Well I don’t really know what to say about this book, except it was so different from Inspector McLean, it was brilliant.

I don’t usually like books in the first person, but this had to be told this way for obvious reasons when you read it.

I couldn’t read it quick enough, it was fast paced, and I’m sure in another life Con would have made MI5/MI6. She’s a suspended CID officer with a price on her head, but that doesn’t deter her from finding out the truth. She’s quick witted, ruthless and very clever. There are a lot of unsavoury characters and at times my heart was in my mouth. I thoroughly disliked De Villiers and the way his money could buy anything, including peoples silence, and I hope in another book we find out he’s been beaten to death in prison or some such karmic injuries that he deserved!

I think it must be difficult for any author to embark on a new series especially when Inspector McLean is so popular, but hats off to James, this one, I think personally, is a cracker.

My thanks to the author, publishers and netgalley for the ARC.

I wanted to love this book, I really did but I struggled with a few things.

The main character is just not that likeable and she is reminiscent of too many troubled, hot tempered and rebellious police women that have featured in recent detective series. Nothing about Constance's personality stood out to me.

To me, the story also didn't flow great. I found myself wondering how we got to this part or even how it would be relevant to the story (and not in a good, keeps you guessing way).

All in all, I did persevere though and when book 2 comes out, I wouldn't rule out reading it.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is different from the usual murders. At first it seems unexplainable then it becomes an opportunity to remove a police officer who does not share the corruption of her colleagues. It has many twists and turns and then goes beyond the police into a world unhappily familiar recently. It is of course well written given the author but its particular attraction is being different.

This story of corruption within the police force is a good one and kept me gripped from the beginning. The characters are well written and enjoyable to read about. The main character for me lacked congruence and I'm not entirely sure why. There are some inaccuracies in the police stuff but after all this is a story.
Overall a very enjoyable book.

I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the Inspector Maclean stories and this was totally different a female lead DC Con Fairchild who gets involved with the murder of her friend and boss DI Pete Copperthwaite. I found this book one that I needed to read completely would I recommend it without a doubt I loved it . Hopefully I look forward to the next one.

I really love the McLean series of books by the author so was curious to see how it would go reading something else from the same author. I did not need to worry, this was a fantastic book to read and kept you enthralled reading it as you tried to work out what was happening. i did love the little nod to the McLean series though!

Fabulous book ! In a strangely violent way it’s funny. Written in the first person we have Con/Connie/Constance/Lady Constance who starts off as a straight forward copper at the Met bu5 who actually comes from landed gentry - the book has some fairly grim moments however the characters are wonderful I hope we see much more of Aunt Felicity and Madame Rose , not to mention the London neighbour Mrs Feltham and her amazing curry.

There’s more than a hint of Agatha Christie in the writing- the complex plot, the gathering at the end for the big reveal but it’s all the better for it as all the ends come together leaving a satisfied reader.

Bring on the next one !

No Time to Cry is the start of a new series by notable crime writer James Osland featuring Constance Fairchild. I felt that it had a slow start and it took me some time warm to Constance. However, though she felt a difficult chracter to warm to initially, her background story and interactions with the people around her made me interested in her plight and left me cheering for her in the end. Something I felt truly unique in the writing, was that Mr Oswald never mentioned in detail Constance´s physical appearance. After years reading books where the women were often described in terms of their physical beauty, this was a pleasant change. I also appreciated that the sexism that was present in the novel was shown in unflattering terms. Con is a strong role model and I would look forward to reading more in this new series.

Really enjoyed this book hopefully the start of a cracking new series from James Oswald. I like his Inspector Maclean mysteries and DC Con (Constance) Fairchild, although quite different from Maclean, is going to be another must read series! Con’s a likeable character that I warmed to from the first pages and her ‘talking conscience’ adds to the charm. It’s a fast paced mystery that doesn’t let up and so I found I read it really quickly, as I didn’t want to put it down. I liked Con’s family members too, especially her Aunt. Fantastic read has plenty of action, a sense of humour and stacks of intrigue. I highly recommend this book!

Deeply gripping and compelling story. Detective Constable Constance Fairchild is plunged into a nightmare with a price on her head with too many people wanting her to disappear. As she starts to piece together just what is going on and how things are connected the stakes get increasingly high. Con is a great character and her interaction with her boss keeps her grounded and on track throughout. I read this in one sitting as I had to know what happened next. I look forward to the next book already.
Netgalley review copy.

I took a few chapters to get into the story and to engage with the main character. She is a maverick detective who does things her own way. At first I found the way she was presented slightly irritating but her behaviour was consistent and I found that I warmed to her. The story picked up pace at about 30% and then became full of fast moving action. While it made for a good entertaining read I found it slightly unbelievable as this young police detective with only neighbours and the occasional relative, fought a major gang and the powerful and high ranking members of the Metropolitan police force.
However, I did enjoy it and would recommend it as a good read.

Constance loves her busy job, but her life is turned upside down when her boss is murdered. Gripping from the first page with great characterisation. Twists and turns and many miles travelled, both on the road and emotionally. Fantastic read with a woman the lead character. More please, loved it from start to end.

I got this book the day my hardback copy of Stuart MacBrides new book came out. My plan was hardback during the day and Kindle at night. I hope Logan and Steele can forgive me but they got dumped for Con!! I blooming loved every bit of this book. Con is great and I cannot wait to see what she gets tied up with next. Aunt Felicity and Izzy loved them both, great characters with loads of potential. And cat awww poor cat but at least its got a home now. Cannot wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend this book. Definte top 10 of the year.

I admit to being a bit dubious about reading the new James Oswald - the king of police thrillers with supernatural overtones set in Edinburgh now writing about the undercover police in London? Well have no fear, as he jumps down to the England capital with ease. His London is a vague one - no real locations to speak off but a nice sense of the city and its chaotic streets, back room offices of the met and the struggles of tailing someone in a crowds of millions.

I did like the character of Constance ‘Con’ Fairchild - she’s got some balls this woman! Put in several tough spots, and tough situations, she plays and fights hard. Not sure if I’d like to work for the men in her office but her - for sure.

She’s the one who tells the story in her first person narration which added immediacy and style to the whole affair. There’s a very unusual hook to this affair which you really have to discover for yourself. This is more of a character driven novel than his other books but the book has plenty of character of its own.

I have read the Tony Allan series written by James Oswald and love them. In Constance Fairchild I think James is on to another winner. A great feisty character with a good back story which I think could develop into a great series. The plot was complex and the story moved along briskly . I just wanted to read another paragraph which led onto another and another ....... ! As in all his books there was a touch of supernatural which was believable and added another dimension. Was it her conscience talking or Pete ? Look forward to the next one.

A very gripping book. An exciting storyline with lots of twists and turns. Slightly different from James Oswald’s other books and just as good as I’d expect from him. Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Fantastic read!

The characters are well written and seem to jump off the pages! I felt that the story flowed very naturally and was enjoyable to read!

No time to cry by James Oswald.
Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong. Returning to their base of operations, an anonymous office in a shabby neighbourhood, she finds the bloodied body of her boss, and friend, DI Pete Copperthwaite. He's been executed - a single shot to the head. In the aftermath, it seems someone in the Met is determined to make sure that blame for the wrecked operation falls squarely on Con's shoulders. She is cut loose and cast out, angry and alone with her grief... right until the moment someone also tries to put a bullet through her head.
There's no place to hide, and no time to cry.
An absolutely fantastic read.  I loved the story and the characters. Especially Constance. She was my favourite character.  I love hames books. And this looks set to be another fantastic series.  5*.

If you have ever wondered what happens when one of your favourite authors, already with a superb and well established series, decides to branch out and write something sort of similar but just that little bit different, then you could ask for no finer example than this. The answer, quite simply, is write another blinking bostin’ series with a character I have already grown to like. A lot.

Constance ‘Con’ Fairchild has certainly been put through the ringer on this first outing, chased, threatened and put in a lost compromising position, yet she never lets that stop her. Feisty, determined and with a wit sharp enough to do real damage to her foes, she is most definitely a character I want to follow onward.

Told in first person, the styling and voice completely contrast to the McLean series, even if certain parts may feel somewhat familiar. Yes it’s a police procedural and yes it has a slightly unusual hook but if you want to know what you need to read for yourself.

Full review to follow later when I’ve had some sleep and proper time to digest, but if you want a fast paced, action laden, plot and character driven novel that will have you grasped from the off, hitting page after page of nail biting tension as well as perfectly drawn scenery and moments of quiet calm (plus bonuses midges) - well give this a go. I loved it.