A Time to Kill

Inspector Drake #5

by Stephen Puleston

A missing person.

Investigating the disappearance of local antiques dealer, Harry Jones, is not high on DI Ian Drake’s priority list. He has more important things to spend his time on than looking for a man who has probably just walked out on his wife. Until they find Harry’s dead body…

Shot at close range and dumped like rubbish.

Drake knows they are dealing with a cold-bloodied killer. But the valleys of Snowdoniaare an unlikely place for a murderer to hide out, and Harry an unlikely victim. As the investigation unfolds, Drake discovers a web of intrigue surrounding Harry, and business links with the criminal underworld.

A killer hidden in plain sight.

When another murder takes place that strikes at the heart of the community Drake is convinced the killer lies closer to home. And when two key witnesses disappear, Drake faces a race against time to bring the killer to justice, before he strikes again…

Genres: Thriller

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2018

About the author

I write mysteries and thrillers.

I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.

My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.

Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/

I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.

I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Ian Drake makes his 5th appearance in this British crime thriller. DI Drake is not too happy ... he's been called to investigate a missing person, a local antiques dealer. Drake does due diligence and interviews the missing man's wife.

Moments later, he and his partner get a call ... a body of a man has been found. What are the chances this is the missing man?

As Drake begins his investigation, he's taking a long look at the wife. Isn't the spouse usually the prime suspect until proven otherwise? What Drake finds is that her husband had secrets ... and links with the criminal underworld.

And then another body is found .....

As the other books in this series, it is a well written crime thriller. DI Drake is not a lovable person ...he's at times arrogant, rude, but he's usually right when evaluating other people. It's a fun ride to see how he gets to the bottom of most problems without getting suspended from his job. Secondary characters are credible and kept my interest.

Although this is easily a stand-alone, as always, I recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author and Joffee Publishing for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5 in the Inspector Drake series and the books just get better and better. I am really getting to like the Drake character he is flawed, passionate and very human. I especially like the way he has developed throughout the series as we watched him struggle with his OCD and marital problems.

The story begins when a man goes missing and his body turns up having been shot with an antique pistol. Where has the gun come from and who is the murderer? As the case develops there are many suspects and Drake's case becomes entangled with one in the midlands. This means Drake has more people interfering than he would like, in fact he would prefer nobody interfered.

With everybody watching and suspects piling up but no clues or evidence this is turning into a difficult case.

Lots of intrigue and suspense that builds throughout the book and keeps the pages turning as we follow Drake on his journey towards the truth. The suspense reaches new levels towards the end and the jaw dropping conclusion.

An excellent read that will appeal to readers of Police Procedural. I am looking forward to more from this author.

A well earned 5 stars from me.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I am a massive fan of this author's books so I was thrilled to be able to get my hands on an early copy of his latest release - A Time to Kill!

The plot for this story was great it was set at a brilliant pace and I was hooked straight away as you are thrown straight in to the story which keeps you guessing. The writing style is brilliant and works really well for this genre. I love the characters and the setting and location is one I have visited many times and I do love reading books based in areas I have been.

This is an excellent story - well planned out and I have given it 5 stars - very highly recommended!!

[Joanna Larum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth in the Inspector Drake novels and I have read the earlier books. I would advise reading them in order because you can absorb the changing relationships amongst the characters and discover what has happened to Drake throughout his life.
The story starts with Inspector Drake being called to a missing person's enquiry, reported by the missing man's wife. Inspector Drake is not amused at being called out to such a low-level investigation but the disgruntled policeman is much more suited when it turns into a murder enquiry.
Inspector Drake has OCD which has had a negative effect on his marriage but in this novel we see him stepping out into the world as a single man again and I found it heartwarming to see him struggle when he dates a new lady. He is still slightly arrogant with all people but he is now trying to overcome this and I liked him the better for it.
The story is set in the beautiful Welsh countryside and is worth reading for the descriptions of it alone, never mind the fast-paced storyline and the numbers of suspects who could be the killer. The ending was spectacular and I felt like an inveterate gambler bouncing on the edge of my seat during a horse race as I encouraged the good guys to win.
Mr Puleston has created a very-believable main character and surrounded him with well-rounded supplementary characters, set amid wonderful scenery and with storylines which compel you to read on. The best of his books, in my opinion, which I would recommend to any lover of police-procedural novels. Worthy of 5 stars.

[Sandra Leivesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another cleverly constructed police procedural which is once again set in beautiful North Wales/Snowdonia. The plot is fairly complex, but still easy to follow. There are lots of clues and red herrings, and I didn't certainly guess the identity of the murderer!

Inspector Ian Drake is growing on me with each book I read. I wasn’t sure about him at first. He seemed to be a bit of a grumpy bugger and his OCD was controlling his life. But in this book he seems to have the OCD very much more under control and is getting his life back. And he has a new girlfriend!!!!! I am so happy for him because his ex wife, Sian, seems like a bit of a cow! As a GP she should have had more understanding of his problems!

The book is excellently narrated by Richard Elfyn (I love his voice!)

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW


Another great story of Detective Inspector Blake following the train of a murderer in the valleys of Snowdonia. As the trail takes him down a dark path of a womaniser with some very dodgy friend Blake must solve the case quickly before anyone else ends up dead. As always these book are beautifully written and narrated and as for me the Welsh setting and the accents just add to the enjoyment as I am from South Wales.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start... well - I read this book in super-quick time as the “Beast from the East” cancelled a couple of meetings.
I live in the region of North Wales in which the Inspector Drake books are set, so the landscapes are very familiar to me and I think the author has a great way of bringing those areas to life in vivid detail. If you're not local the book may serve to entice you to visit the area, providing you believe the description of the scenery and not the body count.
I like Inspector Drake: he's flawed, but in an unusual way. This book, in my opinion, is probably the best of the series so far. Whether that's because the author has hit his stride with Drake in a way that he did much earlier with his other series (Inspector Marco) I don't know. But this book seems to flow smoothly and there are no jarring diversions. It could be that’s because of my familiarity with the area and I don’t really have to visualise it as I do with books set elsewhere. It's described as "A great British crime novel" and I really think it is exactly that. I read a lot of this type of book and have probably settled into a comfortable relationship with "Tartan Noir" after a proliferation of Scottish authors, but it's refreshing to read books set elsewhere, especially (for me) so close to home. If you're a fan of Stuart MacBride you may well like this series, and I have no hesitation in suggesting it.
I should mention that I received a preview copy of this book: That would not stop me slating it (location-based pun intended) if I didn't like it. And must also add that the Quarrymen's Hospital above Llyn Padarn in Llanberis is a creepy place at the best of times, without the goings-on Mr. Puleston has written.

[DubaiReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of an antiques dealer.
This is the 5th book in this series that I have read, (somehow I have missed No 4?) and each one has been better than the last. The combination between Stephen Puleston's writing and Richard Elfyn's narration is just perfect and this is one series that I will definitely continue.

Inspector Drake is an interesting character; he suffers with OCD and needs to keep repeating certain actions. This was a big factor of book 1 but now it simmers gently in the background and forms a part of his character, rather than being an overwhelming part of the book. I can't help but think it might be a good symptom for a police officer in many ways. He's a likable guy and it was nice to see him enjoying a bit of female company after the separation from his surly wife earlier on in the series.

Antiques dealer, Harry Jones is murdered early on in this episode, and there is no obvious reason for his death. Drake and his new sidekick, Sergeant Sara Morgan work well together to follow clues and unearth evidence. I definitely liked the character of Sara more than his previous partner, who was messy and too much of a contrast to Drake. I hope she decides to become a full time mum and Drake can stick with Sara.

I don't want to give too much away, so I shall finish with a quick word of praise for Richard Elfyn, the narrator, who brings the area of Wales alive with his beautiful soft Welsh accent. Goodness knows what names I would allocate to those unpronounceable places and people, without his help.

Now I need to step backwards in time and listen to book 4.

[Pam G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Puleston’s Inspector Drake series gets better and better. I love these books, set in North Wales. The characters are developing well and as usual the story is littered with a variety of suspects and red herrings.
This book centres around the town of llanberis, and the murder victim is a dodgy antiques dealer who has links to local criminals . He also has an eye for the ladies. Lots of people would like to see harry Jones dead. Inspector Drake is just getting to grips with this murder when another murder takes place, then a third. Can they all be linked? Drake faces a race against time when he realises a fourth person could be in danger.
I particularly enjoy listening to these books as Richard Elfyn is a superb narrator. His extensive range of accents is impressive, but his beautiful lilting Welsh accent is so evocative of the area

[Karen J. Mossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and getting to know Inspector Drake again. I particularly like that he at last found a girl friend and it was tricky getting to see her in between the hunting of a killer. But he got the girl and killer!

Loved the area it was set in and all the different characters, although I did struggle with some of the names.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep liking these books and the narration by Richard Elfyn.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another decent police procedural set in North Wales

[Renell · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A Time to Kill', Welsh author Stephen Puleston’s fifth novel in the Inspector Drake mystery series, delivers another entertaining police procedural. Although this book forms part of a series, the story is self-contained; it can be read as a stand-alone.

Set in a landscape of valleys, forests and lakes in North Wales, A Time to Kill finds Detective Inspector Ian Drake in his mid-forties and divorced. In the midst of negotiating a financial settlement with his ex-wife’s lawyers, adjusting to a new police partner, and dealing with family issues, Drake has his work cut out for him.

In the chill of early October, a man is murdered during a mysterious night-time meeting at an isolated spot near the old decommissioned Quarryman’s Hospital, which now forms part of the sprawling Welsh National Slate Museum. A wife reports her husband as missing and soon his dumped body is discovered . . . And so begins a tale about a man whose death, welcomed by several parties, is linked to crimes well beyond the small village of Llanberis, county Gwynedd.

Initially irritated at being allocated a missing person inquiry, Detective Inspector Drake now has a baffling murder investigation on his hands.
The victim – antiques dealer, parish councillor and well-known philanderer − Harry ‘Hotpoint’ Jones, is found to have been handling valuable stolen goods. In addition, Harry Jones’ many liaisons and one-man campaign in support of a local multi-million -pound redevelopment, in which he invested, made him a slew of enemies.

Then a collection of museum-quality, vintage firearms are discovered inside Harry Jones’ lock-up storage unit. While forensic evidence indicates that he was shot and killed with a bullet from a World War II handgun, it was not one of his own. With the help of his new partner, Detective Sergeant Sara Morgan, DI Drake has to untangle a web of lies and delve into family secrets. There is no shortage of suspects, and a diverse range of motives for the murder are uncovered. And what about the grieving widow, who feigns ignorance about all aspects of her husband’s lucrative business interests and appears to tolerate his serial affairs? What is she hiding? ‘There is something a bit odd about Fiona Jones,’ according to DS Sara Morgan. Indeed!

Contrary to the statement made by DI Drake’s former partner, DS Caren Waits that ‘Nothing ever happens in Llanberis’, a second homicide soon occurs. Is this death related to the murder of Harry Jones? Everyone and everything in the village are connected, but ‘Trying to build a picture of this community was like prising open a clamshell only to have it snapped shut before the contents could be revealed’.

Events gain momentum as more and more of the intertwined personal histories and business interests of the villagers are revealed. Harry Jones’ complicated personal relationships, shady business deals, and connection to dangerous professional criminals set the scene for a plot with twists and turns that leaves one guessing until the end.

During the course of the investigation, DI Drake meets the delightful Annie Jenkins, an expert on the history of Llanberis, and the attraction is mutual. Is this the woman destined to mellow the OCD-afflicted, workaholic DI Drake?

I loved learning about the history of the area in which the story is set, and I consider this one of the highlights of the novel. Furthermore, I particularly enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between DI Drake and his new partner, DS Sara Morgan. One hopes to see her character portrayal deepen as the series progresses.

The pace of the story picks up in the final third of the novel, and it reaches a satisfying conclusion. The novel is a pleasant, relaxing read. There is no gratuitous sex, gore and foul language to distress or offend sensitive readers. Puleston’s well-described characters and plausible plot bring the story to life. Written in an informal, easy-to-read style, the novel is suitable for adults and young adults.

Note: The e-version of this book was reviewed.
Disclosure: I received a free, proof copy of this novel (prepublication), in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking forward to the next instalment of Inspector Drake and was not disappointed. A cleverly constructed plot, great characters and an unexpected ending. To add to that Drake seems to be coming to terms with his OCD and a new romance is on the cards. A really enjoyable read.

The audio book is narrated superbly by Richard Elfyn.

[Iain Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you believe this is book 5?

So welcome back to another case with our old friend DI Ian Drake and team

It still amazes me 5 books in how much of a dangerous place the windswept landscape of wales is, and fortunately for us , this story is no different.

Again I am captivated by the cover art of this book, it’s beautiful yet haunting, leaves me feeling like something isn’t quite right. I take my hat off to the artist who once again as absolutely nailed it.

It seems that not even selling antiques in wales isn’t a safe occupation anymore as we discover, but as with all good British crime thrillers , there is so much more to it.

The team dynamic is coming together in this book as the new members fit in to the existing team members, it’s believable how they each discover things they like and things They dislike about each other

I enjoy Stephen Puleston’s writing style it’s detailed yet his stories are easy to follow but full of grit and drama, a winning combination.

And DI drake, grows as a character every book at first I thought that his routines defined him, but 5 books in I am so pleased he is finally conquering them and even perhaps living his best life.

I am pleased to welcome back Richard Elfyn as golden voiced narrator, who once again hits all those unpronounceable welsh place names perfectly, without loosing any of the grittiness and suspense of the story..

I am happy to say 5 books in this series shows no signs of loosing any of its balls, and goes from strength to strength and that in its self is a testament to the brilliant team of Stephens writing and Richards excellent narrating.

I can’t recommend this series enough, British doesn’t get any better than this, make your ears happy, give them Ian Drake.

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Puleston has created a compelling character of Inspector Drake. A Time to Kill pulled me in with its twists and turns. One murder on top of another domino effect. So many suspects and motives, I was intrigued to guess the culprit. Well done to the author for keeping me guessing. Richard Elfyn was perfect performing this book. He adds realistic emotions to his voice. I could hear who was speaking. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book written by Stephen Puleston that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. I really enjoyed the first one and I just knew that I would love ‘A Time To Kill’. I was not to be disappointed as I absolutely blinking well loved reading ‘A Time To Kill’ but more about that in a bit.
I really took to Inspector Drake from the start. He is an experienced detective, who lives with a mental illness. Drake suffers from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and he doesn’t particularly hide the fact. It’s really interesting to see and read about somebody with a mental illness, which he doesn’t allow to take over his life. Drake is in charge of an experienced team of detectives, who seem to respect him. Drake is one of those bosses that you would like to work for in that he mucks in to do his share of the work, whereas some would just delegate the more menial tasks. Drake listens to his team and takes all suggestions on board, even if he doesn’t necessarily agree with them. Drake can be impulsive and he can place himself in unnecessary danger. As is often common with lead detectives, Drake has a somewhat complicated and tangled personal life. He is a father of two gorgeous girls and he is divorced from his wife. I got the impression that the split wasn’t straightforward and the split wasn’t entirely without its problems. There does seem to be a bit of animosity there. Drake hasn’t let the divorce put him off women though and this book sees him develop feelings for another woman. Without work, Drake hasn’t really got a life. He goes to work early and gets home late, which doesn’t allow much time for fun.
My first thought on finishing ‘A Time To Kill’ was ‘wow’. As I already stated above, I absolutely loved reading Stephen’s first book and I just knew that I would love ‘A Time To Kill’. So it proved to be. I read the synopsis of ‘A Time To Kill’ and I was immediately intrigued. I was hooked on the book from the first word on the first page and the book had me under its spell until I closed the back cover. . I binge read the book, which really gave me a sense of the urgency of the investigation and a sense of how tense the atmosphere was. I became so addicted to reading this book that I had to take my Kindle everywhere with me as I couldn’t put the book down. I just had to read on to find out what further secrets and lies came tumbling out of the closet and how the investigation progressed. I even begrudged having to take my two Labradors out which , as you can imagine, didn’t go down well. The writing style is such that I really did feel as though I was another member of Drake’s team and a part of the investigation I also loved the way in which the author captured the village mentality of those who lived roundabout the victim. On the surface the village might look pretty and uncomplicated but scratch the surface and a whole different side to the village emerges. The characters were so well described that I actually found myself thinking about them as if they were real. On more than one occasion, I found myself arguing with different characters and talking to them as if they were sat next to me. I know ‘A Time To Kill’ is fictional but I find that if I really enjoy a book I tend to ‘live’ the story so to speak. When you read a book by Stephen Puleston you are guaranteed one heck of a read, with lots of twists and turns.
In short I absolutely adored reading ‘A Time To Kill’. I would heartily recommend Stephen and his books to other readers and particularly to those who enjoy reading police procedurals. I can’t wait to read what comes next from Stephen Puleston. Here’s hoping that there isn’t going to be too long a wait but whilst I wait I will content myself with catching up with his past releases. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Harry Jones meets someone he didn’t expect at the site of an old abandoned hospital now the Slate Museum in the dark of night. To his surprise, that someone pulls a gun and shoots him dead.

Detective Inspector Ian Drake and his partner, Detective Sergeant Sara Morgan who is relatively new to the team, are on their way to interview a suspect when they get a call about a missing person. Since they don’t get assigned missing person cases, Drake is irritated. They go to the home of Fiona Jones. While interviewing her, they get a message about a body nearby. It is, of course, Harry Jones.

The begin interviewing Harry’s wife, friends, fellow councilors, staff and anyone else who might have known him. Surprisingly, he had a camera in his office. They obtain several weeks of recordings and scrutinize it carefully. Meanwhile, Fiona goes ballistic on a neighbor’s cars. They learn that Harry was into some unscrupulous business practices and he had a wandering eye. His wife knew about his affairs. He also had a storage unit with some very pricey antiques in it.

Along with their other suspects, the team especially zeroes in on a n’er-do well called Richard Perdue. He is an especially sordid individual who has connection to missing antiques, some seriously violent associates and had an argument with Harry Jones close to the time of his death.

Another person is murdered and the investigation heats up. Now with several suspects, the team has its work cut out for them. Making progress, a suspect is arrested. They keep him in a cell overnight, but have to let him go the following morning. Delving into Harry’s finances and his trust set up, the police discover that Harry had plans. Through determined and exhaustive perseverance, they identify all of the people who might be involved in Harry’s murder.

When yet another body turns up, the police wonder if it also has to do with Harry’s death. The problems are piling up. While interviewing the parents, Sara and Drake learn that Frank Smith was, indeed, known to both Harry Jones and Richard Perdue. As the investigation continues, Drake gets the niggling doubt that he has missed something. He starts to put the pieces together. When he has an epiphany, he suddenly happens upon a certainty that he knows who the killer is.

When three young people go missing, Drake and Sara fear the worst. What follows is a chase across the countryside chasing a killer and looking for the teenagers. The identity of the killer is somewhat of a surprise, but the real strength of this book is the painstaking police work done in apprehending them.

And Drake finally gets a love interest.

This is a well written and plotted novel as are all of Stephen Puleston’s books. The tension in the story begins immediately with the murder of Harry Jones and continues throughout the book. In spite of DI Drake’s little mannerisms, he is not a bad guy. He is relatively intolerant and needs to put a brake on his attitude at times, however. I liked Sara. She seems competent and dedicated to her job. There was sufficient information given about Sara and Drake to flesh them out, but not so much that it intruded on the story. I appreciate that Mr. Puleston’s novels are set in Wales. It is a beautiful country and I truly enjoy reading about it.

I want to thank Stephen Puleston for forwarding to me a copy of this great story to read and enjoy. I received a copy of this book so that I may read it and give my honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Even though this is Book 5 in the series, it works just fine as a stand alone story.

Yet another great mystery from Puleston! I’m in love with this series. It’s well written all around from characters to plot to setting. So I always know that when I pick up a DCI Drake mystery, I’m in for a good story.

In this one, our dead guy Harry Jones is a bit of a gigolo and everyone knows it. However, his wife Fiona is trying to maintain some semblance of decorum but that makes it harder for Drake, DS Sara Morgan, and their team to figure out who the killer is. At first, Drake thinks Jones just went off with his latest conquest but then his body is found.

I live in the USA and I found it very interesting to see how the people of Snowdonia react to handguns. There’s a small stash of ‘antique’ guns found, mostly from WW2. In the story, it’s a really big deal. I live on a small hobby farm in an open-carry state, and such a stash of handguns wouldn’t be unusual to find in any of the homes around here. Eventually, Drake has to call in the specially trained cops that are trained to use firearms. All of this made the story extra interesting to me as it’s a very different gun culture.

I’m not big on romance in general but I did smile a bit as Drake makes his tentative flirtations. Annie is something of a local historian. If a full blown romance doesn’t happen for these two, I hope they remain good friends. And since we’re gossiping about Drake’s private life, he’s got a little family drama going on with his sister. She doesn’t want to meet or even acknowledge their newly discovered half brother. But in such a tightly knitted, small community, Drake’s family will cross lines with his investigation. And that lead to an extra exciting ending. Drake races to rescue a family member as well as stop the fiend! 5/5 stars.

The Narration: Richard Elfyn as always was spectacular in his narration. I love the Welsh accent even though I have no idea how many of the Welsh words are spelled. Elfyn switches seamlessly from one regional accent to the next. The female characters sound feminine and the pacing was perfect. There were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is the first book by this author that I have listened to but it won't be my last.With so many cozy mysteries featuring amateur sleuths out there it was a nice change to listen to what I call an old fashion police procedural. It is a serious and fairly complex tale giving you plenty of twist and suspects but it works and I could very easily see it playing out on tv along side someone like Morse. The author weaves background information on the characters nicely into the mystery, so if like me this is your time with Inspector Drake you don't feel confused or lost over previous plots. That's not to say that I won't be going back to the beginning to see what I have missed.
Inspector Drake is called out for a missing person case but the interview with the wife gets interrupted with reports of a dead body being found. The connection is made and what started out simple quickly turns complicated. The man had connections to the criminal underworld and known as a player with the ladies, Drake and his team have there work cut out for them narrowing the suspect list down. Even the timid wife seems to be hiding something. Then another body is found, can they find the connection between the two cases? What does a lawyer and an antiques dealer have in common? Time will tell but when two witnesses of the second murder go missing Drake finds that time is not on there side and things get personal for him.
I liked the narrator. He did some really good voices for the characters and a lot of them had accents which added to the feel that the mystery took place in Wales.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first Inspector Drake novel that I have read, nor will it be my last. DI Drake is somewhat obsessive/compulsive and he is often rather abrupt but he recognizes this and makes some effort to control it. Annoyed at being called out for a missing person case, he welcomes the interruption to his interview when he is called to a murder scene. On arriving, he discovers that the victim is his missing person, Harry Jones, a local antiques dealer.

As Drake looks into Jones’ life and business he discovers connections to a criminal element, a reputation as a lothario and was involved in a bad business deal, creating a considerable list of suspects. When a second victim who had ties to Jones is found, Drake finally gets a break in the case. There was a witness to the second murder, but he has now disappeared. The pace of the story quickens as Drake must find him before the killer does.

Stephen Puleston has created a character who is devoted to his case, but must also find a balance with his personal life. He is divorced with two daughters. His investigation has also introduced him to a researcher who provides a romantic interest. Puleston also provides descriptions of the beautiful Welsh countryside that also plays a part in the story.

For an introduction to DI Drake, Puleston wrote a novella called The Devil’s Kitchen. Be warned that once you read this you will be eagerly looking for the next DI Drake novel.

This book was provided by the author for my review. I would honestly recommend it for any mystery lover. It will keep you guessing right up to the end.

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Ian Drake is not happy when he is asked to investigate the disappearance of Harry Jones, a local antique dealer but that quickly changes when his body is found. As he investigates further Harry Jones is not the upstanding entrepreneur that he looks to be on the surface. A second murder occurs, this time a local lawyer, are the two deaths linked?

This is the fifth Inspector Drake book but can quite easily be read as a standalone without, in my opinion, missing too much. I have read the first book in this series and a prequel short story, you can read the reviews here.

This is the type of story that I love. A good dollop of murder with plenty of suspects that keeps me guessing. The victim is also a complicated character, having had multiple affairs, his nickname is Hotpoint because he’s a ladies man (no, I don’t quite why is naming yourself after a washing machine sexy either.) and some dodgy dealings with a few shady characters.

Since the last book I read, Drake seems to be coping a lot better with his OCD issues, he also has a new sergeant, Sara Morgan. I still find it hard to like DI Drake, I find him a little abrasive at times but I feel in this book I felt you got to see his lighter side.

The pacing and tension in this book is nicely done and there was never a dull moment, although with such a large cast of characters I did find myself thinking who was that person again? But that was just a minor complaint.

Overall an intriguing police procedural with a satisfying conclusion.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting book for this well written series. Inspector Ian Drake is now divorced and living in an apartment. He continues to struggle with guilt over his divorce and worries that his daughters will not adjust. He is confronted by a murder that turns into multiple murders. He has more suspects than any single Welsh village should face but he handles it with his usual efficiency. His obsessive disorder seems to be under better control in this novel, probably due to his therapy. He has a new sidekick, Sara, who is learning to adjust to his taciturn behavior and finds it difficult to understand his occasional smiles and pleasant demeanor after he gets a text. We the reader know what is going on....He continues to search for the murderer, while other murders occur. He, of course, tracks down the killer after several missed starts. As is usual, this author, gives us descriptions during the story that help to highlight the history of Wales and the small town but not ignorant citizens. I thoroughly enjoy Ian Drake and hope to see him again soon. Good writing and good story development.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Time to Kill
By Stephen Puleston
I have never read any of Stephen Puleston’s books before and was unsure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it.
The book is set in Wales and features Detective Inspector Ian Drake and you can imagine someone like him in every police station, he is not what the general fictional DI is like, he comes across as just a jobbing bobby just trying to get the job done.
The story grabbed me in from the first chapter when one of the characters was murdered and held my attention until the last chapter. It had lots of twists and turns and plenty of red herrings. I thought I had worked out who was the killer, but in the end it wasn’t who I thought it was.
Stephen Puleston has amazing descriptive skills, he brought each of the characters and the beautiful scenery in Wales to life.
I found it to be an interesting book, very well researched and an extremely enjoyable read.
Not sure if there are any more Inspector Drake books in the pipeline but I really hope so.
Thank you for the advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Simon Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the DI Drake series, and it really helps if you have read at least one of the previous four as the characters backgrounds are built on from previous novels, plus they are brilliant books.

The main character in this book is DI Drake, who suffers from OCD, which has affected his family life so much that he is now separated and has lost custody of both his children, and also affects his job as well.  I though this aspect of his life was dealt with very well and sympathetically dealt with and the way he does his job works very well alongside his condition.

This book also has a new DS, Sara Morgan, who works really well alongside him and helps brilliantly throughout to help solve the murders.  

The descriptions of the area where the book is based are done so well that you can almost imagine you are standing alongside them all.

The story itself revolves around the murder of an antiques dealer, and his links with the criminal underground.  The story was a brilliant read, which kept me guessing right to the end and made me want to read the next one.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex Police Procedural Set in Wales


This is book #5 in the Inspector Drake series but it can be read as a stand-alone. There are references to previous storylines, which involve the Inspector’s family, but there was little melodrama to detract from the mystery storyline.

This novel’s strength is not only in its intricate plotting, with story twists and red herrings galore, but also in its complex protagonist, Detective Inspector Ian Drake who is trying to balance his long work hours with a semblance of a personal life. I admit it took me a while to warm up to this character. Drake seems to be coping with his OCD, but he’s often abrupt in speech and manner.

The pacing is measured at first but picks up as the story progresses. The author also skillfully juxtaposes and contrasts secondary characters from different classes—their homes, lifestyles, jobs, clothing, etc. Add to that, wonderful descriptions of Welsh countryside, its villages and farms. Happily, all the plot threads are skillfully tied off at the end.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the fifth book in the DI Drake series it could easily be read as a standalone.
I would say its better to read them in order as you get to know all about the characters and their backgrounds.
As we know DI Drake suffers from OCD which in his profession is an advantage, he will always see things through to the end.
What starts as a missing persons case quickly becomes a murder investigation when a body is discovered.
When the victim is found to have links to the criminal world Drake`s enquiries reveal he was a man with secrets. When another body turns up the race is on to catch the perpetrator before he can strike again.
A well thought out plot that moved along smoothly with plenty twists and turns to keep you guessing. A good back story of a community divided.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this as an ARC, it is well worth a read and I am looking forward to the next book in the DI Drake series.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Inspector Drake series and Drake's OCD as well as his lack of social skills. In the present book, his OCD has decreased, he is making efforts at social 'intelligence' . But part of me worries that those characteristics ( OCD, social IQ) helped him search and attend to details, helped him remain objective and be the detective he is! These characteristics ( I don't care to call them flaws) have led to a divorce and frequent problems with his higher ups. He has a new partner, he has a new 'love' interest, and is practicing some new social skills in interactions.So far, this has not diminished his ability to look at a scene , at people, and sort out who the killer is. A Time To Kill is exquisitely crafted with red herrings, plausible other killers, and above all--- clues along the way that when we get to the end of the book we can say " AHA! So that's who and why." Thanks Good reads for this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Ian Drake has OCD, a severe case, so when he starts something he will see it to the end....no matter what. When he starts to investigate a missing person's case, he isn't too impressed with it until the missing person is a dead person. Now this gets Drake's attention in a big way. The more he looks into to it, the more things come up that no one would ever think of a local antiques dealer, like business links with the criminal underworld. Then another murder takes place, Drake is looking for someone he thinks is closer to home than others do. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. The review is my own opinion.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I think this might be the best in the series yet. Great main plot and murders in beautiful and now not so tranquil Llanberis. Little do the tourists on their way to Snowdon know what is happening in this supposed sleepy village! As a resident of North Wales I enjoyed easily visualising the setting and learning more about the local history. The sub plots develops nicely too as we catch up with the whole of Ian’s team and his personal life. Despite his situation it feels like Ian is in a better place now, much less a slave to his OCD tendencies and happy in his own skin.
A brilliant addition to a great series