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Knight & Culverhouse #1
Too Close For Comfort
What if the serial killer you were investigating was someone you knew?DS Wendy Knight's first murder case was always going to test her limits, but even she couldn't anticipate that a sadistic serial killer might be someone she knew - very well.As her investigation unfolds, so too does a sinister plot that will turn her world upside down and make it increasingly difficult to distinguish friend from foe in her tightknit world.By the time Wendy realises she is the killer's final intended victim, she's left fighting against her personal instincts - and for her life.Adam Croft is the USA Today and worldwide Amazon number 1 bestseller of crime and psychological thrillers, with more than one million books sold to date.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2010
1817 people are currently reading
1602 people want to read
About the author
Adam Croft
50 books546 followersWith more than half a million books sold to date, Adam Croft is one of the most successful independently published authors in the world, and one of the biggest selling authors of the past year.
Following his 2015 worldwide bestseller Her Last Tomorrow, his psychological thrillers were bought by Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing. Prior to the Amazon deal, Her Last Tomorrow sold more than 150,000 copies across all platforms and became one of the bestselling books of the year, reaching the top 10 in the overall Amazon Kindle chart and peaking at number 12 in the combined paperback fiction and non-fiction chart.
His Knight & Culverhouse crime thriller series has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide, with his Kempston Hardwick mystery books being adapted as audio plays starring some of the biggest names in British TV.
In 2016, the Knight & Culverhouse Box Set reached number 1 in Canada, knocking J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off the top spot only weeks after Her Last Tomorrow was also number 1 in Canada.
During the summer of 2016, two of Adam’s books hit the USA Today bestseller list only weeks apart, making them two of the most-purchased books in the United States over the summer.
Before writing full time, Adam had previously worked as an internet marketing consultant, delivery driver and professional actor.
Adam has been featured on BBC Radio, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and a number of other news and media outl
Following his 2015 worldwide bestseller Her Last Tomorrow, his psychological thrillers were bought by Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing. Prior to the Amazon deal, Her Last Tomorrow sold more than 150,000 copies across all platforms and became one of the bestselling books of the year, reaching the top 10 in the overall Amazon Kindle chart and peaking at number 12 in the combined paperback fiction and non-fiction chart.
His Knight & Culverhouse crime thriller series has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide, with his Kempston Hardwick mystery books being adapted as audio plays starring some of the biggest names in British TV.
In 2016, the Knight & Culverhouse Box Set reached number 1 in Canada, knocking J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off the top spot only weeks after Her Last Tomorrow was also number 1 in Canada.
During the summer of 2016, two of Adam’s books hit the USA Today bestseller list only weeks apart, making them two of the most-purchased books in the United States over the summer.
Before writing full time, Adam had previously worked as an internet marketing consultant, delivery driver and professional actor.
Adam has been featured on BBC Radio, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Bookseller and a number of other news and media outl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
April 23, 2017
Nice,quick police procedural...
This is a good story, with good police characters and an interesting twist in a serial murder mystery. A quick read that wraps everything up nicely.
This is a good story, with good police characters and an interesting twist in a serial murder mystery. A quick read that wraps everything up nicely.
June 4, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
DS Wendy Knight is Mildenheath CID's newest recruit. In trying to solve the murder of Ella Barrington, a known prostitute, Wendy comes to realise that she has a serial killer on her hands. As the murder investigation continues, Wendy begins to suspect that her new love interest, Robert Ludford, may have had more than a passing interest in the murders in Mildenheath.
This is a quick and really easy book to read and DCI Culverhouse and DS Wendy Knight are investigating who is behind the killing of prostitutes. The pace is fast from the beginning. We learn a little of the Detectives personal lives, helping to build up their characters. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed.
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DS Wendy Knight is Mildenheath CID's newest recruit. In trying to solve the murder of Ella Barrington, a known prostitute, Wendy comes to realise that she has a serial killer on her hands. As the murder investigation continues, Wendy begins to suspect that her new love interest, Robert Ludford, may have had more than a passing interest in the murders in Mildenheath.
This is a quick and really easy book to read and DCI Culverhouse and DS Wendy Knight are investigating who is behind the killing of prostitutes. The pace is fast from the beginning. We learn a little of the Detectives personal lives, helping to build up their characters. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed.
#FreeKindleBook
July 6, 2018
I’m sorry to say this one didn’t work for me. There was a lot of telling, not enough showing, and nothing was completely developed. Things were stated matter of fact and the author simply moved onto the next detail. The reveal was really sad and had great potential to be amazing, but it really fell short of the mark. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who likes British crime procedurals, romance, or true mystery or suspense.
May 26, 2019
This was a free book on Kindle and looked interesting. Unfortunately, I did not like the writing style, the characters or the story. The writing style seemed awkward, especially any conversation. Culverhouse comes across as stupid - how could someone rise to that rank and be surprised to learn that you can tell if the killer is right-handed by the direction of the cut across the neck? His speech is obnoxious, sexist, full of cliche and completely inappropriate in a modern workplace. He even tells Knight to keep up her relationship with a potential killer with no thought to backup. If I was supposed to find something appealing in him, I didn't. Knight struck me as a cliche stupid young girl, trying to one-up the boss, totally unaware of what is going on around her, or too stupid to care. Drunk driving, discussing a case with a bartender and some guy she just met, showing up for work hung-over, agreeing to continue seeing a guy she thinks could be a killer, etc. And, at least for me, the identity of the killer became obvious by half way through the book, yet the possibility never occurred to Knight. I was hoping to like this book and to have a new series to read, but after this one, I won't be reading the rest of the series.
January 23, 2013
Dreadful! I simply can't find a single positive thing to say about this book... Oh yeah, it was short!
Has to be one of the most unbelievable books I've ever read, it was factually incorrect on a number of occasions, the dialogue was horrendous, the plot was laughable and characters were 2 dimensional at best.
Has to be one of the most unbelievable books I've ever read, it was factually incorrect on a number of occasions, the dialogue was horrendous, the plot was laughable and characters were 2 dimensional at best.
April 23, 2016
Having not long read another of this authors books which I really enjoyed I thought I would try this one.
Too Close For Comfort is the first book in the Knight & Culverhouse series. At 144 pages on the kindle, it felt more like a novella than an actual novel.
The storyline of murdered prostitutes is one that had my interest and I wanted to know as much as the police who was behind the murders.
Knight and Culverhouse have quite a strange relationship. I couldn't quite work out if they really liked each other or not but think all will become clear the further into the series we get.
Over all Too Close For Comfort is a quick and enjoyable read. I do have to admit to struggling with a few things in the story, like Wendy and Robert's relationship and who the murderer is, it just didn't quite work for me. This is just my opinion of course and I would certainly still recommend this to others as well as read more by the author.
Too Close For Comfort is the first book in the Knight & Culverhouse series. At 144 pages on the kindle, it felt more like a novella than an actual novel.
The storyline of murdered prostitutes is one that had my interest and I wanted to know as much as the police who was behind the murders.
Knight and Culverhouse have quite a strange relationship. I couldn't quite work out if they really liked each other or not but think all will become clear the further into the series we get.
Over all Too Close For Comfort is a quick and enjoyable read. I do have to admit to struggling with a few things in the story, like Wendy and Robert's relationship and who the murderer is, it just didn't quite work for me. This is just my opinion of course and I would certainly still recommend this to others as well as read more by the author.
February 27, 2017
This is the first book in a British series featuring DS Wendy Knight and her superior DCI Culverhouse from Mildenheath CID. They are chasing a serial killer who is targeting prostitutes.
I needed a short audiobook that I could finish in one day prior to the weekend. At 144 pages on Kindle / 3hrs audio this fitted the bill. Because this is a very short story, you don't get an intricate mystery/police procedural or anything in the way of character development, but that was ok. From reading other reviews, I gather DCI Culverhouse is not the most likable character due to his inappropriate manner. Personally, I found him mildly entertaining in a "grumpy old men" kind of way. I was more bothered by the female detective, Wendy. Not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Considering Culverhouse's attitude and Wendy's simplicity, this may not be the right book for you if you have strong feelings about clichéd portrayals, in particular of women. There was a bit of an old-fashioned feel to this. Then there was a side character who supposedly has Asperger's. He was drawn in a manner that led me to believe the author hadn't actually done a lot of research into how this character would interact with other people.
The book was narrated by Nigel Patterson, which was the saving grace in all of this. He was excellent.
Overall, this was a quick, light, predictable story with little suspense but it kept me amused for a couple of hours. I don't think I'll be rushing to get to the second book though.
Narration 4 stars. Story probably more like 2.5 stars.
I needed a short audiobook that I could finish in one day prior to the weekend. At 144 pages on Kindle / 3hrs audio this fitted the bill. Because this is a very short story, you don't get an intricate mystery/police procedural or anything in the way of character development, but that was ok. From reading other reviews, I gather DCI Culverhouse is not the most likable character due to his inappropriate manner. Personally, I found him mildly entertaining in a "grumpy old men" kind of way. I was more bothered by the female detective, Wendy. Not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Considering Culverhouse's attitude and Wendy's simplicity, this may not be the right book for you if you have strong feelings about clichéd portrayals, in particular of women. There was a bit of an old-fashioned feel to this. Then there was a side character who supposedly has Asperger's. He was drawn in a manner that led me to believe the author hadn't actually done a lot of research into how this character would interact with other people.
The book was narrated by Nigel Patterson, which was the saving grace in all of this. He was excellent.
Overall, this was a quick, light, predictable story with little suspense but it kept me amused for a couple of hours. I don't think I'll be rushing to get to the second book though.
Narration 4 stars. Story probably more like 2.5 stars.
April 8, 2016
Once again, Nigel Patterson, did a great job with the narration. He is very easy to listen to and has a clear and concise voice.
Now the story, this is my second book by this author and again, I find myself disappointed. The story felt very rushed and the characters were just there, they didn't appeal to me, nor did I find they developed at all. I knew who the murderer was pretty quickly as well.
Now the story, this is my second book by this author and again, I find myself disappointed. The story felt very rushed and the characters were just there, they didn't appeal to me, nor did I find they developed at all. I knew who the murderer was pretty quickly as well.
February 2, 2014
This was extremely boring and found the writing style very short and curt. I read this within 3 hours and felt it has good potential but just needed more content.
November 28, 2018
Not very good at all - weak plot, badly written and poor character stereotyping
April 15, 2016
To the author's credit, this short British police procedural novel was pretty readable and fairly enjoyable, which isn't always the case with (as this was) free-to-download novels I have on occasion read due to not having a paperback in my bag at the time.
The story concerns the killing of a number of prostitutes in a short period, and the investigation of the crime by a grumpy un-PC male detective and his independent but flawed female colleague. If this sounds pretty typical, it very much was - this book was filled with every cliche of the genre that a reader might have ever experienced - and this, a plot twist as unsubtle and obvious as a man holding a sign saying "I am going to slap you in the face" who then slaps you in the face, and a number of pretty cringe-worthy juvenile jokes. . . it just felt a bit like it was written by a teenage boy.
I've no reason to be too cross with a free book that amused me for an hour or two, and I'm sure the author will improve with confidence and experience, but it was a bit crap.
The story concerns the killing of a number of prostitutes in a short period, and the investigation of the crime by a grumpy un-PC male detective and his independent but flawed female colleague. If this sounds pretty typical, it very much was - this book was filled with every cliche of the genre that a reader might have ever experienced - and this, a plot twist as unsubtle and obvious as a man holding a sign saying "I am going to slap you in the face" who then slaps you in the face, and a number of pretty cringe-worthy juvenile jokes. . . it just felt a bit like it was written by a teenage boy.
I've no reason to be too cross with a free book that amused me for an hour or two, and I'm sure the author will improve with confidence and experience, but it was a bit crap.
December 9, 2016
Very entertaining..
Wow! I love these little stories that say so much. They tell you a perfect tale in less than 200 pages. They’re not filled with descriptions of every leaf on a tree. The murders, the evidence, the suspects and the solving of the crime. I was surprised at who the killer was, and why, but I was saddened by Robert. Culverhouse was a loud and obnoxious asshole but you couldn’t help but like him. And Wendy was a sweet and kind partner, so they got on well. This was about a serial killer who strangled mainly prostitutes with “bowline knots” and I think there were 2 or 3 suspects and Culverhouse tried to blame each one of them before they found the real killer. It was all very exciting.
One reviewer said there was “gratuitous sex” in this story. Ummm, NO! Wendy straddled Roberts lap then it went to the next day. So, NO SEX. But the F-bomb was used 29 times.
As to the narration: Nigel Patterson did a super job on the men’s voices and the emotions he read with were just incredible BUT his female voices were a little too male sounding.
Wow! I love these little stories that say so much. They tell you a perfect tale in less than 200 pages. They’re not filled with descriptions of every leaf on a tree. The murders, the evidence, the suspects and the solving of the crime. I was surprised at who the killer was, and why, but I was saddened by Robert. Culverhouse was a loud and obnoxious asshole but you couldn’t help but like him. And Wendy was a sweet and kind partner, so they got on well. This was about a serial killer who strangled mainly prostitutes with “bowline knots” and I think there were 2 or 3 suspects and Culverhouse tried to blame each one of them before they found the real killer. It was all very exciting.
One reviewer said there was “gratuitous sex” in this story. Ummm, NO! Wendy straddled Roberts lap then it went to the next day. So, NO SEX. But the F-bomb was used 29 times.
As to the narration: Nigel Patterson did a super job on the men’s voices and the emotions he read with were just incredible BUT his female voices were a little too male sounding.
May 9, 2022
Short but not punchy . Just got my e-reader but before I really get going I feel I have to catch up by reviewing a whole lot of books that I read in the last few months, before I forget them all. Good thing this one is only a very short read. It’s not memorable. It’s very slight in both length and quality. There’s only a mediocre understanding of cop practice and procedure here, and that is probably derived from too much television. There are just too many glib moments. Real cops would probably get irritated reading this. There’s not much real suspense, either, and it’s predictable at every turn. DCI Culverhouse treats his partner Wendy Knight in a way that rankles. Any cop worth her salt would have him over a barrel for his out-of-date attitudes.
January 17, 2017
This was a book with potential, and if the ending didn't feel quite so rushed it might have lived up to it. Although there was no real period that it was set in, the behaviour, mannerisms and dialogue made it feel like something from the 80s. In parts it read a bit too much like a TV police drama from that time, but there was some added humour. The characterisations did feel a little cliched, but with a short book something somewhere has to give. A quick but enjoyable read, although for non native readers some of the British slang terms might seem a little odd.
May 6, 2017
I give this 3.5 stars.
This was a very quick, enjoyable read from a new author I hadn't read before. The characters Knight and Culverhouse played off well against each other, although Culverhouse's misogyny started to grate on my nerves a little. He needed a good slap in the mush!
Interesting serial killer case that was well paced in build-up right until the end where I feel it fell a bit flat. The reveal of the killer seemed all too matter of fact, the ending feeling rushed.
A good introduction to a series that I would recommend.
This was a very quick, enjoyable read from a new author I hadn't read before. The characters Knight and Culverhouse played off well against each other, although Culverhouse's misogyny started to grate on my nerves a little. He needed a good slap in the mush!
Interesting serial killer case that was well paced in build-up right until the end where I feel it fell a bit flat. The reveal of the killer seemed all too matter of fact, the ending feeling rushed.
A good introduction to a series that I would recommend.
February 5, 2019
Totally unbelievable characters and storyline
What a load of utter codswallop! When I started reading this I thought it must beset in the 70s judging by the language being used: the way the DCI kept referring to the prostitutes as prossies, who even uses that word nowadays, the way DS Knight refers to the receptionist in the hospital as a tart, and then the narrator calls her tart as if that were her name. The storyline was totally unrealistic: the way DCI Culverhouse orders Knight to continue to date a man they both believe to be a serial killer, the way she tells him details of the case on their first date, the "clues" we are shown to try and make us believe who the killer is. I'm sorry but I will not be reading any more books by this author.
What a load of utter codswallop! When I started reading this I thought it must beset in the 70s judging by the language being used: the way the DCI kept referring to the prostitutes as prossies, who even uses that word nowadays, the way DS Knight refers to the receptionist in the hospital as a tart, and then the narrator calls her tart as if that were her name. The storyline was totally unrealistic: the way DCI Culverhouse orders Knight to continue to date a man they both believe to be a serial killer, the way she tells him details of the case on their first date, the "clues" we are shown to try and make us believe who the killer is. I'm sorry but I will not be reading any more books by this author.
July 19, 2015
A police detective is trying to help discover who their city’s serial killer is. It was a good story until the murderer was revealed; nothing in the book lead up to that point. It seemed like the ending was forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2015
This was a quick fun read. Little bit different twist to your standard murder mystery fare but a lot of fun. At least in this British based story you didn't have to suffer through a lot British slang.
April 14, 2011
It was okay. The story felt rushed and the ending didn't make that much sense to me.
December 20, 2016
another winner! unexpected ending.
be careful who you trust with your life!
be careful who you trust with your life!
March 31, 2018
sin más palabras
July 5, 2017
This book was a fast-paced mystery/thriller that I poured through in a single afternoon. The book got straight into the case from the start, and took you along for the investigation. There was a little bit about the detectives personal lives thrown in, just enough to build the characters but not so much that it ever really let up on the main focus, solving the case. I never put spoiler in my reviews but it has a good twist at the end. It made for an enjoyable afternoon's reading and left me looking forward to more of the series. If you like your mysteries fast-paced and to the point I highly recommend.
January 5, 2018
Case of the Dead Prostitutes!
Detective Chief Inspector Culverhouse and Wendy Knight go on the hunt for the perpetrator who is killing prostitutes! I was utterly shocked to learn just who the real killer was ... Keep in mind the clues led Wendy to believe that she was sleeping with the enemy ... Was she really??? I'm sorry, you are going to have to read the book for yourself! You will not be disappointed and it's a quick read!
Detective Chief Inspector Culverhouse and Wendy Knight go on the hunt for the perpetrator who is killing prostitutes! I was utterly shocked to learn just who the real killer was ... Keep in mind the clues led Wendy to believe that she was sleeping with the enemy ... Was she really??? I'm sorry, you are going to have to read the book for yourself! You will not be disappointed and it's a quick read!
June 20, 2019
A little on the short side but the ideal as a commuting on the train book. I downloaded it almost a year ago and just got round to reading it.
It may only be me but when I read books I assign a "look" to them. Robert, I automatically thought of him looking like Robert Bathurst.
The misogeny of Culverhouse seemed very 70's. I expect it will grow into something else.
And no. I never guessed whodunnit.
It may only be me but when I read books I assign a "look" to them. Robert, I automatically thought of him looking like Robert Bathurst.
The misogeny of Culverhouse seemed very 70's. I expect it will grow into something else.
And no. I never guessed whodunnit.
July 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and easily got into the characters. It was a little short and wrapped up quickly. I enjoyed it enough to move onto book 2
April 11, 2021
The first in the Knight & Culverhouse series and one I thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that it only took me one day to read it! There are 9 more but I am going to make myself read other books in between as I want to make them last. The two characters are at opposite ends of the spectrum and although there are horrific crimes to be solved I could not help but laugh at some of the comments that go between them.
April 28, 2021
Read this book in a couple of hours. Loved it. Have the next 2 books in the series so looking forward to getting stuck into these over the bank holiday weekend if the weather’s not great
November 10, 2019
While the murders were plausible, the professionalism of the police was nonexistent.
May 13, 2018
This is the 2nd book I have read by Adam Croft and loved it. I usually dont guess who did it...but this time I knew something was array and who it might be. Or all these mystery/hriller books are finally teaching me how to be a good detective.
DS Knight has her first murder case...and its a serial killer. She is very outspoken and lets her boss know it. But when she suspects a close friend, she goes all out to prove she is right. But is she. I wasnt sure, but then I thought I had an idea. This is a "can't put down" book and very fast read. Going to read more Croft books....great writer.
DS Knight has her first murder case...and its a serial killer. She is very outspoken and lets her boss know it. But when she suspects a close friend, she goes all out to prove she is right. But is she. I wasnt sure, but then I thought I had an idea. This is a "can't put down" book and very fast read. Going to read more Croft books....great writer.
October 31, 2023
The story moved along pretty quickly. To me seemed like it ended all in a rush though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews