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Dylan Harper #1
Dead Ground
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9798560170912
Dylan Harper is investigating the case of a missing newspaper journalist where all his leads have dried up, and he’s hit a dead end. But when he receives a strange, coded message, everything changes.
Harper cracks the code and unlocks a covert web camera. What he sees next will change his life forever.
An international thriller set on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand in the time-honoured tradition of hard boiled crime fiction.
Originally published as The Forgotten Lands
Dylan Harper is investigating the case of a missing newspaper journalist where all his leads have dried up, and he’s hit a dead end. But when he receives a strange, coded message, everything changes.
Harper cracks the code and unlocks a covert web camera. What he sees next will change his life forever.
An international thriller set on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand in the time-honoured tradition of hard boiled crime fiction.
Originally published as The Forgotten Lands
366 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
382 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Justin Warren
9 books9 followersJustin Warren was born in Westport, New Zealand on the 21st of January 1976. He is the eldest of three sons. Growing up Justin spent much time working at his father's newspaper, eventually working his way up to become a journalist. After graduating from the University of Canterbury in 1998 he pursued a career in teaching. One of the inspirations for his return to writing came from reading the Michael Connelly novel "Blood Work". His first novel "The Forgotten Lands" was released on the 1st of August 2017, exactly one year to the day from laying down the first words.
Justin now lives in Christchurch New Zealand with his wife and two young sons. He is currently working on his next novel "The Lewis Pass" due for release in 2018.
Justin now lives in Christchurch New Zealand with his wife and two young sons. He is currently working on his next novel "The Lewis Pass" due for release in 2018.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 17, 2018
Could not finish it
The storyline is rather weak but what made this book difficult to read to the end is the fact that it drags on and on repeating a lot of "noise" ... for instance it is not necessary to describe everything the characters eat or wear, a couple of details suffice to define a personality. I personally found the characters boring, the story dragged out, the possible ending non-interesting so I dropped it.
The storyline is rather weak but what made this book difficult to read to the end is the fact that it drags on and on repeating a lot of "noise" ... for instance it is not necessary to describe everything the characters eat or wear, a couple of details suffice to define a personality. I personally found the characters boring, the story dragged out, the possible ending non-interesting so I dropped it.
July 31, 2022
A good first novel - and a good introduction to yet another NZ crime fiction author.
Really enjoyed it.
Now onto The Lewis Pass.
Note: the edition of the novel I read is actually called Dead Ground but have had to log under this title to record it (and pages read) in Good Reads.
Really enjoyed it.
Now onto The Lewis Pass.
Note: the edition of the novel I read is actually called Dead Ground but have had to log under this title to record it (and pages read) in Good Reads.
January 12, 2018
Title – The Forgotten Lands
Author – Justin Warren
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
294 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars our of 5 Posted 1/12/2018
No. 02 - 2018
My Impressions: Good plot, bad politicians, govt. corruption, foreign deal making.
Main Characters:
Det. Dylan Harper – 34 year old, 2 year detective with a troubling past.
Det. Joe Gardella – Dylan's partner and mentor.
Jonathon Hayes – Missing reporter.
The Forgotten Lands takes place on the west coast of New Zealand. On the east coast, Christchurch has suffered a major earthquake and its succeeding aftershocks. Many buildings are irreparably damaged and being torn down. The central police station is one of those.
Dylan and Joe are assigned out of their district to investigate the disappearance of a Westport N.Z. newspaper reporter. They both suspect there is more to the assignment than their boss tells them.
In his youth Harper was a deeply troubled young man in Westport and has a criminal past there. In spite of that, he became a policeman in Christchurch and has risen through the ranks to become a detective.
The case of the missing reporter is quickly over ridden by a much bigger twist in the plot.
The story has a good plot with many surprises.
The ending is a cliff-hanger to lead into the next book in the series.
The editing is not good, not terrible, but needs professional help.
Some sentence structures need to be reorganized.
Details about Westport N.Z are okay and add to the story.
The writing style is simple but wordy. It is written without uncommon words that need to be looked up.
I enjoyed the story and strongly recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Justin Warren
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
294 Amazon Pages
Rating 4 stars our of 5 Posted 1/12/2018
No. 02 - 2018
My Impressions: Good plot, bad politicians, govt. corruption, foreign deal making.
Main Characters:
Det. Dylan Harper – 34 year old, 2 year detective with a troubling past.
Det. Joe Gardella – Dylan's partner and mentor.
Jonathon Hayes – Missing reporter.
The Forgotten Lands takes place on the west coast of New Zealand. On the east coast, Christchurch has suffered a major earthquake and its succeeding aftershocks. Many buildings are irreparably damaged and being torn down. The central police station is one of those.
Dylan and Joe are assigned out of their district to investigate the disappearance of a Westport N.Z. newspaper reporter. They both suspect there is more to the assignment than their boss tells them.
In his youth Harper was a deeply troubled young man in Westport and has a criminal past there. In spite of that, he became a policeman in Christchurch and has risen through the ranks to become a detective.
The case of the missing reporter is quickly over ridden by a much bigger twist in the plot.
The story has a good plot with many surprises.
The ending is a cliff-hanger to lead into the next book in the series.
The editing is not good, not terrible, but needs professional help.
Some sentence structures need to be reorganized.
Details about Westport N.Z are okay and add to the story.
The writing style is simple but wordy. It is written without uncommon words that need to be looked up.
I enjoyed the story and strongly recommend it.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
February 25, 2023
*This book was a free offer through BookBub*
I'm always keen to tackle a New Zealand based story but reading this was like crawling uphill on a path paved with sharp gravel while looking for a diamond. Fortunately the path was short, unfortunately the diamond was cubic zirconium.
The main character was unpleasant and antagonistic, and I didn't notice any character development in particular. The sentence structure was jerky and repetitive, with a lot of filler and felt rough and unpolished. There was a sub-plot that was started but not finished, and the story as a whole was a tedious slog for about 80% of the way, at which time an avalanche of detail swept me off the path and left me hanging on the edge of a cliff.
New Zealand front-line police do not routinely carry arms, but after the mosque shootings an allowance was made for special circumstances so I'll allow the gun carrying by the two detectives here a bit of literary license. Curiously, the registration plate mentioned in the story does belong to an actual vehicle (I checked it on carjam) which I found mildly interesting but pointless.
Ultimately though, I don't care enough about Dylan Harper to find out what happens to him. and won't be back for The Lewis Pass.
I'm always keen to tackle a New Zealand based story but reading this was like crawling uphill on a path paved with sharp gravel while looking for a diamond. Fortunately the path was short, unfortunately the diamond was cubic zirconium.
The main character was unpleasant and antagonistic, and I didn't notice any character development in particular. The sentence structure was jerky and repetitive, with a lot of filler and felt rough and unpolished. There was a sub-plot that was started but not finished, and the story as a whole was a tedious slog for about 80% of the way, at which time an avalanche of detail swept me off the path and left me hanging on the edge of a cliff.
New Zealand front-line police do not routinely carry arms, but after the mosque shootings an allowance was made for special circumstances so I'll allow the gun carrying by the two detectives here a bit of literary license. Curiously, the registration plate mentioned in the story does belong to an actual vehicle (I checked it on carjam) which I found mildly interesting but pointless.
Ultimately though, I don't care enough about Dylan Harper to find out what happens to him. and won't be back for The Lewis Pass.
February 5, 2023
I enjoyed reading a book set in New Zealand. The author did a good job of building suspense, but his other writing techniques need work. There were quite a few typos and grammatical errors. The plot didn't hold together well, and the antagonist didn't appear until very late in the story. The protagonist has potential as an interesting character, but he and his partner are too much alike. Lots of potential, but not quite there.
January 22, 2023
Excellently complex
Can he solve multiple crimes at once when his fear of the past is lurking over his shoulder? Being sent back to his hometown is the last thing he needs, but he has no choice. There are so many clues to the victim's death it's hard to get to the real story. He does.
Can he solve multiple crimes at once when his fear of the past is lurking over his shoulder? Being sent back to his hometown is the last thing he needs, but he has no choice. There are so many clues to the victim's death it's hard to get to the real story. He does.
Read
February 12, 2023This novel was my first exposure to a police related story occurring in New Zealand and the result was most interesting. The plot was interesting and very unpredictable. The book was difficult to put down. The ending was unique if a little too unique. Still, in my opinion the book deserved a five star rating.
August 20, 2023
A jolly good read.
The Chinese get everywhere, it's worrying that a "cash rich" government has so much power and influenced. Totally believable story line, the description of the road created by a bulldozer mirrors the roads in mineral rich African countries. Only four stars because the ending was a bit rushed.
The Chinese get everywhere, it's worrying that a "cash rich" government has so much power and influenced. Totally believable story line, the description of the road created by a bulldozer mirrors the roads in mineral rich African countries. Only four stars because the ending was a bit rushed.
December 10, 2023
It doesn't paint a picture of the green and pleasant land you picture when you think of New Zealand, more of a rain soaked drug ridden place with political corruption rife. Dylan is there to find a missing person but gets dragged into a mire of politics and murder. Good story with a twist and good set of characters.
February 8, 2018
The best place I can get
I love the way it begin and love the way it ended.
Fantastic fantasy and fun for sure when reading this book. Traveling time endurance training for the kids
I love the way it begin and love the way it ended.
Fantastic fantasy and fun for sure when reading this book. Traveling time endurance training for the kids
September 10, 2022
Excellent read
This book was well written and held my interest throughout. Many twists and turn and interesting character development. I had to read it with an atlas at hand because my knowledge of New Zealand is sadly lacking. Anxiously awaiting the next book.
This book was well written and held my interest throughout. Many twists and turn and interesting character development. I had to read it with an atlas at hand because my knowledge of New Zealand is sadly lacking. Anxiously awaiting the next book.
January 21, 2023
An enthralling read
An interesting story which was a well written crime thriller. The storyline was intriguing and somewhat believable. The characters were complicated and made the suspense more intense.
An interesting story which was a well written crime thriller. The storyline was intriguing and somewhat believable. The characters were complicated and made the suspense more intense.
January 26, 2023
Miss
Got to 90% and quit reading. . .right when they set him up. Really? You have a main character who is somewhat an a**hole who outright lies to people. That, along with the set up. Why would you want to read more?
Got to 90% and quit reading. . .right when they set him up. Really? You have a main character who is somewhat an a**hole who outright lies to people. That, along with the set up. Why would you want to read more?
January 30, 2023
Good Book
I gave this book “4” rating because it started off very slow and it was a wee bit hard to keep up with all the people. After I got into it it turned out to be a good read.
I gave this book “4” rating because it started off very slow and it was a wee bit hard to keep up with all the people. After I got into it it turned out to be a good read.
February 7, 2023
Christchurch Detectives
A great read from the South Island of New Zealand with missing persons, pollution, government coverups and infidelity leading to a surprising turn of events and ending.
A great read from the South Island of New Zealand with missing persons, pollution, government coverups and infidelity leading to a surprising turn of events and ending.
February 13, 2023
Harper at his best
The detective is sent to his past bringing haunted memories. As he proceeds to find the missing reporter troubles follows,
Book is a little slow, but the ending is worth the wait.
The detective is sent to his past bringing haunted memories. As he proceeds to find the missing reporter troubles follows,
Book is a little slow, but the ending is worth the wait.
February 17, 2023
A great read from a kiwi author. It was nice being able to relate to the areas written about. I enjoyed the storyline and found myself needing to keep reading to see what happened next. Book #2 has already been sought out.
May 14, 2023
Cliffhanger
Good writing. Good story. Good characters. It seemed at first that a different element would be culprit. Well I didn't find out in this book because I have to get the next one.
Good writing. Good story. Good characters. It seemed at first that a different element would be culprit. Well I didn't find out in this book because I have to get the next one.
January 8, 2024
Boring. Too much time spent on describing what characters wore, ate or saw. No likeable characters. I was glad finish this book but then it had the audacity to be a cliffhanger! I'm not getting sucked in. Don't care what happens next.
December 24, 2021
Took a bit to get started but then what a ride. Enjoyed it very much!
January 25, 2023
An excellent book that followed the countryside very accurately
January 27, 2023
An Amazing Story
Justin is an excellent writer. The book moves quickly straight from the beginning. Characters easily defined, all are interesting. A well told story.
Justin is an excellent writer. The book moves quickly straight from the beginning. Characters easily defined, all are interesting. A well told story.
Read
January 28, 2023Read 1/23 Also called “Dead Ground.”
February 2, 2023
A good read
I enjoyed this book, it was a fast read but I have to say that I did not like they way it ended. I am sure it was done that way to get you to buy the next book and I most likely will..
I enjoyed this book, it was a fast read but I have to say that I did not like they way it ended. I am sure it was done that way to get you to buy the next book and I most likely will..
March 22, 2023
Readable but very poor ending, almost like author got this far then gave up one more chapter would have helped.
April 3, 2023
A FABULOUS READ
An engrossing and intriguing novel that had me guessing at every development. Congrats to a new author, you nailed it!
An engrossing and intriguing novel that had me guessing at every development. Congrats to a new author, you nailed it!
April 26, 2023
Nice with many twists
I like the characters involved and the story is very interesting with super twists.
I never expected such an ending though
I like the characters involved and the story is very interesting with super twists.
I never expected such an ending though
August 16, 2023
Good story but ended unfinished.
November 23, 2023
Set in New Zealand, offers different pictures in my mind, same human flaws.
January 9, 2024
Had a nice twist to the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews