Jackdaw by Daniel Cole is published by Storm Publishing today, 10 October 2023.
Daughter of a notorious murderer herself, Detective Scarlett Delaney hasn’t been on the force for long when she finds herself heading up a mystifying new case. With three seemingly impossible murders to date, leaving each of the victims with calling-card scratches, the killer known only as “Jackdaw” feels untouchable… uncatchable, always claiming a shiny keepsake before disappearing into thin air.
That is until Scarlett encounters Henry Devlin, a charismatic but dangerous criminal with his own reasons for pursuing the Jackdaw. Together, they form an uneasy alliance, but as they get closer to their prey, the threat surrounding Scarlett intensifies – from the growing suspicions of her partner on the force, Henry’s ruthlessly efficient employers… and, most terrifyingly, from the very monster that she is so desperately chasing…
An ambitious detective. A charming assassin… and their hunt for a serial killer.
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As a huge fan of Daniel Cole‘s Ragdoll series, I was so excited to read Jackdaw and it absolutely did not disappoint! I loved the character of Scarlett Delaney. I found her hugely engaging and relatable, despite some of her quirkier decisions, and I really enjoyed her relationship with her mentor and colleague, DS Frank Ash, as well as that with charming and thoroughly untrustworthy Henry (Cavill, I thought – I don’t know about anyone else??)
Jackdaw is an enjoyable rollercoaster of a ride from page one and is full of Daniel Cole‘s trademark sense of dark humour and love of the macabre. The gory, if not impossible, locked room murders are inventive and I loved the little diagram of one (you’ll see). The explanations are truly inspired!
The thrills and pace both increase as Scarlett and Frank close in on their goals and I was really torn between racing to the conclusion and trying not to finish it too quickly. The ending is great and I was so pleased to see that Book 2 is already in the works and I can’t wait to read it. Huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of Jackdaw.
If you enjoyed my review, please consider liking and/or sharing and, of course, buying the book:
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