Coddling Molly

Welsh Crime Mysteries #5

by Nicola Clifford

“Teenager” and “Brecon” might evoke fond memories of summer backpacking in the Welsh hills. Probably not the image of an adolescent girl’s body under a bridge in the middle of a winter night.

Found by the River Usk the next morning, nobody local knows who the victim is. DI Ben James and DS Erica Bevan find nothing nationwide either. So young, how could anyone not have reported her missing?

As soon as drugs enter the picture, it would be easy for the police to conclude she was just another tearaway who has taken the wrong path into drugs and crime.

But when ex-detective Heidi Holtz sees first hand and close to home how determined and ruthless dealers will use youngsters for their county lines operations, the case gets personal.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2022

Reviews

[Ira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the way this author highlights injustices in society without ever passing judgement on the usual scapegoats. With strong female lead characters and everyone else painted in interesting colours, I'm hooked to this series. Coddling Molly is probably my favourite yet as it deals with young people's exploitation by county line gangs, and if you live in the areas it's set in, you'll know this is a real issue!

[David Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting tale set in the rugged countryside of Wales in Winter. The characters are a bit unconventional, but as you read on through the book, you get to know them and to like them all in their own way.

A modern mystery set around the 'Country Lines' drugs operations now so prevalent in the UK.

A great read.

Can't wait for Nicola's next thriller.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dead girl Missy was found and they showed her picture in the paper. A mentally challenged older man Brian said he knows her. She had stayed with him and another young girl Mandy moved in with them . Mandy who was a drug runner and made Brian get out of his bedroom just for her. Missy ended up sleeping with Brian on the sofa. But nothing ever happened ,he protected her and never touched her sexually .The cops where trying to find out who the younger runners were and to get to main person of the drug business. More so in books lately we always find a woman who used to be a cop but isnt anymore.But she helps the cops when needed. But do they always play by the rules.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the relationships Clifford writes into her books because they feel authentic to me. The storyline in Coddlng Molly revolves around cuckooing which was something I had never heard of before. Molly is a new character introduced in this installment of the Welsh Crime Mysteries and I hope to read more of her in the future.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Loved this book so much I spent most of a day reading to get to the end. Something I don’t usually do. Great character development and interaction that really got you involved and wanting to know more. And a good amount of mystery and suspense. Can’t wait to read more.

[Susan Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coddling Molly

Great read best I have read in along time hard to put done even to make a drink
Didn't expect that at the end

[Laura Luckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Another great book from this author!

[Robert Oburn]

Good read

Very good character development and an intriguing storyline. Easy to read and follow. I read the previous book and this was a great follow up.

[Erik Empson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Clifford which gets stuck into county lines operations and follows a detective who has left the force but not her committment to helping the vulnerable in society.

[Andrew Allpass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever title for Nicola Clifford's 5th book in her brilliant Welsh Murder Mystery series...no spoilers here, but yes, there is a new character called Molly (and she definitely needs a bit of coddling!)
If you've loved all of Ms Clifford's previous characters then you will fall in love with gentle special Molly. As usual there are a few excellent plots running concurrently to keep your brain "on it's toes" and to deny you sleep by saying to yourself "oh, just one more chapter and then I'll turn the lights out" - a real page turner (as usual) - you will not be disappointed! An easy to give 5 star review.
More please, Ms Clifford!

[J Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another West Wales thriller

Nicola Clifford's eclectic mix of regular characters are here again in another tense and very involved story. There are some new characters too, including the the one name d in the title of the book.The
We have some particularly nasty and vicious villains, and relationship issues among some of the regulars.
The descriptions of the settings are vividly described and make me want to visit the area of Wales where most of the book is set.
All in all a well written book that keeps the series fresh.

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who's in charge here.

I haven't read n.c. before so when I started reading and meeting the characters,I wondered who the protagonist was. Took awhile before I realized that Erica and Heidi were the main guys couldn't decide if I liked Heidi. Such a loose cannon. I know I wouldn't want her as a love interest. Too much testosterone. Not enough listening and caring about her partner.. but I felt bad for Erica. I've been where she ended up. Not fun. Not anything I'd choose again for myself.

[Erica Firmin-Didot · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant continuation from Ms Clifford' other books in the series . She gets better and better and the characters grow with every book . Great twist with the title too .

[Susha Satish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a series I would recommend.

[Peter Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine novel by Nicola Clifford! Ten or so pages in, I realised that I had read it before, but was still compelled to keep reading. Just as riveting the second time around! Highly recommended.