Slaughter of Innocents

DCI Garrick #1

by M.G. Cole

MURDER IS EASY… WHEN NOBODY CARES…

DCI David Garrick is recovering from the tragic murder of his estranged sister – an event that happened halfway across the world…

Working for the Major Investigations Team in Kent, he is immediately drawn into a new case: a murdered illegal immigrant.

And she’s not the first…

Garrick uncovers the work of a serial killer. One with a passion for taking souvenirs off his victims. Tensions between the locals and the ‘unwelcome’ visitors are thinly concealed in the Garden of England’s quaint villages. But the resentment is there…

...only the identities of the victims are missing.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2021

Reviews

[Di Chaplin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I nearly did not finish this book as the amount of spelling and grammar mistakes really put me off. Will certainly not want to read anymore of this author's books.

[Paul McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I love a good crime book, especially one were your not convinced of the killers true identity until the end.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars due to editing errors ..."he thought Sheila and Garrick had had a thing the author means Sheila and Peter ... Garrick is the cop! Page 43. The first of many.
I like this genre but feel the authors are just rushing them.out on mass this isn't the only book with basic errors Iv read lately.
Could have been a good read but irritated me and I was waiting for next bloop all the time.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author and won't be the last. I didn't guess the killer for a start.

[Andy Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a cracking read.

In David Garrick we have a detective just returning to work after "personal issues" and with a (unknown to everyone else) small growth on his brain that may or may not be malignant*. The first day back isn't an easy one though, straight away there is a murder to solve - and a pretty nasty one at that.

Set in and around Kent there is a lot going on here - immigration problems, drug smuggling, brexity stuff - but the pace of the book is spot on. I finished it in a day and a half.

The only issue I had with it was that it could have done with an extra pair of eyes before publication to tie up some of the punctuation and spelling errors (but they weren't bad enough to put me off finishing the book).

3.5/5 stars marked up to 4 stars

* I wonder if the growth may affect Garrick more as the series goes on, making him more unreliable? I'll find out soon I guess as I'm heading over to Amazon now to bag myself the rest of the series.

[Leanne Kendall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story line but very frustrating reading through numerous spelling and grammar errors, which makes me wonder if English is not the author’s first / preferred language?
I even found a few errors where one character name (a victim no less) was used when it should hav been another victim. Don’t want to say more in case of spoilers

[Bob Phillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner.
DCI Garrick is back from compassionate leave after his sister goes missing in America, and he is also suffering from severe headaches.
His team has had some changes whilst away, yet as soon as he is back they are thrown into the arena with the death of a refugee.
What happens following the death reveals an underworld of drugs and extortion of vulnerable people.
More deaths follow, and suddenly the case breaks and everyone thinks that it is over... Then another death rocks the team on the verge of their celebration.
Who is behind the third death, and do they have links to the drug and the first two deaths.
Friends become enemies, and finally the case is over, but then he thinks he has a phone call from his sister.
M G Cole spins a web of intrigue, refugees and travellers, none of whom want to trust the law, but all involved.
What a great read, will definitely read the rest of the series.

#mgcole #slaughterofinnocents #greatread

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI David Garrick is newly returned to work after compassionate leave. He hits the ground running. A young woman is found murdered – and Garrick finds his case echoes an earlier one. There are some great and believable characters in this book, and the action comes thick and fast. Garrick is a bit old-school in his attitudes but is dragged into the modern age. I really enjoyed the story, and the tiny dangling thread that makes me really look forward to the next. If you want to get in at the beginning of a good series, this is the one.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good crime thriller nicely wrapped in mystery and more than one suspect. The characters fit well into the plot and it was disturbing because it related to real-life - human behaviour can be despicable.

The writing style was great and I liked that it was set in Britain, which gave a good sense of place.

I don't give spoilers so will just say that overall, this story is true to its genre and worth a look.

[B H SLACK · Rating 4 out of 5]

the storyline was great, if a bit convoluted, plenty of suspects and motives. Illegal immigrants, mixed up with Romani travellers, drug dealers and a serial killer (or is it killers?) taking dreadful trophies. I should have absolutely loved this book, but something stopped me from being unable to put it down, as I am with some books. Possibly the lack of a good proof reader, plot errors are disastrous in a crime thriller and bad spelling and grammar just add to the problem. The plot line was very cleverly worked out but the poor scripting stopped it from being a 5 star read.

[bandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good storyline. Likeable DCI and Team. As for me, hopefully he doesn't start a relationship with his subordinates. His online "dates" will hopefully pan out. I like the idea that he is so busy he hasn't had time for relationships, which is very common in today's dating scene and busy work schedules. Chiba came on a little too strong/know it all for my liking. But maybe that's just me. All in all a good book. Will add this author to my list of favorites.

[Jill Bristow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read and plotting

Enjoyed this book, however, it would be helped if someone proof read it! Some very awkward sentences, wrong names, wrong days, date suggested for the Friday but he books for Saturday. Silly little errors but mean you have to reread sentences. However will read the next one!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by M.G.Cole, and it's certainly a good one, so much so that I have just purchased the second book in the series, I really like the main character D.C.I Garrick, and he has a great team, they are all hunting a killer of young women who are illegal immigrants, it's an interesting and enthralling book well worth a read.

[Ginny Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Wow. This was a very interesting story so deep and feeling Did not even guess who was the killers Very sick people who were doing this to others Makes me sad to think about what people do for their sake and feeling they are right of mind when they are sick in their lives

[i.s. wallace · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate being preached at when reading a book and this author certainly seems to enjoy doing it. Everything so politically correct it comes across at times as quite sickening. Complete with an “EXPERT” lead detective and loads of spelling and editing errors at the end you’re shouting “no more, please!”

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant book

I love books that take places in other countries, especially England. This book was so filled with twist, turns, misdirection and a perfect ending that cleared up the case. However it was left on a cliffhanger, so I can't wait to read the next book.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Great first study in the DCI Garrick crime series featuring drugs, immigrants and murder. A well crafted story line with plenty of twists and turns and one that kept you guessing right up to the end.Looking forward to reading more.

[Pete Ffrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable story with David Garrick and his crew tracking down a serial killer who is getting more aggressive and also a drug distributor who is exploiting refugees along with a local producer. His other problems don't really add to the plot but are something to add interest probably later.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5: a decent start to what promises to be a good series.

5/5 for the short (Snowblind) that takes place before this book

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but felt it was slow in places. Will read another by this author see if it improves

[Mrs Linda A Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

A new author for me and I really enjoyed it. For once I didn't get the killer. I can recommend this book.

[Mr M Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Crime

My first M.G.Cole novel. Brilliant storyline, love the Team, not a lot but an odd bit of banter. Sickening deaths

[Virginia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good detective story

Great characterizatjons. Carrick is totally believable as the lead detective in this story. Many twists & turns during the investigation!

[pauline settle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good captivating book

Good storyline and it keeps you wanting to read the next chapter. Great twist at the end. Would recommend it.

[stacey brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not very exciting

Long winded first half. Ended up skipping to the last two chapters. Good author just not a story for me.

[carol lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this from the start ...I hope the next one carries along the same lines ..I look forward to it

[Mike Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical “ bubble gum Amazon thriller”.It passes time easily.
But…….employ someone to check spelling etc

[Eric Lowes · Rating 3 out of 5]

M G Coles political leanings are obvious.

As one of 17.4 million Brexit voters the constant moaning becomes a bit tedious. The narrative was not "gripping" as suggested.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read realistic police work very enjoyable

[Michael Bampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author

Finding a new writer of crime/ murder mystery novels is always a delight. Great first book. On to the next.