Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Deadly Night by OMJ Ryan Series: Detective Jane Phillips #7
Published by Inkubator Books on April 17, 2022
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 321
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon
Two identical murders, thirty years apart.
Thirty years ago, gangland enforcer Archie Boothroyd was brutally slain in an apparent ritual killing. The case was never a high priority for the police - after all, it meant one less gangster on the streets – and his murderer was never caught.
Now, almost three decades later, when Paul Bradley – a close friend of Boothroyd’s – is murdered in exactly the same way, DCI Jane Phillips and the Major Crimes Unit are called in to investigate. Is Bradley’s death the work of a copycat? Or has the original killer finally returned?
As the team delve deeper, they find themselves immersed in the dark underworld of gangland Manchester, where kidnapping, torture and murder are an everyday hazard.
When a third body is found mutilated in exactly the same way, Phillips and the team realise they are in a race against time to catch the killer. But what they don’t understand is the next victim could be one of their own.
I really enjoy the Detective Jane Phillips series. She has progressed over the series in her career and personal relationships. Her new boss is amazing and deals with all the administrative and politics things which would hamper her ability to solve cases.
The current cases are connected with one from 30 years past in their method. The team goes to work trying to find a connection. Most of the players seem to be criminals / mobsters. They just aren’t nice people and all seem pretty smug like they can’t be caught and have expensive lawyers too. Jane takes some crazy chances and while I know she wanted to solve the case and catch the criminals, I didn’t like how dangerous some things were.
She is settled into a relationship with Adam. He wants to move in together and she keeps putting him off. We never really learn why. They eventually work things out and she actually takes a sabbatical to spend more time with him.
The cases were not easily solved for many reasons. The criminals are long experienced and some are crafty. Again they have crack legal representation. But once the detectives knew who committed the crimes, they could go after the weak link. One instance was helped by Jane predicting who might be a future victim and putting eyes on them. So the cases were solved by smart evidence and data collection in the end which was quite satisfying.
About OMJ Ryan
Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
Another series I’m not familiar with. The characters in this one sound good as does the mystery, but I bet it’s best to start with the first one, huh?
yes lots of personal and career developments.
Nice review. I”m glad you enjoyed the book and are enjoying the series.
Thanks Wendy! I got a tweet from the author yesterday that the next one is nearly ready. YAY!
Gotta love a satisfying ending.
yes although I heard from the author there’s another book coming soon!