Murder by the Broads

You really will need your wits about you to keep up with the action in this fast-paced story. Dead teenagers, drugs, corruption - it's all there. At times, there's a little too much action - it becomes difficult to keep up. Not one for the easily distracted!!!

Murder By The Broads is the authors debut novel and the first book in a new series to feature DS Adam Burnt. Adam is someone that never quite turns off from his work. Even though he is married with a young family, when spending time with them his mind always seems to drift to the case he is currently working on. Then of course there is also the issue with his own marriage and whether he can trust his wife or not. Even though we get to know a bit about Adam, I feel like there is more to come with this character. His personal life, even though we get a few snippets, is more in the background and the author concentrates more on the case. I actually like this as sometimes authors can spend too much time letting the reader get to know the characters at the expense of the story. Well thankfully not in this instance.

The story flicks back and forth from present day to events leading up to the death of two boys of which is where the story starts off. I'm sure attending a murder isn't easy at the best of times but it's even worse when it's someone that whom hasn't fully reached adulthood yet. The fact that it isn't just one death but two had my interest piqued right away. 

The pace of the story is a steady one picking up every now and again in places. It's certainly one you need to keep your wits about you to keep up with the story line so you don't get lost. Not that, that's a bad thing, it's just with the story going back and forth and then flicking between certain characters, it's one that you may need to concentrate on that little bit more. 

Murder By The Broads is a dark and tense read with a few surprises up it's sleeve. It's a strong and solid start by an author who I think is going to go from strength to strength. Will certainly be looking forward to more by him after this commendable debut.

DS Adam Burnt has recently transferred to the Norfolk police force in an attempt to start afresh with his family after believing his wife had been unfaithful. Determined to do his job to the best of his ability there are times when his home life becomes an afterthought. He has had a few issues settling in partially down to his lack of knowledge of the area and partially down to the animosity shown by DS Griffin who is determined to get the vacant DI position and is not overly bothered on the tactics he uses to get there.
DS Burnt along with DC James Ashley head an investigation into the deaths of two boys within close timeframes and locations which look very much like a fight that had fatal consequences. Due to an unfortunate incident involving one of the victims, DS Burnt finds himself having to share the investigations with DS Griffin. Griffin appears to be quick to jump to conclusions and take the easy route to solving the case where Burnt is convinced there is more to it. When a house fire results in another murder, his time is stretched even further as witnesses appear to be relevant to both cases. Is it just coincidence or are all these deaths linked to one issue?? The further he investigates the more he is concerned on who he can trust….especially when it looks like one of their own is deliberately trying to sabotage the investigations.
I will admit that at first I struggled to deal with the way the story jumped from one case to the other and I was not sure of the relevance of some of the characters as their introduction seemed a bit random,. That being said I am glad that I persevered. The book soon picks up pace and the things that confused me at the start began to make sense. DS Burnt may not have been the most popular person within the station but his determination to solve the case and the trust and loyalty of his colleague DC Ashley had me warming to him by the end of the book.
This is the first novel by Anthony Tamiozzo and it will be interesting to see if there is more in store for DS Burnt and DC Ashley. If you are looking for a book that will challenge you and make you think, this is one for you.

This is a real page turner and it's hard to believe it is a debut novel. The pace is fast and the plot complex, keeping the reader thoroughly engrossed from the first page to the last, although I fear the number of strands running through may be a little off-putting for some. The story starts in the present day, then goes back a week to explain how events have unfolded to get to where they currently are, and then moves forward onto the shocking conclusion. The good characters were (in the main part) good with the customary few flaws, and the baddies were really bad! I liked DI Burnt and DC Ashley, and I hope that they appear in another story soon as I really enjoyed this one.

This is a great debut novel. We are introduced to DS Adam Burnt who has recently moved to the Norfolk police for a fresh start. Although we get an insight into his personal life I hope we get to know more about him in the future.

His first investigation is into the deaths of two young boys found close to each other. The plot thickens when there is another death.

The story is told through present and past. It’s a complex story which you need to concentrate on to get the most from the story. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from him in the future.

Murder By The Broads by Anthony Tamiozzo

In his debut novel author Anthony Tamiozzo introduces us to DS Adam Burnt. Burnt moved his family from the east to the midlands a couple years before the story begins and seems to still not be 100% part of the police team he works with. His partner, DC Ashley, his partner, does seem to have his back.

Burnt is different than most heroes. Main characters in this genre often have flaws but Burnt’s are a bit different than others I have met through reading and for some reason I would really like to know why he is so jealous, why he puts his job before his family and a bit more about his past. His flaws begin to show soon in the story and increase as he works to find out who might be behind the death of two young men. The flaws are not enough to keep him from doing his job but definitely make him interesting.

The story begins in the present with DS Burnt being called out to the location of the dead youths. A few chapters in the story goes back a week in time to the beginning of the story and unfolds in a way that I was not expecting. There are drugs, young thugs, mental patients, internal police issues, family issues and more that are exposed as a clearer picture of what occurred and why it happened as it did is unveiled.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

DS Adam Burnt's move to the Broads is not going well. But is made worse when he is called out to the scene of two deaths. What is the story leading to the deaths of these boys and who else has been and will be affected.
An interesting well-written story with a multi-lavered plot which kept my interest. A good start for a new series, in which I expect to learn more about these characters.

3.5☆ A Debut Crime Thriller
(Rounded up to 4☆ for Amazon and Goodreads)

Murder By The Broads is a crime thriller, debut novel and the first book in a new series.

DI Adam Burnt has just moved into a new area with his family and it's not long before his thrown into a double murder.

Two teenage boys have been found murdered. Adam is tasked to work out if the two murders are connected.
I think the case is particularly tough as they two boys are both young.

The story is told in alternate time lines from the present and leading up to the murders. I quiet like it written like this as the reader gets to be involved from the start.
However I did get a little confused at times when the story switched and found myself flicking back to make sure.

The pace is steady which made a change to the fast paced crime thrillers/ mysteries I usually read.

You do get a fair amount of story about Adam and his home life. I am intrigued to see how his character will develop. He is extremely dedicated to the force and his family seem to take a back seat.

Murder By The Broads is a slower paced crime fiction, that has a few lil twists and a dedicated DI.

Overall a good first book in the series.
Intrigued to see what's next in-store for the series.

Thank you to Bloodhound books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this. Its been a whole since I've read a good police procedural and this didn't disappoint. Twists and turns throughout. Definitely a good read:)

A story with many facets which take some keeping up with until gradually they all start to intertwine in such a devious plot it beggars belief of your regular citizen. This book disturbingly gives a birds eye inside view into the minds ravaged by drugs and the evil beings who profit from their misery, who will stop at nothing to cover their tracks. Detective Burnt is clever and honest but he’s fighting against the odds with a bent colleague carefully pointing him in the wrong direction. The chapters are told from each character’s point of view which takes some keeping up with if you’re not reading in one sitting but it’s so worth persevering as this is original, gripping and a very cleverly told tale. A great read.
Netgally copy.

Not only is this the debut book in the DS Adam Burnt series, it is the author's debut book! Sometimes when you read British police procedurals, it almost seems like the main leads are superhuman- you can't quite picture them say having the flu, whining to their spouse, or the like. But not this one. Burnt is a character we all can relate to- while he knows he is a good detective, he wonders still why his wife married him and if she leave him. Then add in a murder that doesn't make sense, and he has some serious clue hunting to set off on. The book is told from different perspectives at times and that may seem like it's slowing the book down, but it is giving the reader more clues, and allowing for a slower set up, to the nail biting ending! This was a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!