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Shadow of a Lie: DS Tony Heaton's Cold Cases
‘He stood over the body, his heart beating as fast as it ever had. The attack would be labelled as frenzied, and they would come looking for the culprit. That’s why he had a plan. A plan to get away with murder.’
It might hide in the shadows, but the truth yearns to be seen.
Plagued by the unsolvable murder that ruined his glowing career, a burnt-out detective is cruising through his final weeks until retirement.
Until he is hand-picked to be part of a taskforce investigating old, unsolved murders. Hand-picked because the very killer he failed to catch is still out there.
Can he finally get the closure he deserves?
Or is the truth of his failure a secret he would rather keep?
Given no choice, he must negotiate his past despite the painful memories it triggers, but when the truth is glimpsed, the twist is one that could leave his life in tatters.
‘⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The reader is drawn in masterfully. No one will see the twist until it is revealed.’
It might hide in the shadows, but the truth yearns to be seen.
Plagued by the unsolvable murder that ruined his glowing career, a burnt-out detective is cruising through his final weeks until retirement.
Until he is hand-picked to be part of a taskforce investigating old, unsolved murders. Hand-picked because the very killer he failed to catch is still out there.
Can he finally get the closure he deserves?
Or is the truth of his failure a secret he would rather keep?
Given no choice, he must negotiate his past despite the painful memories it triggers, but when the truth is glimpsed, the twist is one that could leave his life in tatters.
‘⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The reader is drawn in masterfully. No one will see the twist until it is revealed.’
- GenresProcedural
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2024
270 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Steve Higgs
548 books808 followersLet's start this off with an invitation to get some FREE books. No, you didn't read that wrong, we are talking about multiple free books. I love giving away free books because once people delve into the fast-paced mystery thrills I write, they go on to buy lots more.
All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...
When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.
At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.
Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.
Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...
All I need from you is an email address to send them to. Here's the link you need - https://mailchi.mp/fd47a6eb4ae5/patri...
When I wrote my first novel, Paranormal Nonsense, I was a Captain in the British Army. I would love to pretend that I had one of those careers that has to be redacted and in general denied by the government and that I have had to change my name and continually move about because I am still on the watch list in several countries. In truth though, I started out as a mechanic. Not like Jason Statham, sneaking about as a contract killer, more like one of those greasy gits that charge you a fortune and keep your car for a week when all you went in for was a squeaky door hinge.
At school, I was mostly disinterested in every subject except creative writing, for which, at age ten, I won my first award. However, calling it my first award suggests that there have been more, which there have not. Accolades may come but, in the meantime, I am having a ball writing mystery stories and crime thrillers and will claim to have more than a hundred books forming an unruly queue in my head as they clamor to get out.
Now retired from the military, I live in the south-east corner of England with a pair of lazy sausage dogs. Surrounded by rolling hills, brooding castles, and vineyards, I doubt I will ever leave, the beer is just too good.
Links:
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Higgs/...
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.wordpress.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehiggsau...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 28, 2025
Sería 3.5 . Mantiene el interés, está bien escrito, pero muchas cosas no me convencieron, tampoco me satisfizo el final, que si bien resuelve un caso deja pendiente el otro.
November 28, 2025
Shadow of a Lie
A new-to-me series by Steve Higgs. I've enjoyed his other series, bar one, & this is not it! And I shall try the other one again one day! This one is a bit different from the other ones, & that is a good thing! Too much of the same is just plain boring! Mr. Higgs brings enough uniqueness to each series to counter THAT problem!
This series follows almost-retired policeman Tony Heaton & his new "partner" on a task-force to solve cold cases. Including one Tony wants to never see the light of day! His partner Ashley, however, is gung-ho to get at it! They compromise & start on another case. For now! The case brings them nothing but woe! The community seems to have a wall around them where this missing person/possible murder is concerned! The local police even more so! Tony & Ashley believe a cop is deeply involved, but why, & which one? Both find trouble at every turn, & eventually danger! But no spoilers! You'll have to read to find out what I'm talking about!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mystery stories! I have enjoyed it so much that I believe the series will be one of my favorites, but I don't think anything can beat his Albert Smith & Max stories in my book! I wouldn't mind if he NEVER ended them! This one may come to be a very close second though! Give it a try! I don't believe you'll be disappointed!
A new-to-me series by Steve Higgs. I've enjoyed his other series, bar one, & this is not it! And I shall try the other one again one day! This one is a bit different from the other ones, & that is a good thing! Too much of the same is just plain boring! Mr. Higgs brings enough uniqueness to each series to counter THAT problem!
This series follows almost-retired policeman Tony Heaton & his new "partner" on a task-force to solve cold cases. Including one Tony wants to never see the light of day! His partner Ashley, however, is gung-ho to get at it! They compromise & start on another case. For now! The case brings them nothing but woe! The community seems to have a wall around them where this missing person/possible murder is concerned! The local police even more so! Tony & Ashley believe a cop is deeply involved, but why, & which one? Both find trouble at every turn, & eventually danger! But no spoilers! You'll have to read to find out what I'm talking about!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mystery stories! I have enjoyed it so much that I believe the series will be one of my favorites, but I don't think anything can beat his Albert Smith & Max stories in my book! I wouldn't mind if he NEVER ended them! This one may come to be a very close second though! Give it a try! I don't believe you'll be disappointed!
August 19, 2024
Book 1 SHADOW OF A LIE, A DS Tony Heaton cold case, by Steve Higgs. First of all, anything written by Steve Higgs has been terrific. This is the first of two books in this series. DS Heaton is waiting out his last few weeks before retirement, thinking he’ll be allowed to coast along. His boss is glad to see him leave. He never did solve the murder case of 30 years ago. All was going his way until the big boss asked for Heaton’s time on a task force looking at cold cases. The top of the list was the unsolved murder he had been lead detective on. The case the task force agreed to work on was the unsolved missing person, suspected to be murdered but there was no body. It was under the jurisdiction of a nearby police group so Tony and Ashley (leader of the task force) had to go talk to them and set up shop in their location. They did not want the case investigated. Why? That is the big question. This is a must read and it concludes in this book. The 2nd book in the series, THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES, will be published July 4, 2025. Mr. Higgs is a prolific writer. I’ve read many of his books and enjoyed every single one.
August 2, 2024
Oh my gosh, I sure do like this new series from Higgs. A bit of a departure from his humorous cozy series, while still considered a cozy mystery, this book is about cold cases, cover-ups, an almost retiree, and a new, headstrong upcomer
Ashley Long and Tony Heaton are paired together on a task force created to try to clear some old cold cases. Long, a fairly new, and upcoming DS is paired with DS Heaton, a man about two months away from retirement, and they make a great pair. They chose a case where there was no body, but everyone sure is acting dodgy.
An awesome start to what should be a great series!
Ashley Long and Tony Heaton are paired together on a task force created to try to clear some old cold cases. Long, a fairly new, and upcoming DS is paired with DS Heaton, a man about two months away from retirement, and they make a great pair. They chose a case where there was no body, but everyone sure is acting dodgy.
An awesome start to what should be a great series!
February 14, 2025
Detective Tony Heaton only has a couple of weeks until his retirement, so he is just getting ready everyday. Tony doesn't really care anymore about the "cop work" and is late every day and taking two hours for lunch. So, just cruising along, until his Boss calls him in and assigns him a partner..to investigate some cold cases out there.
Tony is really not happy about this, thought his last two weeks were going to be a breeze, he was once the top rated Detective but now after these years of never going further then what he is, he's just barely going to give his best to the new case and his new partner, unless they open a cold case that he is terrifed of!!
Tony is really not happy about this, thought his last two weeks were going to be a breeze, he was once the top rated Detective but now after these years of never going further then what he is, he's just barely going to give his best to the new case and his new partner, unless they open a cold case that he is terrifed of!!
August 18, 2024
I read it because it’s included with kindle unlimited, but it very much reminded me of the early Steve Higgs books - pretty childish and the way he writes about women is awful. The characters are not well rounded, but actually I don’t really care about them so whatever.
Tony and the Bruce Denton case? Why the heck are you spending all the time on the case and wasting your time when you know who did it?! Absolute nonsense.
Ugh.
I do like the Patricia mysteries as they’re silly and fun, but Steve needs to do a lot more to write a “proper” book.
Tony and the Bruce Denton case? Why the heck are you spending all the time on the case and wasting your time when you know who did it?! Absolute nonsense.
Ugh.
I do like the Patricia mysteries as they’re silly and fun, but Steve needs to do a lot more to write a “proper” book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
The start of a promising series
Good story, good characters . Only 4 stars? My only gripe became clear on reading Steve's note at the end. This was originally a short story. That explained the need for padding. I found the constant repetition of the facts and the character's thoughts a bit annoying and spoiled what was basically a good 'who done it' - although I had worked it out early on (smarty pants me)!
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books as they will be planned as full novels from the start.
Good story, good characters . Only 4 stars? My only gripe became clear on reading Steve's note at the end. This was originally a short story. That explained the need for padding. I found the constant repetition of the facts and the character's thoughts a bit annoying and spoiled what was basically a good 'who done it' - although I had worked it out early on (smarty pants me)!
I'm looking forward to the rest of the books as they will be planned as full novels from the start.
July 21, 2024
Tony and Ashley, intensely interesting characters on opposite ends of the spectrum. Tony, ready to retire from police work. Ashley, ready to make a name for himself. The story grows more intricate and exciting as the surprises keep you alert and ready for action. You will never figure out this amazing, shocking ending. Highly Recommended.
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
July 29, 2024
Tony is just about to retire and Ashley is eager to win a promotion and move upwards in the Police force. They are put to work together on cold cases and although very different both find themselves eager to solve the first one they tackle. Shadow of a Lie has a great plot, and as many other books by Mr. Higgs, it has peculiar characters, humor, mystery and a totally unexpected ending! I'm looking forward to reading the next story in the series!
I thank the author for this ARC.
I thank the author for this ARC.
August 2, 2024
Wow! Another great read by Mr Higgs, albeit a bit darker than his usual mysteries with Patricia and Felicity (if you haven't read those why not?!) This one is about an old case that Tony (due to retire) couldn't solve and the top brass want a list of them given fresh eyes, enter Ashley (eager, ambitious). It's a great story, lots of twists and turns and I bet you don't see the twist at the end coming!
August 2, 2024
Cold case reviews
The twists and turns this story takes are incredible. It keeps the reader's mind fully engaged and constantly going over the evidential clues which lead to one dead end after another. The tireless attempts by the two detectives are exemplary in their efforts and depth of dedication to find the killer in their first cold case. Things become dangerous and daunting as things start to heat up! The ending, though, is explosive! Brilliant read!
The twists and turns this story takes are incredible. It keeps the reader's mind fully engaged and constantly going over the evidential clues which lead to one dead end after another. The tireless attempts by the two detectives are exemplary in their efforts and depth of dedication to find the killer in their first cold case. Things become dangerous and daunting as things start to heat up! The ending, though, is explosive! Brilliant read!
October 17, 2025
surprise
I had to get through the first two chapters to understand what I was reading and the characters. Once I got past chapter 3, I had the characters and thinking I knew who had killed Bruce Denton oh, I was so wrong. Mr. Hicks has a way of weaving the story in and out and leaving just enough breadcrumbs to help you, or think that you have solved the mystery. I am looking forward to book 2, and moving on. I would recommend this series for anyone.
I had to get through the first two chapters to understand what I was reading and the characters. Once I got past chapter 3, I had the characters and thinking I knew who had killed Bruce Denton oh, I was so wrong. Mr. Hicks has a way of weaving the story in and out and leaving just enough breadcrumbs to help you, or think that you have solved the mystery. I am looking forward to book 2, and moving on. I would recommend this series for anyone.
August 2, 2024
Something completely different from Steve Higgs, yet just as readable as all his other works. This is a police procedural rather than a cozy mystery but, like all of Steve’s books, it is well written with compelling characters and a great story. I can’t wait until he publishes the next book in the series.
I received an arc copy of the book.
I received an arc copy of the book.
November 17, 2025
Awesome
Once again, it's a great read. And of course I never seen this ending coming. I had another all worked out in my head. This author has a way of doing that. He leads you in one direction only to bring the ending in from a totally other direction. Just love reading his books. A total brain game to keep my brain active. Linda Orrs, Ogden, Utah, USA
Once again, it's a great read. And of course I never seen this ending coming. I had another all worked out in my head. This author has a way of doing that. He leads you in one direction only to bring the ending in from a totally other direction. Just love reading his books. A total brain game to keep my brain active. Linda Orrs, Ogden, Utah, USA
August 5, 2024
Twists galore!!!
Loved it all!!! Tons of action!!! Mysteries Abound!!!
More to come, whoo hooo!!!!
A more serious entry from Steve Higgs. Still some humor, but more holding your breath!!!!
Grab it now!!!
Loved it all!!! Tons of action!!! Mysteries Abound!!!
More to come, whoo hooo!!!!
A more serious entry from Steve Higgs. Still some humor, but more holding your breath!!!!
Grab it now!!!
August 5, 2024
Shadow of a Lie: DS Tony Heaton’s Cold Cases
Excellent who done it mystery story!
I thought I had it figured out the killer, but was wrong!!
Do you think you can figure the mystery?
Excellent who done it mystery story!
I thought I had it figured out the killer, but was wrong!!
Do you think you can figure the mystery?
August 18, 2024
I love mysteries of all types, and I especially enjoy a mystery with an ending I didn’t see coming, and boy was this a surprise. This is a great story with an amazing plot. The characters are developed and authentic.
September 8, 2024
Another String to the Bow
Deviation from the cosy crime/supernatural thrillers/mysteries I've read previously by the author, but maintains the associated humour and thrills. The twists aren't obvious either.
Deviation from the cosy crime/supernatural thrillers/mysteries I've read previously by the author, but maintains the associated humour and thrills. The twists aren't obvious either.
September 29, 2024
I enjoy all that I have read by Steve Higgs and this was no exception. It is a solid detective/mystery with lots of twists and some bits of humor thrown in. To say the last bit of the book was a surprise would be a large understatement. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
October 17, 2024
A great start
This is a great start of a brand new series from the amazing Steve higgs, new characters and a bit grittier than his previous work but loving it, can't say too much of else it will give the game away but can't wait to read the next instalment
This is a great start of a brand new series from the amazing Steve higgs, new characters and a bit grittier than his previous work but loving it, can't say too much of else it will give the game away but can't wait to read the next instalment
October 31, 2024
Shadow of a Lie DS Tony Heaton's Cold Cases
Still not sure what to make of this story. It took me time to get into it, roughly a quarter of the way in before I got interested. Still not sure if I will read the follow up story.
Still not sure what to make of this story. It took me time to get into it, roughly a quarter of the way in before I got interested. Still not sure if I will read the follow up story.
November 4, 2024
Surprised
As usual, Steve Higgs delivered. What a great read! I usually can guess the killer well before it's revealed but Steve got me. Wow! Well done Steve Higgs! You never disappoint.
As usual, Steve Higgs delivered. What a great read! I usually can guess the killer well before it's revealed but Steve got me. Wow! Well done Steve Higgs! You never disappoint.
November 18, 2024
A Cover up?
Normally I’m not a big fan of English procedurals, but since Steve Higgs wrote it I took a chance. I’m really glad that I did. For guys dunit. But how did they get away with it. Read it and find out. The ending is mind blowing.
Normally I’m not a big fan of English procedurals, but since Steve Higgs wrote it I took a chance. I’m really glad that I did. For guys dunit. But how did they get away with it. Read it and find out. The ending is mind blowing.
December 13, 2024
Intriguing.
Heaton...a good investigator , trapped. Hopefully I'll discover why in book two. Good writing , equally good characters, exceptionally interesting protagonist, great set up to a series.
Heaton...a good investigator , trapped. Hopefully I'll discover why in book two. Good writing , equally good characters, exceptionally interesting protagonist, great set up to a series.
September 30, 2025
Good story
Not sure I want to read the next one. I really like Tony and he must have had a good reason. What will the ending be? He and Ashley work well together now. Perhaps it will all work out.
Not sure I want to read the next one. I really like Tony and he must have had a good reason. What will the ending be? He and Ashley work well together now. Perhaps it will all work out.
August 3, 2024
Great concept and I will read further books in series but it wa too easy to identify who the killer was/is- I picked it in chapter 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
Who killed Bruce Denton and why??? They found the camcorder??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
August 4, 2024
Masterful tale of police procedural style. I can see another 10 books coming soon (I do hope so )
Amazing must read !
Amazing must read !
August 24, 2024
Amother great read from Steve Higgs
Very suspenseful and the characters are really great. Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.
Very suspenseful and the characters are really great. Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.
August 29, 2024
Enjoyed the story with lots of twists and turns
good page turner
good page turner
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews