like murder, she and her team, follows the strings which seems to unravel from here and send to be pulled by multiple people. With the number of suicide cases increasing its soon a race to resolve it before the case is moved out of her hands.
Recommend read for the year.

[Martin Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

More murders in the quiet county of Rutland. Can Carolyn Hills and Dexter Antoine work out what links a series of murders and stop the killer?

I didn't like this book as much as the first one on the series. I'd worked out the killer very quickly and the plot felt a bit too close to the plot in the first book, What Lies Beneath. That isn't to say that the book is bad or not worth reading but I wouldn't want anyone to read this in the expectation of things being different from Book One in the series.

For me, a so-so read.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Adam Croft. As a Rutlander myself, the locations mentioned in the book and the pace of life rings a few bells. The mystery itself was just tantalising enough to keep the reader hooked, and the main characters all have a bit of a back story that appear to be developing as the series progresses. The Rutland Crime series really would lend itself to TV, so I hope the approaches mentioned come to fruition. Looking forward to reading the next instalment in the new year.

[lisa]

Another mind blowing who done it !

5☆ yet again for the 2nd book in The Rutland series, no matter how much I try i can never fatherm out who done it in any of Adams books which is really strange because my partner always tells me im like inspector clouseau! So this is a absolute definite to read if you love a bit of who done it. Lots of humour and an absolute dream to read, looks like Adam has done it again.

[Greg Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression was somewhat negative, due to the number of shortened words. I have never read a book with so many should've, you'd etc within it. Once I had got over this, the pace and detail within the plot was good. The chapters were short and easy to pick up and put down.b
It is written in a way that you do not even realise that there is a book previous to it.
It was nice to read a book set locally and will happily try another of Adam Croft books

[Wendy Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable audio book. I find crime novels hard to follow due to needing to be present when listening and can at times switch off. This book however was easy to listen to and was able to follow the story.

I loved the MO of the killer and storyline although was a little predictable it was enjoyable and I liked the secondary storyline of the main character DI Caroline Hills.

I’m looking forward to book three.

[kerry turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished ! This was a brilliant read ! It was the second in the series and much better than the first. It had great pace and a good story line. The little twist was good at the end and I never saw it coming. It was also good to get more background about the characters home lives and how they all intertwine. The building relationship between the main character and her team has also been very good and realistic. Would definitely recommend this series.

[Estelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional, gave me goosebumps and kept me turning each page, anxiously wanting to know what was going to happen next...and as usual with Adam’s writing, he didn’t disappoint!
Adam Croft can do no wrong in my eyes with his writing. He is an exceptional author, and long may that continue!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Croft does it again. Absolutely fabulous. DI Caroline Hills hates to give a case to EMSOU. She has faith in her team to solve the case. When is a suicide not a suicide, that is the question facing Caroline. I'd say more but I will leave it to you to figure out who done it.

Looking forward to the next book.

[Tracey White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great work of fiction. I find it slightly strange to be reading a murder mystery story based in an area I am familiar with but fascinating at the same time. It's like I am actually in the story and can visualise the places and to some extent, the characters. I really hope the television series comes to fruition, I'd definitely watch it.