Thinking that renovations of a cottage in Wales will allow them to relax,unwind and bring their marriage back on track sounds like a great plan for Kate and Hayden Hamblin but as we know with this pair that is unlikely to happen

Blood diamonds that were smuggled into the country in 1998 make a reappearance and cause nothing but trouble for Kate when she is asked to help target a killer....

Can this be the final nail for the marriage

I appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted with the Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery Series at the invitation of the publisher, Joffe Books, via NetGalley. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fully invested in this crime novel and its characters. The plot seemed a bit contrived in places. I also may not have embraced the main character because while this is book number 13 in the series, I had not read any previous installments. I can see how Kate and her husband could have developed a loyal following of readers. I will likely give the author another try in the future.

The thirteenth book in DI Kate Hamblin and her husband, DS Hayden Hamblin, are back! I haven't read every book in the series, but I always enjoy whichever book I read. They are luckily perfect as standalones as well.


After this many books, I always wonder if the quality of the storytelling will start to suffer from over familiarity. It never does, and Diamonds on the Levels is no exception. It's still as fresh as the earlier books and as exciting, too. I always enjoy returning to these characters.

This book sees Kate and Hayden moved into a cottage in Wales. They are planning to relax and get their marriage back on track. The trouble is there is only them that knows this, and trouble starts to brew.

It is a great day when I have another book by David Hodges to read. I was glad to be back with Kate and her husband Hayden. Their marriage is suffering, and this break isn't the miracle they planned. Intrigue in spades along with twists and turns aplenty made for an absorbing read. The suspense had me hooked as I turned the pages.

A gripping read that will satisfy anyone who enjoys a detective story.
Thanks to Books N All Promotions and Joffe Books for the gifted ebook

I have been a fan of David and his work for a while now. I read and enjoyed the first twelve books in the 'Detective Kate Hamblin' series. When I heard that David was going to release another book in the series, I knew that I had to grab a copy and read it just as soon as I could. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the thirteenth book in the series is called 'Diamonds On The Levels' and it was released on 21st March 2024. Overall I did enjoy reading 'Diamonds On The Levels' but more about that in a bit.

I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into 'Diamonds On The Levels' but that has more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate and cannot be taken as a criticism of the book itself. I did get 'into' the story itself and from that moment on, I found it rather difficult to put the book down for any length of time. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I had stumbled upon the truth or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. I wasn't able to read the book over the course of a single afternoon but I did manage to read it in binges over a couple of days. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Diamonds On The Levels'. I found 'Diamonds On The Levels' to be a gripping read, which certainly kept me guessing.

'Diamonds On The Levels' is well written. David certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story and then some. David clearly cares about his characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which he describes them. He really does make his characters seem just as real as you and I. For me, this story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. Reading 'Diamonds On The Levels' felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which David makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I did really enjoyed reading 'Diamonds On The Levels' and I would recommend it to others. I will certainly be reading more of David's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

In March 1998 a government diplomat is blackmailed by South London villain Charlie Hooper into smuggling African blood diamonds into the UK and is then promptly murdered after the handover. A month later Hooper is in the Somerset levels to hand over the diamonds to his buyer when armed police turn up just as he’s about to be doubled crossed by his right-hand man. Twenty-five years later the man who has been jailed for two murders he did not commit leaves prison and heads straight to collect the diamonds from where he hid them but is killed as soon as he finds them. Meanwhile DS Kate Lewis (formerly Hamblin) and her husband DC Hayden Lewis are three months into a twelve-month sabbatical from work at their cottage in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales. First Kate sees someone trying to break into their cottage at night and the following day, with Hayden away at court giving evidence on an old case, she finds a supposed birdwatcher looking at her home, not to mention also having a local artist with his band of thugs making life difficult for her. Events unfold in quick succession, leaving a man dead in an arson attack and a note of her name and address at the scene, and then if it isn’t her old DI, Charlie Woo from Highbridge CID, standing on her decking along with a high-ranking Met detective and a man from the NCA. Kate gets a brief history lesson and learns that one of their target’s victims is very close to home. They need Kate’s help to bring down a nasty brutal killer despite the damage it may do to her marriage. What choice does she have?
Again, without the usual team at Highbridge CID, Kate really does have to live up to her reputation as a bit of a lone wolf who occasionally rushes in headfirst with no thought for herself and this time she can’t rely on Hayden’s calming influence to come to her aid but fortunately finds an ally of a very different nature. Whilst it was a little incredible in places, the perfectly stereotypical gangsters made it another fun and highly enjoyable story in a series which has really grown on me and which is well worth reading from the very first book. With the inevitable fallout from such a traumatic case, I am wondering what comes next for Kate and Hayden.

This is book 13 in the brilliant Detective Kate Hamblin series but they do work perfectly as stand alone.

Kate and Hayden have taken a break from their detective jobs to recharge after a few harrowing cases. They bought a cottage in Pembrokeshire and the plan is to relax and enjoy the countryside but where Kate is trouble usually finds her.

The story begins 25 years ago with a diamond robbery that left bodies in its wake and the diamonds missing. Fast forward to present day and a man is released from prison and his first stop is to retrieve the treasure he hid all those years ago. He is looking forward to a life of luxury but he is followed and his life is over.

Back in Pembrokeshire Kate and Hayden's break is disrupted when someone tries to break into their cottage. He escapes but his charred remains are later found in a burned out caravan. The police find a scrap of paper with Kate's name and address on it and she suddenly finds herself being seconded to a secret mission one that Hayden can know nothing about.

A very intriguing story with many twists and turns and a lot of red herrings. Adrenaline pumping suspense, lies and secrets make this a very gripping read.

I did feel that the Afterword let it down a little I know it was intended to leave the book with a teaser but it just didnt work for me.

A very enjoyable read that will appeal to anyone who loves detective stories.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Diamonds on the Levels, the thirteenth novel to feature DS Kate Lewis, née Hamblin and her husband Hayden of Avon and Somerset Police.

Diamonds on the Levels did not hold my attention, unlike its predecessors. It felt contrived and not particularly plausible to me so I struggled to get through it. To be fair, there is plenty of action after a game of psychological cat and mouse, but when the reader is not invested the cat and mouse seems designed to lengthen the plot rather than offer real suspense. The action scenes at the end of the novel are startling in their violence after all the wordplay, but perhaps hinted at earlier in some of the thinly veiled threats. I was disappointed in the final summing up, although some of the irony was neat. There’s no neat bow in this novel.

I’ve said it before and will say it again. It is hard to see Kate as a police detective. She’s impulsive and doesn’t think things through. It inevitably lands her in trouble in some form or another. Despite this she is an interesting, likeable character.

Diamonds on the Levels is not for me and I hope that it is a blip in a usually enjoyable series.

This was a thrilling crime book which had me glued to my kindle for hours. It just kept on giving until the final page. A new author for me which I really enjoyed. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. You should read it!

What a heart in mouth read….. suspenseful and then some. I have enjoyed all the books in this series and this is no exception, although I often wonder how Kate puts up with Hayden.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC of this novel in return for my review.

Once again we're back with Detective Kate Hamblin and her husband Hayden, also a police officer. In this outing both are taking a sabbatical to recharge their batteries, determine if policing is where they want to be, and work on their marriage. Kate and Hayden are very different, chalk to cheese, and the stress of policing has put a strain on the marriage. One day while taking a dip in the sea, Kate is approached by a handsome man. Kate enjoys the flirtation, Hayden does not. Hayden is suddenly called away to testify in court, leaving Kate to her own devices. It seems her admirer also knows Hayden's away. The flirtation advances. Kate also surprises a man watching her home. The man is then killed the following day. Within hours of his death, she's approached by detectives to go undercover to help search for the murderer and a cash of stolen jewels. The suspect is non other than her flirtation. Only caveat if she accepts, Hayden can know nothing of her undercover work.

It's a good crime thriller. I've read several of the "On the Levels" series and they're all enjoyable and well written. Kate is rather an impulsive woman and I'm a tad tired of her misteps leading her into danger. I'm not sure this is as evident in the earlier books as it is in this one. I'm also not certain I like her as a character and for that reason I'm giving this a 3 out of 5.

Book 13 in the series and DI Kate Hamblin and her husband DS Hayden Hamblin are taking a break from policing after some seriously traumatic and difficult case. They've moved into a cottage in the depth of Welsh Wales to recuperate and concentrate upon their strained marriage. The description outlines the story of old burglary case, murder, break ins on top of which Kate's propositioned by a local 'artist' who clearly wants more than to paint her. She goes undercover whilst Hayden is elsewhere for a few days. All hell breaks lose in many different ways. Kate has always been spontaneous, shall we say, is a brilliant detective and flies close to the wind at times. Her husband is the opposite, solid even stolid, thoughtful, very traditional. Whilst they work together well their personal life is anything but. She treats him rudely, he treats her badly - disapproves of her wearing a bikini in public for example. She solves the case but I reckon that the marriage is still nowhere near solved. The case is interesting, I still wonder how a husband and wife can be in the same team and I have to say that I'm getting a bit fed up with the way the two of them behave towards each other. The scenery, however, is delightful and evocative of the Levels. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Detective Kate Hamblin #13

A peaceful summer holiday on the Pembrokeshire coast ends in cold-bloodied murder. Detective Kate Hamblin and her husband Hayden are enjoying an idyllic summer in Pembrokeshire. They are taking a break to recharge their batteries and work on their marriage. But a series of seemingly random incidents destroys their rural haven. One night, someone tries to break into their cottage. Two days later, a charred body is discovered in a burnt-out caravan. Next to the blackened shell, the police find a scrap of paper - with Kate's name and address on it. Then Kate is approached by a team of detectives. They have a mission for her - and her husband can know nothing about it.

Kate and Hayden are on a three-year break from the police force. They have moved into a cottage on the levels. One evening, someone tries to break into their cottage. But the local detectives want Kate to work undercover. They believe that Graham, who wants to paint Kate, has stolen diamonds from twenty-five years ago.

The characters are well-developed, it's action=packed, and the story unfolds over a few days. This is a quick and easy book to read.

Published 21st March

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #DavidHodges for my ARC of #DiamodsOnTheLevels in exchange for an honest review.

crime-thriller, 1998, extortion, international-crimes, blood-diamonds, unputdownable, suspense, series, procedural, multiple-murder, 2023, squabbling-partners, married, local-law-enforcement, theft, career-changes, undercover, artist, threats, thriller, danger

Former DS Kate and husband Hayden Lewis are on a three year break from active policing in the
Pembrokeshire seaside. But. There is a very pushy and wealthy man who wants to do a portrait of her. And. The local police need her undercover to find evidence that the man is in possession of blood diamonds stolen five years ago amid a flurry of murders. Just like now.
Excellent!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#DetectiveKateHamblinMysteriesBk13
Available 21 Mar 2024

Kate and Hayden are on a three year break from the police and have moved to a cottage on the levels near the beach. Kate likes to swim in a bikini, and Hayden is very upset when a man at the beach ogles Kate. That evening, someone tries to break into their cottage, but they scare him away before he gets in. The next morning, Hayden is called back to the CPS for a court case. The next day, Kate finds a note from a neighbor, Graham Lutterall inviting her to tea. His chauffeur, an ugly dangerous looking man, picks her up. Lutterall is definitely enamored with Kate, and Kate is flattered by his comeons, but wants to remain faithful to Hayden. She finally agrees to sit for him to paint her, but says definitely not in the nude!

Then, Kate is approached by three police who want her to go undercover. They believe that Graham has some stolen blood diamonds from 25 years ago, and is about to sell them. They want her to get into Graham's house and try to find the diamonds and to let them know when the passing of diamonds will occur. They give her a special secure phone to talk on.

Things get very exciting and complicated, with Hayden back home and getting jealous, Kate trying to keep Hayden from knowing about her secret case, and keeping Graham from knowing that she is spying on him. The book becomes difficult to put down!

I thank Joffee Books and Netgalley for an ARC so I could read the book before publication.

Good page-turner!

David Hodges is a new author for me! So many characters to remember!
We follow young female police detective Kate Hamblin who embarks on a special mission.
Mystery solving at its best! Enjoyed every minute of it!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Joffe Books and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I love a good mystery/thriller set in the UK with their distinctive landscape and quaint villages. This one did not disappoint, which I especially appreciate since I was unfamiliar with the earlier books in the series. It was easy to pick up and enjoy this book even without having read the previous titles. Characters are well developed and the action is non stop, with the entire plot unfolding over just a few days. There's no question of who the good guys and the bad guys are. The only question is if the good ones will come out alive.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Great book! This book is about Detective Kate and her husband Hayden, they're both taking a break from work and enjoying the summer and working on their marriage! But a series of random incidents destroys their sweet vacation! Soon after someone tries to break into their cottage! Two days later a charred body is discovered in a burned out caravan! A piece of paper is found with the body with Kates name and address on it! A team of detectives approach Kate and ask her to go undercover but with a catch! Her husband can't know anything about this! It all leads back to a stash of stolen Diamonds! Kate is on the case and the top bad guy is infatuated with her! This book had everything! It had great suspense, intrigue, action packed, murder, mystery, A bit of a who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and Joffe books for sharing this book with me! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one!