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Detective Jim Ashworth #3
Flirting with Murder
Within a day of each other, two pretty young married women are brutally murdered. The first body is discovered in Bluebell Wood. The second is found in a remote corner of Lumbertub Park.
IS THERE A SERIAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE?
Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth is brought in to investigate and he immediately notes the similarities between the two cases: both women were beaten to death. Both were unemployed and both may have been straying from their new husbands.
Meanwhile Ashworth – a married man and father – has fallen for the ripe charms of resident pathologist, the delectable Dr Gwen Anthony. And Gwen thinks that her husband knows what’s going on.
Can Ashworth catch the killer before another woman pays the price? Or will his personal issues get in the way?
IS THERE A SERIAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE?
Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth is brought in to investigate and he immediately notes the similarities between the two cases: both women were beaten to death. Both were unemployed and both may have been straying from their new husbands.
Meanwhile Ashworth – a married man and father – has fallen for the ripe charms of resident pathologist, the delectable Dr Gwen Anthony. And Gwen thinks that her husband knows what’s going on.
Can Ashworth catch the killer before another woman pays the price? Or will his personal issues get in the way?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 1995
230 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 21, 2021
Third book in the DCI Jim Ashworth series. Ashworth investigates the murders of two women.
Typical Battison in that he doesn't waste too much time with description, he just gets on with telling the story and hence it races along. Great atmosphere. If you take the time to read a few of Battison's books, get to know the characters, the more you can enjoy this underappreciated writer.
[May 2021. My reviews were briefer when I originally reviewed this! I’m a big fan of the late Brian Battison and it’s good to see his books being re-printed. Good characters, no extraneous information, fast pace. This one has been given a different title – Flirting With Murder]
Typical Battison in that he doesn't waste too much time with description, he just gets on with telling the story and hence it races along. Great atmosphere. If you take the time to read a few of Battison's books, get to know the characters, the more you can enjoy this underappreciated writer.
[May 2021. My reviews were briefer when I originally reviewed this! I’m a big fan of the late Brian Battison and it’s good to see his books being re-printed. Good characters, no extraneous information, fast pace. This one has been given a different title – Flirting With Murder]
March 17, 2021
See the review on the second book of the series. I was wishing the murderer would knock off Gwen. And a few others.
May 9, 2021
A good story.
This is the third book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series. A good story Him and his demons whilst solving crime.
This is the third book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series. A good story Him and his demons whilst solving crime.
May 4, 2021
Pulls You In, This Mystery
The first few chapters were a bit of "setting the stage" so to speak, which needs to be done, but I'm very glad I kept plodding on because then it gets VERY interesting on many levels. At the halfway mark I could hardly put it down. Whew, twists and turns galore. At the end it all makes sense. Highly recommend this one.
The first few chapters were a bit of "setting the stage" so to speak, which needs to be done, but I'm very glad I kept plodding on because then it gets VERY interesting on many levels. At the halfway mark I could hardly put it down. Whew, twists and turns galore. At the end it all makes sense. Highly recommend this one.
September 1, 2024
3 Stars
Flirting With Murder is the third book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series by Brian Battison. It is the third instalment in this British Detective series that follows the investigations of Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth.
In this instalment Detective Ashworth investigates the murder of a young woman which then leads him to suspect that this is the work of a serial killer.
It is a crime and investigation series with mystery, suspense, interesting cases/scenarios, tension, intrigue, and a bit of a whodunnit feel.
Inspector Ainsworth is a bit of an ‘old-school’ detective, dedicated to his job, which involves many and varied investigations- from serial killers to pedophile rings, as well as dealing with gangsters, drug dealers, and even an extortionist. He is thrust into situations where he is in a race against time to uncover the truth, while personal dramas play out in the midst of it all.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Brian Battison!
Flirting With Murder is the third book in the Detective Jim Ashworth series by Brian Battison. It is the third instalment in this British Detective series that follows the investigations of Chief Inspector Jim Ashworth.
In this instalment Detective Ashworth investigates the murder of a young woman which then leads him to suspect that this is the work of a serial killer.
It is a crime and investigation series with mystery, suspense, interesting cases/scenarios, tension, intrigue, and a bit of a whodunnit feel.
Inspector Ainsworth is a bit of an ‘old-school’ detective, dedicated to his job, which involves many and varied investigations- from serial killers to pedophile rings, as well as dealing with gangsters, drug dealers, and even an extortionist. He is thrust into situations where he is in a race against time to uncover the truth, while personal dramas play out in the midst of it all.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Brian Battison!
April 11, 2021
Okay, but to much unneeded drama
I’m getting bored I writing reviews, but if anything they help me remind me of my tights on a series.
As for The Jim Ashworth series is is okay. I have a hard time liking the two characters Ashworth and Bedford aka Holly.
In this book there is a growing admiration for Ashworth then, it gets totally rude and dissect full and then on a dime does a 180.
Yes, one can claim emotions are fragile, but a cop in a position of Bedford and erratic behaviors is not someone I see as rising through the ranks without it being an issue
Ashworth, I don’t know something about his character rubs me wrong. Maybe it is infidelity. Yes, it came at a moment of weakness perhaps, but Marriage vows and be faithful in marriage is something very sacred to me.
But all that aside, the series is worthy of continuing. I hope the characters mature.
I’m getting bored I writing reviews, but if anything they help me remind me of my tights on a series.
As for The Jim Ashworth series is is okay. I have a hard time liking the two characters Ashworth and Bedford aka Holly.
In this book there is a growing admiration for Ashworth then, it gets totally rude and dissect full and then on a dime does a 180.
Yes, one can claim emotions are fragile, but a cop in a position of Bedford and erratic behaviors is not someone I see as rising through the ranks without it being an issue
Ashworth, I don’t know something about his character rubs me wrong. Maybe it is infidelity. Yes, it came at a moment of weakness perhaps, but Marriage vows and be faithful in marriage is something very sacred to me.
But all that aside, the series is worthy of continuing. I hope the characters mature.
February 14, 2025
I listened to the audio book and I feel like I would have been better off reading a hard copy of the book based on the quality of the narration. Mark Elstob reads it like a comedy rather than a detective mystery with farcical voices for all the characters. Somehow he makes young women sound like elderly women and elderly women sound like young boys. Ashworth's boss sounds like a character inspired by Carry On films. It really is farcical. The story itself was fine and I imagine I would have enjoyed reading the book rather than listening to the audio book.
March 13, 2021
This series just keeps getting better and better
Jim is called in when a woman's body is found, followed by a second the next day. Both women had been having affairs and it looks as if they were murdered by the same person.
This is the best book in the series so far. The characters are stronger than ever and the story well written. Full of twists and turns this book is hard to put down.
Highly recommended.
Jim is called in when a woman's body is found, followed by a second the next day. Both women had been having affairs and it looks as if they were murdered by the same person.
This is the best book in the series so far. The characters are stronger than ever and the story well written. Full of twists and turns this book is hard to put down.
Highly recommended.
May 6, 2021
Reluctantly finished reading FLIRTING WITH MURDER because there is only one more Detective Jim Ashworth book to read. Batison fleshes out his characters and lets them be human. Although set in the 90's before we were so connected via cell phone and other technology, the interaction between the police with each other and their families is still contemporary. You will stay up late reading FLIRTING WITH MURDER.
April 24, 2023
Have to be honest. I find Ashworth to be an annoying character. He won't trust anyone and always thinks he's right, to the detriment of his team. I can't, these days, believe a policeman at this level would act like that. Maybe they did back in the nineties. Still, I enjoyed the story and considered it worth a read.
March 9, 2021
The Pity Pot Diaries
Why would anyone want to read an entire novel full of self pitying cheaters, drunks and louts. Men hate the women, women hate the men, no one likes children. I don't care who dunnit, I just want rid of this novel.
Why would anyone want to read an entire novel full of self pitying cheaters, drunks and louts. Men hate the women, women hate the men, no one likes children. I don't care who dunnit, I just want rid of this novel.
March 23, 2021
Utter chaos. What started out as a really good and interesting series spiraled into a depressing story where all the characters became people you could not admire or respect. So disappointed in the direction this author went with this book.
June 4, 2021
Another great story
A great third book in the Jim Ashworth series and following on well from the previous two. Loads of action and plenty of twists and turns. Hope there are more in the series soon.
A great third book in the Jim Ashworth series and following on well from the previous two. Loads of action and plenty of twists and turns. Hope there are more in the series soon.
May 8, 2022
I actually enjoyed this book in spite of the lack of political correctness and the appalling spiralling out of control by Holly who is driven by her desires and yet despises Dr Anthony and her boss for their sole indiscretion! Makes no sense at all. The plot however was much better.
August 15, 2023
First one female is murdered then the next day, another. Will there be a third. But the results of the investigation are more than any could anticipate. DCI Jim Ashworth, while grappling with his personal problems, investigates with his team.
An entertaining modern mystery.
Originally published in 1995
An entertaining modern mystery.
Originally published in 1995
January 12, 2025
Listened as an audiobook
An interesting police procedural, with a body, kidnapping and an eclectic team of police on the case.
But sexist in some of the writing, the character Gwen was annoying. Second book I read in this series and probably the last
An interesting police procedural, with a body, kidnapping and an eclectic team of police on the case.
But sexist in some of the writing, the character Gwen was annoying. Second book I read in this series and probably the last
July 10, 2021
This was really good
Every book gets better and better. This one was a nail biter to the very end. I will be moving on to the next book.
Every book gets better and better. This one was a nail biter to the very end. I will be moving on to the next book.
February 26, 2022
A really good story, it tied my stomach in knots and the twists and turns are brilliant.
June 6, 2022
Another great instalment. Enjoying seeing the characters develop more and a deep and twisted plot makes for a hard to put down book
July 8, 2023
Half way through I was starting to get annoyed with as I thought the absurdity of it all . But the ending was really gòd and the Book went from 3 to 5 stars
July 16, 2023
A great read, hard to put down.
July 5, 2024
Still undecided about this series but will give # 4 a go and make my decision then .
July 15, 2024
Good story
A complex and interesting mystery with plenty of twists. Ashworth is really out to the test when a past mistake when a post mistake finds back to haunt him.
A complex and interesting mystery with plenty of twists. Ashworth is really out to the test when a past mistake when a post mistake finds back to haunt him.
December 11, 2024
A comfortable murder mystery a bit like Mid Summer Murders.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews