Run. Don’t look back. When a young teenager is stabbed to death at a busy fairground, Detective Mark Turpin is assigned the task of finding the boy’s killer.
But this was no ordinary murder.
Mark knows the victim, and the man who ordered his death.
As he sifts through the young victim’s final days, he uncovers a powerful crime syndicate that will do anything to protect its interests.
Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly Mark isn’t just trying to solve a murder – he’s fighting for his own survival.
The Lost Boy is the third book in a new murder mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett.
Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveller and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
Fourteen year old Matthew was running for his life. The fair with so many people, parents with their children, should make it easier for him to hide. But will it?
Detective Mark Turpin was at the fair with Lucy and his daughters, Louise and Anna, when they heard screaming. With Lucy tasked with taking the girls home, Mark was on the scene, directing the police who arrived on site, stopping people from getting too close. Mark's immediate investigation uncovered terrifying facts - did this have a connection with a previous case where he was almost killed? Mark's partner, Jan West, worked round the clock and with them all attacking the case from different angles, they were sure to find answers...
The Lost Boy is the 3rd in the Detective Mark Turpin series by Aussie author Rachel Amphlett and it was awe-inspiring! I thoroughly enjoy this author's work, and the character of Mark Turpin is an exceptional one. A tension-filled, gritty crime novel, The Lost Boy is one I recommend highly.
This is the third book in the Mark Turpin series and events from the previous books start to catch up with him in a serious way.
The Lost Boy starts fast with a young boy's murder at a local fair, and the pace does not let up. It is a police procedural but this time the lead Detective and those close to him are right in the firing line which gives the book an extra sense of nervousness and fear.
I really like Detective Mark Turpin. He is an admirable character, always calm and thoughtful and managing his life the best way he can. Maybe that is why he is surrounded by charming females including his daughters, his girlfriend and even his separated wife. The big exception to this is Hamish the dog, definitely a male, and what a heart breaker. I spent the entire book on the edge of my seat on his behalf!
I really enjoy this author's books and this was no exception.
If like me you haven’t been following the series, not to worry – this was my first encounter with Detective Mark Turpin and I enjoyed reading the book. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. You do miss a little of the backstory but the missing bits are not big enough to affect your enjoyment of this book The author digs straight into her story allowing the reader to quickly get hooked. The Lost Boy starts quickly and you are not left waiting for something to happen. I enjoy that about the book. When a young boy is murdered at a busy fair in the centre of town, while Mark Turpin is attending with his family. He is left feeling guilty for not getting to the scene fast enough, blaming himself for the boys' death. However, when he recognises the boy from a previous case he was involved in, it becomes clear that there is more to this child's murder than he expected. This is personal, can Mark find the killer before the killer finds him and his family? The Lost Boy is a police procedural that leaves you trapped in an investigation that involves the murder of a child. You are drawn into the emotions this case has on the police officers investigating the crime and experience their feelings. This leaves you wanting justice as much as they do and you are forced to keep reading. Mark Turpin makes an interesting character. While he is emotionally invested in the case he remains calm and collected to ensure that his children are not affected. A strong, determined man who is scared of his ex-wife. You have to love the man. I found this book to be a relaxing read, it didn’t seem to have the rush of most crime novels which made it an enjoyable, almost peaceful read. Crime fans who enjoy a gripping yet relaxed read will love The Lost Boy, I recommend this book to readers who enjoy crime fiction that drops you straight into an investigation.
The Lost Boy is book three in the Detective Mark Turpin series by Rachel Amphlett. Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin was at the local fair with his girlfriend Lucy and children Louise and Anna when he saw a commotion near a local laneway. Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin went to investigate and found a young boy stabbed to death. However, when Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin realises the young boy’s identity, his new life in Oxfordshire could be comprised. The readers of The Lost Boy will continue to follow Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin to find out what happens.
I enjoy the first two books in the Detective Sergeant Mark Turpin series. The Lost Boy did not disappoint. I engaged from the first page, and I could not put this book down until the last page. I enjoyed the way Rachel Amphlett incorporated the twists and turns in the plot of this book. I love Rachel Amphlett portrayal of the characters of The Lost Boy and their interaction with each other throughout this book. The Lost Boy was well written and researched by Rachel Amphlett. I like the description of the settings of The Lost Boy that allowed me to imagine being part of the plot of this book.
The readers of The Lost Boy will learn about the historical Michaelmas Fair. Also, the readers of The Lost Boy will learn about issues that happen to law enforcement families.
Mark Turpin is back and this time the case is very, very personal. From the intense opening scenes, to some high stakes, high drama sequences that really get the heart pounding, Rachel Amphlett has served up another piece of reading heaven that fans of the series are going to love.
This time around we get to learn even more about Turpin and the case which led to a massive change in his personal life and this transfer away from the Wiltshire police force. In a story which combines murder, revenge and drug trafficking using the county lines set up, this book is packed with tension, emotion and a whole lot of action. It sees our favourite characters put in real jeopardy and had my attention with each turn of the page. I love that Rachel Amphlett is able to create such tension in her stories, a strong pedigree in writing action thrillers certainly working to her advantage in a story that needs to express both urgency and emotion. This one does that and more and of all the stories so far, it really does ramp up the sense of threat that surrounds our favourite Detective Sergeant, putting his slightly at odds with his team too.
I really have loved getting to know Mark Turpin over the course of the series and learning more about him only cements his place as one of my favourite fictional detectives. We see him not only as investigator, but as father and partner in far more detail this time too. Alongside him is the ever reliable matriarchal figure of DC Jan West, whose. mothering of Mark and the team never fails to bring a smile to my face, and her wrath, or, more importantly, disappointment is not something anyone, especially Mark, would want to experience. They make a brilliant pairing and, alongside the wider team really pull you into the story.
The case really does tap into some of the most worrying trends in current crime. Not only the constant growth of drug use in community, but the disturbing trend of grooming children to carry the goods as they are less likely to be suspected of ill deeds. It offers a protection to the higher powers, all the risk being placed on the child. It makes for some really thought provoking moments in the story, and helps to cement a real edge of sympathy for the reader towards the victim. It also amplifies the sense of guilt already inherent in Turpin which in turn informs the story and escalates that growing tension.
This is another brilliant, fast paced read that concludes in some very dramatic, pulse pounding moments. But as Rachel Amphlett is a very lovely author, it's not all doom and gloom, and there are scenes which will certainly leave a smile on the face of the reader. They did mine. If you love the series, get reading, you won't regret it.
'The Lost Boy' by Rachel Amphlett is a crime thriller that is the third book in the Detective Mark Turpin series. This is the first one I have read in the series and it reads as good as a standalone. A little bit of the back story is missing but it doesn't cause any issues in the enjoyment of this book. Let's have a look at what it's about. Run. Don’t look back. When a young teenager is stabbed to death at a busy fairground, Detective Mark Turpin is assigned the task of finding the boy’s killer. But this was no random murder. Mark knows the victim, and the man who ordered his death. As he sifts through the young victim’s final days, he uncovers a powerful crime syndicate that will do anything to protect its interests. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly Mark isn’t just trying to solve a murder – he’s fighting for his own survival. Rachel Amphlett starts as she means to go on bringing the action straight from the first page this gripped me immediately. I really didn't want to put this book down, but, obviously real life always gets in the way. I did spend every minute I could wrapped up in this investigation with Mark Turpin. A case that is a highly emotional one, being the murder of a child. I found myself feeling the emotions as much as the team investigating and feeling the need for justice as much as they did. I had to keep turning the pages to find out what happened. There were moments in the story that I felt like I had my heart in my mouth with the tension as the story developed. Mark Turpin is a Detective who, even when things got personal, managed not to lose it while investigating. I did like this about him and am curious to read the preceding books to this one, so I can really get to know the characters even better. Rachel Amphlett has again created an expertly written story. Every book I have read by her, the characters so well drawn that I always connect with them and this is no exception. I definitely recommend this book for any crime thriller/police procedural fans. Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Rachel Amphlett for the copy of the book.
I jumped at the chance to review this book as I had heard good things about Rachel Amphlett’s books. Now, this is book three in the DS Mark Turpin series, and there are obviously things from the previous books which are mentioned, but I didn't feel I was missing out on any details. That said, I will be reading the first two books for better context. The story centred around the police investigating into the boy's murder, but quickly became very personal to Mark. This was a fast-paced, well executed police procedural, conveying the urgency for the police in trying to bring the murderer to justice, while also being protective of one of their own. I found myself liking Mark Turpin almost immediately, especially as his professionalism and drive were tempered by his flaws.It made him human and more relatable. The team led by DI Kennedy were equally likeable, and were portrayed in a way that made them believable. One could even feel a measure of sympathy for those who were caught up on the wrong side of the law and were threatened, used and discarded when their usefulness came to an end. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, even if I still don't get why anyone would want to live on a narrowboat. I am happy to recommend this to any reader of police procedurals, and anyone who want a well written crime thriller. I gave The Lost Boy, by Rachel Amphlett five stars, and can't wait to read more.
Book 3 in the Detective Mark Turpin series and I cannot believe I haven’t read this author before. This book ticked all the boxes for me. I love a good police procedural and this was certainly that. Well written with great characters i wizzed through the book wanting to find out what would happen.
Briefly, Turpin is at the fairground with his partner and his two daughters when there is a loud scream. A young boy has been found murdered and Turpin recognises the boy. As the bodies mount up Turpin and his team are under pressure to find the killer. But this is personal. Turpin knows this is the man who tried to kill him when he was stationed in Swindon and now Turpin’s family are being targeted…
A great piece of crime fiction, reasonably fast paced, but still a surprisingly gentle read. Alongside the main storyline of the murder cases we also see into the personal lives of Turpin and some of his colleagues; the human side of policing. I really enjoyed the book and will read this author again. And in case you are wondering, yes it read well as a stand-alone despite being part of a series. One final word, I had a few tears at the last chapter, properly tugged at my heartstrings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the third in the series and so far, I think it's the best of the lot. This time, things are more personal for Mark when he recognises the body of a boy who has been stabbed to death. It seems things are connected back to his previous role in the police force in Wiltshire.
This was such a quick read for me. I read it in a day. The story had me hooked especially with the more personal connection, and the involvement of his family. I found it such an easy read with the style of writing that this author has - not just for this series but also for her Kay Hunter series which I absolutely love.
There was lots of drama and tension throughout, particularly towards the latter part of the book. I look forward to reading the next now in the series.
This is first book I have read in Detective Mark Turpin series and it was great. It was a fast paced crime murder mystery that keeps you up wanting to find out what happens next. In this book Detective Turpin is dealing with a young teenagers murder that is tied in to a big drug syndicate that leads mark and his side kick into a world that is scary for him to dwell into. If you like murder mystery you will like this one.
I have to say i really enjoyed this read. This was the first book i had read from the author and even though it was book 3 in the series, the book was easy to follow as a standalone. The book starts with the action straight from the beginning. As a character Detective Mark Turpin was able to keep a level head even with the case being so personal. I will definitely go back and read the other books in the series.
I really am enjoying this series. It doesn’t have any of the cliche situations that annoy me in mysteries. The DCI in charge is smart and thoughtful, there is no love triangle and each book varies so so much. Out of the 4 I’ve read, this one was prob my least favorite- but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it immensely. Very well written, engaging characters, great plots. Wish I had more than one left in the series bc I don’t want to have to wait for another one 🤣
The boy was part of the gang that stabbed mark at his last job and this boy was coming to mark bc he wanted out of the gang but he never made contact with mark bc someone from the gang killed him before he could make contact with mark. A lot of other stuff happened too. But pretty meh story. Just a drug war kind of vibe and not really as interesting as the horse racing one or the priest one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was an excellent addition to the Mark Turpin series! I thoroughly enjoyed it and could not put it down. I love her books and am anxiously awaiting the next adventure!
Why have I never read anything by this author before, this was fantastic! Definitely wasn't too read the others in the series now.
Very well written & researched with some fantastic characters. I loved the plotline, it was gripping, fast paced & so compelling that I read it in one sitting.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot & gifted copy.
Really enjoyed this book as well as the DS Turpin series. Great plot, pace and characters. Like the fact it is heavy on plot and characters and not procedure. Look forward to reading the next book in this series.
This Mark Turpin was much better than the first two. Three murders and one was only 14. A story about illegal drugs that were definitely hazardous to anyone’s health. I knew they’d reunite with Hamish in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Third book in the Mark Turpin series and I am enjoying myself. I loved how the stakes here high in this book. Too close than Mark would actually like it to be. Twists and turns, and adrenaline pumping chase and action, this book was a satisfying read.