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Yorkshire Murder Thrillers #3
Cold Heart
A series of bizarre crimes across the English city of Sheffield brings a police detective and a PI together in an increasingly dangerous game . . .
Liam Bennet has just quit the force to become a private detective—and to his frustration, his first case is a weird petty crime while his good friend acting DCI Liz Miller is assigned a murder. Two murders, in fact—one recent, the other involving a skeletonized body, but both linked by pictures of dice at the scenes.
After Liz is attacked on the job, Liam visits her in hospital and they discover another odd both Liam and the police are looking into teachers who’ve been victimised. Meanwhile, more dice keep turning up—though the crimes connected to them seem utterly random, ranging from the serious to the bizarre.
As the two close in on the mystery, will they be able to identify a pattern—or is their luck about to run out?
Liam Bennet has just quit the force to become a private detective—and to his frustration, his first case is a weird petty crime while his good friend acting DCI Liz Miller is assigned a murder. Two murders, in fact—one recent, the other involving a skeletonized body, but both linked by pictures of dice at the scenes.
After Liz is attacked on the job, Liam visits her in hospital and they discover another odd both Liam and the police are looking into teachers who’ve been victimised. Meanwhile, more dice keep turning up—though the crimes connected to them seem utterly random, ranging from the serious to the bizarre.
As the two close in on the mystery, will they be able to identify a pattern—or is their luck about to run out?
324 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2022
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 9, 2022
This is my first book by this author even though it is a third in a series I didn't have a problem reading it as a standalone.
It is a story about DCI Liam Bennett where we find him in his new career as a private investigator. He’d left the force after the death of his wife had left him deeply disturbed and the death of his neighbor who helped with babysitting of his son didn't help too. This is his first case in his new job and he is thrown back into working with his old friend and previous colleague Liz Miller - now acting DCI Liz Miller.
The author wrote a great book where the investigation, cases, and lives of the characters are masterfully incorporated. Hence, we have a chance to take a peek at both sides, professional and personal.
I was gripped from the start and totally enjoyed reading it. I want to thank the author and the publisher Bloodhound books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.
It is a story about DCI Liam Bennett where we find him in his new career as a private investigator. He’d left the force after the death of his wife had left him deeply disturbed and the death of his neighbor who helped with babysitting of his son didn't help too. This is his first case in his new job and he is thrown back into working with his old friend and previous colleague Liz Miller - now acting DCI Liz Miller.
The author wrote a great book where the investigation, cases, and lives of the characters are masterfully incorporated. Hence, we have a chance to take a peek at both sides, professional and personal.
I was gripped from the start and totally enjoyed reading it. I want to thank the author and the publisher Bloodhound books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.
August 4, 2022
I would like to thank the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone, I will definitely be reading the previous two books and recommending them to friends. I really enjoyed the book and I was not prepared for the end.
August 5, 2022
I was given an ARC of this book and didn't realise it was book 3 in the series. It didn't matter as its readable as a standalone book, but I will be going back and buying books 1 and 2. Its a gripping book and fast paced with good chapter cliffhangers. There was a surprise at the end that I wasn't expecting. An excellent read and you won't be disappointed
August 8, 2022
Thank you so much to Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this brilliant book!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 across the board. Story, plot, characterisation, mystery.
COLD HEART is the third book in this series by JANE HEAFIELD. But it is so well written that you absolutely do not need to have read the previous two books to enjoy this. I don’t know how author’s do it but Jane has worked her magic and I cannot wait to get my sticky little mitts on all of Jane’s novels.
The lead character is DCI Liam Bennett. However, we find him in his new career as a private investigator. He’d left the force after the death of his wife had left him deeply disturbed. This is his first case in his new job and he is thrown back into working with his old friend and previous colleague Liz Miller - now acting DCI Liz Miller.
The case is a good one and I have to say that I was gripped from the start. I really loved the way that the author had two storylines playing out, weaving in and out of one another. This made the book even more exciting and gave it a lovely light and shade.
First, of course, you have the criminal cases, but then you have the relationship between Liam and Liz. Their friendship is beautifully described. And although I was new to the characters, it didn’t take long for for me to feel like I really knew them both and was anxious to see what would happen next.
This is just my sort of book. I love it when a writer hooks you with a great mystery to unpick, and then gives you the gorgeous bonus of inhabiting the worlds of those tasked with investigating the crimes. For me, books are like friends, they allow me to escape to somewhere new. When written well, like this novel most definitely is, they also provide me with new friends to get to know and eventually to fall in love with. I am so grateful that this book fell into my lap as I cannot wait to read the previous two and to wait impatiently for others in the series.
This is a superbly gripping read. I binge read it in a couple of days. Much to the annoyance of my family, especially my dogs. I love to think that I can work out a good mystery like a wannabe Miss Marple. But, Jane HEAFIELD outwitted my powers of deduction and the ending knocked me sideways! So much so, I have actually started to re-read the whole book. As an aspiring crime writer, I had to study it all again, to see how I could learn from Jane’s skilful delivery, her deception and the frustratingly clever web she weaves to tangle her unsuspecting readers in.
Thanks again to JANE HEAFIELD and the gem that is Bloodhound Books and the whole team there for sending me this little slice of criminally good reading!
CJ Carey on Facebook @criminallygoodreads
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 across the board. Story, plot, characterisation, mystery.
COLD HEART is the third book in this series by JANE HEAFIELD. But it is so well written that you absolutely do not need to have read the previous two books to enjoy this. I don’t know how author’s do it but Jane has worked her magic and I cannot wait to get my sticky little mitts on all of Jane’s novels.
The lead character is DCI Liam Bennett. However, we find him in his new career as a private investigator. He’d left the force after the death of his wife had left him deeply disturbed. This is his first case in his new job and he is thrown back into working with his old friend and previous colleague Liz Miller - now acting DCI Liz Miller.
The case is a good one and I have to say that I was gripped from the start. I really loved the way that the author had two storylines playing out, weaving in and out of one another. This made the book even more exciting and gave it a lovely light and shade.
First, of course, you have the criminal cases, but then you have the relationship between Liam and Liz. Their friendship is beautifully described. And although I was new to the characters, it didn’t take long for for me to feel like I really knew them both and was anxious to see what would happen next.
This is just my sort of book. I love it when a writer hooks you with a great mystery to unpick, and then gives you the gorgeous bonus of inhabiting the worlds of those tasked with investigating the crimes. For me, books are like friends, they allow me to escape to somewhere new. When written well, like this novel most definitely is, they also provide me with new friends to get to know and eventually to fall in love with. I am so grateful that this book fell into my lap as I cannot wait to read the previous two and to wait impatiently for others in the series.
This is a superbly gripping read. I binge read it in a couple of days. Much to the annoyance of my family, especially my dogs. I love to think that I can work out a good mystery like a wannabe Miss Marple. But, Jane HEAFIELD outwitted my powers of deduction and the ending knocked me sideways! So much so, I have actually started to re-read the whole book. As an aspiring crime writer, I had to study it all again, to see how I could learn from Jane’s skilful delivery, her deception and the frustratingly clever web she weaves to tangle her unsuspecting readers in.
Thanks again to JANE HEAFIELD and the gem that is Bloodhound Books and the whole team there for sending me this little slice of criminally good reading!
CJ Carey on Facebook @criminallygoodreads
August 13, 2022
DCI Liam Bennet is finishing up the last of his cases before leaving the police to become a PI, a decision made after realizing how little time he was spending with his eleven-year-old son Joe. Acting DCI Liz Miller helps out with the lad since the death of Liam’s close neighbour and babysitter Patricia three weeks ago and they have become close friends. Whilst at Liam’s one day she gets a call to a crime scene. The skeletonized body of a man has been found at a community centre in the same place as she investigated a large bloodstain left by him three years ago. The homeless man, James Breakspear, was never traced alive or dead and further investigation now strangely shows his sister has been living rough in the same place. While Bennet’s first case as a PI is the sexual assault of a handbag (that’s got your interest!) Liz also works on a nasty rape case. Then another murder, this time a pub owner, occurs and she finds a link between all three cases, together with an arson and kidnap as well. Soon Liz herself is attacked. A dice has been left at all the crime scenes but what do the different numbers mean? Does everything in this bizarre series of crimes depend on the roll of a dice?
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this story as much as previous ones now Bennet is in his new role but fortunately the action still centres on the police investigation and he is as involved with Liz as much as ever. They make a great team, both personally and professionally. I have to admit the ending came as a complete, if slightly ambiguous, shock and I sincerely hope there will be more to come in this excellent series. 5*
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this story as much as previous ones now Bennet is in his new role but fortunately the action still centres on the police investigation and he is as involved with Liz as much as ever. They make a great team, both personally and professionally. I have to admit the ending came as a complete, if slightly ambiguous, shock and I sincerely hope there will be more to come in this excellent series. 5*
August 5, 2022
This is the third book in this series and my favourite. You dont have to read the previous 2 prior to this but it does help to get a full understanding of the background of the characters.
DCI Liam Bennett is back again, but after the death of his estranged wife he resigned from the police and is now a private investigator. His first case has him back working alongside his old colleagues and his friend Liz who has been promoted to Acting DCI. The main storyline is very cleverly written and had me hooked straight away. The other storyline was the friendship between Liam and Liz, and waiting to see how that would progress.
This book was a real page turner and I enjoyed learning more about the characters and wondering if Liz and Liam would finally get together romantically. Without giving away any spoilers the ending threw me a curve ball and floored me. So much so I had to reread to ensure I had read it correctly.
Fabulous book, highly recommend.
DCI Liam Bennett is back again, but after the death of his estranged wife he resigned from the police and is now a private investigator. His first case has him back working alongside his old colleagues and his friend Liz who has been promoted to Acting DCI. The main storyline is very cleverly written and had me hooked straight away. The other storyline was the friendship between Liam and Liz, and waiting to see how that would progress.
This book was a real page turner and I enjoyed learning more about the characters and wondering if Liz and Liam would finally get together romantically. Without giving away any spoilers the ending threw me a curve ball and floored me. So much so I had to reread to ensure I had read it correctly.
Fabulous book, highly recommend.
August 11, 2022
Reading the Dice
This is the third in a series. I have not read the first two. Nonetheless, the lead characters are well developed and attract your attention. They are Liam Bennett and Liz Miller.
Liam has lost his wife previously in a complex murder case and his neighbour who was caring for his young son Joe died recently from a heart attack. He is retiring to become a PI. Liz Miller is an Acting Detective Inspector and is the lead character in pursuing the crimes that follow.
A mixture of crimes occur, murder, rape , mischief, that are interconnected by dice left at the scenes, each with a number but no indication of what they represent. Unravelling these mysteries challenges their investigative skills. And the relationship between Liam and Liz is also a developing focus as the novel progresses.
An excellent crime novel. Recommended.
I was provided with an Advance Review Copy of this novel by Bloodhound Books.
This is the third in a series. I have not read the first two. Nonetheless, the lead characters are well developed and attract your attention. They are Liam Bennett and Liz Miller.
Liam has lost his wife previously in a complex murder case and his neighbour who was caring for his young son Joe died recently from a heart attack. He is retiring to become a PI. Liz Miller is an Acting Detective Inspector and is the lead character in pursuing the crimes that follow.
A mixture of crimes occur, murder, rape , mischief, that are interconnected by dice left at the scenes, each with a number but no indication of what they represent. Unravelling these mysteries challenges their investigative skills. And the relationship between Liam and Liz is also a developing focus as the novel progresses.
An excellent crime novel. Recommended.
I was provided with an Advance Review Copy of this novel by Bloodhound Books.
August 2, 2022
I received an advance copy of this book from bloodhound publishers and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the third in the series and focuses on liz and Bennett. Liz is a DCI with the police while Bennett has recently left the force and is attempting a new career as a PI. The book is primarily written from Liz point of view which I enjoyed as she was notably absent from the second book.
The story centres around mysterious crimes which are committed around Sheffield all of which are seemingly unconnected apart from a set of dice. As Liz investigates her cases begin to intertwine with Bennetts.
The plot is very clever, I loved the concept and the characters are well written and have been gradually developing over the three books. The ending was a complete shock and totally unexpected!
I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author.
This is the third in the series and focuses on liz and Bennett. Liz is a DCI with the police while Bennett has recently left the force and is attempting a new career as a PI. The book is primarily written from Liz point of view which I enjoyed as she was notably absent from the second book.
The story centres around mysterious crimes which are committed around Sheffield all of which are seemingly unconnected apart from a set of dice. As Liz investigates her cases begin to intertwine with Bennetts.
The plot is very clever, I loved the concept and the characters are well written and have been gradually developing over the three books. The ending was a complete shock and totally unexpected!
I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author.
August 3, 2022
Acting DCI Liz Miller is called to a community centre where the skeletal body of a man has been bashed in with a baby's car seat. The strange thing is that the body had been brought there to "kill" it like that, but also it was the scene of a mystery blood pool three years before.
Liz and her team find in the course of their investigation that this is linked to some other crimes, some that haven't even been reported as they are so odd. Her old rival Liam Bennett has left the force and become a private eye. He is asked to investigate a case of where a woman has had her handbag defiled by a online date. When he catches up with Liz, it becomes clear that this is part of the odd crime spree happening.
As time moves on, the crimes become stranger and no one is safe until the murderer is caught.
Interesting read
Liz and her team find in the course of their investigation that this is linked to some other crimes, some that haven't even been reported as they are so odd. Her old rival Liam Bennett has left the force and become a private eye. He is asked to investigate a case of where a woman has had her handbag defiled by a online date. When he catches up with Liz, it becomes clear that this is part of the odd crime spree happening.
As time moves on, the crimes become stranger and no one is safe until the murderer is caught.
Interesting read
August 8, 2022
This book comes out Augus 8, of 2022, The paperback come out July 25th of 2022. This is when you begin to meet the character in the story solving crimes. Liam Bennet, a tall handsome man in his 40, who is a single parent to an intelligent son name Joe, Joe is now 11-year-old. Joe's mother was murder and Liam solved the case. Now, Liam is working his last case before he takes on to become a private investigator. Liz Miller is a Detective Inspector Liz Miller she a pretty woman on the force with quick witty. a real go getter, and a woman in her element as a crime solver. Liam and Liz both love the job of work and solving crimes This is a story of a killer playing games of murder, or should I say murders, and why this is book is must-read. I enjoy the working of these two-character Liz Miller & Liam Bennet.
August 1, 2022
I hadn't read the first books in this series but although this is the third one, it didn't make a difference and i had no issues reading it as a standalone.
I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters of Liz and Liam, and expecially the interactions between the 2 and also their interactions with Liam's son Joe. The seemingly random crimes and murders had me totally baffled and I was shocked at the motivation behind everything when it's finally unravelled. I found the story flowed very well and I didn't want to stop reading and go to work! I already am wondering if there's going to be another in the series and if so, hopefully there's not too long to wait.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters of Liz and Liam, and expecially the interactions between the 2 and also their interactions with Liam's son Joe. The seemingly random crimes and murders had me totally baffled and I was shocked at the motivation behind everything when it's finally unravelled. I found the story flowed very well and I didn't want to stop reading and go to work! I already am wondering if there's going to be another in the series and if so, hopefully there's not too long to wait.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
August 3, 2022
This book is a bit of a slow burner and also slow reading to begin with however having read other Jane Heafield books, I stuck with it and am glad I did. There is a point where it all starts to slot into place and you are then in for a great story.
Different things are happening throughout Sheffield - death, murder, rape and abuse however there seems to be no common link to them all other than for a die left at each scene in various forms and all with random numbers. Liz Miller and her team are baffled and even with the help of her ex boss Liam Bennett, they seem to be getting nowhere and then it all begins to click into place in a very bizarre way!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Different things are happening throughout Sheffield - death, murder, rape and abuse however there seems to be no common link to them all other than for a die left at each scene in various forms and all with random numbers. Liz Miller and her team are baffled and even with the help of her ex boss Liam Bennett, they seem to be getting nowhere and then it all begins to click into place in a very bizarre way!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
August 8, 2022
I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from her first book I picked up. This is a well written story about a series of crimes that brings the PI into a deadly game that they may not be able to win. I enjoyed how the author's use of details pulled me into the story from the start. Her writing skills bring life to the story which made it easy and entertaining to read. The characters are not only connectable but also kept the story engaging. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story. I highly recommend reading this book to find out the end game of these crimes.
August 8, 2022
Another great book from this author, the third instalment though could be read as a stand-alone. Well written storyline that started slowly but certainly picked up pace and having read previous books by the author I knew it wouldn’t disappoint.I won’t write about the storyline as I feel this is the job of a blurb, the peak your interest and draw you in, I will say some twists and turns along the way that I wasn’t expecting, this kept things ticking over and left me eagerly reading and wanting to see how it would all end.
August 5, 2022
I didn't realise that this was part of a series, you can definitely read it as a stand alone, although I felt there was a back story I'd missed out on.
I enjoyed reading this, lots of twists and turns, I kept thinking that I knew where the plot was going, I really didn't!
And what an ending, I'll say no more other than this is well worth a read!
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for my ARC in return for my honest review
I enjoyed reading this, lots of twists and turns, I kept thinking that I knew where the plot was going, I really didn't!
And what an ending, I'll say no more other than this is well worth a read!
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for my ARC in return for my honest review
August 9, 2022
cold heart by Jane Heafield.
The Yorkshire Murder Thrillers Book 3.
Liam Bennet has just quit the force to become a private detective—and to his frustration, his first case is a weird petty crime while his good friend acting DCI Liz Miller is assigned a murder. Two murders, in fact—one recent, the other involving a skeletonized body, but both linked by pictures of dice at the scenes.
I did enjoy this book. I liked Liam and Liz. I liked how they were with each other. 5*.
The Yorkshire Murder Thrillers Book 3.
Liam Bennet has just quit the force to become a private detective—and to his frustration, his first case is a weird petty crime while his good friend acting DCI Liz Miller is assigned a murder. Two murders, in fact—one recent, the other involving a skeletonized body, but both linked by pictures of dice at the scenes.
I did enjoy this book. I liked Liam and Liz. I liked how they were with each other. 5*.
August 2, 2022
What a fantastic book! I was gripped from the start and read late into the night to finish it. I am still a bit shellshocked by the ending, I had to re read the last chapter. It is the third book in the series but it read perfectly well as a standalone. I hope there will be a fourth book, I really want to catch up with the characters.
August 2, 2022
A very Good Read
This is the 3rd book in the series and the 2nd book I have read by this author, however it makes a good read as a stand alone if you have not read any of the others.
I enjoyed it very much, a good story line which flowed well, the twist at the end was disturbing but very good.
I will definately be reading the rest of this series.
This book is well worth a read.
This is the 3rd book in the series and the 2nd book I have read by this author, however it makes a good read as a stand alone if you have not read any of the others.
I enjoyed it very much, a good story line which flowed well, the twist at the end was disturbing but very good.
I will definately be reading the rest of this series.
This book is well worth a read.
August 6, 2022
A good solid detective thriller with a nice fast pace and side story to get to know the characters more.
The premise about a serial killer kept me guessing and The setting was so normal it was like reading from a newspaper.
Characters were well written and the style of writing was captivating but oh my god I hated the end!!! No spoilers here though.
The premise about a serial killer kept me guessing and The setting was so normal it was like reading from a newspaper.
Characters were well written and the style of writing was captivating but oh my god I hated the end!!! No spoilers here though.
August 11, 2022
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
This was the third book in a series, but I hadn't read the first two books and feel this can be read as a stand alone.
This book had a very interesting plot for the murder motive.
I was very intrigued.
Very unique.
I definitely want to go back and read the first two books in this series now.
This was the third book in a series, but I hadn't read the first two books and feel this can be read as a stand alone.
This book had a very interesting plot for the murder motive.
I was very intrigued.
Very unique.
I definitely want to go back and read the first two books in this series now.
August 8, 2022
This book had everything I enjoy in a crime story. Strong main characters, lots of action and a knotty puzzle to solve.
I certainly will be reading the author's other books at the earliest opportunity!
Highly recommended!
Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the eARC of this book.
I certainly will be reading the author's other books at the earliest opportunity!
Highly recommended!
Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the eARC of this book.
August 9, 2022
Super book, which I really enjoyed reading even though I’d not read the others in the series. I read it very quickly and loved all the characters.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for the chance to read it before publication.
Highly recommended
Thanks to Bloodhound books for the chance to read it before publication.
Highly recommended
August 6, 2022
4 1/2 stars
December 19, 2025
Hmm, somewhat too predictable and too slow.
December 29, 2022
This is certainly a great well written thriller, although part of a series, works as a standalone book.
A well written clever storyline, with a very twisty plot and I also loved the characters, descriptive and revelations. A book once you start you just want to know what happens.
I very much enjoyed this book from beginning to end and it kept me guessing .
Definitely recommend this thriller.
This is my honest unbiased review my thanks to Bloodhound books for the copy.
A well written clever storyline, with a very twisty plot and I also loved the characters, descriptive and revelations. A book once you start you just want to know what happens.
I very much enjoyed this book from beginning to end and it kept me guessing .
Definitely recommend this thriller.
This is my honest unbiased review my thanks to Bloodhound books for the copy.
August 8, 2022
The chemistry between DCI Liz Miller and now private detective Liam Bennet can't be hidden as they come together to solve some really bizarre mysteries that are happening around town. The creativity of the crimes that are described combined with the way they are being chosen shows how creative this author is when writing. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.
August 8, 2022
While this was an interesting mystery to read, it was scattered from the start both in storyline and characters. The setting of Sheffield as the backdrop helped to save the ongoing issues in the novel but still has a ways to go before getting crisp.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews