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Kings Lake Investigation #3
Roxanne: A Kings Lake Investigation
“And see if there’s any news about the missing girl.”
Life, as Smith used to say, is just one thing after another – as one investigation ends, a new one begins. But for reasons unknown to the rest of her team, DCI Cara Freeman will be haunted by the next case for the Kings Lake Central murder squad. They find themselves delving into the seamy side of life in the town, and one of their number will have departed before this new investigation is over. Perhaps Detective Sergeant Chris Waters should have seen it coming but he has a lot more than work on his mind these days.
Life, as Smith used to say, is just one thing after another – as one investigation ends, a new one begins. But for reasons unknown to the rest of her team, DCI Cara Freeman will be haunted by the next case for the Kings Lake Central murder squad. They find themselves delving into the seamy side of life in the town, and one of their number will have departed before this new investigation is over. Perhaps Detective Sergeant Chris Waters should have seen it coming but he has a lot more than work on his mind these days.
307 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2020
348 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Peter Grainger
71 books874 followersA British author, the writer Peter Grainger is a well known novelist of mystery fiction, largely focused on detective lead investigations. This his been the prime focus for much of his career, as he takes much of his inspiration from that of other infamous British detectives, such as Inspector Morse. The influence is clearly evident here, as he brings his own detective, DC Smith, to life, along with other books as well. Setting his mysteries firmly within the world of British detective fiction it is clear where his tastes lie as an author of his increasingly popular stories, stories that only increase in popularity as time goes on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
September 9, 2023
A smart mystery around decent detective work to determine the culprit involved. My issue is around a false allegation alleged that diminishes true ones. 6 of 10 stars
November 11, 2020
Peter Grainger constructs meticulous police procedurals.This book is the third in the Kings Lake Investigation series, which is a continuation of the previous eight book series featuring DCSmith. The book can be read as a stand-alone but reading the series from inception provides greater insight into the characters Grainger has developed.
The most notable aspect of Grainger’s writing is his character development. The members of his investigative team are beautifully developed.The reader is drawn into both their personal lives and their interactions with each other. The plot in this book and previous books is the fulcrum that unfolds the character development throughout the novel.
The basics of this story are straightforward. A twenty two year old woman is found dead in a car in an isolated wooded area. In short order the team..DCI Cara Freeman, Sergeant Chris Waters, Serena Butler, John Murray and Tom Greene...learn that she (Roxanne) is a high priced escort. From this point forward, the team methodically moves forward to solve the case.
Grainger’s books are an example of less being more. His books are well plotted and are neither slow moving nor rapid paced. They are more of a slow burn. His prose augments his thoughtful narrative and draws the reader into the tapestry of human emotions that he creates.
The most notable aspect of Grainger’s writing is his character development. The members of his investigative team are beautifully developed.The reader is drawn into both their personal lives and their interactions with each other. The plot in this book and previous books is the fulcrum that unfolds the character development throughout the novel.
The basics of this story are straightforward. A twenty two year old woman is found dead in a car in an isolated wooded area. In short order the team..DCI Cara Freeman, Sergeant Chris Waters, Serena Butler, John Murray and Tom Greene...learn that she (Roxanne) is a high priced escort. From this point forward, the team methodically moves forward to solve the case.
Grainger’s books are an example of less being more. His books are well plotted and are neither slow moving nor rapid paced. They are more of a slow burn. His prose augments his thoughtful narrative and draws the reader into the tapestry of human emotions that he creates.
December 2, 2020
Another fine procedural. Remarkably, the author has been able to depict modern policing with its rules and regulations while keeping the reader’s interest. For example, the SIO (senior investigating officer) is not to be involved with the direct interviewing of witnesses and suspects and is to be accompanied by a stenographer throughout!
The continuing growth and confidence of Chris Waters is another feature which I found pleasing as a fan of the DC Smith and Kings Lake series. I have found these two series to be thoroughly satisfying. But I must warn the reader to stay away from the Willows and Lane books.
The continuing growth and confidence of Chris Waters is another feature which I found pleasing as a fan of the DC Smith and Kings Lake series. I have found these two series to be thoroughly satisfying. But I must warn the reader to stay away from the Willows and Lane books.
January 4, 2021
Excellent addition to the King’s Lake series, in my opinion. Read it very quickly and did enjoy being back in King’s Lake.
January 5, 2021
Peter Grainger never disappoints
He has the gift of making you feel you are there. His characters are people you've come to know and in some cases to love. By the third chapter it was hard to put the book down and I looked forward to being able to get back to it. But, the ultimate compliment for any book must be paid to this one -- I didn't want it to end and was sad when it did. And the author is clever enough to leave a few things hanging so that the next book can't come soon enough. Will DC go back to work? Will Chris and his girlfriend move in together. What is the introduction of Cara's sister leading to ? Will eden street at some point be involved in bringing those perpetrators to justice? Please let the next book come quickly ! Until it does I will miss DC, Chris and their associates.
He has the gift of making you feel you are there. His characters are people you've come to know and in some cases to love. By the third chapter it was hard to put the book down and I looked forward to being able to get back to it. But, the ultimate compliment for any book must be paid to this one -- I didn't want it to end and was sad when it did. And the author is clever enough to leave a few things hanging so that the next book can't come soon enough. Will DC go back to work? Will Chris and his girlfriend move in together. What is the introduction of Cara's sister leading to ? Will eden street at some point be involved in bringing those perpetrators to justice? Please let the next book come quickly ! Until it does I will miss DC, Chris and their associates.
August 3, 2024
This series is relentlessly compelling, especially if you like great characterization in the traditional procedural.
December 20, 2020
A brilliant read
I have read all 11 books in this series and consider Peter Grainger to be my favourite author. Each book is so different. The stories are well developed and I enjoy getting to know all the characters as they are described so well and this often involves a touch of humour. Looking forward to the next book.
I have read all 11 books in this series and consider Peter Grainger to be my favourite author. Each book is so different. The stories are well developed and I enjoy getting to know all the characters as they are described so well and this often involves a touch of humour. Looking forward to the next book.
February 25, 2022
The characters in this series are satisfyingly complex while seeming simply drawn, and their recognizable relationship dynamics carry the novels along so well that the interesting plots and superbly written procedural elements may as well be the icing instead of the other way around. There are laugh-out-loud moments that seal the deal.
November 19, 2020
I usually admire and enjoy the writing of Peter Grainger and have also had some good reading out of the Kings Lake series. This book fell short for me. It was not cohesive and seemed pasted together after interruptions.
Due to all the positive reviews I am downloading the book once again and will try it again in case I got some strange copy of the book. It started out nice...so To be continued
Kindle Unlimited
Due to all the positive reviews I am downloading the book once again and will try it again in case I got some strange copy of the book. It started out nice...so To be continued
Kindle Unlimited
January 12, 2024
This story was a little haunting and sad. My rating is based more on that than the overall quality of the read so take it for what it is worth. There were references to DC Smith but only one short cameo. I miss him!!! I still don’t care much for Freeman but you do get a bit more of her backstory in this book. I live Murphy’s character and Green’s. Waters’ continues to develop but does tend to get himself in some interesting situations.
August 16, 2021
An almost perfect murder mystery, crime investigation novel. The 3rd in the King's Lake mystery series the characters in the special murder squad have come to life for me; I care about them and their relationships on the team and in their outside worlds. The victim's life (and occupation as a high priced escort) became the team's focus while they worked out who had ended it. I can't wait to see what's next in the series!
April 25, 2021
Good read
The characters made this a solid 4. The story was somewhat different than the usual murder investigation plots. Enjoyable read.
The characters made this a solid 4. The story was somewhat different than the usual murder investigation plots. Enjoyable read.
March 28, 2023
I am amazed that this author publishes his own books. So wholesome and so enjoyable!
July 6, 2023
Such a great series.
January 28, 2025
Another one in this series-all really good!
March 8, 2021
Another wonderful Kings Lake book this time investigating the murder of a young woman escort. I really enjoy Grainger’s writing, his attention to detail and the wonderful characters who I learn more about each novel and yet always feel like old friends.
November 22, 2020
Excellent as always
I have thoroughly enjoyed both series by Peter Grainger, and his earlier non-Kingslake novels, and this book is excellent. Peter writes rounded police procedurals for grown-ups, where the plot doesn’t produce some impossible culprit or international criminal. Once you have got used to the “jnsights along the way” style, they are almost self-help general management manuals! Please keep on writing, Peter.
I have thoroughly enjoyed both series by Peter Grainger, and his earlier non-Kingslake novels, and this book is excellent. Peter writes rounded police procedurals for grown-ups, where the plot doesn’t produce some impossible culprit or international criminal. Once you have got used to the “jnsights along the way” style, they are almost self-help general management manuals! Please keep on writing, Peter.
December 26, 2021
As always, most enjoyable and so well written.
June 21, 2024
Excellent, great storyline, good development of the murder squad. Love the side story of Miriam and Chris. Nice that DC gets a mention.
Read
April 19, 2021Excellent, although I love the Kings Lake novels best. But I read every new book of his I can find. Write more!
April 7, 2022
I have not read books before this in the series. It is easy to enter the series and understand the stress between the two factions of the police department. It is easy to see that there is one member of the murder squad who may be a rat in the works to let the two departments become one less successful unit again. I almost wanted to give a four star or a 4.5 with the references to secrets kept from other murder cases, and previous novels), and the unknown reason for the mentor, the older gentleman. I also did not enjoy the episode with the female team member who brought up false charges against one of the top investigators. I felt that this female should have been reported or noticed earlier by the unit's sharp leader. There is disention, break room gossip, and problems in all workplaces, but this did not fit with the small murder force and astute leader.
The other aspects of the tale, as narrated by one of my favorites, Jackson, were fantastic. The modern technology playing large roles in narrowing down who were important key people, was well done. I thought about the client's phone in the car, and wondered why it would have been left there. It was a key piece of evidence. It was stolen, as stated, but why left in the car? For Roxanne to find later to know where her roommate had gone that night? Very disturbing lives these young women were living, with greed and hatred making them act foolishly; the gullible one had a horrible life, and never got proper help. This piece was so accurately drawn up for these characters, with how broken children become broken adults unless good help is found.
The ending, at the funeral, I do not know how a narrator can read such emotional scenes without having at least three takes. This is fiction, yes, but there are similar stories in the Daily Paper. The red roses, the small gathering of people, the head of the murder division weeping for her own half-sister, the detective standing, watching the young girl dancing on the sand near a place where another body was found in another novel, and seeing everyone in their isolated grief, drawn so well in words by Grainger, and read so well by Jackson, made me weep. If the title was 22 and Dead, it would have been a title to fit many murders and deaths, but the title Roxanne, a well known song of prostitution, and the ending song at the wake make a nice wrapping for an intriguing mystery.
The other aspects of the tale, as narrated by one of my favorites, Jackson, were fantastic. The modern technology playing large roles in narrowing down who were important key people, was well done. I thought about the client's phone in the car, and wondered why it would have been left there. It was a key piece of evidence. It was stolen, as stated, but why left in the car? For Roxanne to find later to know where her roommate had gone that night? Very disturbing lives these young women were living, with greed and hatred making them act foolishly; the gullible one had a horrible life, and never got proper help. This piece was so accurately drawn up for these characters, with how broken children become broken adults unless good help is found.
The ending, at the funeral, I do not know how a narrator can read such emotional scenes without having at least three takes. This is fiction, yes, but there are similar stories in the Daily Paper. The red roses, the small gathering of people, the head of the murder division weeping for her own half-sister, the detective standing, watching the young girl dancing on the sand near a place where another body was found in another novel, and seeing everyone in their isolated grief, drawn so well in words by Grainger, and read so well by Jackson, made me weep. If the title was 22 and Dead, it would have been a title to fit many murders and deaths, but the title Roxanne, a well known song of prostitution, and the ending song at the wake make a nice wrapping for an intriguing mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
I listened to this audiobook. This is the 3rd King's Lake book, which is a series that is a spin-off of the D.C. Smith mysteries. D.C. has retired, but his protege Detective Sergeant Chris Waters is now the main character. Most of D.C.'s colleges are in this series. In this episode a 22 year old woman has gone missing. When her body is found in her car in a remote area it is immediately apparent to Chris that this woman was killed elsewhere and placed in the car. This was not a suicide or accidental overdose. When they find ketamine (the date-rape drug) in her system they are more sure that this is murder. It turns out the missing woman, Roxanne, was an escort who lived in a house with two other escorts. The team interviews her latest johns and her last known movements. This book also focuses on Chris's personal life. He has a girlfriend and while things are getting more serious, he struggles with what the future with her will bring. Also featured is the new Detective Chief Inspector Cara Freeman and her private life. It is easy to root for Chris and for the team.
May 25, 2025
2025: Repeat listen. This book is still a favourite as I work my way through this series again.
2021: The picture of the young girl on the cover put me off wanting to listen to this audiobook – I actively avoid listening to modern era crime stories with violence against children - the picture on the cover is a flashback moment of the young woman (who is murdered) when she was a girl.
The perpetrator of the crime in this story became obvious as I read along, and makes for an interesting twist to most fiction crime stories about escorts.
Though everything is discussed pretty euphemistically, there are some really gritty topics in this Kings Lake investigation:
escort agencies, and, ‘party drugs’,
girls being drugged then violated,
wealthy men being protected from an intensive inquiry by the old boys club,
2021: The picture of the young girl on the cover put me off wanting to listen to this audiobook – I actively avoid listening to modern era crime stories with violence against children - the picture on the cover is a flashback moment of the young woman (who is murdered) when she was a girl.
The perpetrator of the crime in this story became obvious as I read along, and makes for an interesting twist to most fiction crime stories about escorts.
Though everything is discussed pretty euphemistically, there are some really gritty topics in this Kings Lake investigation:
escort agencies, and, ‘party drugs’,
girls being drugged then violated,
wealthy men being protected from an intensive inquiry by the old boys club,
November 23, 2020
I’ve read and enjoyed all of the DC Smith books and now the three Kings Lake books. Roxanne has connections with the earlier stories that make the plot ring true. I like the way the characters have grown and developed, especially Chris Waters who continues to remind readers of DC and lessons learned. Each member of the squad is an individual with a distinctive personality and working style yet we learn a bit more about them in this novel. Grainger leads us through the case with lots of police procedure but without being boring or graphic. I still miss DC but glad he made an appearance. The author has created a memorable set of characters and continues to use them in believable stories.
(I do wish he would rewrite the paragraphs where he changes from third person to second in the middle of a paragraph or page.)
(I do wish he would rewrite the paragraphs where he changes from third person to second in the middle of a paragraph or page.)
March 29, 2021
Another excellent book from Peter Grainger. I listened to the audiobook, Gildart Jackson is fabulous as the reader. I must admit I was doubtful about this spinoff series without DC Smith, but my skepticism was unfounded. Although I do miss DC as a main character in this new series, Grainger is doing a great job with it. In this one we learn a bit more about the secretive Cara Freeman. Relationships shift in the new murder squad that's not so new anymore. The central mystery itself is an interesting one, Peter Grainger always keep the reader guessing. Chris Waters, a favorite character of mine, is doing well although he has a bump in the road in this one. There were enough threads left hanging that I suspect Mr. Grainger is perhaps already working on Kings Lake #4. I certainly hope so.
November 6, 2020
Mr. Grainger had done it again. Roxanne hits just the right mixture of character and plot development. Mr. Grainger’s descriptions of the Murder Squad interacting closely together to bring cases to a successful conclusion are fascinating. All the emotions are here, including instances of the subtle humour and asides that are trademarks of his writing. As my own aside-the more I get to know Inspector Green, the more I appreciate him.
Get ready for some surprises.
Having said all the above, I think that references to events in previous books might be confusing to readers who have not followed the series from Book 1.
If you enjoy a good mystery and haven’t already done so, I highly recommend you try the DC/Kings Lake Mysteries.
Get ready for some surprises.
Having said all the above, I think that references to events in previous books might be confusing to readers who have not followed the series from Book 1.
If you enjoy a good mystery and haven’t already done so, I highly recommend you try the DC/Kings Lake Mysteries.
September 10, 2021
Peter Grainger has not disappointed me to date. I listen to his books on Audible, and the reader is excellent as well. Grainger’s prose is sometimes almost poetic. The Kings Lake novels are police procedurals. They are detailed, interesting, and full of information about policing in England in contemporary times.
What impresses me most about Grainger’s Kings Lake and DC Smith novels is the character development. I am pretty tied to reading a series in chronological order, and in these novels the characters have grown and changed in logical and believable ways. In Roxanne we get particular insight into Cara Freeman’s life.
I hated for this book to end, but mysteries are solved and novels end. There is a DC Smith novel coming soon — so something to look forward to!
What impresses me most about Grainger’s Kings Lake and DC Smith novels is the character development. I am pretty tied to reading a series in chronological order, and in these novels the characters have grown and changed in logical and believable ways. In Roxanne we get particular insight into Cara Freeman’s life.
I hated for this book to end, but mysteries are solved and novels end. There is a DC Smith novel coming soon — so something to look forward to!
November 10, 2020
I have read all the DC Smith books and King's Lake Investigations. In the newest book I miss DC but his spirit hovers over all the book. His protogés Chris Waters, Serena Butler and John Murray form the foundation of this story and the newer character, DCI Cara Freeman continues strongly. Another character introduced in the King's Lake series, Denise Sterling, becomes more defined and important. Peter Grainger has steadily improved as an author and this mystery is satisfyingly complicated and complex. I look forward to book twelve.
May 28, 2022
Another excellent installment in Peter Grainger's Kings Lake series. The team is working well together -- well, all but one who causes some trouble and then is gone -- and Waters is the primary voice as usual. I very much enjoy the growth of Waters and particularly love the moments we hear from DC, both in person and in his head. Freeman's backstory becomes a little more detailed in this one.
As usual, I listened to Roxanne, and Gildart Jackson is fantastic as always. I am ready for the next Kings Lake installment!
As usual, I listened to Roxanne, and Gildart Jackson is fantastic as always. I am ready for the next Kings Lake installment!
June 14, 2023
3.5 stars. I'm enjoying this series more and more. These books should be read in order after you read the DC Smith series, as most of the character development is in the earlier series, and there are many references to those earlier cases. I think DS Waters has turned out to be a pretty great main character. The story is solid and interesting. Recommend to all who like a good mystery/catch the bad guy story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews