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DI Jon Spicer #7
Sleeping Dogs
Seventh in the critically-acclaimed DI Spicer series. Out walking with his family in the local park, Jon Spicer's life is shattered forever. The dog - aggressive and huge - appears from nowhere. At first, Jon assumes the attack was random. Soon, other events force him to think again. With his family under threat, Jon can do only one thing: fight back. The pursuit leads him far from his home city of Manchester to the unfamiliar territory of Ireland - and a remote village where his family are originally from... Praise for the DI Spicer series. 'I'll be downloading more of Chris Simms' books ASAP. I feel like I've discovered a hidden gem.' (Amazon Reader review) 'Chris Simms has been quietly building one of the best police procedural series in this country.' (CATHOLIC HERALD)
476 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2014
About the author
Chris Simms
64 books82 followersI was born and brought up in rural Sussex, three miles from the nearest shop. Childhood holidays – which lasted for weeks as my dad was a teacher – were spent in a secluded spot in the heart of Exmoor. Sitting round the campfire at night, the haunting cries of owls floating in from the blackness beyond the flames, he would read me the ghost stories of MR James. The short walk to the safety of my tent was always taken at a sprint.
Books that interested me growing up? Plenty of mysteries – especially the Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series. I also loved Roahl Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected and read plenty of Pan Horror Stories, too.
Later, it was novels that gave insights into unusual minds: the twisted desires of Frederick in John Fowles’, The Collector; the tormented thoughts of Scobie in Graham Greene’s, Heart of the Matter; the violent urges of Francie in Patrick McCabe’s, Butcher Boy all had a major influence.
After school and university came a series of abysmal jobs punctuated by travelling. Quite a lot of travelling, actually. Then, just after my 30th birthday, the idea for my first novel came to me. I was broken down on the hard shoulder of a motorway in the early hours of the morning, waiting for a rescue vehicle to arrive. It’s about the driver of a van who roams the roads in the dead of night, looking for stranded motorists to murder…
Ideas for subsequent novels have occurred at all sorts of odd moments: glimpsing a derelict church from the window of a moving train; browsing a newspaper report about a walker who claimed he’d been attacked by a panther; half-reading a doctor’s surgery article on how some tinnitus sufferers don’t hear whistles or buzzes – they’re tormented by birdsong; listening to a radio program about a flotilla of yellow ducks that fell from a cargo ship and floated slowly across the Atlantic.
Books that interested me growing up? Plenty of mysteries – especially the Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators series. I also loved Roahl Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected and read plenty of Pan Horror Stories, too.
Later, it was novels that gave insights into unusual minds: the twisted desires of Frederick in John Fowles’, The Collector; the tormented thoughts of Scobie in Graham Greene’s, Heart of the Matter; the violent urges of Francie in Patrick McCabe’s, Butcher Boy all had a major influence.
After school and university came a series of abysmal jobs punctuated by travelling. Quite a lot of travelling, actually. Then, just after my 30th birthday, the idea for my first novel came to me. I was broken down on the hard shoulder of a motorway in the early hours of the morning, waiting for a rescue vehicle to arrive. It’s about the driver of a van who roams the roads in the dead of night, looking for stranded motorists to murder…
Ideas for subsequent novels have occurred at all sorts of odd moments: glimpsing a derelict church from the window of a moving train; browsing a newspaper report about a walker who claimed he’d been attacked by a panther; half-reading a doctor’s surgery article on how some tinnitus sufferers don’t hear whistles or buzzes – they’re tormented by birdsong; listening to a radio program about a flotilla of yellow ducks that fell from a cargo ship and floated slowly across the Atlantic.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 16, 2016
Sleeping Dogs is not your usual crime thriller and this time the investigation is about DI Jon Spicer’s family, in the broader sense. Although this is the 7th book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. This novel focuses on dogs and also takes DI Jon Spicer, in his own free time, on an adventure in rural Ireland.
This book is different and covers a lot of ground. Fans of crime thrillers should enjoy it because of the plot and the strong characterisation. Dog lovers should also enjoy it because it is so in tune with the emotions you get from owning a dog. If like me you have a dog and day dream about crime thrillers whilst walking your pet, then Sleeping Dogs is right up your street.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sleeping Dogs and I thought the balance of characters, dogs, family, plot and rural Ireland was right. I liked the research Chris did for his book and the use of a rare-breed dog that I have never heard of but is very real.
I found Sleeping Dogs a very entertaining read and Chris is on top form. This book was very engaging and with Chris’s use of local spoken English in rural Ireland - the dialogue made it so real - because that is how people speak and made this book a delight to read. Sleeping Dogs is a very good book and I vote it the top score of 5 stars. The epilogue has a good, tail wagging ending and I also liked the section “The ideas behind the story”.
This book is different and covers a lot of ground. Fans of crime thrillers should enjoy it because of the plot and the strong characterisation. Dog lovers should also enjoy it because it is so in tune with the emotions you get from owning a dog. If like me you have a dog and day dream about crime thrillers whilst walking your pet, then Sleeping Dogs is right up your street.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sleeping Dogs and I thought the balance of characters, dogs, family, plot and rural Ireland was right. I liked the research Chris did for his book and the use of a rare-breed dog that I have never heard of but is very real.
I found Sleeping Dogs a very entertaining read and Chris is on top form. This book was very engaging and with Chris’s use of local spoken English in rural Ireland - the dialogue made it so real - because that is how people speak and made this book a delight to read. Sleeping Dogs is a very good book and I vote it the top score of 5 stars. The epilogue has a good, tail wagging ending and I also liked the section “The ideas behind the story”.
January 16, 2015
A gripping and powerful novel from cover to cover. Chris Simms has created a brilliant protagonist in Jon Spicer, and this seventh novel in the series is a welcome addition. Simms' flare for pace and description makes Sleeping Dogs a superior crime novel.
October 24, 2017
Whilst out with his family walking his beloved dog Punch, John Spicer's happy life is shattered when some sort of monster ( a huge dog-like creature with tiger stripes on its haunches and an unrecognisable face) races out of the bushes and looks to be attacking his daughter, Holly, but Punch jumps to her defence and is horribly mauled. The "thing" then runs away to the sound of a whistle. John has the forethought to follow the dog, but only gets a glimpse of the van as it pulls away.
This begins the tale of dog fighting and knackers' yards and a despicable family who control lots of business in and around a village in Ireland. John is joined by the RSPCA and the Irish version to try to defeat these thugs.
This begins the tale of dog fighting and knackers' yards and a despicable family who control lots of business in and around a village in Ireland. John is joined by the RSPCA and the Irish version to try to defeat these thugs.
March 13, 2020
I have really enjoyed all of the DCI John Spicer books. Each one is a completely different subject, but all really well researched and thoroughly believable.
John Spicer is a flawed character, with a black and white approach to situations and a gung-ho spirit, all this and more makes him a totally compelling individual. I would hope that Chris can carry on with John in his new career role.
A great series
John Spicer is a flawed character, with a black and white approach to situations and a gung-ho spirit, all this and more makes him a totally compelling individual. I would hope that Chris can carry on with John in his new career role.
A great series
August 22, 2015
Loved All Seven Books in the Series!
A terrific series of detective stories. I can highly recommend all seven books to anyone - male readers especially. Best read in order to appreciate the character evolution . I hope there is another in the works - I'll buy without hesitation .
A terrific series of detective stories. I can highly recommend all seven books to anyone - male readers especially. Best read in order to appreciate the character evolution . I hope there is another in the works - I'll buy without hesitation .
December 28, 2015
Another Winner
This was one of my favorites because I feel, by now, that I really know DI Spicer, his family and co-workers. The history that is inserted into these books make them interesting, and the tidbits of horror keep me reading. Love these books.
This was one of my favorites because I feel, by now, that I really know DI Spicer, his family and co-workers. The history that is inserted into these books make them interesting, and the tidbits of horror keep me reading. Love these books.
August 6, 2016
What a good read!
The plot maintained its suspense to the very end. There were times when one was afraid to turn the page. The characters are well drawn and come to life on the page.
The plot maintained its suspense to the very end. There were times when one was afraid to turn the page. The characters are well drawn and come to life on the page.
February 26, 2015
much better tale then white lines,i almost did not read it,but i am glad i did.strong story about an british policeman and dog fighting.
February 1, 2021
Brilliant read yet again Chris simms
Another book I couldn't put down I've read seven of Chris simms books on the bounce brilliant story gets you gripped from the start highly recommend can't wait to read next one which is already lined up on my kindle
Another book I couldn't put down I've read seven of Chris simms books on the bounce brilliant story gets you gripped from the start highly recommend can't wait to read next one which is already lined up on my kindle
April 2, 2020
Great read
This was an excellent book, hard to put down. Just like the others in the series. Looking forward to the next one.
This was an excellent book, hard to put down. Just like the others in the series. Looking forward to the next one.
September 16, 2020
Addictive reading
Just want more! Chain reading at it's best! Can't wait for new releases with the characters playing their parts brilliantly.
Just want more! Chain reading at it's best! Can't wait for new releases with the characters playing their parts brilliantly.
August 21, 2022
I feel I know Jon Spicer his family and friends. Great character and the storylines are intriguing, shocking and believable. On book 8 now sad I’ve only got 1 more in this series.
July 24, 2023
Excellent
This is a great series and keeps me wanting more. Jon Spicer is lovable tough guy. I can't wait to read the next book.
This is a great series and keeps me wanting more. Jon Spicer is lovable tough guy. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 18, 2016
Last one...too bad.
If you like the who done it type books, this is a good series. Sad there isn't an eighth book...
If you like the who done it type books, this is a good series. Sad there isn't an eighth book...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews