Vicious Crimes: a British crime mystery full of twists

Discover a series of British crime mysteries set on the Dorset coast from bestselling author Michael Hambling.

Meet Detective Sophie Allen, head of the newly-formed Wessex Serious Crime Unit. She gets all the tricky cases, the ones no one else can handle.

The body is found slumped on a mudbank in Watchet harbour, washed up with the incoming tide. A middle-aged man. The post-mortem reveals he was viciously beaten before ending up in the sea. But strangely his lungs are filled with fresh water.

That’s when Detective Sophie Allen of the Wessex Serious Crimes Unit is called in. She and her team end up with the tricky cases, the ones no one else can handle.

A few days later, a second body is discovered in woodland high up on Exmoor.

Then a new lead takes the case in a very personal direction for Sophie. Back to a family tragedy fifteen years before, and memories she’d prefer to leave buried forever. This could be the case that will crack her.

This gritty crime mystery is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, J.D. Kirk, J.M. Dalgliesh and Pauline Rowson.

READERS LOVE VICIOUS CRIMES:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’I love the Sophie Allen books. She is such a believable character. The police procedural detail is all credible and the pace of the books fast.’ Readingforlife

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’I loved this book I could not put it down and read it in a day and a half. The story line was gripping.’ Kindle Customer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’Lots of intrigue, twists and turns throughout the chapters, great characters with well-written storylines kept me hooked all the way through.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’Another excellent read, this one is my favourite so far.’ Karen H.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.’ Barb Dee

THE DETECTIVE

DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She’s just been promoted to Chief Superintendent of the Wessex Serious Crimes Unit, overseeing investigations across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset. She’s in her forties, and lives with her husband in Wareham. She has two grown-up daughters. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.

THE SETTING

Dorset is beautiful county in the south-west of England, made up of picturesque market towns, traditional farmland and a stunning section of the coastline. Its beauty belies a darkness beneath the surface.