This is the 7th book in the Detective Jack Macintosh series - and I have read two others in this series already!
I read Seven Days To Die - the first book featuring Jack - at the start of last year and really loved it - then lost track until reading The Twelfth Floor a few months ago and remembering just how good this series is!
I had to grab this new release and dive straight in.

Although the series is connected, each of the books focusses on a specific case and so works really well as a standalone read too, but with some intriguing characters, I'm keen to read the other books to get a better understanding of Jack's backstory and past cases too.

In this book, Jack has returned to work after recovering from a brutal previous case. Hoping for a gentle return to his desk, it all goes wrong when a body is found and the call comes in.

This is another complex case which linked back to a cold case from over 17 years ago.
It's pretty gruesome again but I love this about Kidd's writing, no hiding away from those gritty cases.

I wondered how Jack would manage being plunged right back into the thick of it, but the team dynamic still drew me in and had me felling right back at home along with them all.

This was fast paced and the way the parallel storylines flowed along before coming together for an exciting and dramatic ending was worked so well.

I can't wait to see what will come next for Jack and the team - am looking forward to catching up and grabbing book 8 soon too!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Michelle Kidd’s "No Red Lines" is a thriller with a plot that twists like a tightening vise and characters who navigate the shadowy edges of morality, this novel thrives on psychological intensity, delivering a crime story that is as unsettling as it is exhilarating.

"No Red Lines" is a novel where trust is fragile and danger lurks beneath every calculated move. Kidd structures the mystery with meticulous precision, ensuring that each revelation feels both shocking and inevitable. The pacing is razor-sharp, keeping the tension simmering even in quieter moments, while the complexity of the investigation remains gripping without becoming convoluted.

Kidd’s ability to craft compelling characters is one of the novel’s strongest assets. Protagonists are flawed yet resolute, navigating both external threats and internal demons with a realism that deepens their stakes. Antagonists are far more than mere villains; they embody menace in ways that make the reader question just how far people will go when no lines are left uncrossed.

Beyond its pulse-pounding plot, "No Red Lines" excels in atmosphere. Kidd evokes a setting that amplifies every moment of dread—dark alleyways, hidden motives, and the ever-present feeling that someone is watching. The psychological tension is thick, leaving a lingering unease that follows the reader long after closing the book.

"No Red Lines" is the kind of crime thriller that entertains, unsettles, provokes, and challenges assumptions about morality, justice, and survival.

Michelle Kidd weaves together a high-stakes narrative filled with unpredictable turns, ensuring that no reader leaves unscathed.

For those who crave thrillers that blend psychological depth with raw suspense, "No Red Lines" is a must-read.

For anyone who is into great crime books this is for you. It involves a cold case serial killers murders and murders that are now happening. What is the link if there even is one between what happened all those years ago to what is playing out right now. The man they believed did the murders years ago is currently in prison serving a long sentence, Did they get the right man or is there more to uncover.
A great book from start to finish.

I hadn't read the rest of the series but what an amazing way to be introduced to it!!! It's well written and fast paced, the characters are brought to life and have original and unique personalities and back stories. It really does have everything I could have wanted in a thriller! I will definitely be going to check out the rest of the series

No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is the seventh book in the DI Jack MacIntosh series and this was a book that I have not read the other 5 books within this series, however, I had no problem getting into and understanding the main character DI Jack MacIntosh. . . . Once I started to read No Red Lines I was hooked and could not put my kindle down, especially as it was full of great twists and turns throughout that had me wanting more and to find out what happens next. It was Fast Paced and a great crime read with great characters and a easy book to get into.

After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’

Then his phone rings.

A body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.

He’s back.

Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.

They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.

Tick Tock the clock is ticking. . . . . Can DI Jack MacIntosh and his team catch the killer before they kill again!

WoW. . . . This book was so good.

Here is my review for No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd

This was a terrific crime read and I loved the storyline involved as it was really well thought out by the author before being plotted and written about. I enjoyed the links back to a previous crime seventeen years ago and the idea that he was back by the clue left. DI Jack Macintosh and his great team working with him are well established characters as this is book seven and I’m just starting to read this great combination of author and crime series. I was hooked on this story as soon as I started to read the book. I enjoyed the detailed nature of the book which was very descriptive and described everything in detail. The story was easy to get into and I liked the author’s writing style. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I wasn’t disappointed as it has introduced me to a new crime series. The story is extremely well written and superbly plotted by the author. The characters have been well thought out. I’m looking forward to catching up with this series so I get to know the characters better and look forward to the next book.

Blurb :

DETECTIVE JACK MACINTOSH IS BACK — BUT SO IS A KILLER WHO KNOWS NO LIMITS.

After a three-month recovery from his last brutal case, Detective Jack returns to his desk expecting a fresh start. DS Cassidy hands him a cheese toastie and a reassuring grin. ‘Everything’s under control here, sir. You’ve got nothing to worry about.’

Then his phone rings.

The body of a young woman has been found hanging from a curtain pole in a vacant office building — but it’s the sinister detail that stops Jack cold. Stuffed in her mouth is a copy of the London Underground map. White City station circled in red.

He’s back.

Seventeen years ago, six young women were found strangled to death. Their bodies strung up in abandoned buildings throughout the city. In their mouths, a copy of the London tube map.

They called him the Central Line Killer. He was never caught.

Jack is now in a race against time to unravel the twisted clues left by a killer who’s always one step ahead — and willing to go further than ever before.

Famous last words - “everything’s under control.” This is a fast paced thriller which proves that policing is a non-stop job, with no rest once one case is closed, I love these characters and the complex back story, including the brother and the divergence of their fates. These details take this beyond a police procedural to something much deeper and more moving,

This is my first book from the author and it looks like this may well develop into a long relationship. This is a murder mystery starring Jack Macintosh as a detective who finds a cold case revived brutally. It is a part of a long series but the story and the characters are interesting. The atmosphere is intense and the crimes brutal all building suspense towards a climax. The story mostly worked for me as a standalone book except for a side adventure that seems to be a thread continuing from previous books and did cause minor hiccups for me, not having read previous stories. Despite this the story has built a strong interest in browsing the earlier stories being in my sweet spot of thrillers.
My only con for this story not reaching an exalted level is related to the red herring in the murder cases, the map which at the end was just a prop.

What works in this entire adventure is Michelle's control over the story and its various facets and the way she has been able to bring it all together at the end neatly packaged. An author worth reading.
Recommended.

thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
4.25 star

this is book 7 in the DI Jack MacIntosh series
i have not yet read books 1-6 but have added them to my TBR
on the hunt for a serial killer current and linked to cold cases 17 years ago
No Red Lines (release date May 15,2025) is a dark , tense thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This was such an exhilarating read, it was very intense and fast paced. A race against time that had me hooked.

First time I have read anything from this author and I enjoyed Jack Macintosh’s character.. It was fast paced with a good storyline. Plenty of suspense throughout. I would definitely read the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

What a twisty, tangled web we have in this excellent mystery from the author! Although it is part of a series, it really stands alone as a psychological thriller too. The plotting is devious and twisted, full of red herrings but had me hooked from the start. I love the characters, especially Jack and they are very believable. Roll on the next episode for DI Jack MacIntosh! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Certainly this book "No Red Lines" would keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than it! This intense and suspenseful thriller had me hooked from the very first page, and I simply couldn’t put it down. The brutal murders and thrilling suspense create a gripping atmosphere that pulls you in entirely. With a few crazy twists and turns, this brilliant read is not to be missed! If you love stories that challenge your perceptions and keep you guessing, Trust me, try it! Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for sending me an ARC of No Red Lines.

This was an easy read, and I liked the main police characters, which, for me, always helps when reading.

I didn’t realise when I requested this that it was number 7 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would definitely recommend reading the previous ones first, as there were ties to earlier events that were briefly explained, but not enough for me to know exactly what was going on. In no way the fault of the author, just an observation from me personally.

I did feel as well that the ending was fairly rushed. One minute the main character was in the back of a lorry, hiding from the murderer; next he was in the pub discussing the end of the case! We never really had an explanation as to why the underground maps weren’t linked, apart from the murderer’s thoughts saying it was just to confuse things. Which seemed a bit odd and not worth the link.

Overall though, an enjoyable read. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

I haven't read all the previous book in this authors DI MacIntosh series and have really enjoyed the ones I have read. No Red Lines is a very good and engaging read. I really like DI MacIntosh and his team who investigate a murder with similarities to an historic case that was never solved. The authors writing is good and the story flows well. I liked the story being told through different characters. The plot line is very intricate with lots of threads that had me wondering how everything would all come together. And come together it did, although I felt the ending was quite abrupt and not what I expected. If you like a read that draws you in quickly, has you desperate to know more and is full of tension and suspense then this is for you. Michelle Kidd certainly knows how to connect with her readers through her writing and I'd recommend this although you need to read the series in order to get to know the characters and their histories from the beginning.

4 stars

No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd was an absolutely gripping read—5 stars from me! It’s my first time reading a book in the DI Jack Macintosh series, and I was hooked from the start. The pacing, the layered POVs, and the psychological depth made it hard to put down. The Central Line Killer plot kept me guessing, and while the ending felt a little rushed, the buildup was so well-crafted it didn’t take away from the overall impact. Kidd’s writing style is intense and immersive, and I really appreciated how she explored the nature-versus-nurture theme behind what makes a killer. I’ll definitely be picking up more books from this series.

A solid police procedural thriller which has strong characters and a strong plot.
To be brutally honest, I found it a very slow burn up to about half way through. Then it suddenly accelerated and I was really hooked. However the ending was a little rushed for me.

Part of a series featuring Detective Jack McIntosh. Good characters and an intriguing,gripping storyline.

A very thrilling read. The scenes are extremely vivid. And you can picture what's going on just by reading it.
Amazing writing and a thrilling story

No Red Lines by Michelle Kidd is a gripping thriller that took me on a heart-pounding journey. No Red Lines is a good addition to the series, and it's good to see Detective Jack MacIntosh again.

The novel is tense as we are introduced to a haunting case that echoes a notorious serial killer known as the Central Line Killer. The author's writing is vivid, painting a picture of the city that both engages and unsettles. The eerie details tied into the murders, particularly the macabre use of the London Underground map, create an unsettling web of clues that compelled me to keep turning the pages.

The characterization of Detective Jack is particularly well-developed. His struggles with his past and the pressure of returning to a case that haunts him add depth to his character, making him relatable and compelling. DS Cassidy is a great character, along with Cooper and Daniels, and Cassidy provides a perfect counterbalance with her supportive yet confident demeanor.

The story keeps a brisk pace throughout the story, expertly ramping up the suspense as Jack races against time. The twists are cleverly crafted, and the plot takes unexpected turns, especially the ultimate reveal and how everything unfolds.

Overall, No Red Lines delivers a good mix of mystery, psychological depth, and emotional resonance, with a riveting plot and well-developed characters. I would recommend this book and this series. I am looking forward to the next installment.

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