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Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler #2
Nighthawking
Don't miss COLD RECKONING , the next must-read thriller in the DS Adam Tyler series - available to order now.
'Hard-hitting' SUNDAY TIMES , CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
'A riveting follow-up to Firewatching ' HEAT
'Comparable with the best of Michael Connelly’s Bosch books and James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux novels, and – naturally – Ian Rankin' AJ FINN
NO SECRET CAN STAY BURIED FOREVER
Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens is an oasis of peace – until one morning when the body of a young woman is found there, buried in a quiet corner. Police determine that she’s been there for months and would have gone undiscovered for years – except someone returned in the dead of night to dig her up.
DS Adam Tyler and his team have many questions to answer – who is the victim? Who killed her and hid her body? And who dug her up?
Tyler’s investigation draws him into the secretive world of treasure-hunters who operate under cover of darkness, seeking the lost and valuable . . . and willing to kill to keep what they find.
From the bestselling author of FIREWATCHING
Praise for RUSS THOMAS
'I’ve got a new man in my life. His name is Adam Tyler. Yorkshireman. Enjoys cold drinks and colder cases. Hangs out in exceptional debut novels and exceptionaller sequels. Firewatching and Nighthawking are comparable with the best of Michael Connelly’s Bosch books and James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux novels, and – naturally – Ian Rankin; but there’s an elegiac quality here that reminds me of Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie titles and the Dublin Murder Squad novels by Tana French' AJ FINN
'I loved it! Nighthawking turns Sheffield into a dark and terrifying underworld, and the plot is wonderfully fresh and original' KATE RHODES
'Superb. Every part of Nighthawking is so well woven together . . . the end dragged me around and spat me out a broken man. Highly recommended' JAMES DELARGY
'In the clever and compulsive Firewatching , DS Adam Tyler navigates a complex cast of villains and victims in a cold case that suddenly turns very, very hot' LOUISE CANDLISH
'A pitch-perfect blend of the best of the old and the best of the new . . . I loved it ' LEE CHILD
‘ Devoured in three days . A cracking read with a terrific new detective lead. Red hot debut for 2020’ SARAH HILARY
'A fantastic read with a plot that left me guessing and a cast of very real and well imagined characters.' JAMES DELARGY
'A great read. Totally absorbed me’ CASS GREEN
' Intelligent , pacy and compelling , it's everything you could want from a crime novel' SARAH WARD , author of the DC Childs mysteries
'Hard-hitting' SUNDAY TIMES , CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH
'A riveting follow-up to Firewatching ' HEAT
'Comparable with the best of Michael Connelly’s Bosch books and James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux novels, and – naturally – Ian Rankin' AJ FINN
NO SECRET CAN STAY BURIED FOREVER
Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens is an oasis of peace – until one morning when the body of a young woman is found there, buried in a quiet corner. Police determine that she’s been there for months and would have gone undiscovered for years – except someone returned in the dead of night to dig her up.
DS Adam Tyler and his team have many questions to answer – who is the victim? Who killed her and hid her body? And who dug her up?
Tyler’s investigation draws him into the secretive world of treasure-hunters who operate under cover of darkness, seeking the lost and valuable . . . and willing to kill to keep what they find.
From the bestselling author of FIREWATCHING
Praise for RUSS THOMAS
'I’ve got a new man in my life. His name is Adam Tyler. Yorkshireman. Enjoys cold drinks and colder cases. Hangs out in exceptional debut novels and exceptionaller sequels. Firewatching and Nighthawking are comparable with the best of Michael Connelly’s Bosch books and James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux novels, and – naturally – Ian Rankin; but there’s an elegiac quality here that reminds me of Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie titles and the Dublin Murder Squad novels by Tana French' AJ FINN
'I loved it! Nighthawking turns Sheffield into a dark and terrifying underworld, and the plot is wonderfully fresh and original' KATE RHODES
'Superb. Every part of Nighthawking is so well woven together . . . the end dragged me around and spat me out a broken man. Highly recommended' JAMES DELARGY
'In the clever and compulsive Firewatching , DS Adam Tyler navigates a complex cast of villains and victims in a cold case that suddenly turns very, very hot' LOUISE CANDLISH
'A pitch-perfect blend of the best of the old and the best of the new . . . I loved it ' LEE CHILD
‘ Devoured in three days . A cracking read with a terrific new detective lead. Red hot debut for 2020’ SARAH HILARY
'A fantastic read with a plot that left me guessing and a cast of very real and well imagined characters.' JAMES DELARGY
'A great read. Totally absorbed me’ CASS GREEN
' Intelligent , pacy and compelling , it's everything you could want from a crime novel' SARAH WARD , author of the DC Childs mysteries
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
111 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
About the author
Russ Thomas
6 books205 followersRuss Thomas was born in Essex, raised in Berkshire and now lives in Sheffield. He grew up in the 80s reading anything he could get his hands on at the library, writing stories, watching large amounts of television, playing videogames, and largely avoiding the great outdoors. He spent five years trying to master playing the electronic organ and another five trying to learn Spanish. It didn't take him too long to realise that he'd be better off sticking to the writing.
After a few “proper” jobs (among them: pot-washer, optician's receptionist, supermarket warehouse operative, call-centre telephonist and storage salesman) he discovered the joys of book-selling, where he could talk to people about books all day.
Now a full-time writer, he also teaches creative writing classes and mentors new authors. Firewatching is his first novel.
After a few “proper” jobs (among them: pot-washer, optician's receptionist, supermarket warehouse operative, call-centre telephonist and storage salesman) he discovered the joys of book-selling, where he could talk to people about books all day.
Now a full-time writer, he also teaches creative writing classes and mentors new authors. Firewatching is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
December 29, 2020
Russ Thomas writes a fabulous sequel to his Sheffield based crime series featuring the gay DS Adam Tyler working in the Cold Case Review Unit, having acquired the terrific and ambitious DC Mina Rabbini, not a woman that can be pushed around. Unfortunately Adam is pursuing his own lines of inquiry, failing to provide any management or support of Mina, telling her to just get on with it as she covers up for his frequent absences. Adam is looking into his cop father, Richard's so called suicide after DI Jim Doggett suggests murder and conspiracy. The trouble is that he is struggling to make any headway, relying on DCI Diane Jordan to cover his back with 'the eel', Detective Chief Superintendent Stevens, looking to abolish the CCRU. Under cover of the dark, a nighthawking metal detectorist is trespassing at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, discovering more than he wanted when he comes across a buried body.
With budget pressures, and DI Doggett leading the inquiry into the murder of a 5 year old boy, Jason Talbot, Jordan appoints Adam and returning DS Guy Daley to lead on the Botanical Gardens murder. However, Adam pursues his own personal inquiries and Daley, a troubled man, is not contributing either, leaving Mina the only one doing any detective work, having to cover for both men. That is until Adam is warned off and violently attacked, which ignites his interest in the case. The victim turns out to be a young Chinese PhD student who went missing 6 months ago, Li Qiang, in the Animal and Plant Sciences Department, run by Professor Robert Calderdale. With Adam taking an interest in helping a young homeless man, Callum Morgan, multiple threads begin to slowly connect in a harrowing investigation where further murder takes place and Adam tangles with a notoriously dangerous criminal boss, Joey McKenna.
The conclusion to the story ends with a cliffhanger, one of my least favourite ways of finishing a novel, although I have to admit it does have me wanting the read the next in the series as soon as I possibly can. This is a dark, intense, suspenseful and engaging crime read that is both entertaining and compulsive. The major reason for this are the characters of Adam, making a hash of his relationship with firefighter, Paul, looking for his brother, Jude, who has returned to Sheffield, and the brilliant DC Mina Rabbini, who is establishing herself as a indomitable force to be reckoned with. This is a crime series that I think will appeal to many crime and mystery fans. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
With budget pressures, and DI Doggett leading the inquiry into the murder of a 5 year old boy, Jason Talbot, Jordan appoints Adam and returning DS Guy Daley to lead on the Botanical Gardens murder. However, Adam pursues his own personal inquiries and Daley, a troubled man, is not contributing either, leaving Mina the only one doing any detective work, having to cover for both men. That is until Adam is warned off and violently attacked, which ignites his interest in the case. The victim turns out to be a young Chinese PhD student who went missing 6 months ago, Li Qiang, in the Animal and Plant Sciences Department, run by Professor Robert Calderdale. With Adam taking an interest in helping a young homeless man, Callum Morgan, multiple threads begin to slowly connect in a harrowing investigation where further murder takes place and Adam tangles with a notoriously dangerous criminal boss, Joey McKenna.
The conclusion to the story ends with a cliffhanger, one of my least favourite ways of finishing a novel, although I have to admit it does have me wanting the read the next in the series as soon as I possibly can. This is a dark, intense, suspenseful and engaging crime read that is both entertaining and compulsive. The major reason for this are the characters of Adam, making a hash of his relationship with firefighter, Paul, looking for his brother, Jude, who has returned to Sheffield, and the brilliant DC Mina Rabbini, who is establishing herself as a indomitable force to be reckoned with. This is a crime series that I think will appeal to many crime and mystery fans. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
December 24, 2020
A nighthawker under the cover of darkness and with metal detector in hand finds something he wasn’t bargaining for in the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield. The subsequent investigation involving DS Adam Tyler and DC Mina Rabbani takes this case into unexpected and very dangerous places. Running alongside this is DI Jim Doggett and Tyler’s growing conviction that there’s a conspiracy surrounding the death of Adam’s father Richard who was also a police officer.
I absolutely loved the first Adam Tyler novel ‘Firewatching’ and there’s always a concern that the second in a series won’t match the first. Well, thankfully it’s a very good follow up! First of all, the characters - yes, Adam must be absolutely impossible to work with especially as he keeps wandering off doing his own thing! However, he really intrigues me as he’s very deep and enigmatic with a kindness of heart as shown by his attempts to shield Mina from any fallout especially from DCI Diane Jordan or from the eel otherwise known as Detective Chief Superintendent Stevens. As for Mina, go girl! She’s finding her voice and how, she’s getting herself heard and I love that! She is amazing. There are some interesting characters in this one, not necessarily on the right side of the law and Tyler has to run the gauntlet on that.
At the beginning of the book it seems as if there are disparate lines of inquiry requiring a lot of police ‘juggling’ to keep up which I, sure is realistic in these days if financial restraint. However, it all starts to come together and connect cleverly and you start to join the dots like the dot to dot drawings I liked so much as a child only much cleverer!! The inquiry goes into some fascinating worlds as diverse as detector finds and rare orchids! The case is as twisty as a corkscrew and the plot pace builds well as we reach the end and what an end! It’s a shocking cliffhanger and a half! Where do I sign for book three please?? Pretty please?!
Overall, another excellent novel from Russ Thomas which I thoroughly enjoyed.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the first Adam Tyler novel ‘Firewatching’ and there’s always a concern that the second in a series won’t match the first. Well, thankfully it’s a very good follow up! First of all, the characters - yes, Adam must be absolutely impossible to work with especially as he keeps wandering off doing his own thing! However, he really intrigues me as he’s very deep and enigmatic with a kindness of heart as shown by his attempts to shield Mina from any fallout especially from DCI Diane Jordan or from the eel otherwise known as Detective Chief Superintendent Stevens. As for Mina, go girl! She’s finding her voice and how, she’s getting herself heard and I love that! She is amazing. There are some interesting characters in this one, not necessarily on the right side of the law and Tyler has to run the gauntlet on that.
At the beginning of the book it seems as if there are disparate lines of inquiry requiring a lot of police ‘juggling’ to keep up which I, sure is realistic in these days if financial restraint. However, it all starts to come together and connect cleverly and you start to join the dots like the dot to dot drawings I liked so much as a child only much cleverer!! The inquiry goes into some fascinating worlds as diverse as detector finds and rare orchids! The case is as twisty as a corkscrew and the plot pace builds well as we reach the end and what an end! It’s a shocking cliffhanger and a half! Where do I sign for book three please?? Pretty please?!
Overall, another excellent novel from Russ Thomas which I thoroughly enjoyed.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
April 26, 2021
Digging for Gold
4.5 Stars Rounded Down
When a nighthawker’s metal detector goes off in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, he starts troweling the soil but instead of the usual miscellaneous items, he unearths a body. Actually, an arm which detaches. Hmmm.
This opens up a theoretical can of worms and the detectives on the cold case detail are called in to investigate. Mina Rabbani, a newly promoted detective inspector, is anxious to prove herself but her immediate bosses make themselves scarce so she’s left alone wondering how to proceed.
There are several mysteries to be solved with each character under pressure by those higher on the command chain to “wrap things up”.
This is the second in a series but reads as a stand alone. Deciphering prior relationships and office politics were effortless and will no doubt carry forward to book three.
I really enjoyed the story in most respects except for the cliffhanger at the end. Too gimmicky for an otherwise outstanding book - I'd already planned on reading the next installment and didn't need the persuasion.
A big thank you to my local library for the loan.
4.5 Stars Rounded Down
When a nighthawker’s metal detector goes off in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, he starts troweling the soil but instead of the usual miscellaneous items, he unearths a body. Actually, an arm which detaches. Hmmm.
This opens up a theoretical can of worms and the detectives on the cold case detail are called in to investigate. Mina Rabbani, a newly promoted detective inspector, is anxious to prove herself but her immediate bosses make themselves scarce so she’s left alone wondering how to proceed.
There are several mysteries to be solved with each character under pressure by those higher on the command chain to “wrap things up”.
This is the second in a series but reads as a stand alone. Deciphering prior relationships and office politics were effortless and will no doubt carry forward to book three.
I really enjoyed the story in most respects except for the cliffhanger at the end. Too gimmicky for an otherwise outstanding book - I'd already planned on reading the next installment and didn't need the persuasion.
A big thank you to my local library for the loan.
June 9, 2022
the only reason i even finished this book was because i had the audiobook on while working. i probably would’ve dnf’d this about halfway through if not, which i now see is something i should have done anyway.
this is what you get for trying to make metal detecting seem like a thrilling activity. (it’s not. it’s deathly boring to read about and definitely NOT what you want to be the subject of a supposedly thrilling mystery to be about.) i suppose the rest of it still could have been fun had the lead detective actually done any detective work, or had it all not been so damn convoluted. no such luck, though, so 1 star it is
this is what you get for trying to make metal detecting seem like a thrilling activity. (it’s not. it’s deathly boring to read about and definitely NOT what you want to be the subject of a supposedly thrilling mystery to be about.) i suppose the rest of it still could have been fun had the lead detective actually done any detective work, or had it all not been so damn convoluted. no such luck, though, so 1 star it is
December 20, 2020
On my blog.
Rep: gay mc, British Pakistani Muslim mc, lesbian character, Chinese side characters
CWs: gore, murder
Galley provided by publisher
I read Firewatching earlier this year and loved it. Mystery is one of my favourite genres and also sadly a genre where LGBT rep is lagging behind (at least in traditional publishing). So Firewatching married those two things beautifully and I couldn’t wait to read Nighthawking.
The second book in this series picks up a few months after the end of the first. Tyler is back in his job, although less than focused on it for reasons which will become clear. And there’s a new cold-ish case to investigate: the dead body of a student has been found buried in the Botanical Gardens, her eyes overlaid with gold Roman coins.
As with Firewatching, the point of view in Nighthawking switches between the detectives (Tyler and Rabbani, occasionally Daley and Jordan) and the suspects in the case. Now, this is usually one of my bugbears because, done… not so well, it exposes the reader to information the detectives don’t have and therefore makes the plot seem slow because you’ve galaxy-brained your way ahead. But here, Russ Thomas deftly juggles those conflicting points of view. You do know some things the detectives don’t, but they find them out pretty quickly afterwards, and other things you are equally left in the dark about. And it gives some insight into the characters you might not otherwise get.
It also helps that the mystery is very tightly plotted and keeps you guessing until the last moment (although I did figure out who was behind it, but I think that’s my having watched way too many episodes of Midsomer Murders). It’s one of those great mysteries where not just the murderer is uncovered, but plenty else along the way. I knew I would love it given the first book, but I was still pleasantly hooked from the moment I opened the first page.
In addition to the mystery that is happening in this book, there’s also one that’s overarching across the series. In all honesty, I had forgotten that this was touted at the end of the first book, so I was just a bit confused, but it really gets going in this one. And the ending? I can’t believe I now have to wait however many months to even hear news about a third book when that’s the cliffhanger.
So if you’re looking for a new mystery series to start, I would highly recommend it be this one.
Rep: gay mc, British Pakistani Muslim mc, lesbian character, Chinese side characters
CWs: gore, murder
Galley provided by publisher
I read Firewatching earlier this year and loved it. Mystery is one of my favourite genres and also sadly a genre where LGBT rep is lagging behind (at least in traditional publishing). So Firewatching married those two things beautifully and I couldn’t wait to read Nighthawking.
The second book in this series picks up a few months after the end of the first. Tyler is back in his job, although less than focused on it for reasons which will become clear. And there’s a new cold-ish case to investigate: the dead body of a student has been found buried in the Botanical Gardens, her eyes overlaid with gold Roman coins.
As with Firewatching, the point of view in Nighthawking switches between the detectives (Tyler and Rabbani, occasionally Daley and Jordan) and the suspects in the case. Now, this is usually one of my bugbears because, done… not so well, it exposes the reader to information the detectives don’t have and therefore makes the plot seem slow because you’ve galaxy-brained your way ahead. But here, Russ Thomas deftly juggles those conflicting points of view. You do know some things the detectives don’t, but they find them out pretty quickly afterwards, and other things you are equally left in the dark about. And it gives some insight into the characters you might not otherwise get.
It also helps that the mystery is very tightly plotted and keeps you guessing until the last moment (although I did figure out who was behind it, but I think that’s my having watched way too many episodes of Midsomer Murders). It’s one of those great mysteries where not just the murderer is uncovered, but plenty else along the way. I knew I would love it given the first book, but I was still pleasantly hooked from the moment I opened the first page.
In addition to the mystery that is happening in this book, there’s also one that’s overarching across the series. In all honesty, I had forgotten that this was touted at the end of the first book, so I was just a bit confused, but it really gets going in this one. And the ending? I can’t believe I now have to wait however many months to even hear news about a third book when that’s the cliffhanger.
So if you’re looking for a new mystery series to start, I would highly recommend it be this one.
March 8, 2025
Nighthawking is a second book in DS Adam Tyler series and it's a great follow up to Firewatching.
Intense, multilayered, gripping story that had me hooked right from the beginning, Nighthawking follows not just a new complex case for DS Tyler, but also carries on on his father's death investigation.
There are so many layers to that story and Russ Thomas does a superb job in connecting them all and still introducing more. There's the really dramatic event that happens towards the end that is sure to have a huge impact on Tyler both in his professional and personal life and Thomas just dangles that in front of us. I can't wait how that carries on into the next story.
Definitely a series to follow.
Intense, multilayered, gripping story that had me hooked right from the beginning, Nighthawking follows not just a new complex case for DS Tyler, but also carries on on his father's death investigation.
There are so many layers to that story and Russ Thomas does a superb job in connecting them all and still introducing more. There's the really dramatic event that happens towards the end that is sure to have a huge impact on Tyler both in his professional and personal life and Thomas just dangles that in front of us. I can't wait how that carries on into the next story.
Definitely a series to follow.
June 9, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Nighthawking.
I've read the first book in the DS Adam Tyler series and was pleased when my request was approved because I was interested to see how this series is moving forward.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
When the body of a young Asian woman from an affluent and politically connected family in China is found in the Botanical Gardens, DS Adam Tyler and his protege, DC Amina Rabbani are pulled from the Cold Case Review to assist with the investigation.
The case is complicated by several matters; a popular and vibrant young student involved with various men, a love triangle involving the victim, her sister and partner, and a subplot involving nighthawkers, a metal detectorist hobby group.
The mystery takes a backseat to Tyler's personal life once again; his older, troublemaking brother, Jude, is back in town; a superior has admitted that Tyler's father's death by suicide is extremely suspicious which means possible police corruption and conspiracy, Tyler's on/off relationship with his boyfriend is on the rocks and Tyler's kind efforts to help a young man brings him into contact with the local gangster in town.
Also, he's not really teaching Amina anything, leaving her to fend for herself.
Amina is the only person who is doing any 'detective' work, actually.
Oh, and a rival colleague Tyler constantly butts heads with is back from medical leave and not handling his return to the police force that well.
There's a lot going on, multiple POVs, storylines and subplots and the culprit isn't revealed until the last few pages.
I wish the focus was on the mystery itself and a typical police procedural and not bogged down with subplots.
This could have used an edit, or at least, a good trimming of some of the character POVs like Dave and the nighthawkers.
Once again, I found Tyler hard to like; he's not a bad guy, though he has a chip on his shoulder and seems to enjoy flaunting it.
The author portrays him as 'too cool for school' and he's not.
He's not Sherlock. He's not Poirot. He continuously disobeys orders from his superiors until he's reprimanded, disappearing from work to attend to his personal matters, leaving Amina alone to cover for his absences, he doesn't get along with his colleagues and that suits him just fine.
I would like Tyler if he actually did his job; he spends most of the book worrying about his father's death, his wayward brother and his cold case.
I estimate he spends about 15% of the book doing actual detective work.
By the end, all the storylines are wrapped up, more or less, with a cliffhanger that might make me check out the next book.
The writing is good, but there is too much filler and details that take away from the mystery.
I don't mind character development but I read mysteries because I enjoy police procedurals and solving it alongside the detectives/protagonists.
I've read the first book in the DS Adam Tyler series and was pleased when my request was approved because I was interested to see how this series is moving forward.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
When the body of a young Asian woman from an affluent and politically connected family in China is found in the Botanical Gardens, DS Adam Tyler and his protege, DC Amina Rabbani are pulled from the Cold Case Review to assist with the investigation.
The case is complicated by several matters; a popular and vibrant young student involved with various men, a love triangle involving the victim, her sister and partner, and a subplot involving nighthawkers, a metal detectorist hobby group.
The mystery takes a backseat to Tyler's personal life once again; his older, troublemaking brother, Jude, is back in town; a superior has admitted that Tyler's father's death by suicide is extremely suspicious which means possible police corruption and conspiracy, Tyler's on/off relationship with his boyfriend is on the rocks and Tyler's kind efforts to help a young man brings him into contact with the local gangster in town.
Also, he's not really teaching Amina anything, leaving her to fend for herself.
Amina is the only person who is doing any 'detective' work, actually.
Oh, and a rival colleague Tyler constantly butts heads with is back from medical leave and not handling his return to the police force that well.
There's a lot going on, multiple POVs, storylines and subplots and the culprit isn't revealed until the last few pages.
I wish the focus was on the mystery itself and a typical police procedural and not bogged down with subplots.
This could have used an edit, or at least, a good trimming of some of the character POVs like Dave and the nighthawkers.
Once again, I found Tyler hard to like; he's not a bad guy, though he has a chip on his shoulder and seems to enjoy flaunting it.
The author portrays him as 'too cool for school' and he's not.
He's not Sherlock. He's not Poirot. He continuously disobeys orders from his superiors until he's reprimanded, disappearing from work to attend to his personal matters, leaving Amina alone to cover for his absences, he doesn't get along with his colleagues and that suits him just fine.
I would like Tyler if he actually did his job; he spends most of the book worrying about his father's death, his wayward brother and his cold case.
I estimate he spends about 15% of the book doing actual detective work.
By the end, all the storylines are wrapped up, more or less, with a cliffhanger that might make me check out the next book.
The writing is good, but there is too much filler and details that take away from the mystery.
I don't mind character development but I read mysteries because I enjoy police procedurals and solving it alongside the detectives/protagonists.
March 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this Sheffield detective thriller. It's the second in the series and while I don't think I needed to have read the first one there are a few things I picked up on where it might have worked to my advantage especially now knowing that this book ends on a cliffhanger. Overall it didn't spoil the reading of this book. Also... I didn't like the opening and was tempted to give it up but I came back to it a few days later and promptly read the whole thing in a couple of days. Shows that it's not always a good thing to abandon a story unless you really have to. My low mood this week almost got in the way.
There's a wide variety of characters here which makes it enjoyable from LGBTI police, to Muslim ones and it even brushes on PTSD and mental health. The variety is a breath of fresh air compared to some books. I also got to learn what Nighthawking is and what detectorists do. Certainly an educational read if nothing else.
It's tensely plotted and there's quite a number of twists and turns. Being from Yorkshire I loved the setting. There are numerous voices in this which I know not everyone likes but is something I enjoy so I liked reading what various detectives think but also form one of the main suspects. I enjoyed this and think I will go back and read the first one.
There's a wide variety of characters here which makes it enjoyable from LGBTI police, to Muslim ones and it even brushes on PTSD and mental health. The variety is a breath of fresh air compared to some books. I also got to learn what Nighthawking is and what detectorists do. Certainly an educational read if nothing else.
It's tensely plotted and there's quite a number of twists and turns. Being from Yorkshire I loved the setting. There are numerous voices in this which I know not everyone likes but is something I enjoy so I liked reading what various detectives think but also form one of the main suspects. I enjoyed this and think I will go back and read the first one.
February 12, 2021
In DS Adam Tyler's second outing we learn more about what makes him tick. He is still obsessed with finding out why his father killed himself/was murdered? That is always at the back of his mind whatever case he is working on. On a personal level, Tyler's relationship with Paul is on precarious ground.
DC Amina Rabbani's character was also fleshed out further and I've come to be quite fond of her.
I really enjoy the writing in this series. The pacing is spot on, and there is a winning blend of personal vs. police story line. Though most of the story is quite serious in tone, I did laugh out loud at one point.
When I found out 'whodunit', I was quite surprised, and I love it when that happens. Also, it was entirely believable, so made the discovery all the more significant.
Though the police case was drawn to a satisfying conclusion, the ending was a real cliff-hanger for the series going forward. Personally, I can't wait for the third installment. Well done Russ Thomas! Highly recommended!
For this and over 600 more book reviews visit: https://fictionophile.com
DC Amina Rabbani's character was also fleshed out further and I've come to be quite fond of her.
I really enjoy the writing in this series. The pacing is spot on, and there is a winning blend of personal vs. police story line. Though most of the story is quite serious in tone, I did laugh out loud at one point.
When I found out 'whodunit', I was quite surprised, and I love it when that happens. Also, it was entirely believable, so made the discovery all the more significant.
Though the police case was drawn to a satisfying conclusion, the ending was a real cliff-hanger for the series going forward. Personally, I can't wait for the third installment. Well done Russ Thomas! Highly recommended!
For this and over 600 more book reviews visit: https://fictionophile.com
May 6, 2021
See the literary locations in Nighthawking
Ooh twisty and gory this one! A body is found buried in the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield. A story of nighthawkers runs through the novel - people who illegally go searching for buried treasure with metal detectors at night. Great police procedural with added interest of the protagonist's relationships but not enough to take your attention from the crime plot. An author to watch!
February 10, 2023
Nighthawking is the second book in the Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler series written by Russ Thomas. These British police procedurals are set in South Yorkshire, where the openly gay protagonist DS Tyler is a member of the Cold Case Review Unit (CCRU) of the Sheffield Police.
Nighthawking is set about a year after the events that transpired at the end of Firewatching. DS Tyler is working with (formerly PC) now DC Mina Rabbani on a cold case involving the disappearance of a young boy when the body of an unknown young Asian woman with ancient Roman gold coins over her eyes is discovered on the grounds of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens by a nighthawker, someone who uses metal detectors to seek out buried and hidden items of value on public lands.
DS Tyler is busy with and distracted by his obsessive investigation into a personally significant cold case: his own police detective father's suspicious death two decades ago when Tyler was a teenager. It thus falls to Mina to try and solve a case which is much more complicated than it first appears.
As with the first book in the series, the primary appeal of the story is seeing first hand how Tyler and Mina, both outsiders in the police force due to race, gender and sexual orientation, go about their jobs as police officers trying to solve crimes. In Nighthawking, there's less depiction of Tyler’s gayness but there’s more depiction of Mina’s intelligence and I’d say that’s a net positive. That being said, it’s a lot rarer to have an openly gay police detective than it is to have a smart female police detective in these genre books so I hope that the author doesn't shy away from depicting his protagonist's sexuality in future books, just as one would expect it to show up as one aspect of a heterosexual character’s life.
Another similarity Nighthawking has with Firewatching is the complexity of the plot, along with a veiled depiction of events from the perspective of the perpetrator. In Firewatching there were curious blog posts describing the work of a serial arsonist as intertextual elements between chapters. In Nighthawking we get brief reports from nighthawkers summarizing the results of their forays and searches. Both times we eventually realize that these elements are providing clues about the identity of the perpetrator.
There are many plots in Nighthawking. Tyler finds a lead which may lead to more information about his father’s death, and he also ends up cracking the cold case of the disappearance of the young boy, mostly inadvertently, as Rabbani does most of the work to identify the dead girl and whoever killed her. Of course, other dead bodies and near-fatal incidents also appear in the book along the way before we get a surprising resolution to the book’s primary mystery. The final scene of the book is a stunner; it presents the reader with new information about Tyler’s father’s death that will surely reverberate in the next book in the series, Cold Reckoning.
Nighthawking is set about a year after the events that transpired at the end of Firewatching. DS Tyler is working with (formerly PC) now DC Mina Rabbani on a cold case involving the disappearance of a young boy when the body of an unknown young Asian woman with ancient Roman gold coins over her eyes is discovered on the grounds of the Sheffield Botanical Gardens by a nighthawker, someone who uses metal detectors to seek out buried and hidden items of value on public lands.
DS Tyler is busy with and distracted by his obsessive investigation into a personally significant cold case: his own police detective father's suspicious death two decades ago when Tyler was a teenager. It thus falls to Mina to try and solve a case which is much more complicated than it first appears.
As with the first book in the series, the primary appeal of the story is seeing first hand how Tyler and Mina, both outsiders in the police force due to race, gender and sexual orientation, go about their jobs as police officers trying to solve crimes. In Nighthawking, there's less depiction of Tyler’s gayness but there’s more depiction of Mina’s intelligence and I’d say that’s a net positive. That being said, it’s a lot rarer to have an openly gay police detective than it is to have a smart female police detective in these genre books so I hope that the author doesn't shy away from depicting his protagonist's sexuality in future books, just as one would expect it to show up as one aspect of a heterosexual character’s life.
Another similarity Nighthawking has with Firewatching is the complexity of the plot, along with a veiled depiction of events from the perspective of the perpetrator. In Firewatching there were curious blog posts describing the work of a serial arsonist as intertextual elements between chapters. In Nighthawking we get brief reports from nighthawkers summarizing the results of their forays and searches. Both times we eventually realize that these elements are providing clues about the identity of the perpetrator.
There are many plots in Nighthawking. Tyler finds a lead which may lead to more information about his father’s death, and he also ends up cracking the cold case of the disappearance of the young boy, mostly inadvertently, as Rabbani does most of the work to identify the dead girl and whoever killed her. Of course, other dead bodies and near-fatal incidents also appear in the book along the way before we get a surprising resolution to the book’s primary mystery. The final scene of the book is a stunner; it presents the reader with new information about Tyler’s father’s death that will surely reverberate in the next book in the series, Cold Reckoning.
June 8, 2021
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for my proof copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Nighthawking is a well-crafted crime thriller by Russ Thomas, with an original, intriguing storyline.
It features a diverse cast of credible characters, in particular, DS Adam Tyler and Mina Rabbani - a strong, independent young Detective Constable, with a gritty, likeable persona.
A gripping, entertaining read, filled with drama, suspense and many unexpected twists and turns - cleverly plotted, with (nearly) everything tied together at the end.
Although Nighthawking is a sequel, it reads perfectly well as a standalone. Firewatching (Thomas’ first book) has now been added to my ‘to be read’ list.
I’m not usually a lover of cliffhanger endings, but this edge-of-your-seat one is brilliant, and I certainly didn’t see it coming.
I look forward to reading more from Russ Thomas in the future.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for my proof copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Nighthawking is a well-crafted crime thriller by Russ Thomas, with an original, intriguing storyline.
It features a diverse cast of credible characters, in particular, DS Adam Tyler and Mina Rabbani - a strong, independent young Detective Constable, with a gritty, likeable persona.
A gripping, entertaining read, filled with drama, suspense and many unexpected twists and turns - cleverly plotted, with (nearly) everything tied together at the end.
Although Nighthawking is a sequel, it reads perfectly well as a standalone. Firewatching (Thomas’ first book) has now been added to my ‘to be read’ list.
I’m not usually a lover of cliffhanger endings, but this edge-of-your-seat one is brilliant, and I certainly didn’t see it coming.
I look forward to reading more from Russ Thomas in the future.
April 14, 2022
I'm kicking myself for taking so long to read Nighthawking. I read the first in the DS Adam Tyler series - Firewatching - over a year ago and new this was a series I'd become addicted to.
Anyway, I finished it last night and moved straight onto the ARC of the next in the series Cold Reckoning.
Nighthawking is so well plotted, efforlessly pulling in various strands to make a cohesive and entertaining read. The ongoinng sub plot spilling over form the first book is a tantalising hook and I'm fascinnated to know what happens next.
Thomas's attention to detail when it comes to character development is spot on and I really loved the development of the relationships between the characters moving on from Firewatching - particularly those between Tyler and Rabanni and Tyler and Doggett.
A full galaxy of stars from me for this one!
Anyway, I finished it last night and moved straight onto the ARC of the next in the series Cold Reckoning.
Nighthawking is so well plotted, efforlessly pulling in various strands to make a cohesive and entertaining read. The ongoinng sub plot spilling over form the first book is a tantalising hook and I'm fascinnated to know what happens next.
Thomas's attention to detail when it comes to character development is spot on and I really loved the development of the relationships between the characters moving on from Firewatching - particularly those between Tyler and Rabanni and Tyler and Doggett.
A full galaxy of stars from me for this one!
September 3, 2021
Fine sequel to Firewatching. DS Tyler remains as well drawn as he was in the first novel and just as interesting a character. The city of Sheffield is ever present and there were a couple of revisits to The Red Deer. Never a bad idea. I think I enjoyed the story in this slightly better that the first novel. There's still a lot of information to deal with and the reader doesn't always get an easy ride. There are quite a few 'what just happened' moments (maybe that's just me). The writing is great and all the characters live and breath (some not for so long). A couple of surprising moments along the way and a shocker at the end. Didn't see that coming. I'm already looking forward to number three.
April 9, 2021
Стокгольмский синдром or not, но уже жду следующую
October 21, 2021
This is the second in the DS Adam Tyler mystery series. Rest assured, you don’t need to have read the first to get a deal of satisfaction reading this one. Thomas does a seamless job of catching the Reader up with who’s who and why. Nighthawking is the term given to the (usually odd) folk who go out, usually nocturnally, with their detecting devices searching for treasure, or anything approaching valuable. The newly promoted Mina Rabbani feels direction-less; her mentor Adam Tyler has lots on his mind, so when the first body turns up in the Botanical Gardens their boss, already under the pump from her boss, has precious few resources to assign to the case. There are enough twists and unexpected developments for this Reader to anticipate the next volume.
March 9, 2021
I’m rounding this up to a 4. I had trouble getting into, but maybe it was my fault. I liked the premise, but I didn’t find the characters interesting until about three-quarters of the way through. I loved the first book so I have high hopes for the next one.
March 30, 2021
"He can't bear to think of her that way, all cold and dead and wasting away in her grave beneath the rose bushes. He'd always pictured her whole, whenever he thought about her. All peaceful and sleeping. The way she'd looked when he buried her."
On a cold winter night, a nighthawker - a treasure hunter who operates under the cloak of darkness - breaks into Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens to search for treasures buried beneath the flower beds and instead uncovers the arm of a murdered young woman. DS Adam Tyler is called in to investigate, drawing him and his team into the mysterious, tangled web of nighthawkers, hidden treasure, secrets and murder.
Russ Thomas’ debut thriller, Firewatching, was one of my favourite books of last year, leaving me eagerly awaiting its follow up. But with such excitement comes trepidation. Would Nighthawking live up to the brilliance of Firewatching? The answer is, yes. Like its predecessor, Nighthawking is a heart-pounding thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
Being set in my hometown gives this series a special place in my heart, but that isn’t the only reason I love these books. They are exquisitely written, intricate and action-packed, bringing Sheffield to life not only in terms of the vivid imagery, but the atmosphere. When I first heard that this book would be set in the Botanical Gardens I was delighted as it is probably my favourite place in the city. I even went there just last week and loved how clearly I could picture every moment that happened there. It was a fabulous setting that the author has clearly researched extensively and I know that the Gardens will forever be synonymous with this book for me.
The author has filled this book with a cast of richly drawn, compelling and nuanced characters. The multiple narrators allow him to weave in the human elements of the story and offer us greater insight into their nature, behaviour and motivations, and drawing more empathy from us for certain characters by showing us the trauma and pain they have suffered. I loved being back with Tyler and his team, a realistic bunch who bicker and don’t always work together well. I like that Tyler isn’t your usual affable and charming protagonist. He is someone you warm up to and I think his spiky, zealous nature gives the books a bit of an edge over the ones with a more likeable central character. I was glad to see Mina Rabbani back as she is probably my favourite character. It was great to see her grow in confidence and come into her own over the course of this book and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for her next.
Complex, twisty, dark and exhilarating, Nighthawking is an addictive page-turner that keeps you guessing. This can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading them in order because they are simply fantastic thrillers. My only question after that nail-biting finale is how long do I have to wait until book three?
On a cold winter night, a nighthawker - a treasure hunter who operates under the cloak of darkness - breaks into Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens to search for treasures buried beneath the flower beds and instead uncovers the arm of a murdered young woman. DS Adam Tyler is called in to investigate, drawing him and his team into the mysterious, tangled web of nighthawkers, hidden treasure, secrets and murder.
Russ Thomas’ debut thriller, Firewatching, was one of my favourite books of last year, leaving me eagerly awaiting its follow up. But with such excitement comes trepidation. Would Nighthawking live up to the brilliance of Firewatching? The answer is, yes. Like its predecessor, Nighthawking is a heart-pounding thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
Being set in my hometown gives this series a special place in my heart, but that isn’t the only reason I love these books. They are exquisitely written, intricate and action-packed, bringing Sheffield to life not only in terms of the vivid imagery, but the atmosphere. When I first heard that this book would be set in the Botanical Gardens I was delighted as it is probably my favourite place in the city. I even went there just last week and loved how clearly I could picture every moment that happened there. It was a fabulous setting that the author has clearly researched extensively and I know that the Gardens will forever be synonymous with this book for me.
The author has filled this book with a cast of richly drawn, compelling and nuanced characters. The multiple narrators allow him to weave in the human elements of the story and offer us greater insight into their nature, behaviour and motivations, and drawing more empathy from us for certain characters by showing us the trauma and pain they have suffered. I loved being back with Tyler and his team, a realistic bunch who bicker and don’t always work together well. I like that Tyler isn’t your usual affable and charming protagonist. He is someone you warm up to and I think his spiky, zealous nature gives the books a bit of an edge over the ones with a more likeable central character. I was glad to see Mina Rabbani back as she is probably my favourite character. It was great to see her grow in confidence and come into her own over the course of this book and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for her next.
Complex, twisty, dark and exhilarating, Nighthawking is an addictive page-turner that keeps you guessing. This can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading them in order because they are simply fantastic thrillers. My only question after that nail-biting finale is how long do I have to wait until book three?
March 31, 2021
"He can't bear to think of her that way, all cold and dead and wasting away in her grave beneath the rose bushes. He'd always pictured her whole, whenever he thought about her. All peaceful and sleeping. The way she'd looked when he buried her."
On a cold winter night, a nighthawker - a treasure hunter who operates under the cloak of darkness - breaks into Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens to search for treasures buried beneath the flower beds and instead uncovers the arm of a murdered young woman. DS Adam Tyler is called in to investigate, drawing him and his team into the mysterious, tangled web of nighthawkers, hidden treasure, secrets and murder.
Russ Thomas’ debut thriller, Firewatching, was one of my favourite books of last year, leaving me eagerly awaiting its follow up. But with such excitement comes trepidation. Would Nighthawking live up to the brilliance of Firewatching? The answer is, yes. Like its predecessor, Nighthawking is a heart-pounding thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
Being set in my hometown gives this series a special place in my heart, but that isn’t the only reason I love these books. They are exquisitely written, intricate and action-packed, bringing Sheffield to life not only in terms of the vivid imagery, but the atmosphere. When I first heard that this book would be set in the Botanical Gardens I was delighted as it is probably my favourite place in the city. I even went there just last week and loved how clearly I could picture every moment that happened there. It was a fabulous setting that the author has clearly researched extensively and I know that the Gardens will forever be synonymous with this book for me.
The author has filled this book with a cast of richly drawn, compelling and nuanced characters. The multiple narrators allow him to weave in the human elements of the story and offer us greater insight into their nature, behaviour and motivations, and drawing more empathy from us for certain characters by showing us the trauma and pain they have suffered. I loved being back with Tyler and his team, a realistic bunch who bicker and don’t always work together well. I like that Tyler isn’t your usual affable and charming protagonist. He is someone you warm up to and I think his spiky, zealous nature gives the books a bit of an edge over the ones with a more likeable central character. I was glad to see Mina Rabbani back as she is probably my favourite character. It was great to see her grow in confidence and come into her own over the course of this book and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for her next.
Complex, twisty, dark and exhilarating, Nighthawking is an addictive page-turner that keeps you guessing. This can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading them in order because they are simply fantastic thrillers. My only question after that nail-biting finale is how long do I have to wait until book three?
On a cold winter night, a nighthawker - a treasure hunter who operates under the cloak of darkness - breaks into Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens to search for treasures buried beneath the flower beds and instead uncovers the arm of a murdered young woman. DS Adam Tyler is called in to investigate, drawing him and his team into the mysterious, tangled web of nighthawkers, hidden treasure, secrets and murder.
Russ Thomas’ debut thriller, Firewatching, was one of my favourite books of last year, leaving me eagerly awaiting its follow up. But with such excitement comes trepidation. Would Nighthawking live up to the brilliance of Firewatching? The answer is, yes. Like its predecessor, Nighthawking is a heart-pounding thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
Being set in my hometown gives this series a special place in my heart, but that isn’t the only reason I love these books. They are exquisitely written, intricate and action-packed, bringing Sheffield to life not only in terms of the vivid imagery, but the atmosphere. When I first heard that this book would be set in the Botanical Gardens I was delighted as it is probably my favourite place in the city. I even went there just last week and loved how clearly I could picture every moment that happened there. It was a fabulous setting that the author has clearly researched extensively and I know that the Gardens will forever be synonymous with this book for me.
The author has filled this book with a cast of richly drawn, compelling and nuanced characters. The multiple narrators allow him to weave in the human elements of the story and offer us greater insight into their nature, behaviour and motivations, and drawing more empathy from us for certain characters by showing us the trauma and pain they have suffered. I loved being back with Tyler and his team, a realistic bunch who bicker and don’t always work together well. I like that Tyler isn’t your usual affable and charming protagonist. He is someone you warm up to and I think his spiky, zealous nature gives the books a bit of an edge over the ones with a more likeable central character. I was glad to see Mina Rabbani back as she is probably my favourite character. It was great to see her grow in confidence and come into her own over the course of this book and I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for her next.
Complex, twisty, dark and exhilarating, Nighthawking is an addictive page-turner that keeps you guessing. This can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading them in order because they are simply fantastic thrillers. My only question after that nail-biting finale is how long do I have to wait until book three?
March 2, 2021
I was a huge fan of Russ Thomas’s debut, Firewatching, which made my top ten books of 2020, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book in the series. Nighthawking is a brilliant follow up, and Russ Thomas has created a complex mystery which kept me intrigued, and it had a really intriguing premise.
I really liked DS Adam Tyler when Russ Thomas first introduced him in the first book. This time around, he is slipping away from the police investigation that is taking place. Tyler is also struggling with his relationship with Paul, as well. His actions did make me feel sorry for his colleague, DC Amina Rabbini. She is constantly trying to locate him and having to cover up for him as well. They both work for the cold case unit, which is under threat as it is, of being disbanded, due to budget cuts.
DS Tyler and DC Rabbini soon find themselves thrown into an investigation when a young woman's body is found in Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens. It appears that the body has been there for months. The case is soon matched up with the disappearance of a Chinese woman eight months earlier. But it appears that not much was done to trace her, and the case was quickly wrapped up.
In this book, Russ Thomas delves into the world of nighthawkers, which gives the book a very sinister feeling. Nighthawkers are treasure hunters, and it’s the nickname given to people who don’t have a licence to hunt for treasure, particularly at sites with a historical value. This part of the plot gave the book a very sinister feeling. It made me wonder if it had a wider connection to the discovery of the young girl’s body.
The plot was cleverly constructed, and I liked the different elements that Russ Thomas brought to it. I thought this, particularly when we begin to learn more about what was going on in the life of the murdered girl.
The tension gathers pace as the truth begins to unfold, and it was a jaw dropping moment when Russ Thomas revealed his secrets. And then Russ Thomas leaves us on a cliff hanger. The ending has left me wanting to get my hands on the next book as soon as possible. I know this is a series that I’ll be sticking with.
Nighthawking is another excellent book by Russ Thomas, and I can’t wait to see how things progress from here.
I really liked DS Adam Tyler when Russ Thomas first introduced him in the first book. This time around, he is slipping away from the police investigation that is taking place. Tyler is also struggling with his relationship with Paul, as well. His actions did make me feel sorry for his colleague, DC Amina Rabbini. She is constantly trying to locate him and having to cover up for him as well. They both work for the cold case unit, which is under threat as it is, of being disbanded, due to budget cuts.
DS Tyler and DC Rabbini soon find themselves thrown into an investigation when a young woman's body is found in Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens. It appears that the body has been there for months. The case is soon matched up with the disappearance of a Chinese woman eight months earlier. But it appears that not much was done to trace her, and the case was quickly wrapped up.
In this book, Russ Thomas delves into the world of nighthawkers, which gives the book a very sinister feeling. Nighthawkers are treasure hunters, and it’s the nickname given to people who don’t have a licence to hunt for treasure, particularly at sites with a historical value. This part of the plot gave the book a very sinister feeling. It made me wonder if it had a wider connection to the discovery of the young girl’s body.
The plot was cleverly constructed, and I liked the different elements that Russ Thomas brought to it. I thought this, particularly when we begin to learn more about what was going on in the life of the murdered girl.
The tension gathers pace as the truth begins to unfold, and it was a jaw dropping moment when Russ Thomas revealed his secrets. And then Russ Thomas leaves us on a cliff hanger. The ending has left me wanting to get my hands on the next book as soon as possible. I know this is a series that I’ll be sticking with.
Nighthawking is another excellent book by Russ Thomas, and I can’t wait to see how things progress from here.
March 25, 2021
This is Russ Thomas’ second novel, and an eagerly awaited sequel to his debut, Firewatching. Once again, we’re in Sheffield with DS Adam Tyler. He’s still heading up the cold case team, but now has a protégé in the guise of DC Mina Rabbani (who was in uniform in Firewatching but has since gained a spot in CID), but it isn’t long before they’re both seconded to a murder inquiry when the body of a woman is discovered buried in the city’s botanical gardens.
The body was unearthed by a nighthawker, a metal detectorist, but one willing to trespass on private land and at night, and keep or not declare their finds. This is a major theme running through the book (hence the title) and several characters are members of a detectorist group and keen nighthawkers. It quickly becomes apparent that the woman is linked to the group and that one or more members might have something to do with her murder. Muddying the water is the fact she was a Chinese national and the daughter of a powerful figure within the Chinese Communist Party, and that she might have been involved in some kind of smuggling operation.
While part of a series, Nighhawking could be read as a standalone. That said, it is far more enjoyable if read after the author’s debut. The events of Firewatching have left their mark on several characters, and it is easier to understand some of their motivations if you know what they went through in the previous title.
Firewatching was an impressive debut and made something of a splash when published. There’s always a concern that the “curse of the second novel” will strike when a debut novelist has made such a mark, but Russ Thomas has no such concerns on that front. Nighthawking is a fantastic follow up, both brilliantly plotted and brilliantly told. This is a great book and I look forward to reading the third in the series whenever Russ is ready to unleash it on the book-reading public.
The body was unearthed by a nighthawker, a metal detectorist, but one willing to trespass on private land and at night, and keep or not declare their finds. This is a major theme running through the book (hence the title) and several characters are members of a detectorist group and keen nighthawkers. It quickly becomes apparent that the woman is linked to the group and that one or more members might have something to do with her murder. Muddying the water is the fact she was a Chinese national and the daughter of a powerful figure within the Chinese Communist Party, and that she might have been involved in some kind of smuggling operation.
While part of a series, Nighhawking could be read as a standalone. That said, it is far more enjoyable if read after the author’s debut. The events of Firewatching have left their mark on several characters, and it is easier to understand some of their motivations if you know what they went through in the previous title.
Firewatching was an impressive debut and made something of a splash when published. There’s always a concern that the “curse of the second novel” will strike when a debut novelist has made such a mark, but Russ Thomas has no such concerns on that front. Nighthawking is a fantastic follow up, both brilliantly plotted and brilliantly told. This is a great book and I look forward to reading the third in the series whenever Russ is ready to unleash it on the book-reading public.
September 4, 2021
DS Tyler, you dumb tit, is what I said aloud when one of the major twists was revealed. I think that kind of sums up this series so far. I enjoy it. It's a page turner. But DS Tyler, by god, you are a dumb tit sometimes.
This has two concurrent cases going: a body uncovered in the botanical gardens, and a slow-burn continuation of the cliffhanger from the previous book. Around page 50 there is a comprehensive - if a little info-dumpy - recap of past events, so don't worry if you don't really remember what happened in the last book.
I had some nitpicky issues with the story: the pacing is choppy, and DS Tyler has little to no character growth since the last book. In some ways it felt like he regressed? It gets a little tiresome reading about someone making the same mistakes over and over, especially when it feels like he skates by with other people having to face the brunt of the consequences for his actions.
I will read the next book when it comes out but I can already tell things are getting a little too elaborate and OTT for my reading tastes.
This has two concurrent cases going: a body uncovered in the botanical gardens, and a slow-burn continuation of the cliffhanger from the previous book. Around page 50 there is a comprehensive - if a little info-dumpy - recap of past events, so don't worry if you don't really remember what happened in the last book.
I had some nitpicky issues with the story: the pacing is choppy, and DS Tyler has little to no character growth since the last book. In some ways it felt like he regressed? It gets a little tiresome reading about someone making the same mistakes over and over, especially when it feels like he skates by with other people having to face the brunt of the consequences for his actions.
I will read the next book when it comes out but I can already tell things are getting a little too elaborate and OTT for my reading tastes.
September 5, 2024
"Nighthawking" by Russ Thomas is a gripping police procedural and the second book in the DS Adam Tyler series. The story kicks off when a nighthawker, searching for buried treasure in Sheffield's Botanical Gardens, stumbles upon a body. DS Adam Tyler and his newly promoted colleague, Detective Constable Mina Rabbani, are pulled into the investigation, revealing a tangled web of secrets, shoddy police work, and international intrigue.
The plot is atmospheric and tightly woven, with multiple strands slowly coming together as the story unfolds. Mina's character development is engaging, and her dynamic with the complicated and overburdened Adam Tyler adds depth to the narrative. With a diverse cast of characters and a keen sense of place, this thriller keeps you hooked from start to finish. Though complex at times, the way everything knits together makes for a satisfying read. A great follow-up to the first book, setting up anticipation for the next.
The plot is atmospheric and tightly woven, with multiple strands slowly coming together as the story unfolds. Mina's character development is engaging, and her dynamic with the complicated and overburdened Adam Tyler adds depth to the narrative. With a diverse cast of characters and a keen sense of place, this thriller keeps you hooked from start to finish. Though complex at times, the way everything knits together makes for a satisfying read. A great follow-up to the first book, setting up anticipation for the next.
September 3, 2024
Picture the scenario, you're out nighthawking and rather than coming across hidden treasures you unearth a body...what do you you do?
Nighthawking is the second in the Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler series and my favourite of the series so far.
The plot is well paced and comes laden with an air of suspense as Tyler gets to grips with the case of uncovering who the deceased is. Alongside the main plot there are several other threads at play too, one of which is a clue to a crime that's personal to Adam.
A bonus for me is the way we also get to hear the story from the perpetrators side of the story too, allowing us to picture events from both sides.
Fantastic characters, a gripping plot and my worst book nightmare, a cliffhanger...
Nighthawking is the second in the Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler series and my favourite of the series so far.
The plot is well paced and comes laden with an air of suspense as Tyler gets to grips with the case of uncovering who the deceased is. Alongside the main plot there are several other threads at play too, one of which is a clue to a crime that's personal to Adam.
A bonus for me is the way we also get to hear the story from the perpetrators side of the story too, allowing us to picture events from both sides.
Fantastic characters, a gripping plot and my worst book nightmare, a cliffhanger...
December 5, 2021
I think I enjoyed this one more than the first book. As always, it was chaotic and all over the place, and I didn't quite see the plot twist coming.
The plot is about a body which was unearthed from the gardens and seems to have been murdered months prior. The story jumps from DS Tyler and Rabbani's case to other cases, as well as Tyler's personal issues. The author gives us time to get to know the many characters in play in this book.
One line that stood out to me was this,
"When the worst thing that can happen to you has already happened, what is there left to be afraid of?"
Since the story ended on a cliff hanger, I now cannot wait for the next instalment. Well done, Russ Thomas.
The plot is about a body which was unearthed from the gardens and seems to have been murdered months prior. The story jumps from DS Tyler and Rabbani's case to other cases, as well as Tyler's personal issues. The author gives us time to get to know the many characters in play in this book.
One line that stood out to me was this,
"When the worst thing that can happen to you has already happened, what is there left to be afraid of?"
Since the story ended on a cliff hanger, I now cannot wait for the next instalment. Well done, Russ Thomas.
February 21, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the arc of Nighthawking by Russ Thomas.
3 stars- This is a second in a series and I havent read the first book in the series either, so i heard it is a follow up from book one so im a bit confused as dont know any of the characters or what there like or knows what happens in book one so to me i read till halfway and didnt continiue as i was mega confused and didnt really know what was going on so if your going to read this make sure you read first one first apart from this it is very well written with good structure to it!
3 stars⭐⭐⭐
3 stars- This is a second in a series and I havent read the first book in the series either, so i heard it is a follow up from book one so im a bit confused as dont know any of the characters or what there like or knows what happens in book one so to me i read till halfway and didnt continiue as i was mega confused and didnt really know what was going on so if your going to read this make sure you read first one first apart from this it is very well written with good structure to it!
3 stars⭐⭐⭐
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March 16, 2021This was my first introduction to Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler. I enjoyed the experience a good deal. I was able to connect a lot of the dots without much help, but there were some well-timed surprises that kept my interest.
Thomas was able to balance character relationships/development well with good old fashioned detective work/plot.
The writing style had a good flow and was well-paced.
I'm thinking I need to go back and read the first book in the series - and I'm definitely adding more in the series to my reading list.
Thomas was able to balance character relationships/development well with good old fashioned detective work/plot.
The writing style had a good flow and was well-paced.
I'm thinking I need to go back and read the first book in the series - and I'm definitely adding more in the series to my reading list.
November 6, 2022
Full disclosure: I feel part of what didn't work for me comes from having skipped book one in this series. In my defence, the cover of the book didn't show that this book was, in fact, part of a series :P
I'm planning on fixing that because I found the story interesting convoluted and complex in a good way; the writing style is engaging and I'm curious about Adam's story and the mystery about his father.
The narration though, although precise and with good management of the different voices (and there were a lot!) lacked a bit when it come to tone.
I'm planning on fixing that because I found the story interesting convoluted and complex in a good way; the writing style is engaging and I'm curious about Adam's story and the mystery about his father.
The narration though, although precise and with good management of the different voices (and there were a lot!) lacked a bit when it come to tone.
August 21, 2025
An excellent sequel to the absolutely brilliant Firewatching. Russ Thomas delivers another complex multi layered plot with some great characters at the heart of the story and he connects everything together quite brilliantly. Adam Tyler is an enigma and he is still trying to piece together his father's suicide whilst working his latest case. Hints of police corruption and conspiracy theories add to the well executed plot and the pace towards the end is page turning. And oh my that cliffhanger- bring on book three. 4.5⭐️
April 27, 2021
This is a great read.
The book begins with a nighthawker discovering the arm of a person in Sheffield Botanical Gardens. He is shocked by his discovery and runs off leaving the body part to be discovered the next day by a worker at the Botanical gardens.
DS Adam Tyler, DS Guy Daley and Detective Constable Mina Rabbani, are assigned the case and are taken off their usual cold case reviews.
There’s multiple points of view to follow in Nighthawking with Tyler and Rabbani’s views in the most of the story, but there’s also chapters from the nighthawkers.
Alongside the main storyline is Tyler’s investigation into his father’s death. Tyler believes that he was murdered and has been building his own case to find out what really happened.
Although you could read this as a standalone, I’d suggest reading the first book, Firewatching, because you’ll have a better understanding of the characters. There’s some information about them in this book but having not read the first book, I did feel slightly behind.
There’s a great ending to this book, which definitely leaves you wanting more.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.
The book begins with a nighthawker discovering the arm of a person in Sheffield Botanical Gardens. He is shocked by his discovery and runs off leaving the body part to be discovered the next day by a worker at the Botanical gardens.
DS Adam Tyler, DS Guy Daley and Detective Constable Mina Rabbani, are assigned the case and are taken off their usual cold case reviews.
There’s multiple points of view to follow in Nighthawking with Tyler and Rabbani’s views in the most of the story, but there’s also chapters from the nighthawkers.
Alongside the main storyline is Tyler’s investigation into his father’s death. Tyler believes that he was murdered and has been building his own case to find out what really happened.
Although you could read this as a standalone, I’d suggest reading the first book, Firewatching, because you’ll have a better understanding of the characters. There’s some information about them in this book but having not read the first book, I did feel slightly behind.
There’s a great ending to this book, which definitely leaves you wanting more.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.
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