Death Line (Bev Morriss Mysteries) [Paperback]

Maureen Carter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bev Morriss Mysteries | Publication Date: December 6, 2010

When ten-year-old Josh Banks's body is discovered dumped on waste ground, Detective Sergeant Bev Morriss wants justice. She's not alone. Everyone hates child killers - even hardened criminals. Tip-offs trickle in, and the new press liaison officer has his work cut out when the squad springs a leak. But trial by tabloid is the least of the cops' worries. If Bev's under pressure, her boss faces more - as if nightmare memories of an earlier case weren't enough, he's facing an internal enquiry. Even if he's cleared he's no longer convinced he wants the job. And if the boss goes - where does that leave Bev? ""Fans of gritty contemporary police novels will welcome [Death Line]...a shocking climax""-Publishers Weekly ""The latest Bev Morriss mystery is the best in the series-- so far...Carter, an excellent storyteller, springs a couple of Jeffrey Deaver-worthy surprises, and the novel's final scenes, as the story races to its shocking conclusion, will make reader's jaws drop""-Booklist Starred Review Best Mystery-Crime Novels of 2011: Best Paperback Originals, Deadly Pleasures

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of gritty contemporary police novels will welcome British author Carter's seventh mystery featuring Det. Sgt. Bev Morriss (after 2009's Blood Money). The frantic search of Morriss and her colleagues on the Birmingham force for missing 10-year-old Josh Banks ends with the discovery of the boy's asphyxiated corpse. An anonymous caller points the police to Roland Haines, who was previously acquitted by a jury of murdering a child, despite the discovery of the victim's battered body in Haines's bathroom. This tip, naturally, provides no easy solution, as Banks's killing proves to be just the first of many that may connect to previous child murders. The complications of Morriss's personal life, especially her relationship with former supervisor Bill Byford, slow things down in spots, but in the end those sections pay off. The emotional impact of the shocking climax more than compensates for a less than surprising killer. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* The latest Bev Morriss mystery is also the best in the series—so far. The abduction and murder of a young boy lead to a series of killings that appears to be connected to the abduction. All of the victims are accused or convicted child murderers. But who’s responsible? Could it be someone in the press, acting as an avenging angel? If so, who’s been leaking confidential information to the press? Or—and this is a particularly distressing possibility—could the killer be Superintendent Byford, Morriss’ colleague, friend, and (inevitably, it seems) romantic partner? Carter, an excellent storyteller, springs a couple of Jeffrey Deaver–worthy surprises, and the novel’s final scenes, as the story races to its shocking conclusion, will make readers’ jaws drop. The story will have greater effect for those familiar with the Morriss series, but new readers will feel the impact, too, especially if they enjoy hard-edged UK mysteries starring female cops (Denise Mina’s Maureen O’Donnell series, for example). As good as Carter is, it may be hard for her to top this one. --David Pitt

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Creme de La Crime (December 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0956056636
• ISBN-13: 978-0956056634
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,925,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.