A Breach of Trust

DCI John Blizzard #5

by John Dean

A corrupt industrialist is found dead. When his family shed crocodile tears, DCI Blizzard turns the screw.The closure of the Smarts factory in a northern industrial city put many people out of work. Nothing was ever proven, but suspicions of serious financial corruption were rife. So when the aged owner is found dead in his home, DCI John Blizzard seizes the opportunity to investigate further.When natural causes are ruled out and a murder inquiry is opened, Dennis Smart’s family are the obvious suspects. Yet each has an alibi, and when the net is widened, any number of the former factory employees might have sufficient motive.The subsequent investigation centres on a small group of left-wing dropouts who are locals in a backstreet pub. Will Detective Chief Inspector Blizzard ferret them out? And will he collar them for the crime? Or is he being led up the garden path whilst the real killer gets off scot free?A Breach of Trust is a page-turner full of twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. It is also available in paperback. You can enjoy A Breach of Trust as a standalone but it will make you want to read the other books in the series. The full list of books, in order of publication, THE LONG DEAD2. STRANGE LITTLE GIRL3. THE RAILWAY MAN4. THE SECRETS MAN5. A BREACH OF TRUST6. DEATH LIST7. A FLICKER IN THE NIGHT8. THE LATCH MAN9. NO AGE TO DIE10. THE VENGEANCE MAN11. THE NAME ON THE BULLETAll of which are available free with Kindle unlimited, and in paperback. If you enjoy novels by Peter James, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin, or classic detective fiction by Agatha Christie and GK Chesterton, you'll love these books.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2015

About the author

John Dean is a freelance journalist who has runs his own business and draws heavily on his years as a crime reporter for newspapers and magazines to create his novels.

He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and cites Sherlock Holmes as his all-time favorite detective. He lives in the South West of Scotland.

(Also writes under the pseudonym John Stanley)

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Susan]

A wealthy industrialist, Smart, is found dead at the bottom of his stairs. An accident? DCI Blizzard is suspicious especially as he believes Smart to have been corrupt and uses this as an excuse to investigate, again, the family.
A good enjoyable well-written crime story

[Bob Hurley]

First time I have read a John Dean novel. I enjoyed it and thought the character DCI Blizzard came across as a good cop who was determined to get to the truth even if it meant annoying his bosses. The Smart Family and their cohorts sought to bankrupt their company whilst siphoning of money into foreign back accounts. Closing their factory created a nightmare for many of their workforce who then became potential suspects in a lot of crimes and revenge attacks on the Smart’s. When a very pedantic pathologist finds something wrong in the death of Ray Smart, the Case starts to unravel. Good read enjoyed it, look forward to more in the DCI Blizzard series

[Julie Powell]

This was another enjoyable story in the box set I have.

A suspected villain is found at the bottom of the stairs...

DCI John Blizzard is a likeable character despite his somewhat grumpy demeanor and I liked his determination to do the right thing. The relationships between the team are good and I liked the banter, especially with David Colley.

Despicable people are under the spotlight and it was entertaining to see them trying to avoid the consequences of their actions.

A twisty British crime story, worth reading.

[Anouska]

I raced through this book and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I love John Dean’s style of writing and the way he weaves different strands of the plot – and different crimes – together. This could easily be read as a standalone novel, but those who have enjoyed the whole series will be as touched as I was by Blizzard’s gradual transformation from curmudgeonly copper to caring parent. Highly recommended.

[Jim]

Great read. Great series. John Blizzard series has the classic cop protagonist solving a murder(s) that no one else could. Set in rural England the town dislikes Blizzard and his methods. Blizzard 's supervisor is especially flustered when John always uses his own methods and refusing direct orders. Love the colorful supporting characters and the small town atmosphere. A must read in an absolute must read series.

[Marshall D. Whitaker]

The Best So Far

John Dean is a master storyteller. He surpassed his previous efforts with this work. The seamless story arches combined with very real well defined characters make this a story you want to finish. The story itself is well crafted and easy to enjoy. One cannot go wrong with this work.

[Sebastian Barrow]

Is it me or are the plots and characters getting more complex the further into this series we delve? The death of a factory owner who had closed down the business under suspicious circumstances opens up a wealth of suspects.
Very hard work for Blizzard and Colley to wade through the treacle with no clues whatsoever. Then add in a dodgy pub and the links are there. But where?
Great read.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen]

Great Story

John Deans books have that authentic story line that makes you want to read the book in one sitting. Another great w with plenty of twists and turns and the good guys coming out on top.

[Michael Samuel Bruff]

Breach of Trust

First DCI Blizzard book I have read, really enjoyable, moved from character to character easily, and didn’t over elaborate, so the plot was easier to follow than some books in this genre. Looking forward to reading all in this series.

[Erik Empson]

A solid murder mystery involving old feuds, dodgy dealings and a long line of suspects that'll keep you guessing.

[Marilyn A. Land]

It was good but not exciting. I recommend it but did not love it. His characters save his life in this book. They are well developed, interesting and they move the story along.

[Anne Hill]

Okay

The end really made no sense, don't know how it all came together, but it did. Still a good read.

[Chloe]

Another bleedy good read from Mr John Dean

[Gary Van Cott]

3.5 stars

[Maureen]

Another good read in this series. Have been really enjoying the books about DCI John Blizzard

[Garrett Lee]

A pretty good and interesting story.

Blizzard and his team have their hands full trying to solve several murders at the same time as they try to close the cases.

[Paul Randall]

Easy read, not too taxing

[Susan Green]

Another exciting investigation. I especially liked that it wasn't about drug dealers, but dealt with fraud and some unexplained murders.

[David Stimpson]

another cracking read in the DCI Blizzard series . lots of Crime and Humour as well

[Mrs Teresa]

Brilliant

[LizFrance]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved the pace and the way the plot unfolds, and felt that the protagonist is well defined and remains likeable despite his flaws.
Looking forward to reading more of this series.