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Detective Roper and Hooley Mysteries #1-4
Detectives Roper & Hooley Books 1–4
In this four-book box set:
Book 1: The Case of the Headless Billionaire
Billionaire philanthropist Sir James Taylor’s headless torso is found in the basement of a disused East London warehouse. Chief Inspector Brian Hooley knows his Special Investigations Unit needs help if they’re to have any chance of catching this depraved killer. Enter Jonathan Roper. Roper swiftly unearths a gruesome snuff video from the dark web showing Sir James’s death in horrifying detail. Then Roper is beaten to a pulp on his own doorstep. It’s a deadly warning from those who want their secrets kept hidden.
Book 2: The Case of the Missing Faces
A man’s body is discovered in a disused warehouse in Kent. Knitting needles are stuck deep into his brain. His face has been completely removed. And this isn’t the first. Another body, its face also filleted, was found in an abandoned farmhouse outside Leeds four weeks ago. Now Roper and Hooley have a serial killer on their hands. They must unmask this murderer before another victim pays the ultimate price. But how do you catch a killer who wears so many different faces?
Book 3: The Case of the Dirty Bomb
Roper and Hooley are called into a top-secret meeting with MI5. Intelligence tells them that a Russian oligarch has been liaising with a Moscow-based scientist and a big-time Israeli criminal mastermind. To MI5, that can only mean one thing. Someone is trying to smuggle a dirty bomb into London. Now Roper and Hooley are in a race against time to find the bomb before the people of London are put in mortal danger.
Book 4: The Case of the Exploding Shop
A tech mogul is left comatose in hospital after a fireball attack at the O2 arena. Next a visiting Italian politician and potential presidential candidate is assassinated in her car. And then a luxury Sloane Square boutique is blown up by a car bomb. Roper and Hooley are now running a huge investigation. But Hooley has just been diagnosed with a heart condition. He needs major surgery. His doctor gives him just two weeks to solve the case before his operation . . .
Book 1: The Case of the Headless Billionaire
Billionaire philanthropist Sir James Taylor’s headless torso is found in the basement of a disused East London warehouse. Chief Inspector Brian Hooley knows his Special Investigations Unit needs help if they’re to have any chance of catching this depraved killer. Enter Jonathan Roper. Roper swiftly unearths a gruesome snuff video from the dark web showing Sir James’s death in horrifying detail. Then Roper is beaten to a pulp on his own doorstep. It’s a deadly warning from those who want their secrets kept hidden.
Book 2: The Case of the Missing Faces
A man’s body is discovered in a disused warehouse in Kent. Knitting needles are stuck deep into his brain. His face has been completely removed. And this isn’t the first. Another body, its face also filleted, was found in an abandoned farmhouse outside Leeds four weeks ago. Now Roper and Hooley have a serial killer on their hands. They must unmask this murderer before another victim pays the ultimate price. But how do you catch a killer who wears so many different faces?
Book 3: The Case of the Dirty Bomb
Roper and Hooley are called into a top-secret meeting with MI5. Intelligence tells them that a Russian oligarch has been liaising with a Moscow-based scientist and a big-time Israeli criminal mastermind. To MI5, that can only mean one thing. Someone is trying to smuggle a dirty bomb into London. Now Roper and Hooley are in a race against time to find the bomb before the people of London are put in mortal danger.
Book 4: The Case of the Exploding Shop
A tech mogul is left comatose in hospital after a fireball attack at the O2 arena. Next a visiting Italian politician and potential presidential candidate is assassinated in her car. And then a luxury Sloane Square boutique is blown up by a car bomb. Roper and Hooley are now running a huge investigation. But Hooley has just been diagnosed with a heart condition. He needs major surgery. His doctor gives him just two weeks to solve the case before his operation . . .
1039 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2022
1159 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Michael Leese
15 books96 followersMichael Leese was a senior news executive who had a ringside seat for the most extra-ordinary stories that happened during a twenty-five-year career as a British national newspaper journalist.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 4, 2022
4 books all of which are very good. You wouldn't put these two detectives together as they are so very different. Jonathan Roper is autistic and has a brilliant mind which teamed up with the older more traditional Brian Hooley makes for a formidable unbeatable team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
Detectives Roper & Hooley crime thriller and mystery box set 1
I really enjoyed the the interaction between the two main characters Roper & Holley !!! Roper the quiet but very deep thinker . He only spoke after running all the all the information through his " Rainbow Spectrum " . It was his way of sorting out the information & assigning it to certain colors . ( I don't begin to understand it but it worked for him ) !!! Hooley on the other hand was a " by book " old school " Detective . ( You get results by " hitting the streets " following each clue 1 by 1 )
These two detectives couldn't be more different . They approached problems in two different ways !!!! One quiet but effective & other talkative & thinking out loud !!! Very different but effective for themselves . You wouldn't think they would work together well at any time but especially not on high level crime cases !!! But the strengths of 1 filled in for weaknesses of the other .
There were 4 books & each 1 they grew closer together & worked better with each other . A unique friendship was made & they bonded in their efforts to thorth ( esp. right ???? ) the high level criminals !!! 2 unique people who worked very differently but we're able to turn their differences into a very successful detective team at highest levels of the UK's terror teams . At the head of these 2 different men was a great leader Julie Meriweather who knew each of their strengths & weaknesses & help guide them along their path to becoming the best team they had !!!
I would definitely recommend this box set for anyone who loves great mysteries& thrilled & police drama !!! Enjoy !!! I was up all nighter on this I !!!
Vicki Mencarini
of 1 fit well with the
by the book " old school " Detective !!! You got results from from hard work & checking clues 1 by 1 !!
I really enjoyed the the interaction between the two main characters Roper & Holley !!! Roper the quiet but very deep thinker . He only spoke after running all the all the information through his " Rainbow Spectrum " . It was his way of sorting out the information & assigning it to certain colors . ( I don't begin to understand it but it worked for him ) !!! Hooley on the other hand was a " by book " old school " Detective . ( You get results by " hitting the streets " following each clue 1 by 1 )
These two detectives couldn't be more different . They approached problems in two different ways !!!! One quiet but effective & other talkative & thinking out loud !!! Very different but effective for themselves . You wouldn't think they would work together well at any time but especially not on high level crime cases !!! But the strengths of 1 filled in for weaknesses of the other .
There were 4 books & each 1 they grew closer together & worked better with each other . A unique friendship was made & they bonded in their efforts to thorth ( esp. right ???? ) the high level criminals !!! 2 unique people who worked very differently but we're able to turn their differences into a very successful detective team at highest levels of the UK's terror teams . At the head of these 2 different men was a great leader Julie Meriweather who knew each of their strengths & weaknesses & help guide them along their path to becoming the best team they had !!!
I would definitely recommend this box set for anyone who loves great mysteries& thrilled & police drama !!! Enjoy !!! I was up all nighter on this I !!!
Vicki Mencarini
of 1 fit well with the
by the book " old school " Detective !!! You got results from from hard work & checking clues 1 by 1 !!
April 23, 2023
Really enjoyed these books. It is so refreshing to have a character in Roper, who was not having multiple affairs, not the handsome, debonair, egotistical, or usual stereotypical character. I loved that a person with autism and who struggled with various aspects of life, could be portrayed to have resilience, have depth & strength of character, be clever, be able to have a high profile, denanding job. Apart from the stories, which in themselves were quite strong, I think a lot of people reading these books can identify with Roper, but Hooley is also a brilliant character in that he can see past Ropers difficulties and be able to work with Roper to develop his skills, his talents, his abilities which in the real world so many people cannot see past the Autism or the symptoms a autistic person can sometimes display. The author is very brave to develop Roper and Hooley, and clever in the blending of the two characters through the stories. I just saw the parallel with real life, if we had more Hooley's looking past things we all struggle with, the world would be a much kinder place. I would recommend these books by the author, and I hope we get more in the series.
Read
September 6, 2024Entertaining read. Another autistic savant detective, in this case Jonathan Roper, whose brilliant mind solves cases even bringing him to the attention of the security services who employ him for a while in the neurodivergent team.
Keeping him grounded is experienced detective DCI Hooley, who acts as a Watson figure to Roper's Holmes, in that he needs explanations that can then let the reader know what's happening.
Roper certainly seems capable of making some huge imaginative leaps that don't fit in with how his autism affects him otherwise. Leese partly explains this away by the "Rainbow Spectrum" a kind of internal filling system that exists only on Roper's mind and enables him to make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information.
Although Roper has great difficulties relating to colleagues and cannot understand their body language or facial expressions he has little trouble working out what suspects are thinking and this doesn't really ring true but is useful for the plots.
Keeping him grounded is experienced detective DCI Hooley, who acts as a Watson figure to Roper's Holmes, in that he needs explanations that can then let the reader know what's happening.
Roper certainly seems capable of making some huge imaginative leaps that don't fit in with how his autism affects him otherwise. Leese partly explains this away by the "Rainbow Spectrum" a kind of internal filling system that exists only on Roper's mind and enables him to make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information.
Although Roper has great difficulties relating to colleagues and cannot understand their body language or facial expressions he has little trouble working out what suspects are thinking and this doesn't really ring true but is useful for the plots.
January 21, 2023
This was an interesting pair of crime solvers: the experienced respected DCI Hooley, and the autistic younger Roper, who both learnt in their partnership. It was nice to find a body of police who worked well, wanted the best for people they managed, and were willing to embrace a variety of methods for some complicated crime-solving of coercion, terrorism, trafficking, drugs and corporate fraud. There were some very violent grisly aspects across the four books, balance by a kind of wholesomeness in many of the characters. The development of Roper's 'rainbow spectrum as a positive facet of autism for problem solving was interesting, if a little testing in belief as the books continued.
June 30, 2024
Four really amazing stories of intelligence and unravelling very complex plots.
I loved the various "goody" characters and the baddies were also well drawn. Almost all of the places in UK mentioned are familiar to me from my younger days and this added interest for me. The partnership between the two main investigators is another brilliant aspect of these stories. Read and enjoy!
I loved the various "goody" characters and the baddies were also well drawn. Almost all of the places in UK mentioned are familiar to me from my younger days and this added interest for me. The partnership between the two main investigators is another brilliant aspect of these stories. Read and enjoy!
May 9, 2022
Unusual
Picked this up on Kindle unlimited, it sounded good & I thoroughly enjoyed it , the characters were interesting & the rapport between the 2 main ones was very much opposites attract , that said it's been a while since I felt invested in characters , no actual idea if the "police procedure" is real & that didn't matter , very enjoyable read
Picked this up on Kindle unlimited, it sounded good & I thoroughly enjoyed it , the characters were interesting & the rapport between the 2 main ones was very much opposites attract , that said it's been a while since I felt invested in characters , no actual idea if the "police procedure" is real & that didn't matter , very enjoyable read
July 6, 2022
Detectives Roper & Hooey books 1-4.
Brian and Johnathon certainly make an interesting, formidable team. At times, it is quite hard reading with all the technical jargon, but somehow, it all adds to their unusual way their team works, and, along with their extra "expert helpers ", everything falls into place. A great read!
Brian and Johnathon certainly make an interesting, formidable team. At times, it is quite hard reading with all the technical jargon, but somehow, it all adds to their unusual way their team works, and, along with their extra "expert helpers ", everything falls into place. A great read!
July 10, 2022
Not for me
I am truly glad I didn't pay more. I don't care for deep deep books when I read. This is just that. I don't care for all the "sensational" ideas. I want enjoyable reading, not 28 characters and 15 organization s to keep up with. Two stars is a stretch. Give me Blake Banner, Dustin Stevens, or Harlan Coben .
I am truly glad I didn't pay more. I don't care for deep deep books when I read. This is just that. I don't care for all the "sensational" ideas. I want enjoyable reading, not 28 characters and 15 organization s to keep up with. Two stars is a stretch. Give me Blake Banner, Dustin Stevens, or Harlan Coben .
January 23, 2023
Could do a lot better
This book had the feel of a classic post WWW 2 novel. Unfortunately, there were many grammatical errors and printing errors (poor proofreading?) The characters were interesting and quirky, and the stories were well constructed. Such a shame , it could so easily have been 5 stars
This book had the feel of a classic post WWW 2 novel. Unfortunately, there were many grammatical errors and printing errors (poor proofreading?) The characters were interesting and quirky, and the stories were well constructed. Such a shame , it could so easily have been 5 stars
February 9, 2023
Excellent Detective Story
The 1st 4 books in this series kept you guessing to was going to be the next twist. I really liked the DCI and his young DI. Between the veteran DCI's acceptance of his DI's unique way of collecting massive amounts of information on any case they are working on, they enhance each other's skills.
Great read.
The 1st 4 books in this series kept you guessing to was going to be the next twist. I really liked the DCI and his young DI. Between the veteran DCI's acceptance of his DI's unique way of collecting massive amounts of information on any case they are working on, they enhance each other's skills.
Great read.
February 16, 2023
Enjoyable read
Roper and Hooley complement each other's skills in their detective work; there's always a deadline, and a hair raising scramble to prevent murder and meyhem.
London's environs are, happily, recognizable!
I enjoyed reading the set. It's a thrilling holiday for those of us who climb into a book, and close the cover!
Roper and Hooley complement each other's skills in their detective work; there's always a deadline, and a hair raising scramble to prevent murder and meyhem.
London's environs are, happily, recognizable!
I enjoyed reading the set. It's a thrilling holiday for those of us who climb into a book, and close the cover!
May 23, 2023
Compulsive reading
My daughter recommended this author from her publishing colleagues.Both were spot on and introduced me to the first four in the series.Thank you.Well written,in an easy pace with just enough detail to,as with all good crime writers,to allow one to seek to imitate the intellect of one of the main "heroes". Compulsive reading.
My daughter recommended this author from her publishing colleagues.Both were spot on and introduced me to the first four in the series.Thank you.Well written,in an easy pace with just enough detail to,as with all good crime writers,to allow one to seek to imitate the intellect of one of the main "heroes". Compulsive reading.
April 22, 2022
couldn’t put it down
I loved that it is a modern mystery and that one of the main characters is not your average policeman. The pairing of old beat cop and modern techno cop is a great base for the stories. Will be checking out more in this series.
I loved that it is a modern mystery and that one of the main characters is not your average policeman. The pairing of old beat cop and modern techno cop is a great base for the stories. Will be checking out more in this series.
May 2, 2022
To per & Hooley
Right from the start it gripped my attention. Fast moving, lots of twists. Proper there to sort information, Holley to mentor and guide. Exciting story lines, keeps your interest at all tomes.
Right from the start it gripped my attention. Fast moving, lots of twists. Proper there to sort information, Holley to mentor and guide. Exciting story lines, keeps your interest at all tomes.
May 22, 2022
First Time Reader
Quite complicated in parts but a refreshingly new way to portray the inner workings of a new way of policing. Cooperation between various branches of the intelligence services and police forces
Quite complicated in parts but a refreshingly new way to portray the inner workings of a new way of policing. Cooperation between various branches of the intelligence services and police forces
June 13, 2022
I liked the characters and the small amount of humour in the stories and the flow was good. Book one was excellent considering it had to introduce the characters and plot a story line, but the following books introduced GCHQ and spies, which is not really my cup of tea.
June 19, 2022
Unusual and brilliantly crafted
Some really unusual plots and wonderfully creative story lines. I read all 4 books in 2 days. Wonderful writer and very few errors in (which is great for a pedantic reader like me)
Some really unusual plots and wonderfully creative story lines. I read all 4 books in 2 days. Wonderful writer and very few errors in (which is great for a pedantic reader like me)
January 30, 2023
Roper and Hooley
Great mix of spies, suspense, and plain old-fashioned "who dun its"! Intriguing and complex characters that become old friends! The initial foundations of the stories take time to build but when it gets going hold on to your butts it will be a wild ride!!
Great mix of spies, suspense, and plain old-fashioned "who dun its"! Intriguing and complex characters that become old friends! The initial foundations of the stories take time to build but when it gets going hold on to your butts it will be a wild ride!!
February 13, 2023
review
Four awesome novels. Predictable but fun and kept you turning the pages. You will enjoy getting to know the characters. They will become friends. Hopefully, more installments will happen
Four awesome novels. Predictable but fun and kept you turning the pages. You will enjoy getting to know the characters. They will become friends. Hopefully, more installments will happen
February 20, 2023
Really like the characterisation. These books would make the basis for tv crime drama in my opinion. Lots of options to use Roper’s character to the benefit of the stories, bit like the Bridge on TV. Thankyou Michael Leese. Just read and enjoy!
April 20, 2024
Pure Excellence
Wonderful in-depth characters. The plots are gripping; you can fall into the stories and quickly lose yourself. One of the best things is that they are not in first person. The interaction between characters is real, warm and believable. Highly recommend.
Wonderful in-depth characters. The plots are gripping; you can fall into the stories and quickly lose yourself. One of the best things is that they are not in first person. The interaction between characters is real, warm and believable. Highly recommend.
April 12, 2022
An "odd couple" of detectives, but highly effective. As advertised, definitively "gripping" crime mysteries that make it hard to put the book down.
May 3, 2022
A “Brilliant Pair” of detectives
A veteran Cop and a gifted autistic civilian team up to solve crimes including murder and terrorism. This is a series well worth reading.
A veteran Cop and a gifted autistic civilian team up to solve crimes including murder and terrorism. This is a series well worth reading.
July 16, 2022
Very good.
Very interesting, some innovating thinking. Characters well described.
Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, yes good.
Very interesting, some innovating thinking. Characters well described.
Good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, yes good.
July 27, 2022
Roperandhooley
Couldnt put these books down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!look look ok loved these books goog good go on ok ok ok ok ok ok .
Couldnt put these books down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!look look ok loved these books goog good go on ok ok ok ok ok ok .
August 1, 2022
Great read
Great stories realistic easy to believe, well written and they had lovely characters. All made it true to life, fantastic
Great stories realistic easy to believe, well written and they had lovely characters. All made it true to life, fantastic
Read
September 27, 2022I enjoyed the books, enjoyed the comradery between the two. That they were so different but got along and depended upon on each other to fill in the gaps. Is there more to come?
November 14, 2022
Enjoyable
I liked all four books, good reads. Set in and around London in places I can relax to. I can't wait for the next instalment.
I liked all four books, good reads. Set in and around London in places I can relax to. I can't wait for the next instalment.
January 15, 2023
Please see individual stories for review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews