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No Red Lines
DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH IS BACK — BUT SO IS A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO LIMITS.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
The body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
The clock is ticking. Jack is in a race against time to unravel the twisted clues left by a killer who’s always one step ahead — and willing to go further than ever before.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
The body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
The clock is ticking. Jack is in a race against time to unravel the twisted clues left by a killer who’s always one step ahead — and willing to go further than ever before.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2025
131 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was compelling and addictive. It was such a page turner. It kept me guessing and had great twists.
The cover is simple but eye catching. It works for the genre. The colour palette is excellent.
The book is well written and flowed nicely. It was very descriptive and provided some disturbing visuals! It was so fitting for the genre!
The characters were fantastic and worked really well in the big picture of the story. Jack was a great character. He was an excellent detective inspector and was good at his job. I liked him a lot.
The book was written in third person from multiple POVs including Jack's. This worked perfectly and was done really well.
I definitely recommend this. British crime thrillers are amongst the most grittiest I've had the pleasure of reading.
The cover is simple but eye catching. It works for the genre. The colour palette is excellent.
The book is well written and flowed nicely. It was very descriptive and provided some disturbing visuals! It was so fitting for the genre!
The characters were fantastic and worked really well in the big picture of the story. Jack was a great character. He was an excellent detective inspector and was good at his job. I liked him a lot.
The book was written in third person from multiple POVs including Jack's. This worked perfectly and was done really well.
I definitely recommend this. British crime thrillers are amongst the most grittiest I've had the pleasure of reading.
August 7, 2025
A gripping thriller that doesn’t let go !
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. From the first page, the plot hooks you—and it only tightens its grip as layers unfold with precision. DCI Jack MacIntosh finds himself navigating a chilling investigation where personal and professional boundaries blur, and nothing is quite what it seems.
What stood out for me was the depth of the characters—flawed, driven, and believable. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between fast-paced action and emotional undercurrents, with subplots that land exactly when and where they should. Kidd keeps the tension simmering while weaving a story that feels both timely and timeless. Needless to say, it kept me on my toes !
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys clever twists, rich character arcs, and a story that stays with you long after the final page.
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. From the first page, the plot hooks you—and it only tightens its grip as layers unfold with precision. DCI Jack MacIntosh finds himself navigating a chilling investigation where personal and professional boundaries blur, and nothing is quite what it seems.
What stood out for me was the depth of the characters—flawed, driven, and believable. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between fast-paced action and emotional undercurrents, with subplots that land exactly when and where they should. Kidd keeps the tension simmering while weaving a story that feels both timely and timeless. Needless to say, it kept me on my toes !
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys clever twists, rich character arcs, and a story that stays with you long after the final page.
May 16, 2025
This is the 7th book in the Detective Jack Macintosh series - and I have read two others in this series already!
I read Seven Days To Die - the first book featuring Jack - at the start of last year and really loved it - then lost track until reading The Twelfth Floor a few months ago and remembering just how good this series is!
I had to grab this new release and dive straight in.
Although the series is connected, each of the books focusses on a specific case and so works really well as a standalone read too, but with some intriguing characters, I'm keen to read the other books to get a better understanding of Jack's backstory and past cases too.
In this book, Jack has returned to work after recovering from a brutal previous case. Hoping for a gentle return to his desk, it all goes wrong when a body is found and the call comes in.
This is another complex case which linked back to a cold case from over 17 years ago.
It's pretty gruesome again but I love this about Kidd's writing, no hiding away from those gritty cases.
I wondered how Jack would manage being plunged right back into the thick of it, but the team dynamic still drew me in and had me felling right back at home along with them all.
This was fast paced and the way the parallel storylines flowed along before coming together for an exciting and dramatic ending was worked so well.
I can't wait to see what will come next for Jack and the team - am looking forward to catching up and grabbing book 8 soon too!
I read Seven Days To Die - the first book featuring Jack - at the start of last year and really loved it - then lost track until reading The Twelfth Floor a few months ago and remembering just how good this series is!
I had to grab this new release and dive straight in.
Although the series is connected, each of the books focusses on a specific case and so works really well as a standalone read too, but with some intriguing characters, I'm keen to read the other books to get a better understanding of Jack's backstory and past cases too.
In this book, Jack has returned to work after recovering from a brutal previous case. Hoping for a gentle return to his desk, it all goes wrong when a body is found and the call comes in.
This is another complex case which linked back to a cold case from over 17 years ago.
It's pretty gruesome again but I love this about Kidd's writing, no hiding away from those gritty cases.
I wondered how Jack would manage being plunged right back into the thick of it, but the team dynamic still drew me in and had me felling right back at home along with them all.
This was fast paced and the way the parallel storylines flowed along before coming together for an exciting and dramatic ending was worked so well.
I can't wait to see what will come next for Jack and the team - am looking forward to catching up and grabbing book 8 soon too!
March 27, 2025
This book had me hooked from the start with the twists, every chapter had you thinking, guessing and your heart racing.
It was packed with so much action, and suspense. I loved the investigating, the new letters it was brilliantly written
If your looking for a murder mystery, thriller book this book is for you. It will make you want to grab a blanket and turn your lights on
It was packed with so much action, and suspense. I loved the investigating, the new letters it was brilliantly written
If your looking for a murder mystery, thriller book this book is for you. It will make you want to grab a blanket and turn your lights on
May 28, 2025
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover and blurb of. The cover was why I signed up. I got into this book straight away. I couldn't put it down. Twisty and gripping. It kept me guessing. Great story and characters. Recommend.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover and blurb of. The cover was why I signed up. I got into this book straight away. I couldn't put it down. Twisty and gripping. It kept me guessing. Great story and characters. Recommend.
May 12, 2025
Fast Paced; Intense.
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a police procedural based in 2015 London about a series of murders with rape, in which the victims are all posed identically by hanging them in highly visible windows. DI Jack MacIntosh and his team link these crimes to a series of rapes which took place in Yorkshire in the 1990’s. Previous to this first incident Amanda Cassidy, Jack’s DS, and his team are enjoying a respite in local criminal action during his recent extended sick leave, with only a single case of a jewelry heist currently being investigated.
Jack and his team of detectives are enjoying a morning’s leisurely reunion after his long absence – when the phone rings to report the first murder. This incident has all the attributes of a serial killer who was never previously caught and must be found before they strike again. The crime was called in by a retired reporter, Lorna Henshaw, who received a personal message from the killer which led the police to find the body. The victim was obviously killed and severely mistreated before being staged in a window. Stuffed into the victim’s mouth is a London Underground map indicating which station the next body will be found close to. As Lorna continues to receive notice of each incident, the body count increases, Jack and his investigating team frustratingly find clues pointing all over the place at people who are guilty – but not for these crimes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written with lots of action to keep the reader glued to the pages. The reader, like the investigating detectives, is completely in the dark until all the clues are brought together to form a logical conclusion. I appreciated that there are no manufactured twists to force a “Surprise Ending” – it is all there but, cleverly, the murderer is not evident until the last chapter. The characters are well developed, the reader can empathize with every frustration and every body twinge. Although this book is the latest in the DI Jack Mackintosh series, I recommend it as a solidly stand-alone, hard to put down five star read.
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a police procedural based in 2015 London about a series of murders with rape, in which the victims are all posed identically by hanging them in highly visible windows. DI Jack MacIntosh and his team link these crimes to a series of rapes which took place in Yorkshire in the 1990’s. Previous to this first incident Amanda Cassidy, Jack’s DS, and his team are enjoying a respite in local criminal action during his recent extended sick leave, with only a single case of a jewelry heist currently being investigated.
Jack and his team of detectives are enjoying a morning’s leisurely reunion after his long absence – when the phone rings to report the first murder. This incident has all the attributes of a serial killer who was never previously caught and must be found before they strike again. The crime was called in by a retired reporter, Lorna Henshaw, who received a personal message from the killer which led the police to find the body. The victim was obviously killed and severely mistreated before being staged in a window. Stuffed into the victim’s mouth is a London Underground map indicating which station the next body will be found close to. As Lorna continues to receive notice of each incident, the body count increases, Jack and his investigating team frustratingly find clues pointing all over the place at people who are guilty – but not for these crimes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written with lots of action to keep the reader glued to the pages. The reader, like the investigating detectives, is completely in the dark until all the clues are brought together to form a logical conclusion. I appreciated that there are no manufactured twists to force a “Surprise Ending” – it is all there but, cleverly, the murderer is not evident until the last chapter. The characters are well developed, the reader can empathize with every frustration and every body twinge. Although this book is the latest in the DI Jack Mackintosh series, I recommend it as a solidly stand-alone, hard to put down five star read.
May 15, 2025
Here is my review for No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd
This was a terrific crime read and I loved the storyline involved as it was really well thought out by the author before being plotted and written about. I enjoyed the links back to a previous crime seventeen years ago and the idea that he was back by the clue left. DI Jack Macintosh and his great team working with him are well established characters as this is book seven and I’m just starting to read this great combination of author and crime series. I was hooked on this story as soon as I started to read the book. I enjoyed the detailed nature of the book which was very descriptive and described everything in detail. The story was easy to get into and I liked the author’s writing style. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I wasn’t disappointed as it has introduced me to a new crime series. The story is extremely well written and superbly plotted by the author. The characters have been well thought out. I’m looking forward to catching up with this series so I get to know the characters better and look forward to the next book.
Blurb :
DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH IS BACK — BUT SO IS A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO LIMITS.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
The body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
Jack is now in a race against time to unravel the twisted clues left by a killer who’s always one step ahead — and willing to go further than ever before.
This was a terrific crime read and I loved the storyline involved as it was really well thought out by the author before being plotted and written about. I enjoyed the links back to a previous crime seventeen years ago and the idea that he was back by the clue left. DI Jack Macintosh and his great team working with him are well established characters as this is book seven and I’m just starting to read this great combination of author and crime series. I was hooked on this story as soon as I started to read the book. I enjoyed the detailed nature of the book which was very descriptive and described everything in detail. The story was easy to get into and I liked the author’s writing style. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I wasn’t disappointed as it has introduced me to a new crime series. The story is extremely well written and superbly plotted by the author. The characters have been well thought out. I’m looking forward to catching up with this series so I get to know the characters better and look forward to the next book.
Blurb :
DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH IS BACK — BUT SO IS A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO LIMITS.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
The body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
Jack is now in a race against time to unravel the twisted clues left by a killer who’s always one step ahead — and willing to go further than ever before.
May 26, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Michelle Kidd’s "No Red Lines" is a thriller with a plot that twists like a tightening vise and characters who navigate the shadowy edges of morality, this novel thrives on psychological intensity, delivering a crime story that is as unsettling as it is exhilarating.
"No Red Lines" is a novel where trust is fragile and danger lurks beneath every calculated move. Kidd structures the mystery with meticulous precision, ensuring that each revelation feels both shocking and inevitable. The pacing is razor-sharp, keeping the tension simmering even in quieter moments, while the complexity of the investigation remains gripping without becoming convoluted.
Kidd’s ability to craft compelling characters is one of the novel’s strongest assets. Protagonists are flawed yet resolute, navigating both external threats and internal demons with a realism that deepens their stakes. Antagonists are far more than mere villains; they embody menace in ways that make the reader question just how far people will go when no lines are left uncrossed.
Beyond its pulse-pounding plot, "No Red Lines" excels in atmosphere. Kidd evokes a setting that amplifies every moment of dread—dark alleyways, hidden motives, and the ever-present feeling that someone is watching. The psychological tension is thick, leaving a lingering unease that follows the reader long after closing the book.
"No Red Lines" is the kind of crime thriller that entertains, unsettles, provokes, and challenges assumptions about morality, justice, and survival.
Michelle Kidd weaves together a high-stakes narrative filled with unpredictable turns, ensuring that no reader leaves unscathed.
For those who crave thrillers that blend psychological depth with raw suspense, "No Red Lines" is a must-read.
Michelle Kidd’s "No Red Lines" is a thriller with a plot that twists like a tightening vise and characters who navigate the shadowy edges of morality, this novel thrives on psychological intensity, delivering a crime story that is as unsettling as it is exhilarating.
"No Red Lines" is a novel where trust is fragile and danger lurks beneath every calculated move. Kidd structures the mystery with meticulous precision, ensuring that each revelation feels both shocking and inevitable. The pacing is razor-sharp, keeping the tension simmering even in quieter moments, while the complexity of the investigation remains gripping without becoming convoluted.
Kidd’s ability to craft compelling characters is one of the novel’s strongest assets. Protagonists are flawed yet resolute, navigating both external threats and internal demons with a realism that deepens their stakes. Antagonists are far more than mere villains; they embody menace in ways that make the reader question just how far people will go when no lines are left uncrossed.
Beyond its pulse-pounding plot, "No Red Lines" excels in atmosphere. Kidd evokes a setting that amplifies every moment of dread—dark alleyways, hidden motives, and the ever-present feeling that someone is watching. The psychological tension is thick, leaving a lingering unease that follows the reader long after closing the book.
"No Red Lines" is the kind of crime thriller that entertains, unsettles, provokes, and challenges assumptions about morality, justice, and survival.
Michelle Kidd weaves together a high-stakes narrative filled with unpredictable turns, ensuring that no reader leaves unscathed.
For those who crave thrillers that blend psychological depth with raw suspense, "No Red Lines" is a must-read.
May 22, 2025
No Red Lines is the seventh book in the series featuring DI Jack MacIntosh, though I did not know that when I agreed to read it. Newly returned to active duty, after three months recuperating from injuries sustained in an explosion, Jack is immediately faced with a crime scene bearing all the hallmarks of the Central Line Killer who was last active seventeen years before and never apprehended. Hours spent trawling through the cold case files does not turn up anything missed in the original investigation, but advances in forensic science throw up possible new leads. I enjoyed reading about the painstaking work involved in a case like this, but was not so keen on the subject matter as yet another serial killer targets innocent young women.
The complicated plot featuring multiple points of view and timelines, false trails and red herrings galore focuses on the need for a speedy resolution and highlights the constant pressure the detectives are under. The flashbacks to the bullying suffered by the killer as a child raises the question of why did he go on to do what he did – not everyone treated this way becomes a serial killer, after all. This far into an established series, the characters are well developed and form an impressive team. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but will go back to the beginning when time permits. I liked the fact that DI MacIntosh is a serious detective who goes home to his cat, and is not prone to heavy drinking or other clichéd behaviours sometimes found in detective novels. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but whetted the reader’s appetite for the next book in this gripping series. Thanks to Joffe Books for a digital copy to review.
The complicated plot featuring multiple points of view and timelines, false trails and red herrings galore focuses on the need for a speedy resolution and highlights the constant pressure the detectives are under. The flashbacks to the bullying suffered by the killer as a child raises the question of why did he go on to do what he did – not everyone treated this way becomes a serial killer, after all. This far into an established series, the characters are well developed and form an impressive team. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but will go back to the beginning when time permits. I liked the fact that DI MacIntosh is a serious detective who goes home to his cat, and is not prone to heavy drinking or other clichéd behaviours sometimes found in detective novels. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but whetted the reader’s appetite for the next book in this gripping series. Thanks to Joffe Books for a digital copy to review.
May 20, 2025
In 1998 the Central Line Killer assaulted and murdered six women over a ten-month period in London. Each time top investigative reporter Lorna Henshaw received a note containing a map of the Underground with a location marked on it. Shortly after, a victim was found at that location with a map of the tube stuffed inside her mouth. Then the killings suddenly stopped and the case went cold. Now seventeen years later he’s back. Another note to the now retired Lorna. Another woman, strangled and left hanging at a window in a disused office block. Identical to the six murders all those years ago. Why did he stop? Where has he been all this time? Why has he started again? Does Lorna know more than she is telling? All questions for DI Jack MacIntosh on his return to work after his injury in the explosion which now threatens to open a whole other can of worms for him. Joined by his team at the Met of DS Chris Cooper, DS Amanda Cassidy and DC Trevor Daniels, he has to look at all the old evidence coupled with this new murder and try to make a breakthrough where the last DI (still haunted by the case) failed before another woman dies at the hands of a clever twisted serial killer. And time is running out.
This is an excellent dark and engrossing police procedural in a terrific series which I have loved, and this is another brilliant story, full of twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the final pages. The whole investigative team of detectives, forensics and pathologist are all very capable and likable characters. Easily enjoyed as a stand-alone, I can highly recommend the entire series.
This is an excellent dark and engrossing police procedural in a terrific series which I have loved, and this is another brilliant story, full of twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the final pages. The whole investigative team of detectives, forensics and pathologist are all very capable and likable characters. Easily enjoyed as a stand-alone, I can highly recommend the entire series.
May 12, 2025
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a gripping thriller that took me on a heart-pounding journey. No Red Lines is a good addition to the series, and it's good to see Detective Jack MacIntosh again.
The novel is tense as we are introduced to a haunting case that echoes a notorious serial killer known as the Central Line Killer. The author's writing is vivid, painting a picture of the city that both engages and unsettles. The eerie details tied into the murders, particularly the macabre use of the London Underground map, create an unsettling web of clues that compelled me to keep turning the pages.
The characterization of Detective Jack is particularly well-developed. His struggles with his past and the pressure of returning to a case that haunts him add depth to his character, making him relatable and compelling. DS Cassidy is a great character, along with Cooper and Daniels, and Cassidy provides a perfect counterbalance with her supportive yet confident demeanor.
The story keeps a brisk pace throughout the story, expertly ramping up the suspense as Jack races against time. The twists are cleverly crafted, and the plot takes unexpected turns, especially the ultimate reveal and how everything unfolds.
Overall, No Red Lines delivers a good mix of mystery, psychological depth, and emotional resonance, with a riveting plot and well-developed characters. I would recommend this book and this series. I am looking forward to the next installment.
#NoRedLines #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
The novel is tense as we are introduced to a haunting case that echoes a notorious serial killer known as the Central Line Killer. The author's writing is vivid, painting a picture of the city that both engages and unsettles. The eerie details tied into the murders, particularly the macabre use of the London Underground map, create an unsettling web of clues that compelled me to keep turning the pages.
The characterization of Detective Jack is particularly well-developed. His struggles with his past and the pressure of returning to a case that haunts him add depth to his character, making him relatable and compelling. DS Cassidy is a great character, along with Cooper and Daniels, and Cassidy provides a perfect counterbalance with her supportive yet confident demeanor.
The story keeps a brisk pace throughout the story, expertly ramping up the suspense as Jack races against time. The twists are cleverly crafted, and the plot takes unexpected turns, especially the ultimate reveal and how everything unfolds.
Overall, No Red Lines delivers a good mix of mystery, psychological depth, and emotional resonance, with a riveting plot and well-developed characters. I would recommend this book and this series. I am looking forward to the next installment.
#NoRedLines #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
May 16, 2025
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is the seventh book in the DI Jack MacIntosh series and this was a book that I have not read the other 5 books within this series, however, I had no problem getting into and understanding the main character DI Jack MacIntosh. . . . Once I started to read No Red Lines I was hooked and could not put my kindle down, especially as it was full of great twists and turns throughout that had me wanting more and to find out what happens next. It was Fast Paced and a great crime read with great characters and a easy book to get into.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
A body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
Tick Tock the clock is ticking. . . . . Can DI Jack MacIntosh and his team catch the killer before they kill again!
WoW. . . . This book was so good.
After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’
Then his phone rings.
A body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.
He’s back.
Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.
They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.
Tick Tock the clock is ticking. . . . . Can DI Jack MacIntosh and his team catch the killer before they kill again!
WoW. . . . This book was so good.
June 18, 2025
My review of "No Red Lines"
Author Michelle Kidd
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An exceptional fast-paced crime thriller from Michelle Kidd.
No Red Lines book 7 in the Jack Macintosh series is another gripping and suspenseful case for Jack and his team.
A girl is found hanging from a curtain pole in the window of a disused office building, a map of the London underground is found crumpled up in her mouth and White City station is circled in red.
Is he back? After 17 years when 6 girls were found hanging in abandoned office buildings with London underground maps in their mouths.
Investigative reporter Lorna Henshaw was receiving notes of the area where the murdered girls can located, and now retired has started receiving them again in these new cases. Is there a link between her and the killer that was missed the first time around?
The killer was named The Central Line Killer, and the culprit was never found and the case went unsolved, this complex, confusing and stressful investigation, has landed in the laps of Jack and his team.
This is another brilliantly written thriller by Michelle, with so many twists and suspects, as with all her books the characters and settings are exceptional giving great visualisations.
I found this book as I have Michelle's others very compelling reading, a must-read page-turner.
I love all of Michelle's incredible books and recommend them very highly.
Check them out, guarantee you too will be hooked.
May 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for sending me an ARC of No Red Lines.
This was an easy read, and I liked the main police characters, which, for me, always helps when reading.
I didn’t realise when I requested this that it was number 7 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would definitely recommend reading the previous ones first, as there were ties to earlier events that were briefly explained, but not enough for me to know exactly what was going on. In no way the fault of the author, just an observation from me personally.
I did feel as well that the ending was fairly rushed. One minute the main character was in the back of a lorry, hiding from the murderer; next he was in the pub discussing the end of the case! We never really had an explanation as to why the underground maps weren’t linked, apart from the murderer’s thoughts saying it was just to confuse things. Which seemed a bit odd and not worth the link.
Overall though, an enjoyable read. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
This was an easy read, and I liked the main police characters, which, for me, always helps when reading.
I didn’t realise when I requested this that it was number 7 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would definitely recommend reading the previous ones first, as there were ties to earlier events that were briefly explained, but not enough for me to know exactly what was going on. In no way the fault of the author, just an observation from me personally.
I did feel as well that the ending was fairly rushed. One minute the main character was in the back of a lorry, hiding from the murderer; next he was in the pub discussing the end of the case! We never really had an explanation as to why the underground maps weren’t linked, apart from the murderer’s thoughts saying it was just to confuse things. Which seemed a bit odd and not worth the link.
Overall though, an enjoyable read. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
Review:
It was fabulous to be back with Jack and his team. They all work well together to solve the most heinous crimes.
This time women are being murdered and literally left hanging by a window. Unfortunately, this crime is very similar to murders that happened over 17 years ago. A letter is dropped off to a reporter who was assigned to the original case, she knew exactly what happened and these new murders seem to assimilate them. Also, a retired policeman who was also on the original case is asked for help and to study the old cases to check for similarities.
What follows is an excellent murder hunt going back years and it’s taking Jack and his team a lot of work to find the killer. There are a lot of threads throughout and for once it’s not clear “whodunnit “!
A very enjoyable read, good team work between them all and I’ll look forward to the next one.
My thanks to Joffe publishers and the author for the ARC.
It was fabulous to be back with Jack and his team. They all work well together to solve the most heinous crimes.
This time women are being murdered and literally left hanging by a window. Unfortunately, this crime is very similar to murders that happened over 17 years ago. A letter is dropped off to a reporter who was assigned to the original case, she knew exactly what happened and these new murders seem to assimilate them. Also, a retired policeman who was also on the original case is asked for help and to study the old cases to check for similarities.
What follows is an excellent murder hunt going back years and it’s taking Jack and his team a lot of work to find the killer. There are a lot of threads throughout and for once it’s not clear “whodunnit “!
A very enjoyable read, good team work between them all and I’ll look forward to the next one.
My thanks to Joffe publishers and the author for the ARC.
May 15, 2025
3 months after being blown up ,DI Jack Mackintosh is back with his team.
Their first case of a girl hanging in the window with a map of the underground in her mouth revives memories of a serial killer from 17 years ago, same methods were used and it's now a cold case in the archives.
On further investigation and speaking to the SIO on that case Jack finds yet another cold case was linked but nothing was proved to a series of sexual assaults in Yorkshire preceding the killings in London.
The characters and the way this plot interweaves between them makes this book stand out from start to finish , a finish I wasn't expecting to be honest, such was the way it was revealed in the end. I'm going to go back and read Michelle Kidd's 6 other books in this series, though this is great as a standalone, I want to know more about the cast of characters and events hinted at in this book. Thanks Joffe Books for introducing me to this brilliant author.
Their first case of a girl hanging in the window with a map of the underground in her mouth revives memories of a serial killer from 17 years ago, same methods were used and it's now a cold case in the archives.
On further investigation and speaking to the SIO on that case Jack finds yet another cold case was linked but nothing was proved to a series of sexual assaults in Yorkshire preceding the killings in London.
The characters and the way this plot interweaves between them makes this book stand out from start to finish , a finish I wasn't expecting to be honest, such was the way it was revealed in the end. I'm going to go back and read Michelle Kidd's 6 other books in this series, though this is great as a standalone, I want to know more about the cast of characters and events hinted at in this book. Thanks Joffe Books for introducing me to this brilliant author.
May 10, 2025
It's great to be back with Jack and the team. I absolutely loved this. It's probably my favourite of the series. Women are being murdered and there are links to similar cases from seventeen years earlier. A link to a currently incarcerated man throws a spanner in the works as the team also find themselves looking into some cold cases as well as their current one. Throw in the involvement of a reporter who is finding herself the recipient of letters from the killer and you have all the ingredients of an intriguing and riveting story. I definitely was hooked throughout and didn't want to put it down.
The addition of some revelations from past events added some personal intrigue to the story also and I can't wait to see how things unveil with this subplot in the next book.
The addition of some revelations from past events added some personal intrigue to the story also and I can't wait to see how things unveil with this subplot in the next book.
May 12, 2025
Jack’s back… and so is a notorious serial killer. Seventeen years ago a spate of killings happened where the body was left in an abandoned building near a central line railway station. There were six bodies then the killing stopped. Now they have started again. Can Jack and his team catch the killer before the body count rises or the killer disappears again?
There is a subplot that continues from the previous books that, if you haven’t read them, may confuse some readers with the many references, and the book ends with a slight ‘cliffhanger’ leader into more of the subplot. That aside, book seven of the Detective Jack MacIntosh series is another excellent, fast paced gritty police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
There is a subplot that continues from the previous books that, if you haven’t read them, may confuse some readers with the many references, and the book ends with a slight ‘cliffhanger’ leader into more of the subplot. That aside, book seven of the Detective Jack MacIntosh series is another excellent, fast paced gritty police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
May 17, 2025
This is a page turner of a procedural, where you get to see what the killer is doing, but not necessarily what they are thinking, alternating with chapters of jack coming back to work after his extended medical leave an not feeling 100%, but knowing he has to come back or go crazy. And he think's he's crazy to even think that the Red Line Killer could even BE back. Could he have a copy cat, or is the killer back to finish what they started? or is something else going on? As the team and Jack struggle with clues and false leads, the killing continues. the last few chapters are a roller coaster of a read, as they race to save the latest victim! Don't miss this series- it's got lots of stories left!
March 28, 2025
DI Jack MacIntosh and his team are trying to catch a killer whose trademark is to leave a part of a London underground map in the mouth of his young and attractive female victims. Alternate chapters flash back to the killer’s childhood bullying, but if they were supposed to make me feel sympathetic, it didn’t work. I found this novel extremely disturbing; serial killers and sexual assault are topics I prefer to avoid in my leisure reading, and this one had more than one creepy murder described in grisly detail. If this isn’t a problem for you, this is a well written and suspenseful mystery. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
April 23, 2025
No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd was an absolutely gripping read—5 stars from me! It’s my first time reading a book in the DI Jack Macintosh series, and I was hooked from the start. The pacing, the layered POVs, and the psychological depth made it hard to put down. The Central Line Killer plot kept me guessing, and while the ending felt a little rushed, the buildup was so well-crafted it didn’t take away from the overall impact. Kidd’s writing style is intense and immersive, and I really appreciated how she explored the nature-versus-nurture theme behind what makes a killer. I’ll definitely be picking up more books from this series.
*Note: I received the book as an ARC
*Note: I received the book as an ARC
May 13, 2025
I have read a couple of other books in the DI Jack Macintosh series and I have really enjoyed them so I knew I would really enjoy this, and, it didn't disappoint.
The book is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters that were all very believable and real to me as a reader.
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down I read it in one sitting.
It was well paced and full of suspense and tension which really kept me on the edge of my seat and the twists kept me guessing all the way through.
I loved it and can't wait to read more in the series.
The book is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters that were all very believable and real to me as a reader.
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down I read it in one sitting.
It was well paced and full of suspense and tension which really kept me on the edge of my seat and the twists kept me guessing all the way through.
I loved it and can't wait to read more in the series.
May 12, 2025
The seventh instalment in the DI Jack Macintosh series. A clever and gripping murder story that can be read as a stand-alone.
Three months after surviving being blown up in a booby trapped building, Jack is glad to be back at work, and then his phone rings!
A body has been found in a disused building, that of a young woman left hanging from a curtain rail and displayed behind a large window. As the investigation commences, it quickly becomes obvious that the killing bears a striking resemblence to a series of killings that has remained unsolved and dormant for senenteen years! a real page turner from the start with unexpected twists and turns.
Three months after surviving being blown up in a booby trapped building, Jack is glad to be back at work, and then his phone rings!
A body has been found in a disused building, that of a young woman left hanging from a curtain rail and displayed behind a large window. As the investigation commences, it quickly becomes obvious that the killing bears a striking resemblence to a series of killings that has remained unsolved and dormant for senenteen years! a real page turner from the start with unexpected twists and turns.
May 24, 2025
This is a great read with a complex storyline and some great, well rounded characters.
This is part of a series, but I read this as a standalone and was able to enjoy it on its own as a great, action packed story.
One thing I really enjoyed is that all members of the task force all contributed to the investigation. I guess this probably comes from being able to build up the characters and their interactions throughout a series, but again, as a standalone it worked really well. A cohesive team which I felt left the room for the complex twists and turns.
I couldn't put this one down, and when I get the chance, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
This is part of a series, but I read this as a standalone and was able to enjoy it on its own as a great, action packed story.
One thing I really enjoyed is that all members of the task force all contributed to the investigation. I guess this probably comes from being able to build up the characters and their interactions throughout a series, but again, as a standalone it worked really well. A cohesive team which I felt left the room for the complex twists and turns.
I couldn't put this one down, and when I get the chance, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
March 30, 2025
Absolutely nail biting again. I read it in one sitting! Jack thinks everything is plodding along nicely when he returns to work this time. No - yet another brutal killer is on the loose. The dynamics of the team and the depth of the characters are what makes these books such a pleasure to read.
Again, the killings are brutal, the red herrings are all there, and so are the parallel storylines adding those extra layers.
The ending is dramatic and (almost) complete, making me wish the next book would hurry up and get here. Absolutely brilliant.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
Again, the killings are brutal, the red herrings are all there, and so are the parallel storylines adding those extra layers.
The ending is dramatic and (almost) complete, making me wish the next book would hurry up and get here. Absolutely brilliant.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
March 31, 2025
4.5 Gripping
An extremely fast paced police investigation connecting several cold cases to present day crimes. Young women are being targeted and murdered in a similar manner to six murders committed seventeen years ago.
Even with clear headings, the numerous twists and turns, different timelines, continual change of locations and multiple POV, full concentration is necessary to fully appreciate the complex plot. That's how I lost several hours without really trying.
Recommended.
With thanks to Joffe Books for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
An extremely fast paced police investigation connecting several cold cases to present day crimes. Young women are being targeted and murdered in a similar manner to six murders committed seventeen years ago.
Even with clear headings, the numerous twists and turns, different timelines, continual change of locations and multiple POV, full concentration is necessary to fully appreciate the complex plot. That's how I lost several hours without really trying.
Recommended.
With thanks to Joffe Books for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
April 3, 2025
A brilliant read from start to finish. Detective Jack Macintosh investigates a spate of murders with possible links to historic cold cases some 20yrs back. A journalist receives tip offs from the killer but what is her connection to him? This is my first in this series and I’ll have to read them from the start! In particular because the supporting characters are so brilliant too and I’d love to get more into their back stories. Highly recommend this and huge thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2025
It Kept Me Guessing
After having time off due to injuries received, Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is back at work, and is thrown straight away into a new murder case. A young woman is found hanging from a curtain pole in an empty building. Seventeen years ago six other young women were found in similar circumstances, their killer was never found. Could this case be connected? There are plenty of suspects to consider, will Jack and his team be able to find the killer before he strikes again? This book kept me gripped and guessing all the way through.
After having time off due to injuries received, Detective Inspector Jack MacIntosh is back at work, and is thrown straight away into a new murder case. A young woman is found hanging from a curtain pole in an empty building. Seventeen years ago six other young women were found in similar circumstances, their killer was never found. Could this case be connected? There are plenty of suspects to consider, will Jack and his team be able to find the killer before he strikes again? This book kept me gripped and guessing all the way through.
May 17, 2025
Wow what a ride this book was, I even switched to daylight/lights on reading for a bit, chilling, heart racing, absolutely brilliant!
Don’t want to give anything away you have to read this!
Loved every moment, even though part of a series definitely can be read as a stand alone.
An easy 5⭐️ thrilling read from me. Plus a very striking cover too 😃
@michellekiddauthor is on my go list for authors now
Thank you @zooloosbooktours @joffebooks for having me on the tour and for a copy of this ebook
Don’t want to give anything away you have to read this!
Loved every moment, even though part of a series definitely can be read as a stand alone.
An easy 5⭐️ thrilling read from me. Plus a very striking cover too 😃
@michellekiddauthor is on my go list for authors now
Thank you @zooloosbooktours @joffebooks for having me on the tour and for a copy of this ebook
May 8, 2025
What a twisty, tangled web we have in this excellent mystery from the author! Although it is part of a series, it really stands alone as a psychological thriller too. The plotting is devious and twisted, full of red herrings but had me hooked from the start. I love the characters, especially Jack and they are very believable. Roll on the next episode for DI Jack MacIntosh! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
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