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David Hodges
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DEATH ON THE LEVELS an addictive crime thriller full of twists (Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery Book 6) Kindle Edition

by DAVID HODGES (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,047 ratings
MEET DETECTIVE KATE HAMBLIN IN THIS PAGE-TURNING NEW SERIES FROM A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

A PSYCHOTIC SERIAL KILLER TARGETING OLDER WOMEN: THE AUNTIE KILLER.

An eccentric letter arrives at the police station from a man threatening to kill his aunts. Detective Kate and her colleagues don’t take it seriously.

But an elderly woman is found strangled in her home. “RIP Auntie” is written on the floor in red lipstick.

Then another older woman is murdered.

With a major police manhunt underway, it becomes clear that they are up against a very dangerous serial killer, who is engaged in some kind of personal vendetta. An adversary who will not stop until he has achieved what he set out to do.

But as she tries to get into the mind of the perpetrator, she finds he’s something of a chameleon and always seems to be one step ahead of the police — and this is not the only problem she has to deal with. She finds herself at odds with her boss over what she perceives as a crucial link between their man and a now derelict orphanage.

And another victim will die if Kate can’t track down the killer.

Whose aunt will pay the ultimate price next?

DISCOVER A BREATHTAKING NEW SERIES OF MYSTERIES THAT YOU WON’T WANT TO PUT DOWN.

Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Bryndza, Mel Sherratt, Angela Marsons, Colin Dexter, or Ruth Rendell.

THE DETECTIVES
Kate is a feisty, young police detective, with a dynamic approach to her job. She is plucky and tenacious, but prone to being impetuous and headstrong, which often lands her in tight spots and does not exactly endear her to her crusty boss, DI Ted Roscoe.

In stark contrast to Kate, her detective partner, Hayden, is an overweight, untidy ex-public schoolboy, with a pompous, laid-back attitude, which drives her to distraction. But he is also highly intelligent, with a keen, analytical mind and a practical, reasoned approach to everything, which, with a prevailing wind, can sometimes act as a brake on his partner’s more impulsive actions.

THE SETTING
A patchwork of fields, peat moor and marshland, dotted with picturesque villages and criss-crossed by man-made irrigation ditches or rhynes, the Somerset Levels covers an area of about 160,000 acres between the Mendips and Quantock Hills, in the County of Somerset. Sparsely populated outside the local towns of Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Street and prone to flooding, it is a haven for wild life, a wild, secret place with an atmospheric brooding stillness, which creeps into the very soul; a place where the booming call of a bittern or the beating of an owl’s wings in the mist is bound to fire the imagination of any self-respecting crime novelist, whose thoughts will invariably turn to . . . murder.

THE AUTHOR
A former police superintendent, with thirty years’ service. Since ‘turning to crime’, he has received critical media acclaim, including a welcome accolade from Inspector Morse’s creator, the late great, Colin Dexter, and he is now a prolific novelist with eleven published crime novels and an autobiography on his police career to his credit. His previous police experience has enabled him to provide a gritty realism to his thrillers and his Somerset Murder Series, featuring feisty female detective, Kate, and her partner, Hayden, has gone from strength to strength, attracting interest in the United States as well as in the UK.

DETECTIVE KATE HAMBLIN MYSTERY SERIES
Book 1: MURDER ON THE LEVELS
Book 2: REVENGE ON THE LEVELS
Book 3: FEAR ON THE LEVELS
Book 4: KILLER ON THE LEVELS
Book 5: SECRETS ON THE LEVELS
Book 6: DEATH ON THE LEVELS
Book 7: POISON ON THE LEVELS
Book 8: WITCH FIRE ON THE LEVELS
Book 9: STALKER ON THE LEVELS
Book 10: VENOM ON THE LEVELS
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  1. Book 6 of 14
    Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery
  2. Print length
    258 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    August 1, 2019
  6. File size
    1.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 14 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07VPQBMPS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books crime mysteries
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1789311594
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 6 of 14 ‏ : ‎ Detective Kate Hamblin Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,047 ratings

About the author

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David Hodges

David Hodges

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A former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, with thirty years experience in the force, David Hodges is a prolific crime writer and author of eighteen crime novels plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. His debut crime novel received critical media acclaim and a welcome accolade from Inspector Morse’s creator, the late great Colin Dexter, and since then he has become the author of several successful stand-alone thrillers, including FLASHPOINT (now out of print) BURNOUT, SLICE, BLAST and TARGET.

In particular, his Somerset murder novel series, published by Joffe Books, which is set on the mist-shrouded Somerset Levels in England and features the exploits of feisty detective, Kate, and her easy-going partner, Hayden, has gone from strength to strength. It has attracted keen interest in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia as well as in Britain. The first six previously published thrillers in the series are also available on Audible for sight challenged readers and those who prefer the spoken word, though all Joffe Books are available on amazon in paperback and Kindle format.

David's latest novel in the Somerset Murder Series, SHADOWS ON THE LEVELS (Book 14), was published by Joffe Books on 1 January 2025.

David has two married daughters and four grandchildren and lives in the UK with his wife, Elizabeth, where he continues to indulge his passion for thriller writing and to pursue his keen interest in wild life and the countryside.

He is a member of the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers and Crime Readers Associations and International Thriller Writers Inc.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,048 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers thoroughly enjoy each book in the series and find the plot unique. The book receives mixed feedback regarding character development, with some customers appreciating how it gives more personality to the main characters.

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PlotEnjoymentPersonality
4 customers mention "Plot"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the plot of the book, with some noting it is unique.

"...Love the characters, the plot (which I figured out early) and totally understood the words. Could hardly put it down to rest." Read more

"Another winner! The plot to this story was unique. I’m not going to say why. I don’t want to spoil the book for everyone. But I couldn’t put it down!..." Read more

"Great story. I had trouble with the slang. Definitely shows us again, how horrible we can be to one another" Read more

"...Please. The story was OK, but typical of all the psychopath type stories that seem to be everywhere...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers thoroughly enjoy each book in the series.

"Not a big fan of British mysteries but this one is really good...." Read more

"...Even with the number of close calls, the book is enjoyable and worth reading by those who enjoy the tales of Kate and Hayden." Read more

"I suggest you read this entire series I thoroughly enjoyed each book. It’s amazing how Kate gets in such terrifying predicaments!" Read more

5 customers mention "Personality"2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the characters in the book, with some appreciating how they are developed, while others find them confusing and problematic.

"...But I really do not care for the main character, Kate Lewis. Be that as it may, I guess the author has their reasons for making her so unappealing." Read more

"...Love the characters, the plot (which I figured out early) and totally understood the words. Could hardly put it down to rest." Read more

"Normally enjoy the series but the continued mis-gendering of the trans character George, along with the repeated use of the incorrect pronouns..." Read more

"...This story gave more personality to the main characters. Made them more human than usual and gave more of a rounded personality...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Death On The Levels
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Not a big fan of British mysteries but this one is really good.
    Love the characters, the plot (which I figured out early) and totally understood the words. Could hardly put it down to rest.
    Helpful
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  • Diane
    4.0 out of 5 stars A bit repetitive
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Kate is at it again, rushing into dangerous situations without backup, as she attempts to catch a dangerous psychopath. The killer is out to execute the aunts who tormented his life. The book is not bad, but probably should hsve been shorter as Kate comes close to the killer who then repeatedly escapes. Any one of those incidents could have served as the final moment or been omitted without much loss to the story. Even with the number of close calls, the book is enjoyable and worth reading by those who enjoy the tales of Kate and Hayden.
    Helpful
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  • Elizabeth P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Another winner! The plot to this story was unique. I’m not going to say why. I don’t want to spoil the book for everyone. But I couldn’t put it down! I loved how it ended. I can’t wait to read more.
    Helpful
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  • Mcwebster36
    3.0 out of 5 stars Kate does it again!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Well, I’m totally invested in the series now so I can’t just walk away. But I really do not care for the main character, Kate Lewis. Be that as it may, I guess the author has their reasons for making her so unappealing.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise, surprise.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Following the previous stories was not a mistake,. This story gave more personality to the main characters. Made them more human than usual and gave more of a rounded personality. Some more worse than others. The surprise at the end was truly one that was both shocking and sad.
    Helpful
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  • LORRIE MORAH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Psychopathic murders
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great story. I had trouble with the slang. Definitely shows us again, how horrible we can be to one another
    Helpful
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  • Cindy Chambers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I suggest you read this entire series I thoroughly enjoyed each book. It’s amazing how Kate gets in such terrifying predicaments!
    One person found this helpful
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  • booklover
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written Page Turner
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2019
    Many thanks to the author / Books n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

    Detective Kate Hambln-Lewis is back on the job when a letter arrives at the police station. The sender states that he is going to kill his aunts. At that time, police looked at it as a prank.

    Than an elderly woman is found strangled in her own home. In bright red lipstick, "RIP Auntie" is written on the floor.

    And than another elderly woman is found murdered.

    And yet another ....

    A psychotic serial killer is on the loose. No longer thinking these victims were random, the police now realize this killer is exacting his own brand of justice.

    Kate is unshakeable when it comes to her job. She's not afraid to do what she has to ... but it becomes personal when she becomes his next target.

    Her detective partner, Hayden Lewis, is the absolute opposite of Kate. He's overweight, untidy, with a relaxed attitude about everything. But his mind is sharp which makes him a valuable asset when chasing down a villain. He also keeps Kate from acting "too" impulsive.

    The story premise is good with Kate and Hayden being likeable. Kate's boss ... not so likeable. And the killer is nothing but evil. I liked the blending of Kate and Hayden's personal lives vs their personal ones. This is well-written, a true page turner that leads the reader to an unexpected ending.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars You never know who people really are !
    Reviewed in Germany on December 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Not one of the better ones of the series found it a bit repetative, and over believeable. Strange somebody locked up so long could survive in mordern life
    Report
  • Kris Talbot
    5.0 out of 5 stars Death on the Levels
    Reviewed in Australia on September 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Book five if the Kate Hamblin detective series. Another good read with a decent story I've enjoyed reading these books and look forward to the next one
    Report
  • Maggie Long
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It's been a while since I read Book 5 in this series but I soon caught up with the characters after a few pages of reading Book 6.
    George, who had been placed in a mental home from an early age, managed to escape. Soon after, bodies began showing up and Kate was put on the case to find the killer.
    This story is full of twists and turns and I found it hard to put the book down. Read it in a day and I was pleased at the outcome. Can't wait to read Book 7
    5 ***** from this happy reader.
    Report
  • Shirley Beith
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good REad.
    Reviewed in Australia on November 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This was the best of this author I have read.
    thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another entertaining book in the series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I always enjoy these as I live locally, but always have a good laugh at the crime rate in peaceful villages. Most of the police seem nasty, which is odd as an ex-copper is writing the books, but they are a good read. He maybe needs a good editor. A couple of times a female character is called "Jane Smith" (e.g.) and is then referred to in the description as "Smith", which of course is what the police would do, but seems odd in a novel. "Jane" is what you would expect. Anyway, the books are easy to read and entertaining.
    Report

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