Four murdersFour messagesOne chance to catch a killer.Renowned human rights lawyer Elizabeth Maurier lies dead, her body mutilated, her killer unknown. For DI Olivia Martins and her team, it’s a mystery. For the victim’s daughter Lizzy, a poet and academic with a shaky grasp on reality, it’s a tragedy. But for Sam Williams, the man Elizabeth fired a decade ago and hasn’t spoken to since, it’s a … spoken to since, it’s a whole new world of pain.
Elizabeth’s death has stirred a sleeping past back to life. Former clients are darkening Sam’s door, old enemies returning, ancient cases reopening. It doesn’t help that DI Martins is on his case, the press are dogging his every step, and his girlfriend’s behaviour is increasingly erratic.
But Elizabeth’s murder is just the start. As Sam reluctantly digs his way back into the past, more truths will crumble into lies.
More certainties will shade to doubt.
And more innocent people will die.
Praise for JOEL HAMES
“In Dead North, Hames’ lawyer turned accidental sleuth, Sam Williams, finds himself far from home and neck deep in Manchester’s seamy gangster scene. But what stands out in this intelligent, intricately woven crime procedural – with a plot to make your brain hurt – is the undercurrent of slick and highly enjoyable humour reminiscent of Raymond Chandler, updated for the twenty-first century. Loved it.”
S.E. Lynes, author of Mother, Valentina and The Pact
“I really enjoyed it. The characters spring of the page with such natural ease. I was gripped by the story – I love a book that takes turns where you least expect. It’s going to leave me with a thriller hangover for some time.”
John Marrs, author of The One, The Good Samaritan and When You Disappeared
“Hames is such a talent that he has created a white-knuckle, breathlessly-paced read that also has heart. Beautifully written and thrilling, Dead North deserves to go to the top of any chart.”
Louise Beech, author of Maria in the Moon, How To Be Brave and The Mountain in my Shoe
“A pacy thriller, rich in voice and with gratifying degree of complexity. Hames knows how to deliver.”
John Bowen, author of Where the Dead Walk, Vessel and Death Stalks Kettle Street
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No One Will Hear (Sam Williams Book 2)
By: Joel Hames
5 out of 5 stars
The story No One Will Hear (Sam Williams Book 2) by Joel Hames is a crime thriller. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the final page. The way that the story is weaved left me breathless and wondering what was going to happen next. The atmosphere of suspense had me on the edge of my seat. This time the crime turns out to hit a little closer to home than Sam Williams is comfortable with. As much as he wants to keep the past in the past, the murder of Elizabeth Maurier brings back both memories and people into his life that he would rather not see or remember. Add in hostile feelings, threats, and the unusual behavior of his girlfriend and you have a story that is intriguing and mystifying. The book is written in such a way that you are trying to put together the clues given. It is like putting together a puzzle. I love that Sam is one that will not give up on the truth. When reading about him you feel as if you are looking into the mind of a man that has a strong determination. Sam is also someone who has strong feelings about what has happened in his life and he sometimes expresses those feelings through anger. What will Sam find when he investigates that murder of Elizabeth? Will there be a cost to him finding the truth? Read this book to find out. This is the second book I have read by the author. It is a well-written page-turner that I highly recommend. I look forward to reading another story in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
It starts with Elizabeth Maurier’s death .. or rather, her murder. This brings back a lot of memories for Sam, especially when he’s called and requested to attend the hearing of the will.
Sam is paired with another of Elizabeth’s circle, and a man that Sam really has a problem with. According to the will, they are to work together, along with her daughter, Lizzy, to put together a memoir of her life.
All of a sudden, Sam finds old enemies darkening his doorstep, Lizzy seems to be not all there, but then she has just lost her controlling mother. Sam’s girlfriend is having issues of her own and Sam is puzzled. A new reporter is stalking Sam.
And then he discovers that Elizabeth wasn’t the only victim of a serial killer. The police want Sam nowhere around as he tends to get in the way. His only ally is a rookie Constable.
This is a rather complex story told entirely by Sam. I did like that his back story was examined in great detail. I also like that he forgets that he is still a lawyer, but his way of looking at things is more like an investigator.
There are several main characters and it took awhile to understand how they fit in the story and with each other. Once everything starts blending together, the mystery becomes highly suspenseful. The ending was quite a surprise. This is second in a series, but reads well as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the Author / TBC Reviewer Request Group for the advanced digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.