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DCI Craig Gillard #10
The Body in the Stairwell
You can run. You can hide. But you can’t escape…
Jonathan Hale is terrified. The wealthy property lawyer and money launderer is back home in Surrey after a nightmare experience in a U.S. jail. The police have him under secret surveillance.
But Hales’s fears lie elsewhere. His plea bargain has earned him the enmity of The Reptile, a notoriously cold-hearted gangster, now confined for life in a maximum-security jail in Arizona thanks to Hale. He’s taken precautions, moved house, hidden his identity and installed security for his wife and family. But still… what if The Reptile escapes?
For DCI Gillard it should be just another week at work. But before long he is involved in a desperate manhunt that will test him to his very limits.
Be prepared.
Jonathan Hale is terrified. The wealthy property lawyer and money launderer is back home in Surrey after a nightmare experience in a U.S. jail. The police have him under secret surveillance.
But Hales’s fears lie elsewhere. His plea bargain has earned him the enmity of The Reptile, a notoriously cold-hearted gangster, now confined for life in a maximum-security jail in Arizona thanks to Hale. He’s taken precautions, moved house, hidden his identity and installed security for his wife and family. But still… what if The Reptile escapes?
For DCI Gillard it should be just another week at work. But before long he is involved in a desperate manhunt that will test him to his very limits.
Be prepared.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2022
90 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Nick Louth
41 books290 followersNick Louth is a freelance journalist and author, based in Lincolnshire UK.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 11, 2022
I have read all the books in this series and Louth always manages to bring something different to each book. This one was more plot driven and was not about solving a murder.
Jonathan Hale, former money launder for a crime gang got a very reduced sentence (6 months) for testifying against the gang members. He has since returned to the UK and is hoping to remain incognito. Although 2 of the 3 gang members have since died, the worst of them, Richard Tyler (known as the Reptile due to an unfortunate skin condition) is still alive and Hale is well aware that he will be seeking bloody revenge if he ever gets the chance. Although imprisoned in a super max facility in Arizona with a sentence of 260 years, Tyler is very resourceful and cannot be written off.
The NCA has been covertly watching Hale knowing he is running out of money and will likely need to be up to his old tricks again. But when 3 of the surveillance team are killed in a freak (or was it?) accident DCI Graig Gillard is roped in. As is often the way, Hale is located through the social media actions of his daughter, Azalea, and her two friends. You could blame the girls for being naive and silly but, then again, they were also resourceful and helped to rectify their silly mistakes.
Gillard’s team were not in the story much, this one was more about the action. But a special mention must be made of 8 year old Lucy - frustrating and awesome in equal measure. Oh, and her cat, Socks, also helped in the crime fighting! There was much foreboding and creeping menace in this book which was very nerve wracking and suspenseful. The ending was nerve shredding! An excellent story Mr Louth! Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Jonathan Hale, former money launder for a crime gang got a very reduced sentence (6 months) for testifying against the gang members. He has since returned to the UK and is hoping to remain incognito. Although 2 of the 3 gang members have since died, the worst of them, Richard Tyler (known as the Reptile due to an unfortunate skin condition) is still alive and Hale is well aware that he will be seeking bloody revenge if he ever gets the chance. Although imprisoned in a super max facility in Arizona with a sentence of 260 years, Tyler is very resourceful and cannot be written off.
The NCA has been covertly watching Hale knowing he is running out of money and will likely need to be up to his old tricks again. But when 3 of the surveillance team are killed in a freak (or was it?) accident DCI Graig Gillard is roped in. As is often the way, Hale is located through the social media actions of his daughter, Azalea, and her two friends. You could blame the girls for being naive and silly but, then again, they were also resourceful and helped to rectify their silly mistakes.
Gillard’s team were not in the story much, this one was more about the action. But a special mention must be made of 8 year old Lucy - frustrating and awesome in equal measure. Oh, and her cat, Socks, also helped in the crime fighting! There was much foreboding and creeping menace in this book which was very nerve wracking and suspenseful. The ending was nerve shredding! An excellent story Mr Louth! Many thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
September 9, 2022
The Body in the Stairwell is the tenth book in the DCI Craig Gillard police procedural series set in Surrey. I’ve read them all in order, but each is a separate mystery or thriller and this would work fine as a stand-alone if you’re new to the series. This one has Gillard involved in a complex money laundering case, which puts an innocent family at risk - a welcome change from complicated murders and serial killers!
Gillard is reluctantly seconded on to the investigation of a crooked lawyer, Jonathan Hale, who has been hiding out in Surrey with his family after ratting out some nasty American drug dealers in exchange for a reduced sentence. The police have him under surveillance in the hope that he will lead them to other criminals further up the chain, which Gillard feels is using resources better spent elsewhere. Meanwhile, in a maximum security penitentiary in Arizona, the nastiest drug dealer of them all, known as The Reptile, is quietly plotting his revenge…
This has become one of my must-read British crime series, as Gillard and his team deal with an unusual array of criminal activity, and some very unusual criminals. He’s often not the main part of the story, but always plays a key role. Here the focus is on conflicted disbarred money property lawyer Hale, who regrets the greed which brought monstrous psychopath Richard Tyler into his life, but is unable to find a way to keep his spoiled wife and child in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed without returning to laundering money. Then there’s Zoe and Lucy, a pair of sisters who will make you afraid to ever have children - if it’s not too late already… The cat and mouse game, as Tyler cunningly locates his prey, and then sets his trap, was actually quite stressful to read about, and my heart was actually racing in the last third wondering whether they would all survive. Speaking of cats - I got very worried about poor Socks, but nothing terrible happens to him other than some very undignified photos on Instagram.
As with the previous book, this one is set in the midst of the Covid pandemic - not dwelling on it, but accepting it as part of modern life, which I totally respect - it certainly doesn’t get in the way of the plot. The way the villain uses teenagers’ addiction to social media to carry out his plan should send a chill down your spine if it is too late and you already have children… yet another reason why cats are preferable 😹
4.5 rounded up for good writing and exquisite tension. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Body in the Stairwell is published on September 22nd.
Gillard is reluctantly seconded on to the investigation of a crooked lawyer, Jonathan Hale, who has been hiding out in Surrey with his family after ratting out some nasty American drug dealers in exchange for a reduced sentence. The police have him under surveillance in the hope that he will lead them to other criminals further up the chain, which Gillard feels is using resources better spent elsewhere. Meanwhile, in a maximum security penitentiary in Arizona, the nastiest drug dealer of them all, known as The Reptile, is quietly plotting his revenge…
This has become one of my must-read British crime series, as Gillard and his team deal with an unusual array of criminal activity, and some very unusual criminals. He’s often not the main part of the story, but always plays a key role. Here the focus is on conflicted disbarred money property lawyer Hale, who regrets the greed which brought monstrous psychopath Richard Tyler into his life, but is unable to find a way to keep his spoiled wife and child in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed without returning to laundering money. Then there’s Zoe and Lucy, a pair of sisters who will make you afraid to ever have children - if it’s not too late already… The cat and mouse game, as Tyler cunningly locates his prey, and then sets his trap, was actually quite stressful to read about, and my heart was actually racing in the last third wondering whether they would all survive. Speaking of cats - I got very worried about poor Socks, but nothing terrible happens to him other than some very undignified photos on Instagram.
As with the previous book, this one is set in the midst of the Covid pandemic - not dwelling on it, but accepting it as part of modern life, which I totally respect - it certainly doesn’t get in the way of the plot. The way the villain uses teenagers’ addiction to social media to carry out his plan should send a chill down your spine if it is too late and you already have children… yet another reason why cats are preferable 😹
4.5 rounded up for good writing and exquisite tension. Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Body in the Stairwell is published on September 22nd.
August 17, 2023
I'm relieved I liked this book so much. Book 9 was a bit of a disappointment, the main issue being fraud, but this one deals with one of the most creepy psychopaths I've read about in years and with three interesting girls as main characters. Azalea is the daughter of Jonathan Hale, who, having served six months in jail, returned from the US to England to settle. But not all is well. He used to earn his money in legal capacity, and misused that to launder money. Now people don't trust him anymore, his home is mortgaged to the hilt, and his daughter attends a very expensive school. Not to mention he himself is driving a light blue Maserati... What bothers him the most is the fact that he is constantly afraid he will be found by one of the creepiest criminals he ever dealt with.
Next door lives a family of four, Jenny, Oliver and their daughters Zoe and Lucy. They are good friends with Azalea.
It is no surprise that the whole story picks up the pace as the criminal finds a way to get to Jonathan, a way in which the three girls play an important role.
In the mean time, our hero Craig Gillard is overwhelmed by all the work that has to be done by only the few people that are not out sick with Covid. On top of this, the NCA is working on something very important but Craig is not a part of this; he only is left with still less colleagues to do the work. But as a series of burglaries peak his interest, he soon realizes that this could be related to something big.
I just loved the way the story creeps up on you! It starts with a bang and picks up the pace after that until you cannot stop reading. At least, I couldn't and read it in almost one sitting.
Next door lives a family of four, Jenny, Oliver and their daughters Zoe and Lucy. They are good friends with Azalea.
It is no surprise that the whole story picks up the pace as the criminal finds a way to get to Jonathan, a way in which the three girls play an important role.
In the mean time, our hero Craig Gillard is overwhelmed by all the work that has to be done by only the few people that are not out sick with Covid. On top of this, the NCA is working on something very important but Craig is not a part of this; he only is left with still less colleagues to do the work. But as a series of burglaries peak his interest, he soon realizes that this could be related to something big.
I just loved the way the story creeps up on you! It starts with a bang and picks up the pace after that until you cannot stop reading. At least, I couldn't and read it in almost one sitting.
October 13, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Canelo for approving me for an ARC of this book. I am a huge fan of this series and always on the look out for the next book! Whilst this book is part of a series this can definitely be read as a standalone. Nick Louth always does a brilliant job of giving the readers enough backstory without rehashing everything.
What I love about Nick Louth’s books is his fresh perspective. Each story has a new angle and takes us down a different route of life in the police force. This story was less about serving murders and more about fraud, money laundering and criminal activity. When Jonathan Hale, a successful businessmen and and money launderer, is released from prison he starts to settle back into his every day life. What he doesn’t realise is that the NCA have got a close eye on him and are watching to see if he returns to his old ways.
DCI Craig Gillard soon finds himself caught up with this team and is then rapidly involved in a highly tense situation. We see less of his usual team in this instalment and I have to admit I did miss them but I also liked seeing Gillard working in a different area. I do hope we get some more action from the familiar faces in the next book.
My star of the book was Lucy. Not just because we share the same name but I loved her personality and her candid nature. She wasn’t afraid to ask the questions and did not care if it showed her parents up, even when she was in a dire situation she still managed to use her survival instincts and not admit defeat.
This was a slow burn story that was building for a big finale and Nick Louth certainly delivered. I was on the edge of my seat during the last quarter of the book and I didn’t think my nerves could take anymore. There was action, tension and menace were prominent in this story. I can’t wait for the next one.
What I love about Nick Louth’s books is his fresh perspective. Each story has a new angle and takes us down a different route of life in the police force. This story was less about serving murders and more about fraud, money laundering and criminal activity. When Jonathan Hale, a successful businessmen and and money launderer, is released from prison he starts to settle back into his every day life. What he doesn’t realise is that the NCA have got a close eye on him and are watching to see if he returns to his old ways.
DCI Craig Gillard soon finds himself caught up with this team and is then rapidly involved in a highly tense situation. We see less of his usual team in this instalment and I have to admit I did miss them but I also liked seeing Gillard working in a different area. I do hope we get some more action from the familiar faces in the next book.
My star of the book was Lucy. Not just because we share the same name but I loved her personality and her candid nature. She wasn’t afraid to ask the questions and did not care if it showed her parents up, even when she was in a dire situation she still managed to use her survival instincts and not admit defeat.
This was a slow burn story that was building for a big finale and Nick Louth certainly delivered. I was on the edge of my seat during the last quarter of the book and I didn’t think my nerves could take anymore. There was action, tension and menace were prominent in this story. I can’t wait for the next one.
December 8, 2022
I have read and enjoyed many of the other books in this series by Nick Louth.
This one though was terrible. Too long, unbelievable plot, contrived storyline, unconvincing dialogue, and implausible characters. Shame!
This one though was terrible. Too long, unbelievable plot, contrived storyline, unconvincing dialogue, and implausible characters. Shame!
March 28, 2023
#10 in a previously very good series but only ⭐⭐ from me this time around.
An idea which had promise but fell short due to quite inplausible plot development and incredibly absent reality checks.
Disappointing!
An idea which had promise but fell short due to quite inplausible plot development and incredibly absent reality checks.
Disappointing!
August 17, 2022
A new department has been installed at Mount Browne police station and DCI Craig Gillard is one of the only partially initiated. The high tech capabilities make his own office look primitive and he's feeling a bit miffed! Determined to use what he can to aid his own investigations and improve his clear up numbers Gillard suddenly finds himself moving into the centre of things after a devastating late night phone call.
Jonathan Hale is the reason for all the technology and secrecy but even if he knew what was happening a police investigation is the least of his problems. Hiding in plain sight he watches his back and worries about his family while constantly checking online for any change in the status of his nemesis. The man might be on a different continent to Hale but the English man is right to be concerned. As everything begins to unravel neither Gillard nor Hale has any idea how quickly things can change when a vengeful criminal begins to dictate what happens next.
This is the tenth book in Nick Louth's excellent DCI Craig Gillard series and is tension filled from the start. Told in four concurrent storylines, which sounds confusing but actually isn't, everything heads towards an explosive conclusion which is unputdownable and satisfactory in almost every way. This is different to most of the series as it isn't a whodunnit but rather a how and that how is probably the scariest part of all.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent series which is only enhanced by its latest installment. Highly recommended.
Jonathan Hale is the reason for all the technology and secrecy but even if he knew what was happening a police investigation is the least of his problems. Hiding in plain sight he watches his back and worries about his family while constantly checking online for any change in the status of his nemesis. The man might be on a different continent to Hale but the English man is right to be concerned. As everything begins to unravel neither Gillard nor Hale has any idea how quickly things can change when a vengeful criminal begins to dictate what happens next.
This is the tenth book in Nick Louth's excellent DCI Craig Gillard series and is tension filled from the start. Told in four concurrent storylines, which sounds confusing but actually isn't, everything heads towards an explosive conclusion which is unputdownable and satisfactory in almost every way. This is different to most of the series as it isn't a whodunnit but rather a how and that how is probably the scariest part of all.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent series which is only enhanced by its latest installment. Highly recommended.
March 6, 2023
Rather disappointed with this book. Not much of Craig gillard and his team. Centred on what was happening in America. Don’t really understand how the killer could get into the UK and why none of the parents questioned any of the kids about the friend they were picking up at the airport. Few typo’s, missing words and extra words. Overall disappointing
September 13, 2024
Some completely far fetched scenarios.
February 23, 2025
Enjoyed it but slightly far fetched storylines at times.
April 29, 2023
i’m in a slump otherwise this rating would of been higher
January 18, 2023
After a long winded first half had quite a good tense end!
August 16, 2022
This book is a good addition to an already good series and a read that I certainly enjoyed. DCI Gillard is such a down to earth relatable and believable character that you I just can’t help but like and root for. Here he investigates a number of burglaries and is pulled onto another case after a tragic event. I thought that this is a very well written story which flowed so easily, it had an all too believable and realistic plot line and I loved the different scene and country settings. I also liked that the story was told through some of the characters, most I liked, one I loathed. If I have one gripe it is that I would have liked to see DCI Gillard have a bigger part and presence in the story, although there was certainly plenty going on in the background to hold my interest and keep me entertained. Once or twice I felt the first half of the book was slow to progress, and at times was a little bit overly long, although the second half really picked up and became a very fast paced and thrilling read with lots of action and raced to a good ending. If you like good, solid police procedurals I’d recommend this book, although you really need to read the series in order to get to know the main character from the start.
May 7, 2023
“The Body in the Stairwell” is the tenth book about the DCI Craig Gillard series and I have enjoyed them all.
Jonathan Hale was very afraid that one of his compatriots in a money laundering scheme was vengeful because Jonathan named his associates when the scheme was foiled. Jonathan received a sentence of only six months after becoming a Police informer. Three associates were involved and two of them were now out of action.
Richard Tyler, however, the third associate, was presently housed in a correction facility in the Arizona Desert. He was a loner, depraved, and violent psychopath who killed a prison psychiatrist in his first week of prison. He was eventually sentenced to 260 years. He had a genetic condition called xeroderma pigmentosum which made his skin and eyes very sensitive to heat. During his plans for revenge, he was diagnosed with cancer on one of his skin lesions, and he used this to plan his escape.
He managed to obtain a smartphone illegally and eventually found he could contact Jonathan’s daughter’s friends on Facebook. He tricked the teenage girls with a false Facebook identity of a teenage girl. He then managed to discover Jonathan’s address through the information he obtained. The smartphone was also his means of contacting an outside criminal friend to aid his escape. The escape was brutal, but he cunningly departed America through Mexico and travelled to Heathrow in London.
In London, the NCA was watching Hale since he returned to the UK, in case he decided to offend again. Three of the NCA members were unfortunately killed or injured in a motor accident and DCI Craig Gillard was appointed to run the surveillance. Craig was a bit cheesed off because he thought the NCA didn’t seem to be working hard, with multiple resources, and his usual staff was overloaded with lots of cases and fewer resources.
Craig’s staff weren’t involved in this story, but they managed, with Craig’s help, to apprehend a serious burglar who was raiding large, expensive homes.
The plot was excellent, and Craig came to the rescue. There was a lot of drama and excitement at the end and the solution was very suspenseful. I am now anxiously waiting for the next Craig Gillard book.
Jonathan Hale was very afraid that one of his compatriots in a money laundering scheme was vengeful because Jonathan named his associates when the scheme was foiled. Jonathan received a sentence of only six months after becoming a Police informer. Three associates were involved and two of them were now out of action.
Richard Tyler, however, the third associate, was presently housed in a correction facility in the Arizona Desert. He was a loner, depraved, and violent psychopath who killed a prison psychiatrist in his first week of prison. He was eventually sentenced to 260 years. He had a genetic condition called xeroderma pigmentosum which made his skin and eyes very sensitive to heat. During his plans for revenge, he was diagnosed with cancer on one of his skin lesions, and he used this to plan his escape.
He managed to obtain a smartphone illegally and eventually found he could contact Jonathan’s daughter’s friends on Facebook. He tricked the teenage girls with a false Facebook identity of a teenage girl. He then managed to discover Jonathan’s address through the information he obtained. The smartphone was also his means of contacting an outside criminal friend to aid his escape. The escape was brutal, but he cunningly departed America through Mexico and travelled to Heathrow in London.
In London, the NCA was watching Hale since he returned to the UK, in case he decided to offend again. Three of the NCA members were unfortunately killed or injured in a motor accident and DCI Craig Gillard was appointed to run the surveillance. Craig was a bit cheesed off because he thought the NCA didn’t seem to be working hard, with multiple resources, and his usual staff was overloaded with lots of cases and fewer resources.
Craig’s staff weren’t involved in this story, but they managed, with Craig’s help, to apprehend a serious burglar who was raiding large, expensive homes.
The plot was excellent, and Craig came to the rescue. There was a lot of drama and excitement at the end and the solution was very suspenseful. I am now anxiously waiting for the next Craig Gillard book.
April 1, 2023
After a few unusual plot lines, back to a fairly linear plot line. Spoilers ahead.
Summary: do not read unless you want it spoiled.
Jonathan Hale is back from US prison, having served 6 months for money laundering for the cartels and criminals. The author gave a short and pretty interesting precis of the process of money laundering using properties in London. He had grassed on 3 others in order to get this short stint. Two of them died but one (Tyler) is serving life in a US penitentiary.
We get a short narrative of how Hale is trying to get back to live a normal life but he has a lot of bills to pay since he is still living an expensive lifestyle. The only way to do this is to go criminal again. He's lost his license to practice law so all he can do is to show others how to set up accounts overseas and make the transactions instead of doing it himself.
Meanwhile Tyler has sworn to get even and kill Hale. The account of Tyler escaping from prison is pretty far fetched but ok, we'll go with it. The second half of the story is how Tyler makes it back to England and then kidnaps Hale's daughter and friends and how Gillard saves them. One thing I would suggest to future authors is to ask teenagers to write speech and text which are supposed to be from teenagers, that's the only way to make it sound real.
The final part of the book where the police capture Tyler is pretty well done and pretty much what's in Nick Louth's wheelhouse. Overall, a quick read that goes back to the basics. Now on to the last Gillard book.
Summary: do not read unless you want it spoiled.
Jonathan Hale is back from US prison, having served 6 months for money laundering for the cartels and criminals. The author gave a short and pretty interesting precis of the process of money laundering using properties in London. He had grassed on 3 others in order to get this short stint. Two of them died but one (Tyler) is serving life in a US penitentiary.
We get a short narrative of how Hale is trying to get back to live a normal life but he has a lot of bills to pay since he is still living an expensive lifestyle. The only way to do this is to go criminal again. He's lost his license to practice law so all he can do is to show others how to set up accounts overseas and make the transactions instead of doing it himself.
Meanwhile Tyler has sworn to get even and kill Hale. The account of Tyler escaping from prison is pretty far fetched but ok, we'll go with it. The second half of the story is how Tyler makes it back to England and then kidnaps Hale's daughter and friends and how Gillard saves them. One thing I would suggest to future authors is to ask teenagers to write speech and text which are supposed to be from teenagers, that's the only way to make it sound real.
The final part of the book where the police capture Tyler is pretty well done and pretty much what's in Nick Louth's wheelhouse. Overall, a quick read that goes back to the basics. Now on to the last Gillard book.
August 19, 2022
The Body in the Stairwell is the next instalment in the DCI Craig Gillard series and what a great one it is. Riveting and exciting I think this is the best yet.
Gillard still has his faithful team, his wife is now in early pregnancy and doing well, they are pretty much in the background this time around which works well. He is helping out in a new department investigating money laundering. This department is looking into accountant Jonathon Hale who played a big part in helping criminals to launder all their millions, when caught Hale gave up all the names of those involved for a reduced prison sentence. Now home he is been watched and listened closely to discover more of who the big players are and where the money is being filtered to.
Added to this we have an evil man incarcerated in a highly protected Arizona prison who is determined to escape to exact revenge, he was one of the conspirators given up by Hale.
There is so much happening in this story which is well described and page turning. The characters good and bad have great depth and hold your interest easily. With an exciting explosive conclusion it was a rollercoaster of a thoroughly absorbing read.
My thanks to Net galley, publisher and author for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Gillard still has his faithful team, his wife is now in early pregnancy and doing well, they are pretty much in the background this time around which works well. He is helping out in a new department investigating money laundering. This department is looking into accountant Jonathon Hale who played a big part in helping criminals to launder all their millions, when caught Hale gave up all the names of those involved for a reduced prison sentence. Now home he is been watched and listened closely to discover more of who the big players are and where the money is being filtered to.
Added to this we have an evil man incarcerated in a highly protected Arizona prison who is determined to escape to exact revenge, he was one of the conspirators given up by Hale.
There is so much happening in this story which is well described and page turning. The characters good and bad have great depth and hold your interest easily. With an exciting explosive conclusion it was a rollercoaster of a thoroughly absorbing read.
My thanks to Net galley, publisher and author for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
September 13, 2022
Once again, I find myself reading a mystery out of sequence from its series order. The Body in the Stairwell is the tenth in the DCI Craig Gillard series, but it worked fine as a stand-alone. It was interesting that Louth spends more time setting up the situation and most of the story is told from the POV of the victims and criminal. It appears from reading other reviews that this is Louth’s standard writing style.
I found the premise interesting. Jonathan Hale was an English property lawyer who really made his money laundering cash for American criminals. When everything fell apart, Hale got a sweetheart deal of only six months prison time while the truly bad guys got life. One of those bad guys makes it his mission to break out of the Arizona prison where he’s housed and come to England to finish Hale off. The story of how the bad guy tracks down Hale and his family was entertaining and a warning to those that spend too much time on social media. The ending was well done - fast paced and heart in your mouth fear factor for the three young girls involved.
My thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of this book.
I found the premise interesting. Jonathan Hale was an English property lawyer who really made his money laundering cash for American criminals. When everything fell apart, Hale got a sweetheart deal of only six months prison time while the truly bad guys got life. One of those bad guys makes it his mission to break out of the Arizona prison where he’s housed and come to England to finish Hale off. The story of how the bad guy tracks down Hale and his family was entertaining and a warning to those that spend too much time on social media. The ending was well done - fast paced and heart in your mouth fear factor for the three young girls involved.
My thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of this book.
October 25, 2022
This is one of the best in the series, it’s heart stopping, has vile characters in it and it is different to DCI Gillards normal day job!
This time it is not mere police procedural and every day crime involved, but involves with the NCA and other government departments to watch a disgraced lawyer and money launderer to see what he’s up to. The NCA and police are the least of Hales’ worries. Someone known as The Reptile is in a high security jail in the states and he cannot escape, or can he? Hale knows that this man is out for revenge, and no amount of security can protect him and his family, it’s just a matter of time.
What follows is a game of cat and mouse with a crescendo of an ending.
I have to say, I did think that the Hale family were a bit naive and also their friends were too, and the kids were a precocious nightmare. I’m just glad my daughter wasn’t like that!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I said it’s not the usual run of the mill Gillard workload.
My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for the ARC.
This time it is not mere police procedural and every day crime involved, but involves with the NCA and other government departments to watch a disgraced lawyer and money launderer to see what he’s up to. The NCA and police are the least of Hales’ worries. Someone known as The Reptile is in a high security jail in the states and he cannot escape, or can he? Hale knows that this man is out for revenge, and no amount of security can protect him and his family, it’s just a matter of time.
What follows is a game of cat and mouse with a crescendo of an ending.
I have to say, I did think that the Hale family were a bit naive and also their friends were too, and the kids were a precocious nightmare. I’m just glad my daughter wasn’t like that!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I said it’s not the usual run of the mill Gillard workload.
My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for the ARC.
January 30, 2024
This turned out to be surprisingly good crime fiction from Nick Louth, particularly as my only other experience of this series was a little on the disappointing side to be honest. I listened to this, an ably narrated audio at just slightly over 8 hours long. Convicted money launderer and lawyer Jonathan Hale made a deal with the authorities to give evidence against the criminals for a lighter 6 month prison sentence. However, since he returned to England, he has been living with his model wife and young musician daughter, Azalea, at his exclusive estate in Surrey, but facing serious financial difficulties. He is plagued by fears that the psychopath Richard Tyler will seek revenge, coming after him, putting his family at risk. This is dismissed as paranoia, given Tyler is imprisoned in Arizona for his entire life. A man under heavy surveillance by the police and others, it turns out that perhaps Hale's fears are more than warranted, and caught up in the nightmare are Azalea, her best friend Zoe, and Zoe's mischievous younger sister, Lucy, along with her cat, Socks!
August 16, 2022
This is the tenth book in the DCI Craig Gillard series by author Nick Louth. This is a nice little series, quick, well written police procedural with interesting plots and good characters.
Jonathan Hale is a wealthy property lawyer and money launderer and is back home in Surrey following his experience in a a U.S. jail. Hale made a deal with the police to reduce his sentence by naming the big players in the crime. Accordingly he lives in fear of reprisals and is forced to live under the radar. Unbeknown to Hale the police have him under secret surveillance hoping to uncover more secrets.
One of the villains falling foul of Hale is now residing in a maximum security jail in Arizona and is still determined to gain revenge. Jonathan Hale may be in hiding, living in a new house and using a different identity but still lives in fear of his life.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Jonathan Hale is a wealthy property lawyer and money launderer and is back home in Surrey following his experience in a a U.S. jail. Hale made a deal with the police to reduce his sentence by naming the big players in the crime. Accordingly he lives in fear of reprisals and is forced to live under the radar. Unbeknown to Hale the police have him under secret surveillance hoping to uncover more secrets.
One of the villains falling foul of Hale is now residing in a maximum security jail in Arizona and is still determined to gain revenge. Jonathan Hale may be in hiding, living in a new house and using a different identity but still lives in fear of his life.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Canelo for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2023
Our Book Club chose this book to read. Views tend to be shared freely, and usually vary widely, so that our scoring of our reads, out of 10, will have some around the 2 or 3 mark, whilst others will rave with 8s and 9s. Not so, with "The Body in the Stairwell". There was a delightful consensus of 8 out of 10.
We felt it was a skilfully paced realistic thriller, with interesting characters. The abhorrent The Retile juxtaposed with the children, in a tale that was so well written. We were impressed by the portrayal of the children and how all the characters were brought together.
The storyline was compelling and pacey but a warning: don't rush your reading at the end. Nick lays out a climax that is complex, engaging, and even frightening, and is worth giving it the time to play out in your mind.
We all really enjoyed it and will be reading more of his work - highly recommend!
We felt it was a skilfully paced realistic thriller, with interesting characters. The abhorrent The Retile juxtaposed with the children, in a tale that was so well written. We were impressed by the portrayal of the children and how all the characters were brought together.
The storyline was compelling and pacey but a warning: don't rush your reading at the end. Nick lays out a climax that is complex, engaging, and even frightening, and is worth giving it the time to play out in your mind.
We all really enjoyed it and will be reading more of his work - highly recommend!
October 20, 2024
Obviously 10 books into the series I am a fan. However, Louth has had a couple of huge misses and this is one. He has zero clue how to write children/teens. The conversations are forced and absolutely absurd as are their actions. Children are actually capable of thought. The farcical dialogue is only overtaken in shocking nonsensicalness by the "plot." The escape of the prisoner was astonishingly unrealistic. The way he gets from Arizona to magically being transported to Mexico and then easily to a plane and to England is again implausible. DCI Gillard isn't like the best detective ever written but he is solid so I have zero clue why Louth intermittently completely removes him from the story (of course that is an exaggeration but not by much)? The end scene with them all on a roof or alcove or something was not written well and at first I thought Gillard was not the same level as them then it seemed like he was above? Not sure and honestly do not care at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
The Body in the Stairwell by Nick Louth is book 10 in the DCI Craig Gillard police series, having read all of the others in the series I have enjoyed reading this tenth book in the series.
The storyline is very clever and interesting, with money laundering and serious criminals locked up in American prisons. One of whom escapes and makes his way back to England to murder the man who was responsible for his imprisonment, in exchange for his lighter prison sentence.
The money launderer, Jonathon Hale lives in fear of his life and as far as The Retile is concerned he needs to be because he is coming to kill him. DCI Gillard manages to get involved in the hostage situation that evolves and nearly loses his own life.
Highly recommended
The storyline is very clever and interesting, with money laundering and serious criminals locked up in American prisons. One of whom escapes and makes his way back to England to murder the man who was responsible for his imprisonment, in exchange for his lighter prison sentence.
The money launderer, Jonathon Hale lives in fear of his life and as far as The Retile is concerned he needs to be because he is coming to kill him. DCI Gillard manages to get involved in the hostage situation that evolves and nearly loses his own life.
Highly recommended
September 22, 2022
The Body in the Stairwell by Nick Louth.
Jonathan Hale is terrified. The wealthy property lawyer and money launderer is back home in Surrey after a nightmare experience in a U.S. jail. The police have him under secret surveillance. But Hales’s fears lie elsewhere. His plea bargain has earned him the enmity of The Reptile, a notoriously cold-hearted gangster, now confined for life in a maximum-security jail in Arizona thanks to Hale. He’s taken precautions, moved house, hidden his identity and installed security for his wife and family. But still… what if The Reptile escapes?
I really really enjoyed this book. I do love this author. Had me hooked. 5*.
Jonathan Hale is terrified. The wealthy property lawyer and money launderer is back home in Surrey after a nightmare experience in a U.S. jail. The police have him under secret surveillance. But Hales’s fears lie elsewhere. His plea bargain has earned him the enmity of The Reptile, a notoriously cold-hearted gangster, now confined for life in a maximum-security jail in Arizona thanks to Hale. He’s taken precautions, moved house, hidden his identity and installed security for his wife and family. But still… what if The Reptile escapes?
I really really enjoyed this book. I do love this author. Had me hooked. 5*.
March 28, 2025
Ok this was just a mess. Nobody would allow their kids to invite a kid from another country to stay with them without talking to the parents. NONE of this is realistic. You'd at the very least talk to the other parents, plus it would take a lot longer than a few days to make this happen. Especially if you aren't actually a little girl and are instead a murderous killer in a supermax prison. (We all know how easy those are to escape from.) This whole plot was only workable if every character is an idiot. I say the writer is an idiot if he wants us to believe this dreck. One of the few books I didn't finish.
May 23, 2025
The best DCI Gillard novel Ive read to date. Nick takes it just to the right level with the girls and Tyler was worried it was going to go too far but just the right spot to stop at with them especially azalea . Loved the end with the dangling ending ( couldnt get to sleep at this point too excited 🤣Then i discovered that a character I thought had been a definite goner was alive ! )😎🤣
Also like the way the book ends with all loose ends tied up. Nick seems to be good at not leaving a character out in the end just like my favourite Socks xx
Im really trying not to give away the ending here folks with spoilers !
Really got to read this book didnt get to sleep till 2 am reading it ! Couldnt put it down 😎👍
Basically Read this book guys !
Onto number 11 xx
Also like the way the book ends with all loose ends tied up. Nick seems to be good at not leaving a character out in the end just like my favourite Socks xx
Im really trying not to give away the ending here folks with spoilers !
Really got to read this book didnt get to sleep till 2 am reading it ! Couldnt put it down 😎👍
Basically Read this book guys !
Onto number 11 xx
September 8, 2025
A little disappointing, but still readable, if you suspend all normal, rational thought. But, can I take a minute and expound on the Lucy character! Good grief, I was ready to shoot her myself, not sure why her parents haven't already! Louth, and a surprising number of others, seem to believe we all want to read what it must have been like to have been Greta Thunberg's parents. Of all of the absurdities in this book, Lucy is by far the worst.
If you read my other blurbs on the Craig Gillard books, this one diverges a bit, for the better, there were not so many story lines of various criminals, so thumbs up for that.
If you read my other blurbs on the Craig Gillard books, this one diverges a bit, for the better, there were not so many story lines of various criminals, so thumbs up for that.
August 21, 2022
This is the tenth book in the entertaining DCI Craig Gillard series. This book is unusual in that there is no murder to solve, rather it follows a surveillance operation on a known money launderer and the revenge of a man he helped put behind bars.
The book started off slowly but soon built up speed and ended up being a heart-stopping thriller. This is very much a plot driven story and it is an exciting and recommended read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
The book started off slowly but soon built up speed and ended up being a heart-stopping thriller. This is very much a plot driven story and it is an exciting and recommended read.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
August 29, 2022
Another fantastic read in the DCI Craig Gillard series from Nick Louth. The tension oozes from the pages from the first chapter, right to the last, in this rollercoaster of a read. The book is well plotted, with excellent characterisation, right down to Socks, the cat! Gillard is very likeable in this plot driven read, he cares for his team and the victims too. There is no murder to solve this time as the plot is focused on revenge and money laundering. It's an excellent read which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC
November 30, 2022
I have loved most books in this series, and this time around I appreciated much of the plot overall, and the characters were well written as always.
There was a fairly diverse cast compared to some crime fiction. However, the use of a disabled, chronically ill protagonist with physical differences as the villain is sad and frustrating. It is a tired trope, and is especially disappointing to see in a book released in 2022.
There was a fairly diverse cast compared to some crime fiction. However, the use of a disabled, chronically ill protagonist with physical differences as the villain is sad and frustrating. It is a tired trope, and is especially disappointing to see in a book released in 2022.
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