What do you think?
Rate this book
DS Jamie Johansson #3
Idle Hands
His greatest work, his darkest moment...
DS Jamie Johansson is just beginning to take control of her life when a chilling call comes in.
A prodigal young violinist has been brutally murdered. Her hands cut off, and stolen...
What the killer wants them for, Jamie can only begin to imagine. But no matter what she thinks of it, it doesn't compare to the twisted and bloody plans being laid by a killer unlike any she's dealt with yet.
Jamie must dig into the victim's mysterious past to uncover the events that led her to her death. But with each name on her witness list getting crossed off before she can get to them, it's a race against time, and the killer, to stop him before he builds to his big finale.
Jamie hasn't faced evil like this before, but she is beginning to understand it. To know it. And that is what scares her most of all...
Idle Hands is the thrilling and taut third instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series, and sees Jamie pitted against her most dangerous foe yet. With new evils on the horizon, and old ones nipping at her heels, can Jamie solve the case before it's too late? Or are her mistakes finally about to catch up to her?
DS Jamie Johansson is just beginning to take control of her life when a chilling call comes in.
A prodigal young violinist has been brutally murdered. Her hands cut off, and stolen...
What the killer wants them for, Jamie can only begin to imagine. But no matter what she thinks of it, it doesn't compare to the twisted and bloody plans being laid by a killer unlike any she's dealt with yet.
Jamie must dig into the victim's mysterious past to uncover the events that led her to her death. But with each name on her witness list getting crossed off before she can get to them, it's a race against time, and the killer, to stop him before he builds to his big finale.
Jamie hasn't faced evil like this before, but she is beginning to understand it. To know it. And that is what scares her most of all...
Idle Hands is the thrilling and taut third instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series, and sees Jamie pitted against her most dangerous foe yet. With new evils on the horizon, and old ones nipping at her heels, can Jamie solve the case before it's too late? Or are her mistakes finally about to catch up to her?
- GenresMystery
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2020
89 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Greene
37 books326 followersMorgan Greene grew up in Wales, and works a copywriter, editor, and author. Morgan studied Creative Writing and English Literature at Swansea University with a focus on narrative structure and theory, and published the first crime novel in the Jamie Johansson series in 2020. Since its release, the series has gone on to reach bestseller status, with Detective Jamie Johansson quickly becoming a reader favourite.
The series blends classic Scandi-noir elements with modern and cinematic thriller writing to create a unique style that adds to the emerging Brit-noir genre. Jamie has many novels ahead of her, but Morgan is also working on a variety of other projects across crime, thriller, and mystery and plans to publish plenty more in 2022 and beyond.
The series blends classic Scandi-noir elements with modern and cinematic thriller writing to create a unique style that adds to the emerging Brit-noir genre. Jamie has many novels ahead of her, but Morgan is also working on a variety of other projects across crime, thriller, and mystery and plans to publish plenty more in 2022 and beyond.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 11, 2020
Having devoured the opening two novel in this series, I was eager to get my hands on the third, deemed the final of the ‘prequel trilogy’ by Morgan Greene. This book matches the others with a strong story and more captivating characters. Working on threads from the past books and a new case, Greene is able to pull readers in with more from DS Jamie Johansson.
Still reeling from the fallout in the last book, DS Johansson is left with an injured partner and many questions about who could have tipped off the smugglers to the intended raid. While there are some whispers about an inside job, it is hard to finger members of the London Met without major blowback.
If this were not enough to keep her busy, Jamie has decided to move, worried that her stalker—serial killer, Elliot Day—may return to cause her more havoc. Working during off-hours, she and a few helpful hands are able to secretly put her into a new abode, hopefully that no one will be the wiser.
DS Johansson is soon called to the scene of a crime, with her interim partner, Captain Nasir Hassan. They discover the body of a young woman whose hands have been severed. She appears to have been busking on the London streets, though this is no dime store violin in a case. It is antique and has been kept up. Witnesses mention having seen someone in passing, though no one saw the murder.
Using some of the added resources within the Met, Johansson and Hassan learn that the victim is none other than Alyssa Doran, who sits as first chair in her college orchestra. Her abilities with the violin sound magical, though she does not come across as anyone worthy of murder, or having her hands removed. A little digging helps Johnasson and Hassan learn more about the cut throat world of orchestras, though the primary suspect cannot be located, the new first chair.
When not only the aforementioned first chair goes missing, but the orchestra’s conductor is found murdered, Johansson and Hassan discover that there is more to the story they do not yet know. It appears the crime may not be victim specific, but more to do with the sanctity of her hands. Are there other murder victims out there with missing hands? Could this, perhaps, provide some needed clues?
Just as things are getting heated at work, Johnasson is visited by none other than Elliot Day. He brings a message and proof that no amount of secrecy will keep him from her. Jamie is walking a fine line and has yet to tell anyone that he’s back, which only furthers the sense of danger that envelops her.
A killer’s on the loose, Day lurks in the shadows with an ongoing obsession to help her in his own, sick way. Will this be one killer who can lull more victims into a sense of protection, or can he be plucked up before the vibrations of his kills resonate with the general public?
Morgan Greene remains a natural storyteller, using strong writing alongside some well-developed characters to provide an addictive read. All novels in this prequel series served to keep me pushing ahead and reading well into the night, leaving me wanting even more
DS Jamie Johansson remains a powerful protagonist, blossoming throughout the story. She remains a young detective, but Johansson has great passion her father passed along. The attentive reader will see how she struggles to handle the three plots that have come up in this story, leaving her little time for personal growth. Greene effectively shapes her into a character many will want to see grow as the novels continue. If rumours I have heard prove true, there is a lot to come for Johansson in the coming years!
Greene develops his supporting cast effectively, pulling on many walks fo life to keep the reader highly entertained. This police procedural blends some of the unresolved cases from the past with a new and equally horrible one, mixing people from all three novels. With a focus on music and its dark underbelly, Greene develops some characters specific to the genre, some of whom work well with Johansson, as others clash in the best possible way.
This was a great third novel, tying off some of the ‘prequel threads’ Greene presented. An author worth noting, Greene shows much confidence as the story builds. There is great action and a well-balanced set of cases. Exploring London from yet another angle, Greene offers something not soon forgotten. Longer chapters pull the reader in with much plot development, alongside a few teasers to keep the reader forging ahead. I have high hopes that some of the less developed aspects of the story emerge later in Greene’s work, as his ability to offer a cliffhanger or two has me wanting to rush back as soon as I can.
Kudos, Mr. Greene, for another winner. Where will you take DS Jamie Johansson next, is surely all the buzz amongst your fans!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Still reeling from the fallout in the last book, DS Johansson is left with an injured partner and many questions about who could have tipped off the smugglers to the intended raid. While there are some whispers about an inside job, it is hard to finger members of the London Met without major blowback.
If this were not enough to keep her busy, Jamie has decided to move, worried that her stalker—serial killer, Elliot Day—may return to cause her more havoc. Working during off-hours, she and a few helpful hands are able to secretly put her into a new abode, hopefully that no one will be the wiser.
DS Johansson is soon called to the scene of a crime, with her interim partner, Captain Nasir Hassan. They discover the body of a young woman whose hands have been severed. She appears to have been busking on the London streets, though this is no dime store violin in a case. It is antique and has been kept up. Witnesses mention having seen someone in passing, though no one saw the murder.
Using some of the added resources within the Met, Johansson and Hassan learn that the victim is none other than Alyssa Doran, who sits as first chair in her college orchestra. Her abilities with the violin sound magical, though she does not come across as anyone worthy of murder, or having her hands removed. A little digging helps Johnasson and Hassan learn more about the cut throat world of orchestras, though the primary suspect cannot be located, the new first chair.
When not only the aforementioned first chair goes missing, but the orchestra’s conductor is found murdered, Johansson and Hassan discover that there is more to the story they do not yet know. It appears the crime may not be victim specific, but more to do with the sanctity of her hands. Are there other murder victims out there with missing hands? Could this, perhaps, provide some needed clues?
Just as things are getting heated at work, Johnasson is visited by none other than Elliot Day. He brings a message and proof that no amount of secrecy will keep him from her. Jamie is walking a fine line and has yet to tell anyone that he’s back, which only furthers the sense of danger that envelops her.
A killer’s on the loose, Day lurks in the shadows with an ongoing obsession to help her in his own, sick way. Will this be one killer who can lull more victims into a sense of protection, or can he be plucked up before the vibrations of his kills resonate with the general public?
Morgan Greene remains a natural storyteller, using strong writing alongside some well-developed characters to provide an addictive read. All novels in this prequel series served to keep me pushing ahead and reading well into the night, leaving me wanting even more
DS Jamie Johansson remains a powerful protagonist, blossoming throughout the story. She remains a young detective, but Johansson has great passion her father passed along. The attentive reader will see how she struggles to handle the three plots that have come up in this story, leaving her little time for personal growth. Greene effectively shapes her into a character many will want to see grow as the novels continue. If rumours I have heard prove true, there is a lot to come for Johansson in the coming years!
Greene develops his supporting cast effectively, pulling on many walks fo life to keep the reader highly entertained. This police procedural blends some of the unresolved cases from the past with a new and equally horrible one, mixing people from all three novels. With a focus on music and its dark underbelly, Greene develops some characters specific to the genre, some of whom work well with Johansson, as others clash in the best possible way.
This was a great third novel, tying off some of the ‘prequel threads’ Greene presented. An author worth noting, Greene shows much confidence as the story builds. There is great action and a well-balanced set of cases. Exploring London from yet another angle, Greene offers something not soon forgotten. Longer chapters pull the reader in with much plot development, alongside a few teasers to keep the reader forging ahead. I have high hopes that some of the less developed aspects of the story emerge later in Greene’s work, as his ability to offer a cliffhanger or two has me wanting to rush back as soon as I can.
Kudos, Mr. Greene, for another winner. Where will you take DS Jamie Johansson next, is surely all the buzz amongst your fans!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
December 23, 2020
I must have been in a cranky mood, I didn’t enjoy this as much as the previous books. I will keep this short too as I am behind with reviews. For a more thorough review of the book I would urge you to read Matt’s review, it covers the story perfectly.
I just had some problems with this being DS Jamie Johansson’s third outing and she is still breaking rules and going off on her lone wolf crusades as if she is the only police officer who can do this particular job. And then when she does get to corner the killer - she lets him get away! I’m being picky. It was well written and very suspenseful and had just the right amount of twists. All in all an excellent story but Jamie, you need to more of a team player!
I just had some problems with this being DS Jamie Johansson’s third outing and she is still breaking rules and going off on her lone wolf crusades as if she is the only police officer who can do this particular job. And then when she does get to corner the killer - she lets him get away! I’m being picky. It was well written and very suspenseful and had just the right amount of twists. All in all an excellent story but Jamie, you need to more of a team player!
December 19, 2020
Idle Hands is the thrilling and taut third instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series, and sees Jamie pitted against her most dangerous foe yet. With new evils on the horizon, and old ones nipping at her heels, can Jamie solve the case before it's too late? Or are her mistakes finally about to catch up to her?
His greatest work, his darkest moment...
DS Jamie Johansson is just beginning to take control of her life when a chilling call comes in.
A prodigal young violinist has been brutally murdered. Her hands cut off, and stolen...
What the killer wants them for, Jamie can only begin to imagine. But no matter what she thinks of it, it doesn't compare to the twisted and bloody plans being laid by a killer unlike any she's dealt with yet.
Jamie must dig into the victim's mysterious past to uncover the events that led her to her death. But with each name on her witness list getting crossed off before she can get to them, it's a race against time, and the killer, to stop him before he builds to his big finale.
Jamie hasn't faced evil like this before, but she is beginning to understand it. To know it. And that is what scares her most of all...
WOW, JUST WOW!!! This book was phenomenal!!! The third instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series this book exceeded expectations, this series just keeps getting better!!!
I love how all the stories link together there being links from book 1 in this book. For me this makes the experience of the story so much more enjoyable but that might just be me.
I loved that we not only follow the story of DS Jamie Johansson but also get to see other characters development and change over time. Personally I love all the characters (I have since book 1 despite some of their traits) and the fact they are all different to each other. I’d happily have them watching my back anytime. (Well most of them)
Not only is Jamie faced with a tough case (maybe even her toughest yet) with the DI wanting results but she is facing an old evil who is taunting her and making sure she knows he’s still around, it makes for such a good story.
I love how Morgan has come up with a unique story that I haven’t heard before. For me I get so drawn into these stories it pulls me away from reality which I love in a book.
I couldn’t put this book down (hated having to put it down for work but as soon as the weekend rolled around I didn’t put it down). I love how there’s always unpredictable and unexpected turns in the series. I wish it didn’t end but I did love the ending and was definitely left wanting more.
This has quickly become one of my favourite series and I can’t wait for more DS Jamie Johansson in the future.
His greatest work, his darkest moment...
DS Jamie Johansson is just beginning to take control of her life when a chilling call comes in.
A prodigal young violinist has been brutally murdered. Her hands cut off, and stolen...
What the killer wants them for, Jamie can only begin to imagine. But no matter what she thinks of it, it doesn't compare to the twisted and bloody plans being laid by a killer unlike any she's dealt with yet.
Jamie must dig into the victim's mysterious past to uncover the events that led her to her death. But with each name on her witness list getting crossed off before she can get to them, it's a race against time, and the killer, to stop him before he builds to his big finale.
Jamie hasn't faced evil like this before, but she is beginning to understand it. To know it. And that is what scares her most of all...
WOW, JUST WOW!!! This book was phenomenal!!! The third instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series this book exceeded expectations, this series just keeps getting better!!!
I love how all the stories link together there being links from book 1 in this book. For me this makes the experience of the story so much more enjoyable but that might just be me.
I loved that we not only follow the story of DS Jamie Johansson but also get to see other characters development and change over time. Personally I love all the characters (I have since book 1 despite some of their traits) and the fact they are all different to each other. I’d happily have them watching my back anytime. (Well most of them)
Not only is Jamie faced with a tough case (maybe even her toughest yet) with the DI wanting results but she is facing an old evil who is taunting her and making sure she knows he’s still around, it makes for such a good story.
I love how Morgan has come up with a unique story that I haven’t heard before. For me I get so drawn into these stories it pulls me away from reality which I love in a book.
I couldn’t put this book down (hated having to put it down for work but as soon as the weekend rolled around I didn’t put it down). I love how there’s always unpredictable and unexpected turns in the series. I wish it didn’t end but I did love the ending and was definitely left wanting more.
This has quickly become one of my favourite series and I can’t wait for more DS Jamie Johansson in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2021
Wow, another excellent instalment in the DS Jamie Johansson series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, Bare Skin and then I went on to love the second book, Fresh Meat and I couldn’t wait to get reading this third book. It so didn’t disappoint, it’s a brilliant read. All the main characters that I loved from the first books were back with a bang, becoming more believable with each page turned, I was completely with them, rooting for their success, feeling annoyed with them at times for their behaviour, just like you should when characters are written well and they have real depth. Morgan Greene is, in my opinion, an excellent author. All the books have such gripping storylines with so much believability. I was totally hooked throughout and loved all the twists and turns. I have read so very many detective/police procedural novels by various authors and I can honestly say that Morgan Greene is 100% one of my real favourites. I will continue to read everything that this author has to offer. If you enjoy brilliant characters, descriptive writing, realistic storylines and lots and lots of excitement you definitely need to read Bare Skin, Fresh Meat and Idle Hands. I have already got Angel Maker lined up on my kindle and come June the next in the series, Rising Tide, will be available, I just hope that there’s plenty more to come after these.
July 3, 2025
This was not what I was expecting at all.
After the previous two books I was expecting a final showdown between Jamie and Elliot. We got that - of sorts - but it wasn't the focus of the book at all. Instead the focus was on a serial killer taking the hands of his victims. But every time it really started to focus on that case, we were dragged back to Elliot or to the dirty cop angle. It's good to have more than one plot strand but it just felt a little uneven and none of them got the attention they deserved.
I didn't like the tension between Jamie and Roper. After everything they had been through, it fell apart really quickly and really nasty. So much so that it really cost them. It felt completely unnecessary and stress for the point of stress.
The serial killer however, was a cool idea. Very dark, different and worthy of an episode of Criminal Minds, it was that twisted. The different threads, the false leads, the trails they were left were all really cool. It was an easy read too, engaging and kept me wanting to turn the pages. Overall, fun but a bit spotty.
After the previous two books I was expecting a final showdown between Jamie and Elliot. We got that - of sorts - but it wasn't the focus of the book at all. Instead the focus was on a serial killer taking the hands of his victims. But every time it really started to focus on that case, we were dragged back to Elliot or to the dirty cop angle. It's good to have more than one plot strand but it just felt a little uneven and none of them got the attention they deserved.
I didn't like the tension between Jamie and Roper. After everything they had been through, it fell apart really quickly and really nasty. So much so that it really cost them. It felt completely unnecessary and stress for the point of stress.
The serial killer however, was a cool idea. Very dark, different and worthy of an episode of Criminal Minds, it was that twisted. The different threads, the false leads, the trails they were left were all really cool. It was an easy read too, engaging and kept me wanting to turn the pages. Overall, fun but a bit spotty.
August 6, 2025
I never wanted it to stop
I don't think I've ever said that before to an author.
Morgan Greene, I don't know how you did it, but you made me love Jamie, she is real, everyone is real. And I suppose that that is what makes an author great, but this series, all these books, every word, is etched into my brain, I didn't want to finish the book. I seriously didn't want it to end, because, now what do I do? Where do I go from here?
My hand on my heart when I say this feeling I have right now, is like the end of a relationship. Close the book. Walk away. Don't look back.
And start again.
But where to go?
Hopefully to another of one of your pieces of art.
When an honour and a privilege to have read all of the books about Jamie. Thank you so very much x
I don't think I've ever said that before to an author.
Morgan Greene, I don't know how you did it, but you made me love Jamie, she is real, everyone is real. And I suppose that that is what makes an author great, but this series, all these books, every word, is etched into my brain, I didn't want to finish the book. I seriously didn't want it to end, because, now what do I do? Where do I go from here?
My hand on my heart when I say this feeling I have right now, is like the end of a relationship. Close the book. Walk away. Don't look back.
And start again.
But where to go?
Hopefully to another of one of your pieces of art.
When an honour and a privilege to have read all of the books about Jamie. Thank you so very much x
August 4, 2021
Better than the first two but still too many blunders on the part of the protagonist. It is not satisfying when she does something stupid, but worse when it is repeated. That is the right word - the books are not satisfying as they ought to be in this genre. Too many other great coppers and DS/DI's out there. Green comes up with really good story lines and plots and solutions and gruesome stuff, but DS Jamie does not work for me. Also, just as books can be overly masculine and macho man, Green, IMO is a female author writing for female readers and that is where her success will lie.
July 30, 2024
Even though it took me ages to finish this, and I have read multiple books in the meantime, I have enjoyed it , I am like that sometimes when I read a series I have to take breaks between books 🤦🏻♀️ Now that I finally finished the third book I can carry on to see what happened after the Angel maker case. I have read this to learn more about Jamie's life before, and even though I did , it wasn't as much as I hoped for. I still don't like her father being " present " in the background, and I would have liked more interaction between her and Eliot 😁😁
February 18, 2021
Another Brilliant Instalment in the Jamie Johanssen series!
Another case that twists and turns with plenty of surprises! My only disappointment is on the deterioration of Jamie and Ropers connection although given the previous storyline I can see why it plays out like this. Kept me guessing till the end again!
Another case that twists and turns with plenty of surprises! My only disappointment is on the deterioration of Jamie and Ropers connection although given the previous storyline I can see why it plays out like this. Kept me guessing till the end again!
April 15, 2024
A good story in the prequel but personally the weakest of the three. Some strange behaviors from all parties and repeat obstruction of justice by cocky people and elite institutions. I suspected some aspects of the final scenes but that was OK. I very much like the character of Jamie, albeit making too many questionable decisions.
August 27, 2024
Great characters, and storyline
Having started with the main series one audiobook i had to come back to read the 3 prequels . It's brilliant seeing her struggles , mistakes failures and growth to become the detective that appears in Sweden.
Also how much of a role her father played on her life.
Having started with the main series one audiobook i had to come back to read the 3 prequels . It's brilliant seeing her struggles , mistakes failures and growth to become the detective that appears in Sweden.
Also how much of a role her father played on her life.
February 16, 2021
Great follow up to Bare Skin
Loved seeing Jamie’s Character develop throughout and the author humanises her in a good way and demonstrates that even the hero can freeze or be scared! The book is brilliantly written.
Excited to read the next book in the series.
Loved seeing Jamie’s Character develop throughout and the author humanises her in a good way and demonstrates that even the hero can freeze or be scared! The book is brilliantly written.
Excited to read the next book in the series.
January 25, 2022
Idle hands
Wasn't sure what to expect from the title, but this was a very interesting and well written thriller. Even after we discover the identity of the killer there are more twists and turns leading to an exciting climax
Wasn't sure what to expect from the title, but this was a very interesting and well written thriller. Even after we discover the identity of the killer there are more twists and turns leading to an exciting climax
August 30, 2022
Well what can I say I have read all of Morgan's books to date and each and every one of them are just brilliant. I would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me. Morgan is one very talented Author in my honest opinion and I Thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every one of them.
August 20, 2023
There is definitely something that keeps me coming back to Jamie but the group dynamic is still lacking for me somehow. Loved this storyline, love her dedication and feistiness for sure but she is her own worst enemy at times. Also want to see her take down Elliot. On to Angel Maker. :)
February 20, 2024
Another stellar book
I started reading angel maker and quickly started through the series. I then realized that going back to were it started and learn more about Jamie was important. Love love love these books!
I started reading angel maker and quickly started through the series. I then realized that going back to were it started and learn more about Jamie was important. Love love love these books!
October 31, 2021
Gripping read
I loved this series. It would have had 5 stars but her father always in the background was very irritating.
I loved this series. It would have had 5 stars but her father always in the background was very irritating.
November 28, 2021
Literally couldn't put this book down! Would definetly recommend!
January 12, 2022
Finally finished
Glad I read the prequels as well. Not a bad read, I quite enjoyed all six books, would recommend.
Dark and moody very much in the Scandinavian style.
Glad I read the prequels as well. Not a bad read, I quite enjoyed all six books, would recommend.
Dark and moody very much in the Scandinavian style.
May 6, 2022
I think I am in love with Elliot Day, who is an equivalent of Moriaty😆😆😆
May 14, 2023
An excellent book to finish the Jamie Johansson prequal trilogy.
A very interesting, if dark, plot interspersed with twists and turns and characters from previous books.
A great page turner.
A very interesting, if dark, plot interspersed with twists and turns and characters from previous books.
A great page turner.
August 26, 2023
Great series.
Kinda liked Elliot a little too much until the end..
On to the next!
4 stars
Kinda liked Elliot a little too much until the end..
On to the next!
4 stars
July 13, 2024
Don’t know what the writer was thinking. Jamie is such an incompetent idiot.
February 10, 2025
Fantastic end to a series, twist and turns around musicians and their hands... Love the banter between Jamie and her team.
December 11, 2025
I am really enjoying this series of books. Would definitely recommend to crime novel fans. 4.5*
April 15, 2022
Omg talk about sleeping with the light on! Absolutely loved this trilogy. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews