Reviews: The Shadow Step (24)
“As entertaining as the first two in the series”
(Hardback)
The Shadow Step is the third book in the DS Declan Miller series, written by Mark Billingham.
DS Miller’s third outing starts with a non-case, that then snowballs into a very definite case. This leads Declan, and the team, to many familiar faces. Our delightfully quirky and sarcastic detective takes it all in his stride, along with considering other very serious issues such as cake, and the impact of smelling biscuits.
Miller has fast become one of my favourite characters, not taking himself or anything else too seriously. The relationship between him, and his work partner Posh is growing beautifully. A real respect and friendship is growing, despite the cheesy jokes, from Miller, and eye rolling, from Posh. It’s lovely to see that Fred and Ginger are both well, I loved the tenderness of Miller’s care for Ginger, and her ongoing health treatment approach.
If you are in the mood for an entertaining, funny police procedural series, with an eclectic cast, and a few four legged cuties thrown in for good measure; then DS Declan Miller, Posh and the team are what you are looking for. Make sure you start with book one, The Last Dance, to avoid spoilers that naturally occur as a series progresses.
DS Miller has a wonderful sense of the absurd, and very little regard for higher ranking officers, but most importantly, a heart of gold and an innate love for animals; and I think he is fabulous. I will be patiently waiting, ready for whenever Mark publishes book four.
“Declan Miller book 3”
(Hardback)
Detective Declan Miller book 3. When I started this book I found Detective Miller and infuriating character, with his witty comments and none too serious behaviour. By the end of the book i was desperate for more of him. He is unorthodox in the extreme but his fellow DS Sara Xiu seems to have the measure of him. He is a compassionate person even when he is being less than serious. The supporting characters are a pleasure to read from the menopausal DCI to Millers buddy Imran, who is a treat. A must read story. Perfect for fans of slightly damaged police officers.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Little,Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read this book.
“A page turner”
(Hardback)
In 'The Shadow Step' by Mark Billingham, DS Declan Millar is back investigating a crime linked to the Cutler family's drug empire. A domino effect is unleashed by the untimely death of a drug dealer in a local park and along with DS Xui, Millar has to try to make sense of events.
As usual Billingham has written a hugely enjoyable, comic crime novel. Millar's unorthodox approach and sense of humour comes through brilliantly, alongside the foil of Xui. Whilst he may try to appear as if he doesn't care, his grief over the death of his wife and his interactions with his step daughter clearly signal this is not the case. This is a page turner, which retains its pace throughout. I highly recommend it.
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
“The accidental death of a drug dealer causes chaos for Declan”
(Hardback)
DS Declan Miller is a widower, his wife (also a copper) having been murdered. His step-daughter is a drug addict, not unusual in Blackpool, living rough and only occasionally deigning to call or meet Declan.
When a chance meeting in the park between a small-time drug dealer and a mild-mannered former squaddie just walking his dachshund ends up with the drug dealer tripping over his dog and falling into the pond he thinks nothing of it ... until the drug dealer turns out to be dead. Then a series of unfortunate events unfolds. Everyone thinks he killed the drug dealer, including the woman who controls all the drugs in Blackpool, and when his ex-wife's boyfriend is murdered in the front garden of their marital home it seems like he can't surely be innocent again?
This is the third DS Miller book, I haven't read the other two but I did read the final book in the Tom Thorne series (and my review upset my work BFF enormously) and I knew I enjoyed his writing so I jumped at the chance to read this ARC. Totally different, although also a detective who fights for justice - even if it means going against the establishment.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
“Tongue-in-cheek police novel!”
(Hardback)
DS Declan Miller isn’t your run-of-the-mill police officer, his attempt at humour doesn’t always go down well with his boss DI Tim Sullivan or DC Sara Xiu, and he spends his free time looking after his rats Fred and Ginger or ballroom dancing. Declan is sent to Claremont Park when a man’s body is pulled out of the lake, and despite it looking like an accident a man comes forward and confesses to it being his fault as he pushed him in.
‘The Shadow Step’ is the third book of DS Declan Miller who has an uncanny ability to annoy his boss DI Tim Sullivan. This is more a tongue-in-cheek police novel than the serious crime thriller I’ve come to expect from the author, with Declan holding conversations with his wife Alex who died after being shot, and getting advice on crime from his ballroom-dancing friends. I’ve enjoyed reading more of Declan and DC Sara Xiu and their fight to bring down villain Jacqui Cutler and her minder/bodyguard Google.
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