I started reading the Calladine & Bayliss series with book #5, Dead & Buried and got hooked. Dead Jealous is #7 in the series and had multiple murder mysteries going on.

I have to admit I like when a cold case is revisited with new information which happens with a missing person case for a toddler. The way this case overlapped with two current murders was interesting and the family dynamics (or lack thereof) added to it.

The murder mysteries were interesting, but I wasn't pulled into them as much as I have been pulled into the cases in prior books by Ms. Durrant.

I wished there had been more page time on Ruth's issues with her spouse. I felt like we got pulled into her home life, but then only got a summary version when she confided to Calladine. I also really don't like the idea of any personal drama with Ruth and Tom which luckily in this book they stayed away from.

Thanks to Net Galley and Joffe books for an ARC. I look forward to the next book in the series...

A young girl is found in the back of a car on the notorious estate and has been dead for at least a week but what is strange no one has reported her missing. Why is that, is she a neighborhood child, or someone just dumped. Switching scenes an old jar containing bone and ashes is brought into the station which was carefully wrapped in a pink blanket. Jessica Wilkins disappeared 17 years ago one summer afternoon. Her mother turned her back and the child disappeared.

Detective Tom Calladine had been part of the original investigation and the case has haunted him ever since.Will he finally be able to solve and close this unsolved mystery?.

I love reading stories that is based on a cold case which this book was. Everyone worked well together to solve this case. The story is believable, chapters are short and the story isn't sappy. I didn't see the end coming and this is why I enjoyed the book as much as I did.

Thank you net galley for the advance copy for my honest review.

I like Helen Durrant's stories because they are usually the several stories in one. In this story the team is still getting over the death of one of their own and yet still trying to work as a team. Then they are trying to solve a current murder of a teen found in the trunk of a car and a cold case from many years ago of a missing child. Det Tom Caladine worked the missing child case many years ago and his partner Ruth brings a fresh outlook to the crime. Great read, I would like to thank the Publisher ad Net Galley for the chance to read is ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for this book.

Although this is the seventh book in the series, and I haven’t read any of the previous ones, it was not difficult to get acquainted with the main characters. The story itself is good, because it has just the right amount of tragic and hope at the same time. The various other characters were interesting and on the whole, I enjoyed the book.
I rated it three stars because of two things. First, the writing is not as fluent and easy as I would like. It sometimes looks as the writing of an author with less experience. Maybe it is just Durrant’s style, but I kept reading because of the story itself, not the way it was written. Second, I felt too many similarities with other series, e.g. the DCI Banks series. An older policeman and a younger female colleague… nothing new there. And Calladine’s reaction to Ruths’ plans for the future are overdone, in my view.
Nevertheless, I will try and read other books by Helen Durrant because she tells a solid story.

When I seen the cover of this book i just had to read it. The description made it even more tempting. I was not disapointed when I did read it. It was a great thriller. Lots of twists and turns along the way. Loved the characters who were all very credible. I recommend this very much

A really good gripping read that kept me turning the pages

This is the seventh book in this series which, in my opinion, just keeps getting better and shows no signs of getting stale. I also think that this is probably the best book so far and, with the main story self-contained, can be read as a stand alone but, as always, to get the very best from the characters with respect to development and backstory, it is better to start from book one and read in order. All the previous books have been good solid reads for me so, coupled with the fact that the main characters can be a bit complex personally, I would definitely recommend dong this. I would also recommend the author's other spin-off series featuring DI Greco too by the way.
We start this book with the grisly discovery of a teenager's body in the boot of a car. compounding the issue, it's on the Hobfield estate, notorious for its underhand dealings and lack of trust with the police. Investigations are bound to be complex and so they are. She appears to have been there a while but no person fitting the description had been reported missing only adding to the initial frustrations.
If that wasn't enough for our crew of Detectives, they are still reeling from the loss of one of their own, the aftermath of which is hitting them all in very different ways. Add into the mix, the discovery of evidence from a cold case from Calladine's past - the ashes of what appears to be a young child, in a smart urn, wrapped in a blanket and with other evidence that appears to be conclusive and we have one heck of a ride ahead.
The plotting in this book is very tight and well crafted. It has to be as we have quite a bit going on and it would have been easy for it all to get a bit too complex but the author pulls it all off in a very impressive way. There is also quite a cast to content with but, again, the author is well versed in her characterisation so they were all well described and distinct enough that I never got confused; no mean feat for me as I do often struggle with this. There are little things throughout the book that appear to be unconnected, possibly included for background and potential padding but, as the book progressed, and things started to come together, these supposed insignificant offerings became quite important, some even key to the whole mystery.
There's also quite a lot in this book that is very current these days. Gangs terrorising neighbourhoods, money lenders getting heavy, mistrust of the police and people trying to sort things out themselves and it could easily have got a bit political. Luckily, the author never quite strays into that territory, managing to stay behind that line with some clever plotting, dialogue and key scenes.
As always with this series, there is also quite a bit going on in the main characters' personal lives. As with previous books, this only enhances the main storyline rather than distracting from it as it lend credence to the characters' motives, reasons for their actions, and also gives some well needed respite from the rather emotional parts of the investigations.
All in all, another great addition to one of my favourite series, roll on the next one, or is it time for another Greco? Either way, I can't wait for the next one.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Helen Durrant never disappoints. Another great read in the Calladine and Bayliss series. Plenty twists and turns to keep the reader happy and a good fast pace. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Amazon and Goodreads.

Excellent book with twists and turns to keep the reader entertained.

I have to admit that I was very keen to be able to get my hands on a copy of Helen's latest book having becoming an avid fan of her work.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story and definitely would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who loves a great crime book, and a really good read in general.  For me they can be read as stand alone books but you really will get the benefit of reading them from the first book if you are new to the series so you can follow the characters personal woes as they go about their roles in the Police force. I loved the plot, pace and characters as normal - most definitely another 5 stars read for me from Helen!!

I love, love, LOVED this! Helen Durrant is always brilliant and never disappoints. "Dead Jealous" weaves multiple different cases together until its heart wrenching conclusion. So many twists and turns along the way, you'll be guessing right until the very end.

Helen Durrant is a new author to me so I’ve jumped into the series starting on book 7 of THE CALLADINE & BAYLISS MYSTERY SERIES and it’s do able, though I plan in reading the rest of the series after this book because this book had got me hooked! A dead body within the first chapter is a winner in my eyes…. . The book doesn’t just focus on that one crime which I enjoyed. A cold case is reopened after a lot of ashes are discovered and with the Hopwood brothers causing havoc on the estate there’s never a quiet day….. or night!

This book jumps right into the nitty gritty, which I love, the author has a way of setting the scene that has you turning page after page. I enjoyed how she didn’t focus on just one crime within the book but jumped between them, always on my toes but never actually guessing who the villain was (hats off to you on that Helen) I loved all the characters, good and bad, my favourite having being Dolly, not sure why but she just struck a chord with me.

If you enjoy a good thriller book then Helen’s books (or in my case book) is definitely one you should pick us as soon as you can! It’s gripping, twisting and a real page turner, an easy 5☆☆☆☆☆ from me……. now to start from the beginning! Happy reading!!

Loved it, my favorite so far and I give it 4.5 stars.
It's the 7th in the Tom Calladine and Ruth Bayliss series and the 2 detectives are in the thick of 3 cases: the cold case of a missing baby, the murder of a young girl found in the trunk of a car and the killing of a feared and vicious moneylender. The estate where all three cases are based is peopled by the mostly unemployed who have no fondness for the police. Interviewing them is frustrating and mostly useless.
Ruth and Tom are working around the clock, which is particularly difficult for Ruth. Her partner is less than helpful in caring for their child and the relationship is rocky and weighing her down.
This is my favorite in the series so far, the books just keep getting and better. I'm looking forward to no. 8, it's like meeting old friends and getting caught up with their lives. Very enjoyable indeed, with a good twisty ending.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.

Having read 5 of the previous 6 titles in this series I was pleased to have the opportunity to read this book. Although it is part 7 it can be read as a stand alone although I did wish I'd read the previous book at times. A good few stories in one here and characters you come to know over the series makes it a good read and keeps you guessing through out.

Detectives Tom Calladine and Ruth Bayliss have their hands full with cold case from years ago, a teenager found dead today, and the murder of a well hated moneylender.

Seventeen years ago, Calladine investagated the disappearance of Jessica WIlkins. Her mom had taken her to the park where she went missing. She's been living in hop ever since. And now... maybe they have some evidence of what happened to her ... and the mother's story is now questionable.

A young teen's body is found in the trunk of an abandoned care. She's been dead a week .. but no one has reported her missing. What are her friends hiding from the police?

The local housing estate is full of people who owe a moneylender. He's a tyrant and punishes those who cannot make their payments. When he is found murdered in the same housing estate, there are plenty of suspects ... but no confessions.

On the personal side, Calladine's most recent girlfriend has sent him a text ... their relationship is now over. Bayliss is with her lover and their young son.. but all is not good. Ruth is seriously thinking of moving out.

This is full of twists and turns and lies and secrets. As with the previous six books in this series, it is well-written and full of credible characters. Although a part of a series, this one can be read as stand alone. And as usual, I highly recommend starting from the first book. It's amazing how the characters have stayed the same, yet grown and matured.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Two mothers grieving for their daughters, only years apart. While trying to solve one case, an old case is brought up to the light of day due to the simularties of them both. Is more than one person responsible for these acts of violence? Read the book to find out. I received ARC of this book from Net Galley and Joffe Books

Review

Once again Helen Durrant has crafted an impeccable police procedural where she successfully combines three complicated cases - two current and one from 17 years previous.

17years ago, Josie Wilkins’s daughter Jessica disappeared without a trace. No clues and no witnesses. Now someone has discovered an urn accompanied by what appears to be the toddler’s effects
Flora Appleton, a 16 year old is discovered in the boot of an abandoned car after being missing a week - a fact not reported by the mother
A local money lender with known violent tendencies is knifed and pushed over the rail of the housing block.

With the recent death of Imogen weighing on their minds, and Rocco away at an IT course, Calladine and his team are short-handed and out of sorts. His DS, Ruth Bayliss is having problems with her husband and is trying to balance her career with being the mother of an infant. Part of what makes Durrant’s stories so realistic and believable is that her characters are individuals with lives. They are more than their job - just as the wider cast are more than victims or suspects. You see the impact these cases have on the lives of those involved.

If you are looking for a well done British Police Procedural, Dead Jealous is a fantastic choice. I’ve read a number of Durrant’s novels and have enjoyed every one.

5 / 5

I received a copy of Dead Jealous from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Dead Jealous, the seventh novel to feature DI Tom Calladine and DS Ruth Bayliss of the Leesdon CID.

The plot has 3 main strands, the murder of a sixteen year old girl, Flora, in a frenzied attack, the ashes of a toddler, Jessica, who disappeared 17 years ago have been found and the toll moneylending takes on the poor.

I loved this book and think it's probably the best so far. It held my attention throughout and I read it in one sitting. It's not particularly profound but it is very readable. As always the deprived Hobfield Estate takes centre stage with Flora's body being found in an abandoned car's boot, Jessica's mother, Josie, living there and obviously it is fertile ground for moneylending and much of the interest I had in the novel was how all the characters touch each other's lives and the difficulty Calladine and Bayliss have unravelling these connections and establishing the truth.

I also like the fact that the criminal investigation is interspersed with with the detectives' personal life. This time the focus is on Bayliss and her relationship problems. She feels her partner Jake is not pulling his weight and has no respect for her job - something I, personally, can relate to and many other people too I'm sure. there is a surprise in store which I loved.

I think Ms Durrant has the balance absolutely right in this novel. No plot strand is more important or given more time than the others, although the discovery of Jessica's ashes is heartrending and Bayliss's domestic tribulations inform both Calladine's and her characters but are not overly stressed.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Jealous as an absorbing, easy read and have no hesitation in recommending it.

5 stars

A young girl, just in her mid-teens has been murdered. Her body was found in the trunk of a car – a week later by three teenage boys. DI Tom Calladine and DS Ruth Bayliss are on the case. Her name is established quickly, she is Flora Appleton.

At the same time, a woman shows up at the station carrying a pot and a pink blanket. She found it behind a chimney while remodeling her house. She shows it to Tom and lo and behold, it rings a loud bell. It looks to be the remains of Jessica Wilkins a two-year old child who disappeared without a trace some seventeen years earlier. Her mother never gave up hope that her child was still alive. This is going to be devastating. They send the ashes in the pot, the blanket and a pink hairclip to the lab. But Tom knows that the distinctive hairclip and the blanket belonged to Jessica Wilkins.

The local n’er-do wells, the Hopwood brothers are terrorizing Hobfield Estate, where both Jessica and Flora’s mothers live. The brothers call themselves moneylenders, but they really are thugs. Sean is the one who is quick with his fists and beats one of the residents badly and then sets fire to Dolly Appleton’s apartment. Ricky is good-looking and slightly easier to deal with. Sean even beats him, however, and the stakes are rising. The terrorized people of Hobfield gather in secret and decide they must do something about Sean Hopwood.

Ruth’s review of the Jessica Wilkins case and shows several inconsistencies. It sets Tom to thinking why they didn’t notice these things all those years ago. They are going to have to talk to Josie Wilkins again.

This book rolls along at a breakneck speed until the denouement when Calladine and Bayliss and their team solve all of their cases. This book is very well written and plotted. I liked it quite a lot. I like the characters. The team got along well for the most part and worked well together. There was enough information given about the backgrounds of the major players, but not so much that it interfered with the story. There were no wasted words in this book; no padding. I’ve read Helen Durrant’s other Calladine and Bayliss books and I like this one the best. Well done!

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.

Great book. Brilliant plot and main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Very enjoyable.