BLOG TOUR: Fatal Shot (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 6) - Brian Price

Pleasure or murder?

Was journalist Jenny Pike seeking extreme pleasure or was she murdered? Mexton police and her partner are suspicious. Things just don’t add up. Who would want Jenny killed and why? If she was murdered, then why was there no trace of the killer?

Deadly weapons

A mystery gunman is injured as his weapon blows up in his face. Someone is making blank weapons lethal. Mexton police are baffled. Meanwhile, a ruthless gangster is after a stolen laptop, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. What is on that laptop?

A dangerous turf war

Soon Mexton is in turmoil with illegal firearms, a vengeful crime boss and an impossible crime to solve. A turf war between drug dealers looms and the police seem powerless to stop it. Can DC Mel Cotton and her colleagues solve the riddles facing them without getting killed? Can a lethal conflict be prevented, before someone gets seriously hurt? 

What did I think?

After the tantalising cliffhanger in book 5, Fatal Image, I couldn't wait for the next instalment in the DC Mel Cotton Crime Series and once again Brian Price delivers a cracking page-turning thriller. Whilst you could read it as a standalone, it works much better when read as part of the series and I highly recommend every single book so far.

There's a lot for Mel and her team to investigate after the accidental death of journalist Jenny Pike doesn't quite add up and gun violence ramps up on the streets of Mexton.  I was completely riveted by both storylines, despite Jenny being someone I have loved to hate in the previous books.

As always with a Brian Price book, the police procedural side of the plot is incredibly authentic and I felt as if I was part of the investigation devouring every word as I followed the clues to the dramatic and satisfying conclusion.  I love Brian's epilogues that read like a 'where are they now' and I have to remind myself that I am reading fiction.

With short and punchy chapters and carefully crafted words, I flew through Fatal Shot and even though it had a satisfying ending, I am like Oliver Twist and still want more!  Long may this fantastic series continue.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Fatal Image (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 5) - Brian Price

RUTHLESS AMBITION

Hugh Ventham MP, tipped for high office, can’t shake off the mental image of a sordid party he attended many years ago. Any one of the people there could derail his career if they talk about it. So he must eliminate them all.

A COMPROMISING PHOTO

But someone took a photo. And one of the attendees will stop at nothing to ensure it is never discovered. If they fail, they will face ruin.

A BAFFLED POLICE FORCE

As the murders mount up, Mexton CID struggle to see the connection between them. Are they random killings or is there a link? If so, who would want to kill such a disparate group of people? And who is the mysterious figure in the background with their own lethal agenda?

With police resources stretched to breaking point, DC Mel Cotton and her team face deadly challenges as they hunt for the killer. And when the mysterious figure strikes, will she get out alive?

 

What did I think?

As with all books in the DC Mel Cotton crime series, you can read Fatal Image as a standalone as the particular case that is being investigated is absolutely brilliant.  I have read the series in order and they're all fantastic but I think this is the best one yet.

It's quite unusual for a book to let the reader know who the killer is from the start but Fatal Image still had me completely gripped and I couldn't put it down.  Set in the fictional town of Mexton, DC Mel Cotton and the team are as busy as ever with a spate of seemingly unrelated murders.  Mel needs to look outside of Mexton to find the link so she joins forces with a creepy copper in the Met.  Eeeew, I think I need a shower just thinking about DC Plover.

I loved catching up with some of my favourite characters in crime fiction and it's wonderful to see how the characters have developed over the series.  That's why I almost dropped the book in shock at the end with THAT cliffhanger - OMG!!!  I simply can't wait for the next book now!

Incredibly fast paced and a real page-turner, Fatal Image is so meticulously researched that I often forgot I was reading fiction, especially with the character epilogue at the end.  It's an outstanding book in an outstanding series and an easy five star rating from me.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Fatal Blow (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series 4) - Brian Price

A shattering revenge attack

Mexton’s Major Crimes team is targeted by an Albanian crime gang as an explosion rips through the unit’s base.

For DC Mel Cotton – the attack is all too personal

DC Tom Ferris is seriously injured in the blast. His fiancée, Mel, maybe physically unharmed but she’s dealing with wounds you can’t see. She’s determined to return to work, but is she ready?

Death on her doorstep

Mel’s latest case is close to home – investigating a body found in her and Tom’s garden, the body of someone last heard of in Australia. Can she catch the murderer? And can anyone stop the Albanian crime gang on their ruthless campaign of revenge?

 

What did I think?

I didn't think Brian Price could get better after reading Fatal Dose, the fantastic third book in the DC Mel Cotton Crime series, but he's only gone and outdone himself again!  Fatal Blow is the fourth book in this outstanding series and it can be read as a standalone as it has its own contained storyline, but it's even better when read as part of the series.

It has such an explosive start that it did actually take my breath away and I physically gasped out loud.  These wonderful characters feel like my friends and I really care what happens to them.  The danger level is ramped up to maximum with an Albanian gang targeting the police, especially when some members of the force have targets on their back.

DC Mel Cotton wants to finally rid Mexton of this dangerous gang but she has a case that is a little closer to home when a body is found in her own garden.  I absolutely loved this part of the storyline as the Fearon siblings are all interviewed and they clearly have something to hide but they are sticking together like glue.

Brian Price brings the police investigation to life with his meticulous attention to detail and I felt as if I was part of the various police investigations.  The character development over the series is wonderful to behold and they're so realistic and true to life that I almost have to remind myself that I'm reading fiction.

Fatal Blow is another outstanding instalment in this fantastic series.  It's a gripping, fast-paced and tense police procedural that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Fatal Dose (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 3) - Brian Price

Death stalks Mexton

When a spate of poisonings hits the town of Mexton, DC Mel Cotton and her colleagues are left perplexed. All the deaths seem to be ingeniously planned and the police cannot see anything obvious to connect the victims.

Is a vigilante at work?

Jenny Pike, reporter for the Mexton Messenger, seems to think there’s a link and she’s not afraid to publish her controversial theories. All the victims seem to have got away with harming people in some way. Is that the connection?

Fear from the East

Already stretched to the limit, Mel and her colleagues also face another huge challenge. A ruthless Albanian gang has launched a crime wave in the area and someone has murdered a notorious blackmailer.

How will the team cope? With a serial poisoner at large, is anyone safe?

Fatal Dose is the thrilling sequel to the critically-acclaimed Fatal Trade and Fatal Hate by the brilliant Brian Price

What did I think?

I don't know what they're putting in their authors' tea at Hobeck Towers but there's something special about the third book in a series at the moment.  I enjoyed Fatal Trade and Fatal Hate but Fatal Dose takes this fantastic series to the next level.  It is absolutely outstanding and I loved it.

Although it's the third book in the DC Mel Cotton series, you could read it as a standalone and enjoy it, but it's well worth reading the series in order to follow the characters as you really get to know them throughout the series.

I loved the poisoning storyline and the murders happen so quickly that the police are stretched to their limit.  The headlines almost write themselves for local reporter, Jenny Pike, and she has no qualms about creating panic and fear for her readers.  Is she next on the killer's list though?

I really cannot praise Brian Price highly enough; the plot and the writing in Fatal Dose are both exceptional.  This is a crime series that is going from strength to strength.  The whole execution of the killer storyline is very cleverly done and I loved the other threads of the story that run alongside and keep the police very busy.  

Clever, gripping and very fast-paced, Fatal Dose is an outstanding police procedural that should not be missed.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Fatal Hate (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 2) - Brian Price

DC Mel Cotton is back with a brand new case, the murder of Duncan Bennett. But who would want an unassuming warehouse worker dead?

The case soon becomes far more complex and dangerous, with terrorists, a paedophile network and a hitman in town. And against a background of rising hatred and violence, one woman pursues her deadly revenge.

Mel and her colleagues face their greatest challenge yet. Mel’s own courage will be tested to the limits. No-one is safe.

Fatal Hate is the thrilling sequel to the much-acclaimed Fatal Trade by the brilliant Brian Price

 

What did I think?

Fatal Hate is book 2 in the DC Mel Cotton series but you can totally read it as a standalone.  I have read book 1, Fatal Trade, so it was good to catch up with the characters again.

I don't think I have read a more detailed police procedural before and it really adds authenticity and depth to the story.  I actually felt as if I was part of the police team hunting down murderers and terrorists in the fictional town of Mexton.

The writing is word perfect and the plot is intricate and sharp; I was entertained from start to finish.  There's danger, shocks and surprises in store for the reader throughout this compelling novel; I did actually gasp out loud and almost dropped my book in shock at one point as I was so immersed in the story.

Hugely entertaining and filled with danger, Fatal Hate is an authentic, tense and gripping police procedural.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Fatal Trade (DC Mel Cotton Crime Series Book 1) - Brian Price

 

Fatal Trade is the first, gripping DC Mel Cotton crime thriller from the brilliant Brian Price.

Glasgow, 1999

Reaching the point of no return, Martina is ready to make her move. After years of being the victim, it’s now time to turn the tables.

Mexton, 2019

The small grey-haired woman grimaced as she entered the police station, dragging a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head.

‘What are you useless buggers going to do about this?’

DC Melanie Cotton’s fledgling career is about to take an interesting turn. Freshly transferred to CID, Mel is excited by this disturbing and mysterious case – her first murder investigation as a detective.

She’s determined to make her mark.

But as she discovers, there’s far more to this case than a gruesome killing, and Mel’s skills and courage are about to tested to the limit.

What did I think?

Fatal Trade is a very good debut from Brian Price.  It has one of the most unforgettable openings I have ever read - just look at that innocuous cardboard box on the cover and open the book to find out what is in it.

It's DC Mel Cotton's first murder investigation and it's going to take her down some dark and dangerous paths.  Paths that twist and turn just like the intensely gripping plot as we flashback to the past and discover a chilling story that shows revenge is indeed a dish that's best served cold. 

I really enjoyed this novel, it's brilliantly written and the twists and turns of the plot really kept me on my toes.  It's very dark at times as it delves into the seedy underworld where you can buy anything or anyone for the right price.  As with many tales of revenge, I found myself rooting for the offender and hoped that their abusers would get their comeuppance.

The characters are beautifully drawn and brought to life through Brian Price's vivid writing.  There are such varied members of the police team that there are some I loved (obviously including the main character of Mel) and some I really disliked.  I'm looking forward to catching up with them again as the series progresses.

Fatal Trade is an excellent start to a new crime series; it's dark, entertaining, and feels so very realistic that I was completely immersed in the story from start to finish.  

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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