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DCI Warren Jones #8
Time To Kill
Seven days until the killer strikes again – but who is next?
DCI Warren Jones is deep into the investigation into an apparent murder-suicide when another case is thrust onto his desk. Winnie Palmer, missing for two months, has been found dead, her body stripped and propped against a tree in the woods.
Two cases are more than enough to handle – but things get even harder for the team when they realise the cases might be linked. And when a third suspicious death is added to the pile, it raises a horrible question. Is there a serial killer on the loose?
With all the murders taking place on Sundays, it’s a race against time to find the killer before they strike again. As the days tick by Warren desperately searches for a link between the victims – but the only thing he knows for sure is that absolutely anyone could be next…
DCI Warren Jones is deep into the investigation into an apparent murder-suicide when another case is thrust onto his desk. Winnie Palmer, missing for two months, has been found dead, her body stripped and propped against a tree in the woods.
Two cases are more than enough to handle – but things get even harder for the team when they realise the cases might be linked. And when a third suspicious death is added to the pile, it raises a horrible question. Is there a serial killer on the loose?
With all the murders taking place on Sundays, it’s a race against time to find the killer before they strike again. As the days tick by Warren desperately searches for a link between the victims – but the only thing he knows for sure is that absolutely anyone could be next…
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2022
65 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gitsham
18 books90 followersThe first book I ever wrote was a novelization of ET. I was five years old, had a yellow pencil, an exercise book with ET on the front and boundless enthusiasm.
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 14, 2022
I was not sure that I would like Time to Kill as it seemed to drag in the beginning when they discussed the details of running a police department but as the story picked up it got very exciting. Warren Jones is a detective chief inspector who works in a special unit at the Middlebury CID. The other police attached to this department specialize in different areas that make this department work. The supporting characters add to the story. They receive a call that two people are found dead in their bed that might be a murder/suicide. They were discovered by their son who came to check on them as he was not able to get in touch with them.. Stanley Culverhouse is retired and his wife is dealing with cancer. Their son can not figure out why they killed themselves as they were giving a party to celebrate their anniversary, The autopsy showed that they were murdered and not suicide.
As they try to find out who murdered the Culverhouse's and suspect their son, Derek. They detain him but can't find anything to hold him. They get a call about a naked body found dead in the park. Her name is Winifred Palmer. The two murders have something in common. They both had dogs that were left food by the murderer. That makes two murders in a short span of time. Councilor Aldous Padden is killed with a nail gun to his head coming home from a charity event. That makes three. In. looking into their deaths they realize all murders took place on Sunday. There are two more murderers, brothers Bobby and Nick Lagdon who are drug dealers. That now makes 6. Warren realizes that they have a serial killer. They bring in 3 suspects, Spencer Aspinall who lives with his parents; Eric Morton and Calum Harradine who have been robbing houses. They can't hold them so have to let them go. Warren starts getting envelopes and packages from the killer at his office giving him clues about how he killed his victims.
The story takes off when there are 6 people killed and 3 people reported missing. Charlotte Gibson, a TV presenter and married couple Glynn and Shona Beven. The three are found in freezers in the locker that the killer used. The story takes the reader on an adventure when Warren realizes who the killer is to the exciting and unforeseen ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers, LTD for this ARC..
As they try to find out who murdered the Culverhouse's and suspect their son, Derek. They detain him but can't find anything to hold him. They get a call about a naked body found dead in the park. Her name is Winifred Palmer. The two murders have something in common. They both had dogs that were left food by the murderer. That makes two murders in a short span of time. Councilor Aldous Padden is killed with a nail gun to his head coming home from a charity event. That makes three. In. looking into their deaths they realize all murders took place on Sunday. There are two more murderers, brothers Bobby and Nick Lagdon who are drug dealers. That now makes 6. Warren realizes that they have a serial killer. They bring in 3 suspects, Spencer Aspinall who lives with his parents; Eric Morton and Calum Harradine who have been robbing houses. They can't hold them so have to let them go. Warren starts getting envelopes and packages from the killer at his office giving him clues about how he killed his victims.
The story takes off when there are 6 people killed and 3 people reported missing. Charlotte Gibson, a TV presenter and married couple Glynn and Shona Beven. The three are found in freezers in the locker that the killer used. The story takes the reader on an adventure when Warren realizes who the killer is to the exciting and unforeseen ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers, LTD for this ARC..
May 3, 2022
4 stars
DCI Warren Jones and his friend and partner DI Tony Sutton respond to a case of an apparent murder-suicide of an elderly couple. The victims are Stanley and Jemima Culverhouse.
However, the autopsies show something else. The pathologist and the the police begin to think that this is a cleverly staged double murder.
When another body is discovered in a local park, the team responds once more. This time it is an elderly woman, about eighty-two, left naked and propped against a tree. The pathologist notes that she has been frozen. She is identified as Winnie Palmer through a missing persons report that was filed some two months earlier.
The police are knee-deep in both investigations when one of the officers tells Warren that she believes that the two cases may be related. The murders continue. While they have a plethora of suspects, one by one, they are eliminated. Warren and the team are frustrated and dispirited.
As the bodies continue to fall, one thing is certain. That they now have a serial killer has been confirmed.
The book barrels toward its conclusion. And what a conclusion! There is a huge twist at the end. I thought I had it figured out, but then I didn’t, but wait…I did too!
Mr. Gitsham’s writing is very good. He writes clearly and keeps the story moving along. He certainly knows how to write tension-filled scenes. I like Warren and his wife Susan. Warren treats the members of his team with kindness and competency. They all respond well. I like the relationship between Warren and his pal and partner Tony, too.
I want to thank NetGalley and HQ/HQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
DCI Warren Jones and his friend and partner DI Tony Sutton respond to a case of an apparent murder-suicide of an elderly couple. The victims are Stanley and Jemima Culverhouse.
However, the autopsies show something else. The pathologist and the the police begin to think that this is a cleverly staged double murder.
When another body is discovered in a local park, the team responds once more. This time it is an elderly woman, about eighty-two, left naked and propped against a tree. The pathologist notes that she has been frozen. She is identified as Winnie Palmer through a missing persons report that was filed some two months earlier.
The police are knee-deep in both investigations when one of the officers tells Warren that she believes that the two cases may be related. The murders continue. While they have a plethora of suspects, one by one, they are eliminated. Warren and the team are frustrated and dispirited.
As the bodies continue to fall, one thing is certain. That they now have a serial killer has been confirmed.
The book barrels toward its conclusion. And what a conclusion! There is a huge twist at the end. I thought I had it figured out, but then I didn’t, but wait…I did too!
Mr. Gitsham’s writing is very good. He writes clearly and keeps the story moving along. He certainly knows how to write tension-filled scenes. I like Warren and his wife Susan. Warren treats the members of his team with kindness and competency. They all respond well. I like the relationship between Warren and his pal and partner Tony, too.
I want to thank NetGalley and HQ/HQ Digital for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
May 10, 2022
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I have enjoyed this series, but found this most recent instalment quite gruelling and overlong. It was all about the police procedure and emphasized how boring most of the day to day work must be. The bodies piled up, but the victims were (apart from at the very beginning) unknown to the reader, so there was little emotional involvement there. At times I felt as if I were ploughing through hours of traffic camera recordings myself.
Warren's actions at the end of the final scene in his kitchen didn't really ring true for me and are the sort of thing I disapprove of in crime fiction.
This one was a disappointment for me, but I will remain loyal to this series.
I have enjoyed this series, but found this most recent instalment quite gruelling and overlong. It was all about the police procedure and emphasized how boring most of the day to day work must be. The bodies piled up, but the victims were (apart from at the very beginning) unknown to the reader, so there was little emotional involvement there. At times I felt as if I were ploughing through hours of traffic camera recordings myself.
Warren's actions at the end of the final scene in his kitchen didn't really ring true for me and are the sort of thing I disapprove of in crime fiction.
This one was a disappointment for me, but I will remain loyal to this series.
May 19, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Time to Kill, the eighth novel to feature DCI Warren Jones, set in the fictional Hertfordshire town of Middlesbury.
An apparent murder suicide quickly becomes a double murder when the scene is examined. Warren and the team are struggling for a motive when the body of a pensioner is found two months after she disappeared. Finding links between the two cases and a third murder they begin to think that they are dealing with a serial killer who picks victims at random.
I thoroughly enjoyed Time to Kill, which is a low key police procedural (apart from the dramatic conclusion) with a close look at how investigations are conducted. It is compulsive reading for those of us who feel that the devil is in the detail.
As per standard procedure the team initially look at family for motive and opportunity, but with more victims this becomes less and less likely. I was fascinated by the tools they use to rule suspects in and out when there is little forensic evidence, mobile phone data, CCTV and warrants among others. Fittingly, in the face of all this technology and a tech savvy killer, it is an old fashioned rugby tackle that brings him down. That made me smile.
The novel is told from Warren’s point of view, so the reader can speculate alongside him and the team. Personally I had no idea of identity or motive, but, then, neither did they until a chance discovery points them in the right direction. I’m not going to say that this discovery is a useful plot device, because it smacks of real life and how investigations turn, especially when the author has a few more twists up his sleeve. I think this is a clever novel in that it offers the reader few clues and a fair amount of misdirection. I was also impressed by the seamless integration of technology into modern day policing and, by extension, the perpetrator’s modus operandi. I understand that the word technology will send some readers running for the hills, but I’m not very adept at it and I found it very easy to follow, I was more gobsmacked by what it can do.
Time to Kill is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
An apparent murder suicide quickly becomes a double murder when the scene is examined. Warren and the team are struggling for a motive when the body of a pensioner is found two months after she disappeared. Finding links between the two cases and a third murder they begin to think that they are dealing with a serial killer who picks victims at random.
I thoroughly enjoyed Time to Kill, which is a low key police procedural (apart from the dramatic conclusion) with a close look at how investigations are conducted. It is compulsive reading for those of us who feel that the devil is in the detail.
As per standard procedure the team initially look at family for motive and opportunity, but with more victims this becomes less and less likely. I was fascinated by the tools they use to rule suspects in and out when there is little forensic evidence, mobile phone data, CCTV and warrants among others. Fittingly, in the face of all this technology and a tech savvy killer, it is an old fashioned rugby tackle that brings him down. That made me smile.
The novel is told from Warren’s point of view, so the reader can speculate alongside him and the team. Personally I had no idea of identity or motive, but, then, neither did they until a chance discovery points them in the right direction. I’m not going to say that this discovery is a useful plot device, because it smacks of real life and how investigations turn, especially when the author has a few more twists up his sleeve. I think this is a clever novel in that it offers the reader few clues and a fair amount of misdirection. I was also impressed by the seamless integration of technology into modern day policing and, by extension, the perpetrator’s modus operandi. I understand that the word technology will send some readers running for the hills, but I’m not very adept at it and I found it very easy to follow, I was more gobsmacked by what it can do.
Time to Kill is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 31, 2022
4.5 stars
This is book 8 in the series and, as such, usual series rules apply... You know what they are by now!
We catch up with DCI Warren Jones as he is investigating a murder-suicide. Then his plate becomes overloaded when the body of a missing person turns up. But this eases (if that's the right way of saying it) when he starts to think that the two cases could be linked. And then there's a third case thrown into the mix when another suspicious death is reported... A link is tentatively found - all crimes take place on a Sunday - but is that really enough to link them and, if it is, is there a serial killer operating in Middlesbury?
Oooo I do love this series as it really gets into the nitty gritty of the investigation. The pace is slower than the majority of Police Procedurals but this is because the focus is mostly on the procedure side of things, the reader at times being just as flummoxed as the investigators! One by one, the suspects are whittled down until a break in the case happens. Which is how I imagine it all happens in real life. Then, when that break comes to light, all bets are off and we race towards a rather satisfying conclusion.
Some may not enjoy the pace and the emphasis put on the procedures, and I can understand that. But for me, it makes a change to be able to fully immerse myself into Jones' brain - as it is solely told from his perspective - and be able to feel his frustration and ecstasy as he stutters and then finds the right path.
Irrespective of the method of delivery, one thing I can't criticise is the plot. Where the author comes up with this stuff is beyond me but he always manages to keep me in the dark pretty much all the way through. Something that happens less and less these days! He always manages to give me a lightbulb moment when I finally catch on to what and why and who! And for that, the half star is rounded up!
All that is left to say is roll on next time - I'll be waiting! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This is book 8 in the series and, as such, usual series rules apply... You know what they are by now!
We catch up with DCI Warren Jones as he is investigating a murder-suicide. Then his plate becomes overloaded when the body of a missing person turns up. But this eases (if that's the right way of saying it) when he starts to think that the two cases could be linked. And then there's a third case thrown into the mix when another suspicious death is reported... A link is tentatively found - all crimes take place on a Sunday - but is that really enough to link them and, if it is, is there a serial killer operating in Middlesbury?
Oooo I do love this series as it really gets into the nitty gritty of the investigation. The pace is slower than the majority of Police Procedurals but this is because the focus is mostly on the procedure side of things, the reader at times being just as flummoxed as the investigators! One by one, the suspects are whittled down until a break in the case happens. Which is how I imagine it all happens in real life. Then, when that break comes to light, all bets are off and we race towards a rather satisfying conclusion.
Some may not enjoy the pace and the emphasis put on the procedures, and I can understand that. But for me, it makes a change to be able to fully immerse myself into Jones' brain - as it is solely told from his perspective - and be able to feel his frustration and ecstasy as he stutters and then finds the right path.
Irrespective of the method of delivery, one thing I can't criticise is the plot. Where the author comes up with this stuff is beyond me but he always manages to keep me in the dark pretty much all the way through. Something that happens less and less these days! He always manages to give me a lightbulb moment when I finally catch on to what and why and who! And for that, the half star is rounded up!
All that is left to say is roll on next time - I'll be waiting! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 2, 2022
Oh wow. What a brilliant book this is. From the shocking prologue, through every fast paced chapter, right to the heart stopping finale.
Now I've got my breath back I want to say how much I loved this book. It's full of great characters, loads of drama and twists you don't see coming.
This is the first book I've read from this author but as I've discovered this is book 12 in the series it certainly won't be my last.
If you love a gritty police thriller then I can't recommend this book highly enough.
Now I've got my breath back I want to say how much I loved this book. It's full of great characters, loads of drama and twists you don't see coming.
This is the first book I've read from this author but as I've discovered this is book 12 in the series it certainly won't be my last.
If you love a gritty police thriller then I can't recommend this book highly enough.
May 19, 2022
I have enjoyed previous books in this series but this one proved to be drawn out and too long for me. Although it is well written, it dwells too much on the procedures police have to follow during murder investigations. I like the relationships between Warren and his team, especially with Tony. The ending was good and I will certainly read the next one in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
July 17, 2022
Well plotted if not a little long winded. Serial killer stories are somewhat tedious if we spend too much time in their heads. This was a curious plot with random murders. Some laziness in defining the opposition to the politician -but most authors are lazy about anyone with conservative views. They depend on stereotypical characterisations and dialogue. Interesting twist at the end which I saw coming.
July 22, 2022
Definitely read when you have "Time to Kill"
A thrilling read.. keeps you guessing till the end. Twists and turns a who done it of of modern times. Follow DCI Warren while he try to catch a modern day serial killer before more bodies show up. Just when you think you have it figured out your not even close. A quick read.
A thrilling read.. keeps you guessing till the end. Twists and turns a who done it of of modern times. Follow DCI Warren while he try to catch a modern day serial killer before more bodies show up. Just when you think you have it figured out your not even close. A quick read.
August 13, 2022
Absorbing story that details how Warren's team (Police enquiries) explore all the avenues their investigations uncover. They gradually build their case as they seek to catch the serial killer.
I did not see the killer's identity coming but did work out where the final scenes would be played out.
Will be interesting to see how Warren gets on with his new boss.
I did not see the killer's identity coming but did work out where the final scenes would be played out.
Will be interesting to see how Warren gets on with his new boss.
June 3, 2022
Thank you to @hqstories for letting me be a part of another #booktour for Paul Gitsham’s latest title. This is my third read in the Warren Jones series and I honestly can’t get enough, I really need to go back and read them from the beginning! I honestly feel that any books in this series can be read a stand alone, but by reading the series as a whole, you feel much more entwined with Warren’s life and his personality. This story was fast paced, gripping, full of twists and it kept me guessing until the end. I also really enjoyed the more in-depth look we got into Warren’s life outside of the police station. As ever, I loved it. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 2, 2022
Excellent reading
I really enjoyed catching up with DCI Warren Jones and his team. Full of Mystery and Suspense..I like how he works with his team even following endless dead ends. The story came together really well.
I really enjoyed catching up with DCI Warren Jones and his team. Full of Mystery and Suspense..I like how he works with his team even following endless dead ends. The story came together really well.
June 13, 2022
Brilliant
Another brilliant book in the DCI Warren Jones series by Paul Gitsham.
A serial killer is terrorizing the town, every Sunday brings more death.
Can Jones and the team solve the mystery before more people die.
A truly exciting read, well worth it.
Another brilliant book in the DCI Warren Jones series by Paul Gitsham.
A serial killer is terrorizing the town, every Sunday brings more death.
Can Jones and the team solve the mystery before more people die.
A truly exciting read, well worth it.
November 30, 2022
I like this writer and also warren Jones and his team. This story had its twists and turns and as a result the book became a page turner. I do not know how I got into this writer and British Cops but I like it. I highly recommend you pick up one of this writer's books and like me read all of them
July 5, 2023
While I enjoy this series, I find the personal episodes rather tiring. I would rather he left his Catholic religion out of the picture, as it's not something that adds anything to the plot and i find it distracting from the story.
March 17, 2024
I guess it won't have helped that I joined this series late, which meant I had no connection to the characters. The story felt too slow, too engrossed in the detail of the police procedure at the expense of the narrative - but perhaps that's a feature of the series.
April 7, 2025
Enjoyable British police procedural along the lines of Peter Grainger’s DC Smith series. Lots of detail and police techniques, a family back story for DCI Jones and this one had a serial killermthat was a bit of a surprise.
July 12, 2022
Best one so far!
Time to Kill kept me entranced through the whole book, it was a really great read. Well done Paul, looking forward to reading the next one!
Time to Kill kept me entranced through the whole book, it was a really great read. Well done Paul, looking forward to reading the next one!
July 14, 2022
A solid book but seemed overly long and slow.
August 4, 2022
Warren and his team made this book an exciting read for me. I always love a good mystery or crime book. This story was a great source of entertainment for me to pass the time.
August 7, 2022
Love this series
September 20, 2024
Someone is killing people on Sundays. It was thought random at first, no connection to the victims. Started a little slow but very exciting in the end!
July 18, 2022
this is the most recent of the DCI Warren Jones series and it is amazing!! They are hunting a serial killer who really is clever. Sending Warren and his team on endless goose chases and switching up his MO
In the first book in this series i was heavily critical of the protrayal of Warren's wife Susan. In this book she has evolved into a reasonable understanding wife of a senior police officer. it was a real relief and makes for an enjoyable book.
The 'put upon' spouse of the doctor, police officer, fire fighter, EMT etc. is a trope I would would like to kill with extreme prejudice
In the first book in this series i was heavily critical of the protrayal of Warren's wife Susan. In this book she has evolved into a reasonable understanding wife of a senior police officer. it was a real relief and makes for an enjoyable book.
The 'put upon' spouse of the doctor, police officer, fire fighter, EMT etc. is a trope I would would like to kill with extreme prejudice
June 1, 2022
This is one of my favorite police procedural and this novel kept me reading till late in the night.
Even if it's a gripping and entertaining novel I found that some parts were dragging a bit and too technical.
That said it's compelling and gripping story, the relationship between Warren and his team are very interesting, and the mystery is solid.
There's a lot going on and I liked the storytelling.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone I would recommend to read the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Even if it's a gripping and entertaining novel I found that some parts were dragging a bit and too technical.
That said it's compelling and gripping story, the relationship between Warren and his team are very interesting, and the mystery is solid.
There's a lot going on and I liked the storytelling.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone I would recommend to read the rest of the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 24, 2022
A great police procedural with plenty of twists and turns throughout. One of a series, this installment reads fine as a stand alone and references to other cases feel natural and arr not overdone.
The crimes are quite complicated, action packed and fairly violent. The police are helped by a profiler.
All in all a good read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
The crimes are quite complicated, action packed and fairly violent. The police are helped by a profiler.
All in all a good read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 12, 2025
Bit of a slow burner!! But we got there in the end!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews