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Inspector Stark #2
Trace and Eliminate
In the second of The Inspector Stark series, DI Stark and his team battle to solve a murder which appears to be without motive. DI Stark also battles with his anxiety; DC Charlie Carter battles his haemorrhoids and DPW Steph Dawson battles with her Sergeants advances.
An up and coming solicitor lies on a mortuary slab. He is a hard-working family man who appears to have everything. Who could possibly want to kill him? The ruthless and savage killer, who knows precisely why; remains at large.
Detective Inspector Stark and the team have scarcely begun their investigation when a second death occurs: another horrific and motiveless murder, or so it seems. A group of suspects emerge, one is the killer, and one the next to die.
Stark’s investigation eventually lays bare a sinister sequence of events, a motive where the past returns to haunt the present – a roller coaster ride of hate, fuelled by revenge.
Stark stages a most original eavesdrop on a solemn occasion, and the police net closes in on an unexpected killer.
Trace and Eliminate ‘combines the virtues of an insider’s knowledge with the dramatic power of a true storyteller’.
An up and coming solicitor lies on a mortuary slab. He is a hard-working family man who appears to have everything. Who could possibly want to kill him? The ruthless and savage killer, who knows precisely why; remains at large.
Detective Inspector Stark and the team have scarcely begun their investigation when a second death occurs: another horrific and motiveless murder, or so it seems. A group of suspects emerge, one is the killer, and one the next to die.
Stark’s investigation eventually lays bare a sinister sequence of events, a motive where the past returns to haunt the present – a roller coaster ride of hate, fuelled by revenge.
Stark stages a most original eavesdrop on a solemn occasion, and the police net closes in on an unexpected killer.
Trace and Eliminate ‘combines the virtues of an insider’s knowledge with the dramatic power of a true storyteller’.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Keith Wright
14 books10 followersKeith's latest crime novel in the Inspector Stark series is 'Your Day To Die.' A thrilling and thought-provoking journey which explores why anyone might be prepared to kill given certain circumstances.
'Murder Me Tomorrow' wins the Independent Press Award 2021 for best crime fiction.
Keith's third novel 'Fair Means Or Foul' has been awarded 'Distinguished Favorite' in the New York City Big Book Awards 2020.
His first novel One Oblique One was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association John Creasy Award for the best debut crime novel of the year. His books have received critical acclaim in The Times, Financial Times and Sunday Express.
Keith has also contributed short story anthologies for the Crime Writers Association called 'Perfectly Criminal' published by Seven House, and 'City of Crime' published by Five Leaves Publications.
The Inspector Stark series of novels are set in the 1980’s and involve the investigations by DI Stark and his team of detectives in Nottingham CID. It is no coincidence that the author was a Detective in Nottinghamshire CID in the 1980’s! They make gritty, adult reading.
Keith was brought up on a council estate in Nottingham and attended the local comprehensive school.
He joined the police in 1979, served his time in training and on the streets, and after the miner's strike of 1984 was accepted on to the CID. He was the youngest detective to go on to the CID, at the time in 1985.
He spent 25 years in the police service retiring in 2005, as a Detective Sergeant. He then began working for a global business, leading the Serious and Corporate Investigations Team.
Keith has four wonderful children; twins, Chris and Andy. His son, Harry is an actor and duaghter Lily about to go to college.
He still lives in Nottingham and is married to Jackie.
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September 29, 2020Good Evening, My Fellow Book Dragons! I do hope you are enjoying Autumn so far. It is turning cooler here at the Cave and the trees are starting to turn. Tonight’s Gem is cool as well. A deep cool blue, with veins of black spreading throughout. Feel the thrum of evil as you hold it in your claws. The blue is so cool and fine and crisp that is deceives one’s eyes. This is Gem Maker and Dragon Feeder Keith Wright’s “Trace and Eliminate”.
Detective Inspector David Stark is back for a second time in this fast paced Gem. He brings along his public speaking anxiety, which has only gotten worse since last time, his sidekick – Detective Sergeant Nobby Clarke, and as usual, making life a living hell as only he can DI Mole.
DI Stark is on the trail of what he believes is a one time killer of an attorney, found with his throat cut in his car. This killer isn’t satisfied with one murder. This killer has a past and he’s out for revenge. He’s going to make everyone pay and pay hard. What this killer doesn’t know is that he has committed murder in the jurisdiction of DI Stark and his team. They will make him pay and pay hard.
The DI Stark series is written by Wright, a former Homicide Detective himself. This book is set in September of 1987. This is before the internet, before help was a cellphone away, before everything was at the touch of a button. This is before political correctness was everywhere and you knew exactly who you were dealing with because a person said what they really thought and the jerks separated themselves from the crowd. This was in the days before most people had satellite dishes and before many had cable. Four channels was often the limit, radio and books were viable options for an evening in. The pub was the option for an evening out. I love these books.
If you love a grand British Crime Drama, this book is for you. I am still amazed that ITV or the BBC has not picked DI Stark and his team for a series. Do they have blinders on? It’s a crime! The action, adventure and villains in these books are very well worth reading and I would love to see them brought to life on the small screen or better yet, the big screen!
David Stark is a crack detective with a great team of motley detectives. These people have flaws, but catching the criminal comes before everything else. If you want to read a crime drama that has everything, this is the one for you! Available on Amazon at very reasonable prices, get yours today. Nothing better on a cold Autumn evening!
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I was sent a copy by the author for review, my opinions are my own.
Detective Inspector David Stark is back for a second time in this fast paced Gem. He brings along his public speaking anxiety, which has only gotten worse since last time, his sidekick – Detective Sergeant Nobby Clarke, and as usual, making life a living hell as only he can DI Mole.
DI Stark is on the trail of what he believes is a one time killer of an attorney, found with his throat cut in his car. This killer isn’t satisfied with one murder. This killer has a past and he’s out for revenge. He’s going to make everyone pay and pay hard. What this killer doesn’t know is that he has committed murder in the jurisdiction of DI Stark and his team. They will make him pay and pay hard.
The DI Stark series is written by Wright, a former Homicide Detective himself. This book is set in September of 1987. This is before the internet, before help was a cellphone away, before everything was at the touch of a button. This is before political correctness was everywhere and you knew exactly who you were dealing with because a person said what they really thought and the jerks separated themselves from the crowd. This was in the days before most people had satellite dishes and before many had cable. Four channels was often the limit, radio and books were viable options for an evening in. The pub was the option for an evening out. I love these books.
If you love a grand British Crime Drama, this book is for you. I am still amazed that ITV or the BBC has not picked DI Stark and his team for a series. Do they have blinders on? It’s a crime! The action, adventure and villains in these books are very well worth reading and I would love to see them brought to life on the small screen or better yet, the big screen!
David Stark is a crack detective with a great team of motley detectives. These people have flaws, but catching the criminal comes before everything else. If you want to read a crime drama that has everything, this is the one for you! Available on Amazon at very reasonable prices, get yours today. Nothing better on a cold Autumn evening!
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I was sent a copy by the author for review, my opinions are my own.
July 31, 2025
I am seriously loving this series, but I'm also seriously PO'ed. Stark at the very end...mmm mmm mmm. I'm not mad about that lol but I want to shake him. No David and the way that was handled. I'm a little upset about Gary too. I get it...truly but it's still hard, all things considering. And one person in particular should have gotten more than he got but at least Stark stuck it to him. Things were different in those times and I know things are different in different countries as well. This was just a hard one. For various reasons, but still good. Obviously or I wouldn't have 5 starred it lol. It truly is a good series but be warned it will take you through it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2025
Detective Inspector David Stark is back for a second time along with his sidekick, Detective Sergeant Nobby Clarke and DI Mole. This book is set in September of 1987 and written by Wright, a former Homicide Detective himself. If you love a grand British Crime Drama, this book is for you.
October 15, 2019
Loved reading this book as it was based locally
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews