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DI Nick Dixon #12
Carnival Blues
Carnival season is off to an explosive start in this thriller from the bestselling DI Nick Dixon crime series.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon arrives late for Bridgwater’s winter carnival. He’s come to see the squibbing, the traditional firework display that brings the town’s November festivities to a dramatic close. But when the squib of Avalon Carnival Club president Richard Webb is lit, it explodes, engulfing him in flames.
Dixon knows he’s just witnessed a killer making a very public statement. And he can’t help feeling it’s only the beginning.
After his suspicions are confirmed at the Burnham-on-Sea carnival forty-eight hours later, the race is on to find the killer before the next event in a nearby town.
Can Dixon stop the killings before any more lives are lost? And can he do it with police Professional Standards investigators breathing down his neck?
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon arrives late for Bridgwater’s winter carnival. He’s come to see the squibbing, the traditional firework display that brings the town’s November festivities to a dramatic close. But when the squib of Avalon Carnival Club president Richard Webb is lit, it explodes, engulfing him in flames.
Dixon knows he’s just witnessed a killer making a very public statement. And he can’t help feeling it’s only the beginning.
After his suspicions are confirmed at the Burnham-on-Sea carnival forty-eight hours later, the race is on to find the killer before the next event in a nearby town.
Can Dixon stop the killings before any more lives are lost? And can he do it with police Professional Standards investigators breathing down his neck?
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2022
1047 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Damien Boyd
21 books951 followersDamien Boyd is a former solicitor turned crime fiction writer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
May 30, 2024
Damien Boyd is a former solicitor turned crime writer and indeed he has made a considerable success of his writing. "Carnival Blues" is book 12 in a series involving the exploits of Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon whose patch is in south west England. This time, Dixon attends the Bridgwater winter carnival, primarily to see the firework display -- known as squibbing -- which brings the carnival to a close. The explosion that occurs when the display is lit, is not quite what the crowd was expecting – Richard Webb, president of the Avalon Carnival Club is engulfed in flames and subsequently dies. Dixon’s gut feeling is that the killer who set the explosives is sending a message and that there may be more to come. His suspicions are confirmed when a mere two days later, at the Burnham-on-Sea carnival, there is a repeat performance. The perpetrator needs to be caught. And quickly. Carnivals of this type are a feature of this area of England and more lives are going to be lost if the killer is not brought to justice.
For readers who love the slow pace of plodding police investigations "Carnival Blues" is a winner. The characters are well developed and those familiar with the D.C.I. Dixon books will be very familiar with him and some of the other characters that have appeared throughout the series. The author will be very familiar with police and court procedure from his days as a solicitor so scenes of this nature are vividly real. As expected, the dialogue too is realistic and believable. For those, however, who prefer a fast-paced thriller "Carnival Blues" doesn’t quite make the grade. The only time the pace does pick up a little is when Dixon faces a rather serious personal problem but the reader is quickly taken back to the slow-burning investigation. A great whodunnit but only for ardent fans of that genre.
For readers who love the slow pace of plodding police investigations "Carnival Blues" is a winner. The characters are well developed and those familiar with the D.C.I. Dixon books will be very familiar with him and some of the other characters that have appeared throughout the series. The author will be very familiar with police and court procedure from his days as a solicitor so scenes of this nature are vividly real. As expected, the dialogue too is realistic and believable. For those, however, who prefer a fast-paced thriller "Carnival Blues" doesn’t quite make the grade. The only time the pace does pick up a little is when Dixon faces a rather serious personal problem but the reader is quickly taken back to the slow-burning investigation. A great whodunnit but only for ardent fans of that genre.
June 20, 2022
This is my 12th book of the Dixon series, a series I have enjoyed for a number of years and have kept up with when each book is "fresh off the press." The term "squibbing" was new to me, but apparently all goes well usually in this form of fireworks celebrations. I usually keep my distance and prefer to enjoy from afar.
This story involves property or estate agents and what they get up to in shady deals and development, and then we have the Albanians and their cocaine. Many dangers await Nick and his love as well as his faithful dog. It's the usual mix of regular characters, unreasonable expectations imposed on Nick from his current boss looking for favorable publicity and other more personal perils close to home. From the start Nick risks his life in trying to save a victim from altered squibs and keeps it going with a rather high risk level whilst managing his diabetes. Will he survive?
Kindle Unlimited
This story involves property or estate agents and what they get up to in shady deals and development, and then we have the Albanians and their cocaine. Many dangers await Nick and his love as well as his faithful dog. It's the usual mix of regular characters, unreasonable expectations imposed on Nick from his current boss looking for favorable publicity and other more personal perils close to home. From the start Nick risks his life in trying to save a victim from altered squibs and keeps it going with a rather high risk level whilst managing his diabetes. Will he survive?
Kindle Unlimited
April 15, 2024
Another Amqzing Read!
Absolutely loved this book. The twists were amazing and kept you on the edge of your seat. I am really enjoying this crime series.
Absolutely loved this book. The twists were amazing and kept you on the edge of your seat. I am really enjoying this crime series.
June 19, 2022
Always a good read!!
I've always enjoyed this series, from the first book. The charachter progression has been good, and the stories don't disappoint.
I've always enjoyed this series, from the first book. The charachter progression has been good, and the stories don't disappoint.
June 16, 2022
Looking forward to #13
Exactly the standard that I have come to expect from this author. Fast paced with well developed characters and a killer who is easy to overlook in a situation with more than its fair share of red herrings.
Exactly the standard that I have come to expect from this author. Fast paced with well developed characters and a killer who is easy to overlook in a situation with more than its fair share of red herrings.
July 17, 2023
This is a police procedural, starring Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon, who I always love reading about. I love Damien Boyd’s books, and I have read nearly all of them. They are always full of humour, which makes me laugh. They are all just superb and amazing.
In this book, Nick is viewing a fireworks display, when Avalon Carnival Club president Richard Webb gets blown up with a firework. Nick then has to try to find the killer before he strikes again. Will he succeed?
I loved the police procedural parts of the book, as well as the personal areas of the book where Nick is with Jane, his policewoman girlfriend, and Monty, his dog who loves being taken on walks on the beach.
This is a wonderful book, which I highly recommend, and I also recommend reading all of the books in this series, of which there are many!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
In this book, Nick is viewing a fireworks display, when Avalon Carnival Club president Richard Webb gets blown up with a firework. Nick then has to try to find the killer before he strikes again. Will he succeed?
I loved the police procedural parts of the book, as well as the personal areas of the book where Nick is with Jane, his policewoman girlfriend, and Monty, his dog who loves being taken on walks on the beach.
This is a wonderful book, which I highly recommend, and I also recommend reading all of the books in this series, of which there are many!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
April 9, 2025
Well paced police procedural packed with believable characters and taut dialogue.
Original and full of menace. Taking the familiar and set against the delights of carnival processions and community fireworks, the horrors become more pronounced with the tension building from the very beginning.
Who would stoop to murder in such a public arena?
Who would turn against tradition and make a fun event into a vision of horror and dread?
As a youngster myself I remember well Felixstowe Carnival with processions of floats from local businesses and organisations. I could easily picture the backdrop that author here presents. While I appreciate the effort and hard-work staging and creating these traditions float full of design; alive with colour and music.
For me this is one of the strengths of author, Damien Boyd, making the everyday; the common and comfortable frighteningly unpredictable and a backdrop to murder. Always well-researched he draws on his own experience and background. Bringing Somerset to the forefront and using a dedicated police force into focus.
The centre of attention is Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon who we have followed throughout this series. The effort and long hours are evidenced in the work involved trying to break any case and gather evidence but the investigations rely on the intuitive skills and observations of our lead police officer.
The beauty for me here is the potential fall he endures, the sidelining of his powers at a crucial time in the investigation and the ingenuity he demonstrates to overcome all obstacles.
Another sure fire hit and underlining the author’s reputation and underpinning this series integrity and appeal.
Original and full of menace. Taking the familiar and set against the delights of carnival processions and community fireworks, the horrors become more pronounced with the tension building from the very beginning.
Who would stoop to murder in such a public arena?
Who would turn against tradition and make a fun event into a vision of horror and dread?
As a youngster myself I remember well Felixstowe Carnival with processions of floats from local businesses and organisations. I could easily picture the backdrop that author here presents. While I appreciate the effort and hard-work staging and creating these traditions float full of design; alive with colour and music.
For me this is one of the strengths of author, Damien Boyd, making the everyday; the common and comfortable frighteningly unpredictable and a backdrop to murder. Always well-researched he draws on his own experience and background. Bringing Somerset to the forefront and using a dedicated police force into focus.
The centre of attention is Detective Chief Inspector Nick Dixon who we have followed throughout this series. The effort and long hours are evidenced in the work involved trying to break any case and gather evidence but the investigations rely on the intuitive skills and observations of our lead police officer.
The beauty for me here is the potential fall he endures, the sidelining of his powers at a crucial time in the investigation and the ingenuity he demonstrates to overcome all obstacles.
Another sure fire hit and underlining the author’s reputation and underpinning this series integrity and appeal.
April 26, 2023
I've enjoyed all the Nick Dixon books and this is no exception. The Carnival is a series of annual winter events in Somerset towns which include the ancient tradition of 'squibbing' - a spectacular and dangerous firework display. When a local estate agent catches fire during the Bridgwater squibbing and a similar incident occurs a couple of days later at nearby Burnham-on-Sea, Nick suspects they are dealing with a double murder. What follows is a complex plot, basically involving local 'estate agents' wars' and planning permission. I was rather more interested in the other plot strand, where Nick is being investigated by Professional Standards, following the death of an intruder at his home.
Nick, his fiancé DS Jane Winter, Monty, his dog, and their friend pathologist Roger Poland are all great characters. And it's interesting that Nick's 'flaw' is type 1 diabetes – the way he manages this alongside a stressful job is well described, as are his responses to being investigated (I think after revelations at the Met, we are going to see more of this in detective fiction - it was a major theme in Ian Rankin's latest). I also liked the carnival atmosphere and the Somerset setting. I've only taken a star off because I wasn't that interested in the estate agents' war, tbh. It's also nice that all Damien Boyd's books are available on Kindle Unlimited, so they are free to me (apart from my monthly subscription, of course).
Nick, his fiancé DS Jane Winter, Monty, his dog, and their friend pathologist Roger Poland are all great characters. And it's interesting that Nick's 'flaw' is type 1 diabetes – the way he manages this alongside a stressful job is well described, as are his responses to being investigated (I think after revelations at the Met, we are going to see more of this in detective fiction - it was a major theme in Ian Rankin's latest). I also liked the carnival atmosphere and the Somerset setting. I've only taken a star off because I wasn't that interested in the estate agents' war, tbh. It's also nice that all Damien Boyd's books are available on Kindle Unlimited, so they are free to me (apart from my monthly subscription, of course).
July 5, 2025
Carnival Blues is the 12th book in the DCI Nick Dixon series set in Somerset, which has Nick investigating a murder caused by a firework in the annual Bridgwater street fair. Lots of people had reasons to want to victim gone, but then someone else is targeted. Meanwhile Nick is being investigated for possible manslaughter by the Professional Standards unit as a result of his actions during a previous case. I’ve enjoyed all of these books and recommend reading them in order to fully understand the character arcs.
January 2, 2023
Really enjoyed this one despite my hatred for the carnival. An interesting story with lots of suspects and potentials suspects. I have to toot my own horn though because I solved it about 2/5 of the way through. I didn’t have the motive but I had the right person.
July 14, 2022
I have always enjoyed the ‘Nick Dixon’ series of books and I pre-ordered this one. I like the characters in this series and the balance between developing the characters without over describing them, so we can have our own ideas of the protagonists while focusing on the plot. I enjoyed Carnival Blues but don’t think it was an easy read. I agree with the author - the spectacle of the squibbing at the beginning of the book was exciting and pacy - but as someone unfamiliar with local traditions in Somerset I had to go to YouTube to see the carnival in action! After that I found the plot convoluted and complex so I had to write down the names of the characters with a brief bio so that I didn’t lose the plot. I liked the emphasis on all things high-tech, but some readers may not. I’m an older reader and no longer have to use technology on a day to day basis for work, so social media, Word and Excel are my limits these days! However, I find the police use of high tech and databases etc interesting, although some may not. Damien Boyd, as he says in the author’s notes, was enjoying himself writing this during lockdown! The book leans towards ‘blokey’ fiction, with lots of action - but enough good, strong women characters for me to enjoy it too.
July 2, 2022
Long live DI Nick Dixon!
Book 12 in this British crime series by Damien Boyd, and they just keep getting better.
I love following the development of characters and relationships from book to book (highly recommend starting at Book 1 and working your way through the series).
Carnival Blues is a beauty; maybe the best yet. Although that could be because it feels so good being back in Dixon's now-familiar world.
He's a complex, flawed, idiosyncratic character, which makes him fascinating, loveable and - occasionally - deeply frustrating.
If you're a fan of Vera, Shetland etc, the DI Nick Dixon series is for you.
Highly recommended.
Book 12 in this British crime series by Damien Boyd, and they just keep getting better.
I love following the development of characters and relationships from book to book (highly recommend starting at Book 1 and working your way through the series).
Carnival Blues is a beauty; maybe the best yet. Although that could be because it feels so good being back in Dixon's now-familiar world.
He's a complex, flawed, idiosyncratic character, which makes him fascinating, loveable and - occasionally - deeply frustrating.
If you're a fan of Vera, Shetland etc, the DI Nick Dixon series is for you.
Highly recommended.
April 26, 2025
I like these Nick Dixon stories well enough, although they are somewhat predictable. This time, he is helping police the Somerset carnival season while he is waiting to learn the outcome of his promotion interviews for Superintendent. Things don't quite go to plan, and soon, he is embroiled in investigating a serious assault. A side story has him arrested for murder when an Albanian man dies (Previous case), and the Professional Standards Department has their hooks into him. Is this the work of an old adversary?
Sharp, fast paced with lots of interest but it is essential to have read the previous books in chronological order to obtain the best experience. A good 3 star read.
Sharp, fast paced with lots of interest but it is essential to have read the previous books in chronological order to obtain the best experience. A good 3 star read.
June 30, 2024
Book 12 in the DCI Nick Dixon series. This series just gets better and better! The author does so much research into each storyline it makes the plot more believable. I also know Burnham on sea very well so makes this series even more enjoyable, looking forward to the next one!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2022
I became hooked by author Damien Boyd’s Nick Dixon books, for two reasons. One was because I enjoy crime writing and the second is because as a past resident of the are, which I miss dreadfully, the stories keep me in touch with the area.
I found it more difficult to ‘get into’ or to be hooked, this time and it was about halfway through, before I reached page turning mode. Saying that, though, as usual, it is well written with a good plot and, as usual: good characterisation. None of it is far fetched, in my humble opinion, although not a policeman, it all sits squarely. Well worth reading.
By the way, Damion, if you read this, I have spent many happy hours in the Red Cow and enjoyed a decent pint and excellent food.
I look forward to the next Nick Dixon.
I found it more difficult to ‘get into’ or to be hooked, this time and it was about halfway through, before I reached page turning mode. Saying that, though, as usual, it is well written with a good plot and, as usual: good characterisation. None of it is far fetched, in my humble opinion, although not a policeman, it all sits squarely. Well worth reading.
By the way, Damion, if you read this, I have spent many happy hours in the Red Cow and enjoyed a decent pint and excellent food.
I look forward to the next Nick Dixon.
June 24, 2022
As always a good quick read
July 1, 2022
A brilliant read
Another brilliant book by DAmien Boyd. The plots get better with every book , full of twists and turns and sprinkled with good humour throughout.
Another brilliant book by DAmien Boyd. The plots get better with every book , full of twists and turns and sprinkled with good humour throughout.
August 6, 2022
Boyd has created a great character and series in Nick Dixon, and if you like British Police Procedurals I recommend the series.
Having said that, I found this one a bit workaday in the first half of the book. However once he got everything geared up for the dénouement, it was a great page turner, and I raced through the last 25%. Can there be a better recommendation for a book than that?
I don't believe I ever raced through any of the pages of War and Peace, for example...
Having said that, I found this one a bit workaday in the first half of the book. However once he got everything geared up for the dénouement, it was a great page turner, and I raced through the last 25%. Can there be a better recommendation for a book than that?
I don't believe I ever raced through any of the pages of War and Peace, for example...
June 14, 2022
Wowsers! Book 12 and still no signs of flagging... This time, the action surrounds the annual Bridgwater winter carnival, specifically the fireworks, the squibbing! But this year, tragedy strikes and there's a fatality. Now, back in the day, squibs were self-made and often went a bit astray. These days however, their construction and use is well regulated. So, what could have gone wrong? DI Nick Dixon is in attendance and, from what he witnessed, he has no doubt that this was planned, that it was murder... but who and why would make such a public statement of things and, more importantly, have they made their point or is there more to come...?
Nick's fears are founded when tragedy strikes again at the next carnival and it becomes a race against time to find and stop the killer before they strike again, or disappear for good...
Only problem is, Nick is also being investigated by Professional Standards for a previous case...
I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. Nick is a great main character, one I have grown quite fond of as our relationship has developed through the series. The author also manages, with every book, to teach me something. His research is second to none and here I learn about Carnivals and squibbing. Fascinating stuff indeed.
And the crime being enacted, and solved, herein is also quite intriguing and kept my attention, and kept me guessing throughout. It's well plotted and that plot is expertly executed with some great characters, both series and episode. All, irrespective of the size of their contribution, well drawn and completely credible.
All in all, a cracking addition to a series that is firmly cemented on my top ten. Until next time...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Nick's fears are founded when tragedy strikes again at the next carnival and it becomes a race against time to find and stop the killer before they strike again, or disappear for good...
Only problem is, Nick is also being investigated by Professional Standards for a previous case...
I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. Nick is a great main character, one I have grown quite fond of as our relationship has developed through the series. The author also manages, with every book, to teach me something. His research is second to none and here I learn about Carnivals and squibbing. Fascinating stuff indeed.
And the crime being enacted, and solved, herein is also quite intriguing and kept my attention, and kept me guessing throughout. It's well plotted and that plot is expertly executed with some great characters, both series and episode. All, irrespective of the size of their contribution, well drawn and completely credible.
All in all, a cracking addition to a series that is firmly cemented on my top ten. Until next time...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 28, 2022
Another excellent book in the Nick Dixon series but I would recommend reading them in order otherwise some of the plot and details won’t make a lot of sense.
As it’s a long series, it’s hard to do a review without spoilers so I’ll just say that if you’ve enjoyed the others, this is equally if not better.
As it’s a long series, it’s hard to do a review without spoilers so I’ll just say that if you’ve enjoyed the others, this is equally if not better.
June 29, 2022
Excellent
Damien Boyd has triumphed again with a thrilling story which kept me guessing and glued to the pages from start to finish. I love the Nick Dixon books and the series gets better and better.
Damien Boyd has triumphed again with a thrilling story which kept me guessing and glued to the pages from start to finish. I love the Nick Dixon books and the series gets better and better.
June 24, 2022
Boyd once again thoroughly succeeds in writing a page-turning crime thriller, filled with all your favourite characters and setting the scene as atmospherically as usual. Obviously I’m biased - who wouldn’t enjoy a novel set on your doorstep, with the ability to recognise the setting down to the name of a house? - but Boyd is supremely talented nonetheless. So often I find crime thrillers trip over their own feet by trying to make a plot too complex or too unexpected, but here Boyd strikes just the right balance. I particularly enjoyed his exploration of Line of Duty’s popularity to add in the anti-corruption angle (also: Hastings -> Carlisle / Fleming -> Larkin - genius).
June 27, 2022
Certainly up to Damian Boyd's standards, a good read, lots of twists and turns. Not too many references to previous books so certainly stands alone, 'tho I'd recommend the first books.
June 30, 2022
brilliant
Absolutely brilliant book from start to finish. Looking forward to the next one in series. Would definitely recommend. Well worth reading.
Absolutely brilliant book from start to finish. Looking forward to the next one in series. Would definitely recommend. Well worth reading.
June 14, 2022
Wow, wow, wow
Just when I think Damien Boyd's books cannot get any better, along comes Carnival Blues. Read it in 1 day, could not put it down. Now to wait for the next one.
Just when I think Damien Boyd's books cannot get any better, along comes Carnival Blues. Read it in 1 day, could not put it down. Now to wait for the next one.
June 29, 2022
Excellent
Must read this book gripping story one that you don't want to put down well done Damien Boyd keep on giving us such excellent storys
Must read this book gripping story one that you don't want to put down well done Damien Boyd keep on giving us such excellent storys
June 21, 2022
Excellent as is every book by Damien Boyd.Live in Weston super Mare so the carnival is something we love in November.Opening chapters regarding squibbing was something we do not have,but it was great for the opening chapters revolving around an attempted murder in connection with squibbing.I am not writing anymore as all I can say,this is a brilliant book and you need to read it for yourself.will now eagerly await the next book.
July 1, 2022
Brilliant well narrated I love Damien Boyd and the Nick Dixon series each story is a carry on from the last a great story with great Characters and again a different storyline never boring always interesting can't wait for the next one
June 21, 2022
another Winner
Damien Boyd never disappoints this reader with his stories… this series has been amazing. I highly recommend reading the adventures of DI Nick Dixon and the host of characters that Damien Boyd has developed.
Damien Boyd never disappoints this reader with his stories… this series has been amazing. I highly recommend reading the adventures of DI Nick Dixon and the host of characters that Damien Boyd has developed.
June 21, 2022
Probably Best So Far
Another well written and intoxicating read. Looking forward to next already. Highly recommend this DI Nick Dixon series .
Make a fantastic series for television. Well done Damien and thank you
Another well written and intoxicating read. Looking forward to next already. Highly recommend this DI Nick Dixon series .
Make a fantastic series for television. Well done Damien and thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews