The Paxton's Tower Murders (Detective Inspector Caren Waits) by Stephen Puleston is a suspenseful debut for Detective Inspector Caren Waits. The story pulled me in with its intriguing plot and well-developed characters, but there were a lot of police interviews rather than suspenseful action. The narrative was filled with unexpected twists, making the book hard to put down, though.

Caren's determination to prove herself amid the chaos of a murder investigation is inspiring, and her complex character grows more compelling as the case unfolds. I cannot wait to see what will happen next with her, especially after the revelations at the end of the book. The atmospheric setting near The Paxton's Tower adds an intriguing backdrop to the story, enhancing the sense of urgency.

The pacing is okay as Caren races against time to catch a cunning killer. The actual ending in revealing the culprit was a bit anticlimactic. But for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking whodunit with strong character development, The Paxton's Tower Murders is a good read. I can't wait to see where Caren's journey takes her next.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#ThePaxtonsTowerMurders #NetGalley

The first book in a series so I was glad to be approved. Crime thrillers are my go to genre. This one was very fast paced, which meant I just couldn’t help but fly through it! So many twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, just great!

An excellent read. The first in a new series from the pen of the author of the Detective Inspector Drake and Detective Inspector Marco series, this time it is Detective Inspector Caren Waits turn. Recently widowed and newly promoted, Caren moved from North Wales to take up her first Detective Inspector role in Western Division. She is immediately, on her first day, thrown into a murder investigation. A brilliant main plot that hurtles along, keeping you guessing, and a fantastic subplot that has so much to offer, I can't wait to read the next instalment to see how it develops

A new job. A fresh start. A killer who won’t wait. Detective Inspector Caren Waits was ready to prove herself on her first day in a new job but she wasn’t expecting a murder. When a small-time drug dealer is found dead near The Paxton’s Tower, Caren is thrown into a case that demands her full attention. Leading an unfamiliar team, she must prove she has what it takes to command respect and catch a killer! Great book and series! This book had chilling suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, action, intriguing, and some shocking moments! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

It's Caren's first day on the job as the new DI, and immediately there's a murder to investigate. Caren is a widow with a young son, and balancing a challenging career with odd hours is very difficult, but her parents have stepped in to help. A small time drug dealer has been found dead in a remote area. She meets her new team and they start to investigate when there's another murder. Meanwhile, a local man has been posting about the incompetence of the local Welsh police force. Is the murderer a drug dealer from out of town? Is the victim's brother in hiding because he knows something? A good British police procedural, disappointing only in that it had a cliffhanger ending. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I have read and really enjoyed the Inspector Drake series by this author, so was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint. The lead Inspector in this new series was previously in the Drake books, so it already felt like she was a fully rounded character. The new police personnel are already interesting characters and I look forward to seeing their bond grow in the next book. The plot was enthralling and unexpected. I really enjoyed reading this book.