Interview: Lizzie Sirett in Conversation with Dave Sivers

Dave Sivers grew up in West London, England and left school at 16 to embark on a successful civil service career.

Along the way he gained a first-class honours degree from the Open University and moonlighted as, among other things, a nightclub bouncer and a bookmaker's clerk.

He is now a freelance writer and author.

His books include the Archer and Baines contemporary crime novels, the DI Nathan Quarrel series and the Lowmar Dashiel crime fantasy novels.
He lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with his wife Chris.

Crime Fiction Author | Dave Sivers

Lizzie:     You have just published your third book in the DI Nathan Quarrel series.  Can you tell us about this latest book and how DI Nathan Quarrel came about. Is Nathan based on someone or completely out of your imagination?

Dave:     Nate emerged from a character creation workshop run by the brilliant Julie Cohen. The first thing we had to do was pick two pieces of paper from a hat, which gave me the letters N and Q as the character’s initials. Over the rest of the workshop exercises, I got to know Nate quite well and I knew I wanted to use him at some point. So at that stage he was a character in search of a story. A little later on I had a story idea that wasn’t right for my Archer and Baines Series. Not that those are what you’d call cosy, but this was several shades darker. Now I had a story looking for a character. I put them together in what was to become In Ink and, not only were they right for each other, but I wanted to do more Quarrel books. I like that he’s a bit of a loner with trust issues, and I like how driven he is by the quest for justice. 

Lizzie:      Your first crime fiction series featured DI Lizzie Archer, recently transferred from the Met and hoping to make a fresh start, and Detective Sergeant Dan Baines, who has his own problems.  The first book in the series The Scars Beneath the Soul indicates that both characters have things in their past that they are trying to over come. There are currently seven books in the series.  Is their situation of damaged backgrounds something that particularly interested you?

Dave:     The series grew out of wanting to write a gritty contemporary crime series set in Buckinghamshire’s Aylesbury Vale, an area I know well. I knew I wanted a duo – a female DI and a male D – and I knew I wanted them to be a little different from other fictional cops. They came to me, totally out of the blue and fully formed, during a break between sessions at Crimefest in Bristol and, as you say, they both have their troubled backgrounds. Those are the people we meet (and who meet each other for the first time in The Scars Beneath the Soul. But I also knew that Lizzie and Dan were on a journey, as individuals and as colleagues. They’ve both come a long way over the seven books to date and I’ve enjoyed tagging along with them. I know many readers are equally as interested in where their lives are going next as in each individual mystery.  

Lizzie:     I see that your first two books published 2011 and 2012 were crime fantasies’. As there currently are only the two, can you tell us a little about that?   And what prompted the switch from fantasy to crime fiction?
Dave:      I’ve always written the stuff I like to read, which includes crime/thrillers and fantasy. I liked the idea of setting a private detective-type character in a sword and sorcery world. I really enjoyed writing them, and readers who like them really love them – but they’re a bit niche and so less popular than the contemporary stuff. Although, for no apparent reason, sales of the two books have been enjoying something of a resurgence over the past year or so, especially in the States.   

Lizzie:     Do you plan your books or just start writing and see where it takes you?
Dave:     There’s always a bit of a plan, but I don’t go in for extensive, meticulous plotting. The couple of times I’ve tried that, I felt a bit creatively straitjacketed and the story would inevitably bust its way out of the plan anyway. I always know how the story starts, where I think it’s going, and what some of the key plot points are. The details sort of emerge as I go along, and the direction of  travel sometimes changes a fair bit. In two of my books, the ending isn’t what I thought it was going to be at the outset.

Lizzie:          What triggers the idea for a new book?   Something that you see or read about, or a personal experience ….?
Dave: There’s always a ‘what if?’ and it can stem from all sorts of things. With Dead In Deep Water, it was a water-filled disused quarry near to where I live. The Blood That Binds was sparked by a news item I read in a free newspaper on a train home from London – it set me wondering what could happen next to the sort of people I’d been reading about. In Ink was inspired by dark thoughts about a group of rowdy young men who disrupted a quiet walk in New Zealand. Once I had that first Quarrel title, I thought all the books in the series could be called ‘In’ followed by a single-syllable word, and it’s surprising how simply kicking a title around can trigger a story themes; the second word is a clue to what happens to the murder victims. 

Lizzie: Do you have a favourite part of the writing process?
Dave: My two favourite parts are: the beginning, when I’m starting something shiny and new and I’m excited to start getting the ideas in my head onto the page; and the latter stages where I can (hopefully) see where I’m going and I’m, if not on the home straight, at least into the latter stages of the race. My least favourite, which I think many writers can identify with, is the bit in the middle, where I’m not as confident as I was at the start, can’t see the way ahead so clearly, and wonder why I ever thought this was a good idea. You just have to push on. Sooner or later you’ll land back on your road map, and you can go back later and sort out the saggy bits.

Lizzie: I see that your books are independently published. Was this always your plan, or did you find it difficult finding a publisher?
Dave: I’ve always wanted my stories to be read but, when I really started striving for publication, you really did need to be represented. It was encouraging that agents usually asked to see the complete manuscript and their letters, although not the responses I wanted, were actually quite positive; this, and people whose opinions I respected believed in my work, kept me going. When  I took early retirement from the day job, I decided that I needed a new strategy and, almost simultaneously, ebooks, print on demand, and digital self-publishing were taking off. The world had moved on from the bad old days of vanity self-publishing, where unwary writers paid a ‘publisher’ good money for a big box of books of varying production quality, with nowhere to sell it and no way to market it. Now we had digital bookstores, especially Amazon, the Internet and social media. I did my research, contacted a couple of successful pioneers, and decided it was a good business model for me. I love the freedom and being my own boss, and I have a brilliant team of beta readers, professional editor, the best cover designer in the business, plus criminologists who can help me with ‘plausible authenticity’. Indie publishing has come miles from those early days and is now an established part of a publishing landscape is much richer and more varied than it used to be. 

Lizzie:     Do you write for a certain number of hours each day or set yourself a target of x number of words.
Dave:     I’d like to say I have a set writing time, but I wear several hats and no two weeks are the same. I try to take stock on a Sunday of what’s coming up and slot my writing sessions into the diary. I make sure, even in a week where there’s a lot going on, that I make some progress; otherwise I get frustrated and then it’s harder to get back in the groove. 

Lizzie:     In 2013 you co-founded the BeaconLit book festival, which takes place annually in Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, and raises precious funds for Beacon Villages Community Library. Are you still involved in this?
Dave:     Very much so. I’m the Programme Director, which means that it’s my job to find the authors. I’m proud that publishers now pitch bestselling authors to us and we’re also able to attract the very best debutants. It’s a one-day festival with a unique atmosphere and we strive for a fairly eclectic programme. We’re entirely run and staffed by volunteers who, like me, have busy lives to juggle, but the reaction from authors and audience alike is very rewarding.

Lizzie:     Who are the authors whose work you enjoy and why?
Dave:     So many… I adore Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan series: she combines the personal journeys of her main characters with a compelling mysteries, which is what I like to do. Others, including Cara Hunter, Caro Ramsay, Mark Billingham, Val McDermid and Elly Griffiths also strike that balance. I loved Erin Kelly’s The Night Stairs, which I read before interviewing her for BeaconLit, and I can’t wait to read more. But the debut authors I also read for BeaconLit always introduce me to brilliant non-crime books that I might not otherwise read. Try Mr Sidhu’s Post Office by Amman Brar and Mother, Ghost, Mango Seed by Natalie Gregory.

Thank you for talking to us Dave, and congratulations on winning first prize 16 April 2026 in
Chiltern Writers annual short story (shared with Tony Flower)
for your short story The Three Hundredth.

 Archer and Baines Books

Dead Deep Water
Evil Unseen
The Blood That Bines
Too Long Gone
Die in the Dark
Price to Pay

DI Nathan Quarrel
In Ink
In Ice
In Flames

Lower Dashiel  Fantasy Mysteries
A Sorcerer Slain
Inquisitor Royal 

‘Death in a Scottish Tower’ by Lydia Travers

Published by Bookouture,
16 March 2026.
ISBN: 978: 1-80550133-6 (PB)

The third novel in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series is set mainly in Glasgow in 1924. ‘My lady’, as she is addressed by more or less everyone in the story, is visiting Glasgow University, her alma mater, as she has established a scholarship there to encourage women to study law at a time when this was far from common and not encouraged by the male-dominated academic world. This state of affairs is to have repercussions in the story. During the visit a champagne reception is abandoned when a female student plunges to her death from the university tower. Having been told shortly before the incident that another female student had died in similar circumstances 18 years previously, Lady Poppy is immediately suspicious. Were the deaths suicide or were both women pushed? Before long she is again in cahoots with the handsome Inspector MacKenzie. Her hopes that this liaison will lead to more than a successful investigation is one of the many threads in the novel. 

As the pair look into the cases, clues begin to emerge. There is a threatening note referring to the first death, and then a replica dress is deliberately left close to the tower. Suspects start to appear. Malcolm Kennedy, a university porter who had a brief period as a student at the time of the first death and has a history of alcohol-fuelled violence, is one possibility. Another is the ghastly Professor Lorimer, a pompous man who does not approve of the education of women (‘Women shouldn’t be educated’, he observes at one point, ‘it muddles their brains.’). His equally unpleasant wife shares his views. It seems to be a loveless marriage. A self-absorbed male poet friend of one of the students is a further dodgy character. 

The plot is thickened by the fact that two groups of students at the times of both deaths style themselves the Four Marys, the ones 18 years previously because their first names were Mary and the current group because their middle names are Mary. As students studying the past, they owe their group names to the original Four Marys, the ladies-in-waiting to Mary, Queen of Scots. It is no surprise, then, that events lead Lady Poppy and Inspector MacKenzie to Lochleven Castle where that monarch had been imprisoned in the 16^th century. A crucifix is involved, as is a tramp who spends the summer on the island where the castle is situated. Two more student deaths, neither of which are at the tower and both of which are clearly murders, makes it even more important that the perpetrator is found quickly. 

The villain is known some time before the end of the novel. It is then a matter of how to ensure that self-incrimination takes place. In this Lady Poppy is assisted by Inspector Mackenzie. There is a physical struggle at the end, but this diverting story fits firmly into the cosy crime genre. Lady Poppy is an enthusiastic maker of notes as the investigation proceeds. A number of characters other than Inspector MacKenzie enliven the novel. Lady Poppy has her long-suffering and slightly disapproving maid Elspeth in tow as well as her well-behaved and biddable Labrador Major Lewis. In Glasgow she stays with her equally well-heeled friend Lady Molly Darling. 

The big question is, of course, whether Lady Poppy will achieve her designs on Inspector MacKenzie. She succeeds in spending an unexpected and distinctly unromantic night with him, but the end of the novel suggests that she is getting closer to her aim. There is doubtless more to come!
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Reviewer: David Whittle

Lydia Travers writes historical cosy crimes; and historical romances under the name Linda Tyler. She is an award-winning author. Born in London, she moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has kept chickens, bred dogs and raised children. A former legal academic and practitioner, she runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by her dog. She loves to read reviews from readers who have enjoyed her novels. Lydia is a member of the Crime Writers Association.

David Whittle is firstly a musician (he is an organist and was Director of Music at Leicester Grammar School for over 30 years) but has always enjoyed crime fiction. This led him to write a biography of the composer Bruce Montgomery who is better known to lovers of crime fiction as Edmund Crispin, about whom he gives talks now and then.

Death in the Dales: October 2026.

Sedbergh Crime Festival

is the third annual Festival of Crime Writing in
Sedbergh, England’s Booktown.

Sedbergh is proud to welcome distinguished members of the Crime Writer’s Association to guide our audience through the pleasures and difficulties of crafting brain teasing who-dun-its!

The weekend kicks off on Friday 16th October with Detour a 1945 Film Noir introduced by expert Matthew Booth who will explain why this is a cult classic. The evening includes a Pie’n’Peas supper.

Saturday 17th October offers a morning session including: Crafting Puzzles with Martin Edwards and Anthony Johnston; Hidden Histories, is truth stranger than fiction? with Carrie da Silva; and The Long Arm of the Law, three policemen-turned-writers give you the inside story, Roger Price, Nick Oldham & Simon Dinsdale.

Saturday’s afternoon session from 3pm includes: My Local Murder, The Gorse Hall Mystery with Dolores Gordon Smith; Haunted Places with Tom Mead, Victoria Dowd, & Kate Ellis; A Murder Mystery with Martin Edwards, an experience!

On Sunday 18th October we have:. Killer Thrillers with Simon Michael, Catherine Yaffe & David Beckler; The Lady Killers with Deborah Swift, Fiona Veitch Smith, & Priscilla Masters; A Mystery, The Secret History Of Crispin Darke with Matthew Booth.aa

The following authors will be appearing in the festival. 

• 
  Matthew Booth
• Martin Edwards
• Victoria Dowd
• Tom Mead
• Kate Ellis
• Antony Johnston
• Fiona Veirch-Smith
• Deborah Swift
• Simon Dinsdale
• David Beckler
• Roger Price
• Priscilla Masters
• Nick Oldham
• Dolores Gordon-Smith
• Simon Michael
• Christine Poulson
• Catherine Yaffe
• Carrie de Silva
• Marsali Taylor
• Jean Briggs – Festival organiser

Crime At The Coast.

 

‘Unseen’ by Heather Critchlow

Published by Canelo,
20 August 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-83598102-3 (PB)

 Heather Critchlow continues her ‘Cal Lovett Files’ in this riveting sequel to ‘Unknown’.  The reader is lead into a satisfying, carefully crafted and labyrinthine plot. 

Cal Lovett makes podcasts about true crime.  It’s a subject he is immersed in, because his beloved older sister Margot was murdered when he was a child, and so far nobody has been brought to justice.

Bella Davies used to have a loving mother and two sisters until a brutal attacker murdered them one sunny afternoon by the river. Bella was left for dead, and it was assumed that she was too young to have any cogent memories of that day, until her visceral reaction to a voice heard on the television proves otherwise. 

Bella and Cal both believe that there is one man responsible, and he is not the man who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Bella’s family.  They both believe that Jason Barr is the killer, and Bella begs Cal to re-examine the case. 

The story begins with Jason Barr being sentenced in court for taking Cal hostage the previous year at knifepoint.  He’s locked away in prison, but that’s not nearly enough for Cal.  That won’t see justice for Margot or bring her back.  Cal is determined to nail him on a capital charge. 

As Cal starts digging, and Bella’s memories begin to resurface, danger starts to emerge.  These crimes may have been committed many years ago, but there are powerful people committed to hiding the truth, and it becomes clear that they are willing to murder again. 

Again and again, the solution seems tantalisingly close, but there is the fact that doesn’t fit the coincidence that is too neat, and the instinct that there is more to discover. 

How deep does this go, and will they survive to see the true killer brought to justice?  And are there crimes worse than murder?
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Reviewer:  Jane Andreoli

Heather Critchlow grew up in rural Aberdeenshire and trained as a business journalist after studying history and social science at the University of Cambridge. Her short stories have appeared in crime fiction anthologies Afraid of the Light, Afraid of the Christmas Lights and Afraid of the Shadows. She lives in St Albans.
 

Jane Andreoli. I have been in love with words ever since my mother read me bedtime stories before I could read for myself. As a writer, I enjoy creating mysteries with twists in their tails, and I love a well-crafted plot. My literary heroes are Jane Austen for her superb social observations, Shakespeare for the amazing way he crunched the English language into new shapes to express his emotions, Margery Allingham for her satisfyingly convoluted plots and Phil Rickman for his masterful command of supernatural atmosphere.  I also love Douglas Adams and Sir Terry Pratchett for their humour, satire, and social commentary. I have an honours degree in English, but fortunately that was so long ago that I have forgotten all those pretensions and rediscovered the joy of creative writing.  I am now a published author, currently working on my next book. I have just reached that delicious stage where the characters become autonomous and start making their own decisions.  Anything could happen and probably will.

‘The Bestseller’ by Jenny Knightsby

Published by Mountain Leopard Press,
18 June 2026.
ISBN: ‏978-1-03543631-6

The Bestseller, Jenny Knightsby’s debut novel, is impressive, and not only because it is her first attempt at crime fiction. Although, by profession, a full-time NHS hospital doctor based in West London, in this book Knightsby quickly establishes herself as a confident and accomplished part-time author. She writes in fluent, flowing prose, offering authentic-sounding dialogue and pin-sharp observations. Her plot maintains a quick pace and is replete with surprising twists and turns. Best of all, the novel is peopled by all-to-believable characters—flawed but often engaging—harboring their own secrets and lies. It is probable that Kingsby’s years of meeting and treating the public on the wards and observing people at their most vulnerable accounts for the authenticity of the insights into human nature that are such an attractive feature of this novel.    

Knightsby has confessed to an interest in psychologists and people working in publishing, and both types appear in The Bestseller. It is the story of couple’s therapist Helena who finds one patient, a beautiful young woman named Belle, particularly challenging. She has never met Julius, Belle’s husband, because Belle is reluctant to admit to him that she has even engaged the services of a therapist. Helena becomes convinced Julius is a coercive individual who engages in the domestic abuser’s tricks of gaslighting and insults (and, on occasion, compliments and presents) to ensure his wife’s compliance and unquestioning obedience to his wishes. What she perceives as Belle’s plight so arouses Helen’s fascination and indignation, coupled with fear that her patient is in danger, that she breaks the therapist’s cardinal rule of confidentiality, relating details of the case to her best friend Tala, an unsuccessful novelist. Helena’s and Tala’s relationship goes back to university days when, with Dylan—who later becomes Helena’s husband—they were best friends and roommates. In the second timeframe, there is a palpable tension between Dylan and Tala that Helena is at a loss to explain. 

In a nod to recent trends in crime fiction, The Bestseller is told in two timelines—the period when the three friends were students and the present, when they are adults in their thirties—and through two perspectives: those of Tala and Helena. Knightsby manipulates this technique, like the best of crime fiction writers, to add nuance and subtlety to her story. 

Tala’s publication of a book called Your Enemies Closer propels the action of Knightsby’s addictive thriller. After stealing a proof copy of the book, Helena is horrified to find it seems to be based on what she has confided to her friend about Belle and Julius’s relationship. To her dismay, Tala’s book becomes wildly popular: a ‘bestseller’. Helena is terrified that her disclosure of private details of a patient’s therapy might destroy her career but, even more, fears that Belle and, possibly, even she and her husband might be in danger from a Julius infuriated by the public exposure of his darkest secrets.   

This is a book to savour and enjoy while also one that sets the pulse racing. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Wendy Jones Nakanishi/aka Lea O’Harra. 

Jenny Knightsby grew up primarily in London and has lived in New York, Winnipeg, Leeds, and Nice. She worked as an NHS hospital doctor, a career that honed her storytelling and observational skills, before transitioning to fiction writing. Her debut novel, The Bestseller, is a psychological thriller that has already received critical recognition, being shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2024, the Spotlight First Novel Award, and the Cinnamon Literature Award. 

Lea O’Harra.  An American by birth, did her postgraduate work in Britain – an MA in Lancaster and a doctorate at Edinburgh – and worked full-time for 36 years at a Japanese university. Since retiring in March 2020, she has spent part of each year in Lancaster and part in Takamatsu on Shikoku Island, her second home, with occasional visits to the States to see family and friends. An avid reader of crime fiction since childhood, as a university professor she wrote academic articles on it as a literary genre and then decided to try her hand at composing such stories herself, publishing the so-called ‘Inspector Inoue mystery series’ comprising three murder mysteries set in rural, contemporary Japan. She has also published two standalone crime fiction novels.

‘The Chapel of Bones’ by Kate Ellis

Published by Constable
6 August 2026,
ISBN: 978-0-349-44296-9 (HB)

In one of my recent reviews, I wrote about my guilt in how long it had taken me finally to get round to reading one of Barbara Nadel’s acclaimed novels – and now I have to admit the same about Kate Ellis. If my counting is accurate, ‘The Chapel of Bones’ is the 30th novel in her series featuring DI Wesley Peterson, the first of which was published in 1998. Better late than never, as I believe they say. The wait has certainly been worth it. 

A mummified body is found concealed behind a wall during renovations at Sycamore House in Devon. It is identified as that of Dr Aleric Donnal, a generally solitary academic whose research focussed on the medieval history of Devon. He had not been seen for over a decade during which time the house was occupied by a hippy commune who believed that the site had sacred properties. The leader of the commune, now dead, was related to the Fontescues, a wealthy local family. As Peterson starts to investigate Donnal’s death, Dr Neil Watson (an archaeologist) is informed by the house’s new owner that she has found stonework suggestive of an ancient chapel in the grounds. Watson and his university students start a dig. 

Before long a murder takes place. It is of an apparently inoffensive widow who is well-liked by everyone and whose main activities are flower arranging in the church, singing in the choir and taking part in medieval re-enactments (she was about to be an ale-wife). There seems to be no reason for her death. As Peterson looks into her murder he is forced to wonder whether it is linked to that of Donnal. As the investigation proceeds, the backgrounds of both murdered people are revealed as more complex. Donnal’s research at the time of his death concerned the representation of animals in medieval literature, with bestiaries a particular interest. An intemperate local artist who specializes in paintings of grotesque animals comes under suspicion, as do goings-on past and present at a rather down-at-heel local zoo. Kidnappings of local dogs are also taking place, one of them involving a pet belonging to the family of one of Peterson’s team. Ransoms are involved. 

There is another strand to the novel. Excerpts from Donnal’s notebooks, not yet found by Peterson’s team, are quoted from time to time. Initially we are aware that Donnal had stumbled on details of Brother Anselm, a monk and spy for the Lancastrian side in the 15th century, whilst he was looking for attitudes towards strange beasts in the medieval religious mind. Anselm mentions ‘secrets he would rather the penitent did not share.’ Donnal wonders what these secrets are as well as the identity of the penitent. 

Needless to say, Peterson’s investigation gradually reveals more and more about the past of local families as he and his colleagues work towards a satisfying conclusion. When I say that ‘The Chapel of Bones’ is an easy read, this is most certainly not a criticism – quite the opposite. Ellis skilfully marshals all her threads in a thoroughly engaging style. Short chapters keep the action moving swiftly along. 

Another of the many merits of the novel, as far as this reviewer is concerned, is that Peterson’s team is refreshingly free of the back stories, jealousies and relationships (amatory or otherwise) that so often take over in series. They may keep readers keen to know what happens in the next instalment, but they can sometimes seem rather to overshadow the plot. ‘The Chapel of Bones’ concentrates on a highly complex investigation which is run by an apparently well-adjusted and supportive group of detectives who don’t appear to be neurotic, alcoholic, suffering from broken relationships or otherwise badly scarred by what life has thrown at them. Hurray, says this reviewer! 

