Testimonials about Colin Wade’s books

Praise for The Oxford Mystery

Classic small-town whodunit set against the atmospheric backdrop of Oxford. The characters feel believable, with personal motives and flaws that add to the intrigue, though a few could have been developed more deeply. Overall, this is an engaging read for fans of British crime fiction and traditional mysteries. It’s a well-constructed and enjoyable story that holds your attention to the end.

(Net Galley Reviewer)

This is an intriguing story. It starts with a treasure hunt that gets increasingly complicated. The characters are complex and difficult to see their true role in the plot. Good ending.

(Net Galley Reviewer)

I thought this worked well as a tense and suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for in this type of book. The mystery of this worked well overall and was hooked from the genre, the characters had that feel that I was looking for and was glad they were so well done. It was everything that I was wanting from this type of book and figuring out what was happening with the Oxford Mystery. Colin Wade has a strong writing style and thought the overall feel worked in the story.

(Net Galley Reviewer)

Praise for Murder at the Manor

Review from the Promoting Crime Blog

In line with the book’s title, this is exactly what you think it will be. It is a ripper of a mystery with all the traditional al and thoroughly enjoyable aspects of the police procedural genre. Red herrings, twists, quirky characters and a lovely evocative setting all come together to create a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Net Galley reviewer

Murder at the Manor is a brilliantly crafted British police procedural that kicks off with an intriguing mystery: a missing guest at the Cotswold Manor Hotel, a bloodstain, and no body to be found—at least not at first. DCI Chloe Taylor is called to the scene, and what starts as a classic murder mystery soon evolves into something much more complex as the case becomes entangled with a terrorism investigation.

Colin Wade has done a fantastic job of building tension throughout the novel. The setting of the Cotswold Manor Hotel is the perfect backdrop for a mystery, with its mix of eccentric guests, each carrying secrets of their own. It reminded me of a modern-day Agatha Christie-style whodunit, full of red herrings and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The interplay of lies, deceit, and fake identities adds a layer of complexity that makes this more than just a simple murder investigation.

DCI Chloe Taylor is a strong and determined character, and I really enjoyed her leadership and grit as she navigates both the investigation and the challenges of working alongside the Counter Terrorism Unit. The stakes are raised as the investigation uncovers more about the victim and the wider implications of the crime, leading to some real edge-of-your-seat moments. The pacing is fast, and the suspense never lets up.

What really stood out to me was how well Wade handled the twists and turns. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another surprise throws the investigation in a new direction. The characters are well-drawn, from the eclectic mix of hotel guests to Chloe’s own team, and I appreciated how the author added depth to their motivations and backgrounds.

Overall, Murder at the Manor is a gripping, fast-paced mystery with plenty of surprises along the way. It’s a must-read for fans of British crime novels and anyone who enjoys a well-constructed, twisty thriller. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Colin Wade in the future, especially if DCI Chloe Taylor returns for another investigation!

Highly recommended.

Net Galley reviewer

My first book by Collin wade and I really enjoyed it
So much going I was so engrossed I read it in one sitting
Loved the characters and getting to know them
This was fast paced and completely twisty
Loved it

Net Galley reviewer

In true Agatha Christie-style the guest list at the Cotswold Manor Hotel is like an army of red herrings. Is anyone actually who they say they are?
Over the past five years Colin Wade has honed his talents as a novelist and it is always exciting when he has a new book published. If you haven’t read one of his books yet you’ve got many hours of pleasurable reading to come.
Once again the plot is extremely complex and full of shocks and surprises as DCI Chloe Taylor and her team try to find a murderer who is also being hunted by other law enforcement agencies.
There’s never a dull moment and plenty of interesting characters all adding to the suspense.

Robin P, Net Galley reviewer

Praise for The Devil’s Code

This was a great spin on psychological thriller/crime thriller. Brutal, with devilishly good twists and turns. Wade takes the overwritten, basic bitch criminal drama and adds a flair of debauchery and occultism to boot. As other authors struggle to make their cookie cutter characters stand out in a genre that continually uses the bland “bad cop with a chip on the shoulder,” Wade makes a cast of characters that are believable, unique, and sometimes utterly atrocious. I have to give credit where credit is due and this is one mean hell ride, with an extraordinary feeling of unease throughout.

Ky B, Reviewer

Colin Wade has substantial gifts as a writer. Reading a new novel by him is always an absolute pleasure. His detective novels are more than a cut above the average thriller. DCI Matthew McCallum is an extraordinary creation: a maverick, intellectual, flawed, vulnerable, but with layer-upon-layer of inner strength. The plot is atmospheric and arresting with its dark complexities and pacy, inventive, assured crafting. I can’t help thinking that this novel with its evocation of Dante’s Inferno would have been praised by Dorothy L. Sayers – the renowned crime writer and founder member of the Detection Club – who devoted the last twenty years of her life to its translation. This is a scorching hot crime mystery tale executed with dexterity and deftness.

Robin P, Reviewer

I really enjoyed The Devil’s Code. A great British police procedural / detective story. I really hope there ‘ll be more to come.

DCI McCallum and his team come up against a truly twisted psychopath. With good detective work and a great team, they slowly but surely solve the case. Although, there’s still a twist or three to keep things exciting! McCallum is a great character. He’s human, he takes a lot of strain during the case, he gets grumpy and stubborn, but he’s a good guy! I look forward to seeing his character develop further.

DCI McCallum is one of the better detective characters I’ve come across recently. There seems to be an awful trend of making detectives/PI’s so flawed they become unlikeable. They seem to have some haunted past that affects every single case they work on, or they’re popping pill or shots to the extent they can barely stand up. Yet, they have amazing flashes of brilliance which miraculously solves the case 10 pages before the end of the book with the reader none the wiser how they got there! That isn’t the case with The Devil’s Code. Good policework, diligence and persistence pay off. And the reader is along for the ride every step of the way.

Susanne K, Reviewer

A really excellent read and one of the best books I have read for some time.

Certainly an author to keep an eye on. Recommend.

IAIN M, Reviewer

Praise for Sins of the Father

Thrilling and utterly compulsive! An incredible read, impossible to put down. Incredible storytelling! Recommend you read this book! A propulsive read that never let me go from start to finish!

Reviewer

This was a book that I devoured in the span of a day because I couldn’t put it down. The plot twists were incredible and I loved the story/character development. It’s definitely a page-turner and the antagonists are so unlikeable and thoroughly obnoxious (very well-written!) that you really want to keep reading in hopes they get their just dues. Now it’s up to you to read it and see what happens…

Azmia M, Media/Journalist

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope he writes more! I am totally hooked!

Matt J, Reviewer

Praise for Deadly Connections

Read the review on Promoting Crime Fiction.

In his latest novel Colin Wade uses all the tropes that make crime fiction so good and this police procedural still sparkles with originality. Jersey, still relatively unused by crime novelists, provides a beautiful backdrop for an intensely dark and complex plot. The author pays homage to the genius of Agatha Christie in a story full of unexpected twists and turns, and a razor-sharp denouement.

Robin P, Reviewer

First off… the cover! Striking, bold and solid. Grabbed my attention instantly.

Secondly… just wow! I absolutely loved this book.

A formidable strong lead character Police Chief Sarah Braintree. After who receiving a top award for her services to the police department is then thrown straight in the deep end of a serial killers rampage.

The killings feel personal, aimed at Sarah. Notes are left on the bodies of each victim, leaving clues for Sarah to solve.

Whilst the body count rises, the riddles in the clues make no sense. The link needs to be made!

A fast paced, enthralling, engaging read that hooked me straight away and had me racing through the pages.

100% recommend.

Janine H, Reviewer