Lines of Inquiry

DCI Evan Warlow #9

by Rhys Dylan

One of our own.. . DCI Evan Warlow believes that murder is a cardinal sin. Even when the victim is a drug dealing, money-laundering criminal. But when a police officer is shot in the same incident at a tranquil beach near Tenby in South Pembrokeshire… Suddenly it’s personal. What appears, on the surface, to be a falling out between partners in crime soon spirals into an operation involving gang warfare and a great deal of money. But even Warlow is not prepared for what lurks beneath the surface of this most terrible of crimes. The truth, hidden under a tangled knot of lies, will lead him to a terrifying conclusion, and that most dangerous of beings; a killer with nothing left to lose.
Another fast paced, gripping police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. For fans of Vera, Peter James, JD Kirk and David Gatward

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Fiction, Procedural, Thriller, Suspense

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2023

About the author

https://www.facebook.com/Rhysdylanbooks

https://www.instagram.com/rhysdylanbo...

Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.

Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.

He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.

Reviews

[Karen E. Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

More and more I just love this series. Warlow and his team are very likable characters, the stories are always interesting, and the writing is so good. I especially enjoy the use of the Welsh language, which is almost another character. Really looking forward to the next installment.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lines of Inquiry is book 9 in the DCI Evan Warlow series by Rhys Dylan. One of the worst things for law enforcement is when one of their own is hurt while on duty. That's what happened to DCI Evan Warlow and his team when two PC's were shot and a local businessman was murdered. DCI Evan Warlow and his team were trying to find the reason for the shootings and had to handle a Superintendent who wanted to break the team up. The readers of Lines of Inquiry will continue to follow the twists and turns in DCI Evan Warlow's investigation to discover what happens.

Lines of Inquiry is another fantastic addition to this excellent series by Rhys Dylan. I fell in love with the characters of this series from the first book I read in this series, and Lines of Inquiry kept up the tradition. I engage with this book from the first page and continue to the end. I have also been learning Welsh words and spelling, and I have been engaging with the story of Lines of Inquiry.

I love Rhys Dylan's portrayal of his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Lines of Inquiry was well written and researched by Rhys Dylan. I like Rhys Dylan's description of the settings of Lines of Inquiry, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

I recommend this book.

[Clark Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good procedural series. Solid characters. Surprising twists. Nothing fancy, but good direct prose.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75 stars??

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lines of Inquiry is the 9th book in this series and WOW, what can I say it's great to have the unique team back together with their own quirks I have come to love to yet solve another crime. This book can be read as a standalone if you want. It's as the characters are now friends and you really truly empathise with them and feel what's is happening to them.

This series is maturing with every book as we go along. Getting to know the characters more in-depth love it. This is where the team start trying to solve the crime on your marks get set go!!

It has all you need from a brilliantly written story, captivating, engrossing and twists and turns to keep you engaged throughout. I always feel a little sad when I finish the last page of the book. But as always looking forward to my next instalment of DCI Evan Warlow and a little cute dog called Cadi (bless).

I highly recommend this book or series you won't be disappointed!!!

[Anthony Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lines of Inquiry by Rhys Dylan




Rhys Dylan has done it again with Lines of Inquiry, delivering a taut, emotionally charged, and brilliantly plotted addition to the DCI Evan Warlow series. This installment not only deepens the emotional resonance of Warlow’s character but also ups the ante in terms of suspense, stakes, and moral complexity.

From the very first chapter, Dylan grips the reader with a masterful blend of atmosphere and tension. The moody Welsh landscape once again becomes a living, breathing presence in the narrative—simultaneously beautiful and haunting, setting the perfect backdrop for a chilling case that tests the entire Dyfed-Powys team to their core.

DCI Evan Warlow, still reeling from the shadows of past investigations, is thrust into a tangled web of secrets when a seemingly routine inquiry spirals into something far more sinister. The case begins with subtlety—a disappearance that doesn’t quite add up, a family that seems too composed, and a community hiding truths behind tightly closed doors. But as Warlow pulls at the threads, the lines of inquiry begin to blur, twisting into a psychological labyrinth that blurs the line between justice and revenge.

Dylan excels at character development, and Lines of Inquiry is a testament to that. Warlow’s quiet determination, haunted memories, and moral integrity shine through, making him a detective readers root for not just because of his skills, but because of his humanity. Supporting characters like DS Lee Jessop and DC Lizzie Griffiths continue to come into their own, adding layers of loyalty, friction, and insight to the investigation.

What sets this novel apart is Dylan’s ability to balance the procedural with the deeply personal. The investigation unfolds with meticulous realism—methodical interviews, forensic breadcrumbs, and community tension—all while tapping into the emotional cost of digging into the darkest corners of the human psyche.

The pacing is impeccable. Dylan’s crisp, vivid prose keeps the pages turning, with every chapter ending in a way that demands the next. Twists and revelations come at just the right moments—not gratuitous, but earned and impactful. And the final reveal is both shocking and tragically believable, delivering an emotional punch that lingers well after the final page.

In Summary:
Lines of Inquiry is another triumph for Rhys Dylan. It’s not just a superb crime novel—it’s a thoughtful, layered exploration of truth, guilt, and the weight of responsibility. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter James, and Jane Casey, this novel cements Dylan as a top-tier voice in British crime fiction. Prepare to be hooked, haunted, and wholly satisfied.

Highly recommended.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 9 in the DCI Evan Warlow Black Beacons Mysteries series and it’s another cracker of a book. This is a great police procedural series that just keeps on giving. Its great to be back with all the usual characters. This is a brilliant crop of characters with Gil and Rhys providing most of the humour, albeit often unknowingly in Rhys’s case! As well as the police work we are treated to more updates on the team members privates lives, in particular Evan’s family in Australia with a particularly emotional storyline. And the simmering attraction between Evan and Jess is still there, come on Evan, man up!

Briefly, two women have been sea swimming near Tenby, South Pembrokeshire when they hear gunshots. One man dead and two police officers injured, one seriously. They soon find out the identity of the dead man and that his partner in a local business is missing. When drugs are found on a nearby beach it’s clear that there are criminal gangs involved and that this was some sort of hit.

This book kept me up until 2am as I had to find out what happened. Some great red herrings really had me fooled and although I guessed at one person involved in the crimes my reasoning was way off. And I mean way off. There are a number of different storylines running alongside the main one but they all come together or resolve themselves seamlessly. A brilliantly put together police procedural that I enjoyed every single page of, and Cadi you are still my favourite character, always.

[Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 9 of the DCI Evan Warlow series by Rhys Dylan. Warlow and his team are called out to a shooting at a beach near Tenby in South Pembrokeshire. Three people have been shot: one civilian—deceased—and two first responding police officers, one seriously injured, one with relatively minor injuries. The dead body is identified as Lee Barret, co-owner of a lucrative local jet-ski company. Evidence is showing that the shooting may be an execution-style hit. Now what would cause a jet-ski company co-owner be the target of a hit?

For this investigation, DCI Warlow is forced to take on a new team member—DS Wil Hopper—who has been offered up by Police Superintendent Pamela “Two-Shoes” Goodey, due to his knowledge and undercover work with serious and organized crime. Although they are thankful for the extra manpower, the team is not quite sure what to make of the new “team member”.

Warlow and the team soon learn that the dead man’s business partner—Michael Dunbar—is also missing which not only increases their workload but also adds more questions to the mix. Can they figure out the motive behind why these men have been targeted? Can they track down the killer? Can they find Michael Dunbar before the killer silences him too? What were these two men involved in that brought so much violence to their world?

Yet another brilliant novel from Rhys Dylan. I continue to enjoy each of these books. I very much look forward to cracking open the next installment in the series in the near future.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 9 in the DCI Warlow Series & what a fabulous read it was. I can’t believe that we have reached this point in this police procedural series, the stories are so enthralling & the characters superb particularly Gil & Rhys not forgetting Cadi too.

The book opens quietly enough with two women returning to their bikes after a sea swimming session but then they hear gunshots. They discover three injured people & two of them are police officers. The investigation focuses on the other man & leads towards drugs & a notorious criminal family.

This was a brilliant read, probably helped because I know the area very well so I could picture many of the journeys made & buildings mentioned. I sort of guessed where the story was taking me but that is a danger of reading so much crime, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment though. There’s a tiny bit of thread left hanging at the end of the book so it’ll be interesting to see if that plot line continues in book 10. One thing that does need sorting is Evan & Jess. Come on Evan, I’ve already bought my hat!

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we are at book 9 already. Time certainly flies when you're enjoying a series. Things become a bit more personal for Evan and the team with the discovery of 3 people who have been shot. 1 is dead and the other 2, who are police officers, are injured. When the dead man's business partner goes missing, it is clear that their business is not as clean as it appeared.

Secrets abound in this and it gives an insight into the drug dealing world as well as social media. I am really enjoying the development of the characters in the team and everything is handled with great sensitivity. I'm definitely emotionally involved with this team so kudos to the author. As usual, there's great banter with Gil and Rhys being at the centre of most of it. I tend to read these too quickly as I'm so invested in the story and the team and now I feel a bit bereft that it's over and have to wait for the next one.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this series, its like having the whole family round for dinner!

But on a serious note Lines of Inquiry packs a punch without holding any back.
When friends Nerys and Morphydd finish their grueling sea swim to train for the Ironman competition, they leave the beach to cycle back to home but when they reached their bicycles they hear five shoots being fired.

They discover three bodies on the ground, one is definitely dead but the other two still alive, are police officers .

When Evan and his team get the call, it's all hands on deck, especially when one of the shot officers Dan is in a dangerous condition.

In this exciting instalment of the DCI Evan Warlow series gives you the fantastic characters you love and some that you know will goad your goat!

This book gives you everything that you want in a novel, suspense, intrigue, back stabbing and some brilliant humour along the way.

[Pauline Render · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another outstanding outing for DCI Evan Warlow and his team! The ninth instalment of this series begins with a bang, literally. When a man and two police officers are shot, it’s up to Evan, Jess and the rest of the team to discover why this man has been murdered and why were the police officers there? Uncovering a very dark side of drugs, gang warfare and money, the case becomes very personal when one of the officers dies. This is fast paced book, with quite a few twists as people didn’t appear to be as they seemed, which constantly kept me wondering who was telling the truth and who was lying. There’s also dilemmas of a personal kind for some of the team. But as always, the author does bring some brilliant humour into the story, courtesy of Gil and officer Rhys.
I devoured this book in one sitting, and unlike some series which can fizzle out, Rhys Dylan’s writing always keeps it fresh, with me waiting rather impatiently for the next.

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

My week was much improved when I discovered the latest instalment of my favourite series of 2023 in my inbox on Monday. DCI Warlow and team are on the hunt again, this time for the murderer of a police officer. A routine stop by two officers should not have resulted in the death of one of them. A consignment of drugs washing up on the Welsh shores on the same day indicates a potential link between the events, but the motive is much darker. As we have come to expect, there are some exceptional puns courtesy of Gil Jones and I want a mug like PC Abbot!

My only criticism is that some of the plot felt like a rework of an earlier book and it became obvious too early in the narrative. That said, there is a final, truly diabolical twist to the murder plot. The characters and landscape are again central to my enjoyment of the overall story.

I've already pre-ordered the next in the series and November seems a long time away.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wolf is back in Lines of Inquiry, the ninth book in the Black Beacons Mysteries. In this latest thriller, DCI Evan Warlow and his team are hard at work trying to solve a murder of a criminal, one where two police officers were also shot. When they start unraveling all the knots, what they are left with is something every police officer dreads. This police procedural is a wonderful and very compelling, captivating read. It is impossible to put it down once you start this well-written novel. And DCI Evan Warlow and his team always make for a fantastic read. I look forward to the next one in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[JayeL]

This story is about a drug gang and transporting drugs. Two police and a civilian are shot. Nobody knows why until the team starts digging into the life of the civilian.

It is also about 'bent coppers'. Goody Two Shoes is in this one and, once again, using bad judgment. She is so irritating and I want to know when she is going to get her comeuppance. I spotted the bad cop right away, but couldn't figure out why or how. The author neatly unspoiled the story and it was complex, but great. I like the characters in this series.

Due to life, I wasn't able to 100% focus on this book, so will definitely have to read it again.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another winning addition to the DCI Warlow series. Each book adds more depth and personality to the members of the Welsh police unit and it is just as easy to get caught up in the lives of the police as it is to get caught up in the fascinating murder mysteries. The story here is complex and it takes unexpected twists and turns up to the dramatic ending. As usual , the police unit hits the case hard and they don't rest until they can put all the pieces together. But watch out for false turns!

[Barb Chamberlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in a consistent line of good stories. This one is longer and more complicated. Same characters, might have been easier to read it, as the plot was convoluted. It starts with the police being called To a complaint about a vicious dog attacking a woman with a small dog. The call is taped—as emergency calls are typically. It figures later in the story. One of the characters is an “influencer”, with her posting about her life and relationships. Not your typical English murder mystery.

[Doug Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headline

The hardest part of the review for me is trying to come up with a "Headline for your review (Required)." So, "Headline" it is. "Line of Inquiry" is aptly named. So many different directions for the storyline made it an absolute joy to read, as did the burgeoning relationships for several characters (no spoilers). I would recommend this (and all other books in the series) to anyone who likes a good detective series. Definitely on the same level as Christy, if not a step or two above.

[Rebecca Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again another 5 ⭐️ read for me, what a cracking series this, I’ve loved every book so far. Warlow and the team and doing what they do best, working under pressure while dealing with the trials and tribulations in their every day personal lives. Yet again Rhys stands out for me I just think he is such a great character. Also one character who I wanted to put my hands in to the book and give a good shake hahahaha.

[Andi Caissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

editing leaves something to be desired

I enjoy the DCI Warlow series but the editing mistakes in this one were a huge distraction. A character named Stacey was referred to as Tracy; random capitalization; a text conversation where a text from the sender is erroneously shown as being from the receiver, thus throwing off the conversation; an in-person conversation with the same mistake as the text conversation; etc, etc, etc.

[suzy coster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, exciting but also humorous and thought provoking.

Yet another cracker in the series. The characters are so well developed you feel you know them and following them through this challenge is exciting. Touching on many issues of today's world brings a touch of reality to this crime fiction, set in South West Wales. Can't think of any fans of police dramas who wouldn't enjoy these books.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one - even though I kinda figured it out due to Goody Two Shoes taking over for a while and I figured out the light switch thing way before Gil did. If Goody's pushing a cop he much be corrupt, right? Now that I've read them all (I somehow missed this one), I'm impatient for Dylan to publish the next one in this series, which I THINK I read somewhere is going to happen this month (January 2024).

[J A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting brilliant gripping.

Rhys Dylans 9th book chooses Tenby and Jetskis to build this fast moving clever story Around. The police Warlow ,Gil,Jess, Gina,Catrin and the lovable Rhys are all still in it their characters growing all the time. How does Rhys dream up these brilliant plots and unfold them so tantalisingly slowly with all the background structure of the police in Wales?

[Valerie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

TIDY!!!!

Each book in the series so far is better than the one before. Just brilliantly gripping. I feel as if I’m in the book and part of the investigation. There are corrupt people everywhere but, Evan and his team.give their all as usual. The description of the area brings back so many wonderful memories. Wales is definitely God’s country. Living in Caerphilly means nowhere in Wales is far and West Wales is a jewel. Thank you.

[Deborah Fugenschuh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting Better All The Time!! 😀

Mr. Dylan continues to exquisitely develop his core characters while creating new and increasingly complex challenges for the team to address. He excels at interweaving provocative subplots that keep the reader guessing. Finally he continues to tease us with the evolving relationship between Jess and DCI Warlow. Will they or won't they? and it's potential impact on the team and the relationship with Jess' daughter Molly. WOW!! Stay tuned!!

[Jacqui Binford-bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine! I seldom Read Nine by Same Author

Let alone same cast of characters.Beginning to believe I may be addicted to Rhys Dylan. First thing I did when the last page came to an end was look to see it there was a #10. I like the suspense and the complex plots and the humor. Even the humor I don't get because I do not read Welsh. But I am beginning to understand Wales. Please tell me there is a 10 and an 11

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong episode in this very readable series. One person found dead in a remote location, two police shot, one critically. Warlow's team is landed with a new member, a former under cover cop looking for a permanent placement. But there is something about him...

The business partner of the dead person goes into hiding, and their business seems to have been doing remarkably well.

I really enjoy the puzzles these stories provide.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book. Rhys Dylan is insightful, sensitive and funny. I feel like I really know the characters and love spending time with them. This was action packed and really kept me guessing. Every book gets better and better and should definitely be read in order to really appreciate the development of the characters. Highly recommend.

[JEANNIE JONES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another triumph for Even Warlow.

Always a pleasure to read about Evan Warlow and his team of detectives . These books flow effortlessly with good characters and dialogue all so entertaining as well. Cadi is the dog I wish I had and the next part of Evan's life can't come quick enough for me!

[Lilly Hi Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of Action

Lines of Inquiry is an action packed mystery from start to finish. It's really well written and doesn't drag midway like many books do. Rhys Dylan has written a suspenseful thriller that kept me reading till the end without stopping much at all. I highly recommend this book as well as all the preceding DCI Evan Warlow mysteries.