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THE DEVIL'S ELBOW: A BELFAST MYSTERY CASE-FILE
BELFAST—A city seeking to move on from the scourge of bitter conflict.
With the anniversary of one of The Troubles most infamous atrocities only days away, Detective Inspector Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Taylor and her team face another tense Halloween policing their divided city.
As pressure mounts to find the perpetrators behind a spate of illegal dumping, a mysterious witness puts Taylor and her colleagues on the trail of a missing student.
Will scepticism stop the investigation in its tracks, and is there a link between a university paranormal society and a case of coercive control?
Do the answers lie in the sinister or the supernatural?
As both investigations begin to bleed together, Taylor finds her lines of inquiry converge at a notorious local beauty spot known as: THE DEVIL’S ELBOW.
The Devil's Elbow is a short story featuring Detective Inspector Veronica Taylor and is part of The Belfast Crime Series.
Explore the historic yet infamous city of Belfast in this short police procedural from a new voice in British and Irish crime fiction that will keep you hooked until its spine-chilling conclusion.
An introductory case-file for fans of Ian Rankin, Brian McGilloway, Stuart McBride and Graham Masterton.
With the anniversary of one of The Troubles most infamous atrocities only days away, Detective Inspector Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Taylor and her team face another tense Halloween policing their divided city.
As pressure mounts to find the perpetrators behind a spate of illegal dumping, a mysterious witness puts Taylor and her colleagues on the trail of a missing student.
Will scepticism stop the investigation in its tracks, and is there a link between a university paranormal society and a case of coercive control?
Do the answers lie in the sinister or the supernatural?
As both investigations begin to bleed together, Taylor finds her lines of inquiry converge at a notorious local beauty spot known as: THE DEVIL’S ELBOW.
The Devil's Elbow is a short story featuring Detective Inspector Veronica Taylor and is part of The Belfast Crime Series.
Explore the historic yet infamous city of Belfast in this short police procedural from a new voice in British and Irish crime fiction that will keep you hooked until its spine-chilling conclusion.
An introductory case-file for fans of Ian Rankin, Brian McGilloway, Stuart McBride and Graham Masterton.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 1, 2021
I've not read anything in this series before - or indeed by this author - but I knew as soon as I started it that it was going to my kind of book & that I wouldn't be putting it down until it was finished (& I didn't!)
The investigations into illegal dumpings & a missing student are led by a team of characters that I immediately felt at home with, the humour & banter between them adding to their credibility. The tension builds well culminating in an event that fair had my pulse racing! There are some nice supernatural overtones too which made it the perfect read for me on a miserable Halloween morning.
All-in-all a really good short read that I’d strongly recommend & it’s certainly whetted my appetite for this series. I don’t normally read e-books but for this series I’ll be making an exception…
The investigations into illegal dumpings & a missing student are led by a team of characters that I immediately felt at home with, the humour & banter between them adding to their credibility. The tension builds well culminating in an event that fair had my pulse racing! There are some nice supernatural overtones too which made it the perfect read for me on a miserable Halloween morning.
All-in-all a really good short read that I’d strongly recommend & it’s certainly whetted my appetite for this series. I don’t normally read e-books but for this series I’ll be making an exception…
December 22, 2022
An excellent novella about two PSNI detectives in Belfast who, while investigating a spate of illegal dumping in Belfast, find a link to a missing student that a local psychic had spoken to them about.
I really enjoyed this and will definitely be reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed this and will definitely be reading more from this author.
June 10, 2022
More of a 4.5
Another great plot from this author.
A mixture of elements were brought together (fly tipping, missing person, the supernatural) to weave a short story for Ronnie Taylor and her team during a busy Halloween. Really felt like I was with the team as they investigated and started making the links between the different cases.
I liked the descriptions of Belfast, haven't really been there in a long time and it has changed so much, it really helped set the scene and show how much has changed.
My only issue (if you can call it that) was, as this was a short story, I felt like the use of the whole team wasn't really necessary, obviously Ronnie and "Doc" are essential but maybe just one or two out of the other four team members were needed.
I definitely enjoyed this brief reunion with Ronnie and her team, looking forward to future outings.
Another great plot from this author.
A mixture of elements were brought together (fly tipping, missing person, the supernatural) to weave a short story for Ronnie Taylor and her team during a busy Halloween. Really felt like I was with the team as they investigated and started making the links between the different cases.
I liked the descriptions of Belfast, haven't really been there in a long time and it has changed so much, it really helped set the scene and show how much has changed.
My only issue (if you can call it that) was, as this was a short story, I felt like the use of the whole team wasn't really necessary, obviously Ronnie and "Doc" are essential but maybe just one or two out of the other four team members were needed.
I definitely enjoyed this brief reunion with Ronnie and her team, looking forward to future outings.
August 2, 2022
The Devil's Elbow - A interesting short story set in Northern Ireland. Good characters, good story lines and clean dialog. Although short, there is plenty to keep the reader immersed until the end. 4*
In/Famous - Not a book but a marketing device. In/Famous consists of an interview with the author, information of several tragic events for which Belfast is also known, and photographs of sights in Belfast. Included are the first beginning chapters of three books: Behind Closed Doors; Into Thin Air; and Code of Silence. The photographs were interesting but I do not waste my precious time reading partial and interviews. Nothing of value to me so I cannot rate this marketing brochure well. 2*
In/Famous - Not a book but a marketing device. In/Famous consists of an interview with the author, information of several tragic events for which Belfast is also known, and photographs of sights in Belfast. Included are the first beginning chapters of three books: Behind Closed Doors; Into Thin Air; and Code of Silence. The photographs were interesting but I do not waste my precious time reading partial and interviews. Nothing of value to me so I cannot rate this marketing brochure well. 2*
October 10, 2021
The Devil’s Elbow is a short story/novella in the DI Veronica Taylor series by Phillip Jordan set in Belfast. It is coming up to Halloween and Veronica, or Ronnie, is approached by psychic Luna Meehan to investigate a death. Josie Wyatt's disappearance is an historic case and the investigation didn’t find the body. A pendant has just been found in a pile of illegally dumped rubbish. How is this connected? Now another girl has disappeared. A terrific read. Phillip Jordan certainly writes a great story.
June 7, 2022
This is another novella in the DI Taylor series set in Belfast.This time, the discovery of a necklace at a dump site while investigating illegal dumping, seems to be somehow linked to a missing student. There is also the involvement of a local psychic to add into the mix.
As usual, this is a short and snappy tale which kept me riveted all the way through. There is some witty banter thrown in between the team to keep you amused.
Can't recommend this series enough.
As usual, this is a short and snappy tale which kept me riveted all the way through. There is some witty banter thrown in between the team to keep you amused.
Can't recommend this series enough.
October 13, 2021
A good short story in the DI Ronnie Taylor series set in Belfast. In a packed adventure, several cases with spooky themes seem to intersect in the lead up to Halloween. With a lovely mix of hard action and humour, this short story involved all of the team and has a frenetic pace.
February 11, 2022
Very good. I will certainly read the debut novel following the protagonists of this story. Although the story is short it manages to tell an interesting and credible plot. It also makes you want to know more about the characters. Definitely recommend this book
February 4, 2024
This was a good short story that concluded nicely. A bit tricky keeping up with all the different members of the team, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and will be reading more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2021
Another thrilling read by Phillip Jordan. I couldn't put it down.
July 2, 2022
I give this book a 5 star rating because I was hooked from the first page. Well written, great plot and it was nice to read a book without 50% of it being swearing. Well worth reading.
February 15, 2026
The Devil’s Elbow
Phillip Jordan
The elbow in question being a dangerous rapid caused by a bend in the river gorge. A murder mystery.
Phillip Jordan
The elbow in question being a dangerous rapid caused by a bend in the river gorge. A murder mystery.
May 17, 2023
I first read “In/Famous”, which has some of the author’s pictures of places in Belfast. I kept going back and forth between those and Google Maps. Such a fun way to read & learn about a city.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews