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The Romney and Marsh Files #2
Making a Killing
Detective Inspector Romney and Detective Sergeant Marsh are back solving crime in the port town of Dover on the Kent coast. Of course they are. They are the police. It’s their job.
A nasty death on the thirteenth green of the local golf course heralds the start of a series of disturbing events that sees the town’s annual crime statistics go through the roof. As the dead bodies start piling up, DI Romney fears he might miss his holiday. Is it the heat? Is there something in the water? Or is someone just out to make a killing?
Seven people lost their lives in the making of this the second instalment of the Romney and Marsh Files.
A nasty death on the thirteenth green of the local golf course heralds the start of a series of disturbing events that sees the town’s annual crime statistics go through the roof. As the dead bodies start piling up, DI Romney fears he might miss his holiday. Is it the heat? Is there something in the water? Or is someone just out to make a killing?
Seven people lost their lives in the making of this the second instalment of the Romney and Marsh Files.
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First published December 22, 2012
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About the author
Oliver Tidy
21 books79 followersCrime and thriller fiction.
My website is the best place to find me.
http://olivertidy.com
I enjoy communicating with readers of my books, so please, if you have any comments or questions, get in touch.
My website is the best place to find me.
http://olivertidy.com
I enjoy communicating with readers of my books, so please, if you have any comments or questions, get in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 8, 2016
Another excellent read.
March 5, 2016
This is a definite 4 star novel (I'm actually quite stingy with 5 star ratings, which only go to books I consider really exceptional). Furthermore, I have now become a fan of Oliver Tidy's books! When a book grabs me so much that I can't put it down, doesn't depend on cliff-hangers, fantasy, horror or violence, and, on top of that, actually makes me laugh, then it's one I can totally recommend to all my GR friends and anyone else who loves an unpretentious but entertaining police procedural.
The plot is nicely intricate and the characters are extremely well-drawn, especially Romney and Marsh, of course, who both seem to be developing very nicely. The author cleverly manages descriptions of people, places and situations in very few words, and so well that I got almost photographic images of them in my head. I didn't guess the truth until very near the end, but what I enjoyed most of all were the dialogues and (mostly) subtle humour. Well done, Mr Tidy - keep up the good work!
The plot is nicely intricate and the characters are extremely well-drawn, especially Romney and Marsh, of course, who both seem to be developing very nicely. The author cleverly manages descriptions of people, places and situations in very few words, and so well that I got almost photographic images of them in my head. I didn't guess the truth until very near the end, but what I enjoyed most of all were the dialogues and (mostly) subtle humour. Well done, Mr Tidy - keep up the good work!
June 2, 2015
This is the 2nd book in Oliver Tidy's Romney and Marsh Files, and for me it was just as enjoyable as the 1st book in the series. I was slightly disappointed that the character of DS Joy Marsh hasn't really been developed much further, whilst DI Tom Romney seems to be getting grumpier.
Once again this was a gripping police procedural, which really starts with the discovery of a body on a local golf course. He has been brutally murdered, but no murder weapon is found, and there is no sign of a struggle. A second body is found, and Romney and his team are suddenly stretched, especially as there seems to be a vigilante going round damaging badly parked vehicles. With pressure from their superiors, and attention from the media, Romney and Marsh need to start solving their caseloads. Are the bodies related in anyway, and if so how? Who is the vigilante damaging vehicles?
So many red herrings are dotted about, between the various cases, that the truth is going to be difficult to find.
Once again this was a gripping police procedural, which really starts with the discovery of a body on a local golf course. He has been brutally murdered, but no murder weapon is found, and there is no sign of a struggle. A second body is found, and Romney and his team are suddenly stretched, especially as there seems to be a vigilante going round damaging badly parked vehicles. With pressure from their superiors, and attention from the media, Romney and Marsh need to start solving their caseloads. Are the bodies related in anyway, and if so how? Who is the vigilante damaging vehicles?
So many red herrings are dotted about, between the various cases, that the truth is going to be difficult to find.
July 4, 2017
Don't know why this had not been checked off as read some years ago...but I did not mind reading through a second time though quickly to catch up before starting book#3. I like this author and had found this on Kindle Unlimited. I am currently exploiting that subscription to determine whether I should renew or not.
March 13, 2021
The plot was great. The different characters were done well. The story is that a golf pro is found dead on the 13th green, his head bashed in. The different detectives are gathered around and find clues one after the other, but no suspects. The ending is interesting, but that character is never introduced until the end and I didn't really like that.
July 10, 2015
This is an author that goes from strength to strength, a great crime novel that also has some laugh out loud moments. This man deserves to be published so more people can enjoy his works
July 15, 2016
I'm enjoying this series of books. The characters are developing nicely and I liked the storyline. Plenty of twists and turns and I didn't guess the ending!
March 23, 2019
No distractions!!
Another good book from Oliver Tidy. Having read the first Romney and Marsh book, Rope Enough, the main characters were further developed and balanced having commendable qualities, but also a few short comings, and a humorous side. The story had twists and turns that were tied up in the end. The crimes to be solved kept me interested and reading way past bedtime.
Key aspects for me in rating a book are lack of distractions such as 1) profanity (nothing offensive in this book) especially F bombs (none); 2) explicit sex (not here, love making, but most left to the readers imagination); 3) gory sensationalized murders with descriptions that are repulsive (deaths were not pretty in this book, but the emphasis was on facts to solve the crimes, not on making nightmarish descriptions); 4) editing errors ( I can't remember finding more than one or two and definitely did not distract).
I have read one Acer Sansom book by Oliver Tidy and I plan to try Booker and Cash and read all the books in all three series. I often choose books by author and I have found another writer I will be following!
Another good book from Oliver Tidy. Having read the first Romney and Marsh book, Rope Enough, the main characters were further developed and balanced having commendable qualities, but also a few short comings, and a humorous side. The story had twists and turns that were tied up in the end. The crimes to be solved kept me interested and reading way past bedtime.
Key aspects for me in rating a book are lack of distractions such as 1) profanity (nothing offensive in this book) especially F bombs (none); 2) explicit sex (not here, love making, but most left to the readers imagination); 3) gory sensationalized murders with descriptions that are repulsive (deaths were not pretty in this book, but the emphasis was on facts to solve the crimes, not on making nightmarish descriptions); 4) editing errors ( I can't remember finding more than one or two and definitely did not distract).
I have read one Acer Sansom book by Oliver Tidy and I plan to try Booker and Cash and read all the books in all three series. I often choose books by author and I have found another writer I will be following!
March 6, 2022
Cue body found on a local golf course, very disfigured, presumably by golf clubs, well it is a golf course, sets the tone for the opening of the second of the Romney and Marsh files. I actually like the naming of the pair as I live near Romney Marsh in Kent. Other place names seem to seep in as well.
DI Romney is a grumpy cop, aren't they all, working with the not so new now newcomer DS Marsh. What looks like a not too difficult murder to solve, the man was cheating on his wife and his teenage son knew about, wife not bothered, he was very wealthy, had many enemies as he was trying to buy up a row of cottages belonging to the golf club which wasn't being welcomed. But, it went deeper than that.
It was a nice ride through the solving of the mystery and we get to know Romney and Marsh and their working relationship much better, no sign of romance between the leads with this one, Romney is pursuing a very nice teacher, still!
I read the first Romney and Marsh book a few years ago so I'm off to check if I still have it on my kindle and if so to re-read it.
DI Romney is a grumpy cop, aren't they all, working with the not so new now newcomer DS Marsh. What looks like a not too difficult murder to solve, the man was cheating on his wife and his teenage son knew about, wife not bothered, he was very wealthy, had many enemies as he was trying to buy up a row of cottages belonging to the golf club which wasn't being welcomed. But, it went deeper than that.
It was a nice ride through the solving of the mystery and we get to know Romney and Marsh and their working relationship much better, no sign of romance between the leads with this one, Romney is pursuing a very nice teacher, still!
I read the first Romney and Marsh book a few years ago so I'm off to check if I still have it on my kindle and if so to re-read it.
June 13, 2017
I am always on the look-out for good British crime novels and this was certainly one to add to my list. The plot was neither too implausible or too easy, the characters were interesting without being overdone and the writing was clear and error-free.
A great read and several more in the series to work though! :)
A great read and several more in the series to work though! :)
June 1, 2017
Good series
I've now read books 1&2 and have purchased nos 3. the police procedure is excellent . I'm also enjoying the plots within these stories. Whether I
Can afford to read all seven remains to be seen.
I've now read books 1&2 and have purchased nos 3. the police procedure is excellent . I'm also enjoying the plots within these stories. Whether I
Can afford to read all seven remains to be seen.
February 7, 2018
Second in the series and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great police procedure, character development also excellent, plenty of plot twists and left turns and a very grumpy DI Romney, or is that down to his love life and hot weather! Great page turner and a series developing nicely.
April 1, 2018
Great read
I have definitely enjoyed reading this book, so many murders/suicides keeping the reader mystified and enthralled right until the end.
Another great book from this Author!
I have definitely enjoyed reading this book, so many murders/suicides keeping the reader mystified and enthralled right until the end.
Another great book from this Author!
December 15, 2021
I enjoy Oliver Tidy
Pretty good story, I have read two of Tidy’s books and am about to read another. While I enjoy the characters and most of the plot, I found this ending a little disappointing. Still wort a read though.
Pretty good story, I have read two of Tidy’s books and am about to read another. While I enjoy the characters and most of the plot, I found this ending a little disappointing. Still wort a read though.
July 23, 2017
A wonderful mystery by a first time author for me. A fast paced enjoyable read. Won this book and a pleasure to review.
February 6, 2018
Finished in one day, kept me up until early morning. Couldn't put it down.
December 29, 2018
Struggled with this one really enjoyed the first book not sure if I’ll read the 3rd one!
Read
August 25, 2019Great book
Really enjoyed the second book in this series fast paced with likeable characters. Will be downloading the third in the series
Really enjoyed the second book in this series fast paced with likeable characters. Will be downloading the third in the series
August 5, 2020
Well this had a few twists to it, thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it.
June 1, 2023
Enjoyable and amusing English murder mystery with a range of interesting characters.
September 8, 2013
Another great story from Mr. Tidy in which the body count rises alarmingly (but not ridiculously so) and poor old D.I. Romney gets physically and mentally assaulted. I suppose that detective-story purists might object that they could not have possibly deduced the identity of the final assailant but I really enjoyed the pace of this story and the interplay between the characters. I do think the D.S. Marsh shows a worrying lack of concern for the security of vital evidence, as seen in the first two books and I'm not sure that deliberately infecting a colleague's computer with a malicious virus in an act of revenge shows the degree of professionalism that she is supposed to represent. However, these are minor quibbles. A slightly more major quibble would be the need for careful proof-reading and editing - I know that it's the tedious part of being an author but it makes all the difference between professional and amateur books. Here we find another 'could of' instead of 'could have' and there are a number of clumsy sentences that could have been avoided with diligent proof-reading. I really would recommend Mr. Tidy to employ the services of a professional editor, I'm sure his books would really benefit. Nevertheless, if you're looking for an engrossing and fast-paced detective thriller, I'm sure you'll enjoy this.
June 13, 2014
Bravo, Mr. Tidy!
The second Romney & Marsh novel did not disappoint, it made me even more of an addict! DCI Romney & DS Marsh investigate a brutal killing at a posh private golf club, and the mystery is woven from there as intricately and complex as a spider's web. We are treated to even greater depths of the character's personal lives and professional, as well. The dialog is brilliant. Mr. Tidy further develops all of the characters, even the supporting cast. He has certainly honed his craft to a razor's edge...rather like Romney's wit. I love the clever dialog, the witty & urbane humor and most of all, the intelligence he incorporates & displays throughout. All of it leaves me wanting more.
I'm thoroughly hooked now, so much so that I've purchased and read the entire series--devoured them as though they were
M&Ms or Gummy Bears! Like an alcoholic, I was unable to pace myself and bought the next as soon as I flicked the last page. I am so appreciative that Mr. Tidy has shared his remarkable talent and happy that I found his novels. I highly recommend this & ALL of this series (& Bad Sons) to mystery fans.
The second Romney & Marsh novel did not disappoint, it made me even more of an addict! DCI Romney & DS Marsh investigate a brutal killing at a posh private golf club, and the mystery is woven from there as intricately and complex as a spider's web. We are treated to even greater depths of the character's personal lives and professional, as well. The dialog is brilliant. Mr. Tidy further develops all of the characters, even the supporting cast. He has certainly honed his craft to a razor's edge...rather like Romney's wit. I love the clever dialog, the witty & urbane humor and most of all, the intelligence he incorporates & displays throughout. All of it leaves me wanting more.
I'm thoroughly hooked now, so much so that I've purchased and read the entire series--devoured them as though they were
M&Ms or Gummy Bears! Like an alcoholic, I was unable to pace myself and bought the next as soon as I flicked the last page. I am so appreciative that Mr. Tidy has shared his remarkable talent and happy that I found his novels. I highly recommend this & ALL of this series (& Bad Sons) to mystery fans.
February 2, 2016
I read Book One in this series, liked it, and rated it highly, but this sequel is a big disappointment. The plot is poorly developed. Critical facts were simply thrown in at the end rather than being revealed consistently to the reader as the story developed. The characters are not developed consistently with Book One. I'm probably done with this series. Tidy apparently doesn't recognize that "old people" are major readers. If so, he wouldn't have chosen to insult them as a class, "The all too familiar smells of an old person's home wafted up to greet her . . . musty fabrics, old furniture and the odours of an old person's home combined to create a sad and slightly nauseating scent."
April 13, 2024
Didn't really like it. The plot - well a lot of people died, and the blitz at the end explained the why - none of it quite believable, a lot of it absurd. That aside, the main character DI Tom Romney is just unpleasant. No real reason, he just is. He's also a lousy detective - 5-6 times someone hands him a clue and he just walks away from it. In addition he's injured an incredible number of times, a walking catastrophe is Tom. Add to it that Sgt Marsh has become a bully and a liar, what is there to like?
April 5, 2013
I picked up the first Romney & Marsh book, Rope Enough, because it was a free ebook. I was pleasantly surprised as I normally don't like English crime novels. This book, Making a Killing, actually had a mystery within a mystery with two different crimes being solved. Looking forward to the third in the series, Joint Enterprise.
October 25, 2015
3.5 stars. I have given this book the same rating as the previous one although I did not find any typos it what the author called a revised version. It appears that Marsh is emerging as the smarter member of this duo.
January 11, 2016
Even better than book 1!
Another pleasure to read. I can't imagine an author who is totally self-published and self-edited being able to produce such a complex , absorbing work . Anybody who reads the first chapter will be hooked .
Another pleasure to read. I can't imagine an author who is totally self-published and self-edited being able to produce such a complex , absorbing work . Anybody who reads the first chapter will be hooked .
April 29, 2016
Uniformly excellent.
Am rushing to make a start on Book 3, so I'll be brief: arresting plot development, believable and natural dialogue, a genuine page turner that doesn't rely on cheap devices to move you forward.
Am rushing to make a start on Book 3, so I'll be brief: arresting plot development, believable and natural dialogue, a genuine page turner that doesn't rely on cheap devices to move you forward.
July 18, 2016
Well written.
This is a good book, with believable, human, characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. With themes that are as old as time, it rings only too true to life. Recommended.
This is a good book, with believable, human, characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. With themes that are as old as time, it rings only too true to life. Recommended.
March 7, 2013
As like the first Romney and Marsh book I really enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews