"Don't Scream" by Margaret Murphy is a gripping crime thriller that plunges Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Rickman and his team into a disturbing case of exploitation and betrayal. When Rickman comes face to face with a brutally murdered body, he is haunted by the amount of blood and fears for the safety of a baby connected to the crime. As the investigation unfolds, the case becomes intensely personal for the entire team, forcing them to navigate a twisted world in pursuit of a serial killer who inflicts unimaginable horrors on his victims.

Margaret Murphy crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, racing to uncover the identity of the killer before more lives are lost. The pulse-pounding conclusion will leave readers breathless, craving more from this captivating crime thriller.

Readers will be drawn to the compelling cast of characters, particularly Detective Constable Naomi Hart, known for her cool Scandinavian looks and mysterious aura. Rickman's unwavering loyalty to Hart adds an intriguing layer to their partnership, while the dynamics within the team bring depth and complexity to the story. With echoes of authors such as Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer, and Karin Slaughter, "Don't Scream" is a must-read for fans of gritty and suspenseful crime fiction.

LOVED this book so much. So chilling. 10/10 and would definitely recommend this author and book to a friend!

This was definitely a good solid read, thrilling and entertaining until the end. Recommended for anyone who loves suspense, mystery and entertainment in one.

I will start off by saying that the writing and the flow of the book was amazing but the plot for me fell short and it could just be because I do not like detective centered books

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Good mystery book. So it might be a perfect read for Halloween Month 🎃!

A lovely book to curl up with. I love the flow and the build-up. Exciting, riveting and keeps you engaged. Go for it.

This was a really interesting murder with a thousand cuts, I enjoyed going on this mystery crime drama, the characters were great. It was a interesting plot

The 3rd book in the series of DCI Jeff Rickman. I haven’t read any of the others in the series and even though it was a standalone case it probably would’ve helped with the private lives of the main characters. An enjoyable read that kept you guessing right to the end

This one fell a little flat for me, possibly due to my mood at the time.
Despite not quite hitting the spot for me, the book was well written and the characters were well developed.

This is my first book by this author and the third in the Det. Jeff Rickman series. When Rickman and his partner are called to the scene of the murder of a young woman and her baby missing, he fears they are in for a hell of a ride as the hunt is on for a sadistic serial killer. A brilliant police procedural read full of intrigue, suspense and twists! I am definitely going back to read the first two books in the series and delighted to have found yet another great series to add to my list.

Loved this read! Couldn't put it down and decided to read it all in one sitting, definatly did not disapoint! Thankyou author!

Requesting this book, I did not realize it was the third in the series, and unwilling to start a story three books in, I read the prior two books so that I was up to speed on character relationships and backstories. This was a wise move because so much of the story, while centered around police procedurals, is tied to knowing and appreciating the long-term players.

This installment was my favorite, so far, and it was a bit more fast-paced than the previous slow burns. Visually, the story was terrifying and unique, rich with particulars, and unfortunately heartbreaking. It was almost akin to a modern day Sherlock, with a little less quirk but plenty of personality. The overall story is quite heartbreaking, especially if you’re a parent, but it is written with such care and sensitivity that you can’t help but want to seek justice for the victims.

As a fan of reading stories set in the UK, and mysteries, this definitely scratched that itch and I look forward to future additions.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author for an ARC copy of Don't Scream.

My first book by this author, and the third in a series of Detective Jeff Rickman.

Detective Rickman can't take his eyes off her body. There is so much blood. A lacing of fine cuts: parallel lines, curls, sunbursts, whorls and geometric patterns.

‘The baby?’ he asks. ‘Is the baby all right?’

At six-foot-four Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Rickman is an imposing figure. He has the appearance of being a bruiser in a suit, thanks to his crooked nose (broken in childhood and badly reset) and assorted scars, one of which bisects his right eyebrow. He wears his chestnut-brown hair short, and anyone seeing him for the first time might mistake him for a tough nut. He’s handy enough with his fists to face down hard men, but women still feel safe in his presence.

Detective Constable Naomi Hart is known for her cool Scandinavian looks. She wears her ‘almost white-blonde’ hair in a twist, accentuating the length and curve of her neck. Rickman is devoted to his partner and would never stray, but he does notice the men on his team noticing her. She is aloof from it all; there’s an air of a mystery about her and she likes it that way. Very much her own woman, Hart is ambitious, and can play the political game, willing to weigh up the costs against gains of working with people she really doesn’t like. In the interview room, she shows poise and control. She has a ready wit and a good sense of timing.

While Rickman is front and centre of this investigation, it's one of his team that makes it personal for all of them. Foster having been in foster homes when he was young, he knows the boyfriend they are all looking for .. he was also in the same homes and they became friends. He is adamant that his friend could not have hurt anyone, much less murder the mother of his baby daughter in such a manner.

What I find is a crime police thriller, with good characters, but a heavy and confusing plot, making the story a little slow and heavy going.

Not quite as an exciting build up as expected. But okay

Three stars. Okay, but slow.

Can be read as a standalone, as I have as the author carefully explains details of the first two books.

DCI Rickman and team investigate the murder of 17 year Jasmine, who was subject to a thousand cuts. But no one knows where her newborn baby is.
Quite a slow start but the story did pick up.

Number 3 in the Inspector Rickman series and what a thriling read

Skmeone is preying on young women and when a teenage mother is found murdered and her baby missing it becomes evident that there is more to the crimes than meets the eye

A race starts to find the missing child and stop the killer in his tracks

Don't Scream is the 3rd book in the Detective Jeff Rickman series but the first one in the series and overall the second book I have read by Margaret Murphy.  One thing I can say for certain about the author's writing style is that she does not sugar coat--neither the crime or the violence of it nor the characters that are part of the plotline (both the good and the bad guys). Like the previous book I read of hers, even this one is an edgy and gritty police procedural. The description of the sadistic nature of the crimes committed is raw, brutal and disturbing which left me overwhelmed and the impact is felt more when the victims are a down on their luck and vulnerable young couple and their baby.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books and the author for the e-Arc of the book. I think Margaret Murphy is an author I will definitely be reading more of in the future.

The book was published on 8th December 2020.

Don’t Scream by Margaret Murphy is the third entry in the Detective Chief Inspector Rickman series but reads well as a standalone. DCI Rickman and his partner Detective Constable Hart are at the scene of the brutal murder of a teenage mother and her baby is missing. It soon becomes apparent that a serial killer is preying on young women. This is an enthralling police procedural that transports the reader into an investigation like no other, with a team of detectives dedicated to finding a baby and a cruel killer. This will take them to a home for neglected and abandoned children, to an organized crime boss and his thugs looking for his stolen money and drugs, and to office politics among senior members of the police force, etc. Margaret Murphy is a skilled writer of thrillers and her novels never disappoint. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a challenging mystery that leaves you wanting more. Thank you to Joffe Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Normally I read a book and then review within a day or so. With life/Christmas/New Year it's been a couple of weeks and, I'm sorry to say, I can barely remember what went on. So not a good start - it didn't grab me enough. I do remember the main characters - Rickman and Hart, they're ok; there was a bloody murder of a young woman, her missing baby and a druggie boyfriend and essentially drug baron wars in Liverpool. It was an ok read but not one I'd go back to. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Don't Scream by Margaret Murphy is the first book I have read by this author. Even though it was the third book in the Detective Jeff Rickman series, I found it very easy to follow and get into, this book. This series is set in set in Edge Hill, Liverpool, and opens with a major drug deal taking place between crime Lord Rob Maitland and his Dutch supplier. As all the holdalls of the product and the cash are about to be exchanged, Merseyside Police’s Operation swings into action. Shots are fired, everyone takes cover.........

The next day DCI Jeff Rickman and DS Lee Foster has been called to a horrific murder scene. Jasmine Elliott has been raped and suffered hundreds of cuts, and is bleeding to death. Her new born baby is missing.

The prime suspect is her junkie boyfriend but he is missing too. WoW............

Time is ticking to find the newborn baby and her Junkie boyfriend.

This book is full of twists and turns throughout that will have you hooked within a few pages, I will be reading more of Margaret Murphy's books in the future. Excellent read.

Big Thank you to Joffre Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

A brilliant read, full of suspense and action. Lits of fabulous characters, I only wish I had read the previous two books in the series to know the personal back stories. However, this doesn't mean this book cannot be read as a stand alone.