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James Hardy #1.5
Walk in the Park
A DCI James Hardy Short Thriller: Gripping, fast-paced, high-thrills reading.
Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy is enjoying a rare day out with his two young daughters when he makes the mistake of answering his phone— it’s his boss.
A young mother, out walking her baby, has been murdered in broad daylight. Followed quickly, by a second terrifying, vicious attack on a young woman who’s a family friend of Hardy and his daughters.
Shaken and heartbroken, Hardy assists the team leading the investigation into a killer dubbed, the Regent's Park Ripper.
Knowing that in all likelihood the killer will soon strike again, the investigating team must put aside their differences, and work day and night to prevent more loss of life.
In a nail-biting, fast-paced investigation, Hardy will challenge his own, very personal need for revenge, when he finds himself face-to-face with the suspect in a deadly confrontation.
What choices will the heartbroken detective make, when he finds himself alone with the man who so savagely ended the life of a family friend?
Buy Walk in the Park today to discover whether Hardy takes justice into his own hands.
Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy is enjoying a rare day out with his two young daughters when he makes the mistake of answering his phone— it’s his boss.
A young mother, out walking her baby, has been murdered in broad daylight. Followed quickly, by a second terrifying, vicious attack on a young woman who’s a family friend of Hardy and his daughters.
Shaken and heartbroken, Hardy assists the team leading the investigation into a killer dubbed, the Regent's Park Ripper.
Knowing that in all likelihood the killer will soon strike again, the investigating team must put aside their differences, and work day and night to prevent more loss of life.
In a nail-biting, fast-paced investigation, Hardy will challenge his own, very personal need for revenge, when he finds himself face-to-face with the suspect in a deadly confrontation.
What choices will the heartbroken detective make, when he finds himself alone with the man who so savagely ended the life of a family friend?
Buy Walk in the Park today to discover whether Hardy takes justice into his own hands.
Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
128 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Jay Gill
17 books44 followersLet's start this off with an invitation to get a FREE story.
In this 1920s whodunnit, private detective Henry Fleming goes to Paris to unravel the mystery surrounding The Theft of the Kingsley Ruby.
All I need from you is an email address to send it to. Here's the link you need - https://www.jaygill.net/newsletter
Jay Gill was born in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. At aged 18, Jay moved to London where he worked in the printing industry, specialising in pharmaceutical leaflets and packaging. After years of commuting and working in this fast-paced environment, Jay moved back to Dorset with his family to enjoy the slower pace of life on the south coast. It was at this point that he carved out time to develop the detective thrillers that had been rattling around inside his head.
He lives with his wife and two daughters on the south coast of England, and though he loved the twenty-something years he spent in and around London, and the home counties, he feels settled and at peace in his native Dorset.
In this 1920s whodunnit, private detective Henry Fleming goes to Paris to unravel the mystery surrounding The Theft of the Kingsley Ruby.
All I need from you is an email address to send it to. Here's the link you need - https://www.jaygill.net/newsletter
Jay Gill was born in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. At aged 18, Jay moved to London where he worked in the printing industry, specialising in pharmaceutical leaflets and packaging. After years of commuting and working in this fast-paced environment, Jay moved back to Dorset with his family to enjoy the slower pace of life on the south coast. It was at this point that he carved out time to develop the detective thrillers that had been rattling around inside his head.
He lives with his wife and two daughters on the south coast of England, and though he loved the twenty-something years he spent in and around London, and the home counties, he feels settled and at peace in his native Dorset.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2021
Loved it!
James Hardy is one tough (and smart) man! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
James Hardy is one tough (and smart) man! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
June 19, 2019
This is the first thing I’ve read by Jay Gill and I enjoyed it immensely. Based on this I’ll certainly be on the lookout for more by him. This is a Detective James Hardy story and anyone new to the character, like myself, should know this is I guess best described as a British police procedural or crime thriller. Hardy is tasked with helping an investigation into a serial killer operating In Regents Park. It quickly becomes personal for the detective though. We follow Hardy as he deals with the fall out of this murder as well as helping to prevent more. This is an entertaining quick read that feels ‘larger’, maybe that’s because it forms part of a larger series and the author really knows Hardy and where he’s taking him. It’s very well written with a style that makes reading it effortless. The author tells us what we need to know without adding any superfluous padding. One very minor thing for me was the switching from Hardy’s first person narrative to a third person one focusing on the killer. I’d have preferred to have stayed just with Hardy or maybe even possibly had the killers narrative more first person but such a minor point was never going to spoil my enjoyment of the story. This is a good police procedural with an engaging main character trying to stop the evils of the world. Like I said I’ll certainly be looking for more by Jay Gill, recommended.
December 27, 2019
Great Story
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last. DCI Hardy is a well crafted character and I am keen to read more.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will not be the last. DCI Hardy is a well crafted character and I am keen to read more.
March 29, 2020
Fast Paced
This new character, DCI Hardy, in my opinion is a much more diplomatic, fast-paced Tom Thorne. The plot is straight forward and easy to follow. The depth of characters and getting in the mind of a killer is great knowledge that the author appears to have had some interaction with both guilty persons who have committed the type of crime described as well as victims
This new character, DCI Hardy, in my opinion is a much more diplomatic, fast-paced Tom Thorne. The plot is straight forward and easy to follow. The depth of characters and getting in the mind of a killer is great knowledge that the author appears to have had some interaction with both guilty persons who have committed the type of crime described as well as victims
May 26, 2019
A well written British detective story. The hero is a likable enough bloke that has a strong family support system. There is no real mystery to the story, but lots of suspense and a tragedy that hits close to home. Character development is good and the editing is clean.
March 6, 2018
Walk in the Park A Hardy crime novella
four for this book never read any books by this author but intend to read his next edition really enjoyed it
four for this book never read any books by this author but intend to read his next edition really enjoyed it
June 17, 2020
If it had been a bit longer with more detail it would have been 5*.
December 18, 2022
Bad idea to walk alone on a rail trail while listening to this book! I kept looking over my shoulder!
July 30, 2023
This book is a novella that fits neatly into the DCI James Hardy series, filling in some details that provide relevant context for the rest of the books. Hardy is enjoying a rare day off with his two young daughters when he makes the mistake of taking a call from his boss. The murder of a young woman walking her baby puts him back on the job. Soon after this first murder a second vicious killing really gets his attention because he knows the victim.
Hardy is assigned to assist the officers investigating the victims of who the papers have named ‘The Regent's Park Ripper”. Knowing that the killer will strike again soon, the team puts aside their differences, and works day and night to find the killer.
As a novella the pace of the action is enhanced, while Hardy’s personal connection with the victim, give added force to the need to stop the killer. Hardy risks taking the law into his own hands, setting the scene for the next full novel in the story. I generally prefer longer novels but this was a fine interim step and made me more interested in finishing the series.
Hardy is assigned to assist the officers investigating the victims of who the papers have named ‘The Regent's Park Ripper”. Knowing that the killer will strike again soon, the team puts aside their differences, and works day and night to find the killer.
As a novella the pace of the action is enhanced, while Hardy’s personal connection with the victim, give added force to the need to stop the killer. Hardy risks taking the law into his own hands, setting the scene for the next full novel in the story. I generally prefer longer novels but this was a fine interim step and made me more interested in finishing the series.
May 3, 2021
Killer in the Park
A profiler's job becomes personal when the killers targets a young woman known to him. Guiding the lead detectives, Hardy is determined to stop a devious and vicious predator.
This was a short but entertaining read. Hardy is likable though the killer was not all that well defined. Tge story moves along but ends abruptly. Still held my interest and I would be inclined to read other novels featuring this character.
A profiler's job becomes personal when the killers targets a young woman known to him. Guiding the lead detectives, Hardy is determined to stop a devious and vicious predator.
This was a short but entertaining read. Hardy is likable though the killer was not all that well defined. Tge story moves along but ends abruptly. Still held my interest and I would be inclined to read other novels featuring this character.
March 11, 2020
Short story that held my interest throughout.
December 31, 2022
Not bad for a short story
January 5, 2023
Average novella
March 23, 2023
Fast paced. Short chapters. Keeps the pace throughout. It's a good one to pick up if you want a quick engaging read.
July 20, 2024
It was a short story but good for a quick read. No suspense or mystery though
July 29, 2025
Wow Jay has done it again wrote a brilliant book that i could not put it down until i had finished reading it definitely recommend to other avid readers like.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews