Open Grave by A.M. Peacock

Open Grave (DCI Jack Lambert Novels, #1)

by A.M. Peacock

In the British city of Newcastle, a pair of bodies leads a police detective into a dark place…

DCI Jack Lambert is no stranger to inner demons, having struggled with his own since the admission about his sexuality. But when two bodies are discovered entwined in an open grave, Lambert must put his personal worries aside and work the case. Then, when a local thug turns up dead on the banks of the River Tyne, the DCI’s criminal past comes back to haunt him.

Meanwhile, a local celebrity singer claims that she is being stalked. Could there be a link to the killings? As the bodies start to pile up, Lambert and his colleagues realize the motive lies in the past and the killer is taunting them—but they may not be able to catch the murderer before one of their own ends up in an open grave.

Reviewed by zooloo1983 on

4 of 5 stars

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I do love a good police procedural book and this one delivers.

The main character DCI Jack Lambert is not your stereotypical hero. He is openly gay, much to the dismay of his ex-wife, and he is growing a bit of paunch in his days but he is fascinating.

I will put my hands up I did struggle at times with the writing as there were quite a few characters in the team introduced at once and I lost track of who was who sometimes and had to re-read some passages. *Remember this is my opinion, and it will not be the same for everyone. It might just be my age lol.* Although this is the first book in the series, I felt that it could have been a second book with the backstory of a previous case of the Newcastle Knifer mentioned throughout and I felt that I was missing something, especially as this affects Jack directly.

However, I loved Jack! I loved his team! I love that this is a new series for me to get my teeth into and I look forward to seeing where the author goes with the series. I love the investigation that takes place and the two seemingly separate storylines of the stalker and the murders.

It was a compelling read with lots of twists and turns, and a good debut from the author. It does grab your attention and keep you turning the pages. And did I mention I love police procedural books. I love getting into the thick of the investigation, and ignoring the rules! Seeing if I pick up clues before them, not like I could do anything if I did!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 September, 2018: Finished reading
  • 26 September, 2018: Reviewed