SCREEN 4: The DCS Palmer and the Serial Murder Squad series. Case 14

by Barry Faulkner

There’s a serial killer at work murdering cinema-goers in London. Has he done it before? The team uncover a cold case that says he might have but where is he now? As usual with this best selling series the plot twists and turns to the final curtain as Palmer and his team chase shadows.
At home Mrs P has enrolled in Peloton and Palmer’s nemesis neighbour Benji has put a trampoline in his garden just the other side of the hedge to where Palmer’s new fish pond is situated... surely nothing can go wrong....can it?

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2022

About the author

Librarian note:
This author also writes as:

B.L. Faulkner - Crime, Thriller

Reviews

[whataimeereads_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review!! 📖
Screen 4- Barry Faulkner
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Ahhhhh! What a fantastic book! 🙌🏻
I was lucky enough to receive this as a gifted copy by Barry Faulkner. (This is no way reflected on my review)

This book was Case No. 14 in the DCS Palmer and the Serial Murder Squad Series, after seeing this I was slightly apprehensive as I haven’t actually read the other books. Yet it gives a quick overview of the characters at the beginning which was a tremendous help.

Faulkner was CLEVER with this novel. I adore thrillers, and crime books which in tail is HARD to actually write. The addictive quality and the clever storyline and distinctive characters were impressive.

Cold blooded murder, and page turning twists, this is perfect for Halloween. Not too much gore but a quick and easy read. We know who the ‘Cinema Slasher’ is right at the beginning and we follow the chase in figuring out where this man is, and what his motives were.

Although crime thrillers are usually serious, Palmers wife ‘Mrs P’ incorporated a humorous tone to the novel, in turn making me laugh whilst being engrossed in catching the murderer.

If you want a quick read, and love thriller and crime get yourself involved in this series, I’m so excited to get my hands on the rest! Thank you Barry.

#crime #thriller #books #bookshelf #bookreviews #indie #library #bookreccomendations #booksta #instabooks #instareading #instalove #bookstagram

[Susie Green]

This novel was gifted to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Although this is Case 14 in the DCS Palmer series it was the first one that I’ve read and thanks to a character overview at the start of the novel I knew who everyone was and it works as a stand-alone story.

If you’re looking for a easy to read serial killer story that isn’t overly graphic or gory then this one could be for you. We find out who the killer is early on in the book and it’s then a cat and mouse chase between the bad guy and the detectives - can they stop the so-called cinema slasher before he strikes again?

There’s a diverse array of characters in the book but this seemed at odds with the main character DCS Palmer who is praised for his non-pc attitude for crime solving, not something I think is a particularly admirable quality! We’re also told that he’s at ease in the multi-gendered world of today but he reverts to lazy stereotypes about his neighbours mincing walk and feminine way of flapping his hands and in all honesty these comments left me feeling pretty uncomfortable as they didn’t add anything to the story. Hopefully some of his colleagues can challenge him on these areas in future books!

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

To my shame, it's been a few months since I managed to slip one of this series into my list; loss of one dog, lots of tears, followed by a new puppy has much reduced my reading time!

In this fourteenth book, there is a serial killer on the loose. Harder than ever to track down as he claims his victim in the dark of the cinema, DCS Palmer and his Serial Murder Squad have their work cut out on this one!

Oh, how I have missed this series! A clever crime with Palmer and Singh using the best of technology to help them suss it out, while we are also treated to a lighter slice of life with Mrs P and their neighbour Benji. There's nothing I enjoy more in a serious crime book than a little light relief and this author is an expert at providing both. Beautifully plotted and thoroughly enjoyed, it's a delight to give this a sparkling five stars. Can't wait til the next one - already lined up for next month!

[Emma Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OOH this is SO good. I've longed for a good serial killer read for a while and this has been it. The actions kicks off straight away, and whilst you know early who the killer is, the back story and revelations are still wondrous when they come.
Clever, surprising and twisty.
This is the first Ive read and now I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.
Thrilling, edge of seat read- popcorn is a must with this one!

[Greta Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Case No 14 in this captivating series, another superb read and I would say the best in the series. The story rolls along at a fast pace, interspersed with the writers dry humour and wit. Who would have though that such a simple thing as going for a visit to the cinema could result in a first class murder story. Many thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Fran McBookface · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in return for an honest review.

This is the 14th instalment in the series. Though it is the first one I have read, there is a very helpful recap at the beginning of the book to get the reader up to speed.

It is a quick, easy read with an interesting premise of a serial killer attacking in cinemas.

However the writing style wasn’t for me. I found Palmers lazy, old fashioned gender stereotypes bordered on the offensive - “as his mincing walk and
the very female way of flapping his hands to illustrate every word cast doubts [on his sexuality]” The way he referred to his wife constantly as Mrs P really grated too.

This book wasn’t really for me but if you’re looking for a short, sharp read then it could be for you

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone adores Detective Chief Supt Justin Palmer who runs the Serial Murder Squad from New Scotland Yard, from the press and the Home Office down to the rank and file coppers, so when Prof Latin, the Chief Pathologist at the murder victim morgue in Wandsworth, alerts Palmer to what he believes is a serial killer working his way through London film goers, DS Patel and DS Simms jump at the chance to assist Palmer and his small team of DS Gheeta Singh and civilian clerk Claire in hunting down the man dubbed The Cinema Slasher after AC Bateman has no option but to hand the cases over to him, knowing he can bask in glory once Palmer gets the good result he is renowned for. With three seemingly unconnected victims and no clues or witnesses, time is not on their side as the killer’s pattern shows he will strike again soon. All too soon as it happens. The reader is way ahead of Palmer, being privy to the killer’s identity and rationale, and an exciting game of cat and mouse ensues until a flash of inspiration from old favourite Reg Frome, head of the forensics team, puts the team on the right track but will they be in time to prevent more deaths?
Each book in this series is an absolute joy to read. Old-school Palmer, working his way up from the bottom since the 1980s co-opted Singh from Cyber Crime in a stroke of genius and, together with Claire, they are the perfect combination to fight modern day crimes. Once again the regulars, Mrs P and Palmer’s nightmare neighbour and nemesis, mincing WI favourite Benji, are present and causing much hilarity with their new-found passion for leotards and all things fitness-related in a warm and humorously told tale where ultimately all Palmer wants is to get his man and Mrs P’s steak and kidney pie. I can thoroughly recommend the entire series, and am looking forward to reading book 15, Underneath The Arches next.

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable instalment in the DCS Palmer series.

This series is very focused, which is great. Each book is about the Murder Squad investigating a murder/s and bringing the murderer/s to justice. There are brief, humorous asides with side characters, but there's no meandering filler or drawn-out subplots. This approach keeps the stories lean and suspenseful - they're a delight to read. Instalment 14 in the series is no exception.

(Despite what Mrs Palmer might think, there's no fat in this book!)

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is case 14 in the DCS Palmer & the Serial Murder Squad Series but reads well as a standalone, any backstory information is thoughtfully provided for you by the author. I haven’t read all of the previous books but I have read & loved the Ben Nevis & The Gold Digger Series - there you go, two series recommendations in one review.

This is another great crime story. Pacy & written with humour & some subtle plot twists. A quick read but highly recommended.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be gifted this copy of this wonderful book. I was a little worried as it was number 14 in the series, and I hadn’t read any of the others. This is a great standalone story, and you are given a quick insight into who the characters were at the beginning of the book, which I loved! So, you can most definitely pick it up without reading the other ones.

If you love crime and thrillers, then this is absolutely the book for you! The first chapter had me engrossed and I really couldn’t put it down. We follow the story of the serial killer known as ‘The Cinema Slasher’. We are thrown into the world of the police trying to find out who this person can be, and we have the perspective from the serial killer too. I loved the parts with Mrs P as they were hilarious, and they gave a good bit of humour to an otherwise serious matter.

I am now engrossed in this series, and I want to read the rest of them.