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A copycat killer... but how do they know so much? A man is found electrocuted in his bath, an apparent suicide attempt. However, attached to the body is a handwritten all it says is DCI Lambert. Lambert, shaken by past and present, is put on notice when a major prisoner escapes. Is there a connection? And why are MI5 getting involved? Before the investigation is over, Lambert will be pushed to his very limits… and beyond. How far would you go for justice? And what would you do to save your family? The extraordinary new crime thriller from bestseller Matt Brolly, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, L. J. Ross and Angela Marsons.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2018

628 people are currently reading
330 people want to read

About the author

Matt Brolly

31 books583 followers
Matt Brolly is the Amazon number one bestselling author of the DI Blackwell novels set in Weston-supper-Mare, as well as the DCI Lambert crime novels, the acclaimed near future crime novel, Zero, and the US thriller, The Controller.

Matt also writes children's books as M.J. Brolly. His first children's book, The Sleeping Bug, was released by Oblong Books in December 2018.

Matt lives in London with his wife and their young children. You can find out more about Matt at his website www.mattbrolly.com or by following him on twitter: @MattBrollyUK


Matt Brolly books in order:

DI Blackwell:

The Crossing (Feb 2020)
The Descent (July 2020)
The Gorge (March 2021)
The Mark (out November 2021)

DCI Lambert Series

Dead Water (prequel released August 2019)
Dead Eyed
Dead Lucky
Dead Embers
Dead Time

Other books

Zero
The Controller

For children (as M.J. Brolly)

The Sleeping Bug

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5 stars
2,530 (59%)
4 stars
1,300 (30%)
3 stars
330 (7%)
2 stars
41 (<1%)
1 star
24 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for Alyssa Venning-Thomas.
8 reviews
January 20, 2024
I was really excited to read this after finishing dead embers (3rd in the trilogy) but I was let down by the repetitiveness and lack of twists and intensity that dead embers had. Dead time focused on the case of the previous book in a way that was very repetitive, talking several times about feelings and things that people previously said and did. It made the book a bit of a drag and overpowered the potential of a captivating story line. Maybe it would be better as a stand alone read, but reading it as a trilogy unfortunately takes away the excitement.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews501 followers
August 5, 2018
Oh my - that was harrowing, full-on adrenalin fuelled mayhem. This is a great series but this book is the cherry on top, it was awesome. It does help though if you have read the previous books, particularly book 3, Dead Embers, which uncovers a dark and pervasive paedophile ring known as the manor. More on that.

DCI Michael Lambert is called to a suspicious death where a man has been electrocuted in a bathtub. Found at the scene is a card bearing the name Michael Lambert. Well that got his attention. Suicide is soon ruled out. That same day Lambert hears that one of the eight men convicted in the manor paedophile trial has escaped from custody during a prison transfer. Two men are also dead and a prison guard is missing. Lambert wonders if these events are related to his murder case.

Shortly after he is called to another murder where his name is also found on an identical card to the bathtub guy and he immediately feels a shiver down his spine. He didn't twig at the first scene but this second death clinches it. Someone is recreating murder scenes from early in his career and screaming for his attention. What concerns him most, although his boss Glenn Tillman doesn't agree, is that the murders are related to the prison break and something dreadful is brewing. Lambert is still haunted by what was found during the manor investigation.

Then the tension really ratchets up and the book earns its fifth star. The dramatic final part of the book was deliciously fraught with tension and the shock ending was, well, a shock. Enough said. I could go on about the characters and the writing which are all great by the way but the hallmark of this story was the relentless drama and tension.
3,216 reviews68 followers
May 11, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of Dead Time, the fourth novel to feature DCI Michael Lambert of the Met.

Lambert is settling back into an uneasy home life with his wife Sophie and adopted daughter Jane when he gets a call to go to a flat in Hampstead where a man has been electrocuted in his bath. It all points to suicide except for the index card with two words printed on it, DCI Lambert. Despite the brass's misgivings Lambert's boss, Glenn Tillman assigns him the case, arguing that the killer wants him involved. Separately, DCI Sarah May, Lambert's ex girlfriend, is investigating the daring escape from custody of Peter Saunders, a member of The Manor paedophile ring whom Lambert imprisoned a year earlier.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Time which is an action packed, high octane thriller which carries on with the same theme as the previous novel, Dead Embers, so while the Dead Time works as a stand alone the reader will get more from it having read Dead Embers first.

The Manor is a nebulous association of depraved paedophiles with members in high places and a strong desire to protect its members. Fortunately for the reader the novel is not interested in the paedophilia, only the protection which involves harming Lambert. The plot is well conceived and an exciting read as Lambert suffers blow after blow but always manages to rally and push the case forward. Most of the twists are real surprises so the novel held my attention throughout.

As the novel is a thriller, rather than a procedural characterisation is not its strongpoint. Sarah May does a lot of running and otherwise follows Lambert's suggestions. Glenn Tillman is an enigmatic man of uncertain temper and mysterious sources of both information and manpower. The most developed character is the protagonist, Michael Lambert, a smart man burdened with guilt over the death of his daughter, Chloe. It makes his relationship with Sophie problematic and dysfunctional and not very convincing.

Dead Time is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Profile Image for Lavins.
1,334 reviews78 followers
April 28, 2023
2 stars

This is a follow up on a book i didn't really enjoy ( the 3rd in the series). I also didn't appreciate DCI Lambert playing the victim card constantly, or his wife blaming him for the actions of mad people.
Profile Image for Pat Simpson.
885 reviews11 followers
June 13, 2018
DCI Lambert is back in book 4 of the series. He is sent to investigate the possible suicide of a man electrocuted in his bath, but Lambert realises that it may be murder as on the man’s body is a card with DCI Lambert’s name printed on it. More bodies turn up with DCI Lambert’s card on them, is he being set up? Lambert is back with his ex wife and adopted daughter but is reunited with his ex girlfriend, DCI Sarah May, as she is involved in the escape from custody of a member of a paedophile ring whom Lambert imprisoned. Is there a connection between the two cases? This is a fast paced book that will keep you gripped. A highly recommended series of books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Profile Image for Amanda.
208 reviews10 followers
June 9, 2018
This book is great! This is my first experience with the author Matt Brolly. I was hooked from beginning to end. Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read and review this book!
19 reviews
March 27, 2025
Not quite as good as the last, but still a good end to the story. I’m not sure I loved how it ended up with Lambert and Sophie, blaming him in that scenario felt a little off.

Overall a very good series and one I’d definitely recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Helen Stead.
250 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2022
Another tense story by Matt Brolly, gripping at times and leading up to the final showdown. Why doesn't my local library stock any of his books?
Profile Image for Pgchuis.
2,399 reviews40 followers
May 12, 2018
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the fourth in a series, which I would definitely recommend you read in order. Here, our protagonist, DCI Lambert, is supposed to be investigating the murders of two men, who are each discovered with his name on a card near their bodies. However, he is instead obsessed with the escape during a prison transfer of a paedophile he was responsible for investigating and prosecuting in the last book. Having been explicitly forbidden from getting involved in the investigation into the escape, Lambert more or less abandons his cases to his team and hooks up with his former girlfriend to look into the escape which he assumes (on very little evidence, although he is of course proved right) to be linked to his own neglected murder cases.

In the meantime he ignores his wife with whom he has (see earlier instalments I presume) recently reconciled, avails himself vigilante-style of a Glock hidden in a secret lock up with his "go bag", and generally struck me as an unpleasant human being.

On the other hand, this flowed well, and I would probably have been more sympathetic if I had read earlier books in this series.
Profile Image for Shirley Hartman-Rozee.
580 reviews9 followers
April 28, 2021
This book never achieved the same incredible police investigative work and suspenseful ambience of Book #2; the entire book was spent with the spectre of The Mansion haunting every page. The idea that an evil organization is controlling individuals in all walks of life is so cliche and is not as interesting as the lone psychopathic killer. Detective Inspector Lambert manages to pull off a solution to the crimes, but loses the trust and understanding of his wife, affecting his relationship with baby Jane.
Profile Image for Jessie.
34 reviews
October 1, 2023
In usually love detective books and series but I didn’t grow to love this one. It was rushed and felt chaotic. The story line was week but kept me invested enough to keep reading. The ending wasn’t great- it felt very final which was odd because of the circumstances. I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters in particular but not an awful read- wouldn’t recommend though.
45 reviews
April 20, 2020
Pretty good

Although I like this character and the series so far, I was disappointed that this story focused on the main character in such a way that I find tiresome and lazy. Hope the next edition is more creative.
Profile Image for Johanna Sawyer.
3,473 reviews41 followers
May 15, 2018
Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and review and give my honest opinion. Nice cover and blurb. This is the fourth book in the series and the series should be read in order for best entertainment value since the author lightly describes characters in this book. All the characters seem to play a previous part in a prior book since the criminals in the case are from an already closed case.


Detective Chief Inspector Lambert is called to a crime scene of what looks to be a death by electrocution in the bathtub. The killer has left his name on a handwritten note at the scene. A subtle taunt from the killer to make sure DCI Lambert is alerted to the case. DCI Lambert has recently gained notoriety because of the high profile case he has just worked on putting away several pedophiles. While Lambert's career seems to be taking off his personal life is a mess. He has recently reconciled with his ex wife and they are currently taking things slow. The case heats up though when the killer leaves Lamberts name at several more murders, and Lambert is eventually suspended.

I enjoyed the book but I think my reading pleasure was stunted because I hadn't any of the previous books. I found it really peculiar though that the police itself had multiple burner phones, and was consistently downgrading other officers to not touch this investigation. I don't have much experience with British Police but some major trust issues going on. Still it was a great book, and entertainment was four stars. I would read from this author again.
80 reviews
October 11, 2024
I gave this 4 ⭐ because on the whole I have enjoyed the series, in general the plots of each book have been good with enough twists and turns to keep you reading👍the buts however.....the main character DCI Michael Lambert is totally self centered and clearly does not realise there is no "I" in team, coupled with the fact that he is a google Dr and can "self diagnose" especially after the traumatic tragedy he and his family suffered through makes him totally selfish as well

I also have issues with a series when yhe back story changes, book one DI Sarah May's father shared a house together because he was a widow and it worked well for them, enter the dead wife in book 4 🤔
Also book 3 Michael and Sarah are clearly at the end of their relationship and Michael and Sophie enter a new stage in their relationship and move forward at last
Then along comes book 4 and suddenly Michael and Sarah have unresolved feelings 🤦‍♀️ and Sophie changes from the supportive wife who wanted Michael to be part of Janes life to laying blame at his door for things betond his control, I do in part blame him for that as it should have been obvious that he was a target and he should of had measures in place to watch his family as he had done previously
Anyway that said I've enjoyed it enough to move on to his next series 🙂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for M.
1,576 reviews
September 5, 2018
Suspense-Thriller of a Police Procedural

This is an excellently plotted and well-written sequel to book #3 “Dead Embers,” which was my introduction to Matt Brolly’s DCI Lambert series.
Unlike some British police procedurals, this series features more action, a faster pace and some truly despicable criminals. Also, there are more guns and actual shooting deaths—inflicted by detectives and not by armed response units (SWAT)—but less violence and destruction than in many American police procedurals.
Ominously, there is an amorphous but powerful and despicable organization lurking in the background of book #3 and #4. That said, “Dead Time” has a satisfying ending that wraps up the plot threads, arresting the culprits and then some.
I believe this book can be read as a stand-alone, because the author supplies enough information about the characters and elements from the previous book. However, for a better reading experience, I suggest reading book #3 first.

13 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2025
It wasn't a bad book, just seemed overly formulaic. For me it didn't bring anything new that haven't read many times before. Tough guy detective trying to get back with his wife and young daughter after having a fling with a fellow detective. Hard ass but good guy boss who overlooks many of the things he does. A serial killer who leaves a card with the detective's name printed on it at each copycat killing of victims that are replicas of his previous cases. I'm sure this book is not the first in the series since these killings relate to one of his previous case of a large group of pedophiles who have an underground cave system where they had tortured and killed kids. I have not read the earlier books in the series and will not be doing it. It's not that I'm unaware that pedophiles exist and surely are very secretive, but what I gleamed from this book's references to. the previous case it just seemed to be too over the top.
Profile Image for Bob Hurley.
495 reviews
August 27, 2018
Lambert “Kills again”

Once again Matt Brolly had me turning pages faster than I could read them. DCI’s Lambert and May at the forefront in their drive to bring down “The Manor” This time Lambert is the target for revenge but by whom? Intrigue turns to personal disaster for Lambert as his ex wife and step daughter are kidnapped with them as the bare he is forced to act outside of the law. He draws on his relationship with May along with the support of Superintendent Tillman and DS Kennedy to capture the perpetrators. However in the end he pays a heavy cost. Thoroughly enjoyable and a real page turner. Cannot wait for the next DCI Lambert release
8 reviews
October 29, 2018
Not the best, but by no means the worst crime novel I've read in Kindle. The plotting is good and the main characters are well drawn. Perhaps I'm being 'picky', but the phrasing seems slightly clumsy in places. Some sentence structures produce odd pauses in reading, while I work out what caused the glitch. The confusion of "its" and "it's" crops up in a few places, to add to the 'picky' pauses.

The good old Kindle formatting machine steps in, too, working to defeat the editing process in some places by repeating entire substantial passages several times.

Within limitations, still worth a read.
85 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2024
When I first started reading the Matt Brolly DCI Lambert series I was reminded of Fiona McIntosh's DCI Jack Hawksworth series and I was very pleased to see Lambert's character arc avoids making him irresistibly attractive to women, focusing instead on his personal and professional struggles.

The series prioritises complex crime investigations and procedural elements, aligning with a preference for serious and gritty narratives. Lambert is a realistic, multi-dimensional character who deals with believable personal issues, providing a more immersive and relatable reading experience.

I am hoping Matt Brolly continues the series
Profile Image for Lauren Piper.
5 reviews
February 10, 2023
I really enjoyed the plot of this book! The story line and the suspense of finding out who was responsible made the book hard to put down!

I did think the beginning of the book was a bit slow but the last 150 pages were intense and captivating.

There were quite a few different names of detectives, suspects and victims which at times did make the story hard to follow as I struggled to remember who was involved with what, but that may just be down to my poor memory lol

Overall I reallt enjoyed this book!
767 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2020
Fabulous

Another good story involving DCI Michael Lambert. It must be hard to have a relationship when pressure is on you to keep awkward hours like the police force. I did enjoy this novel from beginning to the end. It had all the qualities that a crime book should have. It had me gripped right from the start. However the swearing and profanity hadn’t lessened therefore 4 stars awarded. Good solid entertainment. Thank you 😊
524 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2023
Another cracking story by brolly and some of it is linked to book three. We have a copycat serial killer (no spoilers), also lambert, tillman, may all on the trail for the killerThere has got to be a number five book because of the way this one ended, in relation to the manor. So just go out and BUY this book can,t wait for number FIVE COME ON MR BROLLY GET YOUR FINGER OUT AND LETS HAVE IT PLEASE.
98 reviews
August 28, 2020
Another Terrific Police Murder Mystery

DCI Lambert is once again the hero with Sarah May as his partial love interest. Characters from a previous work of the author's are present again and further involved in this new mystery.. I enjoyed this story as much as the last one I read but think I may have missed one story in between. Recommend.
Profile Image for Mary Bradshaw.
30 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2020
Gripping, so so gripping

If you have read the earlier Lambert books in the series, this will come as no surprise in that it ups the anti and keeps you in total suspense throughout. The multi-threaded plot entwines the anxieties of personal relationships with the horrendous crimes committed. You can’t put it down! Where is the next one?!!
95 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2021
A major twist at the end!

The story line is not a normal murder mystery with a connection to a major despicable crime so the reader anxiously follows the development looking for the link of proof. The personal issues are unfortunately not new or different. Are there any police officers or detectives who have a happy homelife?
Profile Image for Rock Chick Fee.
146 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2022
Another Fabulous read in the Michael lambert series, action packed from beginning to end, again the story just draws you in. Another brilliant read.

Turns out some of Lamberts earlier crimes are being re-inacted, then his wife and daughter are kidnapped, the pace just gets faster more action packed as the story progresses.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
86 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2022
Dead time

A really good follow up to the previous three books, this story as usual is full of twists and turns, a dead body being found in the bath Lamberts name attached to the body, all the making if a copycat killer,
Lambert shocked and pushed to his limits at what he had discovered,
Recommend good read
Profile Image for Martha Brindley.
Author 2 books34 followers
May 22, 2018
DCI Lambert is back in action. Fans will not be disappointed with this book in the series. A thoroughly enjoyable read by Matt Brolly. A fast paced police procedural with an insight into Lambert's personal life. A 4 star read from me. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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