The Broken Circle

A Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham Mystery #4

by Shirley Wells

While forensic psychologist Jill Kennedy is interviewing Claire Lawrence, a woman imprisoned for murdering her own daughter, Jill's colleague and sometime lover, DCI Max Trentham, is facing suspension for harassing local businessman, Thomas McQueen, the man Max believes is responsible for the murder, a year ago, of Muhammed Khalil.Then Bradley Johnson, a man who had recently moved from London to live at Kelton Manor in the quiet Lancashire village where Jill has made her home, is murdered. As Jill and Max hunt his killer, they find themselves drawn deeper into Johnson's dark past. Local residents are always wary of newcomers to the village, but one in particular, Jack Taylor, a man who regularly walks his dog through the wood where Johnson's body was found, seems especially determined to hinder the investigation.Then another name crops up, that of Max's adversary Thomas McQueen. Can he really be as innocent as he claims? Praise for Shirley 'A fantastic new novel... a thrilling whodunnit' People's Friend'Wonderful, individual and realistic characters' Booklist'Always a treat' Fiction Feast magazine'A deft combination of police procedural and psychological thriller' Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[100sweet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've decided to stop this series after this book. The mystery in this was good and that ending was heartbreaking. That being said, I have grown to really dislike Jill and Max after reading 4 books of them. They are both alcoholics with Jill also being a habitual gambler and Max also being a smoker. There is no romance or even sweet relationship between them. I find this relationship going nowhere and so is the series.

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series. Jill is a forensic psychologist. Max is a DCI. They have a relationship - although it is a difficult one - and they solve crimes together

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham Mystery is a satisfying police procedural set in the Lancashir countryside.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a few twists and turns in this book - I kept thinking I knew whodunnit then was not so sure. Kept me guessing until the end which is always a good thing. I have not read the earlier Jill and Max stories (although I plan to now) but I really enjoyed their relationship throughout the story, though it doesn't distract from the main storyline. This book is easy bedtime reading (not so scary as to give you nightmares) and gives the traditional quaint British countryside village mystery an edge to suit current circumstances.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having finished the series of 4 (if there are more, I didn't know and doubt that I'd read them anyway), I came to thinking that these are simply quick, easy reads that require no thinking and don't challenge your brain in the slightest. If that's what you look for, then it's not a bad set, as they are actually pleasurable reads, they just don't get me thinking which is what I like a 'mystery' to do.
The series, unlike the main characters may suggest, don't do very much investigating and there is little to no psychology involved either.

I spent one week listening to these four audiobooks, and although a pleasant change, they didn't leave a strong impression on me.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book as our two on-off lover-heroes seemed an interesting pairing. But this was too lost in the "village" theme of cups of tea, dogs and woods to be very strong on investigating the murder mystery. In particular, as a forensic psychologist, our hero Jill did very little and didn't demonstrate much professional work at all. There still seemed to be a few loose ends at the end for me. It was OK, but I wouldn't rush out to read the others in the series.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why Goodreads doesn't recognize this author or her mystery series as it is very good. This is the newest installment. I highly recommend it.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was ok. may have been better if I had read the previous as there were references. good twists and turns though

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow but it made you keep on reading to see who the killer was. Definitely didn't expect the ending.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shirley Wells has delivered the goods as usual!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really great book by Shirley Wells, I just couldn't put it down, as always great characters and a brilliant story line.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love with Jill and Max. Even though I haven't read the previous parts of the series, the book can itself be read independently. It is an interesting novel, which keeps the read on her toes, anticipating what's to come. the plot is well thought and the character building is very neat. all in all, a nice read. Hoping to get my hands on the previous parts.