What do you think?
Rate this book
Slater & Norman Mystery #1
Death of a Temptress
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN B00MUU5JIG can be found here
When DS Dave Slater is the victim of a botched investigation, he quickly gets bored of sitting at home twiddling his thumbs, but when his boss hands him a case to be investigated ‘discreetly’, Slater sees a chance to redeem himself. As he delves into the missing person case, Slater discovers there could be some link between a girl leading a double life and the police officers who made him a scapegoat for their own failings. When he is nearly pushed under a London bus, he realises the stakes are even higher than he had imagined.
Joined by fellow scapegoat Norman Norman, Slater is plunged into a tangled web of corruption, blackmail, deception…and possibly the most cunning murder he has ever seen. But can he and Norman wade through the ever-widening pool of suspects to find the killer?
When DS Dave Slater is the victim of a botched investigation, he quickly gets bored of sitting at home twiddling his thumbs, but when his boss hands him a case to be investigated ‘discreetly’, Slater sees a chance to redeem himself. As he delves into the missing person case, Slater discovers there could be some link between a girl leading a double life and the police officers who made him a scapegoat for their own failings. When he is nearly pushed under a London bus, he realises the stakes are even higher than he had imagined.
Joined by fellow scapegoat Norman Norman, Slater is plunged into a tangled web of corruption, blackmail, deception…and possibly the most cunning murder he has ever seen. But can he and Norman wade through the ever-widening pool of suspects to find the killer?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2014
2244 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
P.F. Ford
54 books236 followersHaving spent most of his life trying to be what everyone else wanted him to be, P.F. (Peter) Ford was a late starter when it came to writing. He had tried writing a novel many years ago (before the advent of self-publishing), only to be turned down by every publisher he approached. It was very much a case of being told by those around him, ‘now you know you can’t write, so get back to work!’
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Even at an early age, Peter felt very much like the proverbial square peg being forced into a round hole. This resulted in the creation of a Grammar School drop-out who then drifted through a succession of unfulfilling jobs, finally ending up in a totally unsuitable role which eventually sapped his energy and self-confidence. There followed a brief foray into self-employment (not a good idea for someone lacking in self-confidence!) which ended in total financial melt-down, a mountain of debt, and a lapse into depression.
Faced with the fact that he’d never be happy as he was, Peter finally decided he had no intention of continuing that way, and things just had to change. This was achieved by closing the door on his old life and starting over. Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed, his newly found positive attitude enabling him to find new partner (now wife), Mary, who shares his belief that dreamers should be encouraged and not denied.
He first wrote, (under the name Peter Ford), and self-published , several short books about the life changing benefits of positive thinking. Now, completely free of the hindrance of worrying about what other people think, he’s blissfully happy writing the D.S. Dave Slater mystery novels and what he calls the ‘digital fiction marmite’ (people tend to love it or hate it!) that is the Alfie Bowman Novella series.
Peter and Mary recently completed a shared dream when they married and moved to a beautiful region of Wales where they spend much of their spare time walking their three dogs, and relaxing and having fun with friends. They believe they are living proof that you should never give up on your dreams, because it’s never too late!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
May 31, 2016
This was a recommendation from my wife who, after reading this one, went on to read the series. I enjoyed the read but I dont think as much of it as she obviously did.
I believe that this is not only the first book of the DS Slater series but the authors first too. He did a good job of setting the various scenes and the description of the characters was clear and precise. I found no difficulty in picturing it all as I read.
Like my wife, I enjoyed the lightness in the telling of the story and the banter between Slater and Norman and latterly Biddeford too, bordering on humour.
Unfortunately, I have a couple of negatives. As someone who likes to try to work out who-done-it I would have to say that here that would be nigh on impossible and whether the method had indeed been on the TV or not, I did not find it believable.
Overall my rating would be a 3.5 On balance I have rounded it up with the hope that my negatives will be dealt with in the next.
I believe that this is not only the first book of the DS Slater series but the authors first too. He did a good job of setting the various scenes and the description of the characters was clear and precise. I found no difficulty in picturing it all as I read.
Like my wife, I enjoyed the lightness in the telling of the story and the banter between Slater and Norman and latterly Biddeford too, bordering on humour.
Unfortunately, I have a couple of negatives. As someone who likes to try to work out who-done-it I would have to say that here that would be nigh on impossible and whether the method had indeed been on the TV or not, I did not find it believable.
Overall my rating would be a 3.5 On balance I have rounded it up with the hope that my negatives will be dealt with in the next.
June 11, 2018
Slater's a babe magnet..
And that's a good thing, cause he a lousy detective.
DS Slater is on administrative leave, because he was setup to take a fall. While on leave, his boss approaches him to do an investigation on a missing woman, whose case was closed months ago, just calling her a runaway. Procedural protocol is not a big thing in this book.
The missing woman turns out to have a double life. Deeply religious on weekends, high class hooker through the week. During the investigation, every woman Detective Slater meets either makes suggestive comments to him, or develops a crush on him. Slater also keeps saying how he can handle negative comments and insults, but on the contrary. He becomes aggravated and argumentative the moment his will is thwarted, so much so that he constantly jeopardizes the investigation. He is partnered with an aging detective who was also placed on leave through the fault of someone higher up, and sent to the north for three years. Everyone calls him knock knock Norman, (or something like that), because everyone thinks that all he does is knock on doors and interview possible witnesses. Detective Slater prides himself on paying no attention to gossip, yet surprise, surprise, he listened to the gossip about Norman, and is happy to be mistaken about him.
Norman crosses several lines, Slater continues to be a jerk, and I realized I was wasting my time waiting for a good story that was never gonna happen.
Results: I got through about three-quarters of this story before deciding to give it up. I will never like DS Slater. DS Norman Norman, (yeah, that's right. Sigh.) might be alright, but I don't like his use of questionable techniques to get information. Maybe in the UK you can get away with that, but in the states you'll find your case thrown out of court.
Make a detective that isn't so full of himself, doesn't cross any legal lines, and actually investigates the cases. Then I might actually enjoy the book.
And that's a good thing, cause he a lousy detective.
DS Slater is on administrative leave, because he was setup to take a fall. While on leave, his boss approaches him to do an investigation on a missing woman, whose case was closed months ago, just calling her a runaway. Procedural protocol is not a big thing in this book.
The missing woman turns out to have a double life. Deeply religious on weekends, high class hooker through the week. During the investigation, every woman Detective Slater meets either makes suggestive comments to him, or develops a crush on him. Slater also keeps saying how he can handle negative comments and insults, but on the contrary. He becomes aggravated and argumentative the moment his will is thwarted, so much so that he constantly jeopardizes the investigation. He is partnered with an aging detective who was also placed on leave through the fault of someone higher up, and sent to the north for three years. Everyone calls him knock knock Norman, (or something like that), because everyone thinks that all he does is knock on doors and interview possible witnesses. Detective Slater prides himself on paying no attention to gossip, yet surprise, surprise, he listened to the gossip about Norman, and is happy to be mistaken about him.
Norman crosses several lines, Slater continues to be a jerk, and I realized I was wasting my time waiting for a good story that was never gonna happen.
Results: I got through about three-quarters of this story before deciding to give it up. I will never like DS Slater. DS Norman Norman, (yeah, that's right. Sigh.) might be alright, but I don't like his use of questionable techniques to get information. Maybe in the UK you can get away with that, but in the states you'll find your case thrown out of court.
Make a detective that isn't so full of himself, doesn't cross any legal lines, and actually investigates the cases. Then I might actually enjoy the book.
April 19, 2017
"Good opener for a series"
If you want to escape for a day or two while on holiday this summer, then this one will be ideal. It has a light-hearted feel despite the subject matter, and rattles along at a steady pace. It ticks a few boxes; if you like police procedurals, murder mysteries, or thrillers then there's something in it for everyone.
I had to do a double-take when a well-known actress appeared as a main character ten pages from the end, but apart from that slip of the keyboard, the rest was more than acceptable.
If you want to escape for a day or two while on holiday this summer, then this one will be ideal. It has a light-hearted feel despite the subject matter, and rattles along at a steady pace. It ticks a few boxes; if you like police procedurals, murder mysteries, or thrillers then there's something in it for everyone.
I had to do a double-take when a well-known actress appeared as a main character ten pages from the end, but apart from that slip of the keyboard, the rest was more than acceptable.
July 13, 2021
Highly Entertaining!
I really enjoyed this story. An oddball detective duo, both of whom having experienced the trauma of seeing their careers almost destroyed by corrupt superior officers. However, our unlikely couple manage to keep going, solve the murder and, in the end, get their revenge. The story reminded me of the off beat Leslie Thomas character, "Dangerous Davies", in the British television series "The Last Detective". Great story and good fun too.
I really enjoyed this story. An oddball detective duo, both of whom having experienced the trauma of seeing their careers almost destroyed by corrupt superior officers. However, our unlikely couple manage to keep going, solve the murder and, in the end, get their revenge. The story reminded me of the off beat Leslie Thomas character, "Dangerous Davies", in the British television series "The Last Detective". Great story and good fun too.
July 31, 2017
2 stars sounds like it was terrible, but as the goodreads star rating says: "It was OK."
A quick easy read. Good detective elements. It's not a stand-out book, but it's digestible. I needed an easy read and this hit the spot.
A quick easy read. Good detective elements. It's not a stand-out book, but it's digestible. I needed an easy read and this hit the spot.
October 8, 2024
Slater has been unfairly scapegoated by a superior and is on leave when he's asked to take the case of a missing woman. The Met says she left of her own volition, but Slater and his new associate Norman are finding all kinds of information to the contrary.
September 7, 2024
quite a convoluted plot with so many baddies you could make a case for absolutely anyone of them to be the one our heroes are seeking . That's no a bad thing as Agatha Christie didn't do too badly following this path. I really found the pleasure in this book to be the blossoming friendship between Slater and Norman and their boyish humour. This is like a buddy cop movie ,but set in the not so glamorous Hampshire village of Tinton. I enjoyed this first of the series but don't think the huge amount of red herrings and the sheer number of plot twists are needed . Dave and Norman and their development are what I'm looking forward to in the next book
April 22, 2020
This book irritated me from the start...
Every female came on to the main character, which really showed a level of arrogance, as if females cannot talk to a male without falling at their feet.
The actual writing style irritated me too, as did the plot, and two dimensional characters.
Guess you could say I wasn’t impressed, not likely to read the series.
Every female came on to the main character, which really showed a level of arrogance, as if females cannot talk to a male without falling at their feet.
The actual writing style irritated me too, as did the plot, and two dimensional characters.
Guess you could say I wasn’t impressed, not likely to read the series.
April 5, 2024
Great read shall look out for more books from this author
September 23, 2024
Brilliant
Wow this keeps on your toes trying to keep up with the plot, but you never seem to get it right a true mystery.
Wow this keeps on your toes trying to keep up with the plot, but you never seem to get it right a true mystery.
November 3, 2022
I liked the plot and characters very much. However, the book was a bit too long and there were numerous grammatical errors and typos. In addition, on my Kindle copy, several times two sentences were superimposed on one another and I could read neither. In one instance, the author wrote a character’s last name wrong. It’s an indication of sloppy writing and editing. I will give one more book in the Slater and Norman series one more try to see if there’s an improvement.
December 6, 2024
Absolute tosh
I read this book because it came free with Prime and has 4,000 four star+ reviews. What? I got to page 40 before ditching it. Those 40 pages were full of old fashioned misogyny, stereotypes and unbelievable characters (the so called Christian boyfriend was an embarrassing depiction). I had to look up when it was written as it was like something from the 80's. Horrified to see it was first issued in 2015 but released more recently under another title.
I realize that some people really like this type of book but if you live in the modern world then just don't bother. It's insulting to both men and women and reinforces outmoded prejudices.
I read this book because it came free with Prime and has 4,000 four star+ reviews. What? I got to page 40 before ditching it. Those 40 pages were full of old fashioned misogyny, stereotypes and unbelievable characters (the so called Christian boyfriend was an embarrassing depiction). I had to look up when it was written as it was like something from the 80's. Horrified to see it was first issued in 2015 but released more recently under another title.
I realize that some people really like this type of book but if you live in the modern world then just don't bother. It's insulting to both men and women and reinforces outmoded prejudices.
February 9, 2021
I’ve never read any of Mr Ford’s books until now and I must say I think I’m converted! There were many things I liked about this book, beginning with the two main characters, Dave Slater and Norman Norman, also Steve, their younger ‘partner’. I also really liked their boss, Bob Murray. Any boss who knows and believes in his ‘men’ and gives them a big chance has got to be someone to like. I also appreciated the fact there was only one death; so often crime thrillers are littered with dead bodies. The story turned into something pretty unusual, with not only the death solved, but also other crimes came to light and were sorted to everyone’s satisfaction. I was also gratified that I worked out who the killer was before I read it, but not long before! Altogether and satisfying read and I shall be reading more of Slater and Norman’s adventures.
November 11, 2021
I came across this book via Bookbub, or Kind of Book and realised it was in my library when I purchased it a couple of years ago. I’m so glad I did!
Whilst this has murder, conspiracy, corruption and a few other bits thrown in, it’s an excellent read. I just loved the characters, and can’t understand the reviews of some readers on Goodreads.
I read an awful lot, and mostly ARC’s for publishers and authors alike, and this book was excellent. It wasn’t dark or menacing, but interesting and cleverly thought out, the plot was good, the characters were likeable, and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the humour too, although I suppose some folk probably don’t understand it. In fact, I’ve bought the box sets and am making my way through them, that’s how impressed I am. I’m in number 3 now.
Whilst this has murder, conspiracy, corruption and a few other bits thrown in, it’s an excellent read. I just loved the characters, and can’t understand the reviews of some readers on Goodreads.
I read an awful lot, and mostly ARC’s for publishers and authors alike, and this book was excellent. It wasn’t dark or menacing, but interesting and cleverly thought out, the plot was good, the characters were likeable, and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the humour too, although I suppose some folk probably don’t understand it. In fact, I’ve bought the box sets and am making my way through them, that’s how impressed I am. I’m in number 3 now.
February 3, 2016
Complex police investigation!
DS Dave Slater is on suspension after a failed case, but he was just the scapegoat - he wasn't even in charge of the case.
Then he gets a call from his commanding officer, telling him to come to his office. Unsure if he's getting fired or what, he goes to the meeting.
He is given a case about a missing woman that the London SCU wrote off as a runaway and no further investigation needed. He was to work quietly with newly relocated DS Norman.
They soon find out that there is much more to this case than a simple runaway. It soon appears that there is something not right in their
SCU and the DCI that got Slater suspended.
Very well written and keeps you wondering if they will ever solve the case.
DS Dave Slater is on suspension after a failed case, but he was just the scapegoat - he wasn't even in charge of the case.
Then he gets a call from his commanding officer, telling him to come to his office. Unsure if he's getting fired or what, he goes to the meeting.
He is given a case about a missing woman that the London SCU wrote off as a runaway and no further investigation needed. He was to work quietly with newly relocated DS Norman.
They soon find out that there is much more to this case than a simple runaway. It soon appears that there is something not right in their
SCU and the DCI that got Slater suspended.
Very well written and keeps you wondering if they will ever solve the case.
November 27, 2017
I love a British Mystery so I excitedly jumped into this new to me series. It was not a I can’t put it down book. I tired of the two main detectives arguing and working it out repeatedly. But it did keep me guessing and the murder was unique.
May 28, 2018
Not for me
I found this book really irritating, so much so that I left it for several weeks half way through.
The writing style is very old fashioned and the writer has obviously not researched police procedures.
I did not find any of the characters at all believable.
I found this book really irritating, so much so that I left it for several weeks half way through.
The writing style is very old fashioned and the writer has obviously not researched police procedures.
I did not find any of the characters at all believable.
September 5, 2022
Too trite and wordy. Gave up. Couldn't hack the writing style. Needs to tighten up his sentences to get a sense of momentum going.
February 20, 2025
Wow, this was a good first book Mr Ford! I really enjoyed this! Dave Slater has been shoved on gardening leave (that's suspended from his job but still on full pay) for 6months, so he must have really annoyed the MET (actually it turns out by just doing his job, but they needed a scapegoat), and his boss is standing up for him as he knows the score with the bad cop. So Dave gets the job of investigating the 6mth old by now disappearance of a very quiet dowdy woman in her 20s, Ruth Thornhill, who disappeared after leaving her job in London.
Her sister-in-law Jenny Radstock is a lawyer and wants someone to investigate her disappearance as she doesn't believe that it was investigated properly. Dave doesn't really want to do this, although on gardening leave he is getting very bored, but he starts running with it and his boss then, when he realises that he's getting in deeper and he's working alone and that might not be very good for him, assigns him a very crumpled looking offficer who's been re-assigned by the MET (this is the main police force in England, the Metropolitan Police Force, MET for short), because he also had uncovered some dodgy goings on there and someone didn't like it.
People the MET is a very large organisation in London and like all very high profice organisations they do have some bad apples and they are getting much better at rooting them out these days. Goodness there's a lot of long sentences in this review, good thing I have no intention of becoming a writer then.
So now Dave has another officer working with him and he is a bit reluctant about that, but over time he realises that Norman Norman, is an absolute asset to the case as he knows how the MET works, which is of an enormous help in finding out what happened to Ruth Thornhill, and his boss has also now assigned yet another officer from his team to help with the admin and computer input. But it was down to Dave's initial dogged determination that had set off alarm bells which helped to find what did happen to Ruth Thornhill. And they did find her.
Her sister-in-law Jenny Radstock is a lawyer and wants someone to investigate her disappearance as she doesn't believe that it was investigated properly. Dave doesn't really want to do this, although on gardening leave he is getting very bored, but he starts running with it and his boss then, when he realises that he's getting in deeper and he's working alone and that might not be very good for him, assigns him a very crumpled looking offficer who's been re-assigned by the MET (this is the main police force in England, the Metropolitan Police Force, MET for short), because he also had uncovered some dodgy goings on there and someone didn't like it.
People the MET is a very large organisation in London and like all very high profice organisations they do have some bad apples and they are getting much better at rooting them out these days. Goodness there's a lot of long sentences in this review, good thing I have no intention of becoming a writer then.
So now Dave has another officer working with him and he is a bit reluctant about that, but over time he realises that Norman Norman, is an absolute asset to the case as he knows how the MET works, which is of an enormous help in finding out what happened to Ruth Thornhill, and his boss has also now assigned yet another officer from his team to help with the admin and computer input. But it was down to Dave's initial dogged determination that had set off alarm bells which helped to find what did happen to Ruth Thornhill. And they did find her.
December 19, 2024
As an American, I was thrilled to find a new author who is able to completely immerse me in UK police procedure without losing me in the details. Right from the start, P.F. Ford sets up a solid, likable character with Dave Slater, backstory and motivation, plus a well-described setting. DS Slater is on a mission to restore his besmirched name and is handed a case that allows him to set about it. Ford kept me guessing among the motives for murder, and the story progresses and resolves in a way consistent with the characters and plot development. He gets help—at first unwelcome—from DS Norman Norman, a portly, disheveled partner who’s also been unfairly bumped down a peg. The secondary characters are easy to picture and distinguish from one another. His writing style is very clean and straightforward, which suits the genre perfectly. Lately, I’ve found too many writers impressed with their own voice, to the detriment of the story.
I plan to continue with this series, and hopefully discover what makes an “ordinary bloke” like Dave such a chick magnet, although it was fun to imagine myself in his lusted-after shoes. Since he’s a bachelor in search of a solid relationship, you’d think at least one of these potential pairings would pique his interest. Here’s hoping Dave gets some companionship apart from DS Norman in future installments!
I plan to continue with this series, and hopefully discover what makes an “ordinary bloke” like Dave such a chick magnet, although it was fun to imagine myself in his lusted-after shoes. Since he’s a bachelor in search of a solid relationship, you’d think at least one of these potential pairings would pique his interest. Here’s hoping Dave gets some companionship apart from DS Norman in future installments!
July 24, 2025
Death By Carpet (Slater & Norman Mystery #1) - P.F Ford, Narrated by Andy Creswell
This story is the first in the 3 stories of the series ‘Death By’ and it seemed to drag on and on and on…
I’m sorry Mr Ford, my rating has dropped a star from that in the previous series. 😕
That said, Noman Norman is back and together with Slater they have a case to solve. I really enjoyed the banter between them as much as I did in the other series (The West Wales Murder Mysteries) but it took a while to get there.
I’m not sure how I’ll get on with the remaining two as this one was very slow for me… I’ll give it a whirl because I like the Ford’s writing of the characters and the narrator’s interpretation of the characters, but first I need to have a break and listen to something a bit faster paced and then I’ll be back for the next one.
This story is the first in the 3 stories of the series ‘Death By’ and it seemed to drag on and on and on…
I’m sorry Mr Ford, my rating has dropped a star from that in the previous series. 😕
That said, Noman Norman is back and together with Slater they have a case to solve. I really enjoyed the banter between them as much as I did in the other series (The West Wales Murder Mysteries) but it took a while to get there.
I’m not sure how I’ll get on with the remaining two as this one was very slow for me… I’ll give it a whirl because I like the Ford’s writing of the characters and the narrator’s interpretation of the characters, but first I need to have a break and listen to something a bit faster paced and then I’ll be back for the next one.
February 3, 2018
DS Dave Slater, suspended from duties, is asked by his boss to investigate - in secret - the case of a missing woman. With his unorthodox team of Norman, another sort of unwanted person, and his young and still green colleage Steve, he discovers there is a lot more than just a missing person case they have to face.
Well written, good plot with a lot of unexpected, but never improbable twists and turns, likeable characters with quirks, and lots of humorous dialogues make this story a joy to read and will keep a reader glued to the case to see what happens next.
Really loved this and will see if I can get more in this series.
Well written, good plot with a lot of unexpected, but never improbable twists and turns, likeable characters with quirks, and lots of humorous dialogues make this story a joy to read and will keep a reader glued to the case to see what happens next.
Really loved this and will see if I can get more in this series.
October 25, 2024
When a joint operation with the London Serious Crimes Unit goes wrong, blame is unfairly placed on DS Dave Slater of the Tinton police. Slater, it turns out, is not the only one who has been unfairly treated, and Slater's boss gives him an opportunity to redeem himself. Six months before, a young woman from Tinton had gone missing in London, but the London police had not taken the case seriously.
For his investigation Slater is teamed with a veteran detective, DS Norman Norman, and DC Steve Biddeford. The three make an effective team, soon discovering that this is more than a simple missing person case.
This is an absorbing story with interesting characters.
For his investigation Slater is teamed with a veteran detective, DS Norman Norman, and DC Steve Biddeford. The three make an effective team, soon discovering that this is more than a simple missing person case.
This is an absorbing story with interesting characters.
February 12, 2025
Death By Carpet grabbed me in the first chapter! Detective Sergeant Dave Slater was suspended from duty pending an investigation. He was a scapegoat! His boss, Detective Chief Inspector Bob Murray, knows that and gives Slater a case to work on. A woman, Ruth Thornhill, is missing. Slater enlists the help of another scapegoat--Detective Norman Norman, and they work together to solve the mystery of her disappearance. This mystery is filled with twists and turns, suspects, and interesting characters. The author includes a helpful glossary of English usage for US readers. This book is well written and very entertaining.
July 28, 2025
Ugh! I should have realised when I saw the publisher - they have a habit of republishing series from the 1980s and 90s that shouldn't have seen the light of day again - but this was another of their male authors writing a fantasy, first published in 2014, but reading as if it was first published in the 80s. It's meant to be a police procedural, but the author clearly sees himself as the super-hot police detective with the women falling at his feet, while he objectifies the lot of them, well, except for the late 40s mum, because she didn't rate any other description. I stopped as he leered over a teenage girl that was 'quite pretty'.
March 6, 2022
The first in the series of Slater and Norman, two detectives who have been used as scapegoats by others higher up the line in police. Now they are asked to find a missing girl, and in the process discover an entirely unexpected can of worms, worms who will do almost anything to stop their little wormhill being razed to the ground with them in it.
An excellent novel, and I enjoyed it sufficiently that I have just visited Amazon and purchased the next few books in the series.
Well worth reading, highly recommended, very enjoyable.
An excellent novel, and I enjoyed it sufficiently that I have just visited Amazon and purchased the next few books in the series.
Well worth reading, highly recommended, very enjoyable.
July 15, 2022
A small time cop Dave Slater who was made to take the fall and suspended is asked by his boss to review a missing persons case . All his efforts seemed to go nowhere until someone tries to get rid of him by pushing him under a London bus. His new partner DS Norman is no help and Dave wounders whether he is again set up to fail.High ranking colleagues and wealthy bankers are on the long list of suspects. This is a chilling read full of deceit and lies. I enjoued this read and leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
October 26, 2024
5* An intriguing title
I've enjoyed many books by P.F. Ford including several in the Slater and Norman series, yet have only just read book one explaining how the two policemen came to work together. Dave and Norm are completely different, yet quickly develop a good working partnership, even ending each other's sentences. The witty dialogue as the police investigation progressed, plus all the twists and turns in the plot, made Death by Carpet a real page turner for me.
Hugely entertaining and thoroughly recommended.
I've enjoyed many books by P.F. Ford including several in the Slater and Norman series, yet have only just read book one explaining how the two policemen came to work together. Dave and Norm are completely different, yet quickly develop a good working partnership, even ending each other's sentences. The witty dialogue as the police investigation progressed, plus all the twists and turns in the plot, made Death by Carpet a real page turner for me.
Hugely entertaining and thoroughly recommended.
October 27, 2024
Involved But Fascinating
In this mystery we're told at the start that a woman has been rolled up in a carpet and disposed of in a body of water. But who or why isn't recorded then. Instead we continue the story with DS Slater being brought in to investigate a woman's disappearance. It quickly becomes clear it will be complicated to determine what happened as six months have passed so DS Norman is brought in to assist in the investigation. This is the first in the series of Slater and Norman mysteries. I liked it enough that I'll be reading Book 2.
In this mystery we're told at the start that a woman has been rolled up in a carpet and disposed of in a body of water. But who or why isn't recorded then. Instead we continue the story with DS Slater being brought in to investigate a woman's disappearance. It quickly becomes clear it will be complicated to determine what happened as six months have passed so DS Norman is brought in to assist in the investigation. This is the first in the series of Slater and Norman mysteries. I liked it enough that I'll be reading Book 2.
February 3, 2025
Good plot and an enjoyable read BUT how is it death by carpet? The body was disposed of in a carpet but certainly not killed by it. Also, the last page threw me. Was Jenny telling Slater she told Beverly how to kill her husband’s lover knowing it was his word against hers and he couldn’t prove it. Why would she implicate herself like this?
Like other reviewers the constant amount of women throwing themselves at Slater was very annoying!
I did enjoy the banter between Slater and Norman and would read more of this series.
Like other reviewers the constant amount of women throwing themselves at Slater was very annoying!
I did enjoy the banter between Slater and Norman and would read more of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews