What do you think?
Rate this book
Jackman & Evans #1-3
Detectives Jackman & Evans Books 1–3: The Murderer's Son / Their Lost Daughters / The Fourth Friend
BOOK 1: THE MURDERER’S SON
Twenty years ago, a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer. Now, a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes. Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder. But DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland police soon discover that there is a lot more to Daniel than meets the eye. Jackman and Evans must race against time to stop more lives being destroyed.
BOOK 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Two girls go to a party. Only one returns alive. Toni, the surviving teenager, is found deliriously wandering the muddy fields of the fens. She says she saw her friend Emily being dragged away from the party. But no one knows who Emily is or even if she’s still alive. Meanwhile the drowned body of another girl has been found on an isolated beach. And how does this all relate to the shocking disappearance of a little girl nearly a decade ago, a crime which was never solved? DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans are stretched to the limit as they try to bring the perpetrators of these shocking crimes to justice.
BOOK 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Police detective Carter McLean is the only survivor of a plane crash that kills his four best friends. He is left full of guilt and terrible flashbacks. For each of his four friends he decides to complete something that they left unfinished. Adding to the pressure, the boss’s niece has a stalker and Carter is put on this investigation. DS Marie Evans is the only person Carter can confide in. But even she begins to doubt whether he can really cope and whether he is actually losing his mind. Jackman and Evans face a battle to untangle the mysteries. Can they really believe their friend and colleague Carter?
Twenty years ago, a farmer and his wife are cut to pieces by a ruthless serial killer. Now, a woman is viciously stabbed to death in the kitchen of her beautiful house on the edge of the marshes. Then a man called Daniel Kinder walks into Saltern police station and confesses to the murder. But DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland police soon discover that there is a lot more to Daniel than meets the eye. Jackman and Evans must race against time to stop more lives being destroyed.
BOOK 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Two girls go to a party. Only one returns alive. Toni, the surviving teenager, is found deliriously wandering the muddy fields of the fens. She says she saw her friend Emily being dragged away from the party. But no one knows who Emily is or even if she’s still alive. Meanwhile the drowned body of another girl has been found on an isolated beach. And how does this all relate to the shocking disappearance of a little girl nearly a decade ago, a crime which was never solved? DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans are stretched to the limit as they try to bring the perpetrators of these shocking crimes to justice.
BOOK 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Police detective Carter McLean is the only survivor of a plane crash that kills his four best friends. He is left full of guilt and terrible flashbacks. For each of his four friends he decides to complete something that they left unfinished. Adding to the pressure, the boss’s niece has a stalker and Carter is put on this investigation. DS Marie Evans is the only person Carter can confide in. But even she begins to doubt whether he can really cope and whether he is actually losing his mind. Jackman and Evans face a battle to untangle the mysteries. Can they really believe their friend and colleague Carter?
917 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2022
661 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Joy Ellis
60 books2,426 followersJoy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 21, 2024
Fantastically written… Gripping. I write this at 2am!
I accidentally read a book, as recommended to me, which was an offshoot of these books. The character (main detective) in that book, is somewhere within this series I’m assured, Sam Helsdown is his name, though after 3 further books in a scant 2 days (around my mum staying, my toddler turning 3 & my autistic 12 year old I might add!) I’ve forgotten the name of it. It was a fantastic novel, & I read it almost in one sitting. I decided to see if there were more stories about him, & stumbled upon these books. Honestly, some of the best writing I’ve read in a long time!
Joy Ellis is a master of her craft. She appears to have encyclopaedic knowledge of Lincolnshire (where my sister has lived for 20 years now!) & is able to put her hand to describing beautifully the work of detectives, anthropologists, scientists, boat craftsmen/carpenters, & weave such varied worlds together wonderfully.
I have fibromyalgia, & have been unable to read for the last decade since it struck. I actually gave away almost my entire collection of hundreds of physical books just before Christmas, after years of being neglected & ignored. The only exception being a series by M.W Craven, which I highly recommend to anyone who is as enamoured with crime fiction & gripping, clever storylines as I am! But, I digress. I only recently discovered that I am able to read, as long as I do it on my phone, on dark mode so the page/writing colour is reversed. I’ve stuck to mainly fluff-type romance novels written as series, until the book about Sam Helsdown caught my attention. I enjoyed these three books far more. The editing, grammar & punctuation leave the other books lacking in my estimation, as I am a stickler for good grammar. However, these books are very professional & the genre is more to my taste, hence why I read the 3 books quite as quickly as I did. I’m moving onto the 4th in short order, but I’d better get a couple of hours sleep before my toddler climbs in with me around 5am!
Read the books; they’re fabulous. You won’t be disappointed!!
I accidentally read a book, as recommended to me, which was an offshoot of these books. The character (main detective) in that book, is somewhere within this series I’m assured, Sam Helsdown is his name, though after 3 further books in a scant 2 days (around my mum staying, my toddler turning 3 & my autistic 12 year old I might add!) I’ve forgotten the name of it. It was a fantastic novel, & I read it almost in one sitting. I decided to see if there were more stories about him, & stumbled upon these books. Honestly, some of the best writing I’ve read in a long time!
Joy Ellis is a master of her craft. She appears to have encyclopaedic knowledge of Lincolnshire (where my sister has lived for 20 years now!) & is able to put her hand to describing beautifully the work of detectives, anthropologists, scientists, boat craftsmen/carpenters, & weave such varied worlds together wonderfully.
I have fibromyalgia, & have been unable to read for the last decade since it struck. I actually gave away almost my entire collection of hundreds of physical books just before Christmas, after years of being neglected & ignored. The only exception being a series by M.W Craven, which I highly recommend to anyone who is as enamoured with crime fiction & gripping, clever storylines as I am! But, I digress. I only recently discovered that I am able to read, as long as I do it on my phone, on dark mode so the page/writing colour is reversed. I’ve stuck to mainly fluff-type romance novels written as series, until the book about Sam Helsdown caught my attention. I enjoyed these three books far more. The editing, grammar & punctuation leave the other books lacking in my estimation, as I am a stickler for good grammar. However, these books are very professional & the genre is more to my taste, hence why I read the 3 books quite as quickly as I did. I’m moving onto the 4th in short order, but I’d better get a couple of hours sleep before my toddler climbs in with me around 5am!
Read the books; they’re fabulous. You won’t be disappointed!!
March 27, 2024
4 Stars
The Jackman & Evans Series by Joy Ellis is definitely one that would make a great TV series as it has all the ingredients to keep you engrossed through each and every investigation/instalment.
DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans, and team- are well-developed and dynamic characters who really bring the series to life. They make a great team, which makes it easy to invest in them and the outcome of their investigations. I also appreciated how the characters continued to develop and grow over the course of the series.
The stories are, each, great thrilling mysteries full of intriguing details, clever touches, twists and turns, suspense, crime and investigation, and more. If you love a good mystery, then this is definitely a series you will want to check out.
The series contains:
-The Murderer’s Son (Book #1)
-Their Lost Daughters (Book #2)
-The Fourth Friend (Book #3)
-The Guilty Ones (Book #4)
-The Stolen Boys (Book #5)
-The Patient Man (Book #6)
-They Disappeared (Book #7)
-The Night Thief (Book #8)
-Solace House (Book #9)
-The River’s Edge (Book #10)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Joy Ellis!
The Jackman & Evans Series by Joy Ellis is definitely one that would make a great TV series as it has all the ingredients to keep you engrossed through each and every investigation/instalment.
DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans, and team- are well-developed and dynamic characters who really bring the series to life. They make a great team, which makes it easy to invest in them and the outcome of their investigations. I also appreciated how the characters continued to develop and grow over the course of the series.
The stories are, each, great thrilling mysteries full of intriguing details, clever touches, twists and turns, suspense, crime and investigation, and more. If you love a good mystery, then this is definitely a series you will want to check out.
The series contains:
-The Murderer’s Son (Book #1)
-Their Lost Daughters (Book #2)
-The Fourth Friend (Book #3)
-The Guilty Ones (Book #4)
-The Stolen Boys (Book #5)
-The Patient Man (Book #6)
-They Disappeared (Book #7)
-The Night Thief (Book #8)
-Solace House (Book #9)
-The River’s Edge (Book #10)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Joy Ellis!
March 28, 2023
This was such a good book. Though saying I enjoyed it may say something about me! At one point I think I actually gasped along with the team. The book was really well written and I could 'see' it running like a film in my head (always a sign of a book well written for me). I certainly wasn't expecting some of the revelations, which makes a change as I find most things telegraphed. I hope the next one is as good.
April 7, 2023
Three very good stories.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this box set. Joy Ellis really draws you into the characters and you feel that you are there alongside them. The chemistry between Jackman and Evans, whilst not romantic in any way, is very strong.
Great stories and all have a twist in the tail after an arduous journey to get to the truth. I have a feeling that I am going to read more of this series as they are so enthralling.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this box set. Joy Ellis really draws you into the characters and you feel that you are there alongside them. The chemistry between Jackman and Evans, whilst not romantic in any way, is very strong.
Great stories and all have a twist in the tail after an arduous journey to get to the truth. I have a feeling that I am going to read more of this series as they are so enthralling.
March 30, 2024
I have reviewed each story separately, so I will just say that these are three excellent British crime thrillers set in Fens.
Each story has a great plot and well-developed characters. I like how the relationships evolve and 'life' changes and moves on to various things.
Well-written, enjoyable and engaging.
Recommended.
Each story has a great plot and well-developed characters. I like how the relationships evolve and 'life' changes and moves on to various things.
Well-written, enjoyable and engaging.
Recommended.
November 6, 2022
Ready for more Jackman and Evans
This 3 book box set convinced me I need to read the rest of the books in this Joy Ellis Jackman and Evans series. I have already read Ellis's other series featuring Nikki Galena and I am hooked on author Joy Ellis.
This 3 book box set convinced me I need to read the rest of the books in this Joy Ellis Jackman and Evans series. I have already read Ellis's other series featuring Nikki Galena and I am hooked on author Joy Ellis.
March 4, 2023
Outstanding Mysteries!
Joy Ellis writes with flowing style and great character development. She effectively provides several suspects for consideration which builds suspense until the very end. Very enjoyable reads!
Joy Ellis writes with flowing style and great character development. She effectively provides several suspects for consideration which builds suspense until the very end. Very enjoyable reads!
March 16, 2023
Reread
As good a when I read them when I got my first kindle absorbing story lines wonderfully weaving the History and landscape of the Fens into the stories Joy Ellis is in a class of her own
As good a when I read them when I got my first kindle absorbing story lines wonderfully weaving the History and landscape of the Fens into the stories Joy Ellis is in a class of her own
March 5, 2025
Three really interesting stories
I liked all three books, but my favorite was the first one. I liked the last one, except it kind of had a fantasy quality to it, but the ending explained it.
I liked all three books, but my favorite was the first one. I liked the last one, except it kind of had a fantasy quality to it, but the ending explained it.
November 14, 2022
Brilliant
Each book was a fascinating read that kept me enthralled to the final page. Loved the characters and their relationships. Excellent reads.
Each book was a fascinating read that kept me enthralled to the final page. Loved the characters and their relationships. Excellent reads.
November 22, 2022
I loved it!
This is one of the best I've read in a long time! I intend to read the rest because I am hooked now.😁
This is one of the best I've read in a long time! I intend to read the rest because I am hooked now.😁
November 26, 2022
Brilliance by books
I'd like. to see more of Blackman and Marie so different to other detective stories .just great detectives .more please
I'd like. to see more of Blackman and Marie so different to other detective stories .just great detectives .more please
November 29, 2022
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed reading these books.It was easy to get into the story lines.It also wove a little of the Nicki Galena stories into the mix.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading these books.It was easy to get into the story lines.It also wove a little of the Nicki Galena stories into the mix.
November 30, 2022
Very suspenseful
One of best trio books I have read didn't want to stop reading and do anything else. Great trio stories
One of best trio books I have read didn't want to stop reading and do anything else. Great trio stories
February 23, 2023
Excellent. Started a little slow but kept you guessing til the end
November 7, 2023
Joy Ellis still a fav
Great read, although my heart is still in love the Galena series this proved to be another great story by Joy Ellis!
Great read, although my heart is still in love the Galena series this proved to be another great story by Joy Ellis!
December 31, 2023
Great stories
They all make a great team. You think you know what's going on, and then it all changes. The last book keeps you guessing right to the end. Did he didn't he?
They all make a great team. You think you know what's going on, and then it all changes. The last book keeps you guessing right to the end. Did he didn't he?
January 5, 2024
Good Mystery
Held my attention until book #3 and I figured out that Carter and his friends killed Suzanne about half way through.
Held my attention until book #3 and I figured out that Carter and his friends killed Suzanne about half way through.
February 10, 2024
The relationship between Jackman and Evans is great
Love Joy Ellis writing and all her characters
Love Joy Ellis writing and all her characters
March 13, 2024
Jackman and Evans
Brilliant and gripping read, didn’t want to put it down. Twists and turns, great detail, edge of your seat stuff.
Brilliant and gripping read, didn’t want to put it down. Twists and turns, great detail, edge of your seat stuff.
Read
October 22, 2024Real characters and storyline
I loved this book, great relatable characters and a twisting, turning storyline - but very believable. Can't wait to read more
I loved this book, great relatable characters and a twisting, turning storyline - but very believable. Can't wait to read more
November 17, 2024
Be Careful What You WishFor
This is a complicated book to figure out. The characters are well developed and it has a dramatic ending. I really enjoyed this book.
This is a complicated book to figure out. The characters are well developed and it has a dramatic ending. I really enjoyed this book.
June 8, 2025
Just finished The Lost Daughters. I really enjoy this series of books. I love the dynamics in the team and there is always a good story. Recommend.
July 19, 2025
Good stories
Enjoyed these books very different stories. Looking forward to reading more. Unusual twists and turns Gripping thrillers with human emotions as an aside
Enjoyed these books very different stories. Looking forward to reading more. Unusual twists and turns Gripping thrillers with human emotions as an aside
November 2, 2025
Just found this new author & books loving tgem
Want to read
January 9, 2024Best Joy Ellis book I have read to date
Loved this book. Hooked right from the start and could not put it down. Well done and thank you Joy for another fabulous read.
Loved this book. Hooked right from the start and could not put it down. Well done and thank you Joy for another fabulous read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews