This was a non stop action story. It was a bit confusing at first but once I had sorted out the characters, it was a fascinating story. Lots of twists and turns, truths and falsehoods and some enjoyable characters. Delightful, roller coaster ride!

Serial killer,named the Jackdaw by media, has evaded the police up until now. Gruesome murders which appear to happen within the blink of an eye.
DC Scarlett Delaney has a point to prove amongst her colleagues and teams up with an unlikely partner in Henry Devlin to find the Jackdaw before they strike again.
A different kind of crime novel than I'm normally used to, this one is interspersed with elements of humour without distraction from the elements of the crimes or thrilling aspects. A really great read
I was gifted this advanced read by Netgalley and Storm Publishing with no obligation to leave a review

4.5 stars

Matthew Lewis’ job is to monitor and remove offensive social media (he’s a job and a half there) when he finds some horrifying images which sadly, are not the first. This is the infamous Jackdaw Killer and gruesome doesn’t quite cover it. Three murders, a unique signature and an aptly chosen moniker, is this killer untouchable?

DC Scarlett Delaney, who has a difficult background, and though a relative newbie to the force is drawn into the case alongside her mentor and father figure, DS Frank Ash. Scarlett’s first meeting with Henry Devlin is humorously inauspicious. Who is Devlin? Think Ray Donovan but way better dressed and much funnier, which isn’t hard. Scarlett reluctantly teams up with Devlin, it’s an uneasy alliance and will it prove to be her undoing?

It’s been a while since I read a Daniel Cole novel and I’m now asking myself why as I love this book! I thoroughly enjoy the way he writes this mystery thriller as I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in a long time. There’s dark humour, witty dialogue, droll and clever chapter headings and exceptionally ‘colourful’ events usually occur when Henry is on the page. His humour could be described as deadpan.

The characterisation is outstanding in my opinion, they are all so well crafted that they are easy to visualise. I love Scarlett who has to be so much smarter than her fellow officers so she can be taken seriously and I enjoy the way she achieves results as you certainly have ‘fun’ along the route. Frank is wonderful and I really like the relationship between him and Scarlett which is complex but fascinating. I even like Henry, which if you read this may be hard to believe, but that man has the charm of the devil. The dialogue between all of them is high-quality and authentic.

There are some scenes that are totally bonkers, completely mad, but they are vivid, creative and so horribly entertaining, almost Hollywood worthy, that I relish every minute. It’s a fast paced, constantly changing plot, it’s gritty and dark, there is never a dull moment, and I don’t see some things coming. There are definitely some shocks and things that pull on the emotional heartstrings. As for the settings, they are all so well chosen especially for the grand finale and what an enticing end.

Overall, this is a mad caper which is peppered with humour and is a genuine page turner. I hope there’s a sequel as Scarlett is too good a character for a one off.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. IYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.

Writing: above avg for the most part | Plot: Blacklist meets The Gray Man meets The Man From Toronto | Ending: NEEEEDDD MOOOOOREEEEEE

SYNOPSIS

Detective Scarlette Delaney teams up with a sketchy guy allegedly named Henry Devlin to find the Jackdaw killer.

MY OPINION

I'm gonna keep it 100—I had no idea what a jackdaw is. I just thought it was a funky name for a serial killer. Thankfully, Google is free (AHEM TABITHA!!!!!!) so I learned something new. Anyways. If you decide to pick this up, remember two things: 1) suspension of disbelief? nah YEETAGE of disbelief is required. 2) Daniel Cole himself said he writes 'cinematically' and goes beyond the confines of fiction. You can really see that in his Hangman series and that vibe is large and in charge in Jackdaw as well.

If you can yeet your disbelief and buckle in for a cinematic plot, this is super fun. Although the writing quality was a lil inconsistent (at times very closed captiony), his trademark satire and wit shines through. He has a way of crafting unique characters and biting dialogue. I was scared Scarlette was going to be Baxter 2.0 (one of my most-hated FMCs), but she looked like an angel in comparison. Plus her backstory??? JUIIICCYYYYYYYY!!! I hope he explores this more at length in the following novels because it's one of my FAVE 'tropes' for lack of better word.

I may be repeating myself here, but I want to make it clear that this book is NOT for everyone. It's a spy/assassin thriller that leans more toward John Wick than Gone Girl. If you liked What Have We Done, you may vibe with this. If you're a Freida/Feeney/domestic thriller girlie, you will not. As I said above, this is a mash up of The Blacklist + The Gray Man + The Man From Toronto. Not one speck of realism can be located here.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: fast-paced, fun, entertaining, witty, great intro to a series (I can't wait for more!)

Cons: many people will find this too implausible

I really enjoyed this tongue in cheek thriller and I imagine the author had fun writing it. Fabulous over the top characters and the death broke my heart a little bit. Can’t wait to read the next one. Very clever and good fun.

Having read ragdoll etc I wasn't sure if this book would live up to them, but I loved it! It had me gripped from beginning to end. The characters were well written and likeable (so sad at one point) and the twists had me turning the pages as fast as I could read them. Another A* book from this author

You know, it's only when reading this book I really remembered just how much I enjoy Daniel Cole's work. Whilst this perhaps, or should I say definitely, less dark that its predecessors, there is a still a touch of the grotesque about it, that grand staging that accompanies the murders which seem to take place at quite the pace and in seemingly impossible circumstances. Add to that a couple of police detectives, one older and perhaps a touch more jaded, one younger but with a ridiculed and discounted by her colleagues, and a handsome and charismatic man who, it is fair to say, has somewhat dubious intentions when it comes to the case in hand, and I found myself completely hooked on the characters, the admittedly bizarre story, and totally drawn in laughing and gurning until the final page.

This is a story of a serial killer, or rather the hunt for one. Given the moniker of 'Jackdaw', they have made a mockery of Scotland Yards finest, leaving bodies, to a degree, in their wake and yet providing no clues as to their identity (Jackdaw that is - the victims are somewhat more high profile). I loved the complexity of the kills, the way in which the killer was almost challenging the police to prove how they could possibly have carried out such atrocities. And they are rather heinous acts of violence, ones for which Jackdaw is not afraid of obtaining a little publicity. Certainly for the first murder we are privy too, social media is used as a tool to ensure the murder is broadcast far and wide, it not live, at least enough to ensure its viral nature. How much of a ring of truth does that have?

With each murder comes a myriad questions. What connects the victims other than their killer, and who could possibly want them dead? These are all questions I found myself asking over the course of the book too and, whilst I can claim to be entirely surprised by the eventual reveal, Daniel Cole did a grand job of keeping my interest alive in the story, with snippets of misdirection and the odd question being raised about the moral ambiguity with which some of the characters approached their work. And to be honest, although I do feel this whole book may have been written with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I actually enjoyed the irreverent and sometimes madcap and impossible styling of the book, especially because I liked the dynamic between the characters.

Scarlet Delaney is a fabulous character, Yes, she's perhaps not the most successful of detectives, at least in the eyes of her colleagues, and aspects of her personal life did bring into question her judgment in certain parts of the book, but she's smarter and more aware than you may initially give her credit for and, when all is said and done, she's a fun character to spend time with. Her relationship with her colleague, DS Frank Ash, mentor and father figure, is authentic, complicated and nuanced, just as you might imagine. Sometimes it was hard to tell just who was on the right side of the law, and it is that ambiguity that adds tension and uncertainty to what I was reading. Then there is the uneasy partnership with Henry Devlin. There is every reason not to trust him, to hold him at arms length but he is absolutely irresistible as a character, that personality honed to perfection on the page so even though you know deep down he's a bad 'un, you still want to see him succeed ... to a degree.

I liked the pacing, the conflict and the humour. I liked that this is a book that doesn't seem to take itself too seriously. I liked the play on the debonair but dangerous partner in crime-solving who you know cannot be trusted but who essentially does have a heart of, if not quite solid gold, at least sone strong bonded plating. It was one of those reads that I got to the end and knew, no matter quite how mad it was, and sometimes it just unapologetically was, I needed more. I'm glad to see there is a second book in the making as I thoroughly enjoyed my time in these characters company and I can see they are not done with us yet.

If you want a serious, dark, brooding serial killer novel, this isn't really it. There are a lot of moments that made me think eew, and the occasional, ooh - clever, as well. But mostly it made me smile, drew me in and kept me completely immersed and distracted from the world to the very last page. Absolutely worth a read. Cannot wait for book two.

Gruesome, gory and so damned clever this is Daniel Cole at his very best and I’m so much hoping that this could be the start of a new series. I have loved every book by this author from Ragdoll and all the following novels and was thrilled to receive this ARC knowing that was going to be in for one heck of a ride and well it lived up to all expectations.
The plot was a complex one with impossible murder scenes that when explained just took my breath away in how superbly crafted they were. The the usual black humour that Daniel Cole always brings to his books comes thick and fast , with super writing and and fabulous characters what more can you ask for this truly is a book not to be missed. Many many thanks Mr Cole for another extraordinary brilliant 5 star read please keep them coming !
My thanks also to NegGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Where do I start with this book! It's certainly not your usual police procedural, that's for sure. I enjoyed the behind the scenes of the investigation, as Detective Scarlett investigates a series of gruesome murders. The pace is fast, there are touches of humour and the plotting is certainly different. The characterisation is good, but I failed to like Scarlett. I liked the ending being left open for a follow up, although it was just a bit predictable, and I would certainly recommend the read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Jackdaw is a crime thriller that promises a gripping cat and mouse chase between a detective, serial killer and a charismatic assassin. While the story has its merits, it falls somewhat short in creating a strong connection between the readers and the characters, resulting in a three-star rating from me.

The book is certainly an easy and enjoyable read, thanks to its well-paced plot, it keeps you engaged and guessing as the tension builds, making it a solid choice for fans of crime fiction.

However, where the book falls short for me is in its character development and believability. The protagonist, Scarlett, is a new and enthusiastic detective, but her inability to perform a thorough background check on Henry, a character with a dark past, feels like a rookie mistake and doesn't align with her supposed expertise. This aspect of the plot made it difficult to fully connect with Scarlett as a character. How was girly so trusting with this man.. like yes, he’s hot but come on - you’re apparently the daughter of a serial killer?!

On the other hand, Henry's character is a standout in the story. His charisma and dangerous allure make him a compelling figure, and I found myself wanting to learn more about his backstory and motivations.

Despite my reservations, I am willing to give the series a chance to see if the characters, especially Scarlett, undergo further development in the second book. There's potential for growth and depth, and I'm intrigued to see where the partnership between Scarlett and Henry will lead.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher to review.

Thank you Storm publishing and Daniel Cole for the ARC of Jackdaw. This book was an entertaining read that felt like entering an action movie. I enjoyed the humor in this book as well. It reads like a fast paced action show. #Jackdaw #Netgalley #StormPublishing

Quick read, full of twists and turns, with clever dialogue and back humor. Grisly murders, numerous points-of-view. Enjoyable. The stage is set for further books in a series.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable crime read told with a certain amount of black humour which I loved but for me personally it was neither a thriller or police procedural more extreme grisly serial killer committing seemingly impossible murders. Featuring a detective constable with an intriguing past, a debonair fixer and some very glamorous victims I enjoyed the complexity of the crimes and the humour throughout but the style wasn’t really my thing as I found it somewhat OTT however it was a fun read with some fascinating characters. 7/10

I first looked into this author after watching the Ragdoll series on AMC. I finished all those books, his other standalone, Mimic, and was excited for this one to show up in Netgalley. It's a bit lighter in tone than the others, with a little more "cat burglar" type hi-jinx mixed in with a serial killer case. Fun and interesting characters and a bit of humor too. Looking forward to the next one.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher to review.

I’m not going to lie, I had to google what a Jackdaw was to understand the significance of the title. Daniel Cole came out strong with this serial killer thriller. We meet Detective Scarlett who is thrown into the case of whodunit with the infamous “Jackdaw Killer.” With her very own troubling past (which can I just say I would like a prequel on in its own right) you learn that this is not Scarlett’s first encounter with a serial killer. Let’s just say this case truly hits home. With the help of her new dangerous friend Henry, Scarlett learns how to open her eyes to new possibilities and starts to think like a true criminal.
This story was great from start to finish. I enjoyed the backstories of all the characters and the unique relationships that were established or already laid out by the author. I will say the ending was very predictable and I called it very early on. That being said, I still enjoyed the ending and love how there are questions that still need answering. This was absolutely set up for a series and I will 100000% be looking out for the next book in the series. I would absolutely give this a read if you enjoy a great book about the workings of an investigation.
Thank you to Daniel Cole for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley for a review.

D.C. Scarlett Delaney joins forces with Henry Devlin, a dangerous criminal, to uncover the culprit behind a series of gruesome and mysterious murders.
I am a fan of Daniel Cole and was looking forward to reading this book. I have to say I enjoyed it very much. The characters are engaging and the plot keeps you on your toes because of the fast paced and intriguing murders. On the other hand the light touch of humor that Daniel Cole has added to the book delighted me. In short, a book that hooks and that reads fast, and with interesting characters that leaves the door open for the next one.

3.5


I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Cole.
He writes with humour, and mixes in inventive grisly murders.
There were a couple of times a twist took the plot in a direction I hadn't expected, and that's always a pleasant surprise.
I loved Frank, a dependable, loyal guy.
Unfortunately, I didn't like Scarlett, but I didn't let that get in the way of the story. 😄


A very entertaining read.

Jackdaw by Daniel Cole

Daughter of a notorious murderer herself, Detective Scarlett Delaney hasn’t been on the force for long when she finds herself heading up a mystifying new case. With three seemingly impossible murders to date, leaving each of the victims with calling-card scratches, the killer known only as “Jackdaw” feels untouchable... uncatchable, always claiming a shiny keepsake before disappearing into thin air.

A really edge of your chair read . Lots of twists , and moments where if it had been a film you'd be watching it from behind a cushion
A first time read for this author and going by this book it won't be the last. Very good.

Read this one in a single sitting - it’s fast paced and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. The author shifts perspectives in a clever way which makes all the characters important to the plot and I really liked the clever humour woven through the internal monologues and external dialogue. Definitely some dark places here, too!