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Martin Hayden Mysteries #2
The Reluctant Detective Goes South
Just because Martin runs a detective agency, it does not mean he has any intention of investigating anything, except the lunchtime menu at his favourite Michelin-starred restaurant.
However, for the benefit of his mother he must occasionally appear to be working. Consequently, he agrees to help an old school friend who has found himself on the wrong side of the law and is now serving his community service in a charity centre in south London. Not that Martin ever wanted to visit such a place, but old dormitory chums help each other.
Things become complicated for Martin when his eager assistant Susan sees a pile of parking tickets strewn across his desk. She believes his number plate has been cloned and decides they should investigate and find the culprit. Martin is not so sure that another investigation is such a good idea. After all, he has enough money to support his privileged lifestyle and pay the fines without question.
Never one to be discouraged, Susan follows the leads, which take them to a run-down south London council estate, where Martin is introduced to a side of the capital he never imagined existed.
Before long, Martin is reluctantly mixing with drug dealers, sex chat-line operators, loan sharks, ageing criminals plus an unbearable little girl, all of whom he considers to be UPS (unpleasant people sorts).
Yet nothing will stop Susan getting at the truth, not even a male, good-looking Italian who collects saucy postcards and charms her with chilled Italian white wine.
However, for the benefit of his mother he must occasionally appear to be working. Consequently, he agrees to help an old school friend who has found himself on the wrong side of the law and is now serving his community service in a charity centre in south London. Not that Martin ever wanted to visit such a place, but old dormitory chums help each other.
Things become complicated for Martin when his eager assistant Susan sees a pile of parking tickets strewn across his desk. She believes his number plate has been cloned and decides they should investigate and find the culprit. Martin is not so sure that another investigation is such a good idea. After all, he has enough money to support his privileged lifestyle and pay the fines without question.
Never one to be discouraged, Susan follows the leads, which take them to a run-down south London council estate, where Martin is introduced to a side of the capital he never imagined existed.
Before long, Martin is reluctantly mixing with drug dealers, sex chat-line operators, loan sharks, ageing criminals plus an unbearable little girl, all of whom he considers to be UPS (unpleasant people sorts).
Yet nothing will stop Susan getting at the truth, not even a male, good-looking Italian who collects saucy postcards and charms her with chilled Italian white wine.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2020
115 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Spalding
20 books18 followersFinding the time to write has always been the challenge for me. The requirement to feed the family, pay the mortgage and work, all got in the way. I only found the time to write, when I began commuting each day between London and Kent. Thanks to the numerous and regular delays I encountered with South Eastern railways, I was able to actually settle down amongst my snoring fellow travellers to write fiction.
Back in the days when I had ‘real jobs’, I worked as a photographer, a journalist and a charity fundraiser, all giving me the opportunity to see first-hand the life that others lead, as well as regular press passes to Brands Hatch.
Now, a full time writer, living in Kent with my wife, I write both thriller mysteries and humorous detective books, which some say will make a great case study for a psychologist’s convention. My biggest challenge now, is no longer finding the time to write, it is to protect my biscuit tin from sneaky swoops carried out by my grandsons.
Back in the days when I had ‘real jobs’, I worked as a photographer, a journalist and a charity fundraiser, all giving me the opportunity to see first-hand the life that others lead, as well as regular press passes to Brands Hatch.
Now, a full time writer, living in Kent with my wife, I write both thriller mysteries and humorous detective books, which some say will make a great case study for a psychologist’s convention. My biggest challenge now, is no longer finding the time to write, it is to protect my biscuit tin from sneaky swoops carried out by my grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 20, 2020
Lovely detective novel with all the best features
I enjoyed this very much. Lighthearted and fun yet believable characters and a well written plot. Its funny, a love story and a solid bit of detecting. Definitely want more from this up and coming writer.
I enjoyed this very much. Lighthearted and fun yet believable characters and a well written plot. Its funny, a love story and a solid bit of detecting. Definitely want more from this up and coming writer.
December 20, 2022
What can I say? I'll just declare I have an interest in this book!
March 24, 2021
If you need laugh at any time, not just during lockdown, then this is the book for you.
A truly engaging and humourous read with a subtle underlying social commentary that doesn't spill over from the story at all - that is left to your own conscience....
Really enjoyed this second in the series. Lots of laughs and great to see the developing relationships and the back stories of others coming through.
It is just a shame I now have to wait for another instalment.
A truly engaging and humourous read with a subtle underlying social commentary that doesn't spill over from the story at all - that is left to your own conscience....
Really enjoyed this second in the series. Lots of laughs and great to see the developing relationships and the back stories of others coming through.
It is just a shame I now have to wait for another instalment.
November 15, 2020
Martin and Susan take in another case aided by transvestite ex-copper colin. The mother of an old school friend things her son is in trouble. We have drug dealers, we have the weird fact that martin gets parking tickets and knows they are now from his own car and we have dodgy councillors. It’s a great story, the characters are well written, and the pace was great. I love the way Martins fears going south of the river as described. I can’t wait for the next instalment just to see if martin and susan ever get together
March 23, 2021
Really enjoyed book, good characters
November 26, 2020
Delightfully funny.
Very easy to read. Loved the characters and was surprised by the ending. I look forward to reading the next book
Very easy to read. Loved the characters and was surprised by the ending. I look forward to reading the next book
September 30, 2021
Great stories,
I have read both books, and can't wait for the next one. I was hooked from the first page of the first book.
I have read both books, and can't wait for the next one. I was hooked from the first page of the first book.
September 24, 2021
A teensy bit more gritty than the first, but the emphasis is still on the funny, heart warming side. Really enjoyed it and hope the next is out soon
February 21, 2021
Loved this book, the second of a series. The characters are unforgettable. Anyone that enjoys cosy mysteries will like this book. Though I would suggest finding the first in the series. I'm looking forward to book 3.
July 10, 2021
Good fun to read thanks I look forward to to many more
Totally different type of detective story being mostly implausible but nonetheless a fun read, hopefully there’s more in the offing.
Totally different type of detective story being mostly implausible but nonetheless a fun read, hopefully there’s more in the offing.
June 4, 2021
Great book would recommend it to everyone looking forward to the next one
May 31, 2024
All in all, it was pretty good fun! A light-hearted romp around South London with the reluctant detective. I feel like I maybe should've read the first in the series but I just went with it!
Although an easy read with a lot of fun in parts, there was a lack of interest (probably fittingly) in the mystery. Maybe I've read one too many mysteries over time but I found the book lacked precisely that.
Although an easy read with a lot of fun in parts, there was a lack of interest (probably fittingly) in the mystery. Maybe I've read one too many mysteries over time but I found the book lacked precisely that.
November 1, 2021
A very enjoyable easy read. This is the second book in this new series and proves that the characters and plots are sustainable. This is the sort of book that TV companies likes to turn into afternoon series and with these characters they could do a lot worse!
December 6, 2021
Brilliant!
Love this book just as much as the first Reluctant Detective. The main characters are so diverse and the descriptions are so vivid I feel as if I know them personally which is an unusual for me. Hope it not too long to wait for the next installment😁
Love this book just as much as the first Reluctant Detective. The main characters are so diverse and the descriptions are so vivid I feel as if I know them personally which is an unusual for me. Hope it not too long to wait for the next installment😁
March 29, 2022
Gripping!
A light look at the low life of the East End of London, for me nostalgic as a former West End lad. Relaxing plot, with a real feel for others misfortunes. Recommended.
A light look at the low life of the East End of London, for me nostalgic as a former West End lad. Relaxing plot, with a real feel for others misfortunes. Recommended.
April 28, 2022
A good bit of light reading and fun. It's a bit silly but why not!
July 7, 2022
Very enjoyable story
Good story and plot. Fun characters with lovely wit.
Nice lead into the next book with a will they won't they
Good story and plot. Fun characters with lovely wit.
Nice lead into the next book with a will they won't they
December 6, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series but just found this one very difficult to engage with. Whilst it was readable it was just an average read rather than anything more.
September 4, 2023
Enjoyable
I have now read four of series, and look forward to seeing what else Adrian brings out in the future,nun
I have now read four of series, and look forward to seeing what else Adrian brings out in the future,nun
June 20, 2024
really enjoyed it
Not my usual genre (fantasy) but am invested in the characters and the story is clever. I am enjoying this book series.
Not my usual genre (fantasy) but am invested in the characters and the story is clever. I am enjoying this book series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews