Jane Bell is hoping for a quiet Halloween as she patrols the streets. But a call out concerning a Dracula brandishing a knife leads to a chase that is halted when her partner collapses and almost dies. The next morning Jane is devastated to be informed that the escaped Dracula went on to stab two women…
Murder on a Country Walk is the 4th police procedural book to feature Special Constable Jane Bell and her colleague DI Steph Warwick.
It’s a dramatic start to the book as Jane and her partner race after Dracula. The likelihood is that the knife is fake but they have to pursue the suspect. Jane is horrified as her partner crumples to the floor with a heart attack and the chase is abandoned. Shortly afterwards two women are attacked on the street and one is repeatedly stabbed to death in front of her daughter. Jane feels guilty that she couldn’t catch the killer and resolves to investigate by staying with her partner in the village where the two women lived. She uncovers a host of secrets and motives, and more death follows…
I felt a little lost at the start of the book as we are introduced to a range of characters and the connections and relevance isn’t immediately clear. The murder case then begins and Jane starts to gather background information about the victim. The plot shifts focus when another character, seemingly unconnected, disappears from the village and Jane wonders if there is a link between the cases.
Jane and Steph continue to have an uneasy working relationship. Both are utterly committed to their police work but the difference in rank and responsibility leads to tension. Jane is a bit nosy and oversteps her role, treading on Steph’s toes. But Steph needs Jane’s insight and easy going manner which helps others confide in her.
Murder on a Country Walk is an enjoyable police procedural with strong lead characters.
MURDER ON A COUNTRY WALK by Janice Frost
A TOTALLY GRIPPING BRITISH CRIME MYSTERY FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST.
It begins as a Halloween prank. It ends in cold-blooded murder.
Halloween. One of the busiest nights of the year for Lincolnshire police. Special Constable Jane Bell is called out to reports of someone in a Dracula mask terrorising the residents of a nearby estate with a replica knife. She races to the scene — but the man in the mask flees into the night.
The next morning, Detective Steph Warwick turns up on Jane’s doorstep. There’s been a murder. Dracula went on to attack two women, retired schoolteacher Susan Gedney and her daughter Gina. Susan died at the scene, Gina survived. The knife turned out to be all too real.
Then another young woman disappears from the picturesque village where Susan and Gina lived. She was last seen out on a country walk — but she never returned.
Three woman targeted from the same small village. This is no coincidence.
Detectives Steph and Jane are faced with the most baffling case of their careers.
This unputdownable mystery full of twists is the perfect read for fans of Angela Marsons, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling.
READERS LOVE THE WARWICK & BELL SERIES:
‘I love this series . . . Gripping from start to finish.’ Booklover Bev
‘Filled with twists and turns aplenty.’ Valleri M.
‘Read it in one sitting. Loved it.’ Aileen G.
‘An unputdownable mystery full of twists . . . Had me gasping out loud.’ Paula H.
‘An excellent thriller that keeps the reader enthralled until the final pages.’ Rita H.
‘This book had everything! It has suspense, intrigue . . . and so many crazy twists and turns. Well worth reading!’ Debbie B.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
SPC Jane Bell is in her mid-forties, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln.
DI Stephanie Warwick is in her mid-thirties. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police force. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend.
ALSO BY JANICE FROST WARWICK & BELL SERIES
1: MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
2: MURDER ACROSS THE LINES
3: MURDER AGAINST THE ODDS
4: MURDER ON A COUNTRY WALK
THE COMPLETE MERRY & NEAL MYSTERIES
1: DEAD SECRET
2: DARK SECRET
3: HER HUSBAND’S SECRET
4: THEIR FATAL SECRETS
5: DIRTY SECRETS
6: MURDEROUS SECRETS
A newborn baby is found abandoned in the snow on the same night that a coach driver is found murdered. Special Constable Jane Bell is concerned about the baby’s mother’s welfare but her own personal situation is proving to be more urgent as her daughter’s boyfriend is linked to the murder…
Murder Against The Odds is the third book in the Warwick and Bell series (I have read and reviewed the second book Murder Across The Lines). There are references to earlier events but it is not necessary to have read the previous books to understand the plot or characters.
Jane and Steph are great lead characters. Both are hard working, feisty, and loyal. But they rubbed each other up the wrong way in the first book so their interactions are fraught with tension. Their cases appear to be completely separate but due to a personal link the women are forced to interact. The book blurb mentions a link between the abandoned baby and the murder but this connection isn’t made until two thirds of the way through the book.
Jane is incredibly anxious about her daughter Norah’s new relationship. She relies on Steph to keep her up to date when Joe is mentioned in connection with the murder. Jane also has another personal item taking her attention: her young friend Thea is involved in a protest. But the lead protester is controlling and dismissive when another young woman goes missing.
The majority of the book deals with personal issues of the police officer which bend back towards the case at various points. Steph is having flashbacks about Cal and the past, whilst Jane hears some shocking truths about her late husband that creates personal turmoil. Both women act and react in an authentic way and I liked them both despite their flaws.
Murder Against The Odds is an engaging detective thriller due to the strong lead characters.
MURDER AGAINST THE ODDS by Janice Frost
”Hard-hitting and realistic-feeling story. Frightening. Really enjoyed it.” Aileen
A TOTALLY GRIPPING CRIME MYSTERY FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST.
The early hours of a freezing January night. Special Constable Jane Bell is at the end of a busy late shift when she’s called out to investigate strange noises in a local park. She finds a wailing new-born baby girl dumped in a plastic storage box.
That same night Detective Steph Warwick attends the murder of coach driver Bernie Gore, whose battered body is found in a narrow alleyway.
The last thing Jane wants is to lock horns with Steph Warwick once again. Then vital evidence emerges linking Bernie Gore’s murder to the abandoned baby. And Jane has no choice but to alert the sharp-tongued detective inspector.
If they are to solve Bernie’s murder and track down Baby Elsa’s mother, the two women must bury the hatchet and learn to work together.
Matters become even more complicated when a prime suspect emerges — with close links to Jane’s family.
This unputdownable mystery full of twists is the perfect read for fans of: Angela Marsons, Joy Ellis, Ruth Rendell, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JANICE FROST:
“This book has opened my eyes . . . I feel like I have lived in a bubble living in the mountains in a small town.” Chelsea A.
“Well-written, twists and turns aplenty and with a credible cast of characters but with a vicious, intense and emotional storyline.” Ruth G.
“A decent follow-up with the return and growth of several characters.” Donna B.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
SPC Jane Bell is forty-five, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln.
DI Stephanie Warwick is thirty-five. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police force. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend.
JANICE FROST
Janice was born and grew up in West Lothian, Scotland. After completing an English degree at St Andrew’s University, she moved to London where she lived for ten years doing an assortment of jobs. Her passions are reading, writing and walking in Scotland and the Lake District. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and two sons.
Special Constable Jane Bell is a witness to a stabbing in the street. She hears the girl’s last word: “Nate”. DI Steph Warwick is battling her own demons but is put in charge of the investigation as well as a separate murder case. As evidence mounts, the links between the cases seems to grow too…
Murder Across the Lines is the second book in the Warwick and Bell series. I have not read the first and there are some references to events which I believe occured in the previous book.
Jane and Steph have clashed horns in the past so are reluctant to work together on this latest case. Both are strong women with a determination to solve crimes and protect victims. However, their animosity towards each other often threatens to overwhelm them. It is easy to like both women despite their flaws and vulnerabilities.
The book is written in three timelines which gradually converge. We meet Nate, a young boy with a tragic homelife who becomes embroiled in drugs. Next is Steph in the recent past as she investigates a County Lines drugs related death. Finally, Jane in the present day witnesses the stabbing of a young girl.
The youth of Nate and the female stabbing victim is very emotive. I am aware of County Lines in our local area and it is something I worry about for my own children. The plot is therefore very current and topical. My heart ached for Nate’s unhappy childhood as it is written about so authentically.
Murder Across The Lines is a police procedural and crime novel with an emotional core. I thoroughly enjoyed it and want to catch up on the first book in the series. I have previously reviewed Murderous Secrets by Janice Frost.
MURDER ACROSS THE LINES a totally gripping crime thriller full of twists (Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries Book 2)
A TOTALLY GRIPPING CRIME MYSTERY FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST.
At a busy crossing in Lincoln city centre a motorbike skids to a halt. A man in leathers jumps off the bike and grabs a young girl waiting at the lights.
He pushes her roughly aside, remounts the bike, and roars away.
The girl falls to the floor. She’s been stabbed.
Special Constable Jane Bell witnesses the whole thing. She cradles the girl and hears her last word: ‘Nate’.
Now Jane is a witness in DI Steph Warwick’s investigation into local drug-related murders — and the disappearance of a missing boy.
A twelve-year-old called Nate Price.
Jane and Steph had hoped their paths would not cross again. But now there’s a child in danger. The only question is . . . can they find him in time?
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Ruth Rendell, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE WARWICK & BELL SERIES:
“A truly fascinating and intriguing storyline.” Ray G.
“A great read that pulls you in right from the start. I couldn’t put it down and finished it within a few hours. Janice really knows how to write and pull you in.” Erin S.
“Well-written, fast and with a relevant plot line and interesting characters. Has the potential to be the start of a decent new crime series.” Donna B.
“Full of everything: twists, turns and dynamo . . . plenty of gripping moments . . . this book is tremendously written, right till the last page. I highly recommend it to readers.” Booklover Bev
“Have read other works by Janice Frost, she has a unique ability to give us the setting that draws the readers in. A new series and looking for more!” Ellen W.
“It’s a good mystery that I was fully immersed in and definitely recommend.” Hannelore C.
“For the first book in a new series, I’m excited to see where Frost takes it and would recommend to other readers who enjoy a detective ‘whodunnit’ book!” Rebecca P.
“Really enjoyed this book it was full of twists that kept me guessing and was a thrill ride. Had me hooked from page one and I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down. Very good read, most enjoyable.” Dawn L.
“A good well-written, fast-paced thriller which held my interest throughout.” Carol D.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
Special Constable Jane Bell is forty-five, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln.
DI Stephanie Warwick is thirty-five. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police force. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend.
ALSO BY JANICE FROST WARWICK & BELL SERIES
Book 1: MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
Book 2: MURDER ACROSS THE LINES
THE COMPLETE MERRY & NEAL MYSTERIES
1: DEAD SECRET
2: DARK SECRET
3: HER HUSBAND’S SECRET
4: THEIR FATAL SECRETS
5: DIRTY SECRETS
6: MURDEROUS SECRETS
STANDALONE NOVELS
THE WOMAN ON THE CLIFF
JANICE FROST
Janice was born and grew up in West Lothian, Scotland. After completing an English degree at St Andrew’s University, she moved to London where she lived for ten years doing an assortment of jobs. Her passions are reading, writing and walking in Scotland and the Lake District. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and two sons.
