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Crossfire
To what depths would you sink to protect your own?
Hogmanay 1987
A prank robbery has fatal consequences.
Five Years Later
Highlands town Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved.
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
Old wounds are about to be reopened.
Struggling PI team Maddy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie find themselves involved by a chance meeting. How deep into those wounds will they have to delve to unravel the mystery?
Set in the brooding yet beautiful Scottish Highlands, Crossfire is the first, gripping novel in the brand-new Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series from the brilliant R.D. Nixon.
Hogmanay 1987
A prank robbery has fatal consequences.
Five Years Later
Highlands town Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved.
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
Old wounds are about to be reopened.
Struggling PI team Maddy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie find themselves involved by a chance meeting. How deep into those wounds will they have to delve to unravel the mystery?
Set in the brooding yet beautiful Scottish Highlands, Crossfire is the first, gripping novel in the brand-new Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series from the brilliant R.D. Nixon.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2021
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 19, 2021
Terri Nixon has written both fantasy novels and historical fiction and now takes up crime under her new pen name R.D. (her sons' first initials). R.D. Nixons's "Crossfire" is the first crime story in her new series starring Mandy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie.
The book revolves around the aftermath of a theft thirty years ago, and a murder five years after that theft. You can read exactly how the theft took place in the e-novella "The Macnab Principle", which you can read for free if you subscribe to the digital newsletter of Hobeck publishers.
That e-novella story, set during the turn of the year 1987-1988 (Hogmanay in Scotland), first goes a bit further at the start of the novel "Crossfire". Then we jump five years ahead in time to 1993 and what seems like an isolated murder. Then we end up with Clifford and Mackenzie in 2018, and the book really takes off. Every now and then we get a flashback, when Nixon decides it's time to pull away some veils.
What the story is all about is that some individuals want to get their hands on the stolen goods. The people in question are, as it were, obsessed with it, and are capable of anything. The theft started as a joke but had fatal consequences: a group of friends led by Duncan Wallace want to prank their comrade Mick by breaking into his house and turning it upside down. Duncan, however, has an ulterior motive; Mick showed him a beautiful opal, which virtually hypnotized Duncan (reminiscent of how the Grapefruit in Stephen King's "Wizard and Glass" totally consumes the witch Rhea of the Coös). Many things go wrong with the fake break-in, and in the thirty years that follow. Then when an eleven-year-old boy happens to overhear a conversation, he and his mother also get the bandits after them. It's then up to the detective duo Clifford and Mackenzie to solve the case.
Nixon's stories read effortlessly. This crime novel doesn't go into fancy descriptions of nature and environments as she usually does, as this isn't a genre where such things belong. Not a word is out of place here and the rhythm of the story is just right. The chapters alternate between the different characters. The disadvantage is that there are quite a lot of characters, because there are many parts of the story to tell. So you have to keep your head up, and personally I would have preferred that the book was limited to the narrative perspective of a few characters. For example, I would have preferred to read more about eleven-year-old Jamie, a great opportunity to play the emotional string.
So far I prefer Terri's books over R.D.'s This crime series for me comes after the Oaklands Manor trilogy, the Fox Bay Saga and the Penhaligon Saga, but before the Lynher Mill Chronicles. But Terri Nixon, whether she uses her own name or a pseudonym, can write. There is no doubt about that. I'll keep reading her books and consider her a great example of how you can evolve into an accomplished author.
The book revolves around the aftermath of a theft thirty years ago, and a murder five years after that theft. You can read exactly how the theft took place in the e-novella "The Macnab Principle", which you can read for free if you subscribe to the digital newsletter of Hobeck publishers.
That e-novella story, set during the turn of the year 1987-1988 (Hogmanay in Scotland), first goes a bit further at the start of the novel "Crossfire". Then we jump five years ahead in time to 1993 and what seems like an isolated murder. Then we end up with Clifford and Mackenzie in 2018, and the book really takes off. Every now and then we get a flashback, when Nixon decides it's time to pull away some veils.
What the story is all about is that some individuals want to get their hands on the stolen goods. The people in question are, as it were, obsessed with it, and are capable of anything. The theft started as a joke but had fatal consequences: a group of friends led by Duncan Wallace want to prank their comrade Mick by breaking into his house and turning it upside down. Duncan, however, has an ulterior motive; Mick showed him a beautiful opal, which virtually hypnotized Duncan (reminiscent of how the Grapefruit in Stephen King's "Wizard and Glass" totally consumes the witch Rhea of the Coös). Many things go wrong with the fake break-in, and in the thirty years that follow. Then when an eleven-year-old boy happens to overhear a conversation, he and his mother also get the bandits after them. It's then up to the detective duo Clifford and Mackenzie to solve the case.
Nixon's stories read effortlessly. This crime novel doesn't go into fancy descriptions of nature and environments as she usually does, as this isn't a genre where such things belong. Not a word is out of place here and the rhythm of the story is just right. The chapters alternate between the different characters. The disadvantage is that there are quite a lot of characters, because there are many parts of the story to tell. So you have to keep your head up, and personally I would have preferred that the book was limited to the narrative perspective of a few characters. For example, I would have preferred to read more about eleven-year-old Jamie, a great opportunity to play the emotional string.
So far I prefer Terri's books over R.D.'s This crime series for me comes after the Oaklands Manor trilogy, the Fox Bay Saga and the Penhaligon Saga, but before the Lynher Mill Chronicles. But Terri Nixon, whether she uses her own name or a pseudonym, can write. There is no doubt about that. I'll keep reading her books and consider her a great example of how you can evolve into an accomplished author.
July 4, 2021
This was such an interesting book full of much intrigue. Charis and her son Jamie are on holiday in Scotland, Jamie overhears a conversation and his curiosity gets the better of him. An old robbery, followed years later by a murder, now this random conversation overheard by a young boy! What is the connection and why are the Private Investigators Clifford and Mackenzie interested?
I will say that this story took me a while to get going with. There are a few characters to get to know and then there are the differing timelines. It was several chapters before I felt I got to grips with it. By then I was already more than intrigued and I wanted to know more, what the links were, what was hidden, why the crimes were committed and also what all the players were doing.
The author weaves quite a complex story, but as I mentioned, once I started to get an idea who was who then I was able to settle into the story much more and found a gripping mystery, crime and thriller. I found the pace picked up and so did the feeling of suspense.
The characters are a really interesting bunch, some you get a good feeling about, others definitely give off bad vibes and then there are those that you are not so sure about. This range of characters have their roles, there is a surprise or two in store and there is a feeling of something much bigger afoot as the story progresses.
Because the story flits across the timelines it adds a real air of mystery and towards the later stage of the book, there is a really tense atmosphere that you have been gradually been drawn towards. Part of the synopsis mentions what a person would do to protect their family, this is something that is really put to the test for a couple of the characters.
This is a story for those who like a more grittier mystery, it is a procedural in some respects but not police based as such. The Investigating team of Clifford and Mackenzie I really liked, and I am glad to see there is going to be more from them in future books.
A complex story to start with but then it soon became addictive and I needed to know how things would resolve. It is a crime, thriller, mystery and it is one I would definitely recommend.
I will say that this story took me a while to get going with. There are a few characters to get to know and then there are the differing timelines. It was several chapters before I felt I got to grips with it. By then I was already more than intrigued and I wanted to know more, what the links were, what was hidden, why the crimes were committed and also what all the players were doing.
The author weaves quite a complex story, but as I mentioned, once I started to get an idea who was who then I was able to settle into the story much more and found a gripping mystery, crime and thriller. I found the pace picked up and so did the feeling of suspense.
The characters are a really interesting bunch, some you get a good feeling about, others definitely give off bad vibes and then there are those that you are not so sure about. This range of characters have their roles, there is a surprise or two in store and there is a feeling of something much bigger afoot as the story progresses.
Because the story flits across the timelines it adds a real air of mystery and towards the later stage of the book, there is a really tense atmosphere that you have been gradually been drawn towards. Part of the synopsis mentions what a person would do to protect their family, this is something that is really put to the test for a couple of the characters.
This is a story for those who like a more grittier mystery, it is a procedural in some respects but not police based as such. The Investigating team of Clifford and Mackenzie I really liked, and I am glad to see there is going to be more from them in future books.
A complex story to start with but then it soon became addictive and I needed to know how things would resolve. It is a crime, thriller, mystery and it is one I would definitely recommend.
July 14, 2021
📚 Book Review 📚
#Crossfire
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Set in a small town in the highlands, there’s bound to be trouble afoot.
During a Hogmanay period, a group stumble across items of value which they decide to split and keep the secret amongst themselves.
After an overheard conversation by a young boy who has aspirations to be a detective, the ball is set in motion to find these items and in the hunt, drama, mystery and intrigue are plentiful as the story unfolds.
A gripping, addictive read from this author that fans of thrillers and crime fiction will most certainly love!
BLURB
To what depths would you sink to protect your own?
Hogmanay 1987
A prank robbery has fatal consequences.
Five Years Later
Highlands town Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved.
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
Old wounds are about to be reopened
Struggling PI team Maddy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie find themselves involved by a chance meeting. How deep into those wounds will they have to delve to unravel the mystery?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Writing as R. D. Nixon. Terri Nixon was born in Plymouth, Devon, but during her childhood her family moved to the moorland village of North Hill in Cornwall. There, at the age of nine, Terri discovered a love of writing that has stayed with her ever since. She also discovered apple-scrumping, and how to jump out of a hayloft without breaking any bones, but no-one's ever offered to pay her for doing those.
#bookblog #bookreadersofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookreview #goodreads #bookaddict #bookworm #nursesthatread #scottishreader #bookmail #bookgeek #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookobsessed #scottishbookstagrammer #bookaholic #whatiread #readerssupportingauthors #pageturners #booklife #bloggergirl #themagicofbooks #bookwormsunited #readinggoals #newreleasebooks #bookobsessed #bookishcommunity #bookaddicted #freebookreviews #cliffordmackenzie
#Crossfire
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Set in a small town in the highlands, there’s bound to be trouble afoot.
During a Hogmanay period, a group stumble across items of value which they decide to split and keep the secret amongst themselves.
After an overheard conversation by a young boy who has aspirations to be a detective, the ball is set in motion to find these items and in the hunt, drama, mystery and intrigue are plentiful as the story unfolds.
A gripping, addictive read from this author that fans of thrillers and crime fiction will most certainly love!
BLURB
To what depths would you sink to protect your own?
Hogmanay 1987
A prank robbery has fatal consequences.
Five Years Later
Highlands town Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved.
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
Old wounds are about to be reopened
Struggling PI team Maddy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie find themselves involved by a chance meeting. How deep into those wounds will they have to delve to unravel the mystery?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Writing as R. D. Nixon. Terri Nixon was born in Plymouth, Devon, but during her childhood her family moved to the moorland village of North Hill in Cornwall. There, at the age of nine, Terri discovered a love of writing that has stayed with her ever since. She also discovered apple-scrumping, and how to jump out of a hayloft without breaking any bones, but no-one's ever offered to pay her for doing those.
#bookblog #bookreadersofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookreview #goodreads #bookaddict #bookworm #nursesthatread #scottishreader #bookmail #bookgeek #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookobsessed #scottishbookstagrammer #bookaholic #whatiread #readerssupportingauthors #pageturners #booklife #bloggergirl #themagicofbooks #bookwormsunited #readinggoals #newreleasebooks #bookobsessed #bookishcommunity #bookaddicted #freebookreviews #cliffordmackenzie
July 14, 2021
Crossfire is the first book in the Clifford-Mackenzie crime series, set in the fictitious town of Abergarry. The narrative follows three timelines – a prank gone wrong in the eighties, the murder of a local shopkeeper in the nineties, and a curious child unintentionally caught up in it all in the present day. The PI team of Maddy Clifford and Paul Mackenzie try to unravel the mystery that ties up these seemingly unrelated decades, and dig up old wounds in the process.
Although the place of the events is imaginary, the story is based in the Scottish Highlands, wherein lies the actual charm of the book. Away from picturesque mountains and postcard-perfect locales, the author takes us to the other side of nature – dodgy weather and curtains of gigantic mounds of green and black that can intimidate just as they inspire. After reading Sarah Pearse’s The Sanatorium earlier this year, Crossfire is definitely high up on my list of atmospheric novels. The fear of being left to the elements is palpable; how much nature can do by just being there. From walking on freezing bogs to sleeping on loaves of bread, Nixon knows how to set a scene that transports you to the place.
The storyline interweaves three different timelines and features a plethora of characters, but Nixon deftly constructs an edgy thriller that holds the reader’s attention even as you navigate through a complicated set of interconnected stories. Crossfire takes off right from the beginning – the reader knows who the guilty party is, and the beauty of the writing lies in how Nixon gets us caught in the crossfire ourselves, as we move along with Clifford and Mackenzie to solve the mystery. Highly recommended for readers of crime fiction, murder mysteries, thrillers and police procedurals, the novel can be enjoyed by anyone who loves good writing.
Although the place of the events is imaginary, the story is based in the Scottish Highlands, wherein lies the actual charm of the book. Away from picturesque mountains and postcard-perfect locales, the author takes us to the other side of nature – dodgy weather and curtains of gigantic mounds of green and black that can intimidate just as they inspire. After reading Sarah Pearse’s The Sanatorium earlier this year, Crossfire is definitely high up on my list of atmospheric novels. The fear of being left to the elements is palpable; how much nature can do by just being there. From walking on freezing bogs to sleeping on loaves of bread, Nixon knows how to set a scene that transports you to the place.
The storyline interweaves three different timelines and features a plethora of characters, but Nixon deftly constructs an edgy thriller that holds the reader’s attention even as you navigate through a complicated set of interconnected stories. Crossfire takes off right from the beginning – the reader knows who the guilty party is, and the beauty of the writing lies in how Nixon gets us caught in the crossfire ourselves, as we move along with Clifford and Mackenzie to solve the mystery. Highly recommended for readers of crime fiction, murder mysteries, thrillers and police procedurals, the novel can be enjoyed by anyone who loves good writing.
March 11, 2022
The story is set over three timelines - 1998, 1993 and then 2021. R.D Nixon has done an excellent job of weaving every timeline together and created a sublimely brilliant story full of suspense and intrigue. The private investigators Maddy Clifford and Paul MacKenzie are a fabulous team together.
Crossfire initially begins at Hogmanay 1987, a prank robbery has fatal consequences. The story then moves forward to five years later, when the Highlands town of Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved. We are then propelled forward to the present day, where ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
This is a story that keeps you on tenterhooks constantly. The author has the skill to keep the suspense going throughout. As I said this is the first crime fiction book I have read from this author and boy! Am I happy I was invited along on the tour.
R.D. Nixon has managed to write such a complex story with multiple timelines and several characters and still has me gripped and unwilling to put the kindle down at all. Her characters are an interesting mix. From the ones you feel you can just 'get' to the ones who give off the bad vibes, then last but not least…the ones you have no clue about. Every character played their role in this intriguing story with a few surprises as the story develops.
I thought R.D. Nixon's timelines created a more tense and atmospheric book which does crank up even more as we go into the last quarter of the book too. I am happy that this is only the first outing for this duo, I am looking forward to learning more about them and their cases in the future.
Crossfire initially begins at Hogmanay 1987, a prank robbery has fatal consequences. The story then moves forward to five years later, when the Highlands town of Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved. We are then propelled forward to the present day, where ten-year-old Jamie, while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation. To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined.
This is a story that keeps you on tenterhooks constantly. The author has the skill to keep the suspense going throughout. As I said this is the first crime fiction book I have read from this author and boy! Am I happy I was invited along on the tour.
R.D. Nixon has managed to write such a complex story with multiple timelines and several characters and still has me gripped and unwilling to put the kindle down at all. Her characters are an interesting mix. From the ones you feel you can just 'get' to the ones who give off the bad vibes, then last but not least…the ones you have no clue about. Every character played their role in this intriguing story with a few surprises as the story develops.
I thought R.D. Nixon's timelines created a more tense and atmospheric book which does crank up even more as we go into the last quarter of the book too. I am happy that this is only the first outing for this duo, I am looking forward to learning more about them and their cases in the future.
July 7, 2021
What happens when you add in the same storyline: an unsolved murder, old wounds, coming-of-age stories, betrayal and a bit of Scottish Highlands? Invaluable ingredients for a heart-beating crime novel.#
Crossfire by R.D.Nixon is the first installment from the Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series and as an opening, it promises a lot of crime-related entertainment. The dynamic of characters and the ways in which their relationships evoluate or deteriorate are an important element in developping the story. The crescendo of the tension, once the final elements of the story are revealed is important in creating an ambiance unique to the story, which one may carry on with long after the book is over.
It is always a pleasure for the reader to be offered a complete immersion into story, landscape and secret life of the characters and Crossfire has those perfectly plotted elements which convince. Writing gives the power of creating a world in itself and while reading this book I´ve enjoyed being on a ride through the fragments of the story and witnessing how they matched together.
The music references are equally an important element which create the specific ambiance of the book. I wish there are books that can create also soundtracks that may accompany the book, preferably as recommendations to listen while reading the book itself.
As for now, I can´t wait to read the next Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series. Really curious about the next topic and the author´s art of writing and storytelling.
Rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Crossfire by R.D.Nixon is the first installment from the Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series and as an opening, it promises a lot of crime-related entertainment. The dynamic of characters and the ways in which their relationships evoluate or deteriorate are an important element in developping the story. The crescendo of the tension, once the final elements of the story are revealed is important in creating an ambiance unique to the story, which one may carry on with long after the book is over.
It is always a pleasure for the reader to be offered a complete immersion into story, landscape and secret life of the characters and Crossfire has those perfectly plotted elements which convince. Writing gives the power of creating a world in itself and while reading this book I´ve enjoyed being on a ride through the fragments of the story and witnessing how they matched together.
The music references are equally an important element which create the specific ambiance of the book. I wish there are books that can create also soundtracks that may accompany the book, preferably as recommendations to listen while reading the book itself.
As for now, I can´t wait to read the next Clifford-Mackenzie Crime Series. Really curious about the next topic and the author´s art of writing and storytelling.
Rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Want to read
May 31, 2021My thoughts about R D Nixon’s brilliantly written gripping mystery thriller CrossFire,the first book in the series of Clifford-Mackenzie adventure, was breathtaking, an eye catching suspense that has lots of twists and turns blows you away and the team up of Clifford-Mackenzie truly is remarkable,loved how the story set in 1989 then 1993 and 2021 is brilliantly well written,author R.D.Nixion does a fantastic job with this which that is truly brilliant the story of CrossFire begins in Hogmanay 1987,
A prank robbery has fatal consequences, then moves
Five Years Later
Highlands in the town of Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved. And then to
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie,while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation.To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined which is mindblowing the way Nixon develops the story and the suspense so well that is truly magnificent. CrossFire is not only a powerful thriller, it is a masterpiece winner,a great start to a brilliant story telling series, I’m looking forward to reading more.Take a bow R.D.Nixion you have successfully entered the world of crime fiction. CrossFire is definitely highly recommended,to all crime thriller fans. I would like to say thank you to author R.D.Nixion, Adrian Hobart and Rebecca Collins from Hobeck Books,for kindly gifting me a copy and giving me a chance to read and review this outstanding thriller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A prank robbery has fatal consequences, then moves
Five Years Later
Highlands in the town of Abergarry is shaken by the seemingly gratuitous murder of a local man. The case is unsolved. And then to
Present Day
Ten-year-old Jamie,while on holiday in Abergarry with his mum Charis, overhears a conversation.To him, it is all part of a game. But this is no game and the consequences are far more serious than Jamie ever imagined which is mindblowing the way Nixon develops the story and the suspense so well that is truly magnificent. CrossFire is not only a powerful thriller, it is a masterpiece winner,a great start to a brilliant story telling series, I’m looking forward to reading more.Take a bow R.D.Nixion you have successfully entered the world of crime fiction. CrossFire is definitely highly recommended,to all crime thriller fans. I would like to say thank you to author R.D.Nixion, Adrian Hobart and Rebecca Collins from Hobeck Books,for kindly gifting me a copy and giving me a chance to read and review this outstanding thriller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
July 2, 2021
A complex but intriguing story of murder, mystery and missing jewels. Set in Scotland this is a good police/ PI procedural thriller, written in a style that makes for quite easy reading, once you get the storyline clear in your head. The timelines are important but initially I was a little confused.
Briefly, the story revolves around the theft by three men, from their friend, of valuable jewellery, including an extremely rare black Opal. Initially a joke the men decide to split the jewels and keep them for 30 years before spending their ill-gotten gains. However, in the present, they are not the only ones looking for the gems.
A number of people involved with the theft, in some way, have met untimely deaths over the years and when Charis and her son Jamie visit Scotland on holiday their lives are at risk after Jamie overhears a conversation. Private Investigators Mackenzie and Maddy have been hired to help find the gems but are they working for the wrong people?
The plot here is quite intricate and there are a lot of characters introduced early on in the book. I did reread the first couple of chapters to get it clear in my head but stick with it. It is a good tale with twists and turns I didn’t see coming and a massive twist at the end. I enjoyed the book and give it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It’s apparent that a sequel is coming as there are loose ends that need tying up. I will definitely be reading it.
Briefly, the story revolves around the theft by three men, from their friend, of valuable jewellery, including an extremely rare black Opal. Initially a joke the men decide to split the jewels and keep them for 30 years before spending their ill-gotten gains. However, in the present, they are not the only ones looking for the gems.
A number of people involved with the theft, in some way, have met untimely deaths over the years and when Charis and her son Jamie visit Scotland on holiday their lives are at risk after Jamie overhears a conversation. Private Investigators Mackenzie and Maddy have been hired to help find the gems but are they working for the wrong people?
The plot here is quite intricate and there are a lot of characters introduced early on in the book. I did reread the first couple of chapters to get it clear in my head but stick with it. It is a good tale with twists and turns I didn’t see coming and a massive twist at the end. I enjoyed the book and give it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It’s apparent that a sequel is coming as there are loose ends that need tying up. I will definitely be reading it.
May 17, 2024
This is a complex story about the hunt for stolen jewels, and for a long time I didn’t know what was going on. With chapters from multiple viewpoints – including crime bosses, hit men, thieves, corrupt coppers – I didn’t know who to trust. But I wasn’t put off because the excellent writing kept me hooked. Also, I fell in love with two of the narrators: English tourists Charis and her young lad, Jamie, on a camping trip to the Scottish Highlands to get away from difficulties at home. These two are the innocents caught in the crossfire of the title, who don’t take their unexpected predicament lying down. Mother and son won me over with their feisty resilience.
For these reasons, I felt confident I was in the hands of an expert storyteller and was happy to go with the flow until everything became clear. This plan paid off as all was revealed at exactly the right moments. The whole story had good pace which cranked up superbly in the second half when things got desperate for both heroes and villains.
By the end, I knew exactly who the good guys were and felt I’d been on a journey to discover facets of their personalities. I grew fond of them as they battled with their personal tragedies and against bad guys coming at them from all angles. I’m glad this is the first in a series so I can come back soon to read book 2 and get reacquainted with these well-drawn and ultimately very likeable characters.
For these reasons, I felt confident I was in the hands of an expert storyteller and was happy to go with the flow until everything became clear. This plan paid off as all was revealed at exactly the right moments. The whole story had good pace which cranked up superbly in the second half when things got desperate for both heroes and villains.
By the end, I knew exactly who the good guys were and felt I’d been on a journey to discover facets of their personalities. I grew fond of them as they battled with their personal tragedies and against bad guys coming at them from all angles. I’m glad this is the first in a series so I can come back soon to read book 2 and get reacquainted with these well-drawn and ultimately very likeable characters.
July 16, 2021
This is book one in the Clifford- Mackenzie Crime Series and what a book it was. There are quite a few characters in this book that bring this story to life, a boy called Jamie who is on holiday with his mum, when he over hears a conversation he thinks it is all a game but what he doesn't realize, is who he messing with. His mum has her own worries and doesn't get the danger her son could be in and herself. Something is going on in the town when a local man is murdered but why and who did it? the police are investigating but should they be looking closer to home? a dodgy cop, a kid and a mum in despair make the cast of characters up. I stormed through this brilliant thriller, I didn't know what would happen and I found I just wanted to keep reading on. Even though there is lots happening, it really is easy to keep up. I now can't wait to read book two and follow on from where we left off.
December 22, 2023
As mesmerising as the fiery black Opal that is at the heart of this story
A malicious prank perpetrated thirty years ago at Hogmanay continues to wreak havoc in a small town in the Highlands of Scotland. A robbery that leads over time to murder, betrayal, jealousy and anger. Twisting timelines and backstories set the scene for certain character’s guilt and, hopefully, redemption.
Charis, a young mother and her ten-year-old son Jamie are visiting Scotland for a holiday but when Jamie overhears a strange conversation and actively pursues it to discover what is happening, he puts their lives in danger. The author evokes the beauty of the Highlands in her description (I have been there) and I must admit, I did read it with Jamie Fraser’s voice in my head. (If you know, you know!). The story develops as more people get involved, and the stakes ramp up to a nerve-racking ending. Highly recommended.
A malicious prank perpetrated thirty years ago at Hogmanay continues to wreak havoc in a small town in the Highlands of Scotland. A robbery that leads over time to murder, betrayal, jealousy and anger. Twisting timelines and backstories set the scene for certain character’s guilt and, hopefully, redemption.
Charis, a young mother and her ten-year-old son Jamie are visiting Scotland for a holiday but when Jamie overhears a strange conversation and actively pursues it to discover what is happening, he puts their lives in danger. The author evokes the beauty of the Highlands in her description (I have been there) and I must admit, I did read it with Jamie Fraser’s voice in my head. (If you know, you know!). The story develops as more people get involved, and the stakes ramp up to a nerve-racking ending. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2021
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed all Ms Nixon’s novels, they’re wonderful books. Ms Nixon has a beautiful writing style and is a versatile author who has written books in Myth Fantasy and Historical Fiction; this is her first venture into Crime Thriller and I believe she has found her niche.
Crossfire is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting books I’ve read. Once I’d got past the introductions, I had to slow my reading down as I was going at a gallop along with the pace of the story. It’s beautifully written and, like her other stories, the characters are strong and relatable. I could visualise the Scottish highlands and got so engrossed in the story that I found myself reading it with a Scottish accent.
Crossfire has a brilliant plot with some unexpected twists, this is a five star read and I very much look forward to the next book in the series.
Crossfire is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting books I’ve read. Once I’d got past the introductions, I had to slow my reading down as I was going at a gallop along with the pace of the story. It’s beautifully written and, like her other stories, the characters are strong and relatable. I could visualise the Scottish highlands and got so engrossed in the story that I found myself reading it with a Scottish accent.
Crossfire has a brilliant plot with some unexpected twists, this is a five star read and I very much look forward to the next book in the series.
July 8, 2021
A practical joke that went wrong (or did it?), a missing inheritance, a long held enmity, a young boy who overhears an exciting conversation, a single mother who is trying to be less protective of her son – all of these strands come together in this exciting, roller coaster of a story. Plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and surprises make this an very enjoyable read. I really do like books like this where there is an unrelated set of characters, storylines and time periods that gradually come together in unexpected and satisfying ways. Definitely recommended.
Thanks to Hobeck Books for a copy to review.
Thanks to Hobeck Books for a copy to review.
July 9, 2021
As the opener to a crime novel series, "Crossfire" is sure to earn a lot of fans who will be eagerly awaiting book 2. But while we wait, let's talk about this one. The brilliant writing, the perfectly drawn characters, the setting that is so easy to visualise, and the plot that means you'll be spending every spare minute with this book - they combine to make this a super-fast read. Any crime fan is sure to love this.
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to RandomTTours
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to RandomTTours
July 30, 2023
Fantastic, clever writing by this mature, experienced writer. The characterisations are cleverly written and with good local knowledge of the area of Scotland the book is set in, makes for a good book to take your mind off your troubles. Worth it, you won’t regret it!
November 26, 2021
Great read, once I got all the characters and times sorted out. I hope there will be more in this series.
May 12, 2022
Too many characters and plot too complicated
July 14, 2021
A really solid crime thriller - I wasn't sure at first but soon warmed to the characters. I enjoyed the jumping timelines and how different characters back stories were revealed. Jamie seemed so sweet and Charis a fierce momma bear. Mackenzie's back story was so sad! I loved how it all was revealed at the end and in such a dramatic fashion - the cliffhanger was very interesting too, definitely want to know what happens next!
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