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DCI Sophie Allen #1-8
The Complete Detective Sophie Allen Mystery Series
This is the Complete Detective Sophie Allen Mystery Series of 8 complete novels:
Book 1: DARK CRIMES
A young woman’s body is discovered on a deserted footpath in a Dorset seaside town late on a cold November night. She has been stabbed through the heart. It seems like a simple case for DCI Sophie Allen and her team to solve. But not when the victim’s mother is found strangled the next morning.
Book 2: DEADLY CRIMES
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath.
Book 3: SECRET CRIMES
Two women go away for the weekend, but only one comes back alive. Was it just the music they were into? And who was the man the victim met at the festival?
Book 4: BURIED CRIMES
A devastating family secret unearthed. Sisters with a murderous rivalry.
Book 5: TWISTED CRIMES
Retired couple Sylvia and Ted Armitage attend the wrong funeral. It’s an honest mistake. But one month on, their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the depths of a tranquil nature reserve.
Book 6: EVIL CRIMES
A young man’s body is spotted in the stormy Dorset sea. Did he lose his footing and fall in? Or is there a more sinister cause of death?
Book 7: SHADOW CRIMES
An undercover detective disappears. A retired prison guard is found dead. Drugs and contraband phones are out of control in the local prisons. How are they getting in?
Book 8: SILENT CRIMES
Detective Sophie Allen’s daughter discovers the body of a reclusive tramp out in the woods. Sophie and her team try to piece together something about his life, but progress is slow. NO ONE IS QUITE WHAT THEY SEEM.
Book 1: DARK CRIMES
A young woman’s body is discovered on a deserted footpath in a Dorset seaside town late on a cold November night. She has been stabbed through the heart. It seems like a simple case for DCI Sophie Allen and her team to solve. But not when the victim’s mother is found strangled the next morning.
Book 2: DEADLY CRIMES
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath.
Book 3: SECRET CRIMES
Two women go away for the weekend, but only one comes back alive. Was it just the music they were into? And who was the man the victim met at the festival?
Book 4: BURIED CRIMES
A devastating family secret unearthed. Sisters with a murderous rivalry.
Book 5: TWISTED CRIMES
Retired couple Sylvia and Ted Armitage attend the wrong funeral. It’s an honest mistake. But one month on, their bodies are found in their car, abandoned in the depths of a tranquil nature reserve.
Book 6: EVIL CRIMES
A young man’s body is spotted in the stormy Dorset sea. Did he lose his footing and fall in? Or is there a more sinister cause of death?
Book 7: SHADOW CRIMES
An undercover detective disappears. A retired prison guard is found dead. Drugs and contraband phones are out of control in the local prisons. How are they getting in?
Book 8: SILENT CRIMES
Detective Sophie Allen’s daughter discovers the body of a reclusive tramp out in the woods. Sophie and her team try to piece together something about his life, but progress is slow. NO ONE IS QUITE WHAT THEY SEEM.
1698 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2020
2201 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
December 31, 2022
Love this series of books. First book is set in my hometown and the rest mainly set local to me. Only small complaint is every time I walk my dog past agglestone, I see it differently now!!
I love the way these books are written, they draw you in with likeable characters and re-reading this set again has brought my joy of reading back after being in a bit of a slump. I would dearly love to own this in print eventually and have them proudly on display along with my other favourite books. Maybe I’ll treat myself to one a month over the next year!
I love the way these books are written, they draw you in with likeable characters and re-reading this set again has brought my joy of reading back after being in a bit of a slump. I would dearly love to own this in print eventually and have them proudly on display along with my other favourite books. Maybe I’ll treat myself to one a month over the next year!
December 22, 2020
I bought the box set of 8 back in the summer for 99p, largely because the series is set in and around those parts of Dorset where I was born and lived for 42 years.
I'm now four books in and thoroughly enjoying the unfolding yarns along with the soap opera effect of recurring characters as they mature and grow.
The main focus is on DI Sophie Allen - as with all the greats she isn't perfect, character flaws being honed nicely four books in - she remains a "good guy" amongst corrupt and inept seniors with an interesting home life and background... I'm looking forward to the next four in this set - but as I often do when following a series l'll try not to binge read and break up the saga with some other distractions. If nothing else I find this a good gauge as to whether I am engaged with a recurring cast, as if I don't remember characters after a pause then maybe they're not as rounded as I might have liked...also works where I'm at the current end point of a series (Joy Ellis's Fens series for instance where the tales are now coming some months apart)
1 DARK CRIMES
A solid start with the inexplicable murder of a hotel worker in Swanage...red herrings aplenty as we are introduced to Sophie Allen and her supporting cast of police professionals and family members.
2 DEADLY CRIMES
Human trafficking in my beloved Dorset - how very dare they ..but it was believable for all that...though the denouement of a main villain leaves a lot of questions unanswered - but maybe that's for a future reveal
3 SECRET CRIMES
A tangled web of deceit, murder and romance and the introduction of a first Transgender Officer... handled well, with care and not patronisingly
4 BURIED CRIMES
Starting with the discovery of two child corpses buried for 20 years in a Dorchester garden, more new characters - at least one of whom may return - perhaps a slightly rushed denouement but another engaging and reasonably beleiveable yarn
I'm now four books in and thoroughly enjoying the unfolding yarns along with the soap opera effect of recurring characters as they mature and grow.
The main focus is on DI Sophie Allen - as with all the greats she isn't perfect, character flaws being honed nicely four books in - she remains a "good guy" amongst corrupt and inept seniors with an interesting home life and background... I'm looking forward to the next four in this set - but as I often do when following a series l'll try not to binge read and break up the saga with some other distractions. If nothing else I find this a good gauge as to whether I am engaged with a recurring cast, as if I don't remember characters after a pause then maybe they're not as rounded as I might have liked...also works where I'm at the current end point of a series (Joy Ellis's Fens series for instance where the tales are now coming some months apart)
1 DARK CRIMES
A solid start with the inexplicable murder of a hotel worker in Swanage...red herrings aplenty as we are introduced to Sophie Allen and her supporting cast of police professionals and family members.
2 DEADLY CRIMES
Human trafficking in my beloved Dorset - how very dare they ..but it was believable for all that...though the denouement of a main villain leaves a lot of questions unanswered - but maybe that's for a future reveal
3 SECRET CRIMES
A tangled web of deceit, murder and romance and the introduction of a first Transgender Officer... handled well, with care and not patronisingly
4 BURIED CRIMES
Starting with the discovery of two child corpses buried for 20 years in a Dorchester garden, more new characters - at least one of whom may return - perhaps a slightly rushed denouement but another engaging and reasonably beleiveable yarn
June 14, 2020
I had to keep reading until they were all read
This was a terrific, perfectly believable, set of murder mysteries. The characters were developed clearly and stayed tightly within their roles. No confusion with understanding the positions and duties involved. The family relationships were nicely brought into the main story. I would finish one book at bedtime and say I was going to bed. Then I turned the page to the next book. The entire series was so hard to stop for any reason. I did really appreciate the 8 book set, so I could go right on to the next story. An excellent author. I look forward to more. Thank you.
This was a terrific, perfectly believable, set of murder mysteries. The characters were developed clearly and stayed tightly within their roles. No confusion with understanding the positions and duties involved. The family relationships were nicely brought into the main story. I would finish one book at bedtime and say I was going to bed. Then I turned the page to the next book. The entire series was so hard to stop for any reason. I did really appreciate the 8 book set, so I could go right on to the next story. An excellent author. I look forward to more. Thank you.
October 21, 2020
Too politically correct.
I really liked the mystery part of these books but the feminism was too in your face. I am not threatened by every thing a man says to a woman . Every woman in these books was over the top in cutting the men in their lives down to size. Most women are not offended if they are not treated like a man. There are also ways to let some one know they have offeneded with out being mean or hateful about it. This theme ran thru out these books and it took away from the story.
I really liked the mystery part of these books but the feminism was too in your face. I am not threatened by every thing a man says to a woman . Every woman in these books was over the top in cutting the men in their lives down to size. Most women are not offended if they are not treated like a man. There are also ways to let some one know they have offeneded with out being mean or hateful about it. This theme ran thru out these books and it took away from the story.
April 26, 2021
Read all eight in this series
I do like the story plots and it’s array of characters and some of the links between books in the series. However, I believe that Sophie Allen needs to resolve her character as she is too many things - feminist, highly sexualised, bisexual, over emotional, under emotional, professional and unprofessional - given that she has achieved status through education and working within different constabularies she seems too surface and not enough depth.
I do like the story plots and it’s array of characters and some of the links between books in the series. However, I believe that Sophie Allen needs to resolve her character as she is too many things - feminist, highly sexualised, bisexual, over emotional, under emotional, professional and unprofessional - given that she has achieved status through education and working within different constabularies she seems too surface and not enough depth.
March 27, 2022
Mr Hambling is an extremely accomplished writer. Ingenious plots take us through these eight novels starring DCI Sophie Allen, (promoted to Superintendent by the last one). The final book has quite a complicated plot with plenty of characters, Kindle is great for reminding me who they are earlier in the novel and believe me I needed those reminders. Sophie is a very experienced policewoman with a law degree, all her team respect her and usually are in awe of her. I couldn’t find fault with any of these novels, all great reads. Best read in order one to eight even though each volume has a stand alone storyline. Easy five star material.
September 24, 2020
Unlikely scenarios.
I felt some of the actions taken by Sophie were very unlikely as a police officer, let alone a senior officer ie; her interactions with her family and witnesses or potential suspects!
I felt some of the actions taken by Sophie were very unlikely as a police officer, let alone a senior officer ie; her interactions with her family and witnesses or potential suspects!
November 6, 2022
Good read, good mysteries, sad need to inject gender issues.
Good read, good mysteries, sad need to inject gender issues. So unnecessary but then most political agendas are, aren't they?
Good read, good mysteries, sad need to inject gender issues. So unnecessary but then most political agendas are, aren't they?
Read
September 22, 2020Too much cursing and sex scenes. Otherwise I found it engaging.
August 1, 2022
I read all the books in a row which took me about 3 weeks. Easy read. Why not 5 stars? 2/3 of the books just lacked the sort of endings I would have expected. In one book I actually went back to find the history of the major villain. I did see one reviewer complained about the books being politically correct. I thought, as a very old male, this was a great feature of the books without giving the background away. Sophie Allen is a star detective as is her team with many females playing great roles. Sophie is also a great mum, daughter and grand daughter. I think Michael's books compare favourably with Elly Griffiths (read 4) and Joy Ellis (read all books). 8 books for 99c was a bargain. Elly Griffiths is a great writer but with Hatchette books charging $12.99/16.99 a book it becomes too expensive. I will certainly read the last 2 Sophie Allen books (9/10).
February 18, 2021
Disappointing sexism
Read the first book and was really excited to read a good story and couldn’t wait to read the next. Really enjoyed the second book but felt the author had some issues with men and maybe had a bad experience. The third book i had to stop reading because of the ridiculous scenarios. Ive challenged myself to see the point of them but when someone had to apologise for not checking behind a dvd I lost the story and just started looking for unnecessary comments
Shame really as I thought i found entertainment without an agenda but alas the author clearly has an issue with men and portrays males with an almost comedic disdain
Read the first book and was really excited to read a good story and couldn’t wait to read the next. Really enjoyed the second book but felt the author had some issues with men and maybe had a bad experience. The third book i had to stop reading because of the ridiculous scenarios. Ive challenged myself to see the point of them but when someone had to apologise for not checking behind a dvd I lost the story and just started looking for unnecessary comments
Shame really as I thought i found entertainment without an agenda but alas the author clearly has an issue with men and portrays males with an almost comedic disdain
Read
May 14, 2024Really enjoyed this series. In particular, the character lineup was a great mix shared by female/male, various races, differing backgrounds, etc. with each contributing to the investigation and story line. Loved the way author Hambling walked through the thought process of the crime resolution by the various characters. The inclusion of Sophie’s family in detail left the reader feeling like an old family friend sitting in the room. Great approach, great read. Have felt very fortunate to have found some great writing about criminal investigations in Scotland, Wales and the UK — opened up lots of new reading opportunities. My Kindle library is over flowing.
November 6, 2020
Great reads
I purchased a series of 8 stories by Michael Hambling. Once I began the first, it was difficult to stop reading until I finished the series. I felt the characters were interesting and had depth, the story lines interesting and the writing captivating. Also, embedded in the stories were social and moral issues and struggles experienced by some of the characters, such as DC Rae (transgender), women and/or gay police officers. I recommend this series and the author.
I purchased a series of 8 stories by Michael Hambling. Once I began the first, it was difficult to stop reading until I finished the series. I felt the characters were interesting and had depth, the story lines interesting and the writing captivating. Also, embedded in the stories were social and moral issues and struggles experienced by some of the characters, such as DC Rae (transgender), women and/or gay police officers. I recommend this series and the author.
January 26, 2021
Dorset's Sherlock Holmes
I really enjoyed this collection of DCI Sophie Allen Stories. Having lived in the area I felt at home in the various settings, Dorchester, Wareham, Weymouth and know the geography. Sophie Allen comes across as a very competent detective and also a great person to work for. Her team, Barry, Rae, Lydia, Rose, Etc all feel she reads them like a book but inspires them to give 110% when further investigation is needed. Easy and Comfortable to read, good story telling and a great group of characters.
I really enjoyed this collection of DCI Sophie Allen Stories. Having lived in the area I felt at home in the various settings, Dorchester, Wareham, Weymouth and know the geography. Sophie Allen comes across as a very competent detective and also a great person to work for. Her team, Barry, Rae, Lydia, Rose, Etc all feel she reads them like a book but inspires them to give 110% when further investigation is needed. Easy and Comfortable to read, good story telling and a great group of characters.
November 14, 2021
Worth 10 stars.
This has been an extremely enjoyable journey with Sophie Allen and her team. We come to be part of this family through thick and thin and it is worth it.
Not going to attempt to give a short synopsis of each story but each one is a good story in it's own right. Throughout the series there are characters who keep reappearing as well as team members who move on but still become part of the investigations.
Wish and hope there will be more stories in the future as these have not yet run their course.
This has been an extremely enjoyable journey with Sophie Allen and her team. We come to be part of this family through thick and thin and it is worth it.
Not going to attempt to give a short synopsis of each story but each one is a good story in it's own right. Throughout the series there are characters who keep reappearing as well as team members who move on but still become part of the investigations.
Wish and hope there will be more stories in the future as these have not yet run their course.
December 22, 2021
Michael Hambling, you're a 5-star read.
I never review books but this time I have to. This series is so good I want to see it on the screen. I'll read it again as well. Sophie Allen, her family and her team are all people I'd love to know. The stories are intriguing and very well written. As far as I'm aware, the police procedures are spot on and the English language remains unabused. The country is described beautifully without losing my attention and I would really like to visit that area. All in all, a five star series. Well done Michael. Great stuff!
I never review books but this time I have to. This series is so good I want to see it on the screen. I'll read it again as well. Sophie Allen, her family and her team are all people I'd love to know. The stories are intriguing and very well written. As far as I'm aware, the police procedures are spot on and the English language remains unabused. The country is described beautifully without losing my attention and I would really like to visit that area. All in all, a five star series. Well done Michael. Great stuff!
July 22, 2023
Detective work in Dorset!
I powered through this box set one after the other and found them unputdownable! These stories can be read alone, however, they follow Sophie Allen, her career, her police cases and her family and colleagues though each book. The characters are thoroughly believable and the police procedural aspects are fascinating. I have holidayed in many of the areas that crop up in the books and that was a bonus as I knew exactly where things were happening! I absolutely loved these books and now feel that I will be missing old friends! Recommended
I powered through this box set one after the other and found them unputdownable! These stories can be read alone, however, they follow Sophie Allen, her career, her police cases and her family and colleagues though each book. The characters are thoroughly believable and the police procedural aspects are fascinating. I have holidayed in many of the areas that crop up in the books and that was a bonus as I knew exactly where things were happening! I absolutely loved these books and now feel that I will be missing old friends! Recommended
February 11, 2025
Read the box set and was left wishing there was a book 9!
Fantastic story lines following Sophie through 8 cases, felt I was actually there at times. So cleverly put together and interlinked in places to both people and places. The characters were brought to life so well you could pick actors to play the parts.
I would definitely recommend these book to anyone who likes a good detective story but be prepared for the twists and turns through the investigations, shows excellent research in all aspects of both police work and life. Loved reading every one of the 8 books!
Fantastic story lines following Sophie through 8 cases, felt I was actually there at times. So cleverly put together and interlinked in places to both people and places. The characters were brought to life so well you could pick actors to play the parts.
I would definitely recommend these book to anyone who likes a good detective story but be prepared for the twists and turns through the investigations, shows excellent research in all aspects of both police work and life. Loved reading every one of the 8 books!
December 6, 2020
Fabulous reading, great characters, good plots and twists
The characters are great, some good banter and sarcasm thrown in with some of them too. Each book has the same star lead, but adds extra people, who pop up and link up throughout all of the books. Each crime is different to the last. Some quite disturbing, some just your 'average murder' lol. there's nothing average in this set of books. Gripping, edge of seat stuff. TOTALLY RECOMMEND
The characters are great, some good banter and sarcasm thrown in with some of them too. Each book has the same star lead, but adds extra people, who pop up and link up throughout all of the books. Each crime is different to the last. Some quite disturbing, some just your 'average murder' lol. there's nothing average in this set of books. Gripping, edge of seat stuff. TOTALLY RECOMMEND
December 28, 2020
A riveting set of stories
This series follows the cases that Sophie Allen investigates with her trusty DS Barry. Her home life and her respect for those that work with her shines through. Both end up with promotion and the investigations get more involved and cross police boundaries. Each story stands alone, but situations from the past comeup, keeping the reader involved. Will there be more?
This series follows the cases that Sophie Allen investigates with her trusty DS Barry. Her home life and her respect for those that work with her shines through. Both end up with promotion and the investigations get more involved and cross police boundaries. Each story stands alone, but situations from the past comeup, keeping the reader involved. Will there be more?
December 18, 2021
Twists and Turns
I thoroughly enjoyed these books; they held my attention from start to finish. There were a range of characters, all well drawn, all with unique personalities and problems. The plots were interesting and realistic. There was just enough description to set the scene without waffle. I had never read any Michael Hambling before; these books were a good find. I would recommend these books to readers who like strong female characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed these books; they held my attention from start to finish. There were a range of characters, all well drawn, all with unique personalities and problems. The plots were interesting and realistic. There was just enough description to set the scene without waffle. I had never read any Michael Hambling before; these books were a good find. I would recommend these books to readers who like strong female characters.
February 23, 2022
A really enjoyable read
I chose this series as it features strong female characters. The stories travel around the south and go to lot of places I know.
I read this box set back-to-back and you really set to know the characters and see how they develop. It's not grey and outlandish. Stories are well written and I'd read more from this author after reading the Sophie Allen Detective box set.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this purchase.
I chose this series as it features strong female characters. The stories travel around the south and go to lot of places I know.
I read this box set back-to-back and you really set to know the characters and see how they develop. It's not grey and outlandish. Stories are well written and I'd read more from this author after reading the Sophie Allen Detective box set.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this purchase.
June 13, 2022
Truly dreadful. I have only managed a few pages of the first story but it is so bad I will not waste another minute of my time on this rubbish. The plot may turn out to be a good one but the writing is so wooden it is sprouting branches and leaves. I have absolutely no idea why anybody would enjoy this but evidently many have, I suspect we inhabit different universes. Absolutely my first and last by this author.
April 8, 2023
I enjoyed the mysteries, but thoroughly disliked Sophie Allen. I found her extremely rude for no reason other than to show off her feminism; She was also very disrespectful - calling people by their first names without asking them first if she could.
Her family situation was cringe-making, with comments to show off how wonderful they all were. As I'd bought the box set through Joffe Books (Thank you JB) for 0.99€, I read the lot (8 of them), but won't be buying the rest.
Her family situation was cringe-making, with comments to show off how wonderful they all were. As I'd bought the box set through Joffe Books (Thank you JB) for 0.99€, I read the lot (8 of them), but won't be buying the rest.
May 10, 2024
!oved this series
One bad thing about finishing a good book is saying goodbye to the well developed and likable characters. Having a whole series of Sophie Allen books presented together was a real treat. I got to stay with the cast as they grew and changed and met their adventures head on. I also really enjoyed reading the descriptions of the English towns and beach areas . It makes me want to visit. Thank you Mr. Gambling for the great reads
One bad thing about finishing a good book is saying goodbye to the well developed and likable characters. Having a whole series of Sophie Allen books presented together was a real treat. I got to stay with the cast as they grew and changed and met their adventures head on. I also really enjoyed reading the descriptions of the English towns and beach areas . It makes me want to visit. Thank you Mr. Gambling for the great reads
June 26, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this series of books bought as a box set. The complex characters within the team, how they developed as the series progressed as they solved crimes, kept me picking up my kindle. Sophie Allen is a very strong, driven character at work and at home. Her husband, Martin appears to be a stable influence, fully supportive of his family but he may also have other traits to his character that weren’t explored.
July 7, 2020
Great murder mystery set
I rarely give any book a 5 star rating, but I really enjoyed these 8 crime thriller books. Sophie Allen was the boss which gives the books a different feel from the usual male detective stories. I got slightly lost in the UK English wording a few times but could usually figure everything out by context.
I rarely give any book a 5 star rating, but I really enjoyed these 8 crime thriller books. Sophie Allen was the boss which gives the books a different feel from the usual male detective stories. I got slightly lost in the UK English wording a few times but could usually figure everything out by context.
July 29, 2020
Fun characters
These books were good reads, holding my interest throughout. The writing improved with each book. I could see the development as I progressed into the next story. The characters evolved into distinct personalities, each with strengths and faults, humanly displayed as part of the stories.
These books were good reads, holding my interest throughout. The writing improved with each book. I could see the development as I progressed into the next story. The characters evolved into distinct personalities, each with strengths and faults, humanly displayed as part of the stories.
September 25, 2020
Intense read!
I was spellbound and found myself reading two or three books a day! It was discouraging to stop reading so dinner could be prepared! Very well written, love Sophie and her personality. Each story just keeps one totally absorbed. Highly recommend this author. Don't miss out!
I was spellbound and found myself reading two or three books a day! It was discouraging to stop reading so dinner could be prepared! Very well written, love Sophie and her personality. Each story just keeps one totally absorbed. Highly recommend this author. Don't miss out!
November 3, 2020
A series that doesn’t disappoint, I liked DCI Sophie and her team members and how she was good at the details and pulling the cases together. Enjoyable was the home front with her husband and two daughters added to who she was also. Each one catches you from the beginning as you also try to figure out why there was a murder good series and well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews