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DCI Kett #9
Jaw Breaker
After the horrors of their last case, DCI Kett and the rest of Norfolk Constabulary’s Extreme Crime Task Force are in need of a break.
And that’s just what they think they’re getting when Superintendent Clare takes them on a team building exercise in the middle of a quiet Norfolk town.
But what was supposed to be a week of recovery and fun soon becomes something much more sinister, when two local men turn up dead—poisoned by a horrific new designer drug nicknamed Jaw Breaker.
As more people fall victim to this invisible killer, Kett and the team find themselves dragged into the middle of a bloody civil war between gangs, cultists, coppers and some very angry locals.
And they learn that R&R doesn’t always stand for Rest and Relaxation—sometimes it’s all about Revenge and Retribution.
And that’s just what they think they’re getting when Superintendent Clare takes them on a team building exercise in the middle of a quiet Norfolk town.
But what was supposed to be a week of recovery and fun soon becomes something much more sinister, when two local men turn up dead—poisoned by a horrific new designer drug nicknamed Jaw Breaker.
As more people fall victim to this invisible killer, Kett and the team find themselves dragged into the middle of a bloody civil war between gangs, cultists, coppers and some very angry locals.
And they learn that R&R doesn’t always stand for Rest and Relaxation—sometimes it’s all about Revenge and Retribution.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
1147 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Alex Smith
25 books678 followersAlex Smith wrote his first book when he was six. It wasn’t particularly good, but it did have some supernatural monsters in it. His latest books, the DCI Robert Kett thrillers, have monsters in them too, although these monsters are very human, and all the more terrifying for it. In between these two books he has published twelve other novels for children and teenagers under his full name, Alexander Gordon Smith—including the number one bestselling series Escape From Furnace, which is loved by millions of readers worldwide and which is soon to become a motion picture. He lives in Norwich with his wife and three young daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
June 27, 2022
My Rating System: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked some boxes AVERAGE!!
The Extreme Crime Task Force team have been back to back on horror show cases and are in desperate need of a break. Which, it just so happens their Superintendent decides to take them on. A ‘lovely’ break away from the killer case load in a quiet Norfolk town for team building.
Just what they need right… WRONG!!
Their recovery time and ‘fun’ turns into something far more closer to the horrors of their day to day grind. Two local young men turn up dead in terrible shape after they are found to have overdosed on a new drug in town Jaw Breaker.
What initially starts out as a sad case of OD soon turns far more sinister and it isn’t long before the team is hook, line and sinker right in the thick of it.
This is one of my favourite series and I was really looking forward to another great book. So far its been a solid road up to number 9. Unfortunately, while this was still very well written and had definite entertainment factor the subject matter just wasn’t for me. 😩
I am not a fan of the drug, gang, bad cop trope. While there were elements to it that were excellent and it was definitely very amusing at times for me this is the weakest book in the series. Others definitely wont feel this way but its just my preference in subject matter. 💊
Another weak point for me was that the story kind of lumbered along with not too much happening for quite some time… All the other books I have devoured in record time but this one was a slog for me. 😓
I did really enjoy the team’s dynamic and the addition of the newer member of the team. DCI Kett and Pete Porter’s character’s were great in the ‘big scene’ (no spoilers) but that for me was the highlight. Was it unbelievable - sure… was it entertaining - absolutely. 💥
Overall, while I don’t regret reading this book it was definitely the weakest book in this series for me. Will I go back for more - Ummm duhhh of course!!! 🫡
For anyone considering this book I highly recommend you start at the start (with perhaps the exception of this book and some slight references made to previous cases) as all the other books are very heavily intertwined.
Definitely check outAlex Smith’s DCI Kett series but if you read any as a standalone this is the one that can manage it.
The Extreme Crime Task Force team have been back to back on horror show cases and are in desperate need of a break. Which, it just so happens their Superintendent decides to take them on. A ‘lovely’ break away from the killer case load in a quiet Norfolk town for team building.
Just what they need right… WRONG!!
Their recovery time and ‘fun’ turns into something far more closer to the horrors of their day to day grind. Two local young men turn up dead in terrible shape after they are found to have overdosed on a new drug in town Jaw Breaker.
What initially starts out as a sad case of OD soon turns far more sinister and it isn’t long before the team is hook, line and sinker right in the thick of it.
This is one of my favourite series and I was really looking forward to another great book. So far its been a solid road up to number 9. Unfortunately, while this was still very well written and had definite entertainment factor the subject matter just wasn’t for me. 😩
I am not a fan of the drug, gang, bad cop trope. While there were elements to it that were excellent and it was definitely very amusing at times for me this is the weakest book in the series. Others definitely wont feel this way but its just my preference in subject matter. 💊
Another weak point for me was that the story kind of lumbered along with not too much happening for quite some time… All the other books I have devoured in record time but this one was a slog for me. 😓
I did really enjoy the team’s dynamic and the addition of the newer member of the team. DCI Kett and Pete Porter’s character’s were great in the ‘big scene’ (no spoilers) but that for me was the highlight. Was it unbelievable - sure… was it entertaining - absolutely. 💥
Overall, while I don’t regret reading this book it was definitely the weakest book in this series for me. Will I go back for more - Ummm duhhh of course!!! 🫡
For anyone considering this book I highly recommend you start at the start (with perhaps the exception of this book and some slight references made to previous cases) as all the other books are very heavily intertwined.
Definitely check outAlex Smith’s DCI Kett series but if you read any as a standalone this is the one that can manage it.
April 3, 2022
I started this book the day it released, and even though it was a very busy week at work I ripped through it in a few days. I could not put it down. All of the Kett books are dark, and somewhat disturbing British Crime Thrillers, but this one takes it to a completely different level. Kett and his new team the Norfolk Constabulary’s Extreme Crime Task Force, have gone on holiday for some team building time. But the few days away do not end up relaxing in any way shape or form. It is another great story an intense series. There are a few twists in this tale and somethings very much unexpected.
If you have been fallowing the saga of DCI Kett this book is a must read. If you happen to be a fan of rough and tough action you will almost certainly enjoy this novel. And the other books in the series. This is the tenth of the DCI Kett stories that I have read, the nineth novel, and Kett made a brief appearance in The Harder They Fall, the first of the Softley Series of books. A previous volume, Whip Crack, makes reference to Six Days, Six Hours, Six Minutes, which is by far the darkest and grittiest of Smith’s mystery thriller novels. But this one is pretty close. All of Smith’s mysteries link together in some fashion. The description of this story is:
“After the horrors of their last case, DCI Kett and the rest of Norfolk Constabulary’s Extreme Crime Task Force are in need of a break.
And that’s just what they think they’re getting when Superintendent Clare takes them on a team building exercise in the middle of a quiet Norfolk village.
But what was supposed to be a weekend of recovery and fun soon becomes something much more sinister, when two local men turn up dead—poisoned by a horrific new designer drug nicknamed Jaw Breaker.
Kett and the team find themselves dragged into the middle of a bloody civil war between gangs, cultists, coppers and some very angry locals.
Not to mention a ghost...
And they learn that R&R doesn’t always stand for Rest and Relaxation. Sometimes it’s all about Revenge and Retribution.”
I had pieced much of it together before the different reveals. But Not all the pieces had fallen in place. Like Kett thought at one point during this story:
“So why was it that the jigsaw pieces still felt loose inside his head? Why did it feel like he was missing something?”
And later:
“Kett’s knee was throbbing, so he pulled out a chair and sat down. Nothing was fitting together the way it should have been, and the more he tried to force the pieces, the more his head ached.”
By the end of this one Kett is trying to save someone else, and we see echoes of him working to save himself. Kett also encounters a former cop who considers himself like Kett, but Kett wants to be nothing like this man. We see Kett struggle with his own past, who he is and who he wants to me. And yet again Kett’s family seems to be a target by the end of the tale. In this one Kett and team are tacking drug games, a mysterious new drug killing young men, and the pieces just won’t seem to fit.
To figure out how Kett and team solve the mystery you will need to pick up and read this volume. But be warned it is dark, gritty, and absolutely addicting. Another great read in a crime series and one that will leave you wanting the next volume, Knock Knock!
If you have been fallowing the saga of DCI Kett this book is a must read. If you happen to be a fan of rough and tough action you will almost certainly enjoy this novel. And the other books in the series. This is the tenth of the DCI Kett stories that I have read, the nineth novel, and Kett made a brief appearance in The Harder They Fall, the first of the Softley Series of books. A previous volume, Whip Crack, makes reference to Six Days, Six Hours, Six Minutes, which is by far the darkest and grittiest of Smith’s mystery thriller novels. But this one is pretty close. All of Smith’s mysteries link together in some fashion. The description of this story is:
“After the horrors of their last case, DCI Kett and the rest of Norfolk Constabulary’s Extreme Crime Task Force are in need of a break.
And that’s just what they think they’re getting when Superintendent Clare takes them on a team building exercise in the middle of a quiet Norfolk village.
But what was supposed to be a weekend of recovery and fun soon becomes something much more sinister, when two local men turn up dead—poisoned by a horrific new designer drug nicknamed Jaw Breaker.
Kett and the team find themselves dragged into the middle of a bloody civil war between gangs, cultists, coppers and some very angry locals.
Not to mention a ghost...
And they learn that R&R doesn’t always stand for Rest and Relaxation. Sometimes it’s all about Revenge and Retribution.”
I had pieced much of it together before the different reveals. But Not all the pieces had fallen in place. Like Kett thought at one point during this story:
“So why was it that the jigsaw pieces still felt loose inside his head? Why did it feel like he was missing something?”
And later:
“Kett’s knee was throbbing, so he pulled out a chair and sat down. Nothing was fitting together the way it should have been, and the more he tried to force the pieces, the more his head ached.”
By the end of this one Kett is trying to save someone else, and we see echoes of him working to save himself. Kett also encounters a former cop who considers himself like Kett, but Kett wants to be nothing like this man. We see Kett struggle with his own past, who he is and who he wants to me. And yet again Kett’s family seems to be a target by the end of the tale. In this one Kett and team are tacking drug games, a mysterious new drug killing young men, and the pieces just won’t seem to fit.
To figure out how Kett and team solve the mystery you will need to pick up and read this volume. But be warned it is dark, gritty, and absolutely addicting. Another great read in a crime series and one that will leave you wanting the next volume, Knock Knock!
October 28, 2024
Another brilliant read in this series. This one was a little darker than the others as it dealt with drugs and overdosed teenagers and corrupt police. Still enjoyable tho.
April 2, 2022
Jaw Breaker is the ninth book in the DCI Kett police crime series. All of the DCI Kett novels are violent and tackle serious issues. This book is no different and yet again DCI Kett and his team are able to tackle drug gangs and murder and drug dealing. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 21, 2025
Jaw Breaker by Alex Smith is the 9th book in the DCI Kett Mystery series. Following the horrors of their last case, Superintendent Claire takes The Extreme Task Force on a team building exercise in a quiet Norfolk town, only to find themselves in the middle of two suspicious drug related deaths and a rogue vigilante ex-policeman. A superb thriller and very entertaining despite the violence and subject matter. It is always nice to see Kett always put his girls and his family first and how he caves in to them so easily. It was a shame to see the end of the Mermaid Adventure Castle. A terrific addition to the series.
May 16, 2024
Dead Man's Shoes?
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this one to be honest. I mean, it might have been something to do with the previous book in this series kind of breaking the spell for me and this author with the needless inclusion of weirdly unnecessary cringe, feminist talking points, or if this instalment really just didn't feel like it hit the same way.
All the usual great ingredients were there: Kett, Savage, Porter, Clare and PC Duke (who is becoming a bit of a favourite, the great lumbering eedjit!) but the reason behind the murders seemed far less believable (and bear in mind this is in a series where one previous perp had locked someone up, raised them like a dog and used them as a proxy for the murders they wanted to commit, and a man running around in a pig's head abducting women before brainwashing them into being loyal to his weird operation).
At first the gang are all on a little break to some boring little activities lodge place (you know the kind, we've all been forced to attend them at some point) for a "team-building" exercise. And the fact that they would just happen to stumble upon yet another wild crime seemed to stretch the boundaries of possibility even for the die-hard members of the 'Cult of Kett'. But that was actually a ruse by Superintendent Clare all along who knew there was something dodgy going on in this area and had spirited his 'Extreme Crime' squad away to this location on the sly, hoping that they might be able to turn something up. Which indeed they do. (I'm glad this was the real reasoning behind their all having been here because it gets a bit old for your top detectives to keep accidentally stumbling upon horrendous crimes every time they go on a break. So good choice to have this as the real explanation behind their presence this time.)
If you've ever seen the film 'Dead Mans Shoes' featuring Paddy Considine, then that's basically the sort of plot we have here. For a while we're sent off in one direction (as is always the case with this series) before the real motive only clicking into place towards the end. And I just didn't buy that the person who committed all those murders would have done so for the reasons given. It felt more like Alex Smith had maybe wanted to take this book off in one direction first, then decided to shoehorn the final explanation and denouement in, right at the last minute. It just didn't flow as well as these books normally do.
The humour that runs through the series was still there (props to Colin "tossing" Clare for referring to Snickers' Bars as Marathons...us old folk still remember, lol) and the banter between PC Aaron Duke and the others is all good-natured ribbing towards the new guy. But he fits in well and I'm glad he's become a more permanent fixture to these books.
IDK. I did enjoy this for the most part, but it wasn't as up to scratch as the previous half-dozen instalments that were coming in at 4 or 5 star ratings for me. It felt a bit clunky. Rushed. Not quite thought through - which was evidenced by how much of the big reveal had to literally be spoon-fed to the readers via a long back and forth of dialogue between Kett, Porter, Savage & Clare. It felt like the whole being told rather than being shown thing, which as anyone who reads a lot knows, can be something of a death knell to immersion in a story.
It wasn't a terrible book. It was still better than most of the stuff being churned out on Amazon's 'Kindle Unlimited' but it wasn't up to the standard that the author has come to have me expect from him. But they can't all be absolute bangers. Everyone's bound to find it hard to keep hitting it out of the park with every title - especially when you're writing for a long-running series and you need to keep things constantly interesting, whilst treading the boundaries between wild and simply unbelievable.
The Norfolk folk theme was present in this book too - something I've really been enjoying in the previous handful of books - but again, this time it felt less fully threaded through the text and more forced in because it's become something that Alex Smith has utilised so successfully in previous titles. It doesn't have to crop up in every book. When it's there it should feel natural; part of the story because it's organically part of the surrounding area, people, culture etc. Using it in this book kind of felt like something of a desperate need to a/ include it because maybe the author thinks it's expected, and b/ wanted a distraction, a deflection; and so he settled on this macguffin of sorts.
Anyway. I've got book #10 already cued up on the Kindle ready to go. I'm still enjoying the series and can easily write this one title off as just 'The One That Fell A Little Flat' for me. It might seem a little stingy, but I'm going to award this book a decently solid 3 stars and hope that the next one has things back to their normal level of brilliantly batcrap insane.
⭐⭐⭐
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this one to be honest. I mean, it might have been something to do with the previous book in this series kind of breaking the spell for me and this author with the needless inclusion of weirdly unnecessary cringe, feminist talking points, or if this instalment really just didn't feel like it hit the same way.
All the usual great ingredients were there: Kett, Savage, Porter, Clare and PC Duke (who is becoming a bit of a favourite, the great lumbering eedjit!) but the reason behind the murders seemed far less believable (and bear in mind this is in a series where one previous perp had locked someone up, raised them like a dog and used them as a proxy for the murders they wanted to commit, and a man running around in a pig's head abducting women before brainwashing them into being loyal to his weird operation).
At first the gang are all on a little break to some boring little activities lodge place (you know the kind, we've all been forced to attend them at some point) for a "team-building" exercise. And the fact that they would just happen to stumble upon yet another wild crime seemed to stretch the boundaries of possibility even for the die-hard members of the 'Cult of Kett'. But that was actually a ruse by Superintendent Clare all along who knew there was something dodgy going on in this area and had spirited his 'Extreme Crime' squad away to this location on the sly, hoping that they might be able to turn something up. Which indeed they do. (I'm glad this was the real reasoning behind their all having been here because it gets a bit old for your top detectives to keep accidentally stumbling upon horrendous crimes every time they go on a break. So good choice to have this as the real explanation behind their presence this time.)
If you've ever seen the film 'Dead Mans Shoes' featuring Paddy Considine, then that's basically the sort of plot we have here. For a while we're sent off in one direction (as is always the case with this series) before the real motive only clicking into place towards the end. And I just didn't buy that the person who committed all those murders would have done so for the reasons given. It felt more like Alex Smith had maybe wanted to take this book off in one direction first, then decided to shoehorn the final explanation and denouement in, right at the last minute. It just didn't flow as well as these books normally do.
The humour that runs through the series was still there (props to Colin "tossing" Clare for referring to Snickers' Bars as Marathons...us old folk still remember, lol) and the banter between PC Aaron Duke and the others is all good-natured ribbing towards the new guy. But he fits in well and I'm glad he's become a more permanent fixture to these books.
IDK. I did enjoy this for the most part, but it wasn't as up to scratch as the previous half-dozen instalments that were coming in at 4 or 5 star ratings for me. It felt a bit clunky. Rushed. Not quite thought through - which was evidenced by how much of the big reveal had to literally be spoon-fed to the readers via a long back and forth of dialogue between Kett, Porter, Savage & Clare. It felt like the whole being told rather than being shown thing, which as anyone who reads a lot knows, can be something of a death knell to immersion in a story.
It wasn't a terrible book. It was still better than most of the stuff being churned out on Amazon's 'Kindle Unlimited' but it wasn't up to the standard that the author has come to have me expect from him. But they can't all be absolute bangers. Everyone's bound to find it hard to keep hitting it out of the park with every title - especially when you're writing for a long-running series and you need to keep things constantly interesting, whilst treading the boundaries between wild and simply unbelievable.
The Norfolk folk theme was present in this book too - something I've really been enjoying in the previous handful of books - but again, this time it felt less fully threaded through the text and more forced in because it's become something that Alex Smith has utilised so successfully in previous titles. It doesn't have to crop up in every book. When it's there it should feel natural; part of the story because it's organically part of the surrounding area, people, culture etc. Using it in this book kind of felt like something of a desperate need to a/ include it because maybe the author thinks it's expected, and b/ wanted a distraction, a deflection; and so he settled on this macguffin of sorts.
Anyway. I've got book #10 already cued up on the Kindle ready to go. I'm still enjoying the series and can easily write this one title off as just 'The One That Fell A Little Flat' for me. It might seem a little stingy, but I'm going to award this book a decently solid 3 stars and hope that the next one has things back to their normal level of brilliantly batcrap insane.
⭐⭐⭐
August 6, 2024
Eine Reihe, die ich mir sofort als Serie angucken würde.
February 12, 2023
I was about 45% into this book before I really got into the story but when I did it was as good as the previous books in the series that I enjoy so much.
The last few pages are HUGE cliff hangers that make you want to read the next books immediately.
I’ve got the feeling that Robbie is on the verge of not having anything else left to give, he’s a broken man both physically and mentally.
The last few pages are HUGE cliff hangers that make you want to read the next books immediately.
I’ve got the feeling that Robbie is on the verge of not having anything else left to give, he’s a broken man both physically and mentally.
November 15, 2025
Another really good book in the DCI Kett series. The villain in this one felt bigger than some of the previous villains (even by this series standards), but I think that was because of the idea that there were multiple people involved and the story went in lots of different directions before we got to find out the truth. I really thought the car going over the hill might have been the end of everything for Kett. I love the inclusion of a ghost in the storyline, and how they were chasing her around for a while before things started to make sense.
I love the relationships within the team and you really get to see more of each character in this book thanks to the team building activities. I loved the jigsaw puzzle scene. I enjoyed seeing how each character is dealing with the emotional fallout from previous cases, and you can start to see how their work on the Extreme Crime Task Force is taking its toll.
I love the relationships within the team and you really get to see more of each character in this book thanks to the team building activities. I loved the jigsaw puzzle scene. I enjoyed seeing how each character is dealing with the emotional fallout from previous cases, and you can start to see how their work on the Extreme Crime Task Force is taking its toll.
April 12, 2024
Another good book by Alex Smith. The books are so relatable to things that could happen in real life that they keep to gripped to find out the how’s and whys.
As I have said before I am really enjoying this collection that when you start the book you don’t want to put it down.
I love the DCI Kett character and his colleagues. They are family to each other.
Do give this collection a try and see for yourself.
I haven’t review the content of the book as I never want to give the plots away it’s nice for you to experience the book from fresh eyes without anyone else’s opinions or views.
Enjoy
As I have said before I am really enjoying this collection that when you start the book you don’t want to put it down.
I love the DCI Kett character and his colleagues. They are family to each other.
Do give this collection a try and see for yourself.
I haven’t review the content of the book as I never want to give the plots away it’s nice for you to experience the book from fresh eyes without anyone else’s opinions or views.
Enjoy
April 6, 2022
Another brilliant read
One of my favourite series, gritty crime stories mixed with some brilliant humour which helps release some of the tension, as there are lots of nail biting moments. It really cracked me up when they were participating in the basket weave and jigsaw classes, genius! As for Clare he's a class act of his own. Very few author's write excellent crime with hilarious humour like Alex Smith, my other favourite being J D Kirk. I never want this series to end and hope there's many more to come. Thank You again for a fabulous, entertaining read.
One of my favourite series, gritty crime stories mixed with some brilliant humour which helps release some of the tension, as there are lots of nail biting moments. It really cracked me up when they were participating in the basket weave and jigsaw classes, genius! As for Clare he's a class act of his own. Very few author's write excellent crime with hilarious humour like Alex Smith, my other favourite being J D Kirk. I never want this series to end and hope there's many more to come. Thank You again for a fabulous, entertaining read.
April 6, 2022
Fabulous
I’ve loved the Robbie Kett books right from the first instalment and they really do just get better and better. The story rips along, carrying the reader along on an exciting but slightly scary ride. All the while I’m wondering about the other story arc from previous books but I shouldn’t have worried.
This series is so worth reading. It’s funny, tense, challenging….you never quite know how things will pan out. You just hope they’ll all be ok in the end.
I’ve loved the Robbie Kett books right from the first instalment and they really do just get better and better. The story rips along, carrying the reader along on an exciting but slightly scary ride. All the while I’m wondering about the other story arc from previous books but I shouldn’t have worried.
This series is so worth reading. It’s funny, tense, challenging….you never quite know how things will pan out. You just hope they’ll all be ok in the end.
April 2, 2022
Another solid hit!
What can I say about DCI Kett and his team other than they are amazing! Of course they wouldn't be if they weren't brought to life by an amazing author, Alex Smith. This series has had me mesmerized with every book I have read. Yes it's out there a bit, but that's ok. It's supposed to be. There is so much good humor throughout the book that I was laughing out loud, my 2 Great Danes with their heads cocked trying to figure out what was wrong with me! As always, a very original plot, lots of twists and turns , and a heavy, but good ending!.I honestly recommend this series, and this book to everyone! I can hardly wait for the next one to come out!
What can I say about DCI Kett and his team other than they are amazing! Of course they wouldn't be if they weren't brought to life by an amazing author, Alex Smith. This series has had me mesmerized with every book I have read. Yes it's out there a bit, but that's ok. It's supposed to be. There is so much good humor throughout the book that I was laughing out loud, my 2 Great Danes with their heads cocked trying to figure out what was wrong with me! As always, a very original plot, lots of twists and turns , and a heavy, but good ending!.I honestly recommend this series, and this book to everyone! I can hardly wait for the next one to come out!
April 6, 2022
Wow!
DCI Kett has become one of my favorite series. He and his team are great together. I really enjoyed Clare and Duke in this one. I hope Duke stays with the team. I did not figure out the killer in this one. And that ending! I can’t wait for the next one! I highly recommend this whole series!
DCI Kett has become one of my favorite series. He and his team are great together. I really enjoyed Clare and Duke in this one. I hope Duke stays with the team. I did not figure out the killer in this one. And that ending! I can’t wait for the next one! I highly recommend this whole series!
April 4, 2022
Loved it!
You know an author is good when he can make you like Clare :). That man now just cracks me up!
Really good story; good plot. Alex Smith has definitely moved into my five top authors. All of his series are great. Intense, great plots, but still laugh out loud funny, at times. Well done.
You know an author is good when he can make you like Clare :). That man now just cracks me up!
Really good story; good plot. Alex Smith has definitely moved into my five top authors. All of his series are great. Intense, great plots, but still laugh out loud funny, at times. Well done.
April 3, 2022
Jaw Breaker
Another great book and read from Alex Smith five stars definitely once again I don't know how you do it if I could give more stars I would can't wait for next instalment
Another great book and read from Alex Smith five stars definitely once again I don't know how you do it if I could give more stars I would can't wait for next instalment
April 3, 2022
Another fantastic action packed book in the wonderful series of DCI Robbie Kett and his team. And not forgetting his girls, Billie included. I love returning to this series time and time again. Can’t wait for the next book!
July 28, 2022
Trying to determine whether Alex Smith is trying to endear us towards the Police or turn us against them. Lol. But I am enjoying the Kett series and all the characters we’ve come to know and love. Onto the next book. Only two left. I’ll be sad when they end.
January 5, 2023
If you like the DCI Kett series then you’ll enjoy this one
I did.
Onto the next.
I did.
Onto the next.
July 10, 2022
First off, my positives. I liked that the route into the investigation was a bit different in this installment, this many books into a series it can get a bit stale, but that certainly isn't the case for Kett and Co.
I also really liked the team dynamic. The characters feel familiar now and I like them all. I not only laughed out loud a few times but also felt a bit tense when the main characters were in peril.
All of that made me straddle the line between a 3 and 4 star rate.
It wasn't the plot as such that was the negative for me, but elements of the plot.
There was just no tension related to Marshall because he was made the bad guy from the start. It meant that for the majority, I wasn't thinking who is it, but when will we finally just get a resolution. Every conversation with a squirrely supporting character just led back to it being Marshall. There was no mystery. Nothing for me to have to work out. It was written to be obvious.
In comparison the other half of the story was so very left of field. Not because the character was subtle or had been hiding in plain sight, but because it just felt like such a tenuous motivation for what occurred. I wouldn't call it a twist as such because it was just so unsupported.
So for very different reasons, but on the same thread, I went with a tossing middle of the road rate, even though it is scattered with some good 4 star material throughout.
I also really liked the team dynamic. The characters feel familiar now and I like them all. I not only laughed out loud a few times but also felt a bit tense when the main characters were in peril.
All of that made me straddle the line between a 3 and 4 star rate.
It wasn't the plot as such that was the negative for me, but elements of the plot.
There was just no tension related to Marshall because he was made the bad guy from the start. It meant that for the majority, I wasn't thinking who is it, but when will we finally just get a resolution. Every conversation with a squirrely supporting character just led back to it being Marshall. There was no mystery. Nothing for me to have to work out. It was written to be obvious.
In comparison the other half of the story was so very left of field. Not because the character was subtle or had been hiding in plain sight, but because it just felt like such a tenuous motivation for what occurred. I wouldn't call it a twist as such because it was just so unsupported.
So for very different reasons, but on the same thread, I went with a tossing middle of the road rate, even though it is scattered with some good 4 star material throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2022
One Toss at a Time…
I think the author is on a mission, a hard hard fought out battle, to make ‘toss’ a swear word, one reader at a time,
Hell, I had no idea it was used in that way, but heyho, it seems to be. He’s got a lot of work in front of him, but I don’t think that will put him off, he’s a man made to fight for what is right & wrong.
The books are growing on me, they have been since the very first one. I don’t know if it’s to do with the writer coming into his work and has honed his craft as he goes, or if it’s just me, maybe both? Either way though it’s great.
I love the characters, the storylines, the guesstimating and the little red fishies (herrings) ALL the good stuff you want to find when you open a book like this, it’s here and it’s well done.
I think this sums it up …
How to tell if a book is any good or not…the X-ray search function is jam packed & at the end of the book there has to be a tally up between the characters of who did where snd when was which, confused yet?
Then what are you waiting for?! Go BUY the flipping book!
I think the author is on a mission, a hard hard fought out battle, to make ‘toss’ a swear word, one reader at a time,
Hell, I had no idea it was used in that way, but heyho, it seems to be. He’s got a lot of work in front of him, but I don’t think that will put him off, he’s a man made to fight for what is right & wrong.
The books are growing on me, they have been since the very first one. I don’t know if it’s to do with the writer coming into his work and has honed his craft as he goes, or if it’s just me, maybe both? Either way though it’s great.
I love the characters, the storylines, the guesstimating and the little red fishies (herrings) ALL the good stuff you want to find when you open a book like this, it’s here and it’s well done.
I think this sums it up …
How to tell if a book is any good or not…the X-ray search function is jam packed & at the end of the book there has to be a tally up between the characters of who did where snd when was which, confused yet?
Then what are you waiting for?! Go BUY the flipping book!
May 26, 2022
Definitely a solid book. I love how much I've gotten to know them all and how much they each make me laugh: Clare, Savage, Porter, Kett. And poor Duke in this one. My love for the characters kind of made the story break even for me. I thought it was weird that the beginning felt more like a ghost story and DCI Kett stories are strongly based in the tangible. That being said, I wasn't wild about where the story went. It was rather pedestrian and the explanation for why Catherine decided to avenge Niamh's death seemed....far fetched. The idea was that the murder victims were drug dealers who abused Niamh, who killed herself as a result of that. The men recruited Cat to pretend to be Niamh and Cat started to ... assume the personality and ideas of Niamh. And she took matters into her own hands and mixed the men's drugs with other drugs as punishment. It was all rather silly, to be honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2022
Jaw Breaker -
The DCI Kett series just keeps giving. Another great book from Alex Smith. A weekend team building holiday planned… what could go wrong. Young lads die of overdoses, an ex-policeman who you imagine was bent and loads of action. Three quarters of the way through the book you think the plot is coming to a conclusion and then it goes off in two different directions. As with all the books in the series there is also great humour as the team work together. As I always say, go back to book 1 and read them all in order. You don’t have to, but you will understand some of the things mentioned in this book better if you do. But more importantly they are all great books to read. Looking forward to the next one. Alex is probably one of my favourite authors now. A big 5 out of 5 again!
The DCI Kett series just keeps giving. Another great book from Alex Smith. A weekend team building holiday planned… what could go wrong. Young lads die of overdoses, an ex-policeman who you imagine was bent and loads of action. Three quarters of the way through the book you think the plot is coming to a conclusion and then it goes off in two different directions. As with all the books in the series there is also great humour as the team work together. As I always say, go back to book 1 and read them all in order. You don’t have to, but you will understand some of the things mentioned in this book better if you do. But more importantly they are all great books to read. Looking forward to the next one. Alex is probably one of my favourite authors now. A big 5 out of 5 again!
April 17, 2022
Keeps you gripped
If you like a bit of mystery, action, skewed police procedural this could get you turning the page . This is the ninth book in the Kett series and I would suggest starting at Book 1 if you want to get the full flavour of the main characters and their back story. However you could read it as a standalone. This book is a page turner but does attempt to examine what happens when good people do bad things and whether good motives are ever enough to make some actions justifiable. I like leading characters who are complex and a little haunted it drives the plot in more interesting directions whist still surprising you. Always good when you are sad to reach the last page and Alex Smith is an author who is clever enough to throw a few morsels in at the end so you want to read what is going to happen next to Kett and those he loves.
If you like a bit of mystery, action, skewed police procedural this could get you turning the page . This is the ninth book in the Kett series and I would suggest starting at Book 1 if you want to get the full flavour of the main characters and their back story. However you could read it as a standalone. This book is a page turner but does attempt to examine what happens when good people do bad things and whether good motives are ever enough to make some actions justifiable. I like leading characters who are complex and a little haunted it drives the plot in more interesting directions whist still surprising you. Always good when you are sad to reach the last page and Alex Smith is an author who is clever enough to throw a few morsels in at the end so you want to read what is going to happen next to Kett and those he loves.
August 20, 2022
Another great read in this brilliant series.
Clare tells the team to pack for a team building break in Norfolk, but as you can imagine, none of them are keen.
They arrive at the hotel and Kett sees a girl who looks upset so goes over to her. She tells him she’s worried about her boyfriend, Seb, who is missing.
Kett then hears that a boy’s body has been found nearby and knows straight away it’s Seb.
It seems his death was caused by a mixture of drugs, but was it accidental or murder?
There’s some rogue Police to contend with as well as a retired Police officer who seems to have his own rules for punishment of crimes.
As always there’s a good mixture of crime and humour which I loved.
Clare tells the team to pack for a team building break in Norfolk, but as you can imagine, none of them are keen.
They arrive at the hotel and Kett sees a girl who looks upset so goes over to her. She tells him she’s worried about her boyfriend, Seb, who is missing.
Kett then hears that a boy’s body has been found nearby and knows straight away it’s Seb.
It seems his death was caused by a mixture of drugs, but was it accidental or murder?
There’s some rogue Police to contend with as well as a retired Police officer who seems to have his own rules for punishment of crimes.
As always there’s a good mixture of crime and humour which I loved.
August 23, 2022
The exhausted police team goes on vacation together to a less than stellar location for "team building" exercises and relaxation...much against their will. While Superintendent Colin takes advantage of the spa and his executive suite under the guise of his official duties, the four suffer through basket weaving, jigsaw puzzle contests and other enticing activities. Of course, nothing is as it seems and their "fun" is disrupted by murders and drug horror. Again, their poor bodies take multiple beatings, etc. In the line of duty. Will they reach old age intact at this rate???? No pets this time and not much of Billie and the kids, but plenty of mayhem interlaced with humor. I loved the tea making workshop which Porter destroys. Will he ever get it right?
May 28, 2025
Just finished Jawbreaker, book 9 in the DCI Robert Kett series by Alex Smith, WOW, this book certainly doesn't disappoint. As always Kett, Porter and Savage are in the middle of trouble. Alex Smith really knows how to get the best out of his stories. This, like the others is fast paced and pack a punch. This time it's about drugs, but then other things happen that really get the pulse racing. I love the interactions of the characters and Duke has been a revelation. I love how Clare uses words and it makes him unique. I also like how Kett becomes this great softie when he's with his girls. All in all a fantastic read and I can't wait for the next installment to see how Kett and his fellow officers track down the bad guys.
April 9, 2022
Another great Kett story
WOW, this book certainly doesn't disappoint. As always Kett, Porter and Savage are in the middle of trouble. Alex Smith really knows how to get the best out of his stories. This, like the others is fast paced and pack a punch. This time it's about drugs, but then other things happen that really get the pulse racing. I love the interactions of the characters and Duke has been a revelation. I love how Clare uses words and it makes him unique. I also like how Kett becomes this great softie when he's with his girls. All in all a fantastic read and I can't wait for the next installment to see how Kett and his fellow officers track down the bad guys.
WOW, this book certainly doesn't disappoint. As always Kett, Porter and Savage are in the middle of trouble. Alex Smith really knows how to get the best out of his stories. This, like the others is fast paced and pack a punch. This time it's about drugs, but then other things happen that really get the pulse racing. I love the interactions of the characters and Duke has been a revelation. I love how Clare uses words and it makes him unique. I also like how Kett becomes this great softie when he's with his girls. All in all a fantastic read and I can't wait for the next installment to see how Kett and his fellow officers track down the bad guys.
August 16, 2022
Another great DCI Kett book
I really like Ketts love for his family. It's what keeps him going. I also think that his team are finely tuned and know exactly what Kett wants. I love the funny moments and also hearing Clare's wrongly obsessive use of the words toss, tossing, tossers etc. I have a bit of a funny sense of humour and this amuses myself greatly. I would recommend this book to one of my good friends who has the same sense of humour and we both love the same kind of books. I have this rating as I love everything about this series of books and always look forward to the next installment
I really like Ketts love for his family. It's what keeps him going. I also think that his team are finely tuned and know exactly what Kett wants. I love the funny moments and also hearing Clare's wrongly obsessive use of the words toss, tossing, tossers etc. I have a bit of a funny sense of humour and this amuses myself greatly. I would recommend this book to one of my good friends who has the same sense of humour and we both love the same kind of books. I have this rating as I love everything about this series of books and always look forward to the next installment
October 22, 2022
There's no doubt about it - Alex Smith is writing a most entertaining series of books.
Here, the main police characters (including Clare) are on a team building exercise over a couple of days in some remote part of Norfolk. As you would expect, trouble soon starts. This time those problems are drug related.
There's plenty of fun here too, as the team attempt (or attempt to avoid) basket weaving, raft building and a number of other team building exercises.
The final solution is clever and not obvious (at least to me). We are also left with a situation that will lead us on to the next book in the DCI Kett series.
So don't "Kett it up" as Clare would say. Enjoy this book.
Here, the main police characters (including Clare) are on a team building exercise over a couple of days in some remote part of Norfolk. As you would expect, trouble soon starts. This time those problems are drug related.
There's plenty of fun here too, as the team attempt (or attempt to avoid) basket weaving, raft building and a number of other team building exercises.
The final solution is clever and not obvious (at least to me). We are also left with a situation that will lead us on to the next book in the DCI Kett series.
So don't "Kett it up" as Clare would say. Enjoy this book.
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