In this case, DCS Palmer and his team sidestep into dealing with organised crime, rather than serial killers, and on a grand scale – an eye-opener for me on how the big drugs gangs operate in London and beyond. As ever, the perfect combination of a compelling and realistic crime case with wry humour and more positive, kindly relationships, demonstrated by the gentle teasing of Palmer by his team and his wife’s constant attempts to improve him. The ongoing feud between Palmer’ and his neighbour continues to entertain, while the strong bond with his wife, veiled in her constant criticism, subtly underpins Palmer’s character, giving him strength to deal with the most violent and merciless criminals. The tension builds rapidly towards the end, and the very last line is a masterful example of the balance that Faulkner achieves. Loved the detail involving the cathedral, too, but will say no more for fear of spoiling the plot for other readers.

This is pure crime at its best, no frills added and cleverly written with a wicked sense of humour. I love the all main characters and just worth a mention is the size of print in the book which makes for easy reading. 5* from me.

When members of South London’s Dawn family are killed, it looks like a takeover by a rival gang is on the cards. When the case is passed to DCI Palmer and his team, it soon becomes clear that there’s more to these murders than a simple turf war. As the body count rises, the investigation twists and turns, with the squad always a step off the pace, but closing in fast.
If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you’ll be familiar with the characters and the author’s no frills writing style, fast pace and great characterisation, spiced with some lovely humorous touches and a realism that increases your enjoyment.
If you haven’t read any of the previous outings for the Serial Murder Squad, you can still enjoy this book, but I would urge you to read the others. You’re guaranteed some exciting stories, quality crime writing and a great deal of pleasure.
Highly recommended.

This is book 1 in the DCS Palmer and the Serial Murder Squad and it is a great read and I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. Loved the title The Felt Tip Murders. We meet the very quirky and humorous characters Detective Chief Superintendent Palmer and Detective Sergeant Singh in a story which keeps you guessing throughout. Barry Faulkner is a very talented writer and has come up with a superb enjoyable plot with lots of twists and turns and great characters who you warm to instantly. I give this book a well deserved 5 stars! Highly recommended.

The author brings a whole new meaning to bodybuilding in the latest outing for the Serial Murder Squad. Palmer and the squad swing into action when bodies are found with different limbs missing.

Without fuss or diversion, you’re drawn straight into the thick of the story and taken on a fast paced journey into another absorbing and intriguing case that’s as imaginative as it is exciting. You’ll get action, especially in the exciting climax, memorable characters and dialogue, seasoned with humour and glimpses into Palmer’s life that will raise a smile or three.

You don’t need to have read the previous novels to enjoy this, but you should as the author offers a memorable slant on the police procedural that’s fresh, highly entertaining and addictive.

Mr Faulkner writes exceedingly good thrillers, and in this neat volume, we have two for the price of one. The plot moves at a satisfactory speed, the elderly reader can keep pace and life quickens up considerably as the finale approaches. The settings are pleasingly familiar. Even Staverton Airport where flights for the Channel Islands stagger off the ground is carefully described—one could find the exact corner where one femme fatale and her despicable designs go up in smoke. Dialogue is credible and vital, small wonder when one contemplates B.L. Faulkner’s script writing pedigree.
But the strength of the Barry Faulkner’s  thrillers is in the cross cultural relationship of the main protagonists. Detective Chief Superintendent Palmer and Gheeta Singh ,his whizz-kid side-kick provide each other with illuminating insights into each other’s worlds. Palmer’s experience in the Met (and no punches are pulled when past discrepancies occurring in this Institution are described) enlighten Sergeant Singh as she makes her mark on that historically white male enclave. Their relationship is formal and professional, except there is the trace of father-daughter repartee, and one senses that this affectionate parent/child affinity transcends the rigid occupational boundaries. They are curious about the other’s life, and this creates a bond and an interest over and above the mundane concerns of day-to-day policing. It is the juxtapositioning of these two characters which lifts Faulkner’s work into the more heady Maigret/Poirot atmosphere.. Exceedingly good mysteries!

Palmer along with his sidekick, Gheeta Singh, take us into the dark world of murder with two cases unfolding at breath-taking speed. Barry Faulkner holds the unique ability to draw us into the lives of the characters with well-described settings that capture the atmosphere of each and every scene. An excellent piece of writing, two intriguing plots, and something I would seriously recommend. Looking forward to reading more by this author.