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JD Kirk
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Ahead of the Game (DCI Logan Crime Thrillers Book 10) Kindle Edition

by JD Kirk (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 18,390 ratings
"A belter of a crime series" - Thrilling Fiction

When a body is discovered at a popular Highland landmark, it seems like just another day on the job for DCI Jack Logan and his team.

Except this body is missing a very vital component, and given its location - The Well of Seven Heads - it seems like someone is trying to send a message. But why? And to whom?

With pressure mounting from his superiors, six hundred teenagers baying for blood, and the press sniffing around for a scandal, the only chance Jack has of cracking his latest case is if he finds a way to keep the heid, while all around are losing theirs.

Ahead of the Game is the tenth book from bestselling Scottish crime author, JD Kirk, and is perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart Macbride, and Val McDermid.
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  1. Book 10 of 21
    DCI Logan Crime Thrillers
  2. Print length
    452 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 11, 2021
  6. File size
    4.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. Apparently, it was their job not to provoke him, and not his own responsibility to keep his temper in check.
    Highlighted by 57 Kindle readers
  2. In Logan’s experience, this was a fairly predictable pattern of responses from a victim of domestic violence—the assumption that they were somehow at fault, that they were to blame, even for things they had no knowledge of or control over. They had it beaten into them and screamed into their faces so often that they started to believe their own bad press.
    Highlighted by 52 Kindle readers
  3. She’d been doing that since the conversation had started, Sinead had noticed—mirroring. If Sinead smiled, she smiled. Sinead fiddled with her pen? Lana fussed with her fingers. It was a de-escalation technique that officers were taught during training—subtly mimic the behaviour of someone in a confrontation, and they were more likely to like you—but Lana seemed to be doing it instinctively.
    Highlighted by 46 Kindle readers
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08PT5JYX6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zertex Crime
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 452 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 10 of 21 ‏ : ‎ DCI Logan Crime Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 18,390 ratings

About the author

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JD Kirk

JD Kirk

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JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. He also doesn't exist. JD is, in fact, the pen name of award-winning author, comic book writer and screenwriter, Barry Hutchison, who also, coincidentally, lives in the Highlands with his wife, two children, and the aforementioned umbrellas.

He has no idea what the 'JD' bit stands for.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
18,390 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this crime thriller for its many twists and turns, sharp wit, and great detective work, with one review noting the constant energy in tracking down the suspect. The book features well-developed characters, and customers find it thoroughly entertaining, with one describing it as a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. They appreciate the writing quality, with one review highlighting the wonderful descriptions, and consider it a fantastic series that gets better with each installment.

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Plot twistsHumorCharacter developmentSeries qualityEnjoymentWriting qualityDetective work
46 customers mention "Plot twists"46 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in the book, describing it as interesting with many surprises and turns, making it a wonderful addition to an excellent story.

"...The mix of suspense (mystery and personal) and points where I laugh out loud. This is the only series I pre-order the next...." Read more

"...Plots are intriguing too, but I've come to discover I only want to continue a series if the characters are compelling...." Read more

"...The characters are lovable and real, the plots are riveting, the humor is sharp and clever...." Read more

"...So many twist and turns, joys and sadness as Logan and team set out to find another killer...." Read more

37 customers mention "Humor"37 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly its witty banter and sharp dialogue.

"...The mix of suspense (mystery and personal) and points where I laugh out loud. This is the only series I pre-order the next...." Read more

"...The characters are lovable and real, the plots are riveting, the humor is sharp and clever...." Read more

"...Great series, seriously great writing and storytelling." Read more

"...the perfect combination of intricate plot, characterization, and witty dialogue...." Read more

30 customers mention "Character development"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting that female characters are well represented.

"...I love how some of the characters have really deepened over time, and some changed have changed roles in interesting ways...." Read more

"...realistic, sympathetic, not-melodramatic character development...." Read more

"...The characters are lovable and real, the plots are riveting, the humor is sharp and clever...." Read more

"...Female characters are well represented as are minorities, and they are neither charactures nor ideals; they are simply other characters working with..." Read more

24 customers mention "Series quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers love the series, noting that it gets better with each book.

"This series just gets better and better - a roller coaster ride of twists and turns with a cast of characters that just get more and more..." Read more

"...Now really enjoy it. The series improved greatly with time due to honestly deferential..." Read more

"...Great series, seriously great writing and storytelling." Read more

"Logan and his team have become familiar friends. I love the series...." Read more

21 customers mention "Enjoyment"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly entertaining, with one describing it as a roller coaster ride of twists and turns.

"This series just gets better and better - a roller coaster ride of twists and turns with a cast of characters that just get more and more..." Read more

"...Thanks for the good reads. (NB I've only given five stars to John le Carre and a few of Martin Cruz Smith's)" Read more

"I dont usually write reviews, but this series is outstanding and addictive...." Read more

"Enjoyable and funny, but a solid story with a few twists. I'm looking forward to more of DCI Logan and crew." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one review highlighting its wonderful descriptions and complex narrative structure.

"...just get more and more interesting as they develop - and always a complex, multi-level mystery with some unexpected turns at the end...." Read more

"...J D Kirk has the perfect combination of intricate plot, characterization, and witty dialogue...." Read more

"...DCI Logan series are based on an incredibly insightful understanding of both beautiful and ugly sides of human beings, failing relationships and..." Read more

"As I read these books I realize that what I like most are the wonderful descriptions, the funny conversations among "polis" friends, and the..." Read more

5 customers mention "Detective work"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the detective work in the book, with one review highlighting the great combination of personal lives of the police and another noting the constant energy in tracking down the suspect.

"...you’ll never see coming, humor, tenderness & caring, humor, great detective work, and you guessed it, humor...." Read more

"...conversations among "polis" friends, and the constant energy performed tracking down the suspect. Twists and turns make for great reading...." Read more

"The team, the cases, the laughs. Logan is an intuitive and clueless detective - his intuition with criminals borders on genius; his helplessness in..." Read more

"...The great combination of personal lives of the police and there professional lives met in an explosive episode...." Read more

Laugh out loud funny... murder
5 out of 5 stars
Laugh out loud funny... murder
Is a book about a heinous revenge beheading meant to be, and I mean this literally not in the figurative colloquial way, laugh out loud funny? Because this one is. Poor Boy Band Neish, bless him, brings the laughs as the crew investigates a headless body at the Well of Seven Heads. Jack, Ben, Hamza, Sinead, Tyler, and other familiar faces once again deliver a mixture of complex humanity, relatable experiences, and empathetic handling of people caught up in a tragedy. JD Kirk always delivers a great read, but this is one of my favorite of the DCI Logan series (and I've read them one after another since April!). Very much looking forward the next installment and the new Bob Hoon series!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Bonita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Zowie what a ride! One of the best series out there!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This series just gets better and better - a roller coaster ride of twists and turns with a cast of characters that just get more and more interesting as they develop - and always a complex, multi-level mystery with some unexpected turns at the end. I love how some of the characters have really deepened over time, and some changed have changed roles in interesting ways. The mix of suspense (mystery and personal) and points where I laugh out loud. This is the only series I pre-order the next. Keep them coming - and let's see more of Dave!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • very picky mystery/espionage reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Becoming as good as Ruth Rendell, Louise Penny and PD James
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Took me a while to get hooked to this series. Now really enjoy it. The series improved greatly with time due to honestly deferential (unlike fake deferential character in another amazon-sponsored British mystery series--the difference is honest introspection, not self-serving angst, of one's warts and failures by a character and hence the author who invented the character), realistic, sympathetic, not-melodramatic character development. Plots are intriguing too, but I've come to discover I only want to continue a series if the characters are compelling. I look forward to many more books in the series. Just don't fall into formulaic. Says a reader who does not make a living writing mystery novels. Thanks for the good reads. (NB I've only given five stars to John le Carre and a few of Martin Cruz Smith's)
    Helpful
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  • Cathy McKay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Series!!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I dont usually write reviews, but this series is outstanding and addictive. The characters are lovable and real, the plots are riveting, the humor is sharp and clever. It was DCI Logan’s wedding speech from this book (thank you for that extra perk) that prompted me to review and beg the author to write faster and keep writing about Logan.
    Helpful
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  • Anthony S. Brooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Freaking Book! Hands Down the best one yet!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Logan and team have a headless body, an abusive husband, A strange kid, an abused mother/ teacher, and more players than could be mentioned without ruining the plot. So many twist and turns, joys and sadness as Logan and team set out to find another killer. Sinead and Tyler also are getting married, and Bob Hook makes yet another appearance and once again, saves the day. Great series, seriously great writing and storytelling.
    Helpful
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  • Auntie Annie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from J D, Kirk
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am fairly new to this series, but I am reading as fast as I can. J D Kirk has the perfect combination of intricate plot, characterization, and witty dialogue. I enjoy the characters and their struggles as much as I enjoy trying to solve the murder before Logan and his crew. Female characters are well represented as are minorities, and they are neither charactures nor ideals; they are simply other characters working with Logan to solve crimes. I appreciate in inclusiveness. The murders they encounter may be out of my sphere of experience, but the human drama -- both among the police and the villians -- are real and familiar. I love these books.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • deereadsalot
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable and funny, but a solid story with a few twists. I'm looking forward to more of DCI Logan and crew.
    Helpful
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  • Stephen in PA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Familiar friends and a murder mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Logan and his team have become familiar friends. I love the series. Usually read each book within a couple of days after starting (no exception here). I enjoy the banter between the team members, and between each of them and any witnesses/suspects, etc. While there is one murder mystery to solve there are several other continuing and new storylines, which I assume are addressed in later books. Some main characters play smaller role in this book (that's OK by me). Also, Tyler is subject to relentless teasing and badgering (perhaps too much).
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  • M K L
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book would be better without so much swearing. I really like the series but I do not like the language so be prepared for that
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • HJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Australia on April 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As usual character depiction and actions kept humour and anticipation walking hand in hand throughout the book. Loving the series!
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  • Cliente AmazonSandra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from J.D.Kirk
    Reviewed in Italy on July 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Am I the only Italian who’s reading all of J.D.kirk’s books? There are very few writers that can be as compelling (and fun) as J.D. Actually I postponed reading the last MacBride book, that’s how great an author J.D. is. If you like tartan noir, very recommended.
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  • Rice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rollercoaster in the Highlands
    Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Ahead of the Game is the latest in my favourite mystery series and it fulfilled all my expectations and more. Present are the intriguing cover art, all the well drawn characters of DCI Logan and his team, plot twists that are suspenseful to the end, and humour and rich dialogue that draw you into the lives of the
    characters and onto a rollercoaster of emotions from laughter to tears. I read the Kindle version and will be waiting to hear it on Audible as the series narrator Angus King really brings the
    Characters to life.
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  • Janie U
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun yet again
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Another book in this wonderful crime series and a body is found yet again. The novel will stand alone but any reader would be advised to start at the beginning and read all the books in series order to pick up the development of all the well-drawn recurring characters - there are some great people in these stories and understanding their personalities adds huge value to the plots.
    There are 444 pages and 50 chapters - slightly bigger compared to some of the others but I was expected it to be a quick and enjoyable read, however many pages.
    Immediately there are reminders of how sharply this author can write. The humour is brilliant, both through the dialogue and the narrative.
    Coincidently my husband was reading the next book at the same time and we kept swapping snippets - with him trying not to give anything away!
    All the characters are on fantastic form and they are getting even more enjoyable to read about with each book.
    Many series writers set their books in real time so the characters age by one year each time (most crime novelists write one book each year). JD Kirk doesn't restrict himself to a particular timeline. He writes 3 or 4 books each year and often starts a book immediately after the previous one, meaning that these characters could go on for a long time.
    The crime in the Jack Logan books usually follow a pattern and this one is no exception. The body is discovered early on then the story is taken over with interactions between the police characters for a while, allowing their personalities to develop. Halfway through the book you realise the investigation isn't going anywhere but then it starts to pickup with a few suspects creeping into the light.
    Often in police procedurals there are basic questions which seem not to be asked but there is never any danger of that here as one or other of the detectives is always on the same wavelength as any reader. They use humour, sarcasm and affection to come together as a coherent team.
    Working out the murder isn't hard for the reader but the reasons behind it are much more complicated and the joy of the book is going on the journey with Logan's team as they investigate.
    All through the novel there is an anticipation that Hoon will appear and the author keeps us waiting for a long time. He does play a key role eventually and his dialogue at the end more than makes up for his absence.
    Reading this book is huge fun and I admire how JD Kirk is able to balance humour with tragedy so skilfully while writing so many books each year.
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  • Volker Rosengaertner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Voller Humor, nie langweilig
    Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    In der langen Reihe von DCI Logan-Büchern ist das bisher das beste Buch.
    Tolle Plots und ein wahnsinnig guter Humor machen dieses Buch wirklich lesenswert.
    Report

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