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Inspector Drake #3
Against The Tide
A fisherman lies dead ... A beautiful girl is strangled ... What secrets connect them?
The body of a fisherman is found impaled to the sand with his own digging fork. The small rural community of the villages of the island of Anglesey have a secret to protect. The dead man owns land connected to the development of a nuclear power station so somebody wants him dead very badly.
When a young girl is killed Inspector Drake struggles to find a motive. Is she connected to the fisherman’s death? With money and lots of it involved is it simply money at stake? Or are there more complex motives involved? And with the proposed nuclear power station causing massive controversy the local community is reluctant to share its secrets. And how far will people go to protect their way of life and language?
When a witness tells the police about a paedophile ring Drake may have his answer. Back on duty after the recent death of his father Drake has to face his own family battles as he fights to identify the killer and prevent more deaths.
˃˃˃ Inspector DrakeAgainst The Tide is the 3rd Inspector Drake mystery. The first Brass in Pocket was a No 1 bestseller in the British Detective category on Amazon Kindle UK.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Stephen Puleston
28 books284 followersI write mysteries and thrillers.
I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.
My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.
Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/
I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.
I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA
I have published the first novel in a series featuring Inspector Drake based in North Wales and also the first in a series with Inspector John Marco based in Cardiff. The first Drake mystery is called BRASS IN POCKET and the second WORSE THAN DEAD. The third, AGAINST THE TIDE.
My second detective is Inspector Marco who comes from an Italian/Welsh background and he lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The first Inspector Marco novel SPEECHLESS has been published on Amazon and the second and third in the series will be published in 2015.
Before turning to crime fiction I had written three other unpublished novels and you can read about my writing and about Wales, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, on my website http://www.stephenpuleston.co.uk/
I was brought up on the Isle of Anglesey, off the North Wales coast and went to school in Holyhead. After a degree in Theology from London University I decided to train as a lawyer and returned to work in the practice run by my father on Anglesey. For many years I worked as a lawyer in a small practice representing clients in the criminal courts and doing divorce work all of which has given me valuable raw material for my novels.
I still live and work in North Wales where the Inspector Drake novels are set.
You can contact me on twitter @stephenpuleston or @inspector_marco
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/17G6iIA
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 7, 2016
This is the third Inspector Drake novel I’ve read and is probably the best of the three. The devolution of Drake’s life continues as he remains in therapy to cope with a past murder case, tries to come to grip with his OCD rituals, recovers from the recent death of his father, and experiences marital problems which lead to a separation. As he tries to keep his life from exploding to pieces, he is assigned a gruesome murder case in a small Welsh community that begins with a man pinned to the beach by a gardening fork through the neck. It becomes a high-profile case because of unscrupulous media muckraking, a government energy project worth millions, and the apparent involvement of several rich and powerful people. Drake must seek the killer, even as he is prevented from stepping on important toes by a “special advisor” from the British government. Once again, the author gives us a story that is as character-driven as it is plot-driven, an engaging mystery, and a vivid picture of Wales. I’m quite pleased to add the Inspector Drake novels to my short list of favorites. They offer all I look for in British detective novels, but have the added bonus of being set in my ancestral Wales.
July 12, 2019
This is the third outing for Inspector Ian Drake. This time the action centres around the small, tightly knit, rural communities on the island of Anglesey.
Inspector Drake is struggling with his worsening OCD, his failing marriage and the recent death of his father. He then finds himself enmeshed in a series of murders that may or may not be related. Drake and his team have a plethora of suspects and motives and face a race against the clock before the killer strikes again.
I enjoyed this third book in the series more than the previous two, (which were both very good I might add!), because I felt the writing was tighter and the tension was ratcheted up, especially near the end. The enjoyment was enhanced by the consummate narration from Richard Elfyn, who managed “upper class English twit” as realistically as Angleseyian(?) Welsh dialect.
I look forward to reading Drake book 4 and thoroughly recommend the series.
Inspector Drake is struggling with his worsening OCD, his failing marriage and the recent death of his father. He then finds himself enmeshed in a series of murders that may or may not be related. Drake and his team have a plethora of suspects and motives and face a race against the clock before the killer strikes again.
I enjoyed this third book in the series more than the previous two, (which were both very good I might add!), because I felt the writing was tighter and the tension was ratcheted up, especially near the end. The enjoyment was enhanced by the consummate narration from Richard Elfyn, who managed “upper class English twit” as realistically as Angleseyian(?) Welsh dialect.
I look forward to reading Drake book 4 and thoroughly recommend the series.
August 30, 2019
Against the Tide is book three in the Inspector Drake Mystery series and quite possibly the best one yet! Drake has a lot going on in his personal life in this book, he is struggling with his worsening OCD, his failing marriage and the recent death of his father, he is really trying to stop his life spiralling out of his control when he is giving the task of a gruesome murder in a sleepy little Welsh village.
With a whole host of suspects and a series of seemingly unrelated murders. this book really tests Drake and his team as they narrow down the killer or killers.
Yet again Richard Elfyn brings this Welsh Detective and the host of characters to life, I have loved him narrating this series and hearing his welsh accent come through. Again this was a crisp and clear production.
With a whole host of suspects and a series of seemingly unrelated murders. this book really tests Drake and his team as they narrow down the killer or killers.
Yet again Richard Elfyn brings this Welsh Detective and the host of characters to life, I have loved him narrating this series and hearing his welsh accent come through. Again this was a crisp and clear production.
January 20, 2018
Inspector Ian Drake is fighting his own family battles – a split in his marriage, the recent death of his father, and the rising strength of his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while having to uncover what connects the death of a fisherman and a beautiful young girl and the planned construction of a nuclear power plant. The villagers in Anglesey are deeply divided by the plant, and they have their own secrets to protect, complicating the case for Drake.
I admire Drake for struggling so at home, but still being able to hit his marks at work. It’s interesting to me that the very thing that makes him such a good detective at work is the thing that is crippling his home life. I can feel the pull of him wanting to, needing to engage in his “rituals” (the positioning of his daughters’ photos just so on his desk, the organizing of the various Post-it notes, the coffee making, the completion of Sudoku squares) while hating himself for needing to do those things before he can focus on the task at hand. He’s not perfect, but he tries very hard, and that counts for something in my book.
I thoroughly enjoy this series. The author gives equal weight to the development of the characters, the settings, and the mystery. I feel like I am speeding in the car next to Drake and his partner on the way to a crime scene, right there in the room while questioning a suspect, or squirming in a chair at the kitchen table while his wife, a GP who should know better, dismisses his compulsions and is angry at him for being consumed by his cases. I can't wait to get book 4 so I can find out what happens to his marriage, and how his team will change when his partner gives birth. Oh, I find these best read in order, because of the character development.
I admire Drake for struggling so at home, but still being able to hit his marks at work. It’s interesting to me that the very thing that makes him such a good detective at work is the thing that is crippling his home life. I can feel the pull of him wanting to, needing to engage in his “rituals” (the positioning of his daughters’ photos just so on his desk, the organizing of the various Post-it notes, the coffee making, the completion of Sudoku squares) while hating himself for needing to do those things before he can focus on the task at hand. He’s not perfect, but he tries very hard, and that counts for something in my book.
I thoroughly enjoy this series. The author gives equal weight to the development of the characters, the settings, and the mystery. I feel like I am speeding in the car next to Drake and his partner on the way to a crime scene, right there in the room while questioning a suspect, or squirming in a chair at the kitchen table while his wife, a GP who should know better, dismisses his compulsions and is angry at him for being consumed by his cases. I can't wait to get book 4 so I can find out what happens to his marriage, and how his team will change when his partner gives birth. Oh, I find these best read in order, because of the character development.
December 26, 2024
The island of Anglesey is not normally associated with cold-blooded murder, but one morning a local fisherman is found on a beach with a garden fork through his neck and DI Drake and team must try and figure out why he was killed. A small community harbours secrets and in this case the proposed development of a nuclear power station has split the local inhabitants with some wanting the jobs that has been promised to locals while others want to maintain the natural beauty of the area. It is soon clear that motives abound and another murder soon adds to the pressure on the team. It is clear the author knows and loves the area which provides so much additional depth to these books, highly recommend the series.
April 29, 2021
Gruesome murders, pedophiles, many, many suspects, most of whom get arrested at some point. But Inspector Drake perseveres through his personal issues (OCD, marital problems) and in the end nabs the murderer.
July 3, 2022
Another great book in the series. Three murders, but is there more than one killer. Drake and his team have their work cut out for them.
December 5, 2019
It is a while since i read the other two in the series and they are not very clear in my Memory. Set in Wales in the area around Anglesey. Inspector Drake is returning to work after medical leave. He has what appears to be an obsessive personality that he appears to be attempting to control but which isn't helped by the fact that within hours of his return he is embroiled in a murder case involving people of prominence who don't seem entirely innocent themselves. His obsessiveness extends to his desire to clear up his rapidly increasing body count. There are many threads to this mystery which is readable but not one of the best
August 15, 2015
There are at least 20 characters you need to keep track of in this clever, but mind boggling mystery. I thought about giving two stars for this reason.
September 21, 2016
Some light reading for vacation, a chance to learn some Welsh, I'm glad the author lightened up on the OCD stuff. Nice balance of characters.
October 5, 2019
Note: This is Book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand alone.
Inspector Drake returns! Book 1 was great, book 2 was good, and Book 3 takes the series back to great. The story starts with a gruesome murder – a pitchfork! Yep! But there’s very few clues, at least until another body turns up (no pitchfork tho). But that murder has a lot of questions, a lot of hints of more crime going on behind the scenes. There was a lot of delicious suspense in this novel. I really enjoyed being kept on tenterhooks for certain sections of the story.
The tale also explores the personal lives of Drake and Caryn Waites. Ian Drake’s home life isn’t so homey. He is rarely home when a murder investigation has come up. His wife, who has her own career and the two kids to manage, is tired of Ian not being physically and emotionally available. In truth, these small parts were a little boring for me. I think this is because we see almost everything thru Ian’s eyes (a few short moments are told from Caryn’s point of view) and so we never really learn about Ian’s wife as a whole person. She simply comes off as cold and uncaring of what Ian is going through.
Still, I’m here for the murder mystery and enjoy Ian’s thought processes that let him track down the killer. Toss in some politicians, local concern over an incoming nuclear power plant, and a pedophile ring, you’ve got a heck of a story! I really liked concerns over preserving Welsh customs and language too because that made it very personable. Small and large actions shape our traditions, as Ian has to face that with his kids concerning whether they should be in a Welsh or English school.
All around, it kept me entertained & I look forward to more mysteries from Stephen Puleston. 4.75/5 stars.
The Narration: Richard Elfyn continues to bring these mysteries to life. His regional accents and pronunciation of proper Welsh names is very good. Each character has a distinct voice and his female voices are believable. The pacing is spot on and there were no tech issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Puleston. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Inspector Drake returns! Book 1 was great, book 2 was good, and Book 3 takes the series back to great. The story starts with a gruesome murder – a pitchfork! Yep! But there’s very few clues, at least until another body turns up (no pitchfork tho). But that murder has a lot of questions, a lot of hints of more crime going on behind the scenes. There was a lot of delicious suspense in this novel. I really enjoyed being kept on tenterhooks for certain sections of the story.
The tale also explores the personal lives of Drake and Caryn Waites. Ian Drake’s home life isn’t so homey. He is rarely home when a murder investigation has come up. His wife, who has her own career and the two kids to manage, is tired of Ian not being physically and emotionally available. In truth, these small parts were a little boring for me. I think this is because we see almost everything thru Ian’s eyes (a few short moments are told from Caryn’s point of view) and so we never really learn about Ian’s wife as a whole person. She simply comes off as cold and uncaring of what Ian is going through.
Still, I’m here for the murder mystery and enjoy Ian’s thought processes that let him track down the killer. Toss in some politicians, local concern over an incoming nuclear power plant, and a pedophile ring, you’ve got a heck of a story! I really liked concerns over preserving Welsh customs and language too because that made it very personable. Small and large actions shape our traditions, as Ian has to face that with his kids concerning whether they should be in a Welsh or English school.
All around, it kept me entertained & I look forward to more mysteries from Stephen Puleston. 4.75/5 stars.
The Narration: Richard Elfyn continues to bring these mysteries to life. His regional accents and pronunciation of proper Welsh names is very good. Each character has a distinct voice and his female voices are believable. The pacing is spot on and there were no tech issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Puleston. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
July 15, 2019
Murder in Anglesey.
I think I'm going to start this review by mentioning the audiobook narrator, Richard Elfyn, because he made such light work of all the Welsh place names and characters, which would have been so totally mispronounced if I'd been reading. Unless you are Welsh, this is definitely a book to listen to. My husband is Welsh and our daughter-in-law is Welsh speaking, which added to the setting for me.
This is the fourth Inspector Drake novel I've listened to and I'm getting quite found of the crotchety old grump. In earlier books his OCD annoyed me a bit, but I can't help respecting that he's now recognised the problem and is making a valiant attempt to control it. The author also makes less reference to his issues, which helps. He is missing his father, who was sick in the last book and has now died, and his wife is losing patience with him. So he is under a lot of personal stress when this latest case drops onto his lap.
A body is found on the beach impaled by a garden fork and Drake and Ceren, his sidekick, are called to the scene. This is only the first victim, however, and Drake must sift through a plethora of conflicting evidence to identify murderer and motive. There is a plan to build a nuclear power plant in the area and townsfolk vary in their response to this; some are set to gain financially, while others are set against it for a variety of reasons. Evidence of a pedophile ring comes to light, implicating some powerful people and Drake must step carefully.
All of this is complicated by an irritating, pushy journalist and a leak from 'inside'.
This is a series that is maturing as it progresses and I shall certainly continue to follow Inspector Drake. For me, there were rather too many characters and I got confused, with the Welsh names adding to this, but for more experienced mystery lovers this would be a great read.
I think I'm going to start this review by mentioning the audiobook narrator, Richard Elfyn, because he made such light work of all the Welsh place names and characters, which would have been so totally mispronounced if I'd been reading. Unless you are Welsh, this is definitely a book to listen to. My husband is Welsh and our daughter-in-law is Welsh speaking, which added to the setting for me.
This is the fourth Inspector Drake novel I've listened to and I'm getting quite found of the crotchety old grump. In earlier books his OCD annoyed me a bit, but I can't help respecting that he's now recognised the problem and is making a valiant attempt to control it. The author also makes less reference to his issues, which helps. He is missing his father, who was sick in the last book and has now died, and his wife is losing patience with him. So he is under a lot of personal stress when this latest case drops onto his lap.
A body is found on the beach impaled by a garden fork and Drake and Ceren, his sidekick, are called to the scene. This is only the first victim, however, and Drake must sift through a plethora of conflicting evidence to identify murderer and motive. There is a plan to build a nuclear power plant in the area and townsfolk vary in their response to this; some are set to gain financially, while others are set against it for a variety of reasons. Evidence of a pedophile ring comes to light, implicating some powerful people and Drake must step carefully.
All of this is complicated by an irritating, pushy journalist and a leak from 'inside'.
This is a series that is maturing as it progresses and I shall certainly continue to follow Inspector Drake. For me, there were rather too many characters and I got confused, with the Welsh names adding to this, but for more experienced mystery lovers this would be a great read.
July 12, 2019
This is the third DI Drake book, and I think it’s my favourite so far. This time DI Drake has more than his share of problems. He is still grieving for the death of his father, his marriage appears to be on the rocks and his OCD is getting worse. Then on top of this there is a serial killer on the loose on Anglesey and DI Drake is the officer in charge.
Once again Stephen Puleston delivers an exciting page-turner with a cracking plot and fantastic characters. I enjoyed Drake's development in this book. When I read the first book in the series I wasn’t sure I liked him very much, but he has definitely grown on me. The plot is quite intricate and there’s quite a big cast of characters to get your head around but it’s a real page-turner. And of course the setting of Anglesey plays a big part in the book. This is a cracking police procedural and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
I listened to the Audible version, which once again was narrated superbly by Richard Elfyn.
Once again Stephen Puleston delivers an exciting page-turner with a cracking plot and fantastic characters. I enjoyed Drake's development in this book. When I read the first book in the series I wasn’t sure I liked him very much, but he has definitely grown on me. The plot is quite intricate and there’s quite a big cast of characters to get your head around but it’s a real page-turner. And of course the setting of Anglesey plays a big part in the book. This is a cracking police procedural and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
I listened to the Audible version, which once again was narrated superbly by Richard Elfyn.
March 22, 2018
Against the Tide - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Stephen Puleston's brilliant second Detective Inspector Drake novel surpasses even the first, which was excellent. With a whole shoal of red herrings and the customary flashes of brilliance from Drake and his side-kick Detective Sergeant Ceren Waites, the story races along at breakneck speed, as our 'Welsh Poirot' sorts the clues from the misinformation by trawling through the town full of suspects and possible witnesses, to sift the nuggets of truth from the riverbed of his overwhelming OCD and the break-up of his marriage.
Three murders, two killers, orgies, a paedophile ring, rape and sexual abuse, adultery, blackmail and extortion are set against the background of beautiful scenery on Anglesey, where townsfolk protest against the installation of a nuclear plant, while others secretly plot to selfishly profit from it. This exciting page-turner will keep the eager murder-mystery lover up all night - you have been warned!
Stephen Puleston's brilliant second Detective Inspector Drake novel surpasses even the first, which was excellent. With a whole shoal of red herrings and the customary flashes of brilliance from Drake and his side-kick Detective Sergeant Ceren Waites, the story races along at breakneck speed, as our 'Welsh Poirot' sorts the clues from the misinformation by trawling through the town full of suspects and possible witnesses, to sift the nuggets of truth from the riverbed of his overwhelming OCD and the break-up of his marriage.
Three murders, two killers, orgies, a paedophile ring, rape and sexual abuse, adultery, blackmail and extortion are set against the background of beautiful scenery on Anglesey, where townsfolk protest against the installation of a nuclear plant, while others secretly plot to selfishly profit from it. This exciting page-turner will keep the eager murder-mystery lover up all night - you have been warned!
December 16, 2020
The gruesome murder of a fisherman, a young girl strangled and the construction of a new nuclear plant are at the heart of this gritty, dark story.
Inspector Drake must find what links these events while battling his own personal problems. And those are really burdening him: his father's death haunts him, his family is breaking apart and his OCD is getting worse in spite of his therapy sessions.
The plot here is, as usual, tight and involving; the writing, really good; the characters engaging and evolving in each book. It's hard to read for moments because the storyline deals with powerful people who feel that they are allowed to do whatever they want because of that power, and because we can see how much Drake is struggling with both, the case and his personal life. But there is a sliver of hope at the end that sheds some light in the obscurity :D
Richard Elfyn does a good job with the narration, although some of the kids' voices are less than nice :P
Inspector Drake must find what links these events while battling his own personal problems. And those are really burdening him: his father's death haunts him, his family is breaking apart and his OCD is getting worse in spite of his therapy sessions.
The plot here is, as usual, tight and involving; the writing, really good; the characters engaging and evolving in each book. It's hard to read for moments because the storyline deals with powerful people who feel that they are allowed to do whatever they want because of that power, and because we can see how much Drake is struggling with both, the case and his personal life. But there is a sliver of hope at the end that sheds some light in the obscurity :D
Richard Elfyn does a good job with the narration, although some of the kids' voices are less than nice :P
October 29, 2020
Stephen Puleston’s Inspector Ian Drake is a firm favourite of mine and has been right from the start of Brass In Pocket, book one of this series. Each book is written with the same skill and attention to detail. This time Drake is investigating a murder that has taken place on a beach, hence the title. Drake finds a lot of people know a lot about each other in the tight Anglesey community where the crime takes place. As old secrets are revealed another body turns up. That’s not all that Drake has to deal with though as he grieves for his late father who recently passed away. Then there’s his compulsive ‘routines’ which are causing him problems. Working long hours on the case also starts to affect his home life. Stephen Puleston takes each of these threads and weaves them into a compelling story that digs its hooks in and refuses to let go until the end.
April 3, 2023
I don’t speak Welsh
I enjoyed this book as well as the first two books in the series but I find myself extremely frustrated with the main character DI Drake’s frequent complaints about people who mispronounce Welsh names of people and places. If that’s a problem, please provide the correct pronunciation!
As a person who grew up speaking American English, adequate Spanish, and high school German I am definitely among those who would mutilate the Welsh language. I tried to find pronunciation guides, but on the rare occasions they were available, I didn’t recognize all of the symbols. Please provide a correct and if necessary phonetic glossary at the beginning or end of the books.
I enjoyed this book as well as the first two books in the series but I find myself extremely frustrated with the main character DI Drake’s frequent complaints about people who mispronounce Welsh names of people and places. If that’s a problem, please provide the correct pronunciation!
As a person who grew up speaking American English, adequate Spanish, and high school German I am definitely among those who would mutilate the Welsh language. I tried to find pronunciation guides, but on the rare occasions they were available, I didn’t recognize all of the symbols. Please provide a correct and if necessary phonetic glossary at the beginning or end of the books.
July 23, 2019
The third Inspector Drake book finds him with worsening OCD following the death of his father and his marriage under threat as his wife loses patience with his issues. When Ed Mostyn is found dead on the beach Inspector Ian Drake and his colleague Caren Waits are assigned the case. Ed has refused to sell a small piece of land to developers who are intending to build a Nuclear Power Plant, stopping his immediate neighbours from selling their much larger areas of land for substantial sums. Is this the motive? Another body is discovered, that of a young woman, and the town’s dark secrets start to emerge. Another excellent story with fantastic narration from Richard Elfyn.
August 7, 2017
Good - just longer than necessary
DCI Ian Drake has issues, he suffers from OCD to the point where it's affecting his marriage to a GP, Sian Drake. Since the death of his father (brought up constantly, but never explained), the OCD has gotten worse.
There's murders right and left in a small Welsh Village, where everyone knows when everyone else is going to the bathroom. But that said, many of the young girls in this village have been passed around like smarties to members of a rather odd club.
It's not a great book, but it's not easily figured out.
DCI Ian Drake has issues, he suffers from OCD to the point where it's affecting his marriage to a GP, Sian Drake. Since the death of his father (brought up constantly, but never explained), the OCD has gotten worse.
There's murders right and left in a small Welsh Village, where everyone knows when everyone else is going to the bathroom. But that said, many of the young girls in this village have been passed around like smarties to members of a rather odd club.
It's not a great book, but it's not easily figured out.
September 30, 2020
Inspector Drake and his team take on a series of murders in a local Welsh team which has Drake at his wits end as the investigation proceeds. Along with all of Drake’s personal issues – his need for obsessive compulsions for order - and the recent loss of his father he begins having marital problems. This story is action-packed and filled with a number of twists that keep your interest until the final resolution. Of the three Ian Drake audiobooks this is without a doubt the best. Once again Richard Elfyn’s narration brings this story to life.
October 29, 2020
This latest instalment of the Inspector Drake books has Drake looking into the murder of a fisherman and a young girl. What seems to be separate murders slowly evolves into a wider investigation. Drake's personal life is slowly unraveling throughout case.
As usual, Puleston creates an in-depth, detailed book, allowing the reader into the thoughts of the investigators and how they solve the crime.
One problem I have with the narrator is the fact that he doesn't pause between sections, so there has been abrupt shifts in scene without any apparent reason.
As usual, Puleston creates an in-depth, detailed book, allowing the reader into the thoughts of the investigators and how they solve the crime.
One problem I have with the narrator is the fact that he doesn't pause between sections, so there has been abrupt shifts in scene without any apparent reason.
December 31, 2020
This is a wonderful police procedural set in modern-day Wales. The protagonist, Inspector Drake, is a very relatable character, very well-drawn and true. He is struggling in his personal life and working tirelessly in his job. The writing is excellent, the plot compelling, and the narrator perfect. (I read the audio version.) I now want to systematically read my way through all the books in this series! This author eadily holds his own against an author such as Michael Connelly. I cannot recommend it enough!
March 13, 2019
Another great mystery!
D I Drake and his team solve another series of puzzling murders. This is another complicated situation with too many suspects and too many conflicting clues. It is exciting, lots of dogged police work, and necessity of following correct police procedure. There is a great solution, which was completely unexpected. Personal events effect all team members, as well.
D I Drake and his team solve another series of puzzling murders. This is another complicated situation with too many suspects and too many conflicting clues. It is exciting, lots of dogged police work, and necessity of following correct police procedure. There is a great solution, which was completely unexpected. Personal events effect all team members, as well.
July 20, 2019
Audiobook review
As Drake goes into investigation mode he finds his own life as heady and busy.
He is investigating a murder and as the plot thickens he’s head 1st into a mix of land, business and deep drawn mayhem.
Personally he’s lost his father who was ill and his wife, has had enough. He’s got a lot on and I have to say he’s becoming one of my favourite police characters. Grumps and all.
Narrator was great too. A def plus to keeping the story going
As Drake goes into investigation mode he finds his own life as heady and busy.
He is investigating a murder and as the plot thickens he’s head 1st into a mix of land, business and deep drawn mayhem.
Personally he’s lost his father who was ill and his wife, has had enough. He’s got a lot on and I have to say he’s becoming one of my favourite police characters. Grumps and all.
Narrator was great too. A def plus to keeping the story going
July 27, 2019
Another winning story in the Inspector Drake series. The winding plot moves at a crisp pace keeping the reader right on edge! Ian Drake’s quirks and family issues are so well woven into the story line as to create a very real and believable character. The narration is spot on! Just as one would imagine it to be! Richard Elfyn made one of my favorite litany characters come to life! Well gone Gentlemen!
July 27, 2019
Another Inspector Drake Hit!
Another winning story in the Inspector Drake series. The winding plot moves at a crisp pace keeping the reader right on edge! Ian Drake’s quirks and family issues are so well woven into the story line as to create a very real and believable character. The narration is spot on! Just as one would imagine it to be! Richard Elfyn made one of my favorite litany characters come to life! Well gone Gentlemen!
Another winning story in the Inspector Drake series. The winding plot moves at a crisp pace keeping the reader right on edge! Ian Drake’s quirks and family issues are so well woven into the story line as to create a very real and believable character. The narration is spot on! Just as one would imagine it to be! Richard Elfyn made one of my favorite litany characters come to life! Well gone Gentlemen!
December 17, 2020
Having listened to the other two books in this series, enjoyed hearing about Drake in this third book. He is still in therapy the cases he works on leave a toll on him.Small welsh community are they against the nuclear power plant that wants to come in and causing murder to make it happen.
He is also confronting the problems with the death of his father.
Good series and good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review
He is also confronting the problems with the death of his father.
Good series and good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review
February 15, 2022
Lots of Surprises
Against The Tide has many surprises, including the ending. Inspector Ian Drake and his team start an investigation of one murder that leads to other deaths, and exposes some secrets of a small Welsh seaside town. Drake also experiences turmoil in his personal life. I recommend Stephen Puleston to anyone who likes police procedurals with twists and turns. His descriptions of Wales make you think you are there.
Against The Tide has many surprises, including the ending. Inspector Ian Drake and his team start an investigation of one murder that leads to other deaths, and exposes some secrets of a small Welsh seaside town. Drake also experiences turmoil in his personal life. I recommend Stephen Puleston to anyone who likes police procedurals with twists and turns. His descriptions of Wales make you think you are there.
July 13, 2019
This is the first Puleston book I've listened to. It is well written and despite not having read earlier novels in the series the characters are nuanced enough and round enough in this book to still be thoroughly enjoyable. The reader managed all the Welsh with great ease and added to the enjoyment. It is well worth a listen and gets 5 stars for keeping me entertained.
September 8, 2019
Early one morning the body of a fisherman is discovered, his body impaled to the sand with his own digging fork. Later a body of a female is found on a beach. Inspector Drake and his team investigate. But what are the motives and is their any connection between the two deaths. Will there be more.
Another enjoyable crime story in this well-written series with its likeable main characters
Another enjoyable crime story in this well-written series with its likeable main characters
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