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Dead Drift
Former Detective Inspector Jack Lunn is enjoying the quiet life.
Twenty years on from being medically retired from the job with Hampshire Police, he’s earned his quiet routine of long walks in the New Forest.
However, Jack’s peace is shattered when he discovers the body of a friend and local landowner while on a fishing trip.
Drawn into the investigation, he comes face to face with an old colleague, and the police investigation machine he thought he had left behind.
As family secrets are exposed and a reporter takes an interest, Jack and his partner’s eldest daughter Gemma, a former military intelligence officer set to work to uncover who killed his friend.
As the body count rises, can they both unravel the mystery before it’s too late, or will Jack’s life be sacrificed as just so much dead drift
Twenty years on from being medically retired from the job with Hampshire Police, he’s earned his quiet routine of long walks in the New Forest.
However, Jack’s peace is shattered when he discovers the body of a friend and local landowner while on a fishing trip.
Drawn into the investigation, he comes face to face with an old colleague, and the police investigation machine he thought he had left behind.
As family secrets are exposed and a reporter takes an interest, Jack and his partner’s eldest daughter Gemma, a former military intelligence officer set to work to uncover who killed his friend.
As the body count rises, can they both unravel the mystery before it’s too late, or will Jack’s life be sacrificed as just so much dead drift
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2022
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Hill
11 books4 followersDr. A.J. Hill's initial ambition in life was to become a physicist. He obtained his undergraduate degree in that field and had begun graduate study in physics at M.I.T., when his education was interrupted by military service. (This was during the Vietnam War.) He taught for four years in the Navy and Subsequently his interests turned to biology and then to medicine.
He has been in private practice in anesthesiology for over fifteen years. His book The Patient's Guide to Anesthesia was released in March 1999. His other interests include kayaking, hiking, skin diving, cooking, music, and reading.
He has been in private practice in anesthesiology for over fifteen years. His book The Patient's Guide to Anesthesia was released in March 1999. His other interests include kayaking, hiking, skin diving, cooking, music, and reading.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 4, 2022
I absolutely loved this, more towards the cozy end of crime but no less thrilling, fast paced, engaging or full on.
The characters are the winner here. Jack and his stepdaughter Gem take the lead, and are a wonderful accidental pairing. Despite Jack being invalided out of the Police, and Gem leaving the military, they are still able to enjoy a wonderful relationship in which they share a love of beer and solving a mystery.
Poor Sparkes the put upon friend who is badgered for info, the big boss, Geoff who is consistently embarrassed and in Jack's shadow, the tenacious reporter, and Jack's new partner Sarah are all great fun. Sarah especially who is generally exasperated by light heartedly so by her partner.
I became so hooked by this, that I was sad to put it down and was excited to dive back in and find out what they had all been up to. I wanted to find out what had happened too. I trusted Jack's instincts that all was not as it seemed. I had no clue what the truth was and was totally taken in until the reveal.
I can't wait to pick up with these characters, so Andy if you could write book 2 a bit quicker please lol.
The characters are the winner here. Jack and his stepdaughter Gem take the lead, and are a wonderful accidental pairing. Despite Jack being invalided out of the Police, and Gem leaving the military, they are still able to enjoy a wonderful relationship in which they share a love of beer and solving a mystery.
Poor Sparkes the put upon friend who is badgered for info, the big boss, Geoff who is consistently embarrassed and in Jack's shadow, the tenacious reporter, and Jack's new partner Sarah are all great fun. Sarah especially who is generally exasperated by light heartedly so by her partner.
I became so hooked by this, that I was sad to put it down and was excited to dive back in and find out what they had all been up to. I wanted to find out what had happened too. I trusted Jack's instincts that all was not as it seemed. I had no clue what the truth was and was totally taken in until the reveal.
I can't wait to pick up with these characters, so Andy if you could write book 2 a bit quicker please lol.
March 19, 2022
This is the debut novel in a new crime series, and I'm already looking forward to reading the next one! I don't usually read crime but found this engrossing and enjoyable to read. Set in the New Forest in England, ex-detective Jack Lunn takes the lead when he discovers a body in the river. With plausible characters and a strong storyline the book kept me guessing to the end. Recommended!
February 28, 2022
Retired detective Jack Lunn discovers a body floating in the river when he goes fishing. The murder case is quickly closed but Jack has doubts about the lead officer (who just happens to be in a relationship with Jack's ex wife). He is convinced that the police have the wrong man and is determined to find out the truth for himself...
Dead Drift is the first book in a new series to feature Jack Lunn. He is a detective who was forced to retire on medical grounds but his mind works as fast as ever. Jack frequently quotes philosophers and wordsmiths, and even Yoda from Star Wars!
The murder victim is a cantankerous old lady who had disputes with family and others in the local community. Jack identifies several suspects but the officer in charge of the case just won't listen to him. Luckily Jack has friends in the police force who take his concerns seriously and ensure a thorough investigation.
There are several personal strands to the plot as well. Jack is in a relationship with Sarah but she isn't happy about his involvement in the cases especially as he drags her daughter into it. Meanwhile Jack's ex lives with Geoff Cooke who is leading the murder investigation and sees Jack's input as threatening.
Jack is trying to set up a fishing tackle business and this slows the pace of the book but adds a realism. He is a great lead character and has strong personal and professional relationships because he gets on with a whole range of people, except Cooke!
Dead Drift was a very enjoyable introduction to a new crime and police thriller series. I Iook forward to seeing what happens to Jack next (bit of a cliffhanger ending!)
Dead Drift is the first book in a new series to feature Jack Lunn. He is a detective who was forced to retire on medical grounds but his mind works as fast as ever. Jack frequently quotes philosophers and wordsmiths, and even Yoda from Star Wars!
The murder victim is a cantankerous old lady who had disputes with family and others in the local community. Jack identifies several suspects but the officer in charge of the case just won't listen to him. Luckily Jack has friends in the police force who take his concerns seriously and ensure a thorough investigation.
There are several personal strands to the plot as well. Jack is in a relationship with Sarah but she isn't happy about his involvement in the cases especially as he drags her daughter into it. Meanwhile Jack's ex lives with Geoff Cooke who is leading the murder investigation and sees Jack's input as threatening.
Jack is trying to set up a fishing tackle business and this slows the pace of the book but adds a realism. He is a great lead character and has strong personal and professional relationships because he gets on with a whole range of people, except Cooke!
Dead Drift was a very enjoyable introduction to a new crime and police thriller series. I Iook forward to seeing what happens to Jack next (bit of a cliffhanger ending!)
February 4, 2022
Ex DI Jack Lunn is having a quiet day river fishing in the New Forest when a corpse literally floats up to him. He calls his old DC and friend, now DI Mick Sparkes and an investigation is launched, soon proving to be a case of murder. Jack knows the victim, local landowner Elizabeth Lamont. She wasn’t a very popular lady. Her late husband had a murky past and she had made a lot of enemies along the way, including a burglar she had held at gunpoint, a builder driven to bankruptcy and suicide, and a battle with a neighbour forced to move away, but she had always been good to Jack, giving him the right to fish on her land in return for help with a house purchase and he considered her a friend. He feels he has a duty to find out the truth about her murder and locals start confiding in Jack. There’s no love lost between the SIO and former colleague Supt Geoff Cooke who is married to Jack’s ex-wife, and it doesn’t help when Jack demonstrates that his prime suspect is innocent, instead offering him a selection of viable suspects to look into. Jack can’t help getting involved in the investigation, despite his partner Sarah’s obvious disapproval. After all, it was injury that deprived him of a job he loved only half way through his career and Det Chief Supt Rhona Blacklock isn’t averse to a little unofficial help from him either. Sarah’s elder daughter Gem is home, having left the army and finished her work contract. She is keen to help Jack do a little sleuthing, and of course her background in Army Intelligence makes this a perfect partnership.
Jack and his family are all lovely people, as is Mick Sparkes, with none of the usual angsts and issues often seen around detectives. The narrative is witty is places and well written, making this great murder mystery a real pleasure to read. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this series. 5*
Jack and his family are all lovely people, as is Mick Sparkes, with none of the usual angsts and issues often seen around detectives. The narrative is witty is places and well written, making this great murder mystery a real pleasure to read. I am looking forward to reading more stories in this series. 5*
February 8, 2022
Jack Lunn Book 1.
The usual plot of medically retired detective being bought out of his quiet life. Stumbling across a not alive body he’s thrown back into his detective ways putting his skills to great use. The chaos unfolds as a lot of welcomed characters create the perfect mystery to solve. But will they?
It was quite a large book but the detail made this completely stand out from the norm. For a mystery set of murders it’s quite slow paced but if there’s going to be a next book in the series it suits it well. The perfect team is created much to Jack’s partners annoyance but it worked so well. I was shocked at the overall ending to the book but it a great way. I hate that I have such a passion for these type of reads but I can never predict the outcome.
I didn’t expect the twists to occur throughout and I certainly wasn’t expecting other events to pop along either. Without giving too much away. I did thoroughly enjoy learning so much about topics I’m not overly fond of. The detail is enough to get your brain picturing it as you read. I don’t know if I would let Jack get away with as much as he did if I was his misses for sure but I think that’s why I liked Jack so much. Bit of a naughty rebel.
For a debut novel it was brilliantly written and the chapters connected the flow of the overall plot. It was well paced throughout. I did really this I do love a great detective read. I don’t think I’d class it as a cosy, as there was quite a lot of depth to it. Fab read.
The usual plot of medically retired detective being bought out of his quiet life. Stumbling across a not alive body he’s thrown back into his detective ways putting his skills to great use. The chaos unfolds as a lot of welcomed characters create the perfect mystery to solve. But will they?
It was quite a large book but the detail made this completely stand out from the norm. For a mystery set of murders it’s quite slow paced but if there’s going to be a next book in the series it suits it well. The perfect team is created much to Jack’s partners annoyance but it worked so well. I was shocked at the overall ending to the book but it a great way. I hate that I have such a passion for these type of reads but I can never predict the outcome.
I didn’t expect the twists to occur throughout and I certainly wasn’t expecting other events to pop along either. Without giving too much away. I did thoroughly enjoy learning so much about topics I’m not overly fond of. The detail is enough to get your brain picturing it as you read. I don’t know if I would let Jack get away with as much as he did if I was his misses for sure but I think that’s why I liked Jack so much. Bit of a naughty rebel.
For a debut novel it was brilliantly written and the chapters connected the flow of the overall plot. It was well paced throughout. I did really this I do love a great detective read. I don’t think I’d class it as a cosy, as there was quite a lot of depth to it. Fab read.
February 8, 2022
If you love BBC murder mysteries, this is the book for you.
In between pints of beer, fishing, and crafting tackle, Jack Lunn uses his contacts to help find a murderer most foul.
Jack lives in a town where everybody knows everyone, but nobody knows people as well as Jack does. Jack is a smart, determined, and some would stubborn character. Although he doesn’t set out to get on people’s nerves, he has a habit of doing so just by asking the questions that nobody else seems to think of.
You can’t help but root for Jack, he has good intentions, and will strive for justice even at the cost of his own wellbeing.
A very well thought out storyline that readers will enjoy.
See if you can figure out the culprit before the big reveal!
A good read.
In between pints of beer, fishing, and crafting tackle, Jack Lunn uses his contacts to help find a murderer most foul.
Jack lives in a town where everybody knows everyone, but nobody knows people as well as Jack does. Jack is a smart, determined, and some would stubborn character. Although he doesn’t set out to get on people’s nerves, he has a habit of doing so just by asking the questions that nobody else seems to think of.
You can’t help but root for Jack, he has good intentions, and will strive for justice even at the cost of his own wellbeing.
A very well thought out storyline that readers will enjoy.
See if you can figure out the culprit before the big reveal!
A good read.
February 2, 2022
The debut novel from this author and a cracking read. I don’t know if this is the start of a series but I can certainly imagine former DI Jack Lunn carrying on his detection. Well written and very descriptive, the author clearly knows a lot about fishing! Something I don’t and I’m not a fan. And I’m guessing he’s not a bad cook either. Definitely more my thing!
Briefly, Jack is fishing when he stumbles across the body of a friend. A local landowner who is not well liked in the local community but she had an infinity with Jack. The local police ask for his help and he agrees. But not happy with their investigation, and with the help of his partners eldest daughter Gem, he starts carrying out his own investigation. However, his partner Sarah is unhappy with his continued involvement and he starts to lie about what he is doing.
I started off think Jack was a lovely man but as the story progressed I couldn’t help but finding his single-mindedness, at the exclusion of all else, a bit disconcerting. The characterisations are really good. A good police procedural type novel verging on a cosy read. Some really good red herrings and lots of twists and turns that had me fooled. Loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Briefly, Jack is fishing when he stumbles across the body of a friend. A local landowner who is not well liked in the local community but she had an infinity with Jack. The local police ask for his help and he agrees. But not happy with their investigation, and with the help of his partners eldest daughter Gem, he starts carrying out his own investigation. However, his partner Sarah is unhappy with his continued involvement and he starts to lie about what he is doing.
I started off think Jack was a lovely man but as the story progressed I couldn’t help but finding his single-mindedness, at the exclusion of all else, a bit disconcerting. The characterisations are really good. A good police procedural type novel verging on a cosy read. Some really good red herrings and lots of twists and turns that had me fooled. Loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
January 30, 2022
The resolution to a murder case is hanging in the balance, but ex-copper Jack Lunn knows when the pieces just don’t fit together. Former colleague Superintendent Geoff Cooke thinks he’s tied it all up neatly. There is no love lost between them, but then Geoff happens to be married to Jack’s ex-wife. He is also a bit of a twat. Luckily senior officer Detective Chief Superintendent Rhona Blacklock is Jack’s number one fan. Apart from his new partner Sarah and her daughter Gemma, a former military intelligence officer.
Jack is no longer a police officer as an injury left him unable to continue in anything other than a desk job, but his interest in solving crime has never waned, even after 20 years. And the victim happened to be a friend, of sorts. However, most people found her obnoxious and overbearing and she certainly had enemies.
Having left the police force Jack worked as an estate agent, but his real love is fly fishing. So when he is made redundant, he starts hand-tying fancy flies and trying to sell them to three local tackle shops. I apologise if that doesn’t make sense but I know nothing about fishing (I have to admit I’m a bit anti).
Then another body turns up and things start to look more complicated.
This is a great read for those who want their murder mysteries a bit cosier, without too much blood and gore, just the odd body floating in the river and/or bashed over the head. And don’t you just love this sentence:
‘Lunn knew the the manure had connected with the air conditioning….’
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
Jack is no longer a police officer as an injury left him unable to continue in anything other than a desk job, but his interest in solving crime has never waned, even after 20 years. And the victim happened to be a friend, of sorts. However, most people found her obnoxious and overbearing and she certainly had enemies.
Having left the police force Jack worked as an estate agent, but his real love is fly fishing. So when he is made redundant, he starts hand-tying fancy flies and trying to sell them to three local tackle shops. I apologise if that doesn’t make sense but I know nothing about fishing (I have to admit I’m a bit anti).
Then another body turns up and things start to look more complicated.
This is a great read for those who want their murder mysteries a bit cosier, without too much blood and gore, just the odd body floating in the river and/or bashed over the head. And don’t you just love this sentence:
‘Lunn knew the the manure had connected with the air conditioning….’
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
January 31, 2022
What I would describe as nice cosy crime, this was an easy, enjoyable read set in a quaint little village with the usual varied collective of characters. Jack an ex police officer had to leave his position due to injury, though it seems it’s not so easy to give up his old tried and tested ways of policing, while out fishing Jack comes upon cantankerous Mrs Lamont’s body who to be fair had more enemies than a few and the list of suspects is endless. Jack feels a loyalty to Mrs Lamont and finding her murderer as he was one of very few people who she tolerated and was civil to. I won’t write too much about the storyline as I feel this is the job of a blurb but I will say this is a well written traditional who done it.
January 30, 2022
Jack Lunn is a man who had a career as a member of the police department until an accident forced him onto medical leave. Twenty years on and he enjoys the simple things in life. Whilst out fishing one day he stumbles upon a body, someone he considered a friend, and he is drawn into the investigation even though it could be a rather dangerous one to try to unravel.
This book starts right away with an exciting flow which makes you want to keep turning those pages to see what happens next.
It's well written with intriguing and very likable characters.
The story is one that keeps you guessing and I do enjoy a good murder mystery so this was a really great read for me.
This book starts right away with an exciting flow which makes you want to keep turning those pages to see what happens next.
It's well written with intriguing and very likable characters.
The story is one that keeps you guessing and I do enjoy a good murder mystery so this was a really great read for me.
December 7, 2025
Dead Drift is a gripping and atmospheric murder mystery that pulls you in from the very first chapter. A.J. Hill creates an immersive sense of place with the New Forest the quiet beauty of the setting blends brilliantly with the tension of the unfolding crime, giving the story a haunting, cinematic feeling.
Jack Lunn is a standout character. Twenty years after leaving the police force, he’s finally settled into a peaceful routine… until everything changes with one shocking discovery. I loved how the author shows Jack balancing his quiet life with the pull of his old instincts. His partnership with Gemma, a former military intelligence officer, adds depth and sharpness to the investigation. Their dynamic feels real, thoughtful, and full of chemistry not romantic chemistry, but investigative teamwork that sparks.
The plot moves at a steady, suspenseful pace, revealing secrets layer by layer. Every clue feels meaningful, and the rising body count only heightens the tension. I especially appreciated how the author blends personal stakes, police procedural elements, and emotional depth without ever slowing the story down.
By the end, the mystery unfolds in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. It’s one of those books that keeps you turning pages, eager to see how everything connects.
Jack Lunn is a standout character. Twenty years after leaving the police force, he’s finally settled into a peaceful routine… until everything changes with one shocking discovery. I loved how the author shows Jack balancing his quiet life with the pull of his old instincts. His partnership with Gemma, a former military intelligence officer, adds depth and sharpness to the investigation. Their dynamic feels real, thoughtful, and full of chemistry not romantic chemistry, but investigative teamwork that sparks.
The plot moves at a steady, suspenseful pace, revealing secrets layer by layer. Every clue feels meaningful, and the rising body count only heightens the tension. I especially appreciated how the author blends personal stakes, police procedural elements, and emotional depth without ever slowing the story down.
By the end, the mystery unfolds in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. It’s one of those books that keeps you turning pages, eager to see how everything connects.
December 4, 2023
Set in the New Forest, Dead Drift follows the life of ex-copper Jack Lunn who, despite being retired for twenty years, can’t seem to keep his nose of out trouble. Especially when trouble finds him in the form of a floating dead body which he stumbles upon whilst fly fishing.
Some books are just so easy to read that it is like putting on your favourite slippers. I put that down to AJ’s writing style coupled with the village lifestyle portrayed where everyone knows everyone else, which is definitely something I can relate to living in rural Sussex. The tension is expertly brought slowly to the boil as more and more bodies pile up and the danger gets closer and closer to the main characters.
It’s hard not to imagine a lot of the main protagonist’s character traits being lifted from the author, himself an ex-policeman. And I could fully imagine Jack’s wise cracks and sarcasm being a good strategy to deal with the darker side of police work.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this one.
Some books are just so easy to read that it is like putting on your favourite slippers. I put that down to AJ’s writing style coupled with the village lifestyle portrayed where everyone knows everyone else, which is definitely something I can relate to living in rural Sussex. The tension is expertly brought slowly to the boil as more and more bodies pile up and the danger gets closer and closer to the main characters.
It’s hard not to imagine a lot of the main protagonist’s character traits being lifted from the author, himself an ex-policeman. And I could fully imagine Jack’s wise cracks and sarcasm being a good strategy to deal with the darker side of police work.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this one.
January 26, 2023
This is a brilliant start to a series. Jack has been invalided out of the police force and on his way fishing one morning, he discovers the body of a local woman. I immediately liked the character of Jack and as the book progresses, I loved the characters throughout especially Gemma, the elder daughter of his partner Sarah. Gemma is helping Jack get his fly-tying business up and running and also ends up helping him in his investigation into the murder.
I was hooked throughout and enjoyed all the banter between Jack, Gemma, Sarah and his old colleagues in the force. I didn't see the end coming and leaves me wanting more. Delighted to see the next book is out soon and I can't wait to read it.
I was hooked throughout and enjoyed all the banter between Jack, Gemma, Sarah and his old colleagues in the force. I didn't see the end coming and leaves me wanting more. Delighted to see the next book is out soon and I can't wait to read it.
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. The writing is steady, the setting well-drawn, and the main character’s background as a retired detective adds realism. The way the author tied in family secrets and the growing danger was done skillfully. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is that I wanted a bit more depth in Gemma’s storyline. Still, it’s a very good read for fans of British crime fiction.
March 1, 2023
A excellent debut book for Andy, I was apprehensive because of having absolutly no knowledge of fly fishing but that did not defer from the excellent storyline.
I will look forward to reading more from this author.
I will look forward to reading more from this author.
May 22, 2023
A very good first read
This is my first book by this author, really enjoyed the story and meeting the main characters. The pace of the story flowed well and kept me intrigued to read what happened next. Recommend the book easily and it deserved the 5 stars.
This is my first book by this author, really enjoyed the story and meeting the main characters. The pace of the story flowed well and kept me intrigued to read what happened next. Recommend the book easily and it deserved the 5 stars.
May 25, 2022
A lot of fishing
And not just for clues.
A good first novel, the character development is well written.
A very enjoyable read. Who knows what will happen next.
And not just for clues.
A good first novel, the character development is well written.
A very enjoyable read. Who knows what will happen next.
January 10, 2024
I enjoyed this. Great to read a book set in my home county!
January 30, 2022
Medically retired D.I Jack Lynn loves fishing in his local area. When he finds the body of his friend and fellow local in his fishing spot, he can’t help himself but investigate the case on the side, as he feels that the police aren’t doing their job properly.
With his partner wanting Jack to keep off the case, it’s not long before secrets start occurring and Jack brings in Gemma, his partners daughter to help him, surely this can’t end well!
I enjoyed this debut from the author, it was well written and some wonderful descriptive writing about the area. The plot was good and I did find myself wrong numerous times on who I thought the killer was! I liked the characters and had a soft spot for Seth Walker but I disliked Seb Lamont, found myself turning my nose up at his character! This is a great cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more from this author.
With his partner wanting Jack to keep off the case, it’s not long before secrets start occurring and Jack brings in Gemma, his partners daughter to help him, surely this can’t end well!
I enjoyed this debut from the author, it was well written and some wonderful descriptive writing about the area. The plot was good and I did find myself wrong numerous times on who I thought the killer was! I liked the characters and had a soft spot for Seth Walker but I disliked Seb Lamont, found myself turning my nose up at his character! This is a great cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews