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Meet Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth. An old-school detective who knows how to handle the law, and himself.

Blonde, attractive Stella Carway is found murdered. A blue bow is tied around her broken neck and her near naked body displayed like a bizarre gift.

Her stormy marriage immediately points to her evasive husband, Steven, as the killer. But Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth is not so sure...

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1994

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Brian Battison

11 books21 followers

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5 stars
669 (42%)
4 stars
537 (34%)
3 stars
242 (15%)
2 stars
85 (5%)
1 star
26 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Jo Lee.
1,166 reviews23 followers
July 13, 2024
Originally published in 1994 I’m sad to say that this title hasn’t aged well, in actual fact I’m trying to cast my mind back to 94 and wondering if rampant sexism and misogyny was actually this bad! I reckon it was, but it was kind of weird to read.

I think the outdated views and language hampered my enjoyment of the novel, there were countless wait what moments. Others may enjoy this series, I don’t think I’ll continue with it unfortunately.

I enjoyed that narration of the title.

Thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Steve Payne.
384 reviews34 followers
May 21, 2021
This is the first book in the Ashworth series. Some of the characters who appear in later books are not yet involved. It's a fine enough start with some good character conflict, but it's not amongst his best.

[May 2021. My reviews were briefer when I originally reviewed this! I’m a big fan of the late Brian Battison and it’s good to see his books being re-printed. Good characters, no extraneous information, fast pace. This one has been given a different title – Tied To Murder]
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,709 followers
February 24, 2021

Please note this was originally published as The Christmas Bow Murder.

An introduction to a new crime series, DCI Jim Ashworth is featured along with his partner, DS Owen Turner. Turner is a skilled detective and in line to take over when Ashworth retires. Ashworth is a 30 year veteran, a cop of the old school.

Ashworth and Turner are called to investigate the murder of Stella Carway who was found murdered in her home, a blue bow tied around her broken neck.

Upon questioning husband, family, friends, they learn that the Carway marriage was not a happy one and promptly puts the husband as primary suspect.

And that's where the team of Ashworth and Turner part ways. One solidly believes that the husband is the killer .. the other does not.

This British crime fiction is filled with suspense and page turning twists and turns. The characters are solidly drawn and the differences between the partners are highlighted. even in their personal lives, there are secrets and lies. The conclusion is compelling. THE PRICE OF MURDER is available now ... seems to be an excellent addition to the series.

Many thanks to Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction, Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

NOTE: Following a brief illness, the author died on 4 October 1998. Prior to his untimely death he had had eight novels published as well as numerous short stories and articles.
Profile Image for Lavins.
1,332 reviews78 followers
October 13, 2024
3 stars

A good one, a bit long, but a good ending.
And I've appreciated the investigating side without the relentless and utterly useless internal chatter.
493 reviews15 followers
May 10, 2021
90%

Right at 90% I'd figured it out and STILL had to have it laid out for a satisfactory finish. An awfully good mystery!
Battinson has a lot of characters in the story and from paragraph to paragraph the "voice" can change so the reader must stay on their toes, so to speak. But it's worth it; this is well written and compelling. I highly recommend it.
26 reviews
May 3, 2021
Twists & turns

I enjoyed the twist & turns of the investigation and the conflicting opinions between the experienced policeman and his younger colleague. I thought more detailed enquiries would have moved the action on more quickly, such as with the missing money. Bank statements could have shown withdrawals, dates, times even , who made them etc and this would have helped eliminate one of the motives of the husband. It is unlikely £190,000 would have been withdrawn in cash so Susan would have been identified earlier. Having said that, I enjoyed the book and would read more in the series.
22 reviews
May 1, 2021
Good story

I enjoyed reading this mystery. Several different characters could have "done it". I loved the back stories as well. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Alayne.
2,448 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2021
An interesting mystery and I really liked the character of Jim Ashworth. His deputy, not much at all. But good story and a satisfying ending.
384 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2021
A good story.

This is the first book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series. Jim is a good detective with little support from his team.
Profile Image for loopyloulaura.
1,536 reviews22 followers
April 16, 2021
Stella Carway is murdered in her home and a bow tied around her neck. Her marriage was far from perfect but the lead detective Jim Ashworth is not convinced that her husband is the killer. The police investigation uncovers lies, money and sexual secrets but who wanted Stella dead?
Tied To Murder is a police crime thriller originally published in the 1990s. Some things do date the book a little such as the cost of houses and the lack of technology. However, I found it refreshing to revisit the era in which I was a teenager!
The murder occurs at the very beginning of the book and we see it in detail but it doesn't seem gratuitous. We then discover that Stella wasn't the nicest of people and the number of suspects grows rapidly.
The book centres around the two main detectives investigating the murder of Stella. Jim Ashworth is older and holds a superior rank to Owen Turner but they begin quite friendly and respectful of each other. However, differences in their opinion of Stella's husband's potential guilt as well as developments in their personal lives, drive the two officers apart.
We are shown the human side of both Jim and Owen by seeing them in their home contexts with their wives. In particular, Owen's home life is in turmoil as he and his wife Karen bicker constantly and he turns to a female colleague for solace.
Tied To Murder is a very enjoyable police mystery and I look forward to reading more books by Brian Battison as Joffe book republishes them.
1,146 reviews7 followers
April 27, 2021
Smart

An experienced detective suspects that there is more to a woman's murder than a bad marriage. Trusting his instincts over political pressure and ambitious colleagues is a recipe for retirement. But Det. Ashworth can not let it go.

I liked this novel. Ashworth is a strong lead, moral, intelligent and perceptive. The plot was good and the ending satisfying. Well done.
Profile Image for Rich.
363 reviews
March 12, 2021
A brand new Detective series, self proclaimed as a ‘Gripping Novel’ and yes, for the most part, that wouldn’t be wrong.

Welcome readers, to the new detective on the block, DCI James Ashworth. Ashworth, a copper of 30 years is partnered with a younger DS Owen Turner, set in the early 90s of Britain’s policing environment.

Both characters add their own background to this novel, which is obviously needed. Ashworth as detailed is of the old school who believes the husband of the deceased is innocent, Turner is convinced otherwise.

Personal turmoil interrupts this promising partnership and that is that.

Ok, this novel is mostly gripping, with the odd red herring here and there and other interesting back stories.
However, I just feel that the author takes forever to get to the conclusion, without much emphasis on how we got there.

I will say, however, that this is still very well done and is worth a read.

4 out of 5.
476 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2024
Duped by the title

I was going to quit reading this book at the end of Chapter 17. However, I realized I only had 12 pages to go in the book. I'm glad I finished the book. Instead of giving my review as a one star, the ending was so good I made my review a two star.

From the title of the book I thought I would be reading a suspenseful, criminal mystery. There was a murder but that was only a secondary focus of the narrative. The primary theme of the story was ingrained with promiscuity, adultery and sexual fantasy. At least there was no foul language.

I feel I wasted several hours reading this book. Maybe you'll enjoy it.
67 reviews
March 15, 2021
Rather far from gripping, in fact rather dull. The characters were not very plausible in their thoughts and actions. The plot dragged and the police work was sloppy. Also I know times have changed but this book seems to be set in about 1998 or thereabouts and I doubt that a Detective Chief Inspector will allow his sergeant to call him Jim.

Otherwise the usual - great detective frustrated by useless police chief who will not allow him to pursue a line of enquiry and who has made up mind on flimsy facts.

But then I am an old curmudgeon and others may see this book quite differently.
209 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2021
TIED TO MURDER emerges within a barbaric, petrifying malevolent incident. The multifaceted investigation can't find the motive for this baffling, horrific mystery. Navigating this maze-like conundrum that seems to have all dead ends, ramps up page turning suspense culminating in a dynamite, completely unforseen finish.
Profile Image for Sandra Hooke.
553 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2022
Oh dear another reasonably good story spoilt by sloppy characterisation. I almost felt sorry for Sergeant Turner whose plot line was written so badly he was reduced to a man who can’t say no while attempting to reconcile with his wife( a caricature of a wife scorned) and disposing of one mistress to be with another! Terribly disappointing.
291 reviews5 followers
February 20, 2021
Really great story.

Detective Jim Ashworth is a wonderful character. This author has created a cast of characters that are interesting and they are brought to life through this very intriguing and puzzling murder. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Profile Image for Beth.
355 reviews31 followers
March 21, 2021
Good book!

I enjoyed this book. I really like the DCI. I didn’t like his sergeant so much. I hope he grows up. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to more of this series.
67 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2021
Good read

A very wonderful read good visual story telling made you think you were with them all the way to the end
Profile Image for Paromjit.
3,080 reviews26.3k followers
July 20, 2024
Tied to Murder by Brian Battison featuring DCI Jim Ashworth was originally published in 1994 under the title, The Christmas Bow Murder. I listened to this on audio, approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes long, narrated by Jim Elsob, acceptable enough to keep my attention in a narrative that was not always to my taste or a storyline that appealed to me. Set in the 1990s, Ashworth is an old school but experienced detective, whom superiors are frustrated by, feeling he is not keeping up with new methods and technology, unlike his ambitious partner, DS Owen Turner. We are given insights into the 2 men and their personal lives, Ashworth has a solid marriage and Turner's relationship with his wife is more turbulent and full of tension, so much so he is seeing another woman, a police colleague who is keen for him to leave his wife.

The body of Stella Carway is found, she has been discovered murdered in her home, a pretty bow tied around her broken neck as if she is horrifingly being presented as a gift, her husband, Steven, is away, but it soon emerges their marriage is far from perfect. In efforts to understand the life of the victim, a host of suspects, witnesses, and other people are interviewed, and alibis sought, as Stella has a complicated personal life, she has been seeing many other men, including her good looking 'gardener'. Turner is convinced that the primary suspect, the husband, is guilty, but Ashworth is not so certain, which man will prove to be right?

This was an okay mystery read, an audio in which I managed to hang on and persevere until the conclusions, where a police force does not cover itself with glory. This is not my kind of mystery, and I was not particularly engaged by the central characters or the plot, Turner, in particular was most unappealing. However, I have no doubt many readers will enjoy this, so please do read other reviews, it was just not for me. Many thanks to Bolinda Audio for an ALC.
Profile Image for Chrissy Swarbrooke.
132 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2024
Thank you Bolinda Audio, Netgalley and Brian Battison for the audio Arc of Tied to Murder. ( Originally published as The Christmas Bow Murder in 1994)

Narrated by Mark Elstob.

Who can resist a good old Murder Mystery?! Set in the Midlands, UK.. A veteran Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth works along side the man who is inline to take over, DS Owen Turner on a case of a murdered women. Jim, driven by his instincts, Turner driven by new tech that's coming into play fight to come to a conclusion of who murdered this women.

Given that this book is set in the 90's in the Midlands, it was quite a nostalgic read! I loved the dynamics between the two detectives, their characters very well depicted. One old school, the other more tech savvy, working together to solve murders works very well.

The plot was solid and constant throughout the book and I loved the references to the time this book was originally set. Im going to have to have a listen to the rest of the series as id love to see where their working relationship takes them.

Mark Elstob narrated this book which I really enjoyed listening to. Mark has a great voice which suited the pace and narrative of this book which made its all the more interesting

4 stars
Profile Image for Angela.
8,474 reviews121 followers
September 1, 2024
3 Stars

Tied to Murder is the first book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series by Brian Battison. It is the first instalment in this British Detective series that follows the investigations of Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth.
In this instalment a young bride is found murdered, tied up with a blue ribbon. With marital woes coming to light, things take a dramatic turn.
It is a crime and investigation series with mystery, suspense, interesting cases/scenarios, tension, intrigue, and a bit of a whodunnit feel.
Inspector Ainsworth is a bit of an ‘old-school’ detective, dedicated to his job, which involves many and varied investigations- from serial killers to pedophile rings, as well as dealing with gangsters, drug dealers, and even an extortionist. He is thrust into situations where he is in a race against time to uncover the truth, while personal dramas play out in the midst of it all.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Brian Battison!
Profile Image for Laura The Busy Book Corner.
159 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2024
Review for Audio Book

⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the story

⭐⭐.5 stars for the narrator

Overall ⭐⭐⭐.5


Honestly, the story is great but the narrator sounds like they are from the 1970s. Everyone sounds old and the same age. Only later on, I realised one is much younger. The women all sound old or like they should be on Coronation Street in the 1970s. The men sound like they are inspector Morse. It makes it hard to tell which character is which.


Now the story is great! I really enjoyed it and love the twist on the last 10%! The storytelling is good and you felt angry towards certain characters. I would listen to more by this author but not this narrator.

I was provided with a free copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ted Tayler.
Author 79 books299 followers
July 10, 2021
"The policeman's lot"

How does the song go? The policeman's lot is not a happy one? Based on the sexual antics of the coppers in this caper they should all be walking around with a big grin on their face. That apart, the twists and turns in the murder inquiry kept me reading to the very end. It's clear from the references throughout that this was written in different times, although the steady decline from a police force to a police service was already underway. Joffe Books have taken another forgotten talent and 'refreshed' a series that preceded the kindle era. Whether today's woke audience will accept what was par for the course twenty or thirty years ago, only time will tell.
Profile Image for Shell.
435 reviews14 followers
January 17, 2025
Stella Carway's strangled body is found by the elderly cleaner. Her husband is the first suspect as the couple have been having problems and he does not seem at all upset by her death. However, he has an Alibi and Stella had many secrets to keep.
This book has not aged well. A shame because the basic plot was quite good. However, it's marred by constant Innuendos, Double entendres and references to panties at every turn. Each time 2 people met, all the descriptions are sexual and everyone is dripping with bodily fluids to a rediculous degree. It ended up becoming very irritating and spoiled what might have been a good book. Not a series I will continue with.
Profile Image for Tracey.
Author 15 books17 followers
February 17, 2021
Tied to Murder.

Jim Ashworth investigates the murder of a woman whose life was far from straightforward.
This is a really good first book in the series. The characters are well written and the story itself full of twists and turns.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book in the series to see what happens to Jim next.
If you are looking for a series of books featuring a new police officer then look no further than Tied to Murder.
Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Donna.
60 reviews
May 21, 2021
Intricate and psychological

I found it hard to put down. The sympathetic writing on the problems of people's lives was very captivating. The dialogue was natural. The mystery was presented in a varied manner, bouncing from character and locations. The writing was clear and economical with no extra detail. The contrast of the methodical Inspector and the ambitious compromising sergeant made thoughtful reading. I look forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for KDawn.
551 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2021
This was fine. Not sure it was quite 3 stars, but I liked it all right. The characters weren't terribly unique, though. The salty old detective set in his way, the newcomer full of spit & vinegar trying to outdo him...pretty standard fare. But, the story was good and while the plot got too derailed with interspectulation (a lot of it) by the characters, it was a decent mystery story overall. I'll read more.
Profile Image for Bob Hurley.
494 reviews
September 29, 2022
Silent but deadly

Jim Ashworth might be old school but a fool he is not. Most of the coppers in the station think he is ready to be put out to grass but Jim has proved them wrong time and again. The death of a local woman seems to be as a result of a domestic quarrel bit Jim has his doubts. What follows is an interesting take of small force Policing and the station politics that dictate to it. Enjoyed the tale especially "Jim's Revenge"
104 reviews
February 25, 2024
Suspenseful

I especially liked the various characters that were described so aptly. And the various internal faults they have. A murder case that makes you second guess yourselves as to whom the murderer is. I could not put the book down and had to read the whole book in one sitting (normally read over 3-4 days ). The Surprise ending was just that - a Total Surprise. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews

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