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Slater & Norman Mystery #5-8
Slater and Norman Mysteries Boxed Set Two: Books 5-8
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
Books 5 - 8 of the Slater & Norman Mystery Series in one box set:
Book 5: The Red Telephone Box
When DS Dave Slater is called from his bed in the middle of the night, he is horrified to find that the flat belonging to his colleague, DS Norman Norman, has been set alight. His relief at being told Norman wasn’t inside at the time quickly turns to concern, as no trace of the missing officer can be found. As the minutes stretch into hours, and DS Slater starts to dig into the circumstances surrounding Norman’s disappearance, he discovers that the involvement of a mysterious Russian man could mean Norman is in an even more dangerous situation than first feared.
With a new DI in charge (who just so happens to be a woman) and more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, DS Slater faces a race against time to find Norman before it’s too late.
Detective Sergeant Dave Slater is fed up. His girlfriend is off travelling the world, his trusty partner Norman could be retiring, and to top it all off, his boss has assigned him a rookie to babysit. He finds himself wondering if being a police officer is for him anymore. And then he picks up the phone to find the case that no police officer ever wants to deal with, a missing eight-year-old girl.
Books 5 - 8 of the Slater & Norman Mystery Series in one box set:
Book 5: The Red Telephone Box
When DS Dave Slater is called from his bed in the middle of the night, he is horrified to find that the flat belonging to his colleague, DS Norman Norman, has been set alight. His relief at being told Norman wasn’t inside at the time quickly turns to concern, as no trace of the missing officer can be found. As the minutes stretch into hours, and DS Slater starts to dig into the circumstances surrounding Norman’s disappearance, he discovers that the involvement of a mysterious Russian man could mean Norman is in an even more dangerous situation than first feared.
With a new DI in charge (who just so happens to be a woman) and more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, DS Slater faces a race against time to find Norman before it’s too late.
Detective Sergeant Dave Slater is fed up. His girlfriend is off travelling the world, his trusty partner Norman could be retiring, and to top it all off, his boss has assigned him a rookie to babysit. He finds himself wondering if being a police officer is for him anymore. And then he picks up the phone to find the case that no police officer ever wants to deal with, a missing eight-year-old girl.
When little Chrissy’s body is found curled-up in nearby woodlands, DS Slater and the rest of the team are plunged into an investigation that sees them delve back into history in a bid to solve the mystery of Wild Boar Woods. Can they find Chrissy’s killer? And could they uncover an even larger crime in the process? Slater only knows one thing; it’s up to him to find the truth.
Detective Sergeant Dave Slater returns to work after an injury to find himself embroiled in yet another disciplinary shambles. His interrogation at the hands of the aptly named DI Grimm is interrupted, however, when Tinton Police Station is rocked by an explosion. After rushing to the scene, Slater is shocked to find a bomb blast has killed his friend and colleague, one who shouldn’t even have been in the building in the first place!
Vowing to find justice for his friend, DS Slater throws himself into the investigation to find the mystery bomber. But as ever in Tinton, secrets lie barely buried below the surface, and his friend’s life may not have been all it seemed. And with so many skeletons in the closet, which one will end up rattling the loudest?
When a homeless man is found burned to death in a skip, it seems to police like an open and shut case. After all, it was probably just a tragic accident, wasn’t it? But when former Detective Sergeant Dave Slater (now just plain Mr) arrives back from a holiday to Thailand, it’s not long before he and former partner Norman Norman get the distinct whiff that something isn’t quite right. Why has homeless veteran Ryan suddenly gone missing? And why is he so sure that it should have been him in that skip? And why had the dead man recently had a kidney removed?
No longer having the resources and clout of Tinton Police behind them, Slater and Norman must put their detective skills to good use
1042 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
577 people are currently reading
161 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!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 12, 2020
Serious and Fun Collection
This series continues to be a delight. Although dealing with serious subjects, such as homeless vets, it does so with great humanity.
The lead characters are good people which is refreshing. The secondary characters who pop in and out also have distinct characteristics.
The plots are reasonably clever enough to keep you guessing until the final reveal.
Looking forward to the next collection.
This series continues to be a delight. Although dealing with serious subjects, such as homeless vets, it does so with great humanity.
The lead characters are good people which is refreshing. The secondary characters who pop in and out also have distinct characteristics.
The plots are reasonably clever enough to keep you guessing until the final reveal.
Looking forward to the next collection.
May 28, 2019
I love the way the characters are developed by the author. Their humanness, flaws, convictions and personalities show through. Enough twists and turns that I am often exclaiming “whaaat”! Yes, I talk to the book. Seriously never know what will happen next not only in the mysteries, but in the characters circumstances. Really good reading.
September 12, 2018
Love box sets.
This is the second box set I read. Just had to read the second set and it's as good if not better then the first box set. You just have to read these books stayed up way pass bed time just finish the chapters. Each book is different and each is a great read.
This is the second box set I read. Just had to read the second set and it's as good if not better then the first box set. You just have to read these books stayed up way pass bed time just finish the chapters. Each book is different and each is a great read.
February 25, 2023
Not very unique English police procedural stories.
November 11, 2022
I got this box set free on Bookbub after reading the first book some time ago and the stories are totally engrossing and a delight to read. Slater and Tubby Norman worked together to solve cases as detectives then as friends when Norm was retired then as colleagues when Dave resigned due to conflicts in the workplace and it looks they are now set up to continue their careers as private investigator/security consultants in their new venture thanks to Dave's windfall. Good characters and plenty of humour in all the books from Norm getting kidnapped by Jane Jolly's husband through a child abduction and murder and a bomb blast at the police station killing their friend to the final chapter with murders of multiple homeless and Slater realising his infatuation with Goodnews is not real, plenty of twists and plot reveals. Very readable series.
December 6, 2022
Great series
I am so thankful to have downloaded four books of Mr. Ford's book series. These four were especially good. All four were filled with mystery and intrigue. The characters were well developed in the first book and their strength of character only grew better with each book.
With each story, the personal lives of the characters evolved with unexpected direction. By the end of the fourth story, a whole new direction has emerged creating the foundation of a new story development. I was pleased to read through this development without the slightest knowledge of the direction being developed.
I know you will really enjoy the characters and their interrelationships. It's great to see some resolutions to the on-the-job politics and rank bullying that exists in the workplace.
Enjoy
I am so thankful to have downloaded four books of Mr. Ford's book series. These four were especially good. All four were filled with mystery and intrigue. The characters were well developed in the first book and their strength of character only grew better with each book.
With each story, the personal lives of the characters evolved with unexpected direction. By the end of the fourth story, a whole new direction has emerged creating the foundation of a new story development. I was pleased to read through this development without the slightest knowledge of the direction being developed.
I know you will really enjoy the characters and their interrelationships. It's great to see some resolutions to the on-the-job politics and rank bullying that exists in the workplace.
Enjoy
May 31, 2023
Not their best but worth reading
For this reader, there are some quirks that take away from rating this series higher. By this point, it seems the books have become watered down. In the 4th of this boxed set, both main characters are no longer LEO's. And are floundering. This is what makes the catch phrase used to entice new readers quite ironic. "Are you tired of damaged detectives?" As if Slater and Norman aren't damaged. They are. They are sensitive crybabies. Always over analyzing their and others motives as well as in regular turmoil over what they say to each other. Additionally the Boss DCI Goodreads just is pitifully weak in every way.
For this reader, there are some quirks that take away from rating this series higher. By this point, it seems the books have become watered down. In the 4th of this boxed set, both main characters are no longer LEO's. And are floundering. This is what makes the catch phrase used to entice new readers quite ironic. "Are you tired of damaged detectives?" As if Slater and Norman aren't damaged. They are. They are sensitive crybabies. Always over analyzing their and others motives as well as in regular turmoil over what they say to each other. Additionally the Boss DCI Goodreads just is pitifully weak in every way.
November 13, 2022
Non Stop Intrigue
My normal way to read a collection is to read book 1, move on to another author or three, return to the collection to read book2, then repeat, always interspersing other authors between the collection books. Couldn't do that with Slater and Norman. This time I read the four books in the connection from beginning to end. The characters are engaging, the action compelling. I couldn't put the series down if you are a fan of British mysteries, you'll love Slater and Norman.
My normal way to read a collection is to read book 1, move on to another author or three, return to the collection to read book2, then repeat, always interspersing other authors between the collection books. Couldn't do that with Slater and Norman. This time I read the four books in the connection from beginning to end. The characters are engaging, the action compelling. I couldn't put the series down if you are a fan of British mysteries, you'll love Slater and Norman.
November 9, 2022
A Few Good Men
Slater and Norman are now pis. There first unpaid case deals with the brutal murders of homeless soldiers. The deceased seem to have a troubling connection to a mobster and his dying son.
Good read. The characters are likable. Slater's relationship with his former supervisor is fraught with problems. Could have lived without the silky romance but otherwise a good addition to the series.
Slater and Norman are now pis. There first unpaid case deals with the brutal murders of homeless soldiers. The deceased seem to have a troubling connection to a mobster and his dying son.
Good read. The characters are likable. Slater's relationship with his former supervisor is fraught with problems. Could have lived without the silky romance but otherwise a good addition to the series.
November 13, 2022
thought provoking
P. F. Ford has a way of giving his reader just enough information to get the thinking process going but not enough to give everything away. U like Norm and Dave. They are dedicated to justice and do what the need to do with diligence. Quite different from each other, they work well together and accomplish what they set out to do. Each book in this series can be a stand alone, but each one also leaves you wanting more try one. You’ll be hooked.
P. F. Ford has a way of giving his reader just enough information to get the thinking process going but not enough to give everything away. U like Norm and Dave. They are dedicated to justice and do what the need to do with diligence. Quite different from each other, they work well together and accomplish what they set out to do. Each book in this series can be a stand alone, but each one also leaves you wanting more try one. You’ll be hooked.
January 14, 2023
Disappointed
I have enjoyed the earlier books of Skater & Norman but l won't be reading any mire since you broke up the team & put smart Alexis women over Slater & Gave him a woman partner If a police officer talked to a superior in real life the way Darling talked to Slater they would be suspended without pay or fired! I am very disappointed yoh chose to change a winning duo.
I have enjoyed the earlier books of Skater & Norman but l won't be reading any mire since you broke up the team & put smart Alexis women over Slater & Gave him a woman partner If a police officer talked to a superior in real life the way Darling talked to Slater they would be suspended without pay or fired! I am very disappointed yoh chose to change a winning duo.
December 6, 2020
Enjoyed it as much as the first!!
Once again the Slater & Norman box set kept me intrigued and looking forward to my quiet time when I could finish another chapter or another book. Nothing predictable about anything in these books and I’ve literally just purchased the 3rd box set to read.
Once again the Slater & Norman box set kept me intrigued and looking forward to my quiet time when I could finish another chapter or another book. Nothing predictable about anything in these books and I’ve literally just purchased the 3rd box set to read.
November 16, 2022
Slater and Norm
A variety of crimes are covered and slowly through all the twists and turns are solved. Slater seems like a good upright character, while Norm constantly takes advantage. Although at times the detectives are brilliant at seeing through the mess, at other times they are downright dense. This especially occurs with the last two stories in this set.
A variety of crimes are covered and slowly through all the twists and turns are solved. Slater seems like a good upright character, while Norm constantly takes advantage. Although at times the detectives are brilliant at seeing through the mess, at other times they are downright dense. This especially occurs with the last two stories in this set.
December 10, 2022
Well written with plenty of laughs
These four book's were very good and interesting especially as I live near Romsey and Winchester. Southampton is closer which is why I enjoyed these books. Suspense and intriguingly murder mystery always is a plus and humour and laugher will make you want more book's to read. Well written and good fun.
These four book's were very good and interesting especially as I live near Romsey and Winchester. Southampton is closer which is why I enjoyed these books. Suspense and intriguingly murder mystery always is a plus and humour and laugher will make you want more book's to read. Well written and good fun.
July 7, 2023
This detective series is great reading- engrossing, written well! Once I begin, I MUST keep reading- these main characters never disappoint and the lesser ones are so well described I can picture them perfectly also. So far, the plots have not been transparent or repetitive. I know I’ll finish all of the series!
February 12, 2020
Good read
Without giving anything away I am glad Slater and Norman made the decisions they did in this series. Can't wait to start the next series. Feel as if I know all of the main characters and look forward to the next investigations.
Without giving anything away I am glad Slater and Norman made the decisions they did in this series. Can't wait to start the next series. Feel as if I know all of the main characters and look forward to the next investigations.
January 27, 2022
Great read
After reading the first 8 books the characters are beginning to feel like old friends. The stories are well thought out and very readable. I have seen programmes on T.V. that have on been anywhere as good as these books, they would great as a T.V. series.
After reading the first 8 books the characters are beginning to feel like old friends. The stories are well thought out and very readable. I have seen programmes on T.V. that have on been anywhere as good as these books, they would great as a T.V. series.
November 24, 2022
Enjoy these books with their normality and day-to-day investigation methods that don't rely on technology but more on intelligence and experience. Especially enjoy the flaws of the primary characters rather than the Hollywood-ish protagonists so rife in writing and movies today.
February 2, 2023
Read Three
Hard to write a subjective reviee. That's five words. Now eight. First book was interesting. Twelve. Second was also ok. Dogged my way through the third. Should have skipped th last one entirely.
Hard to write a subjective reviee. That's five words. Now eight. First book was interesting. Twelve. Second was also ok. Dogged my way through the third. Should have skipped th last one entirely.
May 1, 2023
Slater & Norman - Detectives
I wasn’t certain how I’d get on with this series, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The two detectives work really well together and bounce of each other to solve the cases. A new DCI sets the cat among the pigeons but it all works out in the end.
I wasn’t certain how I’d get on with this series, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The two detectives work really well together and bounce of each other to solve the cases. A new DCI sets the cat among the pigeons but it all works out in the end.
September 15, 2023
Well worth the 5 star rating
The first box set was excellent and these 4 books are no different,They are well written with of the banter between the the two characters that you expect to find from colleagues.
The first box set was excellent and these 4 books are no different,They are well written with of the banter between the the two characters that you expect to find from colleagues.
June 10, 2024
Solid entertainment
Really enjoyed the characters In these books. Love that they are flawed and not omniscient. The 3rd book in this series was The best mystery story. But they're all very enjoyable
Really enjoyed the characters In these books. Love that they are flawed and not omniscient. The 3rd book in this series was The best mystery story. But they're all very enjoyable
February 5, 2025
profanity, swearing 🤬
While I liked the characters, and plots I found the crudeness, loose morals and over the top angry outbursts combined with profanity and occasional swearing a big turn off.
While I liked the characters, and plots I found the crudeness, loose morals and over the top angry outbursts combined with profanity and occasional swearing a big turn off.
July 27, 2018
Funny police
A very good series of stories. Enjoyed the banter and the way they would work together to solve the problems and get their man.
A very good series of stories. Enjoyed the banter and the way they would work together to solve the problems and get their man.
August 8, 2018
Great read
Just a few odd typos, otherwise an excellent read. A touch of humour keeps it moving along nicely well worth the time spent reading
Just a few odd typos, otherwise an excellent read. A touch of humour keeps it moving along nicely well worth the time spent reading
January 12, 2020
Cozy, no gorid descriptions, good characters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2020
Great
Loved this book, in fact the whole series is absolutely riveting and very enjoyable, highly recommend a read, cannot wait to start the next one
Loved this book, in fact the whole series is absolutely riveting and very enjoyable, highly recommend a read, cannot wait to start the next one
August 1, 2022
good page turners!
Really enjoyed following Dave and Norm through their murder cases. Well written and enjoyable plots and a good dose of humour.
Moving on to the next 4 now!
Really enjoyed following Dave and Norm through their murder cases. Well written and enjoyable plots and a good dose of humour.
Moving on to the next 4 now!
October 25, 2022
An enjoyable read
An enjoyable read. The stories follow on from each other. Salter and Norman, as well as the other character are believable. Throughly recommend.
An enjoyable read. The stories follow on from each other. Salter and Norman, as well as the other character are believable. Throughly recommend.
November 10, 2022
Great Read
I enjoyed each of the stories, they were each a different storyline. Told well with lots of plot twists. Would definitely read again!
I enjoyed each of the stories, they were each a different storyline. Told well with lots of plot twists. Would definitely read again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews