Dead North (Sam Williams #1) by Joel Hames

Dead North (Sam Williams #1) Reviews

• 
  Linda Strong

  Meet Sam Williams, a rather down in his luck attorney. He was fired from his last employment, now he's taking on small lawsuits.
  
  He receives a call from an old friend, a cop, who enlists his help in a case as a legal advisor. Sam is not a cop and in this case, he is not a lawyer. Needing some money coming in, he agrees.
  
  Thomas Carson has been charged with the murder of two police persons. After several days, he was caught, but has refused to say one word... not to the police, not to his lawyer, not to his wife. And now he's refused to talked to Sam.
  
  Sam begins his investigation and finds several areas of concern .....
  
  Thomas Carson does not exist. He finds a piece of paper with the co-ordinates of an Argentine glacier 8000 miles away. There is the name of a dead man next to those numbers. The suspect is in the hospital after trying to hang himself. Sam is working out of a police station full of cops who want him gone. Even neighbors of the Carson's are angry/disgruntled. And council officers don't seem to care about the murdered cops.
  
  The story line is brilliant. This is an action-packed, fast-paced police procedure that is woven so tightly, the reader must read every word from start to finish, Sam is a terrific series character. He's a good man, one who has made mistakes along the way, but has always tried his best. Roarks, as his cop friend, didn't rate on my likability score at first. He came across as rather crass and thoughtless. But he did kind of grow on me. There are cops who want both men just gone and if they don't go peacefully, the cops will take them down.
  
  This was a new author to me, so I'm happily looking forward to reading his other books that are available.
  
  Many thanks to the Author / TBC Reviewer Request Group for the advanced digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
  
• 
  Eva

  4.5* --> 5*
  
  Books like this one are exactly why I enjoy doing blog tours so much. This may otherwise never have come across my radar and I would have missed out on something fabulous. From the very first pages, I already knew I was going to be pleasantly surprised and in for a thrilling and entertaining ride.
  
  Two unarmed police officers are shot. A suspect is arrested but he won’t talk. Enter Sam Williams, a down-on-his luck lawyer from London. He’s called up to help crack this case way up in Manchester and somehow convince the suspect to talk. Sam doesn’t really have anything much to do so he accepts, thinking maybe this will jumpstart his career once again, but Manchester isn’t exactly welcoming him with open arms. Why is the suspect not talking? Why are the other police officers so hostile and will Sam make it out of the north alive?
  
  He’s working someone else’s case and he’s in way over his head. But sometimes you need the wrong man in the right place.
  
  Let me start by saying that the character of Sam Williams is absolutely fantastic and I warmed to him from the get-go. I often found myself chuckling at his dry sense of humour but also rolling my eyes at him, especially where his relationship skills regarding his girlfriend are concerned. He’s a tad quirky, not quite what you’d expect him to be somehow. But Sam also has great instincts, that gut feeling that spurs him on to find the truth no matter what. He shows incredible determination, even when people are trying their hardest to stop him.
  
  Dead North has a brilliant and truly clever plot. Full of red herrings and dead ends, this fast-paced and tense story had me hooked from start to finish. There are some truly fabulous reveals I didn’t see coming at all. I had no idea who to trust. Quite frankly, I couldn’t figure out any of the connections, didn’t have a clue what was going and so I was kept guessing until the end. I also have to mention the grey, wet and miserable setting of Manchester, which works like a charm. It adds an extra layer of grittiness to the story.
  
  If you’re looking for a crime fiction thriller that’s that little bit different from all the other crime stories out there, then this is most definitely for you. Nothing is what it seems. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and while this is my first time reading a book by Joel Hames, I’m sure it won’t be my last and I can’t wait to catch up with Sam Williams again!
• 
  Helen

  I loved the Art of Staying Dead, and the shorter Victims, Caged and Brexecution by the same author so I was waiting impatiently for this one! This picks up Sam's story a few years on from The Art of Staying Dead and once I'd accepted that it wasn't a straight continuation dealing with the repercussions of the first book (about 10% in) I just devoured the story and became engrossed in the Sam he is now.
  
  Dead North is a really intelligent thriller; violently gritty, sprinkled with humour, brilliantly paced, fabulously written and the many threads are skilfully woven together whilst keeping you guessing right up to the very satisfying end.
  
  But for me all of the above, fantastic though it is, means nothing if I don't care about the characters and boy can Joel Hames write them!! Sam Williams is self deprecating, interesting, mostly likeable, a little quirky and deliciously human. The supporting cast particularly Roarkes and Serena aren't always likeable but, along with a largely unwelcoming anti-Sam police force, are great for Sam's character to bounce off.
  
  As the above shows I absolutely LOVED this book and am hoping we aren't kept waiting too long for the next instalment - which I am praying will tell us a little more about past events and why his old employer was so desperate to contact him.
  
  Unreserved 5 stars and a must read book
• 
  Jonathan Kaye

  I'm not good at reviewing books. Other people are much better at that lark. I'm more of a self-proclaimed food critic, me. But, you know what, that gives me an idea.
  Maybe I should review the book the way I would a meal in a restaurant.
  Okay