Tin Soldiers

DCI Kett #18

by Alex Smith

War is coming...

It has been six months since DCI Robert Kett’s world was almost shattered by the murderous syndicate known as Hollenbeck, and he’s still picking up the pieces. What he wants now is a slow return to the job, and a handful of easy cases.

What he gets, though, is a dead man in a Norwich underpass, his eyes replaced with molten tin.

And this body is only the first. As the city burns in an unseasonably hot spring, a series of brutal attacks leaves the Extreme Crime Task Force reeling.

With a vicious serial killer targeting random victims, two powerful gangs battling each other on the streets, and a police force close to self-destruct, Kett knows only one thing for sure.

This time, he’s at war.

The nineteenth instalment in the million-selling DCI Kett series.

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2026

About the author

Alex Smith wrote his first book when he was six. It wasn’t particularly good, but it did have some supernatural monsters in it. His latest books, the DCI Robert Kett thrillers, have monsters in them too, although these monsters are very human, and all the more terrifying for it. In between these two books he has published twelve other novels for children and teenagers under his full name, Alexander Gordon Smith—including the number one bestselling series Escape From Furnace, which is loved by millions of readers worldwide and which is soon to become a motion picture. He lives in Norwich with his wife and three young daughters.

Reviews

[Karen Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Alex Smith! Gruesome crime scenes yes but this is offset with the banter between Porter and Duke and the insane shouting from Superintendent Clare. His hilarious outbursts peppered with every 'tossing' name under the sun had me in stitches! Especially the interview and the peas (IYKYK)
Kett's daughters still irritate me but they weren't in it that much this time. The tension at the end had my heart in my mouth. I am only sorry I finished this book too quickly. I loved it and will wait patiently for the next one.

[Amanda Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the DCI Kett series. This one had my heart in my throat. It had a lot more serious and pointed moments, but given the state of *everything* right now, I'm not surprised and quite happy to read it.

Can't believe I have to wait til May for the next Alex Smith book!

[margaret biggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Another great book by ALex SMith I love the Kett books and this one didn't disappoint. Left and his team just get better with every book and the stories keep you glued to pages from start to finish. Can't wait till next book.

[janice robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Soldiers

Wow you make us wait for the next instalment but we'll worth it five stars definitely an absolute brilliant book and have just pre ordered next book

[linda baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, really enjoyed it