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Lockwood and Darrow Mysteries #1
Exe Marks the Spot: The first in an addictive British private detective series
A stunning crime and mystery debut with twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
A disappearance. A murder. Two mysteries connected.
Meet Angus Darrow, straight-laced, ex-police detective, turned private investigator. He’s hired to find a missing vulnerable young man whose parents are convinced he’s been co-erced into something bad.
But in order to try and find the boy, technophobe Angus needs to recruit Charlotte Lockwood, a brilliant but unpredictable cyber security expert.
They quickly discover they need each other more than they realise.
With her technical knowledge and his investigation skills, will they uncover the mystery of the missing boy?
Exe Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of crime, mystery and detective stories by authors like Robert Galbraith, LJ Ross and Rachel McClean.
A disappearance. A murder. Two mysteries connected.
Meet Angus Darrow, straight-laced, ex-police detective, turned private investigator. He’s hired to find a missing vulnerable young man whose parents are convinced he’s been co-erced into something bad.
But in order to try and find the boy, technophobe Angus needs to recruit Charlotte Lockwood, a brilliant but unpredictable cyber security expert.
They quickly discover they need each other more than they realise.
With her technical knowledge and his investigation skills, will they uncover the mystery of the missing boy?
Exe Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of crime, mystery and detective stories by authors like Robert Galbraith, LJ Ross and Rachel McClean.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2021
270 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 31, 2021
Splendid!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's absolutely brilliant and packed with loads of thrill and suspense. Angus has been asked to investigate the sudden disappearance of Daniel, an autistic teenager by Tom, an ex-colleague of Angus. He seeks the help of Charlotte Lockwood in his mission. Charlotte is brilliant in her work as an IT expert and finds out a lot through her hacking. The way these two stumble upon clues kept me glued till the end. A Super awesome book. Highly recommended for reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's absolutely brilliant and packed with loads of thrill and suspense. Angus has been asked to investigate the sudden disappearance of Daniel, an autistic teenager by Tom, an ex-colleague of Angus. He seeks the help of Charlotte Lockwood in his mission. Charlotte is brilliant in her work as an IT expert and finds out a lot through her hacking. The way these two stumble upon clues kept me glued till the end. A Super awesome book. Highly recommended for reading.
December 28, 2022
brilliant
The pace of this is just what I like. Not too rushed able to read it in comfort, the characters and storyline were great. I could picture these in a dramatic series. Keep up the good work.
The pace of this is just what I like. Not too rushed able to read it in comfort, the characters and storyline were great. I could picture these in a dramatic series. Keep up the good work.
July 31, 2025
Exe Marks the Spot ( a good cozy mystery).
A new author for me. First book I've read from Suzy Bissell and it won't be my last. The mystery was interesting, but the characters are what hooked me. The two main characters crack me up and the rest are pretty interesting too.
A new author for me. First book I've read from Suzy Bissell and it won't be my last. The mystery was interesting, but the characters are what hooked me. The two main characters crack me up and the rest are pretty interesting too.
February 1, 2023
This is a new author for me that I found on Kindle unlimited. It is an easy read. An undemanding crime with little violence or gore. Set in Exeter, I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of places in and around the city as I lived there many years ago. I could actually see the places in my head. I know them well. I enjoyed this book and it did manage to keep me guessing.
***********************
A disappearance. A murder. Two mysteries connected.
Meet Angus Darrow, straight-laced, ex-police detective, turned private investigator. He’s hired to find a missing vulnerable young man whose parents are convinced he’s been co-erced into something bad.
But in order to try and find the boy, technophobe Angus needs to recruit Charlotte Lockwood, a brilliant but unpredictable cyber security expert.
They quickly discover they need each other more than they realise.
With her technical knowledge and his investigation skills, will they uncover the mystery of the missing boy?
***********************
A disappearance. A murder. Two mysteries connected.
Meet Angus Darrow, straight-laced, ex-police detective, turned private investigator. He’s hired to find a missing vulnerable young man whose parents are convinced he’s been co-erced into something bad.
But in order to try and find the boy, technophobe Angus needs to recruit Charlotte Lockwood, a brilliant but unpredictable cyber security expert.
They quickly discover they need each other more than they realise.
With her technical knowledge and his investigation skills, will they uncover the mystery of the missing boy?
January 12, 2022
lovely characters and plot
This could be five stars with decent editing. I liked the characters and the plot. The writing was at a fifth grade level. The dialog was often stilted and the characters became charactures. I kept reading though, I was drawn into the exciting plot.
This could be five stars with decent editing. I liked the characters and the plot. The writing was at a fifth grade level. The dialog was often stilted and the characters became charactures. I kept reading though, I was drawn into the exciting plot.
September 27, 2022
A fresh, enjoyable read!
The main characters were well-done, and I liked the chemistry. It was very enjoyable. These characters have such contrasting qualities, it is easy to picture them together, even in real life.
The main characters were well-done, and I liked the chemistry. It was very enjoyable. These characters have such contrasting qualities, it is easy to picture them together, even in real life.
December 2, 2022
Quickly moving plot. Enjoyed the characters. They appeared real people and I liked the British vocabulary. About to read the second book, it will be interesting to see if it is the same story with just a change of names.
March 7, 2024
Riveting Story
Great opening for a series. The story moved fast and kept me interested. Stayed up late to get to the end. Always the sign of a compelling story. Looking forward to book #2.
Great opening for a series. The story moved fast and kept me interested. Stayed up late to get to the end. Always the sign of a compelling story. Looking forward to book #2.
July 31, 2021
Well written story. I cared abut the characters and it made me want to keep reading, so finished in in two nights! I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
August 3, 2021
Love it
Excellent, loved the characters, believable and the story line held my interest. Will be looking for more of her books.a little profanity, but not bad either.
Excellent, loved the characters, believable and the story line held my interest. Will be looking for more of her books.a little profanity, but not bad either.
January 29, 2022
Great Read
I really enjoyed reading this book.
The characters are very well described with plenty of room for further expansion.
Looking forward to future books.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
The characters are very well described with plenty of room for further expansion.
Looking forward to future books.
December 19, 2022
What a great read. An unusual scenario which I really enjoyed. And littered with bad guys, good guys a very feisty female and humour galore!
Just starting my second in the series.
Just starting my second in the series.
September 16, 2023
Great fun!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series. I live in Devon so it's great to read about places I recognise. Love the two protagonists.
Thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series. I live in Devon so it's great to read about places I recognise. Love the two protagonists.
October 8, 2023
Interesting characters, unusual plot. Enjoyable read. What comes next?
October 8, 2023
Enjoyable story
Really enjoyed the story plus original characters looking forward to the next in the series I can sense a slow romance building
Really enjoyed the story plus original characters looking forward to the next in the series I can sense a slow romance building
February 11, 2024
Good read
Witty, good story and very readable characters
An ex police inspector turned PI working with the computer genius sister of another working officer is great reading
Witty, good story and very readable characters
An ex police inspector turned PI working with the computer genius sister of another working officer is great reading
September 23, 2023
This was a quick read at 184 pages, and the story is told in a no-nonsense style. Set in and around Exeter, the main characters in Exe Marks the Spot are a retired police detective turned PI, and a mega-rich cyber security expert who come together in search of a vulnerable young man who has gone missing.
The plot isn’t particularly twisty, but it keeps the characters busy enough for them not to notice how much we’re finding out about them along the way. There is a definite frisson between the pair, which surprised me a little, as the PI seems to be rather down at heel at the start of the book, whereas the cyber security expert is portrayed as a bit of a cougar, but they both develop as the novel progresses and it set the scene for what may happen in the following stories in the series.
I blasted through this in a couple of days, it’s a fun, easy read. If you’re in the market for a police procedural and you enjoy supporting self-published authors, then take a look at Suzy’s books.
The plot isn’t particularly twisty, but it keeps the characters busy enough for them not to notice how much we’re finding out about them along the way. There is a definite frisson between the pair, which surprised me a little, as the PI seems to be rather down at heel at the start of the book, whereas the cyber security expert is portrayed as a bit of a cougar, but they both develop as the novel progresses and it set the scene for what may happen in the following stories in the series.
I blasted through this in a couple of days, it’s a fun, easy read. If you’re in the market for a police procedural and you enjoy supporting self-published authors, then take a look at Suzy’s books.
January 3, 2024
After taking early retirement as a police detective, Angus Darrow works as a private detective. At the start of this novel, he takes on the case of a missing teenager. Eighteen-year-old Daniel Cray, a student with undiagnosed autistic symptoms, has abruptly left home, leaving a note apologizing to his parents. His parents suspect that he did not leave voluntarily.
Since Daniel is a video game enthusiast who spends much of his life online, the technologically-challenged Angus seeks the aid of a computer expert and finds an ideal colleague in Charlotte Lockwood. Charlotte, whose husband has recently abandoned her for her former best friend, herself has been looking for some meaningful activity to help her get over the breakup of her marriage.
Angus and Charlotte have clashing personalities, but their combination of skills makes them an effective team for fiding Daniel and solving the mystery. I enjoyed the fast-moving plot and the interplay between the two protagonists.
Since Daniel is a video game enthusiast who spends much of his life online, the technologically-challenged Angus seeks the aid of a computer expert and finds an ideal colleague in Charlotte Lockwood. Charlotte, whose husband has recently abandoned her for her former best friend, herself has been looking for some meaningful activity to help her get over the breakup of her marriage.
Angus and Charlotte have clashing personalities, but their combination of skills makes them an effective team for fiding Daniel and solving the mystery. I enjoyed the fast-moving plot and the interplay between the two protagonists.
September 6, 2024
Obviously, by first introduction to this series. I really enjoyed the interplay of yhe different characters. Having worked with youngsters and young adults with special needs I appreciated the well researched?/observed? Characteristics.
Also counselling experience meant that I recognised Both Charlie's and Angu's different ways of trying to cope with grief.
And I'm a Devonian so loved seeing the fine descriptions of the countryside.
A great introduction! Can't wait to read the next book.
Also counselling experience meant that I recognised Both Charlie's and Angu's different ways of trying to cope with grief.
And I'm a Devonian so loved seeing the fine descriptions of the countryside.
A great introduction! Can't wait to read the next book.
May 10, 2022
3.5
Undemanding crime set in Exeter. Did enjoy it for the descriptions of the locality. Retired policeman deals with the disappearance of teenager with the help of tech wizzard - was reminded of Lisbet Salander, without most of the attitude! Will look forward to seeing how the series develops. Have already downloaded book 2.
Undemanding crime set in Exeter. Did enjoy it for the descriptions of the locality. Retired policeman deals with the disappearance of teenager with the help of tech wizzard - was reminded of Lisbet Salander, without most of the attitude! Will look forward to seeing how the series develops. Have already downloaded book 2.
December 26, 2023
fun & zippy
The cyber security expert helps the private investigator in her unique way. He finds her unique expertise essential to screen the clues and narrow the leads. She bumbles a bit but is actually quite intuitive.
Great read at a fast pace. However there were a number of typos.
The cyber security expert helps the private investigator in her unique way. He finds her unique expertise essential to screen the clues and narrow the leads. She bumbles a bit but is actually quite intuitive.
Great read at a fast pace. However there were a number of typos.
June 19, 2024
Exe definitely marks the spot
Description of the two main detective characters excellent and dealing with a current crime problem well explored and realistically explained. Perhaps a little more detail of the characters who became victims would be useful as there wasn't a feeling of any empathy with their situation and involvement.
Description of the two main detective characters excellent and dealing with a current crime problem well explored and realistically explained. Perhaps a little more detail of the characters who became victims would be useful as there wasn't a feeling of any empathy with their situation and involvement.
December 6, 2025
It felt like I was watching this season’s murder mystery…
Charlotte proved to be a great character, she was precoscious, super tech savvy, and quirky! I love quirky. A quick Sunday afternoon read. Thank you Suzy Burrell for an enjoyable light, non-violent mystery. Also for teaching me some tech secrets.
Charlotte proved to be a great character, she was precoscious, super tech savvy, and quirky! I love quirky. A quick Sunday afternoon read. Thank you Suzy Burrell for an enjoyable light, non-violent mystery. Also for teaching me some tech secrets.
September 21, 2023
A book that held me at a period when I was struggling to enjoy reading. I liked the main characters, who are developing nicely. I particularly liked that neither were consumed by a trauma of yesteryear. Both divorced (who isn’t) and one still with anger issues - but that didn’t consume too much story space. There is a good dynamic between these characters that bodes well for future books.
Why not 5 stars? Story just a bit too short and too easily wrapped up.
Why not 5 stars? Story just a bit too short and too easily wrapped up.
October 7, 2023
I really enjoyed the first book of this series. Angus is a retired policeman turned PI
He meets up with Charlotte a computer expert and star solving mysteries
I liked the writing and the story. A hidden gem
He meets up with Charlotte a computer expert and star solving mysteries
I liked the writing and the story. A hidden gem
November 10, 2023
Enjoyable new series for me
This book was really fun to read and that's why I do it. I like the characters and I love the tech stuff that Charlotte comes up with. Can't wait to read more.
This book was really fun to read and that's why I do it. I like the characters and I love the tech stuff that Charlotte comes up with. Can't wait to read more.
November 29, 2023
this was a good story
This was a pretty good story, and I enjoyed it. I will admit I almost stopped reading it because of the errors. And they were no just minor errors. This book is in dire need of an editor. Not sure I will try another in the series.
This was a pretty good story, and I enjoyed it. I will admit I almost stopped reading it because of the errors. And they were no just minor errors. This book is in dire need of an editor. Not sure I will try another in the series.
December 19, 2023
A Good A-Z of Exeter
Not my favourite book of the year. Characters were a bit simplistic and story line felt flat and contrived. It might be the first in the series but I doubt I’ll bother with any subsequent books.
Not my favourite book of the year. Characters were a bit simplistic and story line felt flat and contrived. It might be the first in the series but I doubt I’ll bother with any subsequent books.
July 15, 2025
A wonderful easy reading crime novel.
It did help that it is written about my home town and places that I know well.
The characters are likeable and relatable.
I am happily working my way through the series.
It did help that it is written about my home town and places that I know well.
The characters are likeable and relatable.
I am happily working my way through the series.
August 3, 2021
It was short, thankfully
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews