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DCI Sophie Allen #5
Twisted Crimes
Sylvia and Ted Armitage, a retired couple, attend the wrong funeral service by mistake. A month later their daughter returns from holiday to find them missing.
The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
When another body is found in the same area, DCI Sophie Allen must use all her investigative skills to unravel the connections between these very different victims. Some of the suspects are involved in shady deals and corruption, others are masking dark family secrets.
Sophie is joined by two new police officers, Rose Simons and George Warrander, who will transform her team.
The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
When another body is found in the same area, DCI Sophie Allen must use all her investigative skills to unravel the connections between these very different victims. Some of the suspects are involved in shady deals and corruption, others are masking dark family secrets.
Sophie is joined by two new police officers, Rose Simons and George Warrander, who will transform her team.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published January 11, 2017
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January 20, 2024
EXCERPT: MONDAY - Week 1
Sharon Giroux was starting to feel worried. She was standing in the front porch of her parents' bungalow in Blandford having rung the doorbell three times, and still there was no response. The bell was most certainly working. The sounds of the electronic chimes had carried clearly through the door, but no movement could be seen through the thick, patterned glass. She pressed her nose to the door and tried the bell one last time. Nothing. Sighing, she opened the zip on her shoulder bag and felt through its various contents to the smaller inner compartment, extracting the keys kept inside. Nothing serious could have happened to her parents, surely? Admittedly she hadn't seen them for two weeks, having returned from holiday with her own family only the previous day. They hadn't answered her phone call, made immediately after she and Pierre had put their two young children to bed, and that was strange. Her parents rarely went out on a Sunday evening, not with one of their favorite historical dramas being broadcast mid-evening. There had been no time to check on them earlier in the day, not with her own return to work and its incessant pressures. A GPs working life is one continuous log jam of problems that require immediate action, especially after a fortnight's absence.
Sharon turned the key in the lock and opened the door. 'Mum? Dad?' she called. There was no answer, no sound of movement. The air seemed slightly stale as if no window had been opened for days.
ABOUT 'TWISTEDCRIMES': Sylvia and Ted Armitage, a retired couple, attend the wrong funeral service by mistake. A month later their daughter returns from holiday to find them missing.
The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
When another body is found in the same area, DCI Sophie Allen must use all her investigative skills to unravel the connections between these very different victims. Some of the suspects are involved in shady deals and corruption, others are masking dark family secrets.
Sophie is joined by two new police officers, Rose Simons and George Warrander, who will transform her team.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a series I am enjoying playing catch-up on. But, IMHO, it is far better read than listened to. Narrator, Cat Gould, sounds like she is trying to jolly along a class of reluctant kindergarteners.
This is a well written addition to the series, but it does have a few minuses, for me anyway. So, let's get them out of the way first. The synopsis gives far too much of the plot away. It should have ended with the sentence: They appear to have committed suicide, but forensic evidence suggests otherwise. I feel it is all too easy to rely on 'organised crime' as a solution. Although, in the author's defence, he does demonstrate just how easy it is for ordinary people to become caught up and then ensnared in these organisations. The ending felt a little messy - I expected more. I had a few unanswered questions at the end.
On the plus side, there are quite a few twists and turns as the story progresses and the final one I certainly didn't see coming.
I like Sophie Allen. She is a kind and nurturing person, both professionally and personally. She is also very smart and resourceful, not afraid to turn to her mentors when she needs advice or wants to thrash something out. She is compassionate and encourages her team to be the best they can be.
While this is a series, each book is able to stand on its own. There are occasional references to past cases, but any information needed to understand the reference is provided.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#TwistedCrimes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I write crime/mystery stories which are more than simple whodunnits, stories that probe below the surface. I want my readers to feel part of the world that I create in my books, to relate to my characters and to be catalysed into feeling an emotional response to the events that I describe. I’d better explain that I dislike gender stereotypes and the portrayal of women as victims. Be prepared to meet women engineers and scientists, along with men who are receptionists. Victims may be from any gender.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Twisted Crimes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Sharon Giroux was starting to feel worried. She was standing in the front porch of her parents' bungalow in Blandford having rung the doorbell three times, and still there was no response. The bell was most certainly working. The sounds of the electronic chimes had carried clearly through the door, but no movement could be seen through the thick, patterned glass. She pressed her nose to the door and tried the bell one last time. Nothing. Sighing, she opened the zip on her shoulder bag and felt through its various contents to the smaller inner compartment, extracting the keys kept inside. Nothing serious could have happened to her parents, surely? Admittedly she hadn't seen them for two weeks, having returned from holiday with her own family only the previous day. They hadn't answered her phone call, made immediately after she and Pierre had put their two young children to bed, and that was strange. Her parents rarely went out on a Sunday evening, not with one of their favorite historical dramas being broadcast mid-evening. There had been no time to check on them earlier in the day, not with her own return to work and its incessant pressures. A GPs working life is one continuous log jam of problems that require immediate action, especially after a fortnight's absence.
Sharon turned the key in the lock and opened the door. 'Mum? Dad?' she called. There was no answer, no sound of movement. The air seemed slightly stale as if no window had been opened for days.
ABOUT 'TWISTEDCRIMES': Sylvia and Ted Armitage, a retired couple, attend the wrong funeral service by mistake. A month later their daughter returns from holiday to find them missing.
The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
When another body is found in the same area, DCI Sophie Allen must use all her investigative skills to unravel the connections between these very different victims. Some of the suspects are involved in shady deals and corruption, others are masking dark family secrets.
Sophie is joined by two new police officers, Rose Simons and George Warrander, who will transform her team.
MY THOUGHTS: This is a series I am enjoying playing catch-up on. But, IMHO, it is far better read than listened to. Narrator, Cat Gould, sounds like she is trying to jolly along a class of reluctant kindergarteners.
This is a well written addition to the series, but it does have a few minuses, for me anyway. So, let's get them out of the way first. The synopsis gives far too much of the plot away. It should have ended with the sentence: They appear to have committed suicide, but forensic evidence suggests otherwise. I feel it is all too easy to rely on 'organised crime' as a solution. Although, in the author's defence, he does demonstrate just how easy it is for ordinary people to become caught up and then ensnared in these organisations. The ending felt a little messy - I expected more. I had a few unanswered questions at the end.
On the plus side, there are quite a few twists and turns as the story progresses and the final one I certainly didn't see coming.
I like Sophie Allen. She is a kind and nurturing person, both professionally and personally. She is also very smart and resourceful, not afraid to turn to her mentors when she needs advice or wants to thrash something out. She is compassionate and encourages her team to be the best they can be.
While this is a series, each book is able to stand on its own. There are occasional references to past cases, but any information needed to understand the reference is provided.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#TwistedCrimes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I write crime/mystery stories which are more than simple whodunnits, stories that probe below the surface. I want my readers to feel part of the world that I create in my books, to relate to my characters and to be catalysed into feeling an emotional response to the events that I describe. I’d better explain that I dislike gender stereotypes and the portrayal of women as victims. Be prepared to meet women engineers and scientists, along with men who are receptionists. Victims may be from any gender.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Twisted Crimes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
May 28, 2018
I thought that this British police procedural was well written and kept my interest throughout. It is book 5 in the DCI Sophie Allen series. I think that it worked ok as a stand alone, although there were references to incidents in previous books. There is very little violence and I would classify it as a cozy mystery.
The book opens with an elderly couple going to a funeral for an out of town friend. They arrive early and enter into another funeral service, where they are made to feel unwelcome. A little more than a month later their bodies are found in a remote part of a nature reserve. DCI Allen and her team work to find out what happened as they realize that their deaths, although made to look like suicide, was actually murder.
About halfway through the book, DCI Allen realizes that there is a mole in the police sabotaging her team. There are many twists and turns in this absorbing mystery, as her team puts together the pieces of a puzzle. I thought the ending resolved all the plot threads very well.
Two quotes:
Detectives--"Blackman and McCluskie-detectives from the Far Side. Don't you mean the Dark Side? No, I mean the Far Side. They're a joke."
The Investigation--"We have so many loose ends it's like a tangled ball of wool at the moment."
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book.
A solid 4 out 5 stars.
The book opens with an elderly couple going to a funeral for an out of town friend. They arrive early and enter into another funeral service, where they are made to feel unwelcome. A little more than a month later their bodies are found in a remote part of a nature reserve. DCI Allen and her team work to find out what happened as they realize that their deaths, although made to look like suicide, was actually murder.
About halfway through the book, DCI Allen realizes that there is a mole in the police sabotaging her team. There are many twists and turns in this absorbing mystery, as her team puts together the pieces of a puzzle. I thought the ending resolved all the plot threads very well.
Two quotes:
Detectives--"Blackman and McCluskie-detectives from the Far Side. Don't you mean the Dark Side? No, I mean the Far Side. They're a joke."
The Investigation--"We have so many loose ends it's like a tangled ball of wool at the moment."
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book.
A solid 4 out 5 stars.
February 5, 2017
An elderly couple are found dead in their car in a very remote area. There is a hose from the exhaust into the interior of the car. Suicide? Murder/Suicide? Murder?
Forensic evidence suggests murder. Who would want this sweet elderly couple dead?
Their grown daughter had been on vacation with her husband and found her parents missing when she arrived home. Her brother evidently hadn't really missed them, but then, he has his own issues .. mainly drugs and partying.
DCI Sophie Allen returns in this 5th of a series. It is up to her and her team to determine the what and why. They only have one starting point ... they attended the wrong funeral service shortly before they disappeared. Who .. or what ... did they see or hear that would pressure someone to kill them?
During the course of their investigation, they run into a shady organization, but what worries Sophie more is that there is a mole within the police.
Two new members of her team are introduced. Rose Simons and George Warrander ... they will change the team dynamics.
This is a well-written welcome addition to the series. Fast-paced with lots of action will keep the reader rapidly turning pages to see what happens next. There are surprising twists and turns.
I wish to thank the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the Uncorrected Proof of TWISTED CRIMES. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
Forensic evidence suggests murder. Who would want this sweet elderly couple dead?
Their grown daughter had been on vacation with her husband and found her parents missing when she arrived home. Her brother evidently hadn't really missed them, but then, he has his own issues .. mainly drugs and partying.
DCI Sophie Allen returns in this 5th of a series. It is up to her and her team to determine the what and why. They only have one starting point ... they attended the wrong funeral service shortly before they disappeared. Who .. or what ... did they see or hear that would pressure someone to kill them?
During the course of their investigation, they run into a shady organization, but what worries Sophie more is that there is a mole within the police.
Two new members of her team are introduced. Rose Simons and George Warrander ... they will change the team dynamics.
This is a well-written welcome addition to the series. Fast-paced with lots of action will keep the reader rapidly turning pages to see what happens next. There are surprising twists and turns.
I wish to thank the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the Uncorrected Proof of TWISTED CRIMES. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
May 8, 2019
"Top notch police procedural"
Once again Sophie Allen and her team strike gold. The settings don't change much in this series but the personnel do. I like the way that characters from previous stories are recalled to assist in the latest murder case. It keeps things fresh and opens up loads of opportunities for development across a long-running series. More of the same, please.
Once again Sophie Allen and her team strike gold. The settings don't change much in this series but the personnel do. I like the way that characters from previous stories are recalled to assist in the latest murder case. It keeps things fresh and opens up loads of opportunities for development across a long-running series. More of the same, please.
February 4, 2021
Another really good book in this series!
January 14, 2017
Twisted Crimes by Michael Hambling is a mystery and thriller read.
Sylvia and Ted Armitage, a retired couple, attend the wrong funeral service by mistake. A month later their daughter returns from holiday to find them missing. The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady business organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
I really enjoyed this book. The story had me from the start and i was not sure about the parents. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
Sylvia and Ted Armitage, a retired couple, attend the wrong funeral service by mistake. A month later their daughter returns from holiday to find them missing. The police make little headway in tracing their whereabouts until their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the middle of a copse in a tranquil nature reserve. They appear to have committed suicide, but some of the forensic evidence suggests otherwise. The police slowly make progress and find several links to a shady business organisation that owns a string of bars, clubs and cafes.
I really enjoyed this book. The story had me from the start and i was not sure about the parents. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
February 11, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
This was a quick, exciting read. Entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this book.
This was a quick, exciting read. Entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this book.
June 2, 2020
SPOILER ALERT
A seemingly innocuous mistake by an elderly couple, Sylvia and Edward Armitage, attending a commitment that was sandwiched between one funeral and the one they had travelled to attend leads to their murder. There do not appear to be reasons for the murder unless one of the children did it for the inheritance. Their mother was contemplating a large charitable donation instead of leaving any to the son, Rod. He had borrowed money from them, from his sister, and stolen from their uncle Pete Armitage. But as the investigation progresses and they eliminate the Sharon and Pierre, she a GP, and Rod the wastrel, they find more and more connections to a firm that skirts the edge of crime and is connected to the infamous Ricky Frimwell, the nasty piece of work that DCI Sophie Allen put in jail. He seems to be running the firm from inside, when in reality his wife and her twin sister, who recruit the wife of another firm employee, Gordon Mitchell, have taken over the company. They proceed to kick out the son of the patriarch, Philip, whose funeral commitment the Armitages wronging attended. While there they witness a Councilman Thomas Blythe who is on the take accepting a bribe. They really don't register the transaction, but he panics, Wayne Woodruff panics. Tony Sorrento panics when his car is seen by Sophie close to the scene of the crime. and as he contemplates taking over from Wayne who is becoming more and more unstable, he is killed.
Rod was a sometime employee of Pete's, and both were involved in stealing from the homes they were decorating. Toffee Barber, the manager of the Casino Club fenced the items. The son and Pete were aware of the murders, if not directly involved.
DS Barry Marsh proposes to DS Gwen. PC George Warrender and Sgt Rosie Simons assist the team. Barry is confronted with his long time friend DI Bob Thompson, a bent copper, in league with the Woodruffs and Blythe. DC Rae Gregson has a new boyfriend. DS Phil McLuskie who Sophie had demoted and is now trying to control, and his partner DS Stu Blackman are brought in to assist though Sophie really doesn't want them around. All in all a good story, complex and shifting back and forth with the suspects, until Barry figures it out. I do like these characterss.
A seemingly innocuous mistake by an elderly couple, Sylvia and Edward Armitage, attending a commitment that was sandwiched between one funeral and the one they had travelled to attend leads to their murder. There do not appear to be reasons for the murder unless one of the children did it for the inheritance. Their mother was contemplating a large charitable donation instead of leaving any to the son, Rod. He had borrowed money from them, from his sister, and stolen from their uncle Pete Armitage. But as the investigation progresses and they eliminate the Sharon and Pierre, she a GP, and Rod the wastrel, they find more and more connections to a firm that skirts the edge of crime and is connected to the infamous Ricky Frimwell, the nasty piece of work that DCI Sophie Allen put in jail. He seems to be running the firm from inside, when in reality his wife and her twin sister, who recruit the wife of another firm employee, Gordon Mitchell, have taken over the company. They proceed to kick out the son of the patriarch, Philip, whose funeral commitment the Armitages wronging attended. While there they witness a Councilman Thomas Blythe who is on the take accepting a bribe. They really don't register the transaction, but he panics, Wayne Woodruff panics. Tony Sorrento panics when his car is seen by Sophie close to the scene of the crime. and as he contemplates taking over from Wayne who is becoming more and more unstable, he is killed.
Rod was a sometime employee of Pete's, and both were involved in stealing from the homes they were decorating. Toffee Barber, the manager of the Casino Club fenced the items. The son and Pete were aware of the murders, if not directly involved.
DS Barry Marsh proposes to DS Gwen. PC George Warrender and Sgt Rosie Simons assist the team. Barry is confronted with his long time friend DI Bob Thompson, a bent copper, in league with the Woodruffs and Blythe. DC Rae Gregson has a new boyfriend. DS Phil McLuskie who Sophie had demoted and is now trying to control, and his partner DS Stu Blackman are brought in to assist though Sophie really doesn't want them around. All in all a good story, complex and shifting back and forth with the suspects, until Barry figures it out. I do like these characterss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2025
Mit diesem Krimi von Michael Hambling folgen wir erneut Detective Sophie Allen und ihrem Team von der südenglischen Bournemouth Police, wie sie kopfvoran in einen Dreifachmord stürzen und versuchen einen Zusammenhang zwischen den Morden herzustellen.
Als Leser lernen wir zu Beginn ein älteres Ehepaar kennen, das entdeckt, dass sie sich auf einer falschen Beerdigung befinden. Verwundert stellen sie fest, dass keine Bekannten bei der Trauerfeier anwesend sind und erkennen, dass sie sich wahrscheinlich zum falschen Zeitpunkt auf dem Friedhof befinden. Als ihre Tochter aus dem Urlaub zurückkehrt, werden sie zunächst vermisst und schließlich tot in ihrem Auto einige Straßen vom Friedhof entfernt gefunden.
Von der Auffindesituation her sieht alles nach einem gemeinschaftlichen Selbstmord. Doch letztendlich werfen die forensischen Beweise Zweifel auf. Aber wer sollte Sylvia und Ted Armitage töten wollen?
Allen und ihr Team findet einige Verbindungen zum organisierten Verbrechnen in der Region. Eine Familie, deren einige Bars, Clubs, Cafes und Bordelle im Ort gehören, hatte das Familienoberhaupt zu betrauern und es gibt etwas Gerangel um die Herrschaft im Familienunternehmen. Doch was sollten die Armitages mit diesen Leuten zu tun haben?
Erst nach einem weiteren Mord scheint sich für Sophie Allen das Dickicht etwas zu lichten.
»Twisted Crimes« ist bereits der fünfte Krimi um Sophie Allen und der Autor wird immer besser darin aus den anfänglichen Cosy Crime Romanen einen brisanten Thriller zu machen. Spannung und verzwickte Ermittlungen sind garantiert. Zudem wird alles mit privaten Problemen des Figurenensembles angereichert. Allerdings schien für diesen Roman die Probleme um die Transgender-Polizistin Rae erledigt zu sein.
Dafür gibt es immer wieder Informationen aus dem Leben und der Vergangenheit der Leiterin der Abteilung. Wieder lernt man neue Leute kennen bzw. erfährt etwas von solchen, die in vorangegangenen Krimis eine Rolle spielten.
Als Leser fühlte ich mich mittlerweile sehr heimisch in diesem Roman und empfehle ihn sehr gerne.
© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2025
Als Leser lernen wir zu Beginn ein älteres Ehepaar kennen, das entdeckt, dass sie sich auf einer falschen Beerdigung befinden. Verwundert stellen sie fest, dass keine Bekannten bei der Trauerfeier anwesend sind und erkennen, dass sie sich wahrscheinlich zum falschen Zeitpunkt auf dem Friedhof befinden. Als ihre Tochter aus dem Urlaub zurückkehrt, werden sie zunächst vermisst und schließlich tot in ihrem Auto einige Straßen vom Friedhof entfernt gefunden.
Von der Auffindesituation her sieht alles nach einem gemeinschaftlichen Selbstmord. Doch letztendlich werfen die forensischen Beweise Zweifel auf. Aber wer sollte Sylvia und Ted Armitage töten wollen?
Allen und ihr Team findet einige Verbindungen zum organisierten Verbrechnen in der Region. Eine Familie, deren einige Bars, Clubs, Cafes und Bordelle im Ort gehören, hatte das Familienoberhaupt zu betrauern und es gibt etwas Gerangel um die Herrschaft im Familienunternehmen. Doch was sollten die Armitages mit diesen Leuten zu tun haben?
Erst nach einem weiteren Mord scheint sich für Sophie Allen das Dickicht etwas zu lichten.
»Twisted Crimes« ist bereits der fünfte Krimi um Sophie Allen und der Autor wird immer besser darin aus den anfänglichen Cosy Crime Romanen einen brisanten Thriller zu machen. Spannung und verzwickte Ermittlungen sind garantiert. Zudem wird alles mit privaten Problemen des Figurenensembles angereichert. Allerdings schien für diesen Roman die Probleme um die Transgender-Polizistin Rae erledigt zu sein.
Dafür gibt es immer wieder Informationen aus dem Leben und der Vergangenheit der Leiterin der Abteilung. Wieder lernt man neue Leute kennen bzw. erfährt etwas von solchen, die in vorangegangenen Krimis eine Rolle spielten.
Als Leser fühlte ich mich mittlerweile sehr heimisch in diesem Roman und empfehle ihn sehr gerne.
© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2025
January 19, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for a review copy of Twisted Crimes, the 5th police procedural to feature DCI Sophie Allen of Dorset Police.
Sylvia and Edward Armitage inadvertently attend the wrong funeral but soon realise their mistake and leave. A few weeks later their daughter comes home from holiday and reports them missing. With no sign of foul play the Missing Persons department does not take her report seriously until their bodies turn up in a local nature reserve. DCI Sophie Allen and her team lead the investigation and discover far more wrong doing than they could have imagined.
I enjoyed Twisted Crimes as it has a complicated plot, plenty of action and some very pleasant characters. The plot is complicated because of the way it widens out to encompass more crime and suspects rather than the more traditional narrowing of suspects and motives. It has many ramifications but it not difficult to follow as it is all logical and linear. I got so absorbed in the plot that I read it in one sitting.
I like Sophie Allen. She is a very likeable character and, despite her job, she creates a warm atmosphere from the way she nurtures her team to her happy home life. It is very ordinary and something we can al, relate to. She is not, however, a pushover. She is smart, resourceful and extremely tough when she has to be.
If I have one criticism I feel the ending was a bit vague about who did exactly what but that's real life so I can't complain too much.
I have no hesitation in recommending Twisted Crimes as a good read.
Sylvia and Edward Armitage inadvertently attend the wrong funeral but soon realise their mistake and leave. A few weeks later their daughter comes home from holiday and reports them missing. With no sign of foul play the Missing Persons department does not take her report seriously until their bodies turn up in a local nature reserve. DCI Sophie Allen and her team lead the investigation and discover far more wrong doing than they could have imagined.
I enjoyed Twisted Crimes as it has a complicated plot, plenty of action and some very pleasant characters. The plot is complicated because of the way it widens out to encompass more crime and suspects rather than the more traditional narrowing of suspects and motives. It has many ramifications but it not difficult to follow as it is all logical and linear. I got so absorbed in the plot that I read it in one sitting.
I like Sophie Allen. She is a very likeable character and, despite her job, she creates a warm atmosphere from the way she nurtures her team to her happy home life. It is very ordinary and something we can al, relate to. She is not, however, a pushover. She is smart, resourceful and extremely tough when she has to be.
If I have one criticism I feel the ending was a bit vague about who did exactly what but that's real life so I can't complain too much.
I have no hesitation in recommending Twisted Crimes as a good read.
October 26, 2021
Didn't see that coming!
I can actually see this happening in areas of the United States. It's crazy how the "old world" gangster type criminal is style prevalent today. What I really want I write about is some of the reviews I read that were complaining about the content of these books. Number 1! Authors write about what interests them in their brain. If they know and like romance, and some include sex, they write about romance.if they are interested in family angst, that's what they write about. Same with horror, thrillers, etc. 2! When writing a stand alone book getting to know the main characters only basically is all you need. Nothing else. But in a series, you need to know about about what makes them tick, ie their families, friends, backgrounds, etc. Getting to know the DCI's family and what makes her get up every morning is a good thing. Getting to see Barry be happy, I love it. And I applauded the Author taking the daring step of writing about transgender Rae, and some of her hardships. I know that the issues were barely touched here. But it's a step forward! I read one review that said "if I wanted to read about a trasngender person, I would have" well ma'am, if you don't want to read about family or transgender then find another series, instead of bashing this one for what it's about. That was his choice, now make yours. The rest of his reader have made theirs!
I can actually see this happening in areas of the United States. It's crazy how the "old world" gangster type criminal is style prevalent today. What I really want I write about is some of the reviews I read that were complaining about the content of these books. Number 1! Authors write about what interests them in their brain. If they know and like romance, and some include sex, they write about romance.if they are interested in family angst, that's what they write about. Same with horror, thrillers, etc. 2! When writing a stand alone book getting to know the main characters only basically is all you need. Nothing else. But in a series, you need to know about about what makes them tick, ie their families, friends, backgrounds, etc. Getting to know the DCI's family and what makes her get up every morning is a good thing. Getting to see Barry be happy, I love it. And I applauded the Author taking the daring step of writing about transgender Rae, and some of her hardships. I know that the issues were barely touched here. But it's a step forward! I read one review that said "if I wanted to read about a trasngender person, I would have" well ma'am, if you don't want to read about family or transgender then find another series, instead of bashing this one for what it's about. That was his choice, now make yours. The rest of his reader have made theirs!
May 7, 2021
It’s no secret that I love the Sophie Allen series. They’re built around her dynamic and charismatic character and her relationship with her team. Thankfully, there are no traumatised detectives and stereotyped, pen pushing senior officers to spoil these novels. This places them head and shoulders above many police procedurals in my opinion.
In this latest novel, an elderly couple attend the wrong funeral and then disappear, only to be found weeks later, having committed suicide in a local nature reserve. Or is it murder? If so, what could possibly be the motive?
Later, when another body is found nearby, the investigation gains some traction. But it comes at a price as a whiff of corruption taints the atmosphere.
Live the previous novels in the series, Sophie Allen is a determined and dynamic detective, leading from the front, using all her skill and experience to pick her way through the dense tangle of clues, despite the pressures building around her.
Twisted Crimes is a joy to read and superbly written, maintaining the high standards set in the first novel in the series. It neatly avoids the formulaic approach of so many crime novels to deliver characters you care about alongside some intriguing investigations.
Highly recommended.
In this latest novel, an elderly couple attend the wrong funeral and then disappear, only to be found weeks later, having committed suicide in a local nature reserve. Or is it murder? If so, what could possibly be the motive?
Later, when another body is found nearby, the investigation gains some traction. But it comes at a price as a whiff of corruption taints the atmosphere.
Live the previous novels in the series, Sophie Allen is a determined and dynamic detective, leading from the front, using all her skill and experience to pick her way through the dense tangle of clues, despite the pressures building around her.
Twisted Crimes is a joy to read and superbly written, maintaining the high standards set in the first novel in the series. It neatly avoids the formulaic approach of so many crime novels to deliver characters you care about alongside some intriguing investigations.
Highly recommended.
June 28, 2021
This is a wonderful series. This, the fifth in the series, is the third I’ve read so far and I’ve found it riveting, rewarding and restorative - that is it has restored a rapidly flagging faith in contemporary detective fiction and police procedurals. I write this particularly in the face of some less than positive reviews which I find both surprising and disturbing. The protagonists’ (I include the team as a whole) relative sanity is, in my opinion a cause for celebration rather than whingeing - of course there is a place for unhappy, warped and dysfunctional detectives but I stand ( I say this with due humility) with Dante on purgatory, and the torment of condemned souls - take one look and move on.
Michael Hambling can write; his prose is clear, cogent, witty, well structured; he handles the mire of human emotion and motivation with sensitivity and nuance, and believability - he is never heavy handed and yet you are drawn into the lives he sketches out with deft precision, his characters have depth and range - they are never shallow or mechanical; his plots are compelling, nuanced and solidly constructed. I hope to read all the books in the series, I only wish there were more.
Michael Hambling can write; his prose is clear, cogent, witty, well structured; he handles the mire of human emotion and motivation with sensitivity and nuance, and believability - he is never heavy handed and yet you are drawn into the lives he sketches out with deft precision, his characters have depth and range - they are never shallow or mechanical; his plots are compelling, nuanced and solidly constructed. I hope to read all the books in the series, I only wish there were more.
January 21, 2017
4 and ½ Stars
Two elderly people, Mr. and Mrs. Armitage, attend the wrong funeral by mistake. Receiving a rather rude reaction, they quickly leave.
Meanwhile, their daughter, Dr. Sharon Giroux gets home from vacation and finds them missing. She gets very frustrated at the police reaction – or lack thereof. When their car in found in the woods, DCI Sophie Allen and her team get the case. At the bottom of the deaths seem to be their attendance at the wrong funeral. What could be going on? After Sophie and her team take the case, the daughter is much relieved.
Sophie and her team interview the daughter, the good-for-nothing brother, Rod, along with other primary relationships in the group of family and friends.
Another body is discovered just a mile from the Armitage site. Is it connected?
The pieces all come together in the end in this very well written mystery. I like the characters, and they were well filled out.
Thanking Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this most mysterious book to read.
Two elderly people, Mr. and Mrs. Armitage, attend the wrong funeral by mistake. Receiving a rather rude reaction, they quickly leave.
Meanwhile, their daughter, Dr. Sharon Giroux gets home from vacation and finds them missing. She gets very frustrated at the police reaction – or lack thereof. When their car in found in the woods, DCI Sophie Allen and her team get the case. At the bottom of the deaths seem to be their attendance at the wrong funeral. What could be going on? After Sophie and her team take the case, the daughter is much relieved.
Sophie and her team interview the daughter, the good-for-nothing brother, Rod, along with other primary relationships in the group of family and friends.
Another body is discovered just a mile from the Armitage site. Is it connected?
The pieces all come together in the end in this very well written mystery. I like the characters, and they were well filled out.
Thanking Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this most mysterious book to read.
December 31, 2017
An elderly couple go to the wrong funeral and end up dead. DCI Sophie Allen—my current police crush—eventually shows up to find out why. Though the reason for the initial crime seems ridiculously slight, there’s no doubt such things do happen. That reason also makes it more difficult for the police to solve it, giving the whole team a chance to shine.
Halfway through I realized that, other than the hike with her husband (which was really work-related), there hadn’t been anything about her family in this one. Considering the previous editions and especially the last few, it seemed glaring.
I love this series. Despite the seriousness of the crimes, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The very last scene wasn’t necessary, but I’m glad it’s there. Also glad the bad guys got what was coming to them, taken down by women, and not just Sophie this time.
Halfway through I realized that, other than the hike with her husband (which was really work-related), there hadn’t been anything about her family in this one. Considering the previous editions and especially the last few, it seemed glaring.
I love this series. Despite the seriousness of the crimes, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The very last scene wasn’t necessary, but I’m glad it’s there. Also glad the bad guys got what was coming to them, taken down by women, and not just Sophie this time.
June 25, 2021
Hmm! I am not sure about this book it seems to be the weakest of the series so far. To convoluted and inappropriate tying up of loose ends spoils an originally good plot idea.
I am also growing a bit tired of the lead character who vacillates between hard headed copper and liberated wife to browbeaten mother in the flash of Jade’s eye!
Furthermore I grow weary of her soft grey suit, tan leather jacket and boots with brown trousers who really cares what she wears unless it is truly relevant to the story?
I really hope that the series improves as this book only just scraped a third star from me.
I am also growing a bit tired of the lead character who vacillates between hard headed copper and liberated wife to browbeaten mother in the flash of Jade’s eye!
Furthermore I grow weary of her soft grey suit, tan leather jacket and boots with brown trousers who really cares what she wears unless it is truly relevant to the story?
I really hope that the series improves as this book only just scraped a third star from me.
September 27, 2020
The DCI Sophie Allen Series of police procedurals are quite good. I have been enjoying them. I don’t believe Sophie is as accessible as many of the other detectives in British procedurals are. If you read the entire series, you will learn more about her in some books than in others. It seems to be part of Sophie’s personality; she is almost always an all business person, dedicated to her role, her family, her team, and an occasion beer.
The investigations are always interesting and I recommend them.
The investigations are always interesting and I recommend them.
November 27, 2021
The main story in this book starts with a possible double murder, which surprisingly might have gangland connections. Overall it is an interesting story with several twists near the end, but there were a few things that I wasn’t as happy with.
The majority of the book didn’t really involve Sophie, especially as a lot of it was following the various ‘gang’ members. Also I didn’t think the author tied up all the loose ends and I was definitely expecting another chapter before they started celebrating.
The majority of the book didn’t really involve Sophie, especially as a lot of it was following the various ‘gang’ members. Also I didn’t think the author tied up all the loose ends and I was definitely expecting another chapter before they started celebrating.
May 1, 2024
Twisted crimes es la quinta de las novelas de la serie detectivesca de Sophie Allen.
En este relato la muerte la encuentran dos ancianos jubilados que acuden al entierro de una conocida.
Dicho entierro coincide a su vez con el de un propietario de un negocio presuntamente sospechoso en la zona.
Sus cuerpos son hallados simulando un suicidio premeditado, sin embargo, el equipo de la inspectora pronto descubrirá que detrás de esa muerte hay muchos intereses ocultos.
Como las anteriores, novela muy entretenida y fácil de leer.
May 28, 2019
Ok
The underlying story was good however I found the characters lacked personality and were one dimensional, leaving it impossible for the reader get emotionally attached or connect in any way to them. In general the who book lacked atmosphere and at times the reader was left hanging when the subject of a conversation was skipped which I assume was to build up suspense but in actual fact give the book a disjointed feel. Underwhelmed.
The underlying story was good however I found the characters lacked personality and were one dimensional, leaving it impossible for the reader get emotionally attached or connect in any way to them. In general the who book lacked atmosphere and at times the reader was left hanging when the subject of a conversation was skipped which I assume was to build up suspense but in actual fact give the book a disjointed feel. Underwhelmed.
December 14, 2022
A seemingly innocent couple is murder by monoxide gas in their car. It was made to look like suicide.
The story evolves like peeling an onion, each step revealing more about the characters and their secrets.
The Armitage couple had a rotten son, Rod, who had every bad habit and didn't care how he got the money to pay for things. He helped kill his parents.
The daughter was a GP who came from modest beginnings and was very solid. She started out hating her brother and then was willing to split the inheritance if he was cut out. I thought it was an odd flip flop especially as his crimes became apparent.
Will continue the series.
The story evolves like peeling an onion, each step revealing more about the characters and their secrets.
The Armitage couple had a rotten son, Rod, who had every bad habit and didn't care how he got the money to pay for things. He helped kill his parents.
The daughter was a GP who came from modest beginnings and was very solid. She started out hating her brother and then was willing to split the inheritance if he was cut out. I thought it was an odd flip flop especially as his crimes became apparent.
Will continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2017
Two people are found dead in the remote woods, apparently from suicide. But DCI Allen doesn't believe it and neither does their daughter. Pieces start to fall into place to help support her theory but so many of them just don't make sense and it takes a lot for the full picture to come together. The attention to detail and quirky little things keep this series enjoyable.
March 16, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fifth novel in the DCI Sophie Allen series which don't necessarily need to be read in order. This was a brilliant mystery and you're never quite sure where the next twist is going to be. It is a fast read and despite the title, is not overly violent or gory. I think it's more of a cozy mystery.
This is the fifth novel in the DCI Sophie Allen series which don't necessarily need to be read in order. This was a brilliant mystery and you're never quite sure where the next twist is going to be. It is a fast read and despite the title, is not overly violent or gory. I think it's more of a cozy mystery.
October 6, 2017
First
This is a first from this author, and was pleasantly surprised, will definitely read more just hope the author can keep up the good work. Very often after a few good novels the author starts to get sloppy and very often I find they rush the endings. Well done to M Hambling keep up the good work good story line, good policing procedures and interesting characters.
This is a first from this author, and was pleasantly surprised, will definitely read more just hope the author can keep up the good work. Very often after a few good novels the author starts to get sloppy and very often I find they rush the endings. Well done to M Hambling keep up the good work good story line, good policing procedures and interesting characters.
May 17, 2020
Great series
DCI Sophie Allen is a master manipulater. She really looks at everything to see as much as she can in every scenario . An elderly couple suicide? Not sure . Why not sure . Facts, double checked count. With due diligence she teases out each string to find the truth .
DCI Sophie Allen is a master manipulater. She really looks at everything to see as much as she can in every scenario . An elderly couple suicide? Not sure . Why not sure . Facts, double checked count. With due diligence she teases out each string to find the truth .
June 15, 2022
A refreshing story
I read a lot of police/detective stories and this may seem trivial but it's so refreshing to have the DCI a woman, with a happy, healthy relationship with her husband and children.
The stories are great with good diverse characters, they are well developed and the plots have many twists and turns.
I read a lot of police/detective stories and this may seem trivial but it's so refreshing to have the DCI a woman, with a happy, healthy relationship with her husband and children.
The stories are great with good diverse characters, they are well developed and the plots have many twists and turns.
May 12, 2025
Brilliant Story
Great story with jaw-dropping twists and turns. The characters are strong, even those outside the police squad are really well-defined. The story has good atmosphere; you can feel the characters' reaction to the stress of the investigation. Great entry in this series. Highly recommended.
Great story with jaw-dropping twists and turns. The characters are strong, even those outside the police squad are really well-defined. The story has good atmosphere; you can feel the characters' reaction to the stress of the investigation. Great entry in this series. Highly recommended.
January 30, 2017
Review
I loved it. I could not put it down. I am hoping that the next book featuring DCI Sophie Allan and her team will be published soon. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading very suspenseful mysteries
I loved it. I could not put it down. I am hoping that the next book featuring DCI Sophie Allan and her team will be published soon. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading very suspenseful mysteries
June 14, 2017
Good plot line
Excellent plot line until the big reveal of the bent copper. The author just can't seem to make these transitions smoothly. Every thing was flowing along, then bang! and bumpy reading. Kinda wrecked the ending, which was building nicely.
Excellent plot line until the big reveal of the bent copper. The author just can't seem to make these transitions smoothly. Every thing was flowing along, then bang! and bumpy reading. Kinda wrecked the ending, which was building nicely.
January 29, 2018
Excellent read
Excellent read as always. I love the fine balance between the crime stories and the characters personal lives. Well written and easy to read, I'd recommend starting this series from book 1.
Excellent read as always. I love the fine balance between the crime stories and the characters personal lives. Well written and easy to read, I'd recommend starting this series from book 1.
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