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Monika Paniatowski #1-4
Detective Monika Books 1–4
In this four-book box set:
Book 1: THE DEAD HAND OF HISTORY
On Monika’s first day as detective chief inspector, a woman’s severed hand is found in a leafy park. Who wanted her dead? All the evidence points to the victim’s downtrodden husband. But Monika’s not so sure. She wants to trust her instincts. But is the powerful chemistry between her and the prime suspect leading her off track? The clock is ticking to catch a ruthless killer . . .
Book 2: BOOK 2: THE RING OF DEATH
Detective Monika thought she’d seen it all. But nothing could prepare her for this. A naked body out on the wild and windswept Lancashire moors. Posed on all fours with his throat slit. But who would go to the trouble? Monika realizes that, whatever the killer’s twisted message, he won’t stop until he’s understood.
Book 3: ECHOES OF THE DEAD
Twenty-two years ago, Fred Howerd murdered an innocent teen girl. Now he’s saying his confession was a lie, forced out of him by two bent coppers. But Detective Monika knows that can’t be true. The detective who put Howerd away is her mentor — the only man she’s ever truly trusted. He wouldn’t send an innocent man to prison for life. Would he?
Book 4: BACKLASH
Two missing women. One mutilated body. One twisted killer. Monika has a bitter history with Chief Superintendent Kershaw. But now his wife is missing and he wants her back at any cost. Even if that means Monika leading the case. When a second woman, a sex worker, vanishes, Monika refuses to treat her any differently. She is determined to find both women before it’s too late. Does she have what it takes to bring them home safe?
Book 1: THE DEAD HAND OF HISTORY
On Monika’s first day as detective chief inspector, a woman’s severed hand is found in a leafy park. Who wanted her dead? All the evidence points to the victim’s downtrodden husband. But Monika’s not so sure. She wants to trust her instincts. But is the powerful chemistry between her and the prime suspect leading her off track? The clock is ticking to catch a ruthless killer . . .
Book 2: BOOK 2: THE RING OF DEATH
Detective Monika thought she’d seen it all. But nothing could prepare her for this. A naked body out on the wild and windswept Lancashire moors. Posed on all fours with his throat slit. But who would go to the trouble? Monika realizes that, whatever the killer’s twisted message, he won’t stop until he’s understood.
Book 3: ECHOES OF THE DEAD
Twenty-two years ago, Fred Howerd murdered an innocent teen girl. Now he’s saying his confession was a lie, forced out of him by two bent coppers. But Detective Monika knows that can’t be true. The detective who put Howerd away is her mentor — the only man she’s ever truly trusted. He wouldn’t send an innocent man to prison for life. Would he?
Book 4: BACKLASH
Two missing women. One mutilated body. One twisted killer. Monika has a bitter history with Chief Superintendent Kershaw. But now his wife is missing and he wants her back at any cost. Even if that means Monika leading the case. When a second woman, a sex worker, vanishes, Monika refuses to treat her any differently. She is determined to find both women before it’s too late. Does she have what it takes to bring them home safe?
1156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2022
527 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Sally Spencer
80 books152 followersA pseudonym used by Alan Rustage.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
I read or listened 🎶 to these four British 🏰👑 murder mystery romantic relationship adventure thriller novels individually. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to each conclusion. Monika Paniatowski is the main character as she investigates numerous mysteries. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
I read or listened 🎶 to these four British 🏰👑 murder mystery romantic relationship adventure thriller novels individually. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to each conclusion. Monika Paniatowski is the main character as she investigates numerous mysteries. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
Want to read
April 15, 2022Joffe Books 99
August 6, 2022
Like so many women, Monika has to work twice as hard and be twice as smart, just to get by as a woman in a man's position. I can relate to that. Being Polish is just an extra handicap, as Poles seem to be a target for discrimination. (I thought we had moved past that nonsense, but apparently not.) Suspenseful stories with plenty of action and some really sick and/or disgusting criminals--not recommended for the squeamish. The publisher's description (totally gripping crime thriller etc.) is accurate.
April 27, 2022
I do like Sally Spencer's development of character and plot. I read most of the Charlie Woodend books and am now enjoying Detective Monika. There is always a surprise twist in solving the murder. Fun.
May 13, 2022
Monika P. and associates follow through and solve heinous crimes.
Do not ask me how to spell her last name. DCI Monika P. faces sexism and prejudice in a small urban police force in England. The series is well written and intriguing.
Do not ask me how to spell her last name. DCI Monika P. faces sexism and prejudice in a small urban police force in England. The series is well written and intriguing.
June 12, 2022
extremely good mysteries
I read the first 4 books in this series and each had an unexpected ending. I plan to read the next books in the series. They will quickly catch your attention and are a pleasure to read.
I read the first 4 books in this series and each had an unexpected ending. I plan to read the next books in the series. They will quickly catch your attention and are a pleasure to read.
September 15, 2022
Ènjoyable
Ì really enjoyed this series, but in the fourth book, I think the forensic pathologist missed an important clue. Otherwise, I really liked the characters and the twists and turns.
Ì really enjoyed this series, but in the fourth book, I think the forensic pathologist missed an important clue. Otherwise, I really liked the characters and the twists and turns.
May 12, 2023
Great books!
I liked them all. It kept your attention and guessing who did it! I would recommend to anyone that likes crime thrillers and who dunits!!
I rated a four, gives the author something to work for.
I liked them all. It kept your attention and guessing who did it! I would recommend to anyone that likes crime thrillers and who dunits!!
I rated a four, gives the author something to work for.
May 24, 2023
surprisingly good!
When I first started Detective Monika I wondered if I would find the 1970s sexist racist attitudes grating and clichéd but by book 4 the characters and their various inner struggles were really individual and interesting. These were good reads !
When I first started Detective Monika I wondered if I would find the 1970s sexist racist attitudes grating and clichéd but by book 4 the characters and their various inner struggles were really individual and interesting. These were good reads !
October 18, 2022
Every book was a great read. If you like murder, mystery and gore this is for you. Brilliant writing.
October 18, 2022
Surprised me, totally unexpected
I got this on a whim, but it out to be a very good read! Now I'm going to have to scrounge around and find more of her books.
I got this on a whim, but it out to be a very good read! Now I'm going to have to scrounge around and find more of her books.
January 14, 2023
Shocking police behaviour
Monica is a nasty character more concerned about her own power. Would not recommend to anyone. Just confirms what a nasty police service we have.
Monica is a nasty character more concerned about her own power. Would not recommend to anyone. Just confirms what a nasty police service we have.
April 10, 2023
i enjoyed the novel. there still appears there. glass ceilings for women,
May 23, 2023
dynamic
The start is straight into the nitty gritty and it doesn't stop till the last page of 4th book, looking forward to reading the next group.
The start is straight into the nitty gritty and it doesn't stop till the last page of 4th book, looking forward to reading the next group.
February 12, 2025
Did not do it for me-I actually gave up on the series -which is really rare -as I usually doggedly pursue books to the very end -like them or not
July 19, 2022
A good filler between novels.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews