What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Jack Dawes #7
The Demon Killer
The body of Sir Bixby Carrington is found naked and ripped to shreds on a tomb in Richington forest, with chalk pentacles drawn around him. There have been sightings of people in black hooded robes and a ‘beast of Kings Richington’. But, stranger still, the postmortem finds Sir Bixby’s horrific wounds were inflicted after he died.
When a second body turns up on the same tomb and in the same condition, rumours abound. Despite the mangled state of the body, Detective Jack Dawes dismisses the idea of a demonic beast. The team realise there’s something very dark and dangerous going on — and this attacker is entirely human . . .
When a second body turns up on the same tomb and in the same condition, rumours abound. Despite the mangled state of the body, Detective Jack Dawes dismisses the idea of a demonic beast. The team realise there’s something very dark and dangerous going on — and this attacker is entirely human . . .
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2021
251 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Frances Lloyd
45 books50 followersFrances Lloyd was born in Essex but spent a nomadic childhood being carted between RAF stations until mercifully, she was allowed a crack at a proper education in Cheltenham, studying English and Classics. As an adult, she eventually fetched up in the south west of England but by then, had become something of a wandering minstrel with no physical or spiritual roots apart from work.
Frances has always been a writer. The job that paid the mortgage was in government communications, writing speeches and other parliamentary material for some well-known politicians.
Frances has always been a writer. The job that paid the mortgage was in government communications, writing speeches and other parliamentary material for some well-known politicians.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 27, 2021
Good old DI Dawes does it again! Along with the help of his eclectic team, his wonderful wife & her friends! This is cozy murder mystery is a little more edgy than usual, but it's a fabulous book & I enjoyed every minute!
March 20, 2021
What a Ride!
Without a doubt this is the most exciting book I've read in a year. It drew me in immediately and held my interest clear to the satisfying and ever so slightly spooky ending. Shenanigans at a commune in a former convent lay at the heart of the story. A clever but evil woman and her brother plus a drug dealer engage in satanic black masses in order to blackmail the participants who get it on in the orgy following the Satan worship. Loads of detail but given in small doses. Well-paced and plotted it flows well AND no filler! There's always some action going on, never a dull moment. If you enjoy old horror movies and Halloween you'll love this page turner. Lots of upscale cuisine indulged in by the well-delineated and engaging characters. Great.
Without a doubt this is the most exciting book I've read in a year. It drew me in immediately and held my interest clear to the satisfying and ever so slightly spooky ending. Shenanigans at a commune in a former convent lay at the heart of the story. A clever but evil woman and her brother plus a drug dealer engage in satanic black masses in order to blackmail the participants who get it on in the orgy following the Satan worship. Loads of detail but given in small doses. Well-paced and plotted it flows well AND no filler! There's always some action going on, never a dull moment. If you enjoy old horror movies and Halloween you'll love this page turner. Lots of upscale cuisine indulged in by the well-delineated and engaging characters. Great.
February 26, 2022
Not my favorite in the series
This book was alright. Perhaps it was the whole demon/cult plot that turned me off. It was all a fraud, of course, it just didn't hold my interest. There are much stronger stories in this series and it felt like Corrie's involvement, along with Carlene and Cynthia, was very contrived and forced. I didn't care much for this one. I finished it and I will move on to the next in the series. Overall this is a very good series that I would recommend to anyone why enjoys a hybrid of cozy British mystery and police procedural. Characters are strong and the writing is solid.
This book was alright. Perhaps it was the whole demon/cult plot that turned me off. It was all a fraud, of course, it just didn't hold my interest. There are much stronger stories in this series and it felt like Corrie's involvement, along with Carlene and Cynthia, was very contrived and forced. I didn't care much for this one. I finished it and I will move on to the next in the series. Overall this is a very good series that I would recommend to anyone why enjoys a hybrid of cozy British mystery and police procedural. Characters are strong and the writing is solid.
March 13, 2021
Excellent!
This series is good but this one is scary,v exciting, and much more intricate! The police investigation is halted due to lack of evidence. The purported commune is a scam and one member is obsessed with devil worship. Much more tense and involved than the predecessors!
This series is good but this one is scary,v exciting, and much more intricate! The police investigation is halted due to lack of evidence. The purported commune is a scam and one member is obsessed with devil worship. Much more tense and involved than the predecessors!
February 11, 2022
Nonsense!
Having read all the books in this series this one was by far just too silly to enjoy. I've read the others with an open mind, tongue in cheek humour, Carrie endless annoying interference but sorry this story was so unbelievable I couldn't summon up the effort to enjoy it. My previous ratings have been 4/5 star but I'm being generous with 2 star for this one.
Having read all the books in this series this one was by far just too silly to enjoy. I've read the others with an open mind, tongue in cheek humour, Carrie endless annoying interference but sorry this story was so unbelievable I couldn't summon up the effort to enjoy it. My previous ratings have been 4/5 star but I'm being generous with 2 star for this one.
April 5, 2021
The Demon Killer review
This is an engrossing and intguing British detective story. Although the villains are revealed early on you are kept spellbound until the end to see how they meet with justice.
This is an engrossing and intguing British detective story. Although the villains are revealed early on you are kept spellbound until the end to see how they meet with justice.
April 14, 2021
Great read love these books!Always a good story and main characters are likeable!
A long wait for each book but well worth the wait. Can’t wait for the next one! Hopefully sooner this time!
A long wait for each book but well worth the wait. Can’t wait for the next one! Hopefully sooner this time!
May 2, 2021
Another great story
Another great story in the Inspector Jack Dawes series along with his sidekick Sergeant Buddy Malone . Also lots of descriptions of the goods being prepared by the ladies. Hope there are more to come.
Another great story in the Inspector Jack Dawes series along with his sidekick Sergeant Buddy Malone . Also lots of descriptions of the goods being prepared by the ladies. Hope there are more to come.
May 14, 2021
Very Entertaining
I have read all the books in this series and they have not become stale and boring. This one was very interesting although it really wasn’t a who done it. Well worth reading.
I have read all the books in this series and they have not become stale and boring. This one was very interesting although it really wasn’t a who done it. Well worth reading.
May 27, 2021
Enjoyable as usual!
Dawes and company face off against the force of evil....the devil himself and a group of his followers. The good guys come out on top in the end...or did they??
Dawes and company face off against the force of evil....the devil himself and a group of his followers. The good guys come out on top in the end...or did they??
June 29, 2021
Death and Religion
Religion takes many forms, and not always for the best! Religion for profit that takes advantage of the innocent believers is the most disgusting form of crime! Who can put a stop to this deception? A great read to get the answer!
Religion takes many forms, and not always for the best! Religion for profit that takes advantage of the innocent believers is the most disgusting form of crime! Who can put a stop to this deception? A great read to get the answer!
August 20, 2021
Excellent
Have read the full series of Jack Dawes Mystery, wasn't quite shaw of the Greek isle mystery, but it was quite good, the next six where excellent, couldn't put them down, brilliant. I hope there are more to follow. Thank you Frances Lloyd.
Have read the full series of Jack Dawes Mystery, wasn't quite shaw of the Greek isle mystery, but it was quite good, the next six where excellent, couldn't put them down, brilliant. I hope there are more to follow. Thank you Frances Lloyd.
December 12, 2021
Awesome
Another piece of genius from Frances Lloyd. Thrilling, page turning excitement with a good dose of humour, just how it should be.
Sadly, I can read these much faster than they are written!! Hopefully there will be more soon, this an excellent series of books.
Another piece of genius from Frances Lloyd. Thrilling, page turning excitement with a good dose of humour, just how it should be.
Sadly, I can read these much faster than they are written!! Hopefully there will be more soon, this an excellent series of books.
February 12, 2022
Kings Richington dabbling in the black arts
Another great story in the Jack Dawes series. The residents of Kings Richington are seen to be less than respectable again and Corrie, Carlene and Cynthia get in on the action
Another great story in the Jack Dawes series. The residents of Kings Richington are seen to be less than respectable again and Corrie, Carlene and Cynthia get in on the action
September 14, 2022
Demonic!!
Oh heck! If you’re at all spooked by demons, the devil & satan, then beware of this book. It is incredibly well written and extremely graphic. Jack and Bugsy are, of course, very sceptical and wait for the evidence. A brilliant book and a must read.
Oh heck! If you’re at all spooked by demons, the devil & satan, then beware of this book. It is incredibly well written and extremely graphic. Jack and Bugsy are, of course, very sceptical and wait for the evidence. A brilliant book and a must read.
April 15, 2023
No spoilers, but I'm not 100% certain with the author's change of style by revealing the murderers part way through the book, and then the rest of the book becoming a cat and mouse game between Jack's team and The villains. However, another thoroughly enjoyable book.
October 19, 2024
Good one
What can you say, this story has mysterious going on in the forest, strange inhabitants at an commune, mauled dead bodies and of course good food. It's all there for you to enjoy. Great story, wonderful characters and an interesting ending.
What can you say, this story has mysterious going on in the forest, strange inhabitants at an commune, mauled dead bodies and of course good food. It's all there for you to enjoy. Great story, wonderful characters and an interesting ending.
March 30, 2021
Enjoyed reading this. Plot was good, slightly tongue in cheek but intriguing.
April 12, 2021
Great read
Great characters who you can see and hear, lots of humour- plots have twists and turns-very tongue in cheek reading
Great characters who you can see and hear, lots of humour- plots have twists and turns-very tongue in cheek reading
April 14, 2021
Another fabulous read.
Brilliant book, kept me guessing to the end. I love how the characters are interwoven. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Brilliant book, kept me guessing to the end. I love how the characters are interwoven. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
May 1, 2021
Great book
Absolutely enjoyed this book. It was humorous in places that made me really laugh. I will recommend it to everyone.
Absolutely enjoyed this book. It was humorous in places that made me really laugh. I will recommend it to everyone.
May 4, 2021
Excellent
Excellent characters, storyline, suspense. Several mysteries happening at the same time. I also liked how the characters progressed from each story.
Excellent characters, storyline, suspense. Several mysteries happening at the same time. I also liked how the characters progressed from each story.
December 15, 2021
Yet another page turner in the Jack Dawes series. brilliant novel. Loved the whole series which I read in a few weeks.
Hopefully more to come?
Hopefully more to come?
December 20, 2022
Really good fast paced read
Only a simple story but a good fun read. I have now read the whole set of dawes books and generally have really enjoyed them
Only a simple story but a good fun read. I have now read the whole set of dawes books and generally have really enjoyed them
March 23, 2023
The Demon Killer
This book is a truly excellent read! With just the right amount of tongue in cheek humour coupled with suspence.
This book is a truly excellent read! With just the right amount of tongue in cheek humour coupled with suspence.
October 3, 2025
This is a great book with a fantastic story, laced with much dry humour, especially concerning Dawes's boss, George Garwood. Looking forward to No. 8.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews