Dead on Your Feet (An Exciting British Crime Thriller)

Detective Inspector Drake, Book 4

By: Stephen Puleston

Narrated by: Richard Elfyn

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

A gruesome exhibit. A gallery of death. Can Inspector Drake stop the killer before he demonstrates his ghoulish skills again?

When the dead body of a woman is found on public display, the murder scene bears all the hallmarks of a famous work of art. DI Ian Drake knows he is dealing with a very creative and intelligent killer - one who enjoys having their work showcased for all to see.

As more murders take place, each copying a famous work of art, Drake faces a murderer who always seems to be one step ahead. And when one of the suspects is revealed to be his own brother, the pressure mounts. This case just got very personal.

The art world is small, but the murderer's ego is too big to hide forever. Drake knows he is getting closer to unmasking the culprit, but can he stop the killer before their grand finale - and a very public murder?

Can he catch the killer and avert more deaths?

Dead on Your Feet is the fourth book in the dynamic Inspector Drake crime series. If you like police procedurals, clever mysteries, and gripping thrillers, then you’ll love Stephen Puleston’s Ian Drake novels.

Click "buy now" to get Dead on Your Feet today!  

©2017 Stephen Puleston (P)2019 Stephen Puleston

Best book in the series, just keeps getting better

The review explains the storyline. DCI Drake suffers from OCD. I like authors who trust their readers. He did not insult our intelligence by explaining his characters. Little mannerisms are scattered throughout the book reminding us of his condition but no explanation needed, we know our detective. Two new detectives are added to the team, both quite adequately replaced the two who moved on. Drake's personal family problems are scattered throughout, making him human, but once again the author does not waste time rewriting explanations the fan of the series already knows. Good mystery, great ending.

Not one of his best...

why must all of the women sound in thier dotage? The story was a bit bland.

Love the characters

This is a great series I like the story and history and characters that the author uses.

Enjoyable listen

I am really enjoying the Inspector Drake series. It reminds me of Monk and Midsomer Murders, with a quirky detective and interesting regional setting. The narration is excellent - all of the characters have distinct voices, and the narrating voice is different than the characters speaking so you never get lost in what is happening in the story. You don't immediately realize who the killer is, and I like that the mystery unfolds without an obvious solution.
Content wise, this is just on the edge of what I'm willing to listen to with the descriptions of violence that are not gratuitous, and there is a minimal amount of cursing. I don't believe this book had any intimate scenes, in other books in this series they are all implied / fade out, which I really appreciate. If it were a movie I would expect a PG13 rating for the violence of the murders.

Review for Dead on Your Feet

I have listened to over 1500 books from Audible, and I have never before complained about a performance, but this reader made all of the female voices sound like cartoon characters of tiny woodland animals. It was actually insulting to hear. The male voices were perfectly normal.

Again, this is another great story

This was another great book, by a wonderful Arthur. Det. Drake sets out to solve a triple murder, new members on his team get a Trial by Fire, as they all have to come together to solve this hainus crime.

Murder as Art

I loved this story.
As with all of the Inspector Drake stories, the police work is impeccably reported and there's more than enough suspense to keep you thoroughly engrossed, but this time it's the tale of the quirky, eccentric local arts world an the thoroughly twisted predator who is stalking its denizens that really captures your interest. I found myself hating to leave it until I figured out who the killer was and why they were murdering all those people - and in that particular way.
Another great read from a continually reliable author.

Great Mystery

This us the second Inspector Drake novel I have listened to by narrator Richard Elfyn. British murder mysteries appear more menacing and suspenseful to me. The setting for this book is in Wales including Welsh dialog which is unique. The twists and turns in this book and British ismswould be difficult for anyone unfamiliar with the meanings.

Inspector Drake had some family secrets uncovered which complicated his pursuant ofthe case. Richard is able to provide varying gender voices, accents and emotions of the characters. I enjoyed this book.

not my type

Profanity is frequent. violence also. I could not finish it. "macabre scene" is true. Lacking in imagination to take a phrase from it.

A thrilling murder mystery

Dead on your Feet is a thrilling murder mystery in Wales about an “artist” serial killer. This is perhaps my favorite book in the series so far. It’s a bit violent and depressing, so reader discretion is advised.

The narrator of the book is the same narrator who does the other books in the series. I think he does a good job.

I received a complementary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Didn’t quite hit the spot this time

Hmmmm...not sure I’d listen to another Drake instalment on audible. Can’t quite put my finger on why.
Having read the first three, which I thoroughly enjoyed and don’t get me wrong I liked this one too, however, it did not have the impact of the others. A clever story line but a little long drawn out for my liking. Sorry.

Another First Class Drake Novel.

Ever since I discovered Stephen Puleston’s Inspector Ian Drake novels I’ve been hooked. I like the sometimes awkward, sometimes gruff, always brilliant Inspector that struggles with OCD and finds human interactions uncomfortable. As the series has progressed we get much more of a feel for the man as well as the police officer. I’ve enjoyed seeing that change and development. Dead On Your Feet continues in the same way with Drake trying to solve a gruesome murder that has the victim staged like a famous art work. There’s plenty to keep Drake busy, from his own deteriorating personal life to some unusual, and at times unhelpful, people from the art world. Stephen Puleston maintains his high standards for story and pacing as he carefully weaves all this together and leads his character, and his readers, through the evidence and red herrings until we all finally get to the truth. Another great read to add to this already brilliant series.
Richard Elfyn does a first class job bringing this excellent story to life. His command of the Welsh language is a sure bonus for the setting but his delivery and tone coupled with his talent for adding individuality to each character is where his true skills lay. The combination of Elfyn and Drake is perfect and I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job.

Another great listen both story and narration

I do so love listening to a Stephen Puleston novel - the narration is perfect and the attention to detail. I can just picture the scenery and locations from when we visit my husband's family in North Wales. Inspector Drake is such a great detective to follow and each book he just gets more and more rounded. Sara is an interesting addition, looking forward to see how she grows.

The story well what can you say - how did he think this one up.

Richard Elfyn is brilliant as the narrator - I could listen to his Welsh accent for ages. He just adds some a dimension to the story.

I was given a free copy by the author but this in no way impacted my review.

Full on to the end

A very enjoyable murder mystery set within the local art scene. Good twists and turns keep the reader on their toes.

Another cracking thriller as usual

This is a very good thriller, to be expected from this fine author. A dark, gritty and slow starting one that builds to the perpetrator being captured. I certainly enjoyed listening to this as I have the others. Roll on the next one. Highly recommended listen.

Excellent story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially as I know the area where the crimes took place. There were lots of twists and turns but with Drakes superior handling all the murders were solved and the culprit got his just reward

Excellent book

Another excellent book by Stephen Puleston, I really liked listening to this book being read. The pronunciation of the different places brought you into the book.

Excellent Audio Book

Stephen Puleston has done it again.. Another excellent Di Drake book. Can be read alone or read in order. The narration is great by Richard Elfyn. This time the great detective has to discover why people connected in the art world are being targeted. His job is not made easier with family problems and new members of staff in the unit. A great read or listen.

Plenty of artsy suspects

Note: Even though this is Book 4 in the series, it works as a stand alone.

Drake continues to astonish. I just love this series. I was a little worried that the tale wouldn’t be the same without his sidekick (who was on maternity leave), but the plot and characters all still worked well. He has to balance his personal life with his work life and that is tough in the best of times. His wife Sian and him are having a trial separation, and his young daughters Megan and Helen live with their mother. Toss in a surprise relative, and Drake is in deep water. He flounders on the family front but I still root for him.

Meanwhile, the police have a clever killer on their hands, someone who is using shock value and social media video clips, which puts the police under a huge amount of stress. I loved the mess of artsy suspects in play and the maniacal killer’s reasons for doing as he did. It was a delicious, twisted mystery for Drake and his team to solve.

Sara is Drake’s new partner and she’s always neat and tidy. She’s also clever and I think Drake will be letting her handle more on her own as the series progresses. She’s quick to pick things up. Meanwhile, Lynette, another new addition to the team, is working with the other guy…. I always forget his name. He’s oblivious & usually says insensitive things. In this tale, he is also a bit lazy not treating his assigned tasks with the attention they deserve. And that leaves an opportunity for Lynette to shine – and she does.

All together, it was a very good addition to the story. I love the bits of Welsh and how the British police make it work with the Welsh population. 5/5 stars.

The Narration: Richard Elfyn is just such a joy to listen to. He has done this series justice with each and every book and this one is no exception. Elfyn nails Drake’s voice. All his voices are distinct and his female voices are feminine. His voice for Lynette was a little rough on my ears but perhaps she is supposed to have a slightly grating voice? The recording is perfect – no technical errors. 4.75/5 stars.

I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own.

Murder in the art world.

This was another enjoyable listen from Stephen Puleston. It didn't matter that I had jumped from #3 to #5, missing out #4 - Drake's relationship status is a little different, but otherwise he's the same thorough police officer, dealing with his personal issues in his own inimitable fashion.
Again the narration was by the excellent Richard Elfyn, with his wonderful Welsh accent, saving me from murdering the names of the places and mispronouncing the characters.

This murder case had art as its theme, a rare bonus for me; I think I have only read one other novel centred around art and I loved that one too. The murder victims are presented to represent a famous art installation, such as Tracy Emin's Unmade Bed. Drake and his new sidekick, DS Sara Morgan, must find a motive amongst several suspects within the local art world, before more bodies are found.

I liked DS Sara Morgan, she was a good foil for Drake, unlike her predecessor, who I found too much of a stark opposite.
Drake also begins to learn of the hidden life of his recently deceased father, and is introduced to an unknown half brother. He continues to struggle with the separation from his wife and daughters, a sad fatality of the life of a dedicated police officer.

I'm sure this series is excellent in book form, but I am finding the narration adds another level to the novels and I'm looking forward to the next episode.