What do you think?
Rate this book
Eric Ward #1-7
The Eric Ward Mysteries #1-7
GET **SEVEN** BEST-SELLING MYSTERIES IN ONE GREAT-VALUE BOX SET.
Praise for the ERIC WARD mysteries
“ Tough, salty and realistic .” Times Literary Supplement
“Skilfully, smoothly written. Compassionate yet with plenty of force .” New York Times
“ Tightly written, well-paced and relentlessly accurate .” Oxford Times
“Roy Lewis is a writer who believes in keeping his readers on their toes with plenty of twists and surprises . He writes well, too, with an admirable sense of character and place.” Daily Telegraph
“Novels of depth and craftsmanship refreshing in this genre.” Publishers Weekly
“Lewis is a master of his craft and pilots Ward through the shoal waters of business chicanery and physical violence with a sure hand.” Somerset Express
“Lewis is at his well-rooted best in this drama of bent solicitors and corrupt businessmen living high. Well worked-out investigation, excellent characterisation and a tense climax . Highly recommended.” Sunday Telegraph
IN THIS SEVEN-BOOK
BOOK 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Eccentric Arthur Egan is dead and there’s no one to claim the huge inheritance he left behind. Eric Ward is called in to investigate and discovers Egan served time for a crime he never committed. So why accept the charges? And what’s his connection with the lord of Sedleigh Hall?
BOOK 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Jack Saxby is trying to keep the farm he thought he’d been given by his mother . His vindictive father wants to take it away and his brothers have their own agenda. Then there’s a suspicious death, and dark family secrets come to light. Can Eric Ward find out who’s really guilty?
BOOK 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
London entrepreneur Philip Scarn makes Eric Ward an offer he can’t refuse. Help him break into the North East. Get paid handsomely doing it. But travelling down to meet him, Ward is nearly killed. A mystery caller warns this is just the beginning. Could Ward’s past be about to catch up with him?
BOOK 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
Reporter Eddie Stevens knew he was onto a hot story. But when it leads him to the body of an unknown man, he realises he’s in over his head. Badly beaten by a local thug, he turns to Eric Ward for help. Can Ward uncover the truth before Stevens himself becomes front-page news?
BOOK 5: THE GEORDIE MURDER
Sam Turiff is a loan shark preying on the most vulnerable people in Newcastle. But no one will testify against him. Then the granddaughter of tycoon Liam Geraghty is kidnapped, and there’s a link with Turiff. Can Ward bring down the crime lord before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
BOOK 6: THE SHIPPING MURDER
Eric’s wife Anne has invested a small fortune in a merchant bank. Now her company must pay out a vast insurance claim for sunken ship Sea Dawn . Eric Ward smells fraud. And then one by one, people connected to the ship start to die. Will Ward uncover the truth before it’s too late?
BOOK 7: THE CITY OF LONDON MURDER
Eric Ward is Martin & Channing’s most uneasy board member . Their approach to business pushes the limits of the law. And he has problems closer to home, namely, defending Anne’s colleague in a murder trial. Eric discovers some fascinating facts about the dead woman.
Roy Lewis’s twisty and compelling dramas are perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
Don’t miss out on this acclaimed series of unputdownable mysteries! YOU GET ALL SEVEN OF THE ABOVE BOOKS IN THIS EDITION
THE DETECTIVE
Eric Ward is forced to retire from the police because he suffers from glaucoma, but it’s not the end of his career. He qualifies as a solicitor (lawyer) and sets up a practice on Newcastle’s seamy Quayside.
Praise for the ERIC WARD mysteries
“ Tough, salty and realistic .” Times Literary Supplement
“Skilfully, smoothly written. Compassionate yet with plenty of force .” New York Times
“ Tightly written, well-paced and relentlessly accurate .” Oxford Times
“Roy Lewis is a writer who believes in keeping his readers on their toes with plenty of twists and surprises . He writes well, too, with an admirable sense of character and place.” Daily Telegraph
“Novels of depth and craftsmanship refreshing in this genre.” Publishers Weekly
“Lewis is a master of his craft and pilots Ward through the shoal waters of business chicanery and physical violence with a sure hand.” Somerset Express
“Lewis is at his well-rooted best in this drama of bent solicitors and corrupt businessmen living high. Well worked-out investigation, excellent characterisation and a tense climax . Highly recommended.” Sunday Telegraph
IN THIS SEVEN-BOOK
BOOK 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Eccentric Arthur Egan is dead and there’s no one to claim the huge inheritance he left behind. Eric Ward is called in to investigate and discovers Egan served time for a crime he never committed. So why accept the charges? And what’s his connection with the lord of Sedleigh Hall?
BOOK 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Jack Saxby is trying to keep the farm he thought he’d been given by his mother . His vindictive father wants to take it away and his brothers have their own agenda. Then there’s a suspicious death, and dark family secrets come to light. Can Eric Ward find out who’s really guilty?
BOOK 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
London entrepreneur Philip Scarn makes Eric Ward an offer he can’t refuse. Help him break into the North East. Get paid handsomely doing it. But travelling down to meet him, Ward is nearly killed. A mystery caller warns this is just the beginning. Could Ward’s past be about to catch up with him?
BOOK 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
Reporter Eddie Stevens knew he was onto a hot story. But when it leads him to the body of an unknown man, he realises he’s in over his head. Badly beaten by a local thug, he turns to Eric Ward for help. Can Ward uncover the truth before Stevens himself becomes front-page news?
BOOK 5: THE GEORDIE MURDER
Sam Turiff is a loan shark preying on the most vulnerable people in Newcastle. But no one will testify against him. Then the granddaughter of tycoon Liam Geraghty is kidnapped, and there’s a link with Turiff. Can Ward bring down the crime lord before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
BOOK 6: THE SHIPPING MURDER
Eric’s wife Anne has invested a small fortune in a merchant bank. Now her company must pay out a vast insurance claim for sunken ship Sea Dawn . Eric Ward smells fraud. And then one by one, people connected to the ship start to die. Will Ward uncover the truth before it’s too late?
BOOK 7: THE CITY OF LONDON MURDER
Eric Ward is Martin & Channing’s most uneasy board member . Their approach to business pushes the limits of the law. And he has problems closer to home, namely, defending Anne’s colleague in a murder trial. Eric discovers some fascinating facts about the dead woman.
Roy Lewis’s twisty and compelling dramas are perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.
Don’t miss out on this acclaimed series of unputdownable mysteries! YOU GET ALL SEVEN OF THE ABOVE BOOKS IN THIS EDITION
THE DETECTIVE
Eric Ward is forced to retire from the police because he suffers from glaucoma, but it’s not the end of his career. He qualifies as a solicitor (lawyer) and sets up a practice on Newcastle’s seamy Quayside.
1350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2020
836 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Roy Lewis
174 books74 followersJohn Royston Lewis, who published his fiction under the name Roy Lewis, was a prominent English crime writer who wrote more than 60 novels. He was also a teacher, and he taught Law for 10 years before being appointed as One of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Further & Higher Education. He lived in the north of England where many of his novels are set.
Lewis is also the author of several law texts, which he published under the name J.R. Lewis.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Lewis is also the author of several law texts, which he published under the name J.R. Lewis.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 12, 2023
I love these books. They are very well researched, have a great sense of location and. characters that are believable. There are moments of delicious imaginative prose, atmospheric descriptions of the areas and the thoughts of the protagonists. I agree with other readers about the odd editorial glitch of typos, but I can happily get lost in them and time flies. Good work.
July 11, 2022
Excellent books. Stand well together, or alone.
These books were written very well and stand well together or alone. The stories were obviously written with great thought and research. The books may have had the same central character, but each followed a different tack. The amount of typos and miss spelt words increased as the books went on. I didn't consciously notice but when I looked back they were there. It did not spoil my enjoyment of excitement as I read, because the books were so good. 😀👍❤
These books were written very well and stand well together or alone. The stories were obviously written with great thought and research. The books may have had the same central character, but each followed a different tack. The amount of typos and miss spelt words increased as the books went on. I didn't consciously notice but when I looked back they were there. It did not spoil my enjoyment of excitement as I read, because the books were so good. 😀👍❤
November 7, 2021
Great stories
I normally don't care for European based stories or even attorney based, but this series caught my attention and price was good so away I went. Enjoyed all the stories as they were written in sequence without going too much into historic detail.I am glad Eric woke to his need of Anne. I didn't enjoy the deep legal speak, as I got the impression Mr Lewis wants us to know how smart he is or how in depth he researched. Either way I still enjoyed the first seven books enough to buy the next seven.
I normally don't care for European based stories or even attorney based, but this series caught my attention and price was good so away I went. Enjoyed all the stories as they were written in sequence without going too much into historic detail.I am glad Eric woke to his need of Anne. I didn't enjoy the deep legal speak, as I got the impression Mr Lewis wants us to know how smart he is or how in depth he researched. Either way I still enjoyed the first seven books enough to buy the next seven.
November 12, 2021
Not sure??
Was given a box set which was number 2 (books 8 to 15), so thought i would start at the beginning and purchased box set 1, can't complain about the writing, it did make me think, but was to legal and that seemed to bog me down a bit. I love books with a good DCI and a trusty sergeant, but a solicitor and all kinds of legal talk, sorry it was not for me. Have decided to keep the second box set for a very, very rainy day.
Was given a box set which was number 2 (books 8 to 15), so thought i would start at the beginning and purchased box set 1, can't complain about the writing, it did make me think, but was to legal and that seemed to bog me down a bit. I love books with a good DCI and a trusty sergeant, but a solicitor and all kinds of legal talk, sorry it was not for me. Have decided to keep the second box set for a very, very rainy day.
March 28, 2021
Ex-cop Eric Ward becomes a Solicitor
A bit different than the other series by the same publisher. Eric Ward’s new career as a lawyer is threatened by his glaucoma attacks which led to his police career end. He still cannot keep away from murder and crime in his new career. It is an interesting series of novels.
A bit different than the other series by the same publisher. Eric Ward’s new career as a lawyer is threatened by his glaucoma attacks which led to his police career end. He still cannot keep away from murder and crime in his new career. It is an interesting series of novels.
May 16, 2021
The series starts of slowly and as you progress through them they grow on you and get better and better. A bit formulaic but not in a bad way and they are not full of gratuitous rumpty pumpty or bad language. Set in a different time and well-paced and I am looking forward to discovering more Roy Lewis.
February 6, 2022
Very interesting. But definitely in need of good proof readers. Lots of errors. I will get around to the next volume soon. But after eight books , I need a rest
The author is very knowledgeable about many aspects of business in the city. I need to read much more to find out about all the different ways there are to make money, legally, of course.
The author is very knowledgeable about many aspects of business in the city. I need to read much more to find out about all the different ways there are to make money, legally, of course.
July 23, 2022
So many errors
Hi, the Eric Ward series had so many words used, not in context and by the time I got to book 6 there were full stops after the first word in a sentence or in the middle of a sentence. A character's name changed from Channing to Charming for several pages. The amount of mistakes made it unpleasant to read so I gave up at chapter 5!
SO DISAPPOINTED
Hi, the Eric Ward series had so many words used, not in context and by the time I got to book 6 there were full stops after the first word in a sentence or in the middle of a sentence. A character's name changed from Channing to Charming for several pages. The amount of mistakes made it unpleasant to read so I gave up at chapter 5!
SO DISAPPOINTED
October 1, 2023
Some nice twists, if you can stay the course.
Having enjoyed the author’s Arnold Landon mysteries I followed on with this series. I finished this collection but found it a lot slower going - the legal and financial details were necessarily intricate and the read sometimes turgid as a result. Also, Ward was a much less easy protagonist to engage with.
Having enjoyed the author’s Arnold Landon mysteries I followed on with this series. I finished this collection but found it a lot slower going - the legal and financial details were necessarily intricate and the read sometimes turgid as a result. Also, Ward was a much less easy protagonist to engage with.
November 10, 2024
Just finished books 1-7 and thoroughly enjoyed storylines and character development. The books are well written and obviously well researched but have strayed into the city/financial law which can be quite a heavy going although this definitely won't stop me buying the remaining books in the series.
Read
February 2, 2021I had read some of these books individually and out of order so I enjoyed reading the whole set as things were intended to develop. Interesting and believable protagonist; ex-copper, lawyer, health problems. A good read.
May 6, 2021
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series of books and look forward to reading more of this authors novels . I shall definitely recommend this author to my book club and friends .
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series of books and look forward to reading more of this authors novels . I shall definitely recommend this author to my book club and friends .
May 25, 2021
The Eric Ward mysteries.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series as the character of Eric evolved throughout the series. Each book was complete in itself, but did tie into, at times the next one. I also enjoyed the fact that all the series could be purchased together.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series as the character of Eric evolved throughout the series. Each book was complete in itself, but did tie into, at times the next one. I also enjoyed the fact that all the series could be purchased together.
June 8, 2021
Brilliant storyline s.
Love detective stories. Get so engrossed in stories and have to keep reading to find out who done it 🙌 each story flows into the next and leaves you wanting more.
Love detective stories. Get so engrossed in stories and have to keep reading to find out who done it 🙌 each story flows into the next and leaves you wanting more.
September 1, 2021
Good reads
After having read 7 Eric Ward mysteries, I find myself wanting more, like the end hasn’t been revealed. I’ve gotten involved in the lives of Eric and Anne and wanted to learn more about their lives in Northumberland. The next series of books awaits!
After having read 7 Eric Ward mysteries, I find myself wanting more, like the end hasn’t been revealed. I’ve gotten involved in the lives of Eric and Anne and wanted to learn more about their lives in Northumberland. The next series of books awaits!
May 15, 2022
Fascinating
I have read the first seven Eric Ward mysteries and found them fascinating.I am amazed that anyone could make these topics about law interesting but I couldn't out them down. Thank you.They are definitely a different slant on a crime novel
I have read the first seven Eric Ward mysteries and found them fascinating.I am amazed that anyone could make these topics about law interesting but I couldn't out them down. Thank you.They are definitely a different slant on a crime novel
December 16, 2024
Excellent series
Great characters, particularly main characters and their relatjonshjp, well described locations,, ingenious plots and excellent reasoning to deduct the crimes. All together very well written and put together books.
Great characters, particularly main characters and their relatjonshjp, well described locations,, ingenious plots and excellent reasoning to deduct the crimes. All together very well written and put together books.
January 30, 2021
I really enjoyed these books I think because I am from Northumberland so I recognised all the places mentioned
A good read
A good read
February 9, 2021
A refreshing series that is hard to put down. Very
enjoyable and the end twists are inspiring, Beautifully n thpught out and paced . A must read for fans. Excellent.
enjoyable and the end twists are inspiring, Beautifully n thpught out and paced . A must read for fans. Excellent.
February 19, 2021
Excellent!
These were different from the normal detective novels - clever writing with lots of legal background. Could not put down.
These were different from the normal detective novels - clever writing with lots of legal background. Could not put down.
February 25, 2021
Excellent
Every page was packed with info on who may have done it, but not until the very end does one actually find out, and then it was totally unexpected.
Every page was packed with info on who may have done it, but not until the very end does one actually find out, and then it was totally unexpected.
March 19, 2021
Surprise Endings
I loved the surprise endings! The imagery was beautiful too. Great character development. I felt like I was part of the story.
I loved the surprise endings! The imagery was beautiful too. Great character development. I felt like I was part of the story.
April 25, 2021
OK
Too many grammatical errors and typos. Nice descriptions of a lovely part of England Not avoid ing it's darker elements . Too many long descriptions , but not too bad
Too many grammatical errors and typos. Nice descriptions of a lovely part of England Not avoid ing it's darker elements . Too many long descriptions , but not too bad
May 13, 2021
Eric ward,lawyer
Made a nice2 change from the usual detective stories. I really enjoyed it. And had the human interactions between 2 leading characters
Made a nice2 change from the usual detective stories. I really enjoyed it. And had the human interactions between 2 leading characters
September 12, 2022
Great series with a brilliant character.
Liked the whole series and had trouble putting the kindle down until the end of some of the books. Definitely a great character too 👏
Liked the whole series and had trouble putting the kindle down until the end of some of the books. Definitely a great character too 👏
Currently reading
December 11, 2020Author gift 99
BOOK 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Eccentric Arthur Egan is dead and there’s no one to claim the huge inheritance he left behind. Eric Ward is called in to investigate and discovers Egan served time for a crime he never committed. So why accept the charges? And what’s his connection with the lord of Sedleigh Hall?
BOOK 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Jack Saxby is trying to keep the farm he thought he’d been given by his mother. His vindictive father wants to take it away and his brothers have their own agenda. Then there’s a suspicious death, and dark family secrets come to light. Can Eric Ward find out who’s really guilty?
BOOK 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
London entrepreneur Philip Scarn makes Eric Ward an offer he can’t refuse. Help him break into the North East. Get paid handsomely doing it. But travelling down to meet him, Ward is nearly killed. A mystery caller warns this is just the beginning. Could Ward’s past be about to catch up with him?
BOOK 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
Reporter Eddie Stevens knew he was onto a hot story. But when it leads him to the body of an unknown man, he realises he’s in over his head. Badly beaten by a local thug, he turns to Eric Ward for help. Can Ward uncover the truth before Stevens himself becomes front-page news?
BOOK 5: THE GEORDIE MURDER
Sam Turiff is a loan shark preying on the most vulnerable people in Newcastle. But no one will testify against him. Then the granddaughter of tycoon Liam Geraghty is kidnapped, and there’s a link with Turiff. Can Ward bring down the crime lord before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
BOOK 6: THE SHIPPING MURDER
Eric’s wife Anne has invested a small fortune in a merchant bank. Now her company must pay out a vast insurance claim for sunken ship Sea Dawn. Eric Ward smells fraud. And then one by one, people connected to the ship start to die. Will Ward uncover the truth before it’s too late?
BOOK 7: THE CITY OF LONDON MURDER
Eric Ward is Martin & Channing’s most uneasy board member. Their approach to business pushes the limits of the law. And he has problems closer to home, namely, defending Anne’s colleague in a murder trial. Eric discovers some fascinating facts about the dead woman.
BOOK 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Eccentric Arthur Egan is dead and there’s no one to claim the huge inheritance he left behind. Eric Ward is called in to investigate and discovers Egan served time for a crime he never committed. So why accept the charges? And what’s his connection with the lord of Sedleigh Hall?
BOOK 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Jack Saxby is trying to keep the farm he thought he’d been given by his mother. His vindictive father wants to take it away and his brothers have their own agenda. Then there’s a suspicious death, and dark family secrets come to light. Can Eric Ward find out who’s really guilty?
BOOK 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
London entrepreneur Philip Scarn makes Eric Ward an offer he can’t refuse. Help him break into the North East. Get paid handsomely doing it. But travelling down to meet him, Ward is nearly killed. A mystery caller warns this is just the beginning. Could Ward’s past be about to catch up with him?
BOOK 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
Reporter Eddie Stevens knew he was onto a hot story. But when it leads him to the body of an unknown man, he realises he’s in over his head. Badly beaten by a local thug, he turns to Eric Ward for help. Can Ward uncover the truth before Stevens himself becomes front-page news?
BOOK 5: THE GEORDIE MURDER
Sam Turiff is a loan shark preying on the most vulnerable people in Newcastle. But no one will testify against him. Then the granddaughter of tycoon Liam Geraghty is kidnapped, and there’s a link with Turiff. Can Ward bring down the crime lord before anyone else pays the ultimate price?
BOOK 6: THE SHIPPING MURDER
Eric’s wife Anne has invested a small fortune in a merchant bank. Now her company must pay out a vast insurance claim for sunken ship Sea Dawn. Eric Ward smells fraud. And then one by one, people connected to the ship start to die. Will Ward uncover the truth before it’s too late?
BOOK 7: THE CITY OF LONDON MURDER
Eric Ward is Martin & Channing’s most uneasy board member. Their approach to business pushes the limits of the law. And he has problems closer to home, namely, defending Anne’s colleague in a murder trial. Eric discovers some fascinating facts about the dead woman.
February 18, 2021
Started out good ,then went south at the end .
July 31, 2021
Blue eyes
I do get a little lost in some of the.lawyer detail at times, especially when it is to do with finances. Other times I follow perfectly. I love how the.story.starts from different.points and slowly blends together.
One thing that does amaze me tho.is the.number of people Eric Ward meets who have blue eyes! I never thought there were so many blue eyes! On the odd occaision he meets someone with dark or green eyes it really stands out. I wonder, is this a reflection on an unproven belief that successful people often have blue eyes?
I do get a little lost in some of the.lawyer detail at times, especially when it is to do with finances. Other times I follow perfectly. I love how the.story.starts from different.points and slowly blends together.
One thing that does amaze me tho.is the.number of people Eric Ward meets who have blue eyes! I never thought there were so many blue eyes! On the odd occaision he meets someone with dark or green eyes it really stands out. I wonder, is this a reflection on an unproven belief that successful people often have blue eyes?
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews