Blue Murder

Janine Lewis #1

by Cath Staincliffe

Meet Janine Lewis. A single mum of three and Manchester’s newest detective chief inspector. Her cheating husband walked out the day she got promoted. Now she’s six months pregnant with his baby and in charge of her first murder case.

The body of a deputy head teacher is found on a lonely allotment. Gutted — his stomach sliced open — and left for dead.

The only witnesses are a dying elderly man and a seven-year-old girl.

And now the prime suspect has disappeared . . .

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Audiobook, Procedural, Suspense, Ebooks

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Cath Staincliffe is a best-selling, award-winning novelist, radio playwright and the creator of ITV's hit series, Blue Murder, starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis. Cath's books have been short-listed for the British Crime Writers Association best first novel award, for the Dagger in the Library and selected as Le Masque de l'Année. In 2012 Cath won the CWA Short Story Dagger for Laptop, sharing the prize with Margaret Murphy with her story The Message. Cath was shortlisted again with Night Nurse in 2014. Cath's Sal Kilkenny private eye series features a single-parent sleuth working the mean streets of Manchester. Trio, a stand-alone novel moved away from crime to explore adoption and growing up in the 1960s, inspired by Cath's own experience. Letters To My Daughter's Killer was selected for Specsavers Crime Thriller Book Club in 2014 and featured on ITV3s Crime Thriller Club. Cath also writes the Scott & Bailey novels based on the popular UK TV series. Cath's latest stand alone book, The Girl in the Green Dress, was inspired by her experience as the parent of a transgender child. It tells the story of a transphobic hate crime and asks the question: how far would you go to protect your child? Cath is one of the founding members of Murder Squad - a group of Northern crime writers who give readings, talks and signings around the country. Cath was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK and now lives in Manchester, Lancashire with her family. You can follow her on Twitter, @CathStaincliffe, which she does when she should be busy writing!

Reviews

[Shannon M (Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book in the Blue Murder series by Cath Staincliffe. After I finished it, I discovered that years ago (more than 10), it had been the script for a UK television series, and was later published as a book. Consequently, reviews in Goodreads sometimes seem to be reviews for the TV series, and not for the published book. I never saw the TV series, and, consequently, my review is for the publication, which is available on Kindle Unlimited.

BLUE MURDER is a police procedural that begins rather oddly—Janine Lewis, a pregnant woman, is promoted to DCI, comes home to tell her husband, and finds him in bed with Tina, her home helper. An unexpected beginning obviously designed to attract a television audience, but one rather off-putting to a reader. Luckily, the story soon switches from Janine's domestic front to her police team and the murder investigation she is handed.

Her team consists of two DS members, Butchers and Shap, who handle much of the door-to-door inquiries, and also serve as comedy relief. As well, DI Richard Mayne, an old friend, joins her crew.

The murdered man is Matthew Tulley, who was killed while working in his allotment. (For non-British readers, allotments were plots of land rented by British homeowners that were used for growing food plants.) Much of the investigation consists of interviewing residents in homes that surrounded the allotment area.

Tulley was the deputy head master at a local high school. We also know from the beginning of the story that a young man named Dean was somehow involved with Tulley and is hiding from the police. Also interwoven with the narrative are the travails of Jade, a seven-year-old who saw something important on the morning of the murder; she is afraid to tell anyone because she was forbidden to play near the allotments and doesn't want to get into trouble with her mother.

I thought the plot behind the murder was interesting and somewhat unique. I wish more of the book had been devoted to exploring it in more depth. Unfortunately, too much of the novel involved sorting out the relationships between DCI Lewis, her banished husband, and their three older children—Michael, Eleanor, and Tom.

Thus, a 3.5 star rating. But I found it interesting enough to continue onto the next book in the series.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teacher has been murdered--stabbed while working at his allotment. Pregnant Janine, already the mother of three, has recently been promoted to DCI, but when she goes home in the middle of the day to give her husband the good news, she finds him in bed with the cleaner. Janine is determined to solve the case but her immediate supervisor is an old school sexist cop, and keeps threatening to turn the case over to another (male) detective. Despite all of her personal difficulties, Janine diligently works on the case and finds out the the victim was not who he seemed to be.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be a decent crime/mystery, but it is just so depressing to read and after a quarter of the book I had to just skip through to the end.

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I’m officially on a Cath Staincliffe bender.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the same day Janine Lewis gets promoted to DCI, she comes home to find her husband in their bed with Tina their cleaner. Janine’s a mother of three with a fourth baby on the way.

Soon after her promotion, Janine’s boss DCI Leonard Hackett aka The Lemon assigns Janine her first murder case as DCI. The murder victim, Matthew Tulley was found stabbed to death in his shed. Matthew was a gardener who owned a patch in the allotments. He’s also the deputy head at Saint Columbus High.

So who would want him dead and why?

DCI Janine’s working alongside her team —DS Butchers, DC Jenny Chen, and DS Shap. DI Richard Mayne with the Greater Manchester Police, CID, is also working the case.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought was I'd read this before, then was mad because it was copying another's book. Realized there was a TV series I watched streaming that is based on this. I have enjoyed both and looking forward to the next book.

[Neill Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

DCI Janine Lewis was the first pregnant woman to get a promotion and some of her colleagues were unhappy. It did take awhile for her first case to be assigned but she now has a murder case to lead. A school teacher had been murdered, apparently by a student and the investigation involved many characters. The story also involved many characters whose need to be part of the story seems to be a stretch. The story is also loaded with sentence fragments - sometimes informative and sometimes confusing and occasionally there were punctuation marks in the middle of a sentence with the next word not capitalized and occasionally missing words. Proofreaders are apparently on strike. In spite of the lack of editing it was an interesting story but due to the lack of editing I cannot give it a very high rating.

[Rhinehart J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thoroughly enjoyed the TV Series Blue Murder, this book doesn't seem that great that producers wold option it for a series, compared to many other good mysteries series out there. I found the editing to be very poor and the continual use of incomplete sentences drove me crazy. Typos, switching narrators without setting them up, and the non-stop drama of the main character were unsettling. Yes, people have problems, Sure, being a cop (or doctor, or other public servant) means being away from family a lot and there are many divorces among these careers, but do we always have to have a damaged family? And why is it that British police forces always seem to have a thoroughly despicable Superintendent or Chief Constable? Are none of them behind their people? Are they all career climbers without compassion or moral dictates? The second book in the series was slightly better but I don't know if I will take on the two after that. I suppose writers want to create a complete picture of their characters and that requires storylines that are interesting but can't they be so without being abnormally troubled in every way? Then there's the DI, Richard, that Janine seems to want to fall for, all philandering square inch of him. I guess Sherlock took cocaine, so that's the beginning of our defective detective mindset. As for the story itself, it did come together at the end but only after numerous threats to Janine that she had mere hours to solve it. Do real cases get solved in mere hours?

[Mrs B Proud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

Wow this was a fantastic story which grabbed me instantly. My first book by this author and Cath is up there with all the popular crime novelists. A very strong leading character newly promoted, six months pregnant having to overcome issues with her boss to prove her worth. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and a well deserved 5*. BP Sheffield

[Vicki Mencarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Murders

I loved this book !!! Great characters & super character development b! Kept me up all night reading the awesome twist & turns & a great 👍👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊😊story line !!! I always enjoy an excellent read !!!! I had a wonderful laugh at the very funny last paragraph as the main character ; the lead detective who lead her team of varied characters to solve the Blue Murder ; finally she could relax in a nice warm bath until her young daughter ran in saying ( Mom the washer is leaking !!!!Janine was very special detective who gets her man !!!😉 She works so well with her 2 main detectives , plus her whole team !!!! There's a little flirting & maybe romance too ladies !!! Also it's wonderful to have strong woman in a strong 💪💪💪💪💪job as lead detective !!!! Also there is a great antagonistic , in the form of her direct boss !!!! AWESOME !!!!! A+ 6 stars !!!! A great 👍👍👍👍👍😊😊😊😊😊book for all mystery or thriller book readers of all readers !!! 1 warning as it deals with very deep topics of wife abuse , & rape .... So I won't say anything more !!!! Enjoy !! !!! Vicki Mencarini 😀😀😀😀😀☺☺☺☺☺🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋

[Randall · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF the audiobook. Gave up on due to narrator. The solo narrator attempts to offer a distinct voice for every character in the book, and there are many. The result is a heavily accented, unintelligible, and painful garbled mess. There may be a good story here based on ratings of others, but I grew frustrated very quickly with trying to understand what the author had written.

Note to narrators:
As a listener I just want a clear recitation of the author's work, not some narrator's attempt at a parlor trick by showing how many voices they can do. Once you get past the first three, maybe four, you are left with others that sound ridiculous, are distracting, and painful to listen to, even if they can be understood. A change of inflection can work wonders for a narrator to signify a different character, without resorting to a unique voice for each character. The author's work should speak for itself, and not require a narrator's attempt at emoting to make it work.

[Lesa Beach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Janine Lewis book introduces her and her crazy life. She caught her husband in bed with the cleaner, but he leaves her and she's 6 months pregnant with child number 4. Her teenage son is surly, her 7 yr old daughter is a vegetarian, and her youngest boy asthmatic. She has a boss who resents her success as a woman DI and an old love interest is assigned to work with her.
The Death - A man is found dead with his gut opened up. Few clues and a few neighbors slow to report. Her suspects grow to 3 and her boss " the lemon" very quickly expects 1 or she's off the case. She's in charge of this murder and several other things demand her attention.

The story's characters reflect today's social problems which can be a little depressing. They made the story believable and gave it plenty of twists. I felt it worth reading and it held my interest.

[Mrs J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping crime thriller

Great introduction to DCI Janine Lewis. On her first case after promotion and heavily pregnant with all the issues of teenage children and other problems, she still managed to solve the case. There is that will she /won’t she go there with her DS as well as an undermining superior officer as well as a tricky murder case. A few twists and a build up in tension.
The characters come across as real and likeable and easily identified against the TV series. This was an enjoyable read and I could identify with the characters. Will follow up with others in the series.

[Kate Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up cheap, never having watched the TV series or heard of Cath Staincliffe before. It's a bit dated, but I enjoyed it, with some reservations. Janine Lewis is a strong and interesting character and I'd be interested to see how she develops in the rest of the series. Supporting characters were less well drawn, and there were a few too many of them, to the extent that I got muddled about who some of the suspects were, which detracted from the tension a bit. The plotting was a little scattered although ultimately it pulled together. Would read more if they come my way, but not immediately seeking them out.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

DCI Janine Lews, newly promoted in Manchester, tackles her first murder case as senior investigating officer when a Depute Head Teacher is stabbed. With a difficult home life and tackling sexism in the police, this is her chance to shine.

Unfortunately what could be a decent set up becomes a very average and predictable police procedural. There are several suspects, a hard case of a boss putting Janine pressure to solve the case and an old flame arriving to add a love interest. It all feels rather pedestrian.

[Nancy]

Meet Janine Lewis. A single mum of three and Manchester’s newest detective chief inspector. Her cheating husband walked out the day she got promoted. Now she’s six months pregnant with his baby and in charge of her first murder case.

The body of a deputy head teacher is found on a lonely allotment. Gutted — his stomach sliced open — and left for dead.

The only witnesses are a dying elderly man and a seven-year-old girl.

And now the prime suspect has disappeared . . .

Discover the books behind the hit ITV detective drama, starring Caroline Quentin.

Didn't read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positives:
-Interesting plot
-Believable characters
-Believable dialogue

Negatives:
-Too much text spent on extraneous and unnecessary characters
-Borderline too much family drama

I’d probably read Book 2.

Narrator Julia Franklin..2*. Her narrator voice was fine, but she gave various characters “color”… accents and quirky diction, so I totally missed large parts of what those characters added to the plot. I wish she’d given a higher priority to making her narration understandable.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable story line. A rather complicated murder with too many suspects but not quite enough evidence for an easy solve creates a great deal of stress for newly appointed DSI Janine. Being 6 months pregnant with 3 other children at home, a wayward ex-husband, a very prejudiced boss and a large handful of other personal problems does not make her life any easier. I have already acquired the next book in the series and will begin reading it later today.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this one. I didn't realize until the end that I'd seen the television series Blue Murder. I should have recognized early on the pregnant detective. In this one, a man is murdered on his allotment. A little girl witnesses someone at the time, but is scared to tell. The suspects are well-done. We really think it's the one, or the other, not not until the end do we see who it really was. A good read.

[Emily ☠️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging, twisty who done it. Predictable, with so many characters to keep track of. I still kept picking it up and finished it quickly.

This book was written in the early 2000s, it is a very hard read with regards to violence against women and the language around it. The stance on working Mums and pregnant women also highlights the differences in the last 2 decades. I would read more from this series and I hope the misogyny fades throughout the authors' more recent books.

[Charles Browne W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Blue murder. The plot progressed quickly and the outcome was well written and unexpected. The characterisations were believable and I finished the booking thinking that I wanted to read more about the characters described within. I enjoyed the writing and there were one or two moments of emotional intensity that I did not expect but which were believable.

[Jeanne G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good police

This book was fairly well written. They were a couple of grammatical errors, but nothing that stood out. I have to say this author sets the scene very well. She ties everything up at the end of the story. There was no steam in the book. I would definitely read another book by this author.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine is a newly separated mother of 3 kids plus one on the way. She has just been made DCI and has been given her first murder case.

A middle class deputy teacher has been stabbed at his allotment and Janine needs to discover why and who. She is against the clock as her senior officer thinks she can't cope with family and work.

[Rhona Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's okay

As I've seen the show, this is exactly the same as the show, nothing new added. A pity. I was expecting a little more but literally it was like watching the programme in my head, so not as exciting as a brand new crime police procedural novel. But it's not too long and easy to read so you can get through pretty quickly on a dark evening.
Recommended.

[Bud Mallar · Rating 3 out of 5]

first book in a new series.

A lot of characters for this old guy to keep up with, but the whodunit was well done given the three, or more, possible suspects.

Another view of an overworked heroine, single, three kids, pregnant and maybe a love interest.

Looking forward to #2, but some other stuff to finish up first.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Murder by Cath Staincliffe

Blue Murder by Cath Staincliffe is a really good read. I can still remember Caroline Quentin in the role of Detective Janine Lewis. A good storyline and memorable characters.
Highly recommended

[Mrs S Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very honestly written.

Didn’t like the beginning of this book, but stuck with it and have to admit to thoroughly enjoying it by the end.
I say honestly written as, despite her many external difficulties with family etc., the DCI stuck to the job and finally triumphed!

[Rachel Cacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and fast moving

Original, story line real. Characters all thoroughly encased and in order in the story. Many turns, all leading to logical solutions in your mind, a surprise ending. Well done!

[Lula Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Cop Delivers

Sometimes women have to work harder than men to make their mark. This female did so with one arm tied behind her back. She proved she could chew gum and work at the same time!

[Susan Knight]

This book is not encouraging for abused people.

Didn't like the fact of a woman & boy who had been raped, abused & tortured to be the killer. The batter woman's syndrome never was mentioned. Abuse on children are at a high rate.