Murder on Oxford Lane

Detectives Roy and Roscoe #1

by Tony Bassett

The peace of a Midlands village is upset when local businessman Harry Bowers doesn’t return from choir practice.

More concerned than the man’s own wife, it would seem, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy becomes convinced he has been done away with.

But there is no trace of the man, just a litany of evidence of an ailing marriage and a nose-diving business venture.
In charge of her first serious case, DS Roy will struggle to win the respect of her colleagues – in particular her Brummie boss, DCI Gavin Roscoe. All that whilst fighting off the intentions of an increasingly desperate suitor.

Who had it in for the budding chorister? And is Roy tough enough to break down the defences and prejudices of Middle England?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Procedural, Suspense, Cozy

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2022

About the author

TONY BASSETT is a former journalist who worked on regional and national newspapers in Britain for more than 40 years. He mainly reported on crime, show business, human interest and consumer topics. Now retired, he writes crime fiction.
Tony is best known for his series of novels set in the West Midlands featuring Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Roscoe, an experienced detective and family man, and his sergeant, law graduate and resourceful problem-solver Sunita Roy.
THE LATEST novel (Book 8) begins with a retired nurse escaping to her hotel room looking for peace after a rowdy birthday party in a Warwickshire town. But to her horror, through a window, she witnesses a brutal crime — a young woman being strangled in another part of the building.
Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy — visiting the hotel while attending a wedding — is first on the scene, and quickly realises this isn’t a random attack. The victim, glamorous social media star Candy Goodhope, was living a double life — and everyone close to her has something to hide.
When events take a further sinister turn, she and her boss, DCI Gavin Roscoe, are obliged to look back at past lives to find a motive for murder.
THE FIFTH book in the series, Heir To Murder, was judged first in the Mystery and Suspense (Police Procedurals) category in the American Fiction Awards in June 2024.
The other titles in the collection (all published by The Book Folks) are: Murder On Oxford Lane, The Crossbow Stalker, Murder Of A Doctor, Out for Revenge and It Never Rains.
Tony has in addition written a stand-alone thriller Seat 97, about a man shot dead at a London concert hall, which was published by The Book Folks, while two further works (the crime novel Smile Of The Stowaway and the spy novel The Lazarus Charter) were published by The Conrad Press.
Tony first developed a love of writing at the age of nine when he produced a junior school magazine. A few years later, his local vicar in Tunbridge Wells, Kent staged his play about the Biblical story of Naboth's Vineyard.
At Hull University, Tony was judged Time-Life Magazine student journalist of the year in 1971.
Tony, who has five grown-up children, is a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists. He lives in South-East London with his partner Lin.

*** A great value Kindle boxset collection of the first SEVEN books is now available under the title DETECTIVES ROY & ROSCOE MYSTERIES BOOKS 1 - 7.
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FX2HGSQX/
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX2HGSQX/

Reviews

[Patience ~ AnotherOddCreature シ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨If the plot holds my attention, I’ll give it all the stars!! 😁 I wasn’t even able to figure out who did it!

💭💭 There were intriguing stories within the story that I wish the writer could have expounded on 🤔

It was a GoodRead (:

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I told myself "no more series!" I have enough to keep up with as it is. But MURDER ON OXFORD LANE, the first in a cosy new series set in the West Midlands between Birmingham and the picturesque Cotswolds, was such an easy read it was a delight. I felt like I was watching a Midsomer Murders episode unfolding, it had that type of feel to it, even if some of the dialogue was cliched in parts. But I didn't care. It was purely a pleasure to read and I enjoyed it which, for me, is what reading is all about. Pleasure and escape.

The journey begins in the Warwickshire village of Norton Prior (it even sounds like a Midsomer county village) when property tycoon Harry Bower fails to turn up to choir practice one cold winter's evening. Last seen in the local shop, Harry then disappears never to be seen again. However, when the police get the missing person brief on his disappearance, Harry has been missing over a week. So why did it take his wife so long to report it?

DCI Gavin Roscoe, who also lives in the nearby village of Queensbridge where his wife Helen owns and runs the popular Apollo Tearooms, has been tasked along with his new sergeant Sunita Roy to investigate Harry's disappearance. It seems he is friends with the Assistant Chief Constable who would like a timely result. But the investigation stalls with no clear sign of what has become of Harry. Roscoe is sure his wife knows more than she is letting on but Sunita isn't completely convinced.

