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Detective Inspector Declan Walsh #5
To Hunt a Magpie
One for sorrow... Two for death. Thirty years ago a group of five child detectives; Tommy, Luke, Tess, Jane and Daniel , along with their dog, Dexter made the national press with their crime solving. Nicknamed the Magpies , their adventures were written up as novels by author Reginald Troughton and released to children around the world, including a ten-year old Declan Walsh. But now, someone is targeting the Magpies, with Reginald brutally murdered while writing a last, 'lost' adventure. And DI Declan Walsh and the team of the Last Chance Saloon must not only solve Reginald's murder with the 'help' of these rusty amateurs, but at the same time save the surviving members of the Magpies from a devious and determined killer with a chilling connection. But while they do this, the team will also delve into a decades old conspiracy - one that suggests that the Magpies were created as a Government PR stunt gone wrong, and that there were more Magpies , missing ones, dying in tragic circumstances but never acknowledged...
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2021
1107 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
76 books242 followersJack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 27, 2021
I kept getting confused, but I didn't give up and completed the book. The story was great. My one big problem was that there were too many names - first and last - so many names. I just couldn't keep up, so I read slowly and concentrated on one or two names and tried thinking in terms of first name only.
March 17, 2023
A tentative ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Despite not knowing who was who, what happened etc, I enjoyed the narrative, which was brought to life by the wonderful Robin Laing(narrator)
Despite not knowing who was who, what happened etc, I enjoyed the narrative, which was brought to life by the wonderful Robin Laing(narrator)
June 12, 2021
30 years ago a book series was written about a group of teenagers, known as The Magpies who solved real life crimes. Fast forward to present time and people connected with The Magpies are being killed.
DI Declan Walsh, who was a big fan of the original books in his teenage years and the Last Chance Saloon are called in to solve the case. This is the 5th book in the DI Walsh series and to me, the best. The story line was brilliant, there were so many twists and turns that’s you felt giddy reading it. There are red herrings everywhere and you just don’t know who to believe. It was one of those books that was very hard to put down. Definitely a 5 star read for me.
DI Declan Walsh, who was a big fan of the original books in his teenage years and the Last Chance Saloon are called in to solve the case. This is the 5th book in the DI Walsh series and to me, the best. The story line was brilliant, there were so many twists and turns that’s you felt giddy reading it. There are red herrings everywhere and you just don’t know who to believe. It was one of those books that was very hard to put down. Definitely a 5 star read for me.
January 24, 2022
Again way to many characters
This author does not understand the "less is more" theory. I gave up trying to understand who was actually themselves, who was impersonating someone, who had changed their name, who was related to who, who died, who apparently was dead, well you get the picture. Once I did that, the book was more enjoyable to read, although you could just skip to the last chapters and ignore the rest.
This author does not understand the "less is more" theory. I gave up trying to understand who was actually themselves, who was impersonating someone, who had changed their name, who was related to who, who died, who apparently was dead, well you get the picture. Once I did that, the book was more enjoyable to read, although you could just skip to the last chapters and ignore the rest.
November 14, 2022
I’d only read one book by Gatland before this one and I didn’t particularly like it. The premise of this one seemed promising enough that I thought I’d give it a go. It seemed a bit better than the first book I read but all the way through I had the feeling that I should have been enjoying it more than I was. Both books are part of the Inspector Declan Walsh series so maybe I’ll go back to the first book in the series and see if my inability to immerse myself in the story might be because I hadn’t been fully rooted the books’ premise.
This book explores a group of five child detectives, which were popular figures thirty years ago more through publicity and opportunism than actual ability. They were known as ‘The Magpies’ with their solved cases written up as novels by author Reginald Troughton and released as engaging books for children, including a ten-year old Declan Walsh.
Now someone is targeting the Magpies. Reginald is brutally murdered while writing a last, 'lost' adventure. DI Declan Walsh and his team struggle to solve not only Reginald's murder but those of the dead ‘Magpies’ -- with the help of the surviving but rusty amateurs. This is a pretty good premise and Gatland’s writing is very good so why didn’t I like the book more than I did?
I don’t know the answer but I’m thinking that it might be worth going back to the first book to align my thinking with the author’s original intent -- something to explain the decades-old conspiracy and a possible government stunt gone wrong. If book one fails to kick my brain into the right perspective then I’ll give up on the series but not necessarily the author.
This book explores a group of five child detectives, which were popular figures thirty years ago more through publicity and opportunism than actual ability. They were known as ‘The Magpies’ with their solved cases written up as novels by author Reginald Troughton and released as engaging books for children, including a ten-year old Declan Walsh.
Now someone is targeting the Magpies. Reginald is brutally murdered while writing a last, 'lost' adventure. DI Declan Walsh and his team struggle to solve not only Reginald's murder but those of the dead ‘Magpies’ -- with the help of the surviving but rusty amateurs. This is a pretty good premise and Gatland’s writing is very good so why didn’t I like the book more than I did?
I don’t know the answer but I’m thinking that it might be worth going back to the first book to align my thinking with the author’s original intent -- something to explain the decades-old conspiracy and a possible government stunt gone wrong. If book one fails to kick my brain into the right perspective then I’ll give up on the series but not necessarily the author.
May 29, 2021
I was delighted to be sent an electronic Advanced Review Copy of this book by the author in return for a honest, unbiased review.
This book is released on the 6th June and will be available in e-book and paperback formats
This is book 5 in the Detective Inspector Declan Walsh Crime Series and was my first read of the author's work. Jumping in straight to book 5 may seem a bit daunting and it did take me a while to get into the characters as there are quite a few in this book, some with multiple identities! However, once I had got used to the characters the book went well and could easily be read as a standalone. The story is quite complex so you need to concentrate as there are quite a lot of twists and turns but it is definitely a page turner and once you start you will want to keep reading. The storyline is a little different from what I have read before but that all adds to the charm of this book and it is clear that the author has done a lot of research into the story to get everything right.
Jack Gatland now has a new fan and I have added the other books in the series to my TBR pile and I believe he has another book out later this year. If you like UK crime with lots of details and police procedurals you will enjoy this book.
This book is released on the 6th June and will be available in e-book and paperback formats
This is book 5 in the Detective Inspector Declan Walsh Crime Series and was my first read of the author's work. Jumping in straight to book 5 may seem a bit daunting and it did take me a while to get into the characters as there are quite a few in this book, some with multiple identities! However, once I had got used to the characters the book went well and could easily be read as a standalone. The story is quite complex so you need to concentrate as there are quite a lot of twists and turns but it is definitely a page turner and once you start you will want to keep reading. The storyline is a little different from what I have read before but that all adds to the charm of this book and it is clear that the author has done a lot of research into the story to get everything right.
Jack Gatland now has a new fan and I have added the other books in the series to my TBR pile and I believe he has another book out later this year. If you like UK crime with lots of details and police procedurals you will enjoy this book.
February 20, 2022
Once more Jack Gatland has taken me into the world of DI Declan Walsh and the The Chance Saloon. This story was just as exciting and thrilling as the previous cases. Mr Gatland has a way of really getting the reader totally involved, his characters are so real and the plots complex and interesting. This one took Declan back to his enjoyment of amateur, child detective novels which he loved as a boy. However, memories were sadly dashed when the truth behind them was revealed. Throughout the book the action moved on at a fast rate, taking twists and turns and at times it was hard to keep up with who was who, as fake identities kept on popping up when you least expected. Needless to say, the crimes were successfully solved by the extremely masterful team of detectives, despite the finale being rather worrying. The Last Chance Saloon are proving to be an excellent group who work very well together and are fast becoming a close knit family. It’s also definitely worth reading the additional notes about the book and locations used at the very end as they are interesting. I now follow the author on Instagram to find out more.
January 4, 2024
Childhood Sleuths The Magpie's are the center of much unwanted attention!
Declan and Team are faced with yet another murder of a famous Author of a series of books, all True crime, and all solved by teenage detectives! This all took place 30 years ago, most of The Magpie's have had it rough, or are still clinging to their past fame. This latest installment will lead you down a very twisty road, as more murders are unearthed, identities stolen, and a whole lot of money just waiting to be taken. Jack Garland always delivers.
Declan and Team are faced with yet another murder of a famous Author of a series of books, all True crime, and all solved by teenage detectives! This all took place 30 years ago, most of The Magpie's have had it rough, or are still clinging to their past fame. This latest installment will lead you down a very twisty road, as more murders are unearthed, identities stolen, and a whole lot of money just waiting to be taken. Jack Garland always delivers.
October 4, 2024
Mystery story writing at its best.
Robin Laing does another terrific narration, bringing a cinematic quality to Jack Gatland’s mystery thriller.
Jack’s storyline threads are as tangled as the knitting pattern for an Aran jumper. Never predictable, and with fully illuminated characters, the plot is satisfyingly complex, action-packed, and sophisticated. Jack deserves the title of wordsmith- ‘a fluent and prolific writer, especially one who writes professionally.’ Highly recommended.
Robin Laing does another terrific narration, bringing a cinematic quality to Jack Gatland’s mystery thriller.
Jack’s storyline threads are as tangled as the knitting pattern for an Aran jumper. Never predictable, and with fully illuminated characters, the plot is satisfyingly complex, action-packed, and sophisticated. Jack deserves the title of wordsmith- ‘a fluent and prolific writer, especially one who writes professionally.’ Highly recommended.
October 25, 2021
Complicated Mystery
This mystery revolves around adolescents who solve actual deaths which are then recorded in best selling books read by DO Declan in his youth. There's a lot of youths involved as one of the Magpies of as one of their adult promoters. I won't say more to avoid spilling the plot but my 4 star rating reflects how difficult it was to keep their names and histories in mind as I read the book.
This mystery revolves around adolescents who solve actual deaths which are then recorded in best selling books read by DO Declan in his youth. There's a lot of youths involved as one of the Magpies of as one of their adult promoters. I won't say more to avoid spilling the plot but my 4 star rating reflects how difficult it was to keep their names and histories in mind as I read the book.
January 15, 2023
DI Walsh and the team (known as The Last Chance Saloon team - since most of them were cast out of their original units for one reason or another before DCI Monroe invited them onto the team) deal with a team of former teen crime solvers - or are they? DI Walsh had been a young fan of the stories written by Reginald Troughton and so when the writer is murdered and the Magpies appear to be an integral part of the investigation, he gets a chance to meet Tessa who was once a member and is now a police woman. But questions arise about motives, and whether the team really were crime solvers or something altogether different. Somehow Westminster is involved, and things get blurry. As with the previous 4 books, I enjoyed the twists and turns and finding out who really is the killer.
February 10, 2024
Loved the story, but glad I only borrowed the book.
I absolutely love these books, but I only give them four stars because the manuscripts are so desperately in need of proof reading. In this 2 nd volume, one word is spelled two or three different ways on one page, sentences are not completed and the grammar errors persist. I'd love to buy the books because I like them so much. I don't buy them though because it would be pretty sad to pay for the proofreading errors.
I absolutely love these books, but I only give them four stars because the manuscripts are so desperately in need of proof reading. In this 2 nd volume, one word is spelled two or three different ways on one page, sentences are not completed and the grammar errors persist. I'd love to buy the books because I like them so much. I don't buy them though because it would be pretty sad to pay for the proofreading errors.
June 3, 2024
I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book, but the inexplicable overuse of italics for so many words got to be quite annoying. There might have been one or two places where italics were used for emphasis, but they got lost among all the unnecessary ones. I'm really surprised that the editors did catch and destroy those.
I'm still continuing with the series; I have to see what Declan and the Last Chance Saloon team face next.
I'm still continuing with the series; I have to see what Declan and the Last Chance Saloon team face next.
November 19, 2025
A solid continuation of the series in which the characters generally remain consistent in their personalities, interactions and nuances.
As in most of this series the "plot" grows increasingly more complex as the story unfolds. Lots of names and timelines to remember but a good story with the traditional "let me explain it all to you" details provided in the ending.
My thanks to the author, a solid 3 stars and recommended reading.
As in most of this series the "plot" grows increasingly more complex as the story unfolds. Lots of names and timelines to remember but a good story with the traditional "let me explain it all to you" details provided in the ending.
My thanks to the author, a solid 3 stars and recommended reading.
July 5, 2021
Number 5 and still up to standard
Thoroughly enjoyable, good character development and while the plot was a wee bit convoluted,it made sense in the end. It's seldom that I would read all the books in a series one after another but this one has got me waiting impatiently for number 6.
Thoroughly enjoyable, good character development and while the plot was a wee bit convoluted,it made sense in the end. It's seldom that I would read all the books in a series one after another but this one has got me waiting impatiently for number 6.
November 19, 2021
To Hunt Apartment Magpie
DI Declan is again deeply involved in finding criminals who have operated all over the world. The mention of mysterious Swiss bank accounts also I differ to me serious money and perhaps money no one should find. Money is the root of all evil but the mind can make big mistakes! Javkfire
DI Declan is again deeply involved in finding criminals who have operated all over the world. The mention of mysterious Swiss bank accounts also I differ to me serious money and perhaps money no one should find. Money is the root of all evil but the mind can make big mistakes! Javkfire
February 8, 2022
The Magpies, we're a group of teen detectives.. Not quite famous 5, but solved real crimes
When DI Walsh heard of a murder of his favourite author and creator I his teen idols, brings back memories, but also gets to work with an original 'Magpie 'now a copper. Things get complicated, a great read, and numerous
When DI Walsh heard of a murder of his favourite author and creator I his teen idols, brings back memories, but also gets to work with an original 'Magpie 'now a copper. Things get complicated, a great read, and numerous
January 13, 2024
Magpie #5
You just don’t want to put these books down once you start. Declan gets another case with twists and turns again. The Magpies being akin to the Hardy Boys Mystery, but more of them.
Magpies are getting murdered. Who is who and what is true or who isn’t and most of all, Why. Another can’t put it down read with Declan, Anjli , Monroe and Dr.Marcos. Enjoy it
You just don’t want to put these books down once you start. Declan gets another case with twists and turns again. The Magpies being akin to the Hardy Boys Mystery, but more of them.
Magpies are getting murdered. Who is who and what is true or who isn’t and most of all, Why. Another can’t put it down read with Declan, Anjli , Monroe and Dr.Marcos. Enjoy it
April 4, 2025
And the politicians are back, but there's an actual storyline here. I think I'm going to have to accept that because of where the last chance saloon is housed, has jurisdiction, the Westminster crew are going to be making regular appearances. That'll be ok as long as it's them being s**ts and evil and not a current political storyline.
Declan needs to forget having a love life for awhile.
Declan needs to forget having a love life for awhile.
January 7, 2022
Perfect
Modern day Agatha Christie series. Whodunits with plenty of suspects and intricate plots. Throw in GREAT characters and you have a series that is a joy to read. Very well done !
Modern day Agatha Christie series. Whodunits with plenty of suspects and intricate plots. Throw in GREAT characters and you have a series that is a joy to read. Very well done !
January 22, 2022
Captivating and imaginative
I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end and in particular the way in which the characters are portrayed with the back stories and also the sneaky plot twists. Everyone remembers the magpie song and its link to the plot makes it interesting.
I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end and in particular the way in which the characters are portrayed with the back stories and also the sneaky plot twists. Everyone remembers the magpie song and its link to the plot makes it interesting.
January 24, 2022
Characters????
Way to many characters and characters with similar names! Hard to keep track of who is doing what. Also, characters being misidentified. I'm not sure about reading more of this series.
Way to many characters and characters with similar names! Hard to keep track of who is doing what. Also, characters being misidentified. I'm not sure about reading more of this series.
February 19, 2022
A complex tangled web
A fast paced story with aspects that were put in place and then pulled apart. The last chance saloon follows all the leads and Declan's intuition arrives at the solution.
A fast paced story with aspects that were put in place and then pulled apart. The last chance saloon follows all the leads and Declan's intuition arrives at the solution.
March 7, 2022
Surprises
I went along with the ride. I figured out who one of the characters really was early on, and suspected the type of caper involved. Even then, a fair amount of surprise reveals.
I went along with the ride. I figured out who one of the characters really was early on, and suspected the type of caper involved. Even then, a fair amount of surprise reveals.
March 19, 2022
Convoluted.
Way too many players. You need a chalk board to keep up. Drawn.out to the point of being boring. It's like when the author couldn't make things fit he brought in more characters.
Way too many players. You need a chalk board to keep up. Drawn.out to the point of being boring. It's like when the author couldn't make things fit he brought in more characters.
April 18, 2022
Not my favorite of the series. It was very confusing trying to keep track of all the characters, name changes, who killed who, and who was dead. Declan seemed to be more of a secondary character in this book.
December 15, 2023
better and better
Very good….great characters..great…complicated plot…have to really read the many twists and turns.
Love the inter mix within the group.
Very enjoyable read.
Next please….
Very good….great characters..great…complicated plot…have to really read the many twists and turns.
Love the inter mix within the group.
Very enjoyable read.
Next please….
June 7, 2024
Complicated
overly complicated, too many names lots of loose ends and roles played. i like Declan and the other characters, but i don’t like turning five pages and not missing anything of importance
overly complicated, too many names lots of loose ends and roles played. i like Declan and the other characters, but i don’t like turning five pages and not missing anything of importance
January 27, 2025
Declan loved the Magpie detective books when he was young, a group like Scooby Doo without the slapsick comedy....these teens actually solved real crimes. Now it seems the writer of the book is killed and then more deaths of people involved with the Magpie books are dead. The team will have to unravel lies and double lives in this one. Very good read.
April 28, 2025
an enthralling thriller
Showcasing the skills of the last chance saloon team kept this novel jumping with excitement and storylines. Nicely written and beautifully completed with the expected results I had hoped for.
Showcasing the skills of the last chance saloon team kept this novel jumping with excitement and storylines. Nicely written and beautifully completed with the expected results I had hoped for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews