Killing Rock
By Robert Daws
Rated: 5 stars *****
Mummified remains, a massacred family means there’s a case for police detectives Broderick and Sullivan to solve in this vivid, gripping NEW Gibraltar murder mystery. I thank Hobeck Books for giving me an ARC of the book to review… Discover the blurb, review, links and a bit about the author below.
Killing Rock is published next month.
Blurb
A wealthy family massacred. Unidentified mummified remains. Is there a connection?
Gibraltar is shaken by echoes from its history once again.
Detectives Tamara Sullivan and Gus Broderick face the most dangerous and elusive murder investigation of their lives, and for Sullivan, it’s about to become all too personal.
Can their relationship endure this latest peril, and will the Rock ever escape its ghosts?Killing Rock is the third thrilling novel in the bestselling Sullivan and Broderick crime series.
Quote by Peter James
‘Robert Daws brilliantly and vividly brings Gibraltar into the glare of contemporary crime-busting searchlights.’ – Peter James, International bestselling author of the Inspector Roy Grace series.
Review
Welcome to Gibraltar, where there’s sun, sea and murder in this compelling, accomplished, outstanding new crime fiction novel. All isn’t as peaceful as you may think… There’s suspicion, trepidation and danger when mummified remains are discovered; in what is a gripping novel that will leave you wanting more…
Set first in 2005, where there’s a woman’s life in danger and then 2015, when readers meet D.S Tamara Sullivan and her Chief Inspector – Gus Broderick and Chief Superintendent Harriet Massetti on the backdrop of an idyllic island, find a washed up body. It sets the scene up perfectly for this brand new investigation to begin.
From Gibraltar, to where D.S Tamara Sullivan has been seconded to, she travels to Spain to stay at former MET officer’s farmhouse. Robert Daws sets up settings and atmosphere incredibly well within just enough description to capture important moments and then balances this with layers of action that moves the story onwards at an excellent pace.
This is a book of style and substance and a real treat to relax with. There are twists and turns and mystery amongst the backdrop of Gibraltar (a place where Robert Daws familiarity of comes across well), and Spain. There are important topics mentioned about second chances, workplace frustrations and also about being strong and being successful when the odds are stacked against you and getting past certain types of attitudes. There is of course also a gripping investigation to mount and conduct.
There’s an intensity in the writing as Rudi Bernard and Izi Janson plunge into a swimming pool and their venture into the water takes an unexpected turn.
With murders and a chase, as well as Sullivan’s life in danger, there’s some great action and tension within this book, especially when suspicion is aroused within the police force when a mysterious letter with one of the employees handwriting is discovered and “ghosts” of Broderick’s past emerge, as well as the history the island have to contend with.
Robert Daws nails the whole different generation holiday desires and FOMO between Penny Broderick and her dad – Gus. I was somewhat impressed!
The book also takes readers to Washington DC and its Congressmen, where there is mystery surrounding Max and Naida. Diary pages from the late 1960’s are also found. They are written well, just as anyone would write a diary, with events and feelings etc. These are significant to the story as things take a darker turn and create another layer that weaves in and out certain points of the book.
As events unravel in the police station, there is a totally unexpected conclusion within the epilogue that, certainly left me wanting to read more. Luckily there is another book to come. which I very much look forward to.
Killing Rock is published 14th July
Blood Rock is due to be published in 2021.
If you want even more entertainment, listen in on the podcast Partners in Crime which Robert Daws co-hosts with best-selling author Adam Croft. You will discover entertaining banter and bookish chat. I highly recommend Killing Rock and the podcast.
Social Media Links:
Robert Daws: Website www.robertdaws.com
Twitter @Robert Daws
Instagram @RobertDawsOfficial
Hobeck Books: Website www.hobeck.net
Twitter @HobeckBooks
Facebook www.facebook.com/hobeckbook
About the Author
His first crime novella, The Rock, made the top of the Amazon Bestseller list five times.
The second Sullivan and Broderick murder mystery, The Poisoned Rock.
The third – Killing Rock is due to be published 14th July
The standalone short story is due to be published now.
His recent work for the stage includes the national tours of Ten Times Table, Alarms and Excursions, Blackbird. In the The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, Geoffrey Hammond in Public Property, Yes, Prime Minister and Summoned by Betjeman.
His many BBC radio performances include Arthur Lowe in Dear Arthur, Love John, Ronnie Barker in Goodnight from Him and Chief Inspector Trueman in Trueman and Riley, the long-running police detective series he co-created with writer Brian B Thompson (available on Audible now… also reviewed on the blog).
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 
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