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DI Nick Dixon #5
Dead Level
In the early hours of Christmas Eve, the wife of parliamentary candidate Tom Perry is brutally murdered in an apparent burglary gone wrong.
With the by-election campaign about to start in earnest, and the festive season in full swing, torrential rain brings with it flood warnings on the Somerset Levels.
Suspended on full pay and transferred to the cold case unit, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon is languishing on the sidelines as the investigation into Elizabeth Perry’s murder unravels and the floodwaters rise.
Returning to duty, Dixon is convinced that the answer lies hidden in Tom Perry’s political life, but why was Elizabeth the target and not her husband? The more Dixon uncovers, the further he is from finding the truth…
Dead Level is the fifth novel in Damien Boyd’s addictive DI Nick Dixon Crime Series.
With the by-election campaign about to start in earnest, and the festive season in full swing, torrential rain brings with it flood warnings on the Somerset Levels.
Suspended on full pay and transferred to the cold case unit, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon is languishing on the sidelines as the investigation into Elizabeth Perry’s murder unravels and the floodwaters rise.
Returning to duty, Dixon is convinced that the answer lies hidden in Tom Perry’s political life, but why was Elizabeth the target and not her husband? The more Dixon uncovers, the further he is from finding the truth…
Dead Level is the fifth novel in Damien Boyd’s addictive DI Nick Dixon Crime Series.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
1667 people are currently reading
1375 people want to read
About the author
Damien Boyd
21 books951 followersDamien Boyd is a former solicitor turned crime fiction writer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
Drawing on extensive experience of criminal law as well as a spell in the Crown Prosecution Service, Damien writes fast paced crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Nick Dixon.
Damien is published by Thomas & Mercer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
August 30, 2020
Another enjoyable entry in the DI Nick Dixon series. This time Nick is investigating the murder of the wife of a parliamentary candidate, but why was Elizabeth Perry targeted, and not her husband Tom? Nick is convinced the answer is somewhere in the background of Tom's political life, but the more he searches for answers, the more confused he becomes. With election campaigns in full swing, Christmas drawing ever closer, and a rising river ready to burst it's banks, Nick finds himself struggling to solve the case and find the answers to the complex case.
This series is going from strength to strength, I really like the characters and I'm enjoying the ever more complex plots. I have no hesitation in recommending them to lovers of mysteries and police procedurals.
This series is going from strength to strength, I really like the characters and I'm enjoying the ever more complex plots. I have no hesitation in recommending them to lovers of mysteries and police procedurals.
April 9, 2025
So pleased to be able to read the latest Nick Dixon book, the fifth in the series but seems like ages since I read books 1 - 4.
This is an original plot idea with all the usual reasons for murder.
It starts with Dixon spending long days walking Monty his dog as he has been placed on cold cases.
The novel wonderfully includes a by-election, the flooding of the Somerset Levels and the menace of previous books. I liked the insights with solicitors, the medical aspects of the case and issues around adoption.
Above all else this is a great police procedural with a dedicated team of officers. The sense of realism also gives the book an edge and when the action and thrills start it is both compelling and believable.
I warmly and confidently recommend these books to you.
This is an original plot idea with all the usual reasons for murder.
It starts with Dixon spending long days walking Monty his dog as he has been placed on cold cases.
The novel wonderfully includes a by-election, the flooding of the Somerset Levels and the menace of previous books. I liked the insights with solicitors, the medical aspects of the case and issues around adoption.
Above all else this is a great police procedural with a dedicated team of officers. The sense of realism also gives the book an edge and when the action and thrills start it is both compelling and believable.
I warmly and confidently recommend these books to you.
March 7, 2016
I have to admit that this is one of the series that I eagerly wait a new book from. I have read all and in order and I believe that this adds to my love of the series as I have seen not only the characters develop and mature but also the author doing the same. The reservations I have had in previous books have all but disappeared in this, the 5th in the series. I am still a little concerned about Nick's relationship being within the force but I think I am just going to have to let it go and live with it cos, so far, it doesn't show any signs of flagging!
So, after the fall out of the last book, Nick's reward for breaking the rules is a shove to investigating cold cases. So it is left to Jane to investigate the death of the wife of a parliamentary candidate. As the murder is described in the opening of the book, initially we know more than the police but they soon start to play catch-up as slowly, Nick is brought into the investigation albeit initially through Jane but later they realise that his insight and ability to think laterally really are needed to solve this case and he is thankfully reinstated.
The plot is delightfully convoluted and, as well as the flooding, the author takes on another high profile issue. I am familiar with the Somerset Levels where the book is based and it is clever for the author to have included this real life important issue in the book. The flooding is such an integral part of the storyline that this inclusion, although it highlights certain political aspects, it is never too preachy or over-political. It simply reports the facts and uses the setting and flooding almost as a character in their own right. The other issue tackled is not familiar to me but again appears to have been tackled respectfully.
But, the bottom line is that in this book we have a tightly, well plotted police procedural that ticks all the boxes that one needs with this genre but also adds a little something extra. The main, returning characters are all developing well and new characters also well described. Even the smaller ones. The pacing is good throughout and the finale satisfying.
All in all, another good addition to this now well established series. Roll on book 6!
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
So, after the fall out of the last book, Nick's reward for breaking the rules is a shove to investigating cold cases. So it is left to Jane to investigate the death of the wife of a parliamentary candidate. As the murder is described in the opening of the book, initially we know more than the police but they soon start to play catch-up as slowly, Nick is brought into the investigation albeit initially through Jane but later they realise that his insight and ability to think laterally really are needed to solve this case and he is thankfully reinstated.
The plot is delightfully convoluted and, as well as the flooding, the author takes on another high profile issue. I am familiar with the Somerset Levels where the book is based and it is clever for the author to have included this real life important issue in the book. The flooding is such an integral part of the storyline that this inclusion, although it highlights certain political aspects, it is never too preachy or over-political. It simply reports the facts and uses the setting and flooding almost as a character in their own right. The other issue tackled is not familiar to me but again appears to have been tackled respectfully.
But, the bottom line is that in this book we have a tightly, well plotted police procedural that ticks all the boxes that one needs with this genre but also adds a little something extra. The main, returning characters are all developing well and new characters also well described. Even the smaller ones. The pacing is good throughout and the finale satisfying.
All in all, another good addition to this now well established series. Roll on book 6!
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2018
2.5 stars.
Solid mystery but identity of the perp was, once again, a bit of a non sequitur. Interesting cultural information about insulin for type 1 diabetes and local voting systems (I know, a bit of an interesting duo), but still a little dry. The romance between Jane and Dixon continued to underwhelm, but I can forgive that since this isn't really marketed as a romance. I really hope that the dead fiance is finally laid to rest, figuratively and literally, since the H's continued love for her is really undermining my belief in how he feels for the h. She really deserves more.
Solid mystery but identity of the perp was, once again, a bit of a non sequitur. Interesting cultural information about insulin for type 1 diabetes and local voting systems (I know, a bit of an interesting duo), but still a little dry. The romance between Jane and Dixon continued to underwhelm, but I can forgive that since this isn't really marketed as a romance. I really hope that the dead fiance is finally laid to rest, figuratively and literally, since the H's continued love for her is really undermining my belief in how he feels for the h. She really deserves more.
January 3, 2025
A good, easy read and another great adventure of Detective Inspector Nick Dixon. Soon cleared of misconduct, through failure to disclose his personnal interest in the previious case, he takes over a high profile case involving the murder of a prospective MP's wife at their home in the Somersset Levels. The flooding of the period and Diabetes are the highlighted issues but there is also further involvement from the Albanians and interference from the Zephyr group lead by Nick's Superior Collyer. A very good fast moving case. 4 stars.
March 16, 2016
Dead Level is the fifth novel in Damien Boyd’s addictive DI Nick Dixon Crime Series. This one works fine as a stand-alone, although there are a couple of references to events in earlier books.
DI Dixon has been on suspended status, relegated to looking at cold cases, while the higher-ups decide what to do with him. Nick is a bit of cowboy, honest to a fault, unless it gets in his way to solving a crime. But he does have a line he will not cross.
The wife of Tom Perry, a candidate in the parliamentary elections, is found brutally stabbed to death. That she was also pregnant is not well known.
Evidence points to the Albanian Mafia ... a group that Nick has had to deal with before. And because of that link, Nick's suspension is lifted so that he may lead the investigation.
But is this a false clue? Could her husband's political stance be the reason his wife was slaughtered? Why his wife ... and not him?
It's up to Nick and his team to connect the dots and unravel all the lies and deceit.
A lot of action takes places throughout this book. Several bodies. A flood that wipes out almost all evidence. A suspect killed.
Nick is a great character .. I really like him. He has a slightly off-kilter sense of humor ..which I love. His live-in girlfriend, Jane, is also a DC in his unit. The reader gets a glimpse of their private life ... which is what I think most relationships are like. They eat, they watch TV, they banter, they discuss work. They text each other through the busy work days.
Nick's team are very well trained, with various strengths and weaknesses. There is one member of the team that has caused a lot of problems (in earlier book) and Nick has him removed from this case. Finding him later, a victim of suicide, leaves Nick feeling much guilt, especially as he learns something he never knew.
This was a much enjoyable read for me. I have added all the previous books in this series to my Wish List and will be watching for future books that feature DI Nick Dixon.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
DI Dixon has been on suspended status, relegated to looking at cold cases, while the higher-ups decide what to do with him. Nick is a bit of cowboy, honest to a fault, unless it gets in his way to solving a crime. But he does have a line he will not cross.
The wife of Tom Perry, a candidate in the parliamentary elections, is found brutally stabbed to death. That she was also pregnant is not well known.
Evidence points to the Albanian Mafia ... a group that Nick has had to deal with before. And because of that link, Nick's suspension is lifted so that he may lead the investigation.
But is this a false clue? Could her husband's political stance be the reason his wife was slaughtered? Why his wife ... and not him?
It's up to Nick and his team to connect the dots and unravel all the lies and deceit.
A lot of action takes places throughout this book. Several bodies. A flood that wipes out almost all evidence. A suspect killed.
Nick is a great character .. I really like him. He has a slightly off-kilter sense of humor ..which I love. His live-in girlfriend, Jane, is also a DC in his unit. The reader gets a glimpse of their private life ... which is what I think most relationships are like. They eat, they watch TV, they banter, they discuss work. They text each other through the busy work days.
Nick's team are very well trained, with various strengths and weaknesses. There is one member of the team that has caused a lot of problems (in earlier book) and Nick has him removed from this case. Finding him later, a victim of suicide, leaves Nick feeling much guilt, especially as he learns something he never knew.
This was a much enjoyable read for me. I have added all the previous books in this series to my Wish List and will be watching for future books that feature DI Nick Dixon.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 22, 2016
I read all 5 in the series. All good but some better than others..
I noticed in this series that the first book had 173 pages and the page count got higher with each book, with this one having 354. However, it was like the author forgot how to use verbal expressions in this book, as he went along: no exclaimed, muttered, mumbled, yelled, replied, and the like. In this book he thought “said” was enough, since that one word was used 757 times. Don’t think for a minute that one word used that many times isn’t noticeable. It drove me nuts. And, since the next book, due out in October, is 352 pages long I’m not sure I’ll read it. To me, that’s just the lazy way to write, but that’s just my opinion.
Having said that, this was a pretty good mystery: who paid to have a pregnant Elizabeth Perry killed? And why? Oh, and that was just the first murder. And then there was the shooting by the police who are usually unarmed. Where the US refers to it as a “bulletproof vest” it’s called a “stabbing vest” in this series.
Needless to say, I was totally surprised to find out who paid for the killing of Elizabeth and why. WOW!
Again, no romance, no kissing, no nothing. These were all murder/suspense/mysteries NOT romance.
There was swearing and the F-bomb was used 12 times.
Over all, it was a quite the mystery, but not as good as a couple of the others’ from this series.
As to the narrator: I enjoyed every second of all 5 books because of Napoleon Ryan’s narration. He did so many voices, and they were all wonderful.
ALL 5 BOOKS WERE FREE READ & FREE LISTEN. IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.
I noticed in this series that the first book had 173 pages and the page count got higher with each book, with this one having 354. However, it was like the author forgot how to use verbal expressions in this book, as he went along: no exclaimed, muttered, mumbled, yelled, replied, and the like. In this book he thought “said” was enough, since that one word was used 757 times. Don’t think for a minute that one word used that many times isn’t noticeable. It drove me nuts. And, since the next book, due out in October, is 352 pages long I’m not sure I’ll read it. To me, that’s just the lazy way to write, but that’s just my opinion.
Having said that, this was a pretty good mystery: who paid to have a pregnant Elizabeth Perry killed? And why? Oh, and that was just the first murder. And then there was the shooting by the police who are usually unarmed. Where the US refers to it as a “bulletproof vest” it’s called a “stabbing vest” in this series.
Needless to say, I was totally surprised to find out who paid for the killing of Elizabeth and why. WOW!
Again, no romance, no kissing, no nothing. These were all murder/suspense/mysteries NOT romance.
There was swearing and the F-bomb was used 12 times.
Over all, it was a quite the mystery, but not as good as a couple of the others’ from this series.
As to the narrator: I enjoyed every second of all 5 books because of Napoleon Ryan’s narration. He did so many voices, and they were all wonderful.
ALL 5 BOOKS WERE FREE READ & FREE LISTEN. IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.
December 13, 2016
Damien Boyd books are not for me. Dead Level was another drawn out story, not so much a page turner but a page turn off. Long boring parts with too much detail on politics interspersed with Nick bombing up and down the M5 and walking his dog.
In the end I could not care less who dunnit, just wanted to finish the book and move on.
In the end I could not care less who dunnit, just wanted to finish the book and move on.
November 7, 2025
L’ispettore Nick Dixon si sta occupando di un cold case mentre viene definito il provvedimento disciplinare a suo carico, intanto la sua compagna Jane, agente di polizia, segue le indagini sulla morte della moglie di Tom Perry, candidato conservatore, alle elezioni politiche suppletive in North Somerset.
La mattina di Natale, infatti, Elizabeth Perry viene trovata pugnalata nel cottage, a ridosso del fiume, in cui lei e il marito si sono da poco trasferiti. La prima impressione è che si sia trattato di un tentativo di furto finito male, ma in realtà sono molte le cose che non quadrano. Tuttavia, sarà solo con il ritorno in pista di Dixon che le indagini prenderanno una svolta decisiva.
Dixon, infatti, è deciso a scavare nell’attività politica di Tom Perry, poiché è convinto che risieda proprio lì il motivo dell’omicidio della moglie.
Resta però un interrogativo: se si voleva colpire la carriera politica di Tom, perché uccidere la moglie?
Mentre la pioggia continua a cadere senza sosta e i fiumi sommergono case e strade, sembra che l’acqua voglia nascondere anche segreti e intrighi. L’acqua allaga tutto, sommerge la scena del crimine rischiando di compromettere le prove e rallenta le indagini. Dixon, però, è abile a incastrare gli elementi a sua disposizione e a fare collegamenti e non si lascia sviare dai segreti e dalle bugie che ogni nuovo testimone sembra portare con sé.
Damien Boyd ha uno stile scorrevole e avvincente, descrive in maniera dettagliata luoghi e situazioni senza appesantire la lettura, tanto che sembra di veder scorrere davanti agli occhi le scene di un film. La trama è ricca di colpi di scena, l’indagine è molto complessa e l’atmosfera cupa contribuisce a rendere la storia più suggestiva.
I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati, in particolare è Nick Dixon a dominare la scena. Nick soffre di diabete ma ha accettato la sua condizione, è empatico, determinato e ha un forte senso della giustizia. L’acqua che sommerge i Somerset Levels non lo fa desistere e alla guida della sua vecchia Land Rover non lascerà irrisolto nemmeno il cold case iniziale.
Ho apprezzato la nota finale in cui l’autore racconta che la trama gli è stata ispirata dall’amara esperienza vissuta da una persona a lui molto vicina. Leggendo il libro scoprirete di cosa si tratta.
La mattina di Natale, infatti, Elizabeth Perry viene trovata pugnalata nel cottage, a ridosso del fiume, in cui lei e il marito si sono da poco trasferiti. La prima impressione è che si sia trattato di un tentativo di furto finito male, ma in realtà sono molte le cose che non quadrano. Tuttavia, sarà solo con il ritorno in pista di Dixon che le indagini prenderanno una svolta decisiva.
Dixon, infatti, è deciso a scavare nell’attività politica di Tom Perry, poiché è convinto che risieda proprio lì il motivo dell’omicidio della moglie.
Resta però un interrogativo: se si voleva colpire la carriera politica di Tom, perché uccidere la moglie?
Mentre la pioggia continua a cadere senza sosta e i fiumi sommergono case e strade, sembra che l’acqua voglia nascondere anche segreti e intrighi. L’acqua allaga tutto, sommerge la scena del crimine rischiando di compromettere le prove e rallenta le indagini. Dixon, però, è abile a incastrare gli elementi a sua disposizione e a fare collegamenti e non si lascia sviare dai segreti e dalle bugie che ogni nuovo testimone sembra portare con sé.
Damien Boyd ha uno stile scorrevole e avvincente, descrive in maniera dettagliata luoghi e situazioni senza appesantire la lettura, tanto che sembra di veder scorrere davanti agli occhi le scene di un film. La trama è ricca di colpi di scena, l’indagine è molto complessa e l’atmosfera cupa contribuisce a rendere la storia più suggestiva.
I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati, in particolare è Nick Dixon a dominare la scena. Nick soffre di diabete ma ha accettato la sua condizione, è empatico, determinato e ha un forte senso della giustizia. L’acqua che sommerge i Somerset Levels non lo fa desistere e alla guida della sua vecchia Land Rover non lascerà irrisolto nemmeno il cold case iniziale.
Ho apprezzato la nota finale in cui l’autore racconta che la trama gli è stata ispirata dall’amara esperienza vissuta da una persona a lui molto vicina. Leggendo il libro scoprirete di cosa si tratta.
August 30, 2021
Another great read from Damien Boyd. This one based round so many issues still relevant today despite being written six years ago. Politics, flooding, environment and greed.
The wife of one of the candidates is murdered in what looks like a robbery gone wrong. Although facing a disciplinary charge following his last case Nick is assigned to this one while still investigating a cold case which was all he was allowed to do while awaiting his 'verdict'. The following weeks see the return of the Albanians, Zephyr, the 'suicide' of a colleague, the police delving into the affairs of a medical supply firm and some very exciting arrests and interviews.
Even after the first person is charged Nick is not satisfied and despite losing staff due to budget cuts is determined to carry on looking for whoever was behind it all - and of course he does. This was one case where there were few pointers to the culprit and I for one didn't work it out. Of course, despite long hours spent on this case he is also able to solve his cold case.
As a bonus, in addition to the cases we begin to get a glimpse into Jane's background which no doubt will be developed in future books.
The wife of one of the candidates is murdered in what looks like a robbery gone wrong. Although facing a disciplinary charge following his last case Nick is assigned to this one while still investigating a cold case which was all he was allowed to do while awaiting his 'verdict'. The following weeks see the return of the Albanians, Zephyr, the 'suicide' of a colleague, the police delving into the affairs of a medical supply firm and some very exciting arrests and interviews.
Even after the first person is charged Nick is not satisfied and despite losing staff due to budget cuts is determined to carry on looking for whoever was behind it all - and of course he does. This was one case where there were few pointers to the culprit and I for one didn't work it out. Of course, despite long hours spent on this case he is also able to solve his cold case.
As a bonus, in addition to the cases we begin to get a glimpse into Jane's background which no doubt will be developed in future books.
May 1, 2019
Another excellent police procedural, the fifth in the series featuring D.I. Nick Dixon. In the prologue, a woman is murdered - the reader is made aware that there are two offenders, one follows the other in, finishes the job off and plants evidence - but who and why? It transpires that the woman is the wife of the prospective Conservative candidate in the local by-election so the case is immediately high profile - but Nick is not initially involved as he is suspended from his normal role and instead working on the cold case unit. But the murder case takes some unexpected twists and the inexperienced D.I. running the investigation is soon out of her depth. Fortunately, Nick is there to ride to the rescue!
A pact and thrilling read, possibly a bit far-fetched at times but still a gripping read and well worth 4 stars - 8.5/10.
A pact and thrilling read, possibly a bit far-fetched at times but still a gripping read and well worth 4 stars - 8.5/10.
October 21, 2020
I really must learn to read series books in order. Despite that I really enjoyed this book which starts with the DI under suspension and working in cold crimes and ends with him back in his niche solving both the cold and the current crimes. I like that there is a little more of the character's personal lives and shows a different side to their characters.
July 7, 2017
The fifth in the DI Nick Dixon series, and at last, he and DS Jane Winters are working on different cases. Or are they? It isn't long before DCI Lewis admits he needs the 'dream team' back together. This is another eminently readable murder mystery from Damien Boyd. And as the note at the end explains, it's written partially from experience, which makes it all the more thrilling and authentic.
December 15, 2025
Another good instalment. I’m loving the police procedural aspect and the character development. Good plot.
February 6, 2016
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Dead Level, the fifth in Mr Boyd's DI Nick Dixon series. I read the first novel in the series, As The Crow Flies, a few years ago but haven't read any others so it has been been interesting to see the differences. More sophisticated in all areas would be my judgement.
The novel starts with the murder of Lizzie Perry, wife of parliamentary candidate, Tom. The reader knows that there are two killers but the police don't so you get to play the "I know something you don't" game for a while until it all gets complicated with more and more layers being peeled back. Nick Dixon is not initially involved in the investigation as he is suspended but when it all goes pear shaped he is quickly re-instated and brings his lateral thinking into play.
Dead Level is an extremely good read and exactly what I like in a novel. It is a straightforward police procedural with plenty of twists and turns, some very unlikely suspects, some very likeable protagonists and is unafraid to take on some big issues, like flooding and the murky relationships between drug companies and the medical profession. It is an accomplished work and had me glued to the pages throughout so if all you want is a good read to keep you turning the pages then I heartily recommend Dead Level.
The novel starts with the murder of Lizzie Perry, wife of parliamentary candidate, Tom. The reader knows that there are two killers but the police don't so you get to play the "I know something you don't" game for a while until it all gets complicated with more and more layers being peeled back. Nick Dixon is not initially involved in the investigation as he is suspended but when it all goes pear shaped he is quickly re-instated and brings his lateral thinking into play.
Dead Level is an extremely good read and exactly what I like in a novel. It is a straightforward police procedural with plenty of twists and turns, some very unlikely suspects, some very likeable protagonists and is unafraid to take on some big issues, like flooding and the murky relationships between drug companies and the medical profession. It is an accomplished work and had me glued to the pages throughout so if all you want is a good read to keep you turning the pages then I heartily recommend Dead Level.
September 6, 2017
Number five in the Nick Dixon series set in Somerset: straightforward police procedurals with a down to earth, if rather sarky, detective, his colleague/girlfriend Jane, and his faithful dog Monty. Set a few weeks after the previous book (Swan Song), Nick has been suspended from the murder team pending investigation of his actions - finding the killer of his childhood sweetheart during a new murder case, but not disclosing his involvement. Instead, he is investigating a cold case, an old woman killed by a shotgun, decades before. Devastating floods are complicating investigations as people have to move out of their houses, and a local by-election is underway. When the conservative candidate's wife is murdered in an apparent burglary gone wrong, Nick is quickly pardoned and retakes the lead, pretty much ignoring the directive not to work with Jane. The Albanians are back, there's a conspiracy, a near death experience (the man has a lot of close shaves for a small town copper) and a poorly disguised medical campaign, explained in the author's note.
These books are best read in order, and close enough together to remember who's who. I enjoyed this, didn't guess whodunnit, although did suspect the motive, but that didn't matter. Apparently the floods were a real event, and the impact was well described. There were also interesting details about the electoral process.
These books are best read in order, and close enough together to remember who's who. I enjoyed this, didn't guess whodunnit, although did suspect the motive, but that didn't matter. Apparently the floods were a real event, and the impact was well described. There were also interesting details about the electoral process.
July 11, 2016
Super book - - this was my first Nick Dixon book even though its number five in the series - - the author, Damien Boyd is a terrific writer - - the sentences are short and to the point - - the pages just fly by - Its a British murder mystery and an excellent one - - The main character, Nick Dixon is a Detective Inspector and his girl friend is a Detective Constable - they are a very good team as is the entire staff under Dixon. The whole story takes place during the awful British rainy season - the year that the whole of England seemed to be under water - rivers running over their banks and the unrelenting rain - with that as the background Dixon and his team need to solve a very brutal series of murders - its a hard book to put down - the writing is excellent and will keep you involved from the first.
December 10, 2016
Bumping up the star level as this series has grown on me and/or improved in progression. It continues to read like a script with a great deal of dialogue and action. This makes it a bit different because there is little time spent describing settings/feelings/thoughts. I'm ok with it as the crimes seem believable and Dixon's gift for intuiting and following through on hunches with intense research is admirable. Themes hitting this story include insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes, murder for hire, the Albanians (again), politics and campaigns, flooding devastation and adoption.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2016
This was my first DI Dixon novel and I enjoyed it a lot. However, I would add I was sorry I had not read the previous books in the series. Taut and suspenseful, I recommend this to anyone who loves British crime fiction, but please start with no.1 in the series. It's a pleasure to have discovered a new series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Dead Level in return for an unbiased review, and aquainting me with a new author to follow.
June 3, 2016
the fifth in this excellent series of police procedurals based in Somerset - I think it does help if you have at least read the previous book as there are references and plot lines are easier to follow if you have. A couple of unlikely features of the story do not take away from a narrative with good steady momentum, supported by a cold case parallel unconnected plot. Looking forward to Book 6
November 18, 2023
This is my 5th DI Nick Dixon book and my last. They're easy to read and the storylines are generally pretty good. But I'm sick of the ridiculous portrayal of all other characters; all presented as simpletons with an IQ barely reaching double figures, all waiting for brave Mr Dixon to come to the rescue. It's tiresome and annoying to see it page-after-page.
In the 4th DI Nick Dixon book it states that he has only been in the Police for 7 years, yet in that time he has apparently been promoted twice, become a Detective and somehow is the "go to man" for any large-scale and serious murders. Right.
The book is littered with references to his landrover, repeated dog walks (in fact, Monty the dog appears to have more intellect than most of the other characters) and references to coffee and lunch breaks. Luckily DI Dixon can break away from all of this to solve the odd murder, whilst all his other colleagues look around gormlessly, unable to tie their own shoe laces. He also manages to solve these murders single handedly with little support. His senior officers pressure him with upcoming press conferences yet at the same time take away members of his team.
The lack of character development is astonishing. Most have featured in previous books yet still stand idly by staring into space most of the time. Jane is written like a dizzy teenager who will often reply to Dixon with "How did you know that?".
!!!!!!!!! SPOILERS BELOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's one bit in the book where one of the officers is talking to another about a marital issue. She says: "Oh god, he didn't hit you did he?" as if it was just one of those annoying little domestic things which regularly happen and the odd slap here and there is just a bit of a blip. This kind of sums up the Author's style - it's definitely dated and the depiction and way that DI Nick Dixon speaks to people is grating.
Dixon's bluntness is just plain rude and when it's woven into passages of text where he once again somehow knows better than all other characters it's just not fun to read. Examples are where he barges into buildings and businesses flashing his warrant card in response to someone asking who he is, or flashing his badge at a traffic warden who gives him a nod and apology.
Within several pages of a new plot line, Dixon somehow knows more than specialist medical consultants about their chosen field, correcting them during questioning by refering a study he read in bed the previous evening. He also corrects politiicans during interiews, seemingly being able to master the entire process overnight. This political process by the way features too greatly with references to certain roles and procedures which add nothing other than confusing the reader.
One of the worst parts of the book was the first section where vomit is found next to a dead body. The vomit has been planted and Dixon somehow links this to an Albanian gang because he knows they eat lamb, rice and yoghurt dishes (right... no other cultures or cuisines or people eat this food?). This leads him to confirm it was two suspects involved and not one. If you think I'm joking about the vomit, I am not and this once again demonstrates the ridiculousness of this character and the plot.
DI Dixon even has time and energy to jump into same dangerous water which is freezing cold just to "rescue" a dead body which they don't want washed out to sea. He himself is eventually rescued and manages a full scale conversation with the boat crew, refusing to let go of the body despite having hypothermia.
Another frustrating part of the writing style is the continual references to his reactions, all written like a 3 year old.
Dixon frowns.
Dixon sighs.
Dixon coughs.
Dixon raised his eyebrows.
Dixon grimaced.
Dixon yawned.
Dixon scratched his ballbag.
There are also a lot of irrelevant and mundane descriptive details in many parts of the book. Such as:
Dixon unlocked the landrover. He got in, reaching for the seat belt and put the key in the engine. It was a cold day so he put the heaters on. Jane got in too and also put her seat belt on, she put her gloves on due to it being so cold.
FFS, no one cares... just get on with the next part of the book where Dixon saves the day again.
Anyway... despite all of these annoying quirks I did generally enjoy the few books I read but just got sick of this kind of thing. The storyline for this latest book (Dead Level) was weak towards the end and it was a huge amount of build up for a weak ending.
If you're bored and see these on offer, it's probably worth a read. Otherwise, avoid it and instead read a Mr Men book.
In the 4th DI Nick Dixon book it states that he has only been in the Police for 7 years, yet in that time he has apparently been promoted twice, become a Detective and somehow is the "go to man" for any large-scale and serious murders. Right.
The book is littered with references to his landrover, repeated dog walks (in fact, Monty the dog appears to have more intellect than most of the other characters) and references to coffee and lunch breaks. Luckily DI Dixon can break away from all of this to solve the odd murder, whilst all his other colleagues look around gormlessly, unable to tie their own shoe laces. He also manages to solve these murders single handedly with little support. His senior officers pressure him with upcoming press conferences yet at the same time take away members of his team.
The lack of character development is astonishing. Most have featured in previous books yet still stand idly by staring into space most of the time. Jane is written like a dizzy teenager who will often reply to Dixon with "How did you know that?".
!!!!!!!!! SPOILERS BELOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's one bit in the book where one of the officers is talking to another about a marital issue. She says: "Oh god, he didn't hit you did he?" as if it was just one of those annoying little domestic things which regularly happen and the odd slap here and there is just a bit of a blip. This kind of sums up the Author's style - it's definitely dated and the depiction and way that DI Nick Dixon speaks to people is grating.
Dixon's bluntness is just plain rude and when it's woven into passages of text where he once again somehow knows better than all other characters it's just not fun to read. Examples are where he barges into buildings and businesses flashing his warrant card in response to someone asking who he is, or flashing his badge at a traffic warden who gives him a nod and apology.
Within several pages of a new plot line, Dixon somehow knows more than specialist medical consultants about their chosen field, correcting them during questioning by refering a study he read in bed the previous evening. He also corrects politiicans during interiews, seemingly being able to master the entire process overnight. This political process by the way features too greatly with references to certain roles and procedures which add nothing other than confusing the reader.
One of the worst parts of the book was the first section where vomit is found next to a dead body. The vomit has been planted and Dixon somehow links this to an Albanian gang because he knows they eat lamb, rice and yoghurt dishes (right... no other cultures or cuisines or people eat this food?). This leads him to confirm it was two suspects involved and not one. If you think I'm joking about the vomit, I am not and this once again demonstrates the ridiculousness of this character and the plot.
DI Dixon even has time and energy to jump into same dangerous water which is freezing cold just to "rescue" a dead body which they don't want washed out to sea. He himself is eventually rescued and manages a full scale conversation with the boat crew, refusing to let go of the body despite having hypothermia.
Another frustrating part of the writing style is the continual references to his reactions, all written like a 3 year old.
Dixon frowns.
Dixon sighs.
Dixon coughs.
Dixon raised his eyebrows.
Dixon grimaced.
Dixon yawned.
Dixon scratched his ballbag.
There are also a lot of irrelevant and mundane descriptive details in many parts of the book. Such as:
Dixon unlocked the landrover. He got in, reaching for the seat belt and put the key in the engine. It was a cold day so he put the heaters on. Jane got in too and also put her seat belt on, she put her gloves on due to it being so cold.
FFS, no one cares... just get on with the next part of the book where Dixon saves the day again.
Anyway... despite all of these annoying quirks I did generally enjoy the few books I read but just got sick of this kind of thing. The storyline for this latest book (Dead Level) was weak towards the end and it was a huge amount of build up for a weak ending.
If you're bored and see these on offer, it's probably worth a read. Otherwise, avoid it and instead read a Mr Men book.
November 24, 2019
In the prologue to Dead Level we see someone hidden in a gateway, waiting down the road from an isolated cottage. When the expected van drives past away from the cottage, the someone springs into action, sprinkling vomit and cigarette butts in the garden and more butts in the house. When he encounters the victim, a woman, lying at the top of the stairs, he realises she is not dead as she is supposed to be. He gets a kitchen knife and carefully pushes it into an existing wound and drives down until he reaches the heart. Hopefully, the pathologist won’t notice. He leaves.
Nick has been farmed out to the cold case unit while he awaits the investigation and hearing in to his not revealing his past personal connection to his previous case. The unsolved murder of of his girlfriend seventeen years previously had haunted Nick and he didn’t trust, or want, anyone else to be the one who found him. He kept silent knowing full well it could cost him his job, but also knowing that it was worth it to him.
When the body of Elizabeth Perry is discovered, Nick’s colleague Janice is given the lead on the investigation. The case is a high profile one as Elizabeth is the wife of a prospective Conservative candidate in the upcoming by-election to sit in the Houses of Parliament. Her husband, Tom, is heart broken and enraged by the fact that he is the first person to be investigated as the murderer, which is standard procedure. Unfortunately, Janice gets nowhere and it isn’t long before she’s sent on a training course to get rid of her. They need results so Nick’s disciplinary goes away with a slapped wrist and he’s on the case. I would definitely want Nick investigating for me because he’s thorough and yet can think outside the box. He’s also relentless.
Luckily the pathologist, talented Roger, does not miss the second knife and when combined with two witnesses, one hearing a van and the other a motorbike minutes apart, something dismissed by Janice as elderly confusion, Nick knows he’s looking for two killers. Hunting these two down fills many exciting and dangerous pages but when Nick does he’s no closer to understanding who organised the hit and why. Another encounter with the Albanians is mysterious but ultimately useful. By the end of the book, all loose ends are satisfyingly tied up. Nick even solves the cold case for good measure.
I am really liking these books because in addition to good plot lines and characterisation, each book uses Nick’s talents such as rock climbing, endurance, his diabetes in this case. A previous book covered illegal betting practices. I have no interest in horse racing or betting but the subjects covered are done so with enough information to pique your interest but not enough to put you off. You feel like you learn something. I know a lot more about diabetes than I did and I shall certainly be having a conversation about animal insulin with a diabetic friend in the near future.
Nick has been farmed out to the cold case unit while he awaits the investigation and hearing in to his not revealing his past personal connection to his previous case. The unsolved murder of of his girlfriend seventeen years previously had haunted Nick and he didn’t trust, or want, anyone else to be the one who found him. He kept silent knowing full well it could cost him his job, but also knowing that it was worth it to him.
When the body of Elizabeth Perry is discovered, Nick’s colleague Janice is given the lead on the investigation. The case is a high profile one as Elizabeth is the wife of a prospective Conservative candidate in the upcoming by-election to sit in the Houses of Parliament. Her husband, Tom, is heart broken and enraged by the fact that he is the first person to be investigated as the murderer, which is standard procedure. Unfortunately, Janice gets nowhere and it isn’t long before she’s sent on a training course to get rid of her. They need results so Nick’s disciplinary goes away with a slapped wrist and he’s on the case. I would definitely want Nick investigating for me because he’s thorough and yet can think outside the box. He’s also relentless.
Luckily the pathologist, talented Roger, does not miss the second knife and when combined with two witnesses, one hearing a van and the other a motorbike minutes apart, something dismissed by Janice as elderly confusion, Nick knows he’s looking for two killers. Hunting these two down fills many exciting and dangerous pages but when Nick does he’s no closer to understanding who organised the hit and why. Another encounter with the Albanians is mysterious but ultimately useful. By the end of the book, all loose ends are satisfyingly tied up. Nick even solves the cold case for good measure.
I am really liking these books because in addition to good plot lines and characterisation, each book uses Nick’s talents such as rock climbing, endurance, his diabetes in this case. A previous book covered illegal betting practices. I have no interest in horse racing or betting but the subjects covered are done so with enough information to pique your interest but not enough to put you off. You feel like you learn something. I know a lot more about diabetes than I did and I shall certainly be having a conversation about animal insulin with a diabetic friend in the near future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2022
Found this a real struggle. Didn’t enjoy it at all. Have seen lots of positive reviews (and for the series as a whole) and wondering if I’ve downloaded some other unedited version of the book which no-one else is reading.
Tried to look for positives, but there weren’t many. The setting is OK. Don’t know many books set in Somerset, so maybe people like that? Plus you learn through this book that some diabetes sufferers are allergic to one type of insulin. That was something I didn’t know before, so learning something new is at least vaguely interesting.
But everything else just seemed really poor.
The dialogue is consistently clunky and unnatural. There’s too many scenes where one character (usually the lead detective) barks questions at someone, they answer, then they ask the next question without acknowledging of referring to what the person just said.
Can you give us an example?
I’ll try to.
Where were you when you did this?
Sitting on the couch.
What was the weather like?
It was a bit cloudy.
Imagine this type of questioning going on for another 20 questions, and that’s what you get for large parts of the book.
You also get lots of long run on sentences, where it starts off talking about one subject, like this one does, but then another thought appears, which may or may not relate to the initial thought, and by the time you’ve reached the end of the sentence, again, like this one, you’ve forgotten how it started, and lost a bit of the will to live.
It’s also fun of boring irrelevant details. How people use websites. How they check messages on their phone. What each message says. Where they park and how the car park at each location is laid out. Where secondary characters (most of whom are totally bland and forgettable) are standing when the lead character walks into the room. References to events in the previous books which aren’t really well explained.
There’s also some weird logic leaps. For example, the detective guesses the involvement of an Albanian gang because of the contents of a meal left in someone’s vomit. Even though lamb, rice and yoghurt could suggest any number of different cuisines, not just Albanian.
They also write off the evidence of a burnt out car without talking to forensics about it. But another book I’ve just read went through in detail how much forensic evidence remains on a car after it’s been burnt out.
There’s other issues with plot holes and pacing too. But the above examples give enough of an idea why the writing is such hard work in this book.
In his book about writing, Stephen King recommends you read bad books so you learn what not to do. Others seem to love these books, and good luck to them, but all I got out of it was a load of lessons on how not to do it. Not recommended.
Tried to look for positives, but there weren’t many. The setting is OK. Don’t know many books set in Somerset, so maybe people like that? Plus you learn through this book that some diabetes sufferers are allergic to one type of insulin. That was something I didn’t know before, so learning something new is at least vaguely interesting.
But everything else just seemed really poor.
The dialogue is consistently clunky and unnatural. There’s too many scenes where one character (usually the lead detective) barks questions at someone, they answer, then they ask the next question without acknowledging of referring to what the person just said.
Can you give us an example?
I’ll try to.
Where were you when you did this?
Sitting on the couch.
What was the weather like?
It was a bit cloudy.
Imagine this type of questioning going on for another 20 questions, and that’s what you get for large parts of the book.
You also get lots of long run on sentences, where it starts off talking about one subject, like this one does, but then another thought appears, which may or may not relate to the initial thought, and by the time you’ve reached the end of the sentence, again, like this one, you’ve forgotten how it started, and lost a bit of the will to live.
It’s also fun of boring irrelevant details. How people use websites. How they check messages on their phone. What each message says. Where they park and how the car park at each location is laid out. Where secondary characters (most of whom are totally bland and forgettable) are standing when the lead character walks into the room. References to events in the previous books which aren’t really well explained.
There’s also some weird logic leaps. For example, the detective guesses the involvement of an Albanian gang because of the contents of a meal left in someone’s vomit. Even though lamb, rice and yoghurt could suggest any number of different cuisines, not just Albanian.
They also write off the evidence of a burnt out car without talking to forensics about it. But another book I’ve just read went through in detail how much forensic evidence remains on a car after it’s been burnt out.
There’s other issues with plot holes and pacing too. But the above examples give enough of an idea why the writing is such hard work in this book.
In his book about writing, Stephen King recommends you read bad books so you learn what not to do. Others seem to love these books, and good luck to them, but all I got out of it was a load of lessons on how not to do it. Not recommended.
July 15, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
DI Nick Dixon is on suspension, working cold cases, as his disciplinary hearing looms. He did not disclose that he was directly involved in his last case. He will be given a slap and put on the next big case that has come in the middle of massive flooding.
The wife, Elizabeth, of a candidate for MP, a by-election, Tom Perry, has been brutally murdered; she was pregnant. Nick, DC Jane Winter (Nick's girlfriend) and DC Louise Willmott will determine that there were more than one vehicle heard on the night, one being a motorcycle. The witness' late husband was a motorcycle enthusiast and owned a British Norton Commando, so she is sure that is what it was. Scouring the CCTV they find and follow a cyclist. They also research all the cycle owners. When they find the man and his house, he shoots his girlfriend, and they ends his life by confronting the police. He had hired a couple of men to kill Anne, then he had gone in to place evidence that would direct the killing. It appears that the Albanians are again involved. Zavan, indeed, finds and faces Nick on the beach, giving him clues, look for the insurance.
Oddly, Elizabeth Perry also suffered from Type 1 Diabetes, as does Nick. It is an aha for Nick, once he seems stumped, that this could be a factor. Anne was intolerant of human insulin, which made her very ill, and once switched to animal Insulin she quickly got better. They had gone to the NHS regarding the issue, and once he was elected, Tom intended to push on the issue of informing all diabetics that they had a choice pf which insulin to take. The human insulin was more expensive to produce...by a single company, Betalin...but was the insulin that was consistently prescribed. The owner/director of Betalin, Dr Ann McConnell, sees profit and bonuses fly out the window if this happens. Not only would the company lose the sales of the human insulin they would have to spend millions changing their manufacturing equipment to produce animal insulin. The stakes are millions. It is determined that there is someone elso involved, her paramour of years, Barry Dossett, Tom's area campaign manager. For 30,000 pounds thay hired the killing of Elizabeth, believing that Tom would drop the issue.
DI Nick Dixon is on suspension, working cold cases, as his disciplinary hearing looms. He did not disclose that he was directly involved in his last case. He will be given a slap and put on the next big case that has come in the middle of massive flooding.
The wife, Elizabeth, of a candidate for MP, a by-election, Tom Perry, has been brutally murdered; she was pregnant. Nick, DC Jane Winter (Nick's girlfriend) and DC Louise Willmott will determine that there were more than one vehicle heard on the night, one being a motorcycle. The witness' late husband was a motorcycle enthusiast and owned a British Norton Commando, so she is sure that is what it was. Scouring the CCTV they find and follow a cyclist. They also research all the cycle owners. When they find the man and his house, he shoots his girlfriend, and they ends his life by confronting the police. He had hired a couple of men to kill Anne, then he had gone in to place evidence that would direct the killing. It appears that the Albanians are again involved. Zavan, indeed, finds and faces Nick on the beach, giving him clues, look for the insurance.
Oddly, Elizabeth Perry also suffered from Type 1 Diabetes, as does Nick. It is an aha for Nick, once he seems stumped, that this could be a factor. Anne was intolerant of human insulin, which made her very ill, and once switched to animal Insulin she quickly got better. They had gone to the NHS regarding the issue, and once he was elected, Tom intended to push on the issue of informing all diabetics that they had a choice pf which insulin to take. The human insulin was more expensive to produce...by a single company, Betalin...but was the insulin that was consistently prescribed. The owner/director of Betalin, Dr Ann McConnell, sees profit and bonuses fly out the window if this happens. Not only would the company lose the sales of the human insulin they would have to spend millions changing their manufacturing equipment to produce animal insulin. The stakes are millions. It is determined that there is someone elso involved, her paramour of years, Barry Dossett, Tom's area campaign manager. For 30,000 pounds thay hired the killing of Elizabeth, believing that Tom would drop the issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2022
DI Nick Dixon is suspended on full pay while a disciplinary action is investigated against him. Working temporarily in the cold case unit he’s grateful just to be kept busy. But when a local parliamentary candidate’s wife is murdered DI Dixon soon finds himself back in action and investigating quite a murky case.
This next installment of the Nick Dixon mystery series is a far longer book than the previous offerings. I enjoyed the fact the plot was equally a fair bit more convoluted and there were a few more moving parts than I recall there being in the previous books. I was surprised that for much of the first quarter or so of the story Nick was suspended and so it was his girlfriend and colleague Jane, and another DI, Janice, who worked the main murder mystery case. While I did enjoy this very different aspect to the story, I wondered a few times what other readers might think of the focus of the story being very much not on Nick as the main character, but very much sitting idly by and not really involved at all.
I was also a bit surprised that Nick’s cold case really took a back seat once he was reinstated and immediately took over the murder of the politician’s wife. At no stage did I think Nick had forgotten about it or that he wouldn’t return to it, but there was a large section of the book where it clearly wasn’t his focus and while I understood this it also didn’t feel very good to me.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this strong police procedural story. I enjoyed seeing a few more characters and actually hope to see more of the other DI Janice in later books. The pace of this story is fairly slow – readers looking for a heavily action orientated style of novel won’t find that here – but for more classic British style who-dun-it and police mystery novels should really find this a well written and exceptionally well plotted story. I was also pretty happy that the book stood very well on its own. I don’t believe any of the prior novels in this series need to be read to really enjoy this book.
An interesting and well plotted murder mystery, this is a great book, and I am eager to read the next.
This next installment of the Nick Dixon mystery series is a far longer book than the previous offerings. I enjoyed the fact the plot was equally a fair bit more convoluted and there were a few more moving parts than I recall there being in the previous books. I was surprised that for much of the first quarter or so of the story Nick was suspended and so it was his girlfriend and colleague Jane, and another DI, Janice, who worked the main murder mystery case. While I did enjoy this very different aspect to the story, I wondered a few times what other readers might think of the focus of the story being very much not on Nick as the main character, but very much sitting idly by and not really involved at all.
I was also a bit surprised that Nick’s cold case really took a back seat once he was reinstated and immediately took over the murder of the politician’s wife. At no stage did I think Nick had forgotten about it or that he wouldn’t return to it, but there was a large section of the book where it clearly wasn’t his focus and while I understood this it also didn’t feel very good to me.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this strong police procedural story. I enjoyed seeing a few more characters and actually hope to see more of the other DI Janice in later books. The pace of this story is fairly slow – readers looking for a heavily action orientated style of novel won’t find that here – but for more classic British style who-dun-it and police mystery novels should really find this a well written and exceptionally well plotted story. I was also pretty happy that the book stood very well on its own. I don’t believe any of the prior novels in this series need to be read to really enjoy this book.
An interesting and well plotted murder mystery, this is a great book, and I am eager to read the next.
June 10, 2025
This looks like it's book 5 in the series about Nick Dixon, a Detective Inspector who has been suspended because of not informing the case investigator in the last book that he had a personal interest in the murder of a dead schoolgirl, as his fiance had already been killed in the same way in the same place, therefore he should have removed himself from the case and informed his superior officer. Because he did not so he is being sidelined and sent to work elsewhere less demanding for a while. Meanwhile Jane the police officer he lives with is now put to work on the murder of the wife of a prominent newly soon to be elected MP, she was found dead on the stairs with numerous stab wounds having been killed during the night, she was 3mths pregnant with their first child.
The investigation is stalling because the flood waters in the somerset levels are rising and will soon be reaching many feet up the sides of houses trapping all the locals in one very large area, and washing away any hopes for DNA at the scene. Jane and the team are running into problems, there was evidence of vomit and cigarette stubs left scattered at the scene but it took the keen observer Nick to ask what was found in the vomit, the answer made him sit up and think, as that meant that someone had been eating an Albanian dish and why would Albanians kill a politician's wife?
Nick is soon dragged back into working the case as he seems to be more on the ball, and he went down specific routes to find the answers Tom Perry, the widower, needed, and the reasons for his wife's murder suddenly took on a different turn. This was a spell binding book and I read through the night, it had multiple layers which all came together very nicely at the end. And it made me take a look at insulin handed out to diabetics and take a look at the contents of my own insulin pens, we are never told that we have choices... So thanks very much for the heads up Damien.
The investigation is stalling because the flood waters in the somerset levels are rising and will soon be reaching many feet up the sides of houses trapping all the locals in one very large area, and washing away any hopes for DNA at the scene. Jane and the team are running into problems, there was evidence of vomit and cigarette stubs left scattered at the scene but it took the keen observer Nick to ask what was found in the vomit, the answer made him sit up and think, as that meant that someone had been eating an Albanian dish and why would Albanians kill a politician's wife?
Nick is soon dragged back into working the case as he seems to be more on the ball, and he went down specific routes to find the answers Tom Perry, the widower, needed, and the reasons for his wife's murder suddenly took on a different turn. This was a spell binding book and I read through the night, it had multiple layers which all came together very nicely at the end. And it made me take a look at insulin handed out to diabetics and take a look at the contents of my own insulin pens, we are never told that we have choices... So thanks very much for the heads up Damien.
February 22, 2018
3.5 stars
Liking Jane's character development! Though 5 books in, you'd think you should know more about the recurring characters. They are rather cute together and glad it's not saccharine at all.
So interesting that there's different types of insulin available - I had no idea!
Liking Jane's character development! Though 5 books in, you'd think you should know more about the recurring characters. They are rather cute together and glad it's not saccharine at all.
So interesting that there's different types of insulin available - I had no idea!
June 13, 2020
The book begins with Dixon on the sidelines taking long walks with his dog and seeing Jane off to work. Suddenly this changes when a candidate's wife is found murdered. Only what you think is an obvious reason to kill turns into something more twisty and addictive. You think you know why but Dixon uncovers more and more that has you question the motive and at every turn your thoughts on a suspect changes as well. That's what makes this book and this series so addictive and good. You don't really have anything truly figured out to the end.
everything is slowly teased out and you hang on to each moment and follow Dixon to the end. I love Dixon's character because he is steady and believes in justice. He does what is right even when it can hurt and he doesn't sugarcoat things as well. He's a straight shooter although at times he doesn't always come out with his thoughts while processing them which makes him more intriguing.
Another great book in the series where things are revealed in the right time and you are kept on the edge as you are brought into the secrets, politics and truth of the murder and why it occurred.
everything is slowly teased out and you hang on to each moment and follow Dixon to the end. I love Dixon's character because he is steady and believes in justice. He does what is right even when it can hurt and he doesn't sugarcoat things as well. He's a straight shooter although at times he doesn't always come out with his thoughts while processing them which makes him more intriguing.
Another great book in the series where things are revealed in the right time and you are kept on the edge as you are brought into the secrets, politics and truth of the murder and why it occurred.
October 9, 2023
This complex and engaging story begins with the brutal murder of Lizzie Perry, the wife of a leading candidate in a by-election. Is the murder a burglary that went wrong, or is there a political motive? This is the dilemma facing Somerset police.
Deprived of the services of DI Boyd, who’s suspended, the team makes little progress. With rivers bursting their banks in a flood, the crime scene is compromised, along with vital evidence that points to a known villain. Forced to release him, he winds up dead within hours, prompting the return of DI Boyd, who offers a fresh perspective on the case.
It’s an absorbing story, filled with engaging characters, the humour you’d expect from a close-knit team, and some touching moments as Lizzie Perry’s husband finds some solace with Boyd. Finally, Boyd uncovers the motive, leading to a surprising and exciting climax.
This is turning into another must-read series, populated with great characters, original plots and great storytelling. Highly recommended.
Deprived of the services of DI Boyd, who’s suspended, the team makes little progress. With rivers bursting their banks in a flood, the crime scene is compromised, along with vital evidence that points to a known villain. Forced to release him, he winds up dead within hours, prompting the return of DI Boyd, who offers a fresh perspective on the case.
It’s an absorbing story, filled with engaging characters, the humour you’d expect from a close-knit team, and some touching moments as Lizzie Perry’s husband finds some solace with Boyd. Finally, Boyd uncovers the motive, leading to a surprising and exciting climax.
This is turning into another must-read series, populated with great characters, original plots and great storytelling. Highly recommended.
May 21, 2017
Brillant
Another brilliant Nick Dixon story evolving a by election and possible general election which being very topical at moment made learning about selection procedures for candidates to stand as MPs very interesting. This story had two cases going a cold case and present day case and of course Dixon solved both. Damien Boyd proves yet again his dedication to researching all aspects for his stories...the police procedures...the already mentioned MP candidate selection...solicitors and wills...and importantly Diabetes of which the writer has had a close personal experience. There is so much going on throughout the evolving story that it is hard to stop reading...these books keep me enthralled on the nights l can't sleep because of pain. Nick Dixon over the last week has become a great helper in the fight against pain.. I will be recommending Damien Boyd as a writer to all my friends to like me enjoy a good reciting thriller...this is escapism at it's best
Another brilliant Nick Dixon story evolving a by election and possible general election which being very topical at moment made learning about selection procedures for candidates to stand as MPs very interesting. This story had two cases going a cold case and present day case and of course Dixon solved both. Damien Boyd proves yet again his dedication to researching all aspects for his stories...the police procedures...the already mentioned MP candidate selection...solicitors and wills...and importantly Diabetes of which the writer has had a close personal experience. There is so much going on throughout the evolving story that it is hard to stop reading...these books keep me enthralled on the nights l can't sleep because of pain. Nick Dixon over the last week has become a great helper in the fight against pain.. I will be recommending Damien Boyd as a writer to all my friends to like me enjoy a good reciting thriller...this is escapism at it's best
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