This is the third in the series and I think it would help to read the preceding books, as otherwise the sense of drama regarding the corruption isn’t quite as strong. Unfortunately I hadn’t read the other books - the story itself regarding the drugs and trafficking was OK, but I found the whole senior officer corruption just too implausible - the character was almost a caricature of a pantomime villain, and that sadly spoiled it for me. Each time they cropped up, it would pull me out of the story because it was just too unlikely.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the delay in providing this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Joffe Books for letting me see an advance reader’s copy of Deadly Shores by Kerry Buchanan.

Deadly Shores is the latest police procedural for Harvey and Birch, Buchanan's pair of detectives, set in and around Belfast in Northern Ireland. It's book 3, from what I can gather, and while I did enjoy it as a standalone story set within the series, I do feel I would have benefited more from reading the first two books. I felt as though I was missing a few details and was failing to understand the chemistry between the two officers.

I loved almost everything about this story. I loved the unusual setting, I loved getting to know how the Northern Ireland police force worked, I loved the characters, who felt nicely established, and I loved the storyline. It kept me turning the pages to find out what on earth was going to happen next.

I stalled when we 'discovered' who was behind they mystery, but I ploughed on in the hope that this was a massive red herring. It wasn't, and in a way I was also glad that it wasn't. But I would have preferred to have been kept guessing until closer to the end, at least to give me half a chance of trying to work it out for myself.

There was also the usual lack of thought with characters' names. Having so many similar sounding names was a bit confusing, especially at the very start where we had Aaron, Asha, Aiken and Alistair in chapter one, closely followed by Jim and Tom in the same line, Steve and Steele in the same line, and Clara and Claudia in the same line. This is such a quick and easy fix, I don't know why so many authors let it happen.

But it's a nice read, I presume a good continuation of the series. I enjoyed it so much, I bought book 1.

Four stars.

Deadly Shores was the third book in the detective Harvey and Birch series. I have not read the first 2 books in this series, but I didn't feel like I was missing any information while I read. This book was well-written and held my attention. It was fast-paced and a quick read. I always enjoy books with multiple points of view.

Third in the series of books with Detectives Harvey & Birch in Northern Ireland, but can be read as a standalone.
Christmas dinner is interrupted as a tip comes in about smuggling, then there is action from there on.
Lots of action and more hints as to the previous corruption to the NI Police dept.
Well written and easy to follow thriller.

I first want to thank NetGalley, the Author, Kerry Buchanan, and the publisher, Joffe Books for giving me my first ARC to review!

I absolutely adored the fast pace of this novel! The twists kept coming and they didn’t stop coming, and I truly couldn’t ever guess what would happen next.

I really appreciated the multiple POV approach to this book! Hearing both sides of the stories can sometimes confuse the plot, but I didn’t find that to be the case in the least. Asha and Aaron were such likeable, relatable protagonists which just made the story all the more compelling.

My one qualm is that I wish I’d known this was third in a series prior to reading it. In my opinion, it stood on its own well, but I think I might’ve appreciated certain aspects of it more fully if I’d had the background from the previous two novels.

I’m planning to go back and read them now that Kerry Buchanan has me in the palm of her hand! Very well done.

Detectives Asha Harvey & Aaron Birch are involved in this fast action packed book about smugglers on the coast of Bangor, Maine. There is quick paced action that goes from page 1 until the very end. I never saw the ending coming!. A must read for the action fans.

I was a bit disappointed by this book. Like the previous one, this story lacked that gripping element that kept me turning pages in the first book. This book contained two new romantic relationships which both felt quite forced - probably also because they weren't the relationship that I wanted. We got a lot of answers in this book, which was nice, except I don't know where that leaves us for further sequels. I really dislike when, in order to continue the mystery, the conspiracy gets larger and larger. Unfortunately, I don't see how the background storyline can continue without this happening. I'll read the next book if I see it available on NetGalley or at my library, but I won't be going out of my way to find it.

The police are given a tip off about a drugs drop off and they spring into action to catch the smugglers. But things take a sinister turn when an informer is found murdered and the lead officers wonder who they can trust...
Deadly Shores is the third police thriller in the Harvey and Birch series. I have read the first book Knife Edge, but missed the second :( The series is set in Northern Ireland.
Asha and Aaron reunite to jointly investigate a drug smuggling case. Meanwhile one of their friends and one of their senior officers are both hiding information that may be relevant. I really enjoyed the strong relationship between the two lead characters and the warm banter between them. Both have a chance for romance in this book which adds an extra dimension to the plot and characters.
The writing style is easy to read and the pace is quite speedy with plenty of action to keep the momentum of the plot going. The main detectives face plenty of drama and danger as the case proceeds. There is one instance of a racial slur which really shocked me but was in keeping with the nefarious character who used it.
Deadly Shores is an entertaining police thriller and I really like the dynamics of the lead detectives.

This is the 3rd book in the Harvey and Birch series, this is the first novel that I have read and it was great as a standalone. I am excited to go back and read the first two novels!

Thank you to @netgalley and @davidtarsitanoofficial for my free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly Shores is the latest nerve-shredding crime thriller from Kerry Buchanan that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and absolutely riveted to its pages.

It might be Christmas Day, but for DI Asha Harvey and DS Aaron Birch there certainly won’t be any time for presents and the Queen’s speech. When they get a tip-off that smugglers are approaching the boatyard in Bagnor, they find themselves racing to the marina in less than favourable weather conditions. Harvey and Birch think that they are going to find drugs, but on their arrival, they end up finding something far more sinister that puts in motion a terrifying chain of events that only the two of them can stop.

One of the couriers has been found dead in his hotel room – and this was no accident, but cold-blooded murder. The deeper Harvey and Birch get into this investigation, the more they find themselves tangled up in a dangerous web of corruption and depravity that plunges them into danger and jeopardy. With everything to lose and nobody they can trust, can Harvey and Birch get to the bottom of this case? Or will they end up coming unstuck?

A high octane crime thriller that will have readers jumping out of their skin, there is no chance of getting any sleep while reading Deadly Shores because once started, putting this book down is not an option. Kerry Buchanan grabs her readers from page one and keeps them on tenterhooks every step of the way by brilliantly blending danger, tension and suspense in one top-notch page-turner.

A fast-paced chiller from a brilliant new talent, Kerry Buchanan’s Deadly Shores will thrill and tantalize crime thriller fans.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.


This is the fourth Harvey and Birch book, I have enjoyed all of the series so far. This book was a little slower to get into but once the action get going I couldn’t stop reading.. I really enjoy these characters and can’t wait to see what crimes they are up to solving next. This book has lots of twists and turns and nobody is who you thought they were, everybody was suspect. Loved the ending and can’t wait to read the next book!

I have been a fan of Kerry’s work for a little while now. In fact I have been a fan ever since I had the good fortune to pick up the first book in the series featuring Detectives Harvey and Birch, which is called ‘Knife Edge’. ‘Deadly Shores’ is the third book in the series and what a story it is too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Deadly Shores’ but more about that in a bit.
The fact that Kerry’s name was on the front cover of a book was enough to grab my attention and when I realised I hadn’t read it yet, I knew that I was going to have to read it as soon as I could. So without further ado I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for an afternoon of reading. It didn’t take me long at all to feel as though I had reunited with old friends in the form of Harvey and Birch. By the time I got to the end of the first few pages, I knew that I was going to become addicted to the story and that I would find it increasingly difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I was right on both counts. I did become addicted to the story and I begrudged having to put the book down. Because I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or not. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I made my way through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say goodbye to Detectives Harvey and Birch. I found ‘Deadly Shores’ to be a tense, gripping and dramatic read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Deadly Shores’ is extremely well written but then I found that to be true of the first two books in the series too. Kerry certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read and then some. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Kerry describes the characters so vividly that they seem to come alive and they seem just as real as you and I. Reading ‘Deadly Shores’ felt a bit like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Kerry makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Deadly Shores’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Kerry’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

DEADLY SHORES
by Kerry Buchanan
Pub Date 19 Apr 2022
Joffe Books
Mystery & Thrillers



I am reviewing a copy of Deadly Shores through Joffre books and Negalley:



What happens when there are two ships in the night!
Another dead body, and no safe harbor!



Smugglers are coming into a boatyard in Bangor. The tip comes just as Christmas roast is being served.


Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch are the detectives sent in to investigate. It means they are being pulled away from pulling crackers but the truth is they are both a little relieved. Chief Superintendent Yvonne Patterson has been sidelining them lately and this case could be big.



The illicit cargo has disappeared by the time Asha and Aaron arrive, but local man Phil Johnston is caught on the boatyard’s CCTV. The same Phil Johnston who's broken into and planted a brick of cocaine in the boatyard manager’s house.


Before the case can be declared closed though the driver who delivered the boat is found murdered in his hotel room.




Harvey and Birch have found themselves caught in a deadly storm. Will they sink or swim?



I give Deadly Shores four out of five stars!

DEADLY SHORES by Kerry Buchanan.
Detectives Harvey & Birch Murder Mystery Book 3.
The tip-off comes just as the Christmas roast is being served. Smugglers coming into a boatyard in Bangor. Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch are sent in to investigate. It means being pulled away from pulling crackers, but in truth they’re both a bit relieved. Chief Superintendent Yvonne Patterson has been sidelining them lately — and this case could be big.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. Great series. 5*

law-enforcement, procedural, international-crime-and-mystery, Northern-Ireland, smuggling, theft, attempted-murder, murder, winter, gangsters, family, family-dynamics*****

Every country's law enforcement has particular issues and common frustrations, but I am only minimally acquainted with those specific to Northern Ireland. The dangers and problems with evildoers are the same worldwide.
The extensive publisher's blurb grabbed me by the brain and said, "Read me". Then I started the book and surfaced three hours later! The PSNI in this one face trouble from within and without making for a very tense and riveting read with engaging, interesting characters. I absolutely loved it and will go back, and binge read the first two in series!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Joffe Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Wow, so many corrupt officers at Lisbon Road police station in Belfast, Northern Ireland! First retired and subsequently murdered Chief Inspector Alistair King, then rogue officers George Aiken and Larry Kernaghan who went on the run with their uniforms and patrol car and who are still at large, and finally at the end of book 2, readers discovered that it was Chief Supt Yvonne Patterson pulling the strings and involving young PC Faith McAvoy. No wonder DI Asha Harvey was glad to transfer to Bangor in North Down and join a new team, although regrettably leaving behind DC Aaron Birch with whom she had worked well. Now at the start of book 3, Birch and Harvey are brought back together in a case. On Christmas Day Patterson informs Birch of a tip off that a boat full of drugs is on its way up to the private boatyard of millionaire Richard Steele in Bangor, and he makes his way up there to join Harvey. The police arrive at the yard to find the boat there but the drugs already gone. Soon after, the boat’s delivery driver is found brutally murdered and the drug courier is in grave danger. Unknown to Richard, his sister Clara has been threatened and forced into working for a human trafficking ring and is headed for the safety of his yard. As more attacks follow on those connected to the investigation, Harvey and Birch find themselves caught up in two converging cases where it’s difficult to know who to trust and where danger lurks all around from some very ruthless criminals. These people are watching and controlling events, desperate to evade justice after all these years, and will stop at nothing. Absolutely nothing.
In a hard-hitting story full to the brim with relentless action and excitement, Harvey and Birch really have their work cut out, hampered by the fact that the only people they can rely on are Sergeant Lonnie Jacob, an old timer who has been in the job for years, and as a black woman in the PSNI she has seen and heard it all, together with the ACC Asha’s Aunt Harriet, and her own Supt Sewell. I love Lonnie, probably my favourite of all the very well-drawn characters, although Harvey, Birch and Jana are also extremely likeable. There are loads of twists and turns in this very well written and thrilling story which I can highly recommend. I do hope there will be more! 5*

I don't know why but I struggled to get through this book, I've enjoyed the previous instalments but just feel there's a bit of something missing this time.

Deadly Shores is the third book in the Harvey and Birch stories. This book can be a stand alone read. The story begins on Christmas Day as dinner is about to be served. Being on call Aaron gets a call about a potential drug run on a boat coming into a marina in Bangor.

By the time they get to the marina the drugs are gone, but CCTV gives them a lead on a local suspect. The bodies start to pile up as they investigate the crime. There appears to be much more than just a drug run and several former police are suspected of being involved.

The story has plenty of twists and turns as well as not everyone is who they think they are. There is plenty of action with lots of suspects, and it moves along pretty quickly.

I liked the relationship between Asha and Aaron. It made the story very enjoyable. But most of all I really appreciate the glossary for those of us that are not from the UK. We all take for granted that English is English, but we all have our colloquialisms and slangs which can make it difficult for a reader to follow.

Book 3 in the Harvey and Birch series, set in Northern Ireland, is full of action with a few plot strands. There are plenty of twists in this well written, fast paced thriller but little in the way of character development. We still have corruption in the PSNI, people smuggling and some dodgy characters throughout. The ending came a bit quick for me but overall, I enjoyed the read. I will just have to wait and see what comes next for the two main characters. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

3.5 stars

Deadly Shores by Kerry Buchanan is the third in the  detective series starring Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:  (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Detectives Asha Harvey, and Aaron Birch handle crime in Belfast, Ireland. Asha is always trying to prove herself as the rare Indian woman in a largely white, male police force. She is a little too trusting.  Her family supports everything she does.  Aaron, too is trying to prove himself, because he became a detective through a graduate recruitment scheme, so his fellow officers think he jumped procedures.  He tends to stretch the rules a little. Their boss is CS Yvonne Patterson, who can be a little abrupt.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Asha is has moved to the Bangor police station, but Aaron is sent to help out on Christmas Day when a tip comes in of a smuggling job at the harbour.  This could be big.

A local handyman, Phil Johnston,  is caught on CCTV, and it looks like he was taking cocaine off of a newly delivered new boat.  When he tries to plant a brick in the boatyard manager's house, more charges are pending.  But Asha and Aaron want his boss.

When the driver who delivered the boat is found murdered in his hotel room, things take another turn.

Meanwhile, there is a human trafficking ring also working the area.  Are they connected?


My Opinions:   
This was very well written, although I am not really into police corruption novels, it looks like this series is following so many others down this path.  It may be a show-stopper for me.

I do really like both Asha and Aaron, and they continue to grow on me.  Some of the side characters (like Faith), just rub me the wrong way.

There was a lot of action, and the pace was very good, leading to a fast read.

Again, their is a glossary of terms for "US readers", but it is just a recap from the first two books, many of the terms not even in the current book.  I still think it's a waste of space.

So, although the book was good, I'm still of two minds whether I want to continue to read another series following the police corruption angle.