The Devil’s Dice (A DI Meg Dalton thriller, Book 1)

De: Roz Watkins

Narrado por: Caro Clarke

Shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award

The Times Crime Book of the Month, April 2018

‘A fascinating debut’ The Sunday Times

‘A touch of Agatha Christie, a dash of Ann Cleeves’s Vera and a suitably moody setting in the Peaks…bring a formidable newcomer to British crime writing.’ Daily Mail

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A SHOCKING DEATH

A lawyer is found dead in a Peak District cave, his face ribboned with scratches.

A SINISTER MESSAGE

Amidst rumours of a local curse, DI Meg Dalton is convinced this is cold-blooded murder. There's just one catch – chiselled into the cave wall above the body is an image of the grim reaper and the dead man's initials, and it's been there for over a century.

A DEADLY GAME

As Meg battles to solve the increasingly disturbing case, it's clear someone knows her secrets. The murderer is playing games with Meg – and the dice are loaded…

A white-knuckle crime debut introducing DI Meg Dalton, perfect for fans of Broadchurch and Happy Valley.

Reseñas de la Crítica

'The Devil’s Dice is a terrific debut by Roz Watkins; it teems with shivery atmosphere and introduces a cop quietly different from most of the women detectives in British crime fiction today.' The Times Crime Book of the Month.

‘An impressive debut… A touch of Agatha Christie, a dash of Ann Cleeves’s Vera and a suitably moody setting in the Peaks…bring a formidable newcomer to British crime writing.’ Daily Mail

'A fascinating debut… Watkins brilliantly balances superstition and scepticism in this clever first novel.' Sunday Times

‘The setting is dramatic, the characters are convincing and the motive for murder, when eventually uncovered, is interesting… A smart enjoyable debut.’ The Literary Review

‘Gripping… This week’s hot read’ Woman Magazine

‘Clever and compelling…fans of Broadchurch and Happy Valley will enjoy this gripping thriller’ Candis Magazine

‘A fabulous book. I can’t wait to meet DI Meg Dalton again’ B A Paris

‘An outstanding debut. The Devil’s Dice had me gripped from the start’ Stephen Booth

‘Twisty, creepy, funny, and you may shed a tear too. More DI Meg Dalton please!’ Caz Frear

‘A fascinating debut with a deliciously old school mystery at its heart. I can’t wait to see what Watkins does next!’ Angela Clarke

‘A pacy, twisty read that had me on the edge of my seat…what a brilliant debut!’ KL Slater

‘Exceptional debut. Beautifully written and observed crime novel, with such well rounded maturity it was a pleasure to read from start to finish. Glad it is a series so that we all have a lot more to look forward to.’ Amanda Robson

‘Brilliant. I love Meg!’ Lisa Hall

‘A humdinger of a debut – whip-smart and with a protagonist you’re guaranteed to want to get behind’ Mel McGrath

‘A smart, intelligent police procedural and a well-crafted mystery set against a beautiful backdrop. Compelling reading.’ Jane Isaac

‘The plot instantly seizes the reader… A great start to a new series.’ Vaseem Khan

Overall Not Great

Bought because it had a CWA badge on the cover. I finished it but it dragged in places. The lead character had more trauma than was needed to make her interesting. Failed in adding any lightness. She also kept injuring herself without reason by doing stupid stuff. As I said I finished it but it's a toss up if I'll read another in the series.

Not to my taste

Too much noncontributory detail.
Unable to complete. Early on determined what I thought motivated behaviors. Book went on too long.
De gustabus.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!

I ADORE this author, narrator & series!!!!

I've listened to it 6 times...so far. ♡

Author’s anti-Christian rhetoric was just too much.

The ridiculous portrayals of Christians in this book is beyond acceptable. “Nutters” It just droned on and on about how unintelligent and insane Christians are. Story line could have been wrapped up a lot faster. Could have just said, “I want to bash God and Christians for hours” and let it be.

Good story idea, mediocre execution

This story has several interesting elements and a lot of potential, but the author's inability to conceal her personal animus to anything religious and her superficial, overly simplified presentation of the sanctity of life vs. euthanasia argument made the plot tiresome and the villain tediously obvious.