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Michael Fowler
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Secrets of the Dead: A cold case is about to resurface... (THE DS HUNTER KERR INVESTIGATIONS Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Michael Fowler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 650 ratings
Yorkshire is under threat again in another thrilling mystery! Perfect for fans of Peter Robinson, Ann Cleeves, Faith Martin and L J Ross.

How do you uncover a secret when the person keeping it is dead…?

South Yorkshire, 2008



Though his team are busy celebrating their success in solving the ‘Lady in the Lake’ murder case, Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr is still reeling from the secret life he discovered his father had been keeping from him.

But before Hunter has time to process his thoughts, a new murder case lands on his desk – and this one hits close to the bone.

Retired detective, Jeffery Howson, has been suffocated to death in his own home.

And just before he died, Howson warned one of Hunter’s colleagues that he had information on a wrongful conviction thirty years previously.

The murder of Lucy Blake-Hall had been an open and shut case – with her lover confessing to the killing.

But now it seems the man could have been framed…

Why did Howson wait so long to reveal his secret? Who was desperate enough to kill him off?

Hunter must uncover the Secrets of the Dead before more dark crimes are committed…

SECRETS OF THE DEAD is the third crime novel in the DS Hunter Kerr Investigations series: serial killer police procedural thrillers set in Yorkshire.

‘The author is a retired police inspector with extensive experience in CID and the Vice and Drugs Squads. It is this experience which provides the strong sense of authenticity’ – Promoting Crime Blogspot

THE DS HUNTER KERR INVESTIGATIONS SERIES:
Book One: Heart of the Demon
Book Two: Cold Death
Book Three: Secrets of the Dead
Book Four: Coming, Ready or Not
Book Five: Shadow of the Beast
Book Six: Hunted
Book Seven: Unsolved
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  1. Book 3 of 7
    THE DS HUNTER KERR INVESTIGATIONS
  2. Print length
    276 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 6, 2020
  5. File size
    1.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"I need to tell you about the murder of Lucy Blake-Hall. I know who killed her!" Those were the last words uttered by retired detective Jeffery Howson, in a chilling late night phone call, to Barnwell's Major Investigation Team's Civilian Investigator, Barry Newstead; the next day he was found brutally murdered. And so begins, not only an investigation into his slaying, but the opening of a 'cold case' review into the murder of twenty-two year Lucy Blake-Hall, who vanished without trace on August Bank Holiday, 1983, and whose body has never been found. Yet a man has already admitted to killing her and is currently serving a life sentence. Is he innocent? From the outset of the enquiry DS Hunter Kerr and his team uncover a 25 year old hidden secret. Once revealed it sets in motion a dramatic chain of events; someone is going to horrific lengths to keep the truth hidden and no one is safe.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084BX8YT3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (April 6, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 650 ratings

About the author

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Michael Fowler

Michael Fowler

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Following retirement, after thirty-two years as a police officer, working mainly as a detective, Michael returned to the deadly business of murder, as a writer. His past work brought him very close to some nasty characters, including psychopaths, and gruesome cases and he draws on that experience to craft his novels: There is nothing gentle about Michael's stories.

His landmark novel 'Heart of the Demon', published in 2012, introduced Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr. He has since written five novels and a novella featuring him. He also released the first of his DS Scarlett Macey books in 2016.

He is also the author of a stand alone crime novella 'Chasing Ghosts' and a true crime thriller 'Safecracker'.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
650 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's readability, realistic storyline, and interesting mysteries. They find the characters believable and like their development. The writing style is well-written, witty, and engaging. Readers appreciate the intelligent characters and how the author introduces them effectively. Overall, the pacing keeps customers hooked until the end.

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ReadabilityStorylineCharacter developmentWriting styleIntelligencePacing
15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it a great read, with an engaging story that keeps readers hooked until the end. The series is described as excellent and well-written, keeping readers hooked until the end, and the author has set a high standard for writing.

"...as the other two that I've read, are very well written, and is a real page turner...." Read more

"...The books keep getting better and better and I think the author has now set the bench mark for his colleagues in the writing business...." Read more

"Latest book in a great series. DS Hunter Kerr is a great character and this book keeps a reader's interest all the way through...." Read more

"This author does not disappoint. I stayed up past midnight to finish this book. I couldn't sleep until I found out who killed Lucy and how...." Read more

14 customers mention "Storyline"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find the plot realistic with believable characters and interesting mysteries. The book keeps them guessing until the end with its complex murder thriller and multiple subplots. Readers appreciate the author's mix of situations, procedurals, and developed personal relationships.

"...The storyline is good but without some of the unlikely and convoluted twists and turns of some detective novels...." Read more

"...The story line is believable and got me involved. If you enjoy crime books buy the DS Hunter Kerr Series. Keep up the good work Michael" Read more

"Secrets of the Dead is a complex murder thriller with multiple sub-plots...." Read more

"...It's well written and intelligent. The perfect mix of the situations, procedurals, and developed personal relationships...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters.

"...Clues are scarce but there are plenty of characters introduced that leave sufficient doubt about whodunnit and as the story unfolds, we see the..." Read more

"Latest book in a great series. DS Hunter Kerr is a great character and this book keeps a reader's interest all the way through...." Read more

"...Nevertheless, Fowler's characters are very well developed and that made it easier to identify with them and follow along as they came and went in..." Read more

"...I would love to see 20 more! The characters are very real. All of the detectives, their families and the criminals are well developed...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the book well-written and witty. The author uses typical English phrases, but they make the situations realistic and humorous. Overall, readers find the book an enjoyable read.

"...This book, as well as the other two that I've read, are very well written, and is a real page turner...." Read more

"...It's well written and intelligent. The perfect mix of the situations, procedurals, and developed personal relationships...." Read more

"This book has typical English phrases and if you are not familiar with them you may have difficulty understanding what is being said...." Read more

"...it at the police station or elsewhere, the author kept it exciting and witty. A very enjoyable read!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Intelligence"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's intelligence. They find the characters interesting and engaging, and the author does an excellent job of introducing and updating the various stories.

"...could prove daunting to readers but Fowler does an excellent job at introducing and updating the various story lines at the right times as they..." Read more

"...It's well written and intelligent. The perfect mix of the situations, procedurals, and developed personal relationships...." Read more

"...Great book and great storyline. The characters are interesting, intelligent and draw you in. Very well written police procedural...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find the story engaging and interesting.

"...The story line is believable and got me involved. If you enjoy crime books buy the DS Hunter Kerr Series. Keep up the good work Michael" Read more

"...From the start you really like them all and become very involved. It's well written and intelligent...." Read more

"...The characters are interesting, intelligent and draw you in. Very well written police procedural. Keeps you turning the pages and wanting more!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • TonyW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, well written
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    My only regret, if I could even call it that, is that this was the first of the DS Hunter Kerr novels that I read whereas I should have started with the first book in the series, rather than with this, the third.
    This book, as well as the other two that I've read, are very well written, and is a real page turner. The storyline is good but without some of the unlikely and convoluted twists and turns of some detective novels.
    As soon as I finished I bought "Heart of the Demon" (the first novel), then "Cold Death", his second one. I hope that there ill be a fourth DS Hunter Kerr novel.
    Highly recommended.
    Tony Waldron
    One person found this helpful
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  • Chris A
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cracking Cold Case Murder Thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I came across Michael Fowler having only recently having read the author's See Them Die quickly followed by The Wedding Killer both first and second books respectively in the new Dr Mottrell series.

    A former UK police officer, Michael Fowler infuses procedural with the right doses of suspense and energy to keep his books moving along.

    Having read and liked both Dr Mottrell books, I decided to read books in other series and landed on the Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr series and Secrets of the Dead.

    This begins with the murder of a retired former detective and quickly leads the investigators to a potential wrongful conviction in a murder case decades earlier.

    Clues are scarce but there are plenty of characters introduced that leave sufficient doubt about whodunnit and as the story unfolds, we see the lives of people close to both present and past murder victims revealed.

    Even towards the end, there is still some doubt whether a) the right person was convicted in the wrongful death of Lucy Blake-Hall and b) who murdered the retired detective.

    There is some reference to the previous book in the series but it doesn’t detract from Secrets of the Dead.
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  • MickM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I have just finished this 3rd installment in Michael Fowler's DS Hunter Kerr Series. The books keep getting better and better and I think the author has now set the bench mark for his colleagues in the writing business. The story builds with many different things going on in the background. Michael's career with the police shows out in his writings because his characters can get down and dirty with the crooks and then clean themselves off when they go home. The story line is believable and got me involved.

    If you enjoy crime books buy the DS Hunter Kerr Series. Keep up the good work Michael
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hide the Body
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Latest book in a great series. DS Hunter Kerr is a great character and this book keeps a reader's interest all the way through. The murder of a former police officer leads to a 25 yr old murder thought solved and now someone is trying to keep anyone from finding out the truth by killing anyone who might be a witness. Kerr has a great team of officers, all of which the reader will get to know and love if they've read all the books in the series. A very good read for a cold winter's day at home.
    Helpful
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  • Adam Childs
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Secrets of the Dead is a complex murder thriller with multiple sub-plots. The complexity could prove daunting to readers but Fowler does an excellent job at introducing and updating the various story lines at the right times as they slowly coalesce.
    The number of characters also proved a bit of a challenge - I think if I had had the time to read the book end to end without putting it down occasionally, I would have been better equipped to follow who was who. Nevertheless, Fowler's characters are very well developed and that made it easier to identify with them and follow along as they came and went in the book.

    There are few stylistic and editing issues that distracted at times and this was the final factor that made me round the rating down from 4.5 stars instead of up.

    Definitely going to be looking up more of his books.
    Helpful
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  • Cashmere
    3.0 out of 5 stars WHY ALWAYS WOMEN OR GIRLS?
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2014
    I have read and enjoyed the Hunter Kerr books but I am bothered by the fact that all are centered on the murders of WOMEN OR GIRLS, and any of the physical actions suffered by men are directly related to the discovery of, or involvement with these women. Makes me think the author has a problem with females.
    One person found this helpful
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  • gayle
    5.0 out of 5 stars All three books are excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I have read the three books so far in the series. I would love to see 20 more! The characters are very real. All of the detectives, their families and the criminals are well developed. You get to know them all. None are thrown in for fluff. From the start you really like them all and become very involved. It's well written and intelligent. The perfect mix of the situations, procedurals, and developed personal relationships.

    Sorry for the lack of specifics, but many reviews are kind of telling you the end of a movie before you have seen it.
    Happy reading.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • antonio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing cold case mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This author does not disappoint. I stayed up past midnight to finish this book. I couldn't sleep until I found out who killed Lucy and how. Of the three stories, I don't know which is my favorite. One and three are probably a tie for first. I am now a true fan. I want to find some American versions of similar cold case novels. Some of the United Kingdom language is a little frustrating for an American reader. I still enjoyed every single word.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Gripping, hard to put down.
    Report
  • Caroline
    5.0 out of 5 stars so glad I found this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this sitting on the beach. DS Hunter Kerr is a likeable character and the plot well written, there was a high degree of realism about the book and it didn't surprise me to find when i finished that Michael Fowler was a former police officer. For the sake of the story line sometimes what would be against procedure has to be allowed i guess but in the Secrets of the Dead these were kept to a minimum (unlike some other books)and it felt as if the ebb and flow of a major investigation was allowed to come to life. Thank you for writing this excellent book.....more please!
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  • sue wells
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on July 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent read!
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  • Robbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read but a little drawn out
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book as I did the previous ones although I did feel at times it was a bit long and drawn out to what it could have been, it wasn't a gripping novel but the storyline was good. The characters in the book I felt you could relate to and they seemed to gel with each other, probably will read others in the series but hope they're aren't too long and drawn out otherwise I would have given this a 5 star
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  • tilkat3
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really like the DS Kerr books
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Really like the DS Kerr books, the character is likeable and the book has a couple of storyline to keep you interested. Is good to see a detective that is not a 'broken' character, but is happily married and not a drunk! Highly recommend
    Report

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