And in case you haven’t yet got the message, I am very happy to recommend this highly enjoyable novel.
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Reviewer: David Whittle

Kate Ellis was born in Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North-West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. Kate's novels feature archaeology graduate Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson who fights crime in South Devon.  Each story combines an intriguing contemporary murder mystery with a parallel historical case. She has also written five books in the spooky Joe Plantagenet series set up in North Yorkshire as well as many short stories for crime fiction anthologies and magazines. Kate was elected a member of The Detection Club in 2014. She is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Murder Squad, and Mystery People. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Her most recent book is The Chapel of Bones,

www.kateellis.co.uk

David Whittle is firstly a musician (he is an organist and was Director of Music at Leicester Grammar School for over 30 years) but has always enjoyed crime fiction. This led him to write a biography of the composer Bruce Montgomery who is better known to lovers of crime fiction as Edmund Crispin, about whom he gives talks now and then.

‘Red Verdict’ by James Comey

Published by Head of Zeus,
4 June 2026.
ISBN: 978-1035922710 

Nora Carleton is Deputy United States Attorney for New York Southern District.  During her career she has prosecuted a variety of criminals including dangerous gang leaders and domestic terrorists.  It’s just as well, because in this novel she finds herself working on a perilous case involving ruthless Russian agents who are intent upon stealing U.S. military secrets. 

The story begins as Edgar Perez goes to his favourite restaurant, tucks into his favourite dish, and promptly dies!  When first responders arrive on scene, they find that some other diners are also in a critical condition.  The casualties are taken to hospital where a sharp-eyed medic discovers traces of what might be a nerve agent on the body of the deceased.  She alerts the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and further tests suggest that the victims have been exposed to Novichok, a noxious chemical favoured by Russian assassins.  It then transpires that Perez worked for Grand Central Avionics, a firm making armed drones for the United States Military.  A working theory proposes that Perez has been passing military information to Russian handlers, that he somehow failed them, and that he was killed as a warning to other assets.  

FBI undercover agents are already working to confirm their theory and mop up any more Russian assets and/or handlers they can find.  The problem is that any prosecution they bring forward could get tangled up in counterintelligence red tape.  Meanwhile, the fact remains that a cold-blooded murder has been committed on U.S. soil and a routine criminal investigation will facilitate this in a timely and appropriate manner.  Nora’s boss, U.S. Attorney Carmen Garcia, agrees.  She’s none too pleased that there’s been such a brazen attack on American citizens in her own back yard and authorises Nora and her team to handle the case in the normal way whilst the undercover operation continues.  It will be difficult as well as dangerous. 

The characters in the novel fall into two camps.  The international or home-grown criminals and spies are, with few exceptions, depicted as unpleasant human beings.  Relatable characters include the law-abiding citizens of New York and particularly those who work to uphold the law on the streets and through the courts.  Whilst these folk are not always flawless, they try to do the right thing, and it is pleasant spending time with them.  Nora, appropriately, inspires the most empathy as she juggles motherhood and employment.  She is fully committed to doing her job with energy and integrity and invariably puts others before herself.  Nora’s team are tight and supportive of each other.  They rub shoulders with some terrifying people in tense situations, but carry the burden lightly, professionally and, when appropriate, with humour. 

Red Verdict is the fourth Nora Carelton thriller.  It can be read perfectly well as a stand-alone novel.  The fascinating courtroom drama at the heart of the narrative includes just the right amount of technical detail for the reader to feel they have learned something about America’s judicial system without being overwhelmed.  James Comey’s knowledge is awesome, his research is meticulous, and his storytelling thoroughly engaging.  

A super read and highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent

James Comey was born in New York City and attended the attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago Law School. He worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York, prosecuting organised crime figures, and worked on terrorism cases as assistant DA in Virginia. He served as the seventh Director of the FBI from 2013 until 9 May 2017, when he was fired by President Donald trump. 

Dot Marshall-Gent worked in the emergency services for twenty years first as a police officer, then as a paramedic and finally as a fire control officer before graduating from King’s College, London as a teacher of English in her mid-forties.  She completed a M.A. in Special and Inclusive Education at the Institute of Education, London and now teaches part-time and writes mainly about educational issues.  Dot sings jazz and country music and plays guitar, banjo and piano as well as being addicted to reading mystery and crime fiction.