The Keeper

by Nina Black, Florrie Palmer

A series of bizarre and brutal murders is about to push a London police detective to her limit . . .

When a Jamaican bus driver is garroted in the middle of the night, there is speculation that racism is the motive. But when the same grisly fate befalls an Asian man and then a white man, it becomes clear that a female serial killer with a different obsession is at work.

Still mourning her mother’s recent violent death, DCI Jo Pollitt of the Southwark London Metropolitan Police must now focus on this high-priority case. Even with the help of a pathologist, a profiler, and publicity from a true-crime TV show, the culprit remains elusive. Pollitt takes emotional refuge in her relationship with Cilla, whom she’s known since childhood, but the stress, both personal and professional, keeps building.

However, when Pollitt learns a civilian has captured video of the most recent murder, it reveals the police might be on the wrong track. As the case begins to unravel, Pollitt realises that everything she believed is now in jeopardy and time is ticking before the killer strikes again . . .

Genres: Mystery

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2023

About the author

Nina Black is the pseudonym of Florrie Palmer, one of the first British female singer-songwriters. Her biggest hits were recorded by Sheena Easton, who secured the number one spot in America with 9-5 (Morning Train) resulting in a platinum record. Florrie has written 4 novels under her own name.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good pacy thriller which kept my interest throughout. Told from different viewpoints, which adds to the interest, and told over a period of time reflecting how long it can take to solve crimes. A little gruesome at times but well-written. The characters are well-presented and there is room for future development of some of the secondary characters, should this be the start of a series featuring Jo Pollit, particularly her DS.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was well written with great characters and the red herrings were brilliant and really stopped me from working out who the perpetrator was. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

[Vicky Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this dark and twisted tale, told via various viewpoints and a couple of different time lines. It kept me hooked, constantly guessing who it was.
With many thanks to Bloodhound Books for the arc ebook.

[‎‧₊˚✧tes✧˚₊‧‎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a 2.25 book for me I think.

Right from the beginning this was a little difficult for me to read. The sentences just didn't flow like they were supposed to in my opinion. Through this novel though, I have learned many new words such as pelmet or the phrase up a gum tree.

Other than my vocabulary, nothing else about me felt enriched after reading this book. Which is a sad fact since my TWO previous reads have been nothing but disappointments. This year is turning into 20-how little 5 stars can Tess give-24. Hopefully what I read next brings me SOME sort of joy in some way.

Talking about the characters in this, specifically the main character, DI Jo Pollitt, I know nothing about her except that she drives a Golf, smokes Camels, and likes cocktails. She also has two cats whose names I forgot. Most of her emotions were described very poorly in my opinion. I never felt a full-swing emotion when I think I was supposed to. It just all sounded like it was there in an attempt to deepen the character who falls flat. Unfortunately, it failed in my opinion and the character still fell flat.

The plot itself, is a mystery, and an okay executed one so I don't have many complaints about that necessarily. But one thing I will say is it was a taaad bit disappointing.

Overall, I don't have much to say which is again, sad for me since I was really hoping for even a 3.5 to get me out of this seemingly endless two star rating chain.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book odd. The narrative was very one dimensional and lacked any depth or feeling. Told from various POV but they were all just written the same so the characters didn’t have any identity. The storyline and the twist at the end were good but unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me

[My Books and Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keeper is set in the 90s and follows DI Jo Pollitt a senior investigating officer who is called in to investigate the death of a bus driver. She is an interesting lead character, experienced and respected by colleagues

The story is told from various viewpoints but mainly from the POV of DI Jo Pollitt and we follow her as she tries to find out who the killer is which turns out to be not at all easy as there are lots of twists and turns and possible red herrings along the way.

The Keeper is page turning from start to finish. It will keep you gripped and keeps you guessing to the end. The story flows really well, is well written and has great characters. I feel the author has fully researched her topic. The crimes are gruesome so if you are squeamish it might not be your kind of read.

Having said that I really enjoyed this book, it hooked me in from the start and kept me guessing until the end. Several times I thought I had guessed who the killer was but each time it took another turn and I was back to guessing again.

I definitely recommend this book. It is a great read and well worth reading.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite good. It's told from various perspectives, but mainly from the POV of Jo Pollitt, the senior investigating officer.

The nature of the crimes are very gruesome and there are lots of red herrings in here. I was convinced I knew who it was but I was so wrong. The reveal at the end was a big surprise. The story and pace of the events had me engaged throughout although there was one part where I wasn't convinced how the killer could have found the victim. Despite that, I would highly recommend this to anyone to read.

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am grateful to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
The plot moves along at a good pace, and Jo was an interesting lead character, who I'd be happy to read more about if there was a follow up!
The twists are great.. I was convinced I had worked out who the killer was, and was even starting to feel a bit disappointed that it was so easy to guess.....but I was wrong and I was genuinely shocked. Really well written and the clues were there, I'd just missed them on a first read!
Would definitely recommend this and will look out for more by this author.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

The keeper
Thanks first to bloodhound books for an advance copy and here is my honest review.
From start to finish I was gripped and throughly enjoyed the guesswork even though I thought I had it cracked and I was wrong!
Following DCI Pollitt through the gruesome death of a bus driver we are taken on a journey of twists and turns with some well written characters and a well paced story line.
I like other reviews agree it would be an excellent TV series and look forward to reading more. Don’t overlook this book based on the cover (it didn’t really inspire me) as the insides of the cover are amazing.

[Scott Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating crime thriller featuring police detective Jo Pollitt. What starts as the murder of a Jamaican bus driver soon turns into a series of serial murders. Various theories as to the characteristics of the killer are floated and discarded as the more killings occur. Each victim is garrotted. The victims vary in terms of ethnicity, social status, and even sex.

Once I became engaged in reading this novel, I couldn't put it down. You will think you know who the killer is a couple of times but it is highly unlikely that you will identity who it is until the author surprises you with an unexpected ending.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed from beginning to end. i enjoyed their writing style that brought the twists and turns to life. This is a well written story where the characters not only pull you into the story but keep you engaged throughout. They are relateable and had me coming back for more. They added so much to the story which made it easy and entertaining to read. This is a fast paced story that is hard to put down. It is full of action and one you don't want to miss. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended on my library's website, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
It was a belter of a book with some red herrings.
Be wary of who you work with and trust.
A serial killer with a very unusual MO, runs riot throughout London.
Males are being garotted and castrated.
The sixth fights back and the killer is caught.
No-one can believe that truth.
Or what the killer went through to make them what they turned out to be.

[Rock Chick Fee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like a lot of crime books these days with a lot going on through out the story but as in this case they are really struggling to find the killer, did get there in the end and it was a good read but there was one point in which I nearly gave up but I kept going - glad I did and got to the end.

[Tina Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an advanced reader and really enjoyed it. A fabulous crime mystery following a series of murders. I thought I'd sussed the killer a couple of hours before the end but was totally barking up the wrong tree. I really hope this becomes a series for the main characters rather than a standalone, as would be very interested in reading more. Highly recommended.

[Jane Welchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute gem of a crime novel. One that keeps you guessing. You think you know but do you? A bit gruesome to begin with, but extremely gripping. Hopefully the author will write more and make it a series. I for one will be reading more from this author.
I was given an advanced copy and this is my honest review.

[Becca Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me right from the start, and kept me guessing all the way through. I thought I’d worked it out a couple of times then there was another twist I didn’t see coming! Very enjoyable with well written characters, and could easily become a series.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy of this bpok, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first for me with this author and it won’t be my last, a well written storyline that held my interest from start to finish. I did think at points I had it all worked out, but alas I was side swiped and was completely wrong. I won’t write about the storyline as I feel this is the job of the blurb, to draw you in and peak your interest.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out a little slow for me, but the twist at the end was completely unexpected!

There is a killer loose in South London that leaves no trace and is nearly impossible to catch until they are choose someone that is stronger than them and get caught in their game.

This was a well done book with lots of layers to keep you engaged and unable to stop until the end of the book.

[Judy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author for me. Ill be looking into more book by this author.

I love the way this book starts off with a bang. The twists and turns makes it a very excellent book.

Loved this book Read it in one day.

[Anna Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read which keeps you guessing, when you think you know the outcome, there is another curve ball. Could easily become a series. Thank you to Bloodhound ARC Books for the opportunity to read and review.

[Michelle Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fast paced thriller. The story is told from numerous points of view and timelines, I enjoyed this. The characters were well rounded and I would read another novel with theses characters in. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my ARC.

[Frances Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this book

Verrica book a story line was engaging the characters were great I just wished that The author told more about the romantic part of the book but otherwise it was great hope there's another book

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

[Toni Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is ace! It is set in 1996 but this adds to the story, it is gripping and has so many twists and turns it keeps you guessing till the very end. An author that I will be keeping my eye on.

[Helga Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, written from different perspectives. There were lots of twists and turns and it definitely keeps you guessing. Thought I’d worked it out at one point but then it took a turn that I didn’t expect.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for the arc copy.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When DI Jo Pollitt and DS Tony Smith are called out to a crime scene in the early hours of the morning , they find a jamaican bus driver has been brutally murdered ..his body left out in the open ..In the days and weeks that follow ..with no information coming forward and no leads , Jo finds Superintendent Maurice Green is always on her back .Jo who is still mourning the death of her mother feels the pressure rise as other murders follow ..At first it seems the killings are race related but even with the help of a criminal profiler ..the killer is tunning rings around the Southwark Metropolitan Police ..The Keeper keeps the reader right on the edge of your seat ..5 stars Dark and Gripping storytelling ..

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Keeper by Nina Black.
When a Jamaican bus driver is garroted in the middle of the night, there is speculation that racism is the motive. But when the same grisly fate befalls an Asian man and then a white man, it becomes clear that a female serial killer with a different obsession is at work.Still mourning her mother's recent violent death, DCI Jo Pollitt of the Southwark London Metropolitan Police must now focus on this high-priority case.
A good read. Gripping. 4*.

[Mrs Heather Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Pollitt is called in too investigate the gruesome murder of a London bus driver. She is also dealing with the violent death of her mother.As the killer strikes again what is the link race,sexual or just random. Pollitt is under pressure to make an arrest but are things as they seem.
A good page turner

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t read it fast enough. This book has it all, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the author threw in a twist. Gruesome murders, and a DCI navigating her own personal life made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommend it.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that had gruesome murders, a serial killer that has to be hunted, a good detective with her own personal baggage, everything nicely mixed with enough twists and turns to keep me wonder glued at the edge of my seat. All in all, it is an enjoyable page-turner.