This was a great read and an absolute page-turner. Both storylines, the sniper and Ashcroft, pulled me in, and Ms. Ellis had me legitimately worried about her characters. I have never read an author, save Elly Griffiths, who can create characters who are so real, so likable, and so well-developed. This was, by far, one of the best additions to the series. The reader finishes the book with great sadness, knowing that months will pass before being able to return to Saltern le Fen again.

Another suspenseful read from Joy Ellis.

Jackman and Evans are back but so unfortunately is Alistair Ashcroft but despite this threat justice needs to be upheld in Salten Le Fen.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, I kept having to put the book down when the suspense got too much but couldn't not pick it straight back up again.

This was a fabulous book so good in fact I messaged the author to tell her, now just to wait for the next one.

Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.

Another exciting instalment of the jackman and Evans series. A number of references to previous novels in the series so the reader would benefit from knowing the backstory but can be enjoyed without.

I’ve always been a fan of Joy Ellis, starting with her Nikki Galena series so I was looking forward to reading The Patient Man and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s another great story with plenty of twists, turns, and moments where you think you know something is happening only to realise it isn’t what you thought at all.

Set in the Lincolnshire Fens, the location suits the style of story. It’s remote, haunting, and just that little bit dangerous. After every book, I tell myself this is where I need to go for a visit so I can see if what I imagine in my minds eye matches the reality.

It would be nice if it did (nicer still if people weren’t dropping like flies around me thanks to serial killers!). I love how dark and foreboding Ellis has made the landscape seem. I’d also be interested to know if the locals were as friendly. They all seem to get along so well (other than the serial killers, obviously!).

This ‘niceness’ is possibly the one main downside to these books. It’s not something I think everyone will be looking for in their crime fiction, a genre that is dominated by dysfunctional police with axes to grind and a tendency to take their issues out on everyone around them.

Personally, it’s not something I mind. I have found myself jaded by these type of officers in recent years. I can’t believe every one of them is just so messed up. But I think I might be in the minority here. If you’re with me, however, I’d definitely recommend trying out Ellis.

One caveat to buying this book – start with earlier ones in the series or the reason everyone is so stressed out about Alistair Ashcroft won’t make a lot of sense.

Joy Ellis has a knack for grabbing the reader's attention in the first chapter and keeping it until the end. That being said I found this book to be brilliant. The characters are well developed and likable and the mystery is written extremely well. I look forward to more books by this author.

The return of DI Jackman's nemesis Alistair Ashcroft makes for an exciting thriller. Ashcroft is determined that this time he will take out both Jackman and DS Marie Evans but he may have bitten off more than he can chew when he gets in toe with the lawless Lorimer family. Along with psychologists Laura Archer and Sam Page the entire Fenland police force are searching for the killer but Ashcroft is a master of disguise and has foiled the police more than once. Can they pin him down this time or will he evade them once again.

Brilliant as usual. I love her characters. They come to life through her and I wanna be there with them.

Jackman & Evans back again and an old adversary is back on the hunt. Great plot with lots of tension, lovely cross overs from both the Nikki Galena and Matt Ballard series, and all set in the Fens.
I love this author’s writing, it always grips me and keeps me interested from the first page to the last. .
Believe characters and some nice development in their stories and the sub plots too

I really enjoyed this book and will give it a huge thumbs up. With a great story line and excellent main characters - I would highly recommend this book.

Well crafted characters and an exciting storyline. This is my ideal British thriller! I really enjoyed this book and would thoroughly recommend it..Thank you Joy Ellis, Joffe Books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

This series just gets better and better. The author let's us further into the personal lives of the characters with each book slowly filling in the character. Although they are stand alone read this book is best read as a follow on to the previous one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book. You will not be disappointed, I guarantee

Well that was an interesting way to end the Alistair Ashcroft standoff. Both Jackman and Evans want to move on with their lives but Alistair doesn't make that easy. We follow a twisted path of a serial killer that is a sniper. At the same time we have to wonder what Alistair is doing. He does make it hard for Jackman and Evans to catch him. It is interesting to watch the cat and mouse game but as with all things I am glad that it is over. If you have enjoyed the other books in this series you will also enjoy this book. One last thing, I still find it bizarre after reading over 20 books with the British Cop Procedural in the last 3 weeks that they don't were guns. As an American it is natural for the police to have guns as most of our society carries them. It is just weird to me that the British don't.

*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

A new author to me.
The first page grabbed my interest. But I felt that the book didn’t maintain that initial pace. It’s a steady pace with plenty going on for interest.
Likeable enough characters who care about each other in the team. They seem comparatively well rounded individuals, and treat suspects with care and compassion.
Crime novels come on a scale from cosy to full on grit and gore. This sits on the cosy side, giving an easy going comfort read.
Generally my preference would be for the middle to far end of the scale.
I found it a stretch to believe that the first the detectives would know about a stolen hand gun from the sniper experience day is when they went to speak to the organiser about Identifying the killer.

This is a humdinger of an addition to Joy Ellis's series featuring DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans of the Fenland Constabulary with the return of serial killer Alastair Ashcroft targeting both Evans and Jackman as the police hunt for him. Prepare yourself for a thrilling crime ride with the police team having to lead with a spate of everyday crimes, including the taking of a rifle, along with the theft of pigs and a horse, could the infamous local Lorimer family headed by Rachel Lorimer be behind this? And to top it all there is a sniper on the loose, shooting dead a suspect thought to be behind a hit and run in a car park, a sniper who has no intention of stopping there. This is an engaging and intense crime read, packed with drama, and plenty of suspense and tension. A well plotted read with great characters and protagonists that you cannot help but root for! Recommended. Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.

law-enforcement, British, murder, suspense, horror, theft

Although this is the first book in this series that I have read, I did not feel left behind even though the real villain is resurfacing after having gotten away some time ago. This time he continues to target their entire department but especially toying with DI Jackman and DS Evans. At the same time the department is dealing with several poorly done thefts and an alarming sniper whose targets are somewhat unconnected except that a police colleague who has just been promoted is right next to each of the victims. There are other families involved and a bit of backstory on the major detectives in the piece. Very tight suspense in a very good story with some incredible details on firearms.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley and then purchased an audio copy because I wanted to reread it again sometime.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I enjoyed reading.
The Patient Man by Joy Ellis is another entertaining reading in the DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans police series. They meet again an old protagonist, who once again leaves a trail of dead bodies. This is one of my favourite police thriller series and they are always well written and extremely interesting and entertaining.
Highly recommended

This was my first Joy Ellis book, and I will be reading more. The characters were likeable, the plot was believable, and the suspense gradually increased to a thrilling ending. I enjoyed the little phrases and descriptions of the Fens of England. It didn't matter that I had not read the previous books in the series, I could easily keep up. Lots of plot twists and mystery. Great book!

I really enjoy Joy Ellis's books which have lots of suspense and action. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I will go back to the earlier ones! At the beginning of this book, DI Rowan Jackman dreams that his partner, DS Marie Evans is shot, and he recognizes Alistair Ashcroft, a man he's had dealings with before. He wakes and realizes it's a dream. However, he gets several strange crimes to work on. First, there is an attempted break in at the Fenside Gun Club, and then at the home of the owner, Kenneth Harcourt, where two guns are stolen. Then, six pigs are stolen from a pig farm, red diesel was stolen and the diesel continued to pollute the ground, and finally, a beautiful breeding horse is stolen. Then they find that Ashcroft is back in town, and a sniper is killing folks from a distance, first a suspect in a hit and run case, then Arthur Barnes, a man who worked at the Gun Club.

When Jackman finds that Ashcroft has been in the office of his girlfriend, Laura, a police psycologist, he becomes very upset. Evans finally realizes the petty thieving may be the job of Rachel Lorimer's family, and they go to talk with them. It turns out that Rachel's cousin who is visiting has suggested to Rachel's children that they might steal pigs, fuel, and a horse to help out the family. The police talk with the cousin, and don't realize that he is actually Ashcroft.

The suspense grows as the sniper continues, and Ashcroft becomes anxious to finish off Jackman and Evans. He involves Paul, Rachel's elder son, to make phone calls for him. Paul is smarter than anyone thought when he pretends to join with Ashcroft. Jackman and Evans race against time to catch Ashcroft, while he is figuring it's time to kill them. There is a very exciting ending.

I thank Joffe books and Netgalley for giving me this book to read and write an honest review.

A Team that's getting better. Nasty serial killer is back to get Jackman and Evans in this taut thriller set in the bleakness of the Fens. The description says it all snipers, guns, burglary, the local 'bad lads' on top of the hunt for the serial killer. Jackman and Evans are strong characters and work well together, each to their strengths. Well written and believable. Whilst this story takes off soon after the previous one that isn't an issue and it can easily be read as a standalone - you won't to though. go get the rest. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review..