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Iain Benson
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Jack & Jill - Too close to home: His two worlds are about to collide Kindle Edition

by Iain Benson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
A double homicide in a Manchester trans nightclub sees DI Jack Ville assigned the case.
But Jack has a career-ending secret.
Jill.
And Jill was in the club two hours earlier.

When four other synchronised murders come to light, London sends up two detectives from the Hate Crime Division.
Including DI Sara Keele.
Sara is about to complicate Jack's life further.
Should Jack tell Sara about Jill?
What if she prefers Jill to Jack?
Would it matter?

Personal and professional lives collide as Jack walks the tightrope between his two worlds. It might need Jill to crack this case, but that would unravel Jack's entire life.

Either way, Jack is running out of time.

Trigger warning: Depictions of institutional transphobia
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  1. Print length
    318 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 19, 2024
  4. File size
    2.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW99L3DZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ KDP (April 19, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Iain Benson

Iain Benson

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I'm a a fifty-something computer programmer from Manchester (UK). I write mainly thrillers, dashing in sprinklings of science-fiction, psychology and humour. Although I've written novels and shorts since childhood, I only got into indie publishing on turning forty, when the other choices for a mid-life crisis looked too expensive (I wish I'd got a sports car now, it would have been cheaper). Successes in short stories almost translated into becoming a traditionally published novelist until one publisher took over another and dashed my dreams). Instead, I moved into indie publishing with the well-regarded "Fakebook.con". I refuse to admit how much research I did in writing it. Nineteen books later, I show no sign of slowing. Unable to stick to one genre, indie publishing has let me spread my wings and choose the right genre for the story I need to tell.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storytelling compelling, with one describing it as an exhilarating ride from start to finish. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with customers noting it is well written.

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5 customers mention "Storytelling"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the storytelling of the book compelling and engaging, with one customer noting how the suspense was masterfully maintained throughout, while another describes it as an exhilarating ride from start to finish.

"I really enjoyed this story. It was part crime novel and part romance. It's well written, and I enjoyed learning more about the trans community...." Read more

"...The plot is intelligent, complex, and compelling. If you are a fan of crime fiction, you ought to enjoy this book!" Read more

"...I really enjoyed this book. It was a real page turner and I enjoyed the characters." Read more

"...This book was gripping and compelling, giving an authentic look into the complicating factors of coming out in a world that penalizes authenticity..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, finding it well written and clear.

"...It was part crime novel and part romance. It's well written, and I enjoyed learning more about the trans community. I will read more by this author." Read more

"...The writing is crisp, clear, and effective with good pacing and realistic dialogue. The plot is intelligent, complex, and compelling...." Read more

"...much worth the read with great pacing, dialogue, storytelling, and prose, though it could do with another pass of copy-editing/proofing..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mary Pax
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great crime novel with heart!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this story. It was part crime novel and part romance. It's well written, and I enjoyed learning more about the trans community. I will read more by this author.
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  • Vampire Hunter
    5.0 out of 5 stars A taut and gritty police procedural!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    “Jack & Jill: Too Close to Home,” by Iain Benson, is a taut and gritty police procedural set in England. Detective Inspector Jack Ville has a hidden life that is unknown to his co-workers: he spends part of his life as a trans woman, Jill. Another complication to his life is that his boss is also his ex; and since she is ignorant of Jill, she believes Jack had cheated on her. Jack believes he must keep Jill a secret, or he is certain to lose his job due to the prejudice and hate against the trans community. When a couple of trans women are murdered in a nightclub, Jack sees his two worlds colliding; he is assigned to lead the investigation, and he (as Jill) had been at that same nightclub hours before the murders occurred. He goes through with the investigation knowing that one of the witnesses or perhaps the nightclub’s video surveillance footage might cause his secret to come out. When more victims are discovered, 2 investigators come from London, and Jack begins dating one of them.
    The writing is crisp, clear, and effective with good pacing and realistic dialogue. The plot is intelligent, complex, and compelling. If you are a fan of crime fiction, you ought to enjoy this book!
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  • Cathy Lynn Brooks
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
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    This suspenseful thriller captured my interest from the first page. The scene depicts a cop who is at a double murder scene the day after he was there, as a patron of the bar the previous night. He was dressed in drag the night before (a secret he does not want his coworkers to know, as it is grounds for his dismissal) as this is a gay bar. The reader is taken through the crime scene, nervous that Jack will be outed. He is tired from the late night and I wondered if this would cause him to slip up. He knew one of the victims which complicates the story further. The plot thickens when it’s revealed that four gay bars had been victimized at the exact same time, and more people were murdered.

    I really enjoyed this book. It was a real page turner and I enjoyed the characters.
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  • Reid Moore
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic LGBTQIA+ Crime Novel
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Jack & Jill: Too Close to Home is a crime-thriller set in Manchester, UK. Jack Ville is an inspector leading a double life called into a nationwide murder investigation fueled by hate and bigotry against the trans community. The only problem is his potential conflict of interest as a closeted trans woman named “Jill.”

    This book was gripping and compelling, giving an authentic look into the complicating factors of coming out in a world that penalizes authenticity and perceived or imagined differences.

    As a trans (non-binary) author myself, I appreciate a book that looks at the realities of living as someone who doesn’t fit the norm. Too many books tend to fetishize and blur LGBTQIA+ issues when at its heart, it is quite simply a matter of civil rights. This book does a great job of demonstrating such arguments for equality and showing normal, healthy relationships of people being people and the dangers of demonization and reducing humans to stereotypes.

    This book is very much worth the read with great pacing, dialogue, storytelling, and prose, though it could do with another pass of copy-editing/proofing (hence only 4 stars—though I’d love to have given it 5).
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  • Tay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024
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    I found this book to be an exhilarating ride from start to finish. The intricate weaving of personal and professional stakes made every moment feel urgent and compelling. Jack's double life added a unique twist that kept me glued to the pages. The suspense was masterfully maintained, with each twist and turn heightening the tension. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Jack and Sara, which added another layer of complexity to the story. The emotional depth and high stakes made for a truly engaging and memorable read.
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  • Christopher R. Salcido
    5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024
    This is an intense and gripping read that hooks you from the first page. The story's pacing is exceptional, maintaining a relentless momentum that keeps you on edge throughout. The writing is sharp and vivid, bringing the gritty world of Manchester to life with all its complexities. The character development is where this book truly shines. DI Jack Ville is a compelling protagonist with a career-ending secret that adds layers of depth to his character. The duality of Jack and Jill is explored masterfully, revealing the internal conflict and tension that drive the narrative forward. The supporting characters, especially DI Sara Keele, are well-crafted and add to the story’s richness, creating intricate relationships that are both believable and engaging. The author skillfully balances the personal and professional aspects of Jack's life, making his struggles feel real and urgent. The themes of identity, secrecy, and the collision of personal and professional worlds are handled with nuance and sensitivity, adding depth to the thriller elements of the plot.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Susan Day
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Gems on Every Page
    Reviewed in Australia on August 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Jack & Jill - Too close to Home is a great read. One which I’m sure many readers will love. It has all the hallmarks of a powerful suspenseful, detective story and more.

    Our protagonist is DI Jack Ville. We meet him on the eve of a series of murders involving trans women. The murders are brutal, and DI Ville works with his team to solve them. However, like all great detectives, Ville is complicated and mysterious. He is a trans woman himself who works under his ex-wife who doesn’t know he is trans and believes he cheated on her. Worried about the transphobic reactions he may suffer from the rest of the squad, Ville hides his true self and stays quiet, but is conflicted and this tension and further unspoken desires that arise fuel a fast-paced and enjoyable book.

    One of the things that got me raving about this book is the authentic realism of the characters, in particular, the dialogue. I felt as if I was reading a TV script. The author’s skill in crafting such a well written piece is inspiring and adds so much more to the story, which is in itself, intriguing.

    If you are a fan of crime fiction, you are going to love this book. It’s got all the fun tropes and more. I highly recommend it.
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  • Kindle reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was taken in by the blurb and I have to say, I was hooked from page one.

    The story follows Jack, a closeted transgender detective who would love to come clean and be authentically herself as Jill, but is terribly afraid of the ramifications of outing herself. When an orchestrated attack against the trans community takes place and a number of transgender women are stabbed at multiple locations across the country, Jack finds himself front and centre of the investigation.

    To say he is terrified is an understatement. Unfortunately for Jack, his ex is his boss, and she currently believes he cheated on her with some girl named Jill. So as a last act of vengeance, so forces him undercover as a transgender woman. Jill is about to realise a lifelong dream, but do dreams always live up to expectations?

    The story of bigotry and hatred to people who live their lives differently to the majority is not a new one, but this is told in such a magnificent way that it feels fresh. We can’t help but love Jill for who she is, and I felt a real sense of injustice on her behalf for the way she was treated by her peers. Unfortunately, I believe that the bullying this character experienced in the book would be an all too real reality for anybody in a similar situation.

    The book is character driven, but there’s a solid plot and some fantastic themes woven through too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and based on this book, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another of Iain Benson’s.
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  • amr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jill, not Jack.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    For two different reasons, I have to wholeheartedly this book five stars. First, this is a brilliantly written story with engaging characters and an interesting plot following the police trying to solve a string of hate-crime related murders. I was invested from the first page to the last and badly wanted to see a satisfactory conclusion - both for the MC personally and in seeing justice for those murdered.
    However, the second reason this book deserves 5 stars is its open, honest, and moving portrayal of how hard trans people have to fight just to live in the peace that others take for granted.
    Regardless of your gender or how you identify, I highly recommend reading this book. It has all the action and interest you expect from a thriller, plus a thought-provoking plot - which should stir empathy, understanding, and respect in most people and bring shame on the narrow-minded.
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  • Elle Sie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great thriller and social realism about the difficulties faced by the trans community
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed a body swap rom-com book by Benson, so I was intrigued to read a crime thriller by the same author. I have to say, he is a versatile writer. The book opened with DI Jack Ville investigating the deaths of two trans women at a nightclub. Working from Ashton police station, and because of his profession as well as the general attitude towards trans people, Jack was having to hide the fact that he also lived as Jill, and had socialised at the same club where the women had been murdered, and had therefore met them. The latter half of the book was told more from Jill’s perspective, and the difficulties she faced as the investigation proceeded and more murders took place.

    I really think a strength of this story was highlighting the difficulties trans women face. I enjoyed the scene of DI Jill Ville having to correct people when using the wrong pronouns for her, even when through unconscious bias rather than overt discrimination against trans women; conversations such as reducing women to their biological gender, for example. The writing was so tight that as a reader, I could really feel Jill’s fear in both being discovered by those hostile to the trans community and fears about the impact on her work. It was also interesting to have the nature of police undercover work factor into the story, in terms of ‘cosplaying’ a role. It’s a really good book, both as a thriller and also to highlight the difficulties trans people face. 
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  • R Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining tale.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    An entertaining story about a change to someone's way of life and the trials and tribulations that follow.
    Some interesting digs at certain organisations and a certain well known author.
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