Four bodies. Two weeks. One secret that's waited forty years to surface.
This is the case that could cost Detective Heather Hudson everything.
When DC Heather Hudson finds Boz's throat-slashed body on a frozen riverbank, she's plunged into a chilling murder case. As the body count rises and winter storms batter County Durham, Heather spots a pattern nobody else can see.
With DS Roberts undermining her at every turn and a team of sceptical detectives dismissing her theory, Heather must race against time to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
The case seems solved—until it spectacularly unravels.
In a violent final confrontation, Heather risks everything to stop a serial killer seeking revenge.
A gripping British detective series powered by a female sleuth, filled with authentic Geordie voices, workplace drama, and cold cases that refuse to stay buried.
Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and LJ Ross who love police procedurals with complex female protagonists and the atmospheric beauty of England's North East.
SHOTLEY BRIDGE MURDERS is Book 1 in the Detective Heather Hudson series. One killer is caught—but in the chilling epilogue, another threat emerges...
What did I think?
I absolutely loved this fantastic debut novel by Bobby Cussens. Shotley Bridge Murders is such a good read and it is set in my local area, although I have to say that I have never actually been to Shotley Bridge but I really enjoyed my virtual visit (despite all the murders).
This is an outstanding police procedural that hooked me from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The chapters are date and time stamped so I really felt as if I was part of the police investigation, although I would have been suspended for giving DS Roberts a piece of my mind.
DC Heather Hudson is the real star though, both in terms of being the main protagonist and the brains behind the police investigation. DS Roberts seems more interested in putting Heather down and bigging himself up than solving the murders. He's a character that I loved to hate and it just goes to show the author's talent when such feelings are evoked in the reader.
The village of Shotley Bridge is beautifully depicted through Bobby Cussen's vivid writing and it is easy to imagine the scenery, even if you've never been there. I was completely gripped by the hunt for the murderer and I enjoyed virtually meeting all (well, most) of the villagers. I am so pleased that there are more books planned as there is some unfinished business in this book and I am keen to see how it plays out.
Gripping, authentic and atmospheric, Shotley Bridge Murders is an amazing debut novel and a very impressive start to an exciting new series. I can't wait to read more and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the release of Shotley Bridge Revenge.
I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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About the author:
Bobby Cussens lives in County Durham with her husband and Stan, their labrador. When she’s not dreaming up ways to despatch characters in her novels, she’s hiking or cycling across Muggleswick Moor and around Derwent Reservoir.
Bobby has been an aspiring crime writer for decades, but this is her first novel. She's also written an anthology of poetry and two other books, which will be available soon. The next instalment of Heather Hudson’s adventures is nearly complete and scheduled for publication in the summer of 2026.
Website: https://www.bobbycussens.com/
Instagram: @bobbycussens
Facebook: BobbyCussens
TikTok: @bobbycussensauthor
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