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Family First: Monteith and Watson: Book 1
Nobody owns life
A man is murdered in a pub carpark.
DS Watson and Monteith are finding it difficult to catch a killer.
Three more bodies are found.
The two detectives are on a roller-coaster ride to find out if they are all connected and why.
The Unsilent Grief of one man spirals into murder and mayhem. What readers are saying!
It's a gripping story which pulls the reader in.'
A gripping exciting storyline that kept me on the edge and wanting to read more!
A solid four star read ****!
A man is murdered in a pub carpark.
DS Watson and Monteith are finding it difficult to catch a killer.
Three more bodies are found.
The two detectives are on a roller-coaster ride to find out if they are all connected and why.
The Unsilent Grief of one man spirals into murder and mayhem. What readers are saying!
It's a gripping story which pulls the reader in.'
A gripping exciting storyline that kept me on the edge and wanting to read more!
A solid four star read ****!
Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2021
The beginning of a new crime fiction series introduces the reader to Detectives Watson and Montieth. They have been partners for several years, friends outside of work, and have even been each others' best men at their weddings.
Within days, several men have been murdered. The only thing that connects the killings is that they have all spent time in prison for various crimes and have recently been released.
Where do you start looking for a serial killer? So many suspects ... victims and victims' families of these men? Law enforcement officers angry that criminals are being let out before their entire sentence have been served? Even top cops? Correction Officers?
This is a fast-paced police procedural filled with twists and turns. The killer is identified fairly early on .. the motive takes a little longer to get to. The detectives and their team and supervisors all bear closely watching. One of the detectives has a personal issue to deal with while still trying to do his job. The characters are deftly drawn, suspects are many with various motives. The ending came as quite a surprise. Be warned ... there is a cliff hanger leading to a second book in the series.
Many thanks to the author / Dark Edge Press for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 5, 2022
I dont read to often and would like to read more, i read family first and started off reading a chapter and then tending to what i needed yo do in my day, after a few chapters i couldnt put my phone down as i read the e copy first, i really thoroughly enjoyed this book and was looking forward to reading the next instalment to the series :)
May 30, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fresh, finely paced novel. It has all the hallmarks of classic crime fiction, with a modern twist. I am sure Monteith and Watson have many years of crime-solving ahead of them.
January 11, 2019
I picked this up as an interesting twist on crime novels. The author was a new one to me, and I was pretty much pulled into the story from the first page. The idea itself, that one man in his grief could cause so much death and destruction appealed to me. However, the lack of research - UK officers having weapons for a start - pulled me out of the story. I very much enjoyed the book and the story told, and read it in one sitting. I look forward to seeing more from this author. A solid four star read.
July 7, 2021
This is an excellent debut novel featuring DS Terry Watson and DS Keith Monteith of the Criminal Detective Agency, part of the West Ravenswood Police Force. The pair are best friends in life as well as at work and they sometimes have their own very likeable style of doing things. The story starts with the murder of an ex-con recently released from prison after serving a long stretch. The two detectives are charged with investigating this crime and are struggling for suspects until bodies two and three are discovered killed in a similar fashion. Right from the start the reader knows who the murderer is and why he is taking out his revenge in such a way. The team, some of whom are also coping with personal issues, takes a little longer to establish a prime suspect and then it is an exciting race against time to prevent further bloodshed. How many more are on this killer’s list?
It has a good plot, well told (it certainly does not feel like a “first" book) and it is very easy to sympathise with the killer, a testament to the skill of the author. I grew to like the main characters very much as the story progressed. There are a couple of great twists right at the end and the reader is left with an exciting cliff-hanger for the start of book two which I am looking forward to immensely.
I had the pleasure to read this book when it was originally published as Unsilent Grief so I am delighted to see this author has been signed up to a publisher and is finally getting the recognition he deserves. 5*
It has a good plot, well told (it certainly does not feel like a “first" book) and it is very easy to sympathise with the killer, a testament to the skill of the author. I grew to like the main characters very much as the story progressed. There are a couple of great twists right at the end and the reader is left with an exciting cliff-hanger for the start of book two which I am looking forward to immensely.
I had the pleasure to read this book when it was originally published as Unsilent Grief so I am delighted to see this author has been signed up to a publisher and is finally getting the recognition he deserves. 5*
July 2, 2021
This crime fiction follows not only the police investigation but also allows the reader to spend time with the killer, giving you a look at how far someone can be driven by the loss of a loved one. It leaves you asking what you would do to revenge the violent murder of one of your family members…
The author allows you to spend time with the police offers who are investigating a series of murders, but also early in the book you know who the killer is, you spend time with him and see what is happening in his head and what is driving him to commit the crime. Initially, I didn’t like knowing who the killer was before the police officers investigating. But as the story continues, and the author gives you glimpses into the killer's mind it is understandable – I ended up liking the killer, feel sorry for him even.
When a man is shot in a pub’s car park, and followed by more dead bodies being found, Detective’s Monteith and Watson soon realise that they are dealing with a serial killer. The only connection between the victims they can find is a prison, but there is no clear motive, so how do they find the killer before he strikes again?
This is a quick read; I finished the book in a day. However, there is a lot of detail, and the author does not miss out on anything that could leave you uncertain as you read. The characters have full lives and there are a few different levels to the story that cover the character’s private and work lives. I enjoyed how the author managed to tell a full, detailed story in a rather short book.
I liked the killer – I felt bad for him and everything he went through. This is probably the first time that I have read a book hoping the bad guy would get away. Sounds crazy I know, but as you read this book and hear what this man and his family have endured you understand why he is killing people, even if you do not agree with his choices.
I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to crime fictions fans looking for a quick, light read. This book is enjoyable light crime fiction that will keep you entertained as you turn the pages.
The author allows you to spend time with the police offers who are investigating a series of murders, but also early in the book you know who the killer is, you spend time with him and see what is happening in his head and what is driving him to commit the crime. Initially, I didn’t like knowing who the killer was before the police officers investigating. But as the story continues, and the author gives you glimpses into the killer's mind it is understandable – I ended up liking the killer, feel sorry for him even.
When a man is shot in a pub’s car park, and followed by more dead bodies being found, Detective’s Monteith and Watson soon realise that they are dealing with a serial killer. The only connection between the victims they can find is a prison, but there is no clear motive, so how do they find the killer before he strikes again?
This is a quick read; I finished the book in a day. However, there is a lot of detail, and the author does not miss out on anything that could leave you uncertain as you read. The characters have full lives and there are a few different levels to the story that cover the character’s private and work lives. I enjoyed how the author managed to tell a full, detailed story in a rather short book.
I liked the killer – I felt bad for him and everything he went through. This is probably the first time that I have read a book hoping the bad guy would get away. Sounds crazy I know, but as you read this book and hear what this man and his family have endured you understand why he is killing people, even if you do not agree with his choices.
I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to crime fictions fans looking for a quick, light read. This book is enjoyable light crime fiction that will keep you entertained as you turn the pages.
June 29, 2021
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk...
Intense and fast-paced, Family First is a story about right and wrong, and how far you'd go to seek revenge.
The two detectives, Monteith and Watson, are partners at work and best friends outside of work. They work well as a team and are dedicated to solving crimes and catching criminals. When a body turns up under suspicious circumstances, it isn't long before Monteith and Watson are heading up the murder investigation. However, soon, things start to escalate and events spiral out of control. With the body count piling up and a potential serial killer on the loose - not to mention problems mounting outside the workplace - all of the detectives' skills are put to the test.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book, with a few shocks and surprises thrown in along the way. The story is told through multiple narratives from different characters, leaving the reader to piece together the story and the case. However, my advice is to expect the unexpected! There are lots of revelations and a few red herrings to keep you guessing right to the very end.
This is a relatively short book but a lot is packed into its pages. It did feel a little rushed at times, and personally, I would have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Monteith and Watson in a little more detail. This would also have provided the opportunity for more suspense to be built around the plot. That being said, it's a short and snappy read - ideal for devouring over a weekend.
Family First is an engaging, gritty read ideal for crime fiction fans.
Intense and fast-paced, Family First is a story about right and wrong, and how far you'd go to seek revenge.
The two detectives, Monteith and Watson, are partners at work and best friends outside of work. They work well as a team and are dedicated to solving crimes and catching criminals. When a body turns up under suspicious circumstances, it isn't long before Monteith and Watson are heading up the murder investigation. However, soon, things start to escalate and events spiral out of control. With the body count piling up and a potential serial killer on the loose - not to mention problems mounting outside the workplace - all of the detectives' skills are put to the test.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book, with a few shocks and surprises thrown in along the way. The story is told through multiple narratives from different characters, leaving the reader to piece together the story and the case. However, my advice is to expect the unexpected! There are lots of revelations and a few red herrings to keep you guessing right to the very end.
This is a relatively short book but a lot is packed into its pages. It did feel a little rushed at times, and personally, I would have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Monteith and Watson in a little more detail. This would also have provided the opportunity for more suspense to be built around the plot. That being said, it's a short and snappy read - ideal for devouring over a weekend.
Family First is an engaging, gritty read ideal for crime fiction fans.
February 14, 2022
I just finished reading Tony Millington’s Family First: Monteith and Watson: Book 1 (after, sadly, having to slow down due to finishing work on my fifth novel) and I loved every page of it.
This is a fully realized police procedural about a killer going after a seemingly random list of victims until the connection becomes quite clear. Detective Constables Monteith & Watson are fun to read because they are so fully fleshed out and interesting. Yeah, they’re funny and are close friends but they are devoted to the job and very different from each other (as opposed to being the same character twice).
Tony handles all his characters with such depth that there are no voices that seem repetitive of each other. Each one is unique and fascinating. I can’t think of a single character who couldn’t support a spin-off of their own. Luckily the second book in the series is coming and I’m looking forward to it. I already bought my copy.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in crime thrillers. Millington is a skilled writer and I’m so happy to count myself among his readers.
Buy this book from Dark Edge Press. You won’t regret it.
Hell, I may have to sit back and reread the whole thing. Quality content!
This is a fully realized police procedural about a killer going after a seemingly random list of victims until the connection becomes quite clear. Detective Constables Monteith & Watson are fun to read because they are so fully fleshed out and interesting. Yeah, they’re funny and are close friends but they are devoted to the job and very different from each other (as opposed to being the same character twice).
Tony handles all his characters with such depth that there are no voices that seem repetitive of each other. Each one is unique and fascinating. I can’t think of a single character who couldn’t support a spin-off of their own. Luckily the second book in the series is coming and I’m looking forward to it. I already bought my copy.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in crime thrillers. Millington is a skilled writer and I’m so happy to count myself among his readers.
Buy this book from Dark Edge Press. You won’t regret it.
Hell, I may have to sit back and reread the whole thing. Quality content!
June 21, 2021
The first in a new series, Monteith and Watson, and a good start. The murderer is revealed to the reader virtually from the start, along with his motive for the killings. So the story revolves around the police procedural side of the case and other side stories.
Briefly, a body is found in a pub car park, shot, and the detectives soon discover the victim was a former prisoner in Claythorn Prison. When another dead ex-prisoner turns up, and then the former governor of the prison, it is clear there is a serial killer in their town. Their boss DCI Crompton is clearly unnerved by the first death and they wonder why. Did he have a connection to the murdered man? Meanwhile, Monteith has his own problems which are starting to impact his work. Can his partner help him?
I enjoyed the book although I wasn’t blown away by it. I felt like it was an introduction to something more. The writing and storylines were clear and well written but for me I think I would have liked to see more about the police procedural side. That said it was a good read and I am looking forward to reading book 2. I feel there is a lot more to come. It’s a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
Briefly, a body is found in a pub car park, shot, and the detectives soon discover the victim was a former prisoner in Claythorn Prison. When another dead ex-prisoner turns up, and then the former governor of the prison, it is clear there is a serial killer in their town. Their boss DCI Crompton is clearly unnerved by the first death and they wonder why. Did he have a connection to the murdered man? Meanwhile, Monteith has his own problems which are starting to impact his work. Can his partner help him?
I enjoyed the book although I wasn’t blown away by it. I felt like it was an introduction to something more. The writing and storylines were clear and well written but for me I think I would have liked to see more about the police procedural side. That said it was a good read and I am looking forward to reading book 2. I feel there is a lot more to come. It’s a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
July 26, 2021
What a great start to a new police procedural series! It introduces the reader to Detectives Watson and Montieth - they are long term friends as well as colleagues, partners in fact. They come as a pair!
An ex-prisoner is shot as he leaves the pub one night - there doesn't seem to be a motive and very little evidence. As the bodies pile up the pressure is mounting for Watson and Montieth and the only thing that links them is the fact they are ex-prisoners.
I enjoyed the partnership between the two main detectives - they are funny, the banter is great between them and there is a storyline outside of work as well. I am looking forward to seeing how this evolves in the coming books as it was definitely left on a cliffhanger.
The motivation behind the killings is unique - I felt sorry for them as I could empathize with their situation. Which is a good sign as it means Tony has done his job well. It was good to see their perspective as well as that of the police investigation.
This is a good start to a series and it will be interesting to see how this will develop in future books.
An ex-prisoner is shot as he leaves the pub one night - there doesn't seem to be a motive and very little evidence. As the bodies pile up the pressure is mounting for Watson and Montieth and the only thing that links them is the fact they are ex-prisoners.
I enjoyed the partnership between the two main detectives - they are funny, the banter is great between them and there is a storyline outside of work as well. I am looking forward to seeing how this evolves in the coming books as it was definitely left on a cliffhanger.
The motivation behind the killings is unique - I felt sorry for them as I could empathize with their situation. Which is a good sign as it means Tony has done his job well. It was good to see their perspective as well as that of the police investigation.
This is a good start to a series and it will be interesting to see how this will develop in future books.
June 28, 2021
This is the debut novel by this author, and you wouldnt know it.
Once I became engrossed in the story I was hooked the same as I would be by an author that has written ten or more books. It is that well written.
The two main detectives are great, they have a great relationship and have a happy and settled home life (well mostly!) There are few light hearted funny moments in the banter between the team.
The story revolves around vigilante killings by an ex prison governer who believes people didnt get the punishment they deserved.
There are a few twists along the way, as you would expect from a crime novel, but I didnt see any of them.
This book has obviously been well researched as well, which was necessary for the variety of ways the victims were dispatched.
I think my favourite character is Mac, with the wicked nickname Mac the Knife, who is obviously the pathologist. Hes awesome.
Overall a fantastic debut, a brilliant book, and I am certainly looking forward to reading more about Monteith and Watson.
Once I became engrossed in the story I was hooked the same as I would be by an author that has written ten or more books. It is that well written.
The two main detectives are great, they have a great relationship and have a happy and settled home life (well mostly!) There are few light hearted funny moments in the banter between the team.
The story revolves around vigilante killings by an ex prison governer who believes people didnt get the punishment they deserved.
There are a few twists along the way, as you would expect from a crime novel, but I didnt see any of them.
This book has obviously been well researched as well, which was necessary for the variety of ways the victims were dispatched.
I think my favourite character is Mac, with the wicked nickname Mac the Knife, who is obviously the pathologist. Hes awesome.
Overall a fantastic debut, a brilliant book, and I am certainly looking forward to reading more about Monteith and Watson.
July 8, 2021
Loved this book!
This kept me gripped throughout.
The plot was fast paced and jumped straight in from the start.
The characters were really well written.
I liked how the story was written from different perspectives and this flowed well throughout the whole story.
The story line was realistic and the change between the characters stories is written very well.
The ending of the book was fantastic.
I found the plot completely unpredictable, which I loved.
I am now very eager for book 2 in this Monteith & Watson series.
This kept me gripped throughout.
The plot was fast paced and jumped straight in from the start.
The characters were really well written.
I liked how the story was written from different perspectives and this flowed well throughout the whole story.
The story line was realistic and the change between the characters stories is written very well.
The ending of the book was fantastic.
I found the plot completely unpredictable, which I loved.
I am now very eager for book 2 in this Monteith & Watson series.
July 27, 2021
This is an excellent read.
It is the first in a series and we are introduced to Detectives Monteith and Watson. I really enjoyed their relationship and how they investigated this case.
They are faced with someone who is dealing out their own justice to ex prisoners. Once the body has been found, more pile up very quickly.
The book is well written and there are a few red herrings thrown in too for good measure. I look forward to the next in the series.
It is the first in a series and we are introduced to Detectives Monteith and Watson. I really enjoyed their relationship and how they investigated this case.
They are faced with someone who is dealing out their own justice to ex prisoners. Once the body has been found, more pile up very quickly.
The book is well written and there are a few red herrings thrown in too for good measure. I look forward to the next in the series.
June 28, 2021
This is the first outing for detectives Monteith and Watson as they are thrown into the deep end to investigate a brutal murder within a pub car park. As they begin to dig, more people die. A gripping thriller which includes other subplots, crime readers are sure to enjoy this book. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one in the series.
June 30, 2022
A great start to a new series, the question in this isn't whodunit but why. Full of twists and a cliffhanger ending, this book draws you into the gritty world of the two detectives who find themselves tasked with solving a murder that quickly escalates into the first introduction of a serial killer. Very enjoyable!
July 17, 2021
An excellent read for any crime fiction fan. Well written and laid out making it such a pleasure to read. There is a great twist towards the end which I was not expecting and made the story even more gripping. I cannot wait to read the next book. I cannot recommend this book enough.
August 30, 2021
I really enjoyed Millington’s novel. A down to earth crime novel with interesting twists, and a very human side to the story from all angles. Warmly recommended. I can’t wait for the next one! It’s the start of a series, and when you finish this one I know you’ll be left wanting more!
February 26, 2022
Fast paced thriller
Very enjoyable racy thriller with a few twists along the way. Can highly recommend and looking forward to the next instalment featuring Watson and Monteith. Hope there are more to come.
Very enjoyable racy thriller with a few twists along the way. Can highly recommend and looking forward to the next instalment featuring Watson and Monteith. Hope there are more to come.
July 14, 2021
An ok read.
April 10, 2022
Fantastic debut novel from this writer. The two detectives were engaging and I enjoyed their relationship. A fantastic example of a good police procedural novel. Engaging story as the pair try to catch a killer. Fab job from the author!
December 29, 2021
It was ok, ending a little disappointing but nice cliff hanger.
September 28, 2018
A great debut novel featuring DS Terry Watson and DS Keith Monteith of the Criminal Detective Agency, part of the West Ravenswood Police Force. The story starts with the murder of an ex-con recently released from prison after serving a long stretch. The pair of detectives are charged with investigating this crime and are struggling for suspects until bodies two and three are discovered killed in a similar fashion. Right from the start the reader knows who the murderer is and why he is taking out his revenge in such a way. The team, some of whom are also coping with personal issues, takes a little longer to establish a prime suspect and then it is an exciting race against time to prevent further bloodshed. It is a good plot, well told and I grew to like the main characters as the story progressed. There is a nice twist right at the end which leaves the doorway open for a second book which I look forward to.
(The book lost a star due to what I feel is the author being badly let down by his publisher. There are type setting and punctuation errors, and also incorrect words inserted, missed words and name errors. In no way do I blame the author for this but it can detract from a good book.)
(The book lost a star due to what I feel is the author being badly let down by his publisher. There are type setting and punctuation errors, and also incorrect words inserted, missed words and name errors. In no way do I blame the author for this but it can detract from a good book.)
June 18, 2024
Family First by Tony Millington is a debut novel which I have to say didn't read like one. I felt like I was just reading a new series from someone who already had a few books under their belt already.
A book that reveals the murderer at the start so it focuses on the two detectives and the
Police investigation among other threads.
The two detectives, Monteith and Watson work together and are best mates out of work too. As you can imagine they work well together and they are diligent detectives, making it their mission to solve the crimes and catch the bad guys. They catch the murder case and work it as they should. Then things begin to escalate and the body count rises. As it becomes apparent that it could be a serial killer their skills are tested to the limit.
A short but satisfying book with more twists and turns to be expected as the story unfolds and Tony Millington manages to fit more shocks into the book too. I was really engrossed in this story, to the point of sitting there for way too long because I was thinking 'Just one more chapter'.
I do hope Monteith and Watson return... I would really like to learn more about these two detectives. I bet they have some stories to tell.
Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Dark Edge Press for the copy of the book.
A book that reveals the murderer at the start so it focuses on the two detectives and the
Police investigation among other threads.
The two detectives, Monteith and Watson work together and are best mates out of work too. As you can imagine they work well together and they are diligent detectives, making it their mission to solve the crimes and catch the bad guys. They catch the murder case and work it as they should. Then things begin to escalate and the body count rises. As it becomes apparent that it could be a serial killer their skills are tested to the limit.
A short but satisfying book with more twists and turns to be expected as the story unfolds and Tony Millington manages to fit more shocks into the book too. I was really engrossed in this story, to the point of sitting there for way too long because I was thinking 'Just one more chapter'.
I do hope Monteith and Watson return... I would really like to learn more about these two detectives. I bet they have some stories to tell.
Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Dark Edge Press for the copy of the book.
September 9, 2018
A Dark Bold Chilling Debut..Revenge...Secrets...and Murder
This story begins with a man's body found in a pub car park after closing time..He has been executed.Assigned to the case are DS Watson and Monteith of The Criminal Detective Agency.The killer in this case is a man tortured by events from years before..He has a book of names and now he is escalating..Watson and Monteith make a good pairing..one of them though has a secret that is about to be brought out into the open..but the detective is not the only one with secrets here...and as Jennifer R.Hubbard once said..Nothing stays secret forever..In the chilling climax as the team finally catch up with a killer..blood will spill..and just when you think it's all over..there is a shock in store...that I for one didn't see coming..A Dark Bold Chilling debut...
This story begins with a man's body found in a pub car park after closing time..He has been executed.Assigned to the case are DS Watson and Monteith of The Criminal Detective Agency.The killer in this case is a man tortured by events from years before..He has a book of names and now he is escalating..Watson and Monteith make a good pairing..one of them though has a secret that is about to be brought out into the open..but the detective is not the only one with secrets here...and as Jennifer R.Hubbard once said..Nothing stays secret forever..In the chilling climax as the team finally catch up with a killer..blood will spill..and just when you think it's all over..there is a shock in store...that I for one didn't see coming..A Dark Bold Chilling debut...
August 15, 2018
If you are a fan of British mystery stories this is one for you. I enjoyed this book a great deal but for one thing. With the exception of the Montieth and Matthews I didn't feel the characters were fleshed out very well. In the end that led me to think the plot was a bit too easy to discern as the main character of the book was not real enough for me. The book is well presented, there are no major distractions, and it is fast reading. It was enjoyable but I would like to have known the characters a little better.
November 19, 2018
Full review to follow
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