And then reports of a body found in the River Avon come in. Could it be Harry?

DS Sunita Roy is working her first case with her boss DCI Roscoe and, after a shaky start, the two form a camaraderie and easy working relationship. However, Sunita is dealing with her own issues of an ex-boyfriend who refuses to take no for an answer and continues to hound her and stalk her relentlessly, despite being issued with a harassment order. Nevertheless, Sunita's colleagues prove their worth in looking after their own whilst trying to locate the missing businessman and hunting down a ruthless killer. When a second murder takes place, Roscoe and Sunita begin to look at the investigation from a different angle.

All the while, the police must sift through the evidence, question witnesses and narrow down their list of potential suspects. Someone, somewhere knows something. But the question is - who?

MURDER ON OXFORD LANE is an easy read filled with twists and plenty of red herrings to keep the reader engaged throughout. The village of Norton Prior was like a scene out of Midsomer Murders complete with the village rector and Grade II listed church. One could be forgiven for thinking it was Barnaby and Troy (or maybe Jones) investigating the crimes at hand. The camaraderie was such that it truly had that easy feel to it. And the absence of angst among the ranks and the stereotypical alcoholic divorced detective made for a refreshing change. The fact that Roscoe is happily married with two teenagers was as refreshing as his camaraderie with his team.

The writing was a little different to what I am used to and some of the dialogue could be clunky, if not cliched, but that mattered to me not. Not when it drew me in so intently and kept me absorb throughout. Whilst the identity of the killer was a mystery to me, the whereabouts of Harry Bower was not. I had that worked out when a passing comment made me latch on and say to myself "That's it!" Of course, it took Roscoe a lot longer, an afternoon nap and a glib comment from his son to arrive at the same conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed MURDER ON OXFORD LANE and will certainly look out for further adventures between this new dynamic duo - Roscoe and Sunita. While not a cosy mystery as such, it does have some elements of one and is perfect for fans of easy reading crime fiction such as J.R. Ellis, Sheila Bugler, Pete Brassett and Faith Martin.

I would like to thank #TonyBassett, #TheBookFolks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #MurderOnOxfordLane in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never enjoyed a poorly-written book so much, old fruit. Gripping story with stilted dialogue. Excited for the others in the series, but embarrassed to admit it.

[Angie Muldowney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't be put off reading this if you like a good crime story - the plot was great, as were the characters. What I found jarring though was the constant need to inform us of every characters age, height, hair colour, weight and level of attractiveness. It became laughable after the thirtieth/fortieth time! I see that the author was a former newspaper journalist, which might explain this habit.
A solid 3 stars - could so easily have been 4 or more.

[Geoff Verney]

The disappearance of a local businessman in a sleepy Warwickshire village followed by two murders baffles the police and unsettles the villagers. The two main characters, DCI Gavin Roscoe and DS Sunita Roy, are working on their first case together and, after a shaky start, compliment each other very well. Pressure is on them to find the serial killer before he strikes again!

I was totally absorbed as I read this book. There were lots of twists and turns which kept me guessing until the very end.

[Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I agree with readers who said that this book could have used an editor. The writing is terrible. I wouldn't read another of his books even for zero dollars on Amazon. Far too much unimportant information and almost no depth to his characters.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On his way to evening choir practice businessman Harry Bowers goes missing. Because his wife is unconcerned it is awhile before he is reported missing. Then a body is discovered. DCI Gavin Roscoe and his team investigate
An entertaining modern mystery. A good start to this series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there’s one thing that I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Tony Bassett is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis of ‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ and it certainly sounded like just my kind of read. So without further ado, I grabbed my copy of the book, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for what I hoped would be an interesting afternoon of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ but more about that in a bit.
I must admit that the synopsis was enough to grab my attention, especially considering the fact that one of the characters shares a surname with one particular branch of my family tree. Coincidentally my aforementioned branch stems from the same sort of area in which the story is set. As soon as I started reading, I instinctively knew that I was going to thoroughly enjoy reading this story and that it would become increasingly difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. The two lead detectives intrigued me and I was interested to see how their working relationship developed. The disappearance of the businessman, Harry Bowers, also intrigued me. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had completely disappeared down the wrong path. I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would lose all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ and I had to say goodbye to Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Roscoe and Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy. I found ‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ to be a gripping and an at time rather tense story, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ is well written. I love the way in which the author grabs the reader’s attention and draws them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt anyway. Reading this book felt like being on a bit of an unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I found the characters to be so well described that they literally seemed to jump off the page and they felt just as real as you and I.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Murder On Oxford Lane’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Tony’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this purely because of the narrator and I'm left slightly disappointed. General story quite good but general competency of the police was questionable, not really having any clue of the culprit till right at the very end. The side story of the stalker didn't really seem convincing. Average but would try another.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio. Nice narration. Tight mystery. Characters were defined. Didn’t necessarily go beyond surface level with any of them. More emphasis on the actual story. The characters were there to direct the reader through the story. Very much a British procedural. Enjoyed this mystery quite a lot.

[Gail Radka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the continuation of the characters in this next in the series. Police procedure and storyline good

[Blasr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is a silly rating. I shouldn't have wasted my time with it. I found the dialogue often totally unrealistic as well as oddly old fashioned. And so many irrelevancies - I really don’t need to know what people are wearing, nor do I need similar such information to be delivered in such an odd way, eg: "Daniel, who was slim with short, dark hair, smiled." Nor do I like characters, especially the DS, stating the bl….ingly obvious! But, all that aside, not a bad plot.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. Good characters and a gripping mystery

[Judy Brain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every new twist spun up a new suspect! If I put the book down, which was hard as it was a real page-turner, I would be analysing and ruminating of the previous pages trying to solve the crime as any self-respecting amateur sleuth would do. Doing that was fun and added to the enjoyment of the book.
The intertwining storylines enhanced the book and added colour to the characters. Definitely recommended.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahhh! I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again, one of the reasons I hate a star rating system is that all too often I find myself at odds with myself, wanting to rate one aspect of a book a certain number of stars and, other aspects of the book, a different number of stars, hence my hesitation in rating this, the first novel in a series of crime novels.

A good plot ... Opens with a character, Harry Bower, going missing on his way to, wait for it, choir practice of all places {So far so good, its certainly something a bit different}, that he's a property developer, well, nothing against property developers, but this alone opened up all kinds of possibilities.

That there are twists and turns aplenty; that it kept me guessing as to who the murderer was {YES! Always a plus when it comes to crime novels}.

A cast of characters with lots of potential ... That some of them were, what, odd? ... A little, err, unconventional? {Do you know what, odd sometimes does work}.

The first time that DCI Gavin Roscoe and DS Sunita Roy have worked together, I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed throughout the book.

That DS Roy has, err, issues. Hmm! There's very rarely a crime novel in which one of the 'good guys' doesn't but hers, well, they interested me.

An OK read, with all of the ingredients for a great crime novel, in many ways Murder On Oxford Lane did not disappoint.

What alas let down the novel for me was the poor execution; the excessive descriptions, the amount of irrelevant details, the dialogue which felt a bit stilted, that DS Roy was repeatedly referred to as 'my dear' ... a small detail I know but the usage felt dated and, I admit, grated on me {probably more than it should have done}, that the DCI Roscoe, talk about playing 'good cop - bad cop', managed to do so all by himself, changing from overly brusque to avuncular at the drop of a hat so to speak

To my mind {doubtlessly something others will disagree with, this is, after all, only my opinion} a thorough editing and this has the makings of a great mystery series that would be perfect for those looking for a read that whilst not a cosy mystery {at least not to my mind anyway} isn't overly violent.

Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in this book tour, no financial compensation was asked for nor given

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot poor execution

Harry Bowers goes missing after attending choir practice and no one seems overly upset. Detective Roy is bound and determined to solve this case and prove he didn't simply run away. Dealing with her own issues of a misogynistic workplace and a relentless stalker, she certainly had her hands full.
The plot in this book was good, plenty of twists, plenty of red herrings and the eventual reveal were good. What stumped and made this an extremely difficult book to read was the awkward tone of the writing. It wasnt concise but rather strained. I think with a good round of editing this book will read much better.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an all encompassing sort of contemporary mystery set in an English village in the Midlands. Not that its scenic beauty is anything compared with the dubious goings on that result from the apparent disappearance of Harry Bowers on a short journey to choir practice. A married property developer with an interesting background, Harry’s sudden dropping out of life seems largely unremarked for some time, but it soon becomes a priority for experienced DCI Gavin Roscoe as he uses all sorts of contacts to discover the truth. His new Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy is keen to help and indeed establish new leads, but she has a problem with an ex boyfriend who will not be told that she is no longer interested in him. As clues, leads and ideas come together, this carefully written book becomes a skilfully plotted, layered mystery with some well established characters. As detailed character descriptions combine with settings established with great care, this is an impressive first book in what promises to be an exciting series of hard to put down books. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this impressive novel of murder and mystery.

The book opens with Harry returning to his very comfortable and desirable home contemplating the fact that his wife was having an illicit relationship. He is even aware of who the man is - a fellow choir member. While he anticipates the possibility of some unpleasantness at the choir rehearsal later that evening, he does not foresee the violence that will occur. Meanwhile Sunita is getting ready to face her first day working for Gavin Roscoe, against a background of family upset and an enjoyable holiday. As soon as a report comes in of the missing Harry, she spots that his wife has not reported his disappearance for at least a week. A burnt out garage adds to her feeling that this is not going to be a straightforward case. Meanwhile Gavin is coming under pressure to find out what has happened to Harry from above, as it appears there are some powerful interested parties. As she begins to immerse herself in a crime that will require all her concentration, Sunita receives an unwanted visit from Arun “A face she’d hope to never see again”. She hopes to leave him in no doubt that his messages and visits were definitely unwanted, but the truth seems hard for him to comprehend. As the mystery of Harry’s disappearance deepens, a bizarre discovery in a nearby marina intensifies the search for the truth, but it appears that it will be difficult to discover in a small community becoming increasingly uneasy.

This is the sort of mystery to become really involved in, carefully setting up lots of potential clues and leads. As the detectives move alongside, picking up on the hints of what may be really going on, there is a good sense of pacing underlying the narrative. I found this an enthralling story with elements of a thriller as well as what becomes a deep mystery. I really enjoyed the characterisation, especially Gavin and Sunita, the latter having a fine instinct for following her instincts and coping with all sorts of challenges. I recommend this book for fans of contemporary mystery books who perhaps do not enjoy extreme violence, but appreciate a novel which offers a layered and sophisticated mystery.

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

DCI Gavin Roscoe is in charge of the day to day running of Heart of England Police CID, working under the rather grim Chief Supt Nicola “Niggler” Norris. He has just added a new member to his team, DS Sunita Roy. Sunita is inexperienced and naïve, both in her work and personal life. Roscoe worries if she will be up to the job, especially when she makes rookie mistakes, takes a holiday as soon as she starts the job and attracts a stalker which DI Tom Vickers has to try to catch for her. Only time will tell if she can make the grade. In the Warwickshire village of Norton Prior, property developer Harry Bowers is on his way to choir practice at the church hall on Oxford Lane and confronts his former friend James Hockley who he is certain is having an affair with his wife. The men argue and James hits Harry, knocking him to the ground. Harry never shows up for the rehearsal and is never seen again but James is sure he didn’t kill him. It takes a week for wife Margaret to report him missing. The couple didn’t get on and a note found states he was going away. The police have different ideas, however, and think they are looking for a body. In fact they do find a body but not the right man. When a promising witness also dies, they have a huge investigation on their hands and no shortage of suspects. But will they be able to piece together the clues and solve all three cases?
DCI Roscoe is eminently likeable right from the start. Sunita is harder to get to know, although her character blossoms are the story progresses. It’s quite hard to categorise this book as it has much more of a feeling of cosy murder investigation than a technical police procedural in lots of ways but this does mean that the detectives have more leeway in how they act at times. The writing feels a little clumsy in places, with rather too much repetitive description of room sizes and characters’ heights for example, but this doesn’t detract from a good clever plot with plenty of red herrings and twists. Now that the characters have all been well introduced, I’m looking forward to seeing what book 2 brings. 4*

[Cidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a gentle book about the murder of a not really likeable business man who it appears to have had problems within his business empire, and he goes off to choir practice on a wintry night and gets into a fight with another man outside the church. His wife reports him missing about a week later, the police were surprised she had left it that long, me too. However it soon appears that there were cracks in their marriage and that she had been seeing someone else, the man who had a fight with him in the churchyard for instance. Anyway the story lumbered on and it was okay and then I realised it was a cozy crime book so that was to be expected anyway (I quite like cozys in winter, stressful time of the year demands unstressful reading), but I really didn't like the wife, but there was a subplot in that the DS Sunita Roy had a stalker and he ended up shoving her in his carboot and trying to smuggle her out of the country, now that was more interesting! Eventually the end hove into sight and a happy christmas was had by all. Yes the body count rose during the investigation just like in Midsomer Murders, Oxford Lane does seem an unlucky place to live.

I didn't really relate or like that much the main character. Yes Sunita was a better copper than her boss, he was so watered down and lily-livered that I don't know why he was in the book, I mean DCIs or even DIs reading this must be having a brainstorm that one of them can be allowed a day or a half day off to help their wife move now was it a sideboard to her second hand shop to sell, particularly now in the wake of 3 dead bodies all living on Oxford Lane, yes the body count did rise that high during the book.

[Lyn Failes · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#bookreview #booktours
#murderonoxfordlane

Plot - Harry Bowers fails to return from choir practice, throwing DS Sunita Roy into her first big case. The investigation is made a big more difficult due to the lack of respect from her colleagues.

Pace - The story ticks along nicely with each chapter giving you just enough to leave you wanting more.

Plot Development - The plot unfolds perfectly. The chapters giving you enough information and description of the characters and the setting.

Characters - I found the characters to be relatable and well rounded. The author describes them well and build up suspense between the characters.

Enjoyability - A very enjoyable read which was hard to put down. The setting is well detailed and the characters blend in to make an addictive read.

Ease of reading - I found the book to be an easy read and with everything detailed, the storyline is easy to follow.

I’d recommend this thriller/ drama/ suspense fans

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[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Bowers is convinced his wife is having an affair. After a confrontation with the man in question, Harry disappears. DS Sunita Roy and DCI Gavin Roscoe begin to investigate but is Harry missing or murdered?
Murder on Oxford Lane is the first in a new series and introduces us to two new lead detectives.
I found myself instantly drawn into the plot. We begin with the incident where Harry confronts his wife's lover and I felt that the writing style made the characters and location come to life. The detectives are then introduced when they are informed that Harry has gone missing. A note seems to suggest he went voluntarily and his business dealings offer an alternative to a personal motive for leaving. I liked the mix of twists in the case alongside getting to know the detectives and their personal circumstances.
Sunita has personal issues as well as an ex boyfriend stalks her. She doesn't want to alert her boss as she feels her position within the team is precarious due to her race and gender. She is obviously reluctant to appear weak within the team and is anxious not to let her personal life interfere with her commitment to the case. Gavin is also really easy to like. He has a settled home life which is a bit unusual for a detective!
Murder on Oxford Lane is a very enjoyable murder mystery and a great start to a new series.

[Esther Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder On Oxford Lane by Tony Bassett
The peace of a Midlands village is upset when local businessman Harry Bowers doesn't return from choir practice.
There is no trace of the man, just a litany of evidence of an ailing marriage and a nose-diving business venture.
In charge of her first serious case, DS Roy will struggle to win the respect of her colleagues – in particular her Brummie boss, DCI Gavin Roscoe. All that whilst fighting off the intentions of an increasingly desperate suitor.
Murder On Oxford Lane is a compelling read from start to finish, with an engaging cast, a creative plot that incorporates an abundance of red herrings, twists and turns to keep you guessing. Tony's novels all have that 'local feel' and are set in and around small English towns. I have read and enjoyed a couple of this author's previous novels,' The Lazarus Charter' and 'Smile of the Stowaway', both of which are superb reads, and this story also doesn't disappoint.
I am happy to recommend it.
The Crossbow Stalker is the second in this series. Midlands police chase a serial killer who inflicts death by the new urban weapon of choice.

[SD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5

What is it about the residents of Oxford Lane?

This is my first time reading this author and I didn’t know what to expect. We are introduced to new Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy and her Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Roscoe. Unfortunately, for DS Roy who wants to prove herself to her boss, her personal life is interfering.

The cases were mind boggling with the team seemingly at a loss for clues and suspect alibis checking out.

There was a lot packed into the story both in the professional and personal lives of the characters. I liked how DCI Roscoe’s family was integrated into the story and into his cases beyond the missing of something important due to work scenario that is bound to happen for a police officer and his family. With his DI caught up in another case, he is actively working with DS Roy and we see how is opinion changes of her changes as the investigation progresses and she finds her stride. It is after all her first major case since her promotion.

I liked that the DS Roy was not blond haired and blue eyed but of a different cultural background.

Happy Reading!

[JPT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook
Story: B, Narration: A

Borrowed for free from Audible.

Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.

I've been in a terrible reading slump. I own plenty of books, but just haven't been interested. This book was an Audible rec for me, and I took a chance on a whim.

I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would, but seriously considered ditching it at one point out of frustration with Sunita Roy, one of the main characters, for crass stupidity in her dealing with a deranged ex. Luckily, she came to her senses and started dealing with the situation as a professional.

The mystery (several mysteries that were related) were well done. I guessed the culprit at around the 2/3 mark due to a clue that was dropped, but had no idea of the why. So, it mostly kept me guessing.

A little miffed that a reference to football was changed to soccer, presumably for American listeners. There really is no need for that. I think most Americans read British mysteries to be immersed in the milieu and know what football refers to.

There appears to be only one other title in the series available on Audible. Hope more will be released.

[Nanny P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is book 1 of 5 and features the introduction of DS Sunita Roy to the Heart of England Police Force. Her first case with DCI Gavin Roscoe is to help with a missing person, during the course of the investigation two people, from the same village, are murdered. Is this a coincidence or are they all related. This book has twists and turns, amazing characters, and an attempted abduction of DS Sunita Roy, by an obsessed ex-boyfriend, all thrown into the mix, all of which has your suspicions of certain characters constantly changing. I never suspected the actual killer so was completely blown away when it was revealed at the end of the book. I am a huge fan of the DCI Gavin Roscoe and DS Sunita Roy books and of course the author Tony Bassett, the amount of detail Tony has on each character brings them to life as you read each page. Let me know what you think about these books by leaving me a comment.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on Oxford Lane by Tony Bassett is indeed a fast paced thriller with some really quirky turns. The plot got me hooked from the beginning and I could not drop it before reaching the end. Two plots going side by side sparks interest and turns out to be a thrilling ride. Also, to talk about the characters, Sunita Roy is exceptional with all the tertiary characters. Antagonists are perfect and you would not be able to guess the main culprit till the end. So, if you are a fan of Whodunnit thrillers then give it a go.

I would , definitely give the book 5 stars. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com

[Radella Hardwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some problems with being simplistic; specifically, any time there's a description of a character or location, Bassett just info-dumps dimensions and colours.

However, the police characters have decent diversity, reflective of being in the Birmingham area. I especially like that the female superintendent is in a wheelchair and the Bengali female sergeant has to deal with a stalker and everyone treats it professionally, no victim-blaming or cultural stereotyping.

It's also nice to see a male DCI with a steady home life, his wife only gets mad at him when he clean forgets about a specific promise that he made (no resenting The Job in general) and he's really supportive of his wife and kids' work/study.

[Caroline Venables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and is set quite close to me, which is always a bonus. Whilst not being from Birmingham it is my nearest city and so the locations have more resonance with me.

It is a gripping thriller that swings into action when Harry Bowers disappears right in front of a church. He wife isn’t bothered and it takes her a week to notify the police that he has gone missing.

So who or what stopped him from making choir practice that evening?

I particularly liked the experience difference between the DCI and his DS. I thought their relationship worked well and it was interesting to see how each tackled the investigation.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"The evidence against you is overwhelming."

Perhaps it was, but.. of course.
Midsummer Murder without the fun. Dialogue was sufficiently stilted to be jarring. Both the main plot. and the side story was of frenzied activity in short, not well thought through bursts. I prefer that my fictional police at least appear competent. Apparently the first case in which the two detectives Roscoe and Roy work together, so their detection might improve with time - a good editor could have transformed this novel's writing style to something less clunky and far more enjoyable.
The narration by Colin Made was good, though. Will probably try another, if available.

[Gillian Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on Oxford Lane.

Really enjoyed this book. It is very well constructed, the plot flows well, and characters are well developed. The author introduced a number of possible suspects, the clues to their guilt are cleverly introduced, and then further evidence is skilfully used to eliminate them from the enquiries. The reader is kept in suspense as to the murderer until the very last chapter when all the facts are skilfully combined to reveal the culprit. A very good crime 'who one it's which I found difficult to put down.