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Yorkshire Murder Thrillers #1
Dead Cold
When an anonymous call sends police to a house in Sheffield, a dead couple are discovered in the kitchen. Their skulls have been caved in, their hands mutilated, and their eyes damaged beyond recognition.
When Detective Inspector Lucy Miller is handed the investigation, she is thrilled. She loves high-profile cases. But when her boss is involved in a traffic collision the investigation is stripped from her and given to DCI Bennet.
But Miller refuses to quit.
Soon Bennet realises that Miller is interfering with his investigation and warns her off the case. However, when a link is made to a cold case, she is drawn in deeper.
Then, when the police realise the victims aren’t who they think they are, the mystery is blown wide open…
Will Miller be able to solve the case and keep her career intact?
Or is this investigation going to be her undoing?
When Detective Inspector Lucy Miller is handed the investigation, she is thrilled. She loves high-profile cases. But when her boss is involved in a traffic collision the investigation is stripped from her and given to DCI Bennet.
But Miller refuses to quit.
Soon Bennet realises that Miller is interfering with his investigation and warns her off the case. However, when a link is made to a cold case, she is drawn in deeper.
Then, when the police realise the victims aren’t who they think they are, the mystery is blown wide open…
Will Miller be able to solve the case and keep her career intact?
Or is this investigation going to be her undoing?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2020
62 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 10, 2021
Thank you to Bloodhound books and the Author for providing an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I was hooked on this story from page one, although after the first chapter I was wondering if I would be able to keep up with the sheer number of characters, particularly police officers. (Probably just my age!). But I should n’t have worried, they all fell into place quickly, and made sense.
I loved the plot of this book, I think it may be a unique premise (certainly I have not read one like it before) Can’t explain without spoiling it. The main characters are amazing and I hope to read more of them. The plot twists and turns, but all makes sense in the end.
I really hope there is a lot more to come from this author and hopefully with the same core characters. There is a lot more to come from this set of characters.
I was hooked on this story from page one, although after the first chapter I was wondering if I would be able to keep up with the sheer number of characters, particularly police officers. (Probably just my age!). But I should n’t have worried, they all fell into place quickly, and made sense.
I loved the plot of this book, I think it may be a unique premise (certainly I have not read one like it before) Can’t explain without spoiling it. The main characters are amazing and I hope to read more of them. The plot twists and turns, but all makes sense in the end.
I really hope there is a lot more to come from this author and hopefully with the same core characters. There is a lot more to come from this set of characters.
September 28, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
DEAD COLD by Jane Heafield is a new British police procedural mystery/thriller by a new debut author from Bloodhound Books. This begins as a whodunnit of a double murder that turns into an investigation of three murders separated by several decades. I am hoping this becomes a series featuring the two primary detectives in this book.
DI Lucy Miller loves nothing more than a high-profile case with a lot of publicity. She is the first to arrive at a bloody double murder scene which was called in by an anonymous caller. She digs in and starts looking for clues, but her superior is involved in a car crash on route to the scene and the case is turned over to another murder squad. She keeps investigating even when she is warned off the case.
DCI Liam Bennet is now in charge of the Pond Street murder investigation. A series of missed clues leads to wrong conclusions regarding the dead couple, but Bennet is determined to correct the mistake and solve the murders even as Lucy Miller continues to insert herself into his case. Both detectives are pulled into the mystery of the dead couple which leads to two other cold cases with similar injuries to the corpses and they decide to work together.
As Lucy and Bennet get closer to the truth, Lucy comes closer to losing the job she loves above all else. Will the resolution prove her right and save her job as well as Bennet’s life?
This is one of the most intricately plotted police procedural/mystery thriller I have read in quite some time. Ms. Heafield has managed to intertwine the plots of a current double murder and two cold case murders that flowed seamlessly with red herrings, twists and revelations. I found that I could not stop turning the pages.
Lucy is a strong female protagonist who at first rubbed me the wrong way and I was not sure if that would affect my enjoyment of the mystery, but as she begins to interact with Bennet and you get more of her backstory, you understand why she acts the way she does. I feel Bennet is the perfect foil to Lucy and they balance each other well. Both have been hurt in the past and I am hoping that this will become a series with the two of them working together again. Their relationship is tricky though because I want them together, but that is the perception that caused Lucy’s problems in the past. I will be interested to see how Ms. Heafield handles both of them in the future.
I highly recommend this new British police procedural/mystery thriller!
DEAD COLD by Jane Heafield is a new British police procedural mystery/thriller by a new debut author from Bloodhound Books. This begins as a whodunnit of a double murder that turns into an investigation of three murders separated by several decades. I am hoping this becomes a series featuring the two primary detectives in this book.
DI Lucy Miller loves nothing more than a high-profile case with a lot of publicity. She is the first to arrive at a bloody double murder scene which was called in by an anonymous caller. She digs in and starts looking for clues, but her superior is involved in a car crash on route to the scene and the case is turned over to another murder squad. She keeps investigating even when she is warned off the case.
DCI Liam Bennet is now in charge of the Pond Street murder investigation. A series of missed clues leads to wrong conclusions regarding the dead couple, but Bennet is determined to correct the mistake and solve the murders even as Lucy Miller continues to insert herself into his case. Both detectives are pulled into the mystery of the dead couple which leads to two other cold cases with similar injuries to the corpses and they decide to work together.
As Lucy and Bennet get closer to the truth, Lucy comes closer to losing the job she loves above all else. Will the resolution prove her right and save her job as well as Bennet’s life?
This is one of the most intricately plotted police procedural/mystery thriller I have read in quite some time. Ms. Heafield has managed to intertwine the plots of a current double murder and two cold case murders that flowed seamlessly with red herrings, twists and revelations. I found that I could not stop turning the pages.
Lucy is a strong female protagonist who at first rubbed me the wrong way and I was not sure if that would affect my enjoyment of the mystery, but as she begins to interact with Bennet and you get more of her backstory, you understand why she acts the way she does. I feel Bennet is the perfect foil to Lucy and they balance each other well. Both have been hurt in the past and I am hoping that this will become a series with the two of them working together again. Their relationship is tricky though because I want them together, but that is the perception that caused Lucy’s problems in the past. I will be interested to see how Ms. Heafield handles both of them in the future.
I highly recommend this new British police procedural/mystery thriller!
September 25, 2020
DEAD COLD is a gripping crime mystery thriller by Jane Heafield. This was a whodunnit mystery. A killer to hunt down.
A Double Murder in the House…
DI Lucy Miller is called in to a murder scene after an anonymous call sends police to a house in Sheffield, a dead couple are discovered in the kitchen. Their skulls have been caved in, their hands mutilated, and their eyes damaged beyond recognition.
When DI Lucy Miller is assigned to the case, she is thrilled, because she loves high-profile cases. She takes on terrifying murder cases head-on. She does not hide away from killers. She hunts them down. But when her boss is involved in a traffic collision on route to the scene, the investigation is stripped from her and given to another murder squad, headed by DCI Liam Bennet.
Unwilling to give up the case, Miller interviews a neighbor and learns that the dead couple had only just returned from holiday, after recently winning a lottery win.
Soon Bennet realizes that Miller is interfering with his investigation and warns her off the case. However, Miller won’t back down and when she makes the link to a cold case, she is drawn in deeper.
But things are not what they seem… when the police realize the victims aren’t who they think they are, the case is blown wide open…
Will Miller be able to solve the mystery?
I liked the quote from Bennett:
“Find out how a person lived and you’ll find out how they died.”
This is a tightly woven plot with a strong female protagonist, and twists and turns from beginning to end. I liked the interaction/relationship developing between Lucy and Liam.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
A Double Murder in the House…
DI Lucy Miller is called in to a murder scene after an anonymous call sends police to a house in Sheffield, a dead couple are discovered in the kitchen. Their skulls have been caved in, their hands mutilated, and their eyes damaged beyond recognition.
When DI Lucy Miller is assigned to the case, she is thrilled, because she loves high-profile cases. She takes on terrifying murder cases head-on. She does not hide away from killers. She hunts them down. But when her boss is involved in a traffic collision on route to the scene, the investigation is stripped from her and given to another murder squad, headed by DCI Liam Bennet.
Unwilling to give up the case, Miller interviews a neighbor and learns that the dead couple had only just returned from holiday, after recently winning a lottery win.
Soon Bennet realizes that Miller is interfering with his investigation and warns her off the case. However, Miller won’t back down and when she makes the link to a cold case, she is drawn in deeper.
But things are not what they seem… when the police realize the victims aren’t who they think they are, the case is blown wide open…
Will Miller be able to solve the mystery?
I liked the quote from Bennett:
“Find out how a person lived and you’ll find out how they died.”
This is a tightly woven plot with a strong female protagonist, and twists and turns from beginning to end. I liked the interaction/relationship developing between Lucy and Liam.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
September 25, 2020
DI Lucy Miller is called in to investigate an anonymous call indicating a murdered couple. Lucy thinks this is great ... nothing like a high profile case. She loves being the center of an investigation ... but her boss is injured in a car accident and the case gets turned over to another murder squad, headed by DCI Bennet.
When Lucy takes it upon herself to investigate on the QT, Bennet hears about it and warns her to stay away from his case. But Lucy feels she can contribute and actually finds a link to a cold case.
Then, when the police realize the victims aren’t who they think they are, the case is blown wide open…
If Lucy doesn't back away, it could cost her the job she loves ... or even her life.
The intricate plot introduces a strong, resourceful, female protagonist in Lucy Miller. There are twists and turns that swirl around deftly drawn characters. It's a real page-turner from beginning to the unexpected conclusion.
The only con (for me) is that there were instances of overly descriptive pages that I found myself thumbing through.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When Lucy takes it upon herself to investigate on the QT, Bennet hears about it and warns her to stay away from his case. But Lucy feels she can contribute and actually finds a link to a cold case.
Then, when the police realize the victims aren’t who they think they are, the case is blown wide open…
If Lucy doesn't back away, it could cost her the job she loves ... or even her life.
The intricate plot introduces a strong, resourceful, female protagonist in Lucy Miller. There are twists and turns that swirl around deftly drawn characters. It's a real page-turner from beginning to the unexpected conclusion.
The only con (for me) is that there were instances of overly descriptive pages that I found myself thumbing through.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 25, 2020
This is an incredible read.
When you read in reviews that a book is gritty, gripping and “I was unable to put this down”… this book is literally just that! This is the reason that I have just read this in less than a day!
But it’s clever too, really clever!
With the twist and turns that I love in a book, this is one of the best. At one point it even had me thinking that one of my favourite characters; a good person, was actually a “baddie”, and I so didn’t want that to be the case.
It has a “cast” of great character that would all be worthy of an Oscar if this were a film, and I would love to see the two main characters, Liam and Liz solving more cases together.
DCI Liam Bennett and Di Liz Miller are working for two different murder investigation teams, but it was originally Liz that took the call and she is determined to see it through to the end.
Then a new boss takes over on her team and tells her she has to drop it. Liz and Liam end up working the case initially together, but after her boss’s intervention they end up working separately but alongside each other, bringing the case to a heart-thumping conclusion.
When we finally learn the story behind the main perpetrators motives I found it actually heartbreakingly sad.
When you read in reviews that a book is gritty, gripping and “I was unable to put this down”… this book is literally just that! This is the reason that I have just read this in less than a day!
But it’s clever too, really clever!
With the twist and turns that I love in a book, this is one of the best. At one point it even had me thinking that one of my favourite characters; a good person, was actually a “baddie”, and I so didn’t want that to be the case.
It has a “cast” of great character that would all be worthy of an Oscar if this were a film, and I would love to see the two main characters, Liam and Liz solving more cases together.
DCI Liam Bennett and Di Liz Miller are working for two different murder investigation teams, but it was originally Liz that took the call and she is determined to see it through to the end.
Then a new boss takes over on her team and tells her she has to drop it. Liz and Liam end up working the case initially together, but after her boss’s intervention they end up working separately but alongside each other, bringing the case to a heart-thumping conclusion.
When we finally learn the story behind the main perpetrators motives I found it actually heartbreakingly sad.
September 26, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent story from start to finish! To the world it looks like DI Lizzie Miller from South Yorkshire's MIT2 division (covering Sheffield) wants to be centre of attention all the time and seeks out the high profile cases in order to cover herself in glory. The reality is simply that she wants to prove she is more than a pretty face and can really do her job well. So she is thrilled to bits to be assigned early one morning to what looks like a double murder. An anonymous telephone call has come in alerting police to the fact that a couple living in a normal residential street might be in trouble. When she views the house’s interior this appears to be quite an understatement on the part of the witness. The man and woman have been battered and mutilated, their throats cut and their bodies left on display in the kitchen. Lizzie is still wondering where her boss, DCI Bates, has got to when another team of detectives arrive from MIT3 (Barnsley) and she learns they are taking over, the case now to be led by their DCI Liam Bennet instead. Deeply unhappy about this, Lizzie does her best to inveigle herself into the other squad’s investigation, annoying Bennet by arriving before him to interview witnesses. Eventually he gives in and lets her help him. Gradually he realizes that he does actually quite like and admire her. Some very poor procedural work by Bennet’s team leads to lack of positive identification of the victims and other “schoolboy errors”, and everyone is surprised when they realise the victims are a completely different couple altogether. A media appeal produces more than the detectives could ever imagine. Suddenly they fear they may have a copycat killer but can they find any link to a very cold case? And does the killer plan to strike again? What starts out as looking like a simple case of murder suddenly explodes into a much more complex mystery spanning decades. Lizzie and Bennet make a good team and I would very much like to see them feature in more stories. Their different styles compliment each other as they wade through buried secrets and historical evidence, as the story twists and throws plenty of red herrings and false leads at the reader. I particularly liked the ending where all the remaining threads were very neatly sewn up. Highly recommended and I do hope this will be the first of a series. 5*
September 25, 2020
After a tip off, Detective Inspector Lizzie Miller heads to 88 Pond Street in Crookes, Sheffield, where two mutilated bodies have been found. She was expecting to meet her boss, DCI Alan Bates, at the house but there’s no sign of him.
The couple who live at the address are Mark and Vicky Lawler and they’d been on holiday in the Canary Islands after recently winning some money.
After the initial investigations, DI Lizzie Miller is taken off the case as it turns out that her boss was involved in a car accident en route to the scene so the investigation is handed over to DCI Liam Bennet. Lizzie wrangles her way into talking with the elderly next-door neighbour, May, and ends up working unofficially alongside Bennet.
When a major discovery about the murders is made, things take a different direction and we learn that the case may have links to old unsolved crimes.
From here, the story ramps up as we’re introduced to numerous other characters, both police and civilian, who all have a part to play in this decade-spanning investigation. It develops well and clues and breakthroughs are revealed at a good pace.
Overall, I really enjoyed Dead Cold – it was a cleverly written and well-plotted police procedural story with lots of twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection. The case is gripping and absorbing and I didn’t have a clue how it was all going to be resolved!
DI Lizzie Miller is a great protagonist – very determined and dedicated – and I enjoyed her partnership with DCI Bennet. It was interesting to get to know a bit about her background and relationship history.
I’m hoping there’s going to be another book in the series as it would be good to read about these characters again.
The couple who live at the address are Mark and Vicky Lawler and they’d been on holiday in the Canary Islands after recently winning some money.
After the initial investigations, DI Lizzie Miller is taken off the case as it turns out that her boss was involved in a car accident en route to the scene so the investigation is handed over to DCI Liam Bennet. Lizzie wrangles her way into talking with the elderly next-door neighbour, May, and ends up working unofficially alongside Bennet.
When a major discovery about the murders is made, things take a different direction and we learn that the case may have links to old unsolved crimes.
From here, the story ramps up as we’re introduced to numerous other characters, both police and civilian, who all have a part to play in this decade-spanning investigation. It develops well and clues and breakthroughs are revealed at a good pace.
Overall, I really enjoyed Dead Cold – it was a cleverly written and well-plotted police procedural story with lots of twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection. The case is gripping and absorbing and I didn’t have a clue how it was all going to be resolved!
DI Lizzie Miller is a great protagonist – very determined and dedicated – and I enjoyed her partnership with DCI Bennet. It was interesting to get to know a bit about her background and relationship history.
I’m hoping there’s going to be another book in the series as it would be good to read about these characters again.
September 25, 2020
DI Lucy Miller loves a high-profile murder case. Not as everyone believes for the glory, but for the belief that justice has been carried out when she apprehends the perpetrator.
When she receives a call that two bodies have been found at a house in Sheffield her adrenaline is flowing and she is more than ready to hunt down the killer. Unfortunately, her boss has been involved in an accident and by the time she arrives at the murder scene, the case has been handed over to DCI Bennet who is under a different jurisdiction.
Where DI Miller is a maverick, DCI Bennet is as straight as they come…or is he!
Miller is like a thorn in Bennet’s side, always one step ahead of him, even though she has been thrown off the investigation, but he has a sneaking regard for her methods, as well as for Lucy herself.
This thriller never went where in the direction I was expecting. The first twist was so unexpected and far reaching that it changed the whole dynamics of the case!
I did get lost a couple of times during the investigation and had to backtrack a bit, but I absolutely loved the Will She / Won’t He element of this story.
If you want a bit of romance, a twisted thriller and a few dead bodies this book will be right up your street.
When she receives a call that two bodies have been found at a house in Sheffield her adrenaline is flowing and she is more than ready to hunt down the killer. Unfortunately, her boss has been involved in an accident and by the time she arrives at the murder scene, the case has been handed over to DCI Bennet who is under a different jurisdiction.
Where DI Miller is a maverick, DCI Bennet is as straight as they come…or is he!
Miller is like a thorn in Bennet’s side, always one step ahead of him, even though she has been thrown off the investigation, but he has a sneaking regard for her methods, as well as for Lucy herself.
This thriller never went where in the direction I was expecting. The first twist was so unexpected and far reaching that it changed the whole dynamics of the case!
I did get lost a couple of times during the investigation and had to backtrack a bit, but I absolutely loved the Will She / Won’t He element of this story.
If you want a bit of romance, a twisted thriller and a few dead bodies this book will be right up your street.
August 18, 2021
i am a huge fan of mystery and thriller novels so i picked up this novel . i am not a quite sure about it ,there is something missing i can not tell what is it . DI Lucy Miller her character is what should be and here the only thing we can say why women should always proove their capacities and they are more then make up and they deserve what they have
i enjoyed the storty , the plot is amazing and the grown of the characters and all the details and the crime itself was very precise and how did she matched till the first crime in 1964 , but when she mentuioned Holly for the first time i thaught of her son imeditly.Maybe the sad side of the story is whne the victims are not important or rich like Holly "prostitute" no one cares.
I really enjoyed Dead Cold it was a cleverly written police procedural story with lots of twists and turns.
i hope the characres will emprove with time .
i enjoyed the storty , the plot is amazing and the grown of the characters and all the details and the crime itself was very precise and how did she matched till the first crime in 1964 , but when she mentuioned Holly for the first time i thaught of her son imeditly.Maybe the sad side of the story is whne the victims are not important or rich like Holly "prostitute" no one cares.
I really enjoyed Dead Cold it was a cleverly written police procedural story with lots of twists and turns.
i hope the characres will emprove with time .
September 27, 2020
I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. This story pulled me in right from the beginning. This is an engaging, fast paced story that kept me turning pages to the end. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. I had no problems connecting with the characters as they brought the story to life. This made such a great after read. I highly recommend this book.
September 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
While the pace was possibly a bit slower than some other books, it was measured and there were plenty of twists to keep the pages turning.
The characters are likeable and I loved getting into their back-stories today. I always find it easier to become emotionally attached to well-developed characters.
Well worth a read and hopping here will be more books with these characters.
While the pace was possibly a bit slower than some other books, it was measured and there were plenty of twists to keep the pages turning.
The characters are likeable and I loved getting into their back-stories today. I always find it easier to become emotionally attached to well-developed characters.
Well worth a read and hopping here will be more books with these characters.
October 7, 2020
Clever, twisty, gritty and so much more. I love the characters in the book fabulous 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read !
September 22, 2020
I would like to thank bloodhound for an advanced copy of Dead Cold with an honest review. This was a really enjoyable read, a police procedural with a feisty female lead. I won’t go too much in to the storyline as that is what the blurb is for. At first I wasn’t fond of Liz she was pushy and arrogant but as the story progresses she grew on me once you get a little back history. The relationship between Liz and Liam was interesting and enjoyed watching it evolve and hope there is more to come for the pair. A well written storyline that held my interest and kept pace all the way through.
November 23, 2020
I’m not quite sure where to start with this. We have DI Liz Miller, closely followed by DCI Liam Bennett as our main police characters. Quite frankly, the first third of this book I found DI Liz somewhat annoying - yes, we all get it- female detective with a back story who is far more intelligent than her peers/superiors, the maverick detective blah blah blah etc. The point was so heavily laboured in the early stages that, if it hadn’t been for the exquisite opening paragraph, I think it’s unlikely I would have continued to read.
Enter Liam, another detective with a back story, single father with child. The cliches abound as the author continues to labour the point - Liz no make up/ dressing older/ being taken seriously alongside Liz looking younger, prettier, softer with make up, only to be told she doesn’t need it to prove a point. Oh pur-lease. We get it ok - please don’t ram it down our throats, subtlety is everything.
With regard to a police procedural - errrrr since when have police officers referred to each other, especially when differing ranks, junior to senior - as Mr or Mrs? Seriously, I can suspend belief for the sake of a good story - but this is pushing it.
What saves this book, is a rather good plot spanning decades, with some extremely clever, unusual and well thought out “twists”. ( Which I won’t spoil). Certainly enough to make me want to read the next in series.
As the first book , in what is obviously intended as a series, I can appreciate the author is “trying to set the scene” for her characters, alongside their backstory and possible burgeoning romance. Which I’m sure will be typically fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings - but I hope will be built up in a more subtle way. This felt like a bit of a sledgehammer in places re the main characters - but alongside a decent plot & some occasional rather exquisite writing.
Would I read the next in series? Yes probably if I happen to see it. Would I go out of my way to eagerly anticipate, - no.
Enter Liam, another detective with a back story, single father with child. The cliches abound as the author continues to labour the point - Liz no make up/ dressing older/ being taken seriously alongside Liz looking younger, prettier, softer with make up, only to be told she doesn’t need it to prove a point. Oh pur-lease. We get it ok - please don’t ram it down our throats, subtlety is everything.
With regard to a police procedural - errrrr since when have police officers referred to each other, especially when differing ranks, junior to senior - as Mr or Mrs? Seriously, I can suspend belief for the sake of a good story - but this is pushing it.
What saves this book, is a rather good plot spanning decades, with some extremely clever, unusual and well thought out “twists”. ( Which I won’t spoil). Certainly enough to make me want to read the next in series.
As the first book , in what is obviously intended as a series, I can appreciate the author is “trying to set the scene” for her characters, alongside their backstory and possible burgeoning romance. Which I’m sure will be typically fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings - but I hope will be built up in a more subtle way. This felt like a bit of a sledgehammer in places re the main characters - but alongside a decent plot & some occasional rather exquisite writing.
Would I read the next in series? Yes probably if I happen to see it. Would I go out of my way to eagerly anticipate, - no.
December 18, 2020
‘Dead Cold’ is the first book in the DI Miller and DCI Bennett series and I thought it was a gripping introduction to the duo. I loved how Lucy Miller muscled her way into the investigation and their dynamics as a team were fab. The chapters mentioning her personal life were a delight to read. The relationship between Lucy and her sister had me almost walking on eggshells for her.
The murder was certainly gruesome and memorable, and it also had a strong historic link. As the investigation unfolded, I had to know who committed the murder and why. The ending was a shocker and I certainly didn’t guess the outcome before the reveal. It also had its moments of tragedy if we consider how an upbringing and harsh life events can affect a child when they reach adulthood.
A great start to a new series. Gripping and fast-paced, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking to try a new police procedural!
The murder was certainly gruesome and memorable, and it also had a strong historic link. As the investigation unfolded, I had to know who committed the murder and why. The ending was a shocker and I certainly didn’t guess the outcome before the reveal. It also had its moments of tragedy if we consider how an upbringing and harsh life events can affect a child when they reach adulthood.
A great start to a new series. Gripping and fast-paced, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking to try a new police procedural!
September 28, 2020
Lizzie Miller isn't your average DI - she is still looking for her 'big' case and just when she thinks she has found it, the case is handed over to another area and she is taken off of it. However Lizzie does not take no for an answer and inveigles her way back into the investigation only to find that there some cold cases coming to light which are somehow linked to her one.
Lizzie is a feisty character and you can feel her new temporary boss DCI Bennett's frustration with her at times but also his admiration. The story has a great plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes right to the end.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Lizzie is a feisty character and you can feel her new temporary boss DCI Bennett's frustration with her at times but also his admiration. The story has a great plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes right to the end.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
July 24, 2022
Very interesting
I enjoyed this book. Its the first in a series though the crime itself was well developed and also resolved at the end which I really liked. It features two detectives one liz a female DCI who has to deal with all the challenges a man's world presents and her unlikely partner a seasoned detective named Bennett.
The books are set in Sheffield and the murders are pretty gruesome but also realistic. The police procedures seem accurate.
The book is full of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the last page! I liked the fact that nothing was dumbed down and the ending was complex.
Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoyed this book. Its the first in a series though the crime itself was well developed and also resolved at the end which I really liked. It features two detectives one liz a female DCI who has to deal with all the challenges a man's world presents and her unlikely partner a seasoned detective named Bennett.
The books are set in Sheffield and the murders are pretty gruesome but also realistic. The police procedures seem accurate.
The book is full of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the last page! I liked the fact that nothing was dumbed down and the ending was complex.
Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 9, 2020
I would like to thank bloodhound for an advanced copy of Dead Cold for an honest review. This was a really enjoyable read, a police procedural with a feisty female lead. I won’t go too much in to the storyline as that is what the blurb is for. At first I wasn’t fond of Liz she was pushy and arrogant but as the story progresses she grew on me once you get a little back history. The relationship between Liz and Liam was interesting and enjoyed watching it evolve and hope there is more to come for the pair. A well written storyline that held my interest and kept pace all the way through.
January 17, 2021
An anonymous call to police leads them to a house in Sheffield, where a dead couple have been discovered in the kitchen. Their skulls have been caved in, their hands mutilated, and they are beyond recognition.
When DI Lucy Miller is placed on the investigation, she’s thrilled. She loves a high profile case. But things out of her control mean the case is reassigned, to DCI Bennet.
But Miller won’t quit. A link is made to a cold case, and she’s drawn in further. Then the discovery is made that the victims aren’t who they orignally thought, the mystery gets even deeper.
Can Miller help to solve this case and salvage her career, or will this investigation be the undoing of her?
🧱🧱🧱
This was an audiobook I listened to. Easy listen. Easy read. I was intrigued when the victims were revealed to be not who the police expected, and I enjoyed going through the investigation with the detectives to figure out what was going on, and link everything together. Not totally gripping, but it was a good read, and I did want to read more to figure out what was going on!
When DI Lucy Miller is placed on the investigation, she’s thrilled. She loves a high profile case. But things out of her control mean the case is reassigned, to DCI Bennet.
But Miller won’t quit. A link is made to a cold case, and she’s drawn in further. Then the discovery is made that the victims aren’t who they orignally thought, the mystery gets even deeper.
Can Miller help to solve this case and salvage her career, or will this investigation be the undoing of her?
🧱🧱🧱
This was an audiobook I listened to. Easy listen. Easy read. I was intrigued when the victims were revealed to be not who the police expected, and I enjoyed going through the investigation with the detectives to figure out what was going on, and link everything together. Not totally gripping, but it was a good read, and I did want to read more to figure out what was going on!
May 14, 2021
I enjoyed this new crime series and think it has the making of a really good crime series.
The story centres on mysterious, gruesome killings and what links them. Though I really enjoyed the story of DCI Liam Bennett and his son, I found myself getting annoyed with DS Liz Miller's character and found her hard work and difficult to like. For that reason I hope the next book focuses more on Bennett as I feel his character has lots of potential.
Really good storyline and I I look forward to reading more in this series.
The story centres on mysterious, gruesome killings and what links them. Though I really enjoyed the story of DCI Liam Bennett and his son, I found myself getting annoyed with DS Liz Miller's character and found her hard work and difficult to like. For that reason I hope the next book focuses more on Bennett as I feel his character has lots of potential.
Really good storyline and I I look forward to reading more in this series.
July 5, 2023
DID NOT FINISH
I have just stopped reading this book as it began to get on my nerves sadly, was only 63 pages and decided enough was enough.
I was confused who the lead detective was , and why the other main character kept getting the way , you have to read it to see if you found the same . I am sure what was happening in this book does not go on in real life police work. The story was all over the place , and lot was spent with the 2nd detective breaking rules . Sorry to the autho as I really enjoyed book 1 in this series, I will jump to #3 and see if it's any better .
I have just stopped reading this book as it began to get on my nerves sadly, was only 63 pages and decided enough was enough.
I was confused who the lead detective was , and why the other main character kept getting the way , you have to read it to see if you found the same . I am sure what was happening in this book does not go on in real life police work. The story was all over the place , and lot was spent with the 2nd detective breaking rules . Sorry to the autho as I really enjoyed book 1 in this series, I will jump to #3 and see if it's any better .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2020
Another new author courtesy of the excellent Bloodhound Books and another cracking read. When DI Lucy Miller is given a particularly interesting case she sees it as a means to furthering her career; when her boss is involved in an accident it looks as if the case will be snatched away from her. She is an interesting and feisty cop and the case is fascinating. This is an engrossing and well-written novel and hopefully there will be more to come.
November 24, 2020
The story opens with DI Liz Miller travelling to the scene of a double murder and being excited by
the thought of a grisly murder. Unfortunately, her DCI is injured on the way and the case is given to another
team from another station. Along the way, she ends up being involved in the investigation, through tenacity
and being in the right place at the right time.
What was once a double murder becomes something more, reaching back decades.
Very readable and plenty of twists and turns.
the thought of a grisly murder. Unfortunately, her DCI is injured on the way and the case is given to another
team from another station. Along the way, she ends up being involved in the investigation, through tenacity
and being in the right place at the right time.
What was once a double murder becomes something more, reaching back decades.
Very readable and plenty of twists and turns.
March 30, 2025
Dead Cold by Jane Heafield is the first book in the Yorkshire Murder Thrillers series.
It was ok but something didn't work for me. The main focus is on investigation but no focus on characters or backstories. So for me, it felt flat.
Unfortunitelly Detective Inspector Lucy Miller wasn't interesting, yes, we learn the struggle of being a young female detective and the stereotypes that come attached to it but that's about it.
It was ok but something didn't work for me. The main focus is on investigation but no focus on characters or backstories. So for me, it felt flat.
Unfortunitelly Detective Inspector Lucy Miller wasn't interesting, yes, we learn the struggle of being a young female detective and the stereotypes that come attached to it but that's about it.
October 5, 2020
Firstly I want to say I really like the cover.
DI Lucy Miller is given the case of a dead couple found dead in their kitchen. She jumps right in and is annoyed but undeterred when she is taken off the case.
I found this to be a very interesting story with plenty of twists and turns. Am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
DI Lucy Miller is given the case of a dead couple found dead in their kitchen. She jumps right in and is annoyed but undeterred when she is taken off the case.
I found this to be a very interesting story with plenty of twists and turns. Am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
October 14, 2020
Good read
Wasn't too sure in the beginning as I wasn't keen on the Detective Liz but once I'd got further on I came to understand the character and the story picked up pace and turned into a good crime mystery which kept me guessing till the end. Thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to the next book in this series.
Wasn't too sure in the beginning as I wasn't keen on the Detective Liz but once I'd got further on I came to understand the character and the story picked up pace and turned into a good crime mystery which kept me guessing till the end. Thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to the next book in this series.
March 19, 2021
Dead Cold
Great read! Fast paced, great characters, and a plot that's plausible. I like Liz and Bennett, they make a good team, would enjoy more from them. A good, no, A great read!
Great read! Fast paced, great characters, and a plot that's plausible. I like Liz and Bennett, they make a good team, would enjoy more from them. A good, no, A great read!
September 25, 2020
I was allowed the opportunity to read a Advanced reader copy of this book, and whilst I enjoyed it, I found the first half of the book slower paced than I would have maybe liked it to be.
DI Lucy Miller is handed the investigation and is thrilled as she loves high profile cases. She continues to investigate the case despite it being stripped from her.
This book held my interest and I enjoyed the character of Lucy Miller as it evolved through the story.
A 3 star read for me.
DI Lucy Miller is handed the investigation and is thrilled as she loves high profile cases. She continues to investigate the case despite it being stripped from her.
This book held my interest and I enjoyed the character of Lucy Miller as it evolved through the story.
A 3 star read for me.
September 27, 2020
This was a brilliant detective book and once I had picked it up I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. It had lots of twists and turns and surprises and really kept the reader on their toes while reading. I enjoyed reading about DI miller and I hope there are further books in this series in the future
dnf
September 28, 2020DNF'ed it.
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