What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Henry Ford #3
Plain Dead
A young female soldier is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. Everyone assumes that she killed herself. But something doesn’t feel right to DI Ford; the whole scene seems staged. Convinced of foul play, and despite fierce opposition from the army brass and his own superiors, Ford launches a murder investigation.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2021
720 people are currently reading
1453 people want to read
About the author
Andy Maslen
72 books515 followersMILLION COPY BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR KINDLE STORYTELLER AWARD
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time.
Readers praise Andy's novels for their relatable characters, realistic dialogue, sense of place and kinetic action sequences, and for his meticulous research into police procedure around the world.
He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Kat Ballantyne, Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories.
Andy was born in Nottingham, England. After leaving university with a degree in psychology, he worked in business for thirty years as a copywriter. In his spare time, he plays the guitar. He lives in Wiltshire.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
December 6, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
November 9, 2021
DI Henry Ford is back, facing a twisted case on Army grounds, still debating whether to speak the hard truth to his teenage son about the day of his Mom's death, and generally getting through every day with a wish and a prayer. The death is of a female soldier, with the knife that supposedly cut her throat laying in her hand as she is stretched on the ground. The Army just wants to call it like it looks, a suicide, over and done. But we know Ford will Not work that way, no matter who or what he has to fight with to investigate His way! The whole scene just doesn't look right, Ford believes it has been staged,and he ends up launching a murder investigation that has So many up in arms! The dead need answers, as do those left behind, and DI Ford is intent on delivering the Correct ones!
DI Ford remains the tough, honest son of a gun he has always been, but with his job on the line, his relationship with his son teetering, and life coming at him too fast, he needs to find some answers quickly...Before it All falls apart...A thrilling mystery with characters I have come to love and scenes described so well you are given a clear vision of just what is happening . I received an ARC from this wonderful author, who I thank, and I offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
DI Ford remains the tough, honest son of a gun he has always been, but with his job on the line, his relationship with his son teetering, and life coming at him too fast, he needs to find some answers quickly...Before it All falls apart...A thrilling mystery with characters I have come to love and scenes described so well you are given a clear vision of just what is happening . I received an ARC from this wonderful author, who I thank, and I offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
March 9, 2024
Well the gangs all back for this third installment with DI Ford and his team, CSI Hannah, aka Wix, DS Jools, DS Mick, DC Olly. The book summary lays out the two storylines. The primary story of investigating the suspicious death of a female soldier has Ford partnering up with a female Army liaison, Lt Charlie Daniels, who Ford develops a really “close” connection to😏 Also, the secondary storyline of Hannah confronting Ford, with the info she received in the last installment, regarding the details of the death of Ford’s wife. I was wondering how Maslen would address that and how it would play out. WOW!!!
Anyway, most of the story revolves around the investigation of the soldier’s death. There is the obligatory head butting between the Army brass and the PD brass with both sides butting heads with Ford because he refuses to sweep under the rug whatever crap they’re hiding. There is also some drama with Ford and his son, Sam, who is still asking about the details of the death of his mom. It was a little shocking how this particular arc came to a conclusion. Even though that shocking end was always one way to go with the conclusion of that arc, I was still kind of shocked in how it played out.
This was a decent enough ending the way that Maslen wrapped everything up in a rather sad and depressing bow. Initially, I thought that this was the end of the series; it’s been more than two years since it came out and I suppose that Maslen could just be busy working on his other series. However, the ending seemed like a lead-in to another installment. Time will tell.
Anyway, most of the story revolves around the investigation of the soldier’s death. There is the obligatory head butting between the Army brass and the PD brass with both sides butting heads with Ford because he refuses to sweep under the rug whatever crap they’re hiding. There is also some drama with Ford and his son, Sam, who is still asking about the details of the death of his mom. It was a little shocking how this particular arc came to a conclusion. Even though that shocking end was always one way to go with the conclusion of that arc, I was still kind of shocked in how it played out.
This was a decent enough ending the way that Maslen wrapped everything up in a rather sad and depressing bow. Initially, I thought that this was the end of the series; it’s been more than two years since it came out and I suppose that Maslen could just be busy working on his other series. However, the ending seemed like a lead-in to another installment. Time will tell.
February 18, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author, and apologies in the delay of reading this book.
My first read of this character, DI Henry Ford, and it's number 3 in the series. But caught up with his story and background.
It is worth noting that the author has three successful main characters with their own series of books.
Noted the great accuracy of the locations and also the military elements of the story
Four stars to sometimes the story becoming a little slow .
Suicide or murder? DI Ford is sure there’s a killer to catch, but time is running out.
A young female soldier is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. Everyone assumes that she killed herself. But something doesn’t feel right to DI Ford; the whole scene seems staged. Convinced of foul play, and despite fierce opposition from the army brass and his own superiors, Ford launches a murder investigation.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
My first read of this character, DI Henry Ford, and it's number 3 in the series. But caught up with his story and background.
It is worth noting that the author has three successful main characters with their own series of books.
Noted the great accuracy of the locations and also the military elements of the story
Four stars to sometimes the story becoming a little slow .
Suicide or murder? DI Ford is sure there’s a killer to catch, but time is running out.
A young female soldier is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. Everyone assumes that she killed herself. But something doesn’t feel right to DI Ford; the whole scene seems staged. Convinced of foul play, and despite fierce opposition from the army brass and his own superiors, Ford launches a murder investigation.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
November 28, 2021
5 stars audio and story. Really really really love this series.
September 26, 2021
This is the 3rd book in the DI Henry Ford series by author Andy Maslen. I have read this series from book 1 where I instantly drawn to both the writing and the interesting characters. I thought at the time that the lead characters were well set out and promised a lot more in subsequent books which has proven the case.
Ford lost his wife in a climbing accident that he caused and has hidden the truth from his son Sam ever since. Ford struggles to satisfy the needs of his son while trying to carry out his job serving the police in Wiltshire. His latest case surrounds a young female soldier who is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. The common opinion is that she killed herself, but DI Ford is not convinced. Contrary to fierce opposition from the army and his own superiors, Ford decides to investigate the possibility of foul play. While dealing with the investigations Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened to his wife. There is an added problem for Ford in that the victim’s regiment are due to deploy to Somalia which will mean all suspects and evidence could disappear. The clock is ticking and Ford has a matter of days to discover the truth.
Great characters, well written and plenty of suspense make this an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Ford lost his wife in a climbing accident that he caused and has hidden the truth from his son Sam ever since. Ford struggles to satisfy the needs of his son while trying to carry out his job serving the police in Wiltshire. His latest case surrounds a young female soldier who is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. The common opinion is that she killed herself, but DI Ford is not convinced. Contrary to fierce opposition from the army and his own superiors, Ford decides to investigate the possibility of foul play. While dealing with the investigations Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened to his wife. There is an added problem for Ford in that the victim’s regiment are due to deploy to Somalia which will mean all suspects and evidence could disappear. The clock is ticking and Ford has a matter of days to discover the truth.
Great characters, well written and plenty of suspense make this an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2021
DI Henry Ford is called to an army base where private Rachel Hadley has apparently slit her own throat, committing suicide. That's the view of the army, anyhow. Ford thinks not, and throws himself into an investigation with a deadline: Hadley's unit is shipping out to Somalia before month end. Is it really suicide? Perhaps a lover's quarrel gone wrong?
So we have a ticking clock, and several unbelievable things.
First, Charlie, the army SIB officer who is the liaison between the civilian police Ford represents and the army. Let's just toss in every other soldier who looks at the scene, up to and including Hadley's father, who is a colonel, and also in charge of her unit. Anyone who knows anything about human anatomy - and especially anyone who has been involved in a war, as the colonel will assuredly have been by now - can tell this is not a suicide. People bleed. A ton. Even minor papercuts can bring out an amount of blood that looks a bit scary. But the army people tromping all over the scene don't seem to notice that there's very little blood by the body - and ergo, that it is not the scene where this happened, and Hadley has been posed there, knife in hand.
Speaking of falling down on the job: Ford does not order, nor does CSI think of, apparently, a search of several outbuildings that are near where Hadley is sitting. It strains suspension of disbelief that neither would have a light bulb moment about the lack of blood, look around, and say, "Gee, maybe we should have a look over there." The blame for this is placed on a live-fire exercise due to take place in just a few hours that cannot be canceled, which also strains credulity. Of course it can. Exercises and patrols and invasions are cancelled all the time for various reasons, and a dead body on a live fire field could certainly be one of those cases.
Once the investigation gets moving, it reads like a script from NCIS. Coroner: check. Forensics: check. And so on. It isn't lightning the world on fire, but most investigations are not exciting - they're fairly tedious, truth be told.
It doesn't take much to pick out the villain in this. I was disappointed that with all the representation going on that no one picked up on the name of a book found in Hadley's room on the base - and that unless it's a very old, used copy, the author's pen name would not be on the cover, not now. The author's real name would be. Even without that, nobody can pop on to Amazon and read a description of the book? Or, is that yet another thing they didn't think of?
It sounds like I hated the book, but I didn't. It's an easy read. There's a good camaraderie between Ford and his team, although not so much Ford and his superiors, one of whom he actually cusses out. Ford's immediate boss is more forgiving, and a lot more likeable. I really liked Hannah, the forensics expert and "walking wikipedia", who clearly has Aspberger's Syndrome. I'd be willing to read anything where she was the lead.
Overall: a solid three out of five star read. It moves along, and there are some good moments between Ford and his son, Sam.
Thanks to Amazon UK/Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the reading copy.
So we have a ticking clock, and several unbelievable things.
First, Charlie, the army SIB officer who is the liaison between the civilian police Ford represents and the army. Let's just toss in every other soldier who looks at the scene, up to and including Hadley's father, who is a colonel, and also in charge of her unit. Anyone who knows anything about human anatomy - and especially anyone who has been involved in a war, as the colonel will assuredly have been by now - can tell this is not a suicide. People bleed. A ton. Even minor papercuts can bring out an amount of blood that looks a bit scary. But the army people tromping all over the scene don't seem to notice that there's very little blood by the body - and ergo, that it is not the scene where this happened, and Hadley has been posed there, knife in hand.
Speaking of falling down on the job: Ford does not order, nor does CSI think of, apparently, a search of several outbuildings that are near where Hadley is sitting. It strains suspension of disbelief that neither would have a light bulb moment about the lack of blood, look around, and say, "Gee, maybe we should have a look over there." The blame for this is placed on a live-fire exercise due to take place in just a few hours that cannot be canceled, which also strains credulity. Of course it can. Exercises and patrols and invasions are cancelled all the time for various reasons, and a dead body on a live fire field could certainly be one of those cases.
Once the investigation gets moving, it reads like a script from NCIS. Coroner: check. Forensics: check. And so on. It isn't lightning the world on fire, but most investigations are not exciting - they're fairly tedious, truth be told.
It doesn't take much to pick out the villain in this. I was disappointed that with all the representation going on that no one picked up on the name of a book found in Hadley's room on the base - and that unless it's a very old, used copy, the author's pen name would not be on the cover, not now. The author's real name would be. Even without that, nobody can pop on to Amazon and read a description of the book? Or, is that yet another thing they didn't think of?
It sounds like I hated the book, but I didn't. It's an easy read. There's a good camaraderie between Ford and his team, although not so much Ford and his superiors, one of whom he actually cusses out. Ford's immediate boss is more forgiving, and a lot more likeable. I really liked Hannah, the forensics expert and "walking wikipedia", who clearly has Aspberger's Syndrome. I'd be willing to read anything where she was the lead.
Overall: a solid three out of five star read. It moves along, and there are some good moments between Ford and his son, Sam.
Thanks to Amazon UK/Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the reading copy.
November 11, 2021
Book Review: Plain Dead (DI Henry Ford #3) by Andy Maslen
(Published by Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer, November 25, 2021)
★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)
IMBER, WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND.
Ten miles due northwest of Stonehenge, the prehistoric archeological wonder at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, lies the abandoned village of Imber, appropriated in 1943 and made famous as training grounds for American forces leading to "Operation Overlord" on June 6, 1944 - also known as D-Day. Subsequently used for "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, etal, Imber serves in the present day as an artillery practice range and live-fire urban warfare training center complete with mock-up town structures and shanties akin to what be may encountered in the Arabian sands.
THE BLACK WATCH REGIMENT.
At Imber, a distinguished Highland regiment in the British Army called the Black Watch is training in full gear in preparation for deployment to Somalia. The origins of the Black Watch come from the "watch" companies organized during Scotland's Jacobite rebellion in the 1700's.
ON THAT COLD SEPTEMBER DAY AT IMBER, in front of a whitewashed mock-up building called the "Baghdad Marriott", Black Watch soldier Rachel Padley is found sprawled dead, slashed at the neck. She appears to have cut her own throat. But there also appears to be blunt-force trauma to be back of her head.
Her death falls on the purview of the Bourne Hill Police Department.
-----
PLAIN DEAD (DI HENRY FORD #3)
Enter Bourne Hill major crimes team leader Detective Inspector Ford, no first name deemed necessary, nicknamed "Henry" for you'd-know-who, blues guitar player and crooner whose single most prized possession is a '62 Fender Stratocaster in fiesta red; single dad of 18-year-old Sam. Ford still has nightmares over ten years removed from the sudden death of his wife in a climbing accident at the crags of Pen-y-Holt Bay, Pembroke.
DI Ford's team and inner circle - Jan, Mick, Jools and Olly, all work under the aegis of Detective Superintendent Sandra Monroe.
Ford's team also includes deputy manager, Dr. Hannah Fellowes, nickname "Wix" for Wikipedia, the department's own breathing and walking fountain of knowledge, a senior CSI with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and expert in forensic psychology - the psychology of lying - on top of her adjunct teaching experience at no less than the FBI Academy in Quantico.
Front and center in DI Ford Book 3 is the issue of the integration of women into ground combat roles, along with the lingering matter of "don't ask, don't tell" and the tenets and strictures of Christian fundamentalists.
And DI Ford finally comes to terms with the truth in the death of his wife at Pen-y-Holt.
-----
I've read all three DI Ford novels, and, along with compelling, well-developed characters, British mystery writer Andy Maslen never fails to deliver the most interesting topics and settings for his police procedurals - with a fixed spotlight on a place described by the Sunday Times as a "... best place to live, - remains a divinely attractive and welcoming place".
Salisbury Plain, southern England.
Well-crafted, British police procedural at its best!
Review based on an ARC from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley.
(Published by Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer, November 25, 2021)
★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)
IMBER, WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND.
Ten miles due northwest of Stonehenge, the prehistoric archeological wonder at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, lies the abandoned village of Imber, appropriated in 1943 and made famous as training grounds for American forces leading to "Operation Overlord" on June 6, 1944 - also known as D-Day. Subsequently used for "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, etal, Imber serves in the present day as an artillery practice range and live-fire urban warfare training center complete with mock-up town structures and shanties akin to what be may encountered in the Arabian sands.
THE BLACK WATCH REGIMENT.
At Imber, a distinguished Highland regiment in the British Army called the Black Watch is training in full gear in preparation for deployment to Somalia. The origins of the Black Watch come from the "watch" companies organized during Scotland's Jacobite rebellion in the 1700's.
ON THAT COLD SEPTEMBER DAY AT IMBER, in front of a whitewashed mock-up building called the "Baghdad Marriott", Black Watch soldier Rachel Padley is found sprawled dead, slashed at the neck. She appears to have cut her own throat. But there also appears to be blunt-force trauma to be back of her head.
Her death falls on the purview of the Bourne Hill Police Department.
-----
"The tissue is prima facie evidence of the square root of fuck all!"
- DI Ford, in his unabashed, no holds barred style
PLAIN DEAD (DI HENRY FORD #3)
Enter Bourne Hill major crimes team leader Detective Inspector Ford, no first name deemed necessary, nicknamed "Henry" for you'd-know-who, blues guitar player and crooner whose single most prized possession is a '62 Fender Stratocaster in fiesta red; single dad of 18-year-old Sam. Ford still has nightmares over ten years removed from the sudden death of his wife in a climbing accident at the crags of Pen-y-Holt Bay, Pembroke.
DI Ford's team and inner circle - Jan, Mick, Jools and Olly, all work under the aegis of Detective Superintendent Sandra Monroe.
Ford's team also includes deputy manager, Dr. Hannah Fellowes, nickname "Wix" for Wikipedia, the department's own breathing and walking fountain of knowledge, a senior CSI with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience and expert in forensic psychology - the psychology of lying - on top of her adjunct teaching experience at no less than the FBI Academy in Quantico.
Front and center in DI Ford Book 3 is the issue of the integration of women into ground combat roles, along with the lingering matter of "don't ask, don't tell" and the tenets and strictures of Christian fundamentalists.
And DI Ford finally comes to terms with the truth in the death of his wife at Pen-y-Holt.
-----
I've read all three DI Ford novels, and, along with compelling, well-developed characters, British mystery writer Andy Maslen never fails to deliver the most interesting topics and settings for his police procedurals - with a fixed spotlight on a place described by the Sunday Times as a "... best place to live, - remains a divinely attractive and welcoming place".
Salisbury Plain, southern England.
Well-crafted, British police procedural at its best!
Review based on an ARC from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley.
November 1, 2025
Book 3 in the DI Ford series. I’ve read the other two books in the series and really enjoyed them but I found this one a little slow. Not that much of a storyline and pretty predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 23, 2021
2.5 stars
The first book was quite good but i am afraid things went downhill from there.
This third instalment is still milking the story of the lost wife at full potential. In addition, Ford turns out to be a controversial detective. On one hand he is relying heavily on his gut feeling, on the other hand he goes in the interview room suspecting that the person in front of him is not the killer, but nevertheless asking questions like "isn't it so that...." and giving away all the evidence he has. I am no detective, but even I know that you should not be asking these type of questions or play with all your cards on the table.
The first book was quite good but i am afraid things went downhill from there.
This third instalment is still milking the story of the lost wife at full potential. In addition, Ford turns out to be a controversial detective. On one hand he is relying heavily on his gut feeling, on the other hand he goes in the interview room suspecting that the person in front of him is not the killer, but nevertheless asking questions like "isn't it so that...." and giving away all the evidence he has. I am no detective, but even I know that you should not be asking these type of questions or play with all your cards on the table.
October 2, 2022
A great story following THIS DCI and his tea.
I like how his home life is important to him and there were some emotional parts in this story.
A few red herrings in this one and I enjoyed very much how the story panned out and the thinking behind it.
Looking forward to the next one.
I like how his home life is important to him and there were some emotional parts in this story.
A few red herrings in this one and I enjoyed very much how the story panned out and the thinking behind it.
Looking forward to the next one.
December 5, 2021
A young woman is found with her throat cut in an off limits area used by the army for training purposes. She is a member of the Black Watch & initially this looks like suicide but DI Ford is not convinced. It takes a great deal of persuasion to allow him to follow his suspicions but his time is limited as the unit is set to go abroad in a matter of days. Along with his investigations he is struggling to allow his teenage son more independence as well as realising that one day he will have to tell him how his mother died.
This is the third book in the series & I would recommend that it is read in order. I like Ford & the team around him- particularly Wix the CSI. This was another enjoyable read that kept me guessing & I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This is the third book in the series & I would recommend that it is read in order. I like Ford & the team around him- particularly Wix the CSI. This was another enjoyable read that kept me guessing & I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
December 28, 2023
This was an interesting read as I hadn't read books in this setting before, so always like a change. Although this is part of a series, I found it easy to pick up and it didn't really matter.
I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
November 26, 2021
The book started with a great suspense and solid investigation. Somewhere along the way it got lost and the police were found chasing their tails towards a foregone conclusion. Didn’t really catch my interest.
December 6, 2021
Fantastic police procedural
Loved this from page one. Really well written, great characters, good mystery. I'm thrilled the author has ten more books. The author combined a present day case and a traumatic event from the Detective's past (the death of his wife) to make a very compelling read. Five enthusiastic stars!
Loved this from page one. Really well written, great characters, good mystery. I'm thrilled the author has ten more books. The author combined a present day case and a traumatic event from the Detective's past (the death of his wife) to make a very compelling read. Five enthusiastic stars!
June 16, 2024
A máme tu další z příběhů Detektiva Henryho Forda, a tentokrát nahlédneme tak trochu i do života LGBT komunity. Henry však musí odhalit vraha, ustát spolupráci s vojenskou policí, a zároveň zvládnout několik výzev a zvratů jak v osobním, tak i profesním životě. Tak jako v předchozích dílech působí velice sympaticky a lidsky. Nevyhne se ani nějakému tomu uklouznutí a troše toho sebepoznání. Chybět nebude ani Krajta, nebo Doktorka Hannah.
Sérii s Detektivem Henry Fordem jsem si oblíbila. Jsou to takové nenáročné, a přitom velice čtivé příběhy plné sympatických postav, které si snadno oblíbíte. V příběhu nejde jen o samotné vyšetřování, ale i osobní život jednotlivých charakterů, které mnohdy nezaujmou o nic méně než hlavní linie příběhu. Pokud tedy hledáte sérii detektivních příběhů, které se příjemně čtou a budete si u nich moct i odpočinout, tohle není špatná volba.
Sérii s Detektivem Henry Fordem jsem si oblíbila. Jsou to takové nenáročné, a přitom velice čtivé příběhy plné sympatických postav, které si snadno oblíbíte. V příběhu nejde jen o samotné vyšetřování, ale i osobní život jednotlivých charakterů, které mnohdy nezaujmou o nic méně než hlavní linie příběhu. Pokud tedy hledáte sérii detektivních příběhů, které se příjemně čtou a budete si u nich moct i odpočinout, tohle není špatná volba.
November 25, 2021
An Exceptionally Well Written, and Well Plotted Mystery Thriller Highly Recommended
"Plain Dead" the 3rd book in the author's "Detective Ford" series is an exceptionally good mystery, as well as a thrilling read.
The main character, "DI Henry Ford" has continued to be developed by the author each of the three books in the series, and in "Plain Dead" he continues his development...Perhaps even more so than in previous releases.
Well written, with a great plot exploring not only DI Ford's "personal issues", "relationships", and "character", but also delivering many "twists, and turns", as he works on solving his latest case. A case which it seems no one really wants solved for a plethora of reasons. At times I found my self wondering if the title should have been "Hidden Agendas".
Obviously I'm an ARC reader for the author, and I do not really want to say too much more about it as I do not want to give anything away as a "spoiler"...Man I hate spoilers, so please read the author's blurb "about the book", and then if you read this as well read the book...although I would recommend reading them in order "Plain Dead" can be read as a standalone.
I hope you enjoy this book. I did, and I highly recommend it.
"Plain Dead" the 3rd book in the author's "Detective Ford" series is an exceptionally good mystery, as well as a thrilling read.
The main character, "DI Henry Ford" has continued to be developed by the author each of the three books in the series, and in "Plain Dead" he continues his development...Perhaps even more so than in previous releases.
Well written, with a great plot exploring not only DI Ford's "personal issues", "relationships", and "character", but also delivering many "twists, and turns", as he works on solving his latest case. A case which it seems no one really wants solved for a plethora of reasons. At times I found my self wondering if the title should have been "Hidden Agendas".
Obviously I'm an ARC reader for the author, and I do not really want to say too much more about it as I do not want to give anything away as a "spoiler"...Man I hate spoilers, so please read the author's blurb "about the book", and then if you read this as well read the book...although I would recommend reading them in order "Plain Dead" can be read as a standalone.
I hope you enjoy this book. I did, and I highly recommend it.
November 30, 2021
Plain Dead is a cleverly crafted police procedural with an absorbing plot and compelling characters.
DI Ford and his team investigate what appears to be a suicide of a young female soldier, but is it really suicide? The investigators are up against a deadline as the army unit is going abroad, and officials are keen for Ford to wrap things up.
Though most of the story focuses on the police work, there are some really touching sections describing Ford’s relationship with his son and his grief over the loss of his wife.
Anyone who enjoys police procedurals should love this addition to the DI Ford series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Plain Dead.
DI Ford and his team investigate what appears to be a suicide of a young female soldier, but is it really suicide? The investigators are up against a deadline as the army unit is going abroad, and officials are keen for Ford to wrap things up.
Though most of the story focuses on the police work, there are some really touching sections describing Ford’s relationship with his son and his grief over the loss of his wife.
Anyone who enjoys police procedurals should love this addition to the DI Ford series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Plain Dead.
October 2, 2021
DI Ford is torn when his son wants to go with friends hiking.
A friend put an app on Ford’s phone to know son’s location
Really didn’t help he kept watching and the anxiety got to him.
The truth how his wife died, son hasn’t been told, and the guilt by not
Death of a young soldier, he feels not suicide, time limit is short
To figure out before they are sent to Somalia, and evidence lost
Good characters that pull you in, a touch of the personal life of DI Ford
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion for Net Galley
and Amazon UK. Releases November 25, 2021.
A friend put an app on Ford’s phone to know son’s location
Really didn’t help he kept watching and the anxiety got to him.
The truth how his wife died, son hasn’t been told, and the guilt by not
Death of a young soldier, he feels not suicide, time limit is short
To figure out before they are sent to Somalia, and evidence lost
Good characters that pull you in, a touch of the personal life of DI Ford
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion for Net Galley
and Amazon UK. Releases November 25, 2021.
October 11, 2021
I enjoyed this, as the characters are growing on me as I read more in the series. Interesting setting too as the storyline meant dealing with the army. Looking forward to reading more in the series
January 3, 2022
One of the best mystery books I have read. Classic procedural mystery with more bureaucracy than any investigating team needs to work around.
Amazon Summary: Suicide or murder? DI Ford is sure there’s a killer to catch, but time is running out. A young female soldier is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. Everyone assumes that she killed herself. But something doesn’t feel right to DI Ford; the whole scene seems staged. Convinced of foul play, and despite fierce opposition from the army brass and his own superiors, Ford launches a murder investigation.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
By DI Ford and his colleagues following both procedure and intuitive reactions, he is able both to solve the mystery and arrest the killer.
I intuitively knew who the killer was but had no idea how the killer managed the kill and the staged suicide setting. I still do not understand the turf wars that kept interfering with the investigation. Matters were certainly not handled like USA's NCIS investigations. Difference in culture?
Never-the-less, this is easily read as a stand-alone novel. However, not I am vested in the characters and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
A side story works on DI Ford's survivor guilt. It’s been many years since Ford lost his wife in a climbing accident—an accident he caused. He is desperate to keep the truth hidden, especially from his son, Sam. But Ford’s new partner, Dr Hannah Fellowes (Wix), is a crime scene investigator with a ruthlessly analytical mind, and as they work together to track down the killer, his crippling guilt is compounded by fear of exposure. He works through his issues with Hannah's help.
He decides his teen son Sam is old enough for the complete version of Lou's death. How will Detective Inspector Henry Ford's son Sam react to the full story? That will be in the next book as this one ends with him asking his son to listen to what really happened.
Amazon Summary: Suicide or murder? DI Ford is sure there’s a killer to catch, but time is running out. A young female soldier is found on Salisbury Plain, her throat cut and a bloody knife in her dead hand. Everyone assumes that she killed herself. But something doesn’t feel right to DI Ford; the whole scene seems staged. Convinced of foul play, and despite fierce opposition from the army brass and his own superiors, Ford launches a murder investigation.
Years on from his wife’s death, Ford is still struggling with guilt and whether or not to tell his son the truth about what really happened. When his CSI partner confronts him about the tragedy, he knows he has to confess sooner or later. But the living can wait; the dead are calling. With the victim’s regiment due to deploy to Somalia, taking any suspects and evidence with them, Ford has just days to apprehend the killer.
His career on the line and his relationship with his son in the balance, Ford has to work fast if he is going to bring justice to the dead—and closure to the living.
By DI Ford and his colleagues following both procedure and intuitive reactions, he is able both to solve the mystery and arrest the killer.
I intuitively knew who the killer was but had no idea how the killer managed the kill and the staged suicide setting. I still do not understand the turf wars that kept interfering with the investigation. Matters were certainly not handled like USA's NCIS investigations. Difference in culture?
Never-the-less, this is easily read as a stand-alone novel. However, not I am vested in the characters and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
A side story works on DI Ford's survivor guilt. It’s been many years since Ford lost his wife in a climbing accident—an accident he caused. He is desperate to keep the truth hidden, especially from his son, Sam. But Ford’s new partner, Dr Hannah Fellowes (Wix), is a crime scene investigator with a ruthlessly analytical mind, and as they work together to track down the killer, his crippling guilt is compounded by fear of exposure. He works through his issues with Hannah's help.
He decides his teen son Sam is old enough for the complete version of Lou's death. How will Detective Inspector Henry Ford's son Sam react to the full story? That will be in the next book as this one ends with him asking his son to listen to what really happened.
November 15, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I started this Detective Ford series, because Steve West was narrating, but a British police mystery is a favorite genre as well. The main character is a single dad, who lost his wife in a tragic accident six years earlier.
I love a story with layers. We are in DI Ford's head and getting the story from his point of view. There is a combination of the police work which absorbs nearly all his time, the time with his son who is growing up now, and the bits of personal life he has avoided. He continues to feel his grief and guilt.
The case is on a military base which means working with their police. The military wants to cover it up as a suicide but when it is clearly a homicide, they want to arrest the first plausible suspect and be finished. His own command structure agrees since investigations cost money and they want them solved quickly. Luckily, his own superior wants the actual killer charged, but Ford has a really hard time with all the restrictions and pressures which are in opposition to what he believes about the killer.
Personally, his son is growing up, doing more on his own, even thinking about girls! Ford is worried about both loosing him to normal teenage issues but also his judgement on how his mother died. He struggles to give him space and support. His forensic scientist co-worker is an ally but also fancies him. He likes her but isn't really considering a relationship with anyone. I'll be interested to see how his personal life progresses. There was some growth in Plain Dead.
The case is a pressure cooker. Nobody is happy with him. Ford does gather the evidence and finds the killer. It's a very dangerous process but I always enjoy the police strategy and procedures.
Narration:
Steve West is my favorite narrator. I have become very comfortable enjoying his performance of the main character and the supporting case. His male and female voices feel appropriate. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
COYER #25 Read a book with a form of transportation on the cover.
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I started this Detective Ford series, because Steve West was narrating, but a British police mystery is a favorite genre as well. The main character is a single dad, who lost his wife in a tragic accident six years earlier.
I love a story with layers. We are in DI Ford's head and getting the story from his point of view. There is a combination of the police work which absorbs nearly all his time, the time with his son who is growing up now, and the bits of personal life he has avoided. He continues to feel his grief and guilt.
The case is on a military base which means working with their police. The military wants to cover it up as a suicide but when it is clearly a homicide, they want to arrest the first plausible suspect and be finished. His own command structure agrees since investigations cost money and they want them solved quickly. Luckily, his own superior wants the actual killer charged, but Ford has a really hard time with all the restrictions and pressures which are in opposition to what he believes about the killer.
Personally, his son is growing up, doing more on his own, even thinking about girls! Ford is worried about both loosing him to normal teenage issues but also his judgement on how his mother died. He struggles to give him space and support. His forensic scientist co-worker is an ally but also fancies him. He likes her but isn't really considering a relationship with anyone. I'll be interested to see how his personal life progresses. There was some growth in Plain Dead.
The case is a pressure cooker. Nobody is happy with him. Ford does gather the evidence and finds the killer. It's a very dangerous process but I always enjoy the police strategy and procedures.
Narration:
Steve West is my favorite narrator. I have become very comfortable enjoying his performance of the main character and the supporting case. His male and female voices feel appropriate. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
COYER #25 Read a book with a form of transportation on the cover.
November 25, 2021
This is the 3rd book in the series and begins with what at first sight appears to be a suicide – however Ford has his suspicions that this is not so and that the person has, in fact, been murdered. It is this suspicion which sets the scene for the story.
From the very opening paragraph the author grabs you by the lapels and pulls you into the world he has created. Human memory can be a fickle thing but Andy has the knack of incorporating reminders about relevant plot lines in previous books (which makes a huge difference when one is reading in the wee small hours and brain isn't functioning at 100% ) including how the geek got her nickname! Thanks Andy I would have been pondering that one at the time!
I particularly like the way that Ford's character is evolving. He has always been a very private person and now Andy tantalisingly gives us little snippets as to why Ford is the way he is ….. just as in real life one feels as though Ford is beginning to trust you, the reader, and allows you to know a little bit more about him.
One particular exchange between Ford and Dr. Fellowes, about the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Ford's wife was so emotionally charged that I was in tears – Andy Maslen is the only author living or dead who has made me cry whilst reading!
As always from this author, here is an extremely well written book with no spelling or grammatical errors (and no sex or swearing just for the sake of it!). Andy obviously spends a lot of time researching places/occupations/personalities and this attention to detail makes his story lines believable, his characters seem “real” - even the minor ones have aspects of personality which can endear or irritate the reader!
The only complaint I have is that I have to wait for the next creation from the pen of this Master Craftsman.
From the very opening paragraph the author grabs you by the lapels and pulls you into the world he has created. Human memory can be a fickle thing but Andy has the knack of incorporating reminders about relevant plot lines in previous books (which makes a huge difference when one is reading in the wee small hours and brain isn't functioning at 100% ) including how the geek got her nickname! Thanks Andy I would have been pondering that one at the time!
I particularly like the way that Ford's character is evolving. He has always been a very private person and now Andy tantalisingly gives us little snippets as to why Ford is the way he is ….. just as in real life one feels as though Ford is beginning to trust you, the reader, and allows you to know a little bit more about him.
One particular exchange between Ford and Dr. Fellowes, about the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Ford's wife was so emotionally charged that I was in tears – Andy Maslen is the only author living or dead who has made me cry whilst reading!
As always from this author, here is an extremely well written book with no spelling or grammatical errors (and no sex or swearing just for the sake of it!). Andy obviously spends a lot of time researching places/occupations/personalities and this attention to detail makes his story lines believable, his characters seem “real” - even the minor ones have aspects of personality which can endear or irritate the reader!
The only complaint I have is that I have to wait for the next creation from the pen of this Master Craftsman.
October 3, 2021
This book is the literary version of NCIS and I love it.
Plain Dead is an intriguing, suspenseful, easy to read, mystery novel. It is well written with the exact right amount of description. It is also a tiny bit gory. It is mostly plot-based but when there were chapters about characters and character development, I didn’t feel bored or removed from the story.
I absolutely loved that there were so, so many female characters. Particularly women working in STEM. I didn’t know who all the characters were at first as this is the first book, I have read in the series, but I caught up quickly. I believe that it may have spoilers for a previous book, though, so you may want to read in order.
I learnt a lot about the British military, and it was all presented in a way that was very easy to understand.
The format of this book was very classic and possibly overdone (I mean, there are 19 seasons of NCIS), but the plot remained new and suspenseful with plot twists.
I loved the plot but could not give this book 5 stars as the ending was not very surprising, it didn’t really have an ‘AHA’ moment. I understand that this can be difficult to do in first person detective stories as the detective can think “I suspect it is this person” and then we see them prove themselves right. Although, I guess the alternative is an unreliable narrator where the detective does not share their thoughts. And Andy Maslen does a good job of tackling this dilemma. The plot is still really captivating without the final ‘Aha!’. The ending was satisfactory, but it also just made me angry at Ford.
I definitely look forward to reading more of Maslen’s work. Just maybe not his Henry Ford stories as I found him very cynical, and I did not agree with many of his actions. You can tell a story is well written if you can dislike the main character and still love the book.
Plain Dead is an intriguing, suspenseful, easy to read, mystery novel. It is well written with the exact right amount of description. It is also a tiny bit gory. It is mostly plot-based but when there were chapters about characters and character development, I didn’t feel bored or removed from the story.
I absolutely loved that there were so, so many female characters. Particularly women working in STEM. I didn’t know who all the characters were at first as this is the first book, I have read in the series, but I caught up quickly. I believe that it may have spoilers for a previous book, though, so you may want to read in order.
I learnt a lot about the British military, and it was all presented in a way that was very easy to understand.
The format of this book was very classic and possibly overdone (I mean, there are 19 seasons of NCIS), but the plot remained new and suspenseful with plot twists.
I loved the plot but could not give this book 5 stars as the ending was not very surprising, it didn’t really have an ‘AHA’ moment. I understand that this can be difficult to do in first person detective stories as the detective can think “I suspect it is this person” and then we see them prove themselves right. Although, I guess the alternative is an unreliable narrator where the detective does not share their thoughts. And Andy Maslen does a good job of tackling this dilemma. The plot is still really captivating without the final ‘Aha!’. The ending was satisfactory, but it also just made me angry at Ford.
I definitely look forward to reading more of Maslen’s work. Just maybe not his Henry Ford stories as I found him very cynical, and I did not agree with many of his actions. You can tell a story is well written if you can dislike the main character and still love the book.
October 27, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Plain Dead, the third novel to feature DI “Henry” Ford of the Wiltshire police.
When Private Rachel Padley’s body is found with her throat slashed everyone is keen to write it off as suicide, except Ford who thinks she was murdered. He opens a murder enquiry in the face of stiff opposition and finds himself under intense pressure to find the killer before the brigade ships out.
I enjoyed Plain Dead, which is a straightforward police procedural in the sense that one clue leads to the next in a logical progression and it is told entirely from the investigative point of view, mostly Ford. His investigation, on the other hand, is anything but straightforward with official opposition, a lack of budget, time pressure and remarkably tight lipped witnesses. Just what I like, a good mystery and lots of permutations to ponder. Even better, I came up short as an investigator so the novel held my attention throughout.
The investigation won’t get the pulses pounding or the reader tense, because it’s a slog, trying to uncover clues or even assemble a victimology, but Ford gets there in the end. I think the solution is the least plausible part of the novel, but it’s not unbelievable.
Ford is still trying to come to terms with the death of his wife seven years earlier and his guilt over it. His friend, Hannah, tries to help him and does some good, but his deteriorating relationship with his son doesn’t help. This is a recurring theme throughout the series and it’s getting old quickly. Otherwise Ford is a typical detective who spends too much time working. Hannah is the best character in the book, a real breath of fresh air with her direct approach.
Plain Dead is a good read that I can recommend.
When Private Rachel Padley’s body is found with her throat slashed everyone is keen to write it off as suicide, except Ford who thinks she was murdered. He opens a murder enquiry in the face of stiff opposition and finds himself under intense pressure to find the killer before the brigade ships out.
I enjoyed Plain Dead, which is a straightforward police procedural in the sense that one clue leads to the next in a logical progression and it is told entirely from the investigative point of view, mostly Ford. His investigation, on the other hand, is anything but straightforward with official opposition, a lack of budget, time pressure and remarkably tight lipped witnesses. Just what I like, a good mystery and lots of permutations to ponder. Even better, I came up short as an investigator so the novel held my attention throughout.
The investigation won’t get the pulses pounding or the reader tense, because it’s a slog, trying to uncover clues or even assemble a victimology, but Ford gets there in the end. I think the solution is the least plausible part of the novel, but it’s not unbelievable.
Ford is still trying to come to terms with the death of his wife seven years earlier and his guilt over it. His friend, Hannah, tries to help him and does some good, but his deteriorating relationship with his son doesn’t help. This is a recurring theme throughout the series and it’s getting old quickly. Otherwise Ford is a typical detective who spends too much time working. Hannah is the best character in the book, a real breath of fresh air with her direct approach.
Plain Dead is a good read that I can recommend.
November 15, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I started this Detective Ford series, because Steve West was narrating, but a British police mystery is a favorite genre as well. The main character is a single dad, who lost his wife in a tragic accident six years earlier.
I love a story with layers. We are in DI Ford's head and getting the story from his point of view. There is a combination of the police work which absorbs nearly all his time, the time with his son who is growing up now, and the bits of personal life he has avoided. He continues to feel his grief and guilt.
The case is on a military base which means working with their police. The military wants to cover it up as a suicide but when it is clearly a homicide, they want to arrest the first plausible suspect and be finished. His own command structure agrees since investigations cost money and they want them solved quickly. Luckily, his own superior wants the actual killer charged, but Ford has a really hard time with all the restrictions and pressures which are in opposition to what he believes about the killer.
Personally, his son is growing up, doing more on his own, even thinking about girls! Ford is worried about both loosing him to normal teenage issues but also his judgement on how his mother died. He struggles to give him space and support. His forensic scientist co-worker is an ally but also fancies him. He likes her but isn't really considering a relationship with anyone. I'll be interested to see how his personal life progresses. There was some growth in Plain Dead.
The case is a pressure cooker. Nobody is happy with him. Ford does gather the evidence and finds the killer. It's a very dangerous process but I always enjoy the police strategy and procedures.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I started this Detective Ford series, because Steve West was narrating, but a British police mystery is a favorite genre as well. The main character is a single dad, who lost his wife in a tragic accident six years earlier.
I love a story with layers. We are in DI Ford's head and getting the story from his point of view. There is a combination of the police work which absorbs nearly all his time, the time with his son who is growing up now, and the bits of personal life he has avoided. He continues to feel his grief and guilt.
The case is on a military base which means working with their police. The military wants to cover it up as a suicide but when it is clearly a homicide, they want to arrest the first plausible suspect and be finished. His own command structure agrees since investigations cost money and they want them solved quickly. Luckily, his own superior wants the actual killer charged, but Ford has a really hard time with all the restrictions and pressures which are in opposition to what he believes about the killer.
Personally, his son is growing up, doing more on his own, even thinking about girls! Ford is worried about both loosing him to normal teenage issues but also his judgement on how his mother died. He struggles to give him space and support. His forensic scientist co-worker is an ally but also fancies him. He likes her but isn't really considering a relationship with anyone. I'll be interested to see how his personal life progresses. There was some growth in Plain Dead.
The case is a pressure cooker. Nobody is happy with him. Ford does gather the evidence and finds the killer. It's a very dangerous process but I always enjoy the police strategy and procedures.
January 27, 2022
This is the third book in the “DI Henry Ford” series. The book revolves around DI Henry Ford and the members of his Homicide team working to find the answer to what initially appears to be a suicide but DI Ford believes is a homicide. A young female soldier is found on an artillery range with her throat cut. Ford has to find his murderer in less than 3 weeks when her Black Watch Regiment is posted to Somali. Ford has to sift through a a morass of emotions and clues to find her murderer.
Further complicating his life is his relationship with his teenage son. Relations with Sam have been difficult for the last couple of years since his mother’s death in a climbing accident.
A potential romantic relationship is being hinted at. Dr. Hannah Fellows is a crime scene investigation with a steel trap mind and mild symptoms on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hannah sees through Henry’s facade and leads him to confront what really happened to his wife.
The victim, Rachel, is a highly trained and qualified Black Watch soldier, very much a woman in a man’s world. Her parents are members of an almost cult-like church so Rachel’s family relationships are strained.
I found the characters, the setting, the puzzle and how it gets solved interesting. The writing was captivating and with a good plot and interesting characters made this a very good story. Although I may not reread the book, I will look into other books in this series.
I have received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway in return for an honest review.
Further complicating his life is his relationship with his teenage son. Relations with Sam have been difficult for the last couple of years since his mother’s death in a climbing accident.
A potential romantic relationship is being hinted at. Dr. Hannah Fellows is a crime scene investigation with a steel trap mind and mild symptoms on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hannah sees through Henry’s facade and leads him to confront what really happened to his wife.
The victim, Rachel, is a highly trained and qualified Black Watch soldier, very much a woman in a man’s world. Her parents are members of an almost cult-like church so Rachel’s family relationships are strained.
I found the characters, the setting, the puzzle and how it gets solved interesting. The writing was captivating and with a good plot and interesting characters made this a very good story. Although I may not reread the book, I will look into other books in this series.
I have received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway in return for an honest review.
November 25, 2021
This is a great book in the Andy Maslen Detective Henry Ford book series
The Cast of Characters
• Detective Inspector Henry Ford of the Wiltshire Police Force
• Sam, his son,
• Georgina "George" Eustace, pathologist
• Detective Superintendent Sandy Monroe, Ford's boss
• Assistance Chief Constable Starkey, Monroe's boss
• Hannah "Wix" Fellowes, Deputy Chief Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
• Detective Constable (DC) "Jools" Harper, member of Ford's team
• Jan, Mick, and Olly, other members of Ford's team of investigator
• Private Rachel Padley, the victim
• Lt. Charlie Daniels, the military liaison to Ford's investigation.
• Col. Hemmings, commanding officer of the local Black Watch regiment where Private Padley is stationed.
The Storyline
Private Padley is found dead with a bloody knife held loosely in her hand. The first indication is she possibly committed suicide. So is it suicide or murder?
Follow DI Ford and his team as they follow the evidence to find out what is true cause of Private Padley's death, and find a murderer if that was the cause. Along the way, Ford is still dealing with the death of his wife, and has to battle the politics of the two commanders above him.
This is a great story that keeps you enthralled until the end.
Heads-up: as you are reading the story, you will find characters' words or thoughts that make you stop and laugh out loud. It also makes an endearing story.
The Cast of Characters
• Detective Inspector Henry Ford of the Wiltshire Police Force
• Sam, his son,
• Georgina "George" Eustace, pathologist
• Detective Superintendent Sandy Monroe, Ford's boss
• Assistance Chief Constable Starkey, Monroe's boss
• Hannah "Wix" Fellowes, Deputy Chief Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
• Detective Constable (DC) "Jools" Harper, member of Ford's team
• Jan, Mick, and Olly, other members of Ford's team of investigator
• Private Rachel Padley, the victim
• Lt. Charlie Daniels, the military liaison to Ford's investigation.
• Col. Hemmings, commanding officer of the local Black Watch regiment where Private Padley is stationed.
The Storyline
Private Padley is found dead with a bloody knife held loosely in her hand. The first indication is she possibly committed suicide. So is it suicide or murder?
Follow DI Ford and his team as they follow the evidence to find out what is true cause of Private Padley's death, and find a murderer if that was the cause. Along the way, Ford is still dealing with the death of his wife, and has to battle the politics of the two commanders above him.
This is a great story that keeps you enthralled until the end.
Heads-up: as you are reading the story, you will find characters' words or thoughts that make you stop and laugh out loud. It also makes an endearing story.
February 13, 2024
Mám ráda knížky, které vycházejí v celých sériích. Těším se na pokračování příběhů těch "mých" hrdinů. Nejinak to je i s detektivem Fordem. Je to chlap se složitou minulostí. Před lety mu na skále zemřela žena a on si to dává za vinu, protože běžel pro pomoc a ona se mezitím utopila. Už třetí díl série, ve které se s touto smrtí snaží vyrovnat. Zvažuje, zda říct pravdu Samovi, svému pubertálnímu synovi. A zároveň si mezitím odskakuje řešit zapeklité vraždy. Což mu samozřejmě jeho syn v záchvatech puberty celkem dost vyčítá. Tentokrát musí Ford vypátrat smrt mladé vojačky, kterou našli ve výcvikové vesnici s podříznutým hrdlem. Jasná sebevražda a do toho se Forda snaží vmanipulovat jeho nejvyšší nadřízení i velení z vojenské základny. Jenže Ford si je jistý, že všechno bylo úplně jinak. Během příběhu si najde čas i na malý románek s ženou, která se motá kolem vyšetřování. Kdo četl předchozí díly, tak vám schválně neprozradím, jestli je to jeho kolegyně Wix :-) Pachatel vraždy mladičké Rachel je na konci odhalen a netipla jsem si to teda. Ford samozřejmě ano... Musím říct, že Maslenovy knížky se mi nečtou jako po másle. Naopak. Musím se u nich dost soustředit a přiznám se, že třeba taková Dokonalá série od Helen Fields se mi čte mnohem lépe. Ale Maslen má něco do sebe, proč se těším na každou další knihu. Takže za mě určitě můžu doporučit.
November 11, 2021
I really enjoy reading this series because if you ignore the crimes, the other aspects of the stories are like our daily lives. In Plain Dead, Ford finally realizes that Sam has grown up and he needs to spread his wings, which is going to have an impact on their relationship. The main point is, is Ford ready and prepared for that? There is no doubt he will have to confront his demons.
The crime in this story is one of hate and incapacity of people in dealing with those who are slightly different, A mother who is a fanatic and has her life totally molded in accordance to the church and her duties for them. A father who is devoted to his job in the Army. Both were unable to keep a family together as they had little contact with both - a daughter and one son.
The plot is extremely well put together, has lots of action, and gets the reader from the beginning.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
The crime in this story is one of hate and incapacity of people in dealing with those who are slightly different, A mother who is a fanatic and has her life totally molded in accordance to the church and her duties for them. A father who is devoted to his job in the Army. Both were unable to keep a family together as they had little contact with both - a daughter and one son.
The plot is extremely well put together, has lots of action, and gets the reader from the beginning.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews