Desperate Measures

Janine Lewis #4

by Cath Staincliffe

Respected Manchester GP Dr Don Halliwell is discovered brutally murdered one cloudy Autumn morning. Shot dead on the front door of his own practice, his shirt soaked in blood.

Then his colleague Dr Fraser McKee goes missing. McKee’s car is found at his home, violently smashed up. There’s blood inside.

That night McKee walks into the police station. ‘Somebody’s trying to kill me.’

But just as Detective Janine Lewis is following McKee’s trail, shocking new information comes to light. McKee and Halliwell had been seen screaming at each other, that very evening before Halliwell’s murder.

Is McKee really in danger, or is he trying to cover his tracks?

As the case continues, it becomes clear that there’s much more to both McKee and the late Halliwell than meets the eye. They both had more than one enemy, bloodthirsty for revenge.

It’s up to Janine to separate the murky truth from the lies — will she be able to find the killer before it’s too late . . . ?

Genres: Crime, Fiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

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

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperate Measures by Cath Staincliffe is Book 4 in the Detective Janine Lewis police mystery series. Each of the books in the series has been excellent and the storylines have all been completely different. All of the characters whether police or family have been strong characters with their own personalities.
Highly recommended

[Mary Ann Borrego · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a well written book with an excellent plot. The way the main character handles work plus four kids at home endears me to her. I was a stay at home mom with 6 kids. It was rough. How she manages a full time police job and her kids, is beyond me. She is a strict disciplinary figure at home and work. I like how all the characters partake in solving the crimes.

[Bud Mallar · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad, not great, like the first three in the series.

Too many possibilities in the whodunit, but that's probably real life for the cops trying to figure things out.

Like the others, thought it was more young adult, whereas I lean heavily in the Nordic Noir style.

Probably won't pick up on of her other series as there's too many on my TBR list to ever get to. So will try a new author.

[Sylvia Dinnage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate measures

I really like these books by Cath Staincliffe she weaves her stories through the disappoint ments of a new case and her detective Jannine runs her chaotic life with along side good detective work good book.

[Michael Cordery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story covering the demise of the local GP. A clearly self opiniated man who failed some younger patients. The question in the end is which patients' relative saw the poor doctor off. There is a twist at the end as there nearly always is. It's a short book and an easy read.

[Peter AvillEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have only recently discovered this author and have thoroughly enjoyed reading her books. I couldn't put it down once I started reading them . I will be recommending this author to m
friends.

[Gary Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps You Guessing!

Great book; loved the constant changing of a motive and therefore suspects. DCI Lewis, being a single mother, juggles the workload, frustrations, and her team's different personas very well!

[carol lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate measures

A really good read ..and one with a meaning ..not the every day murder of girl in woods etc.. But a book that the youngsters should read

[Debbie Lawrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really absorbing read. I enjoyed the characterisation and it was not overlong. I will keep my eyes open for future reads from this author.

[Rita J. McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

This is the latest book of the series and one of the best. Interesting characters and plots. Look forward to next book, assuming the series is continued.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there was more to this series.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Janine's latest adventure. Waiting for the next.
Julian Tremayner, Pocklington, East Yorkshire

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have reviewed this within the review I have done for the collection.
Suffice to say this has been the best of the collection! Be nice to see more from this stable with Janine and the team.

[Puzzle Doctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adaptation of an episode of the TV series Blue Murder but nonetheless, a gripping (if rather quick) read in its own right.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book of murder investigation for DCI Lewis, juggling family life with a senior police job.
The death of a GP uncovers a number of hidden issues.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing in this concise murder mystery.