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A vindictive killer, deadly secrets, and a community on a knife edge.
When Emmett opens his wheelie bin to dispose of the morning waste, he finds a decapitated head staring back at him.
Someone is killing the local prostitutes, chopping them up, and dumping the parts in wheelie bins around the old mining villages close to Mansfield.
Assigned the case, recently promoted DI Rob Loxley and his new team start the hunt for this vicious killer.
They’re desperate to stop this monster before these vulnerable women are targeted again. But when their investigation reveals the organised crime behind the working girl’s lives, Rob discovers a link to his past that’s a little too close to home.
As tensions in the community rise and the killings threaten to spark an all-out gang war, Rob must find the killer before all hell breaks loose and innocent people are caught in the crossfire.
Hell to Pay is a gripping and compelling British crime thriller, perfect for fans of TG Reid, Jack Gatland and Rachel Maclean.
A vindictive killer, deadly secrets, and a community on a knife edge.
When Emmett opens his wheelie bin to dispose of the morning waste, he finds a decapitated head staring back at him.
Someone is killing the local prostitutes, chopping them up, and dumping the parts in wheelie bins around the old mining villages close to Mansfield.
Assigned the case, recently promoted DI Rob Loxley and his new team start the hunt for this vicious killer.
They’re desperate to stop this monster before these vulnerable women are targeted again. But when their investigation reveals the organised crime behind the working girl’s lives, Rob discovers a link to his past that’s a little too close to home.
As tensions in the community rise and the killings threaten to spark an all-out gang war, Rob must find the killer before all hell breaks loose and innocent people are caught in the crossfire.
Hell to Pay is a gripping and compelling British crime thriller, perfect for fans of TG Reid, Jack Gatland and Rachel Maclean.
513 pages, ebook
Published January 16, 2023
106 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 30, 2023
It’s the first day for the newly reformed Nottingham EMSOU (East Midlands Special Operations Unit) based at Sherwood Lodge under the command of Supt Evelynn Landon. The previous squad was disbanded after falling foul to a mole who caused the deaths of several officers in a failed operation. DCI John Nailer (Rob’s former mentor) is there and has chosen his team, amongst them newly promoted DI Rob Loxley and DC Scarlett Stutely after their success in the dreadful twisted Sherwood Murder case, and they are joined by Rob’s old partner DS Nick Miller and DCs Ellen Dale, Tucker Stafford and Guy Gibson. They haven’t even finished setting up the office before Loxley and Scarlett are called to the home of Emmett and Valerie who are shocked to have found a woman’s severed head in their dustbin. Why this house? Who is she and how did she die? Where’s the rest of her? Could it be a punter, a pimp, a psycho on the loose or a criminal gang responsible for this vicious killing? And will there be any more? Right at the start, the reader is privy to events on the night when prostitute Penny met her death near the old Clipstone Colliery but the detectives will have their work cut out to solve this one as more bodies turn up. It’s not long before Loxley realises lead member of the anti-Loxley club and Professional Standards Unit DCI Bill Rainault is still dogging his every move in a futile attempt to prove Loxley is in league with his estranged criminal family. And it looks like Rainault is not the only one taking an unhealthy interest in our Rob these days.
The new team work really well together under Nailer’s guidance and their first case is a far ranging and chilling one for the whole community. Landon and Nailer are great senior officers and the future is looking bright for the new EMSOU detectives as a little teaser at the end promises more trouble to come for Rob and his colleagues in Nottingham.
The new team work really well together under Nailer’s guidance and their first case is a far ranging and chilling one for the whole community. Landon and Nailer are great senior officers and the future is looking bright for the new EMSOU detectives as a little teaser at the end promises more trouble to come for Rob and his colleagues in Nottingham.
July 14, 2023
Book 2 of the Detective Loxley police series. For background I recommend reading book 1 as there are some ongoing threads but it could be read as a standalone. Now promoted to inspector Rob is starting his new role with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit under his former mentor DCI John Nailer. Robs’s feisty colleague DC Scarlett Stutely has moved with him and is part of the new team. The book starts with the murder of a prostitute, clearly the next case for Loxley and his team, so we have information the police don’t!
Briefly, almost as soon as the team is formed they are called out as a head has been found in a dustbin. Very quickly the team discover there are two rival gangs running prostitutes and both want to rule the patch. However what has this got to do with the murdered victim? As the investigation continues more bodies are found and the feud explodes into violence. In the midst of the violence Rob finds himself attracting the interests of a pretty journalist and the unwelcome attentions of his criminal brother.
This was a gripping read, a great police procedural with a good team and an exciting storyline. All the various threads come together seamlessly but there are a few loose ends clearly leading us into the next instalment. I’m going to be reading that very soon!
Briefly, almost as soon as the team is formed they are called out as a head has been found in a dustbin. Very quickly the team discover there are two rival gangs running prostitutes and both want to rule the patch. However what has this got to do with the murdered victim? As the investigation continues more bodies are found and the feud explodes into violence. In the midst of the violence Rob finds himself attracting the interests of a pretty journalist and the unwelcome attentions of his criminal brother.
This was a gripping read, a great police procedural with a good team and an exciting storyline. All the various threads come together seamlessly but there are a few loose ends clearly leading us into the next instalment. I’m going to be reading that very soon!
June 19, 2023
Rob Loxley has now been promoted to Detective Inspector in this second book in the series. Based in a new unit, he is working under his mentor and friend, DCI Nailer.
When a local councillor finds a head in his wheelie bin, Loxley and the team have their work cut out to find the rest of the body, as well as the killer.
With Bill from anti-corruption still looking for evidence to bring Loxley down, Loxley needs to be wary and very careful.
A thrilling story with a bit of everything, ranging from prostitution to gangs.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team even better and I’m looking forward to learning more about Tucker’s background at some point.
A well written story with great characters. The plot is very good and I was completely sucked in.
When a local councillor finds a head in his wheelie bin, Loxley and the team have their work cut out to find the rest of the body, as well as the killer.
With Bill from anti-corruption still looking for evidence to bring Loxley down, Loxley needs to be wary and very careful.
A thrilling story with a bit of everything, ranging from prostitution to gangs.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team even better and I’m looking forward to learning more about Tucker’s background at some point.
A well written story with great characters. The plot is very good and I was completely sucked in.
April 17, 2023
Riveting!
Oh my! Couldn't put this down for a second. A fantastic follow on from book one. Loxley has been promoted and a new team put together under the watchful eye of his mentor and long standing friend DCI Nailer. Thrown in at the deep end with a vicious and gory murder the investigation soon escalates in this gritty, tense and exciting story. I'm really beginning to bond with the characters in this series and feel there is so much they are going to give in terms of character development and revelations. Although the investigation was conclusive there are plenty of threads woven into the plot which no doubt will develop in book three. Can't wait!
Oh my! Couldn't put this down for a second. A fantastic follow on from book one. Loxley has been promoted and a new team put together under the watchful eye of his mentor and long standing friend DCI Nailer. Thrown in at the deep end with a vicious and gory murder the investigation soon escalates in this gritty, tense and exciting story. I'm really beginning to bond with the characters in this series and feel there is so much they are going to give in terms of character development and revelations. Although the investigation was conclusive there are plenty of threads woven into the plot which no doubt will develop in book three. Can't wait!
May 4, 2023
In this second book in the series, Rob has been promoted to Inspector and is now working in a new unit with his old mentor Nailor. Immediately the team are called out with a gruesome discovery.
The story is a cracking read. Full of different characters, mostly unlikeable, I found myself totally hooked in a tale of gang warfare, drugs and prostitution. I really didn't want to put it down. There's also an interesting thread throughout with Rob's neighbour which really wants me to read the next book immediately. I'm also intrigued with the family angle and am eager to see how things develop here.
The story is a cracking read. Full of different characters, mostly unlikeable, I found myself totally hooked in a tale of gang warfare, drugs and prostitution. I really didn't want to put it down. There's also an interesting thread throughout with Rob's neighbour which really wants me to read the next book immediately. I'm also intrigued with the family angle and am eager to see how things develop here.
May 27, 2023
This is the second in the Detective Loxley Nottinghamshire series but, although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading book one first. That way you’ll understand the dynamics of the team & why Loxley is like he is.
Rob is now a DI in a new unit, but reporting to his nemesis, & some of his old team have moved with him. His initial case is that of the decapitation of a young woman which leads the team into the murky goings on of gangs using vulnerable women.
This book is far grittier than the first & the plot seems much tighter. All good things from my POV. Plenty of action & some dangling threads ready for book 3.
Rob is now a DI in a new unit, but reporting to his nemesis, & some of his old team have moved with him. His initial case is that of the decapitation of a young woman which leads the team into the murky goings on of gangs using vulnerable women.
This book is far grittier than the first & the plot seems much tighter. All good things from my POV. Plenty of action & some dangling threads ready for book 3.
August 12, 2025
Hell To Pay by A.L. Fraine is book 2 in his Detective Rob Loxley series. Rob is now a DI and has been recruited to the East Midlands Special Operations Unit dealing with serious and violent crimes. It is headed by his mentor DCI Nailor. A prostitute is murdered, and another goes missing. This sets off a gang war which results in more shootings and killings. The story goes along at a great pace and I certainly didn’t expect the ending. I like how the characters are developing and look forward to reading more in this series.
February 4, 2023
Rob Loxley, now a DI, has moved with some of his team to the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, where his old mentor Nailer works as his superior. He’s working on the death of a young woman whose corpse was decapitated, and the head left in a local councillor’s bin. The team are drawn into a murky underworld of gangs running groups of vulnerable young women and the story gets tangled, deep and exciting. I really enjoyed this, and the dangling thread of Rob’s neighbour. I’m intrigued!
April 26, 2023
This second DI Loxley book is a tough account of some frightening incidents in our towns and villages. Working in a new unit, with some known and some unknown team members, Loxley gets to grip with what seems like gangland warfare. He also has to worry about his nemesis in Professional Standards, not to mention his own family, from whom he was extranged many years ago on account of their criminal activities. A gripping read, moving on to no. 3.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
January 19, 2023
Great Mystery
It's good to catch up again with Loxley and now back closer to his home turf with a new supportive unit.
With so much happening the best bit is just how easy going and accurate the investigation seems.
The bonding between the team and the mysteries of who was responsible make a good counterpoint and this has progressed well since book 1.
It's good to catch up again with Loxley and now back closer to his home turf with a new supportive unit.
With so much happening the best bit is just how easy going and accurate the investigation seems.
The bonding between the team and the mysteries of who was responsible make a good counterpoint and this has progressed well since book 1.
September 8, 2024
Rob’s first day, new unit.
A team had been put together, now they had to learn to work as a team. An unconventional start was clearing an office that was used as a dumping ground for old and active files that covered the floor, this would take all day. Later in the afternoon the phone started to buzz, then they all started to work together for real. Great book, very gory.
A team had been put together, now they had to learn to work as a team. An unconventional start was clearing an office that was used as a dumping ground for old and active files that covered the floor, this would take all day. Later in the afternoon the phone started to buzz, then they all started to work together for real. Great book, very gory.
January 12, 2023
Well A L Fraine has done it again wrote a brilliant book which once I started reading it I could not put it down. With twists and turns I never saw coming that's pure genius on the Author's part congratulations on yet another brilliantly written book,
August 24, 2023
Well worth reading
The character's in this are well written. The writer kept me interested all the way through this book the story just grew and grew. The killer was well hidden right up the end when it arrived was a surprise to myself. Thanks for a great read.
The character's in this are well written. The writer kept me interested all the way through this book the story just grew and grew. The killer was well hidden right up the end when it arrived was a surprise to myself. Thanks for a great read.
December 19, 2023
just my type of book
Great story…great characters great inter action between all of them…and future stories lurking ready to come out.
Enjoying these books very much…great page turner….3 sittings…
Great story…great characters great inter action between all of them…and future stories lurking ready to come out.
Enjoying these books very much…great page turner….3 sittings…
April 13, 2024
Hell hath no fury!
Another fast paced, page turner who knew Nottinghamshire was such a den of iniquity!
Joking aside knowing the places talked about as the story unfolds makes it all seem more believable. Outstanding
Another fast paced, page turner who knew Nottinghamshire was such a den of iniquity!
Joking aside knowing the places talked about as the story unfolds makes it all seem more believable. Outstanding
May 19, 2023
He'll to pay
Really good read with DI Loxley on the case of a headless body and a small towns problems with gangs. Recommend x
Really good read with DI Loxley on the case of a headless body and a small towns problems with gangs. Recommend x
August 22, 2023
Another good read in the Loxley series. This time I didn’t spot the killer early, in fact not at all.
January 28, 2024
second read
always enjoy your books and characters.
hoping no 3 will be the same.
thank you helps get me through the night
always enjoy your books and characters.
hoping no 3 will be the same.
thank you helps get me through the night
March 4, 2024
Brilliant book, fantastic build up which kept the pages turning. I immediately downloaded book 3
March 5, 2025
BRILLIANT BOOK .
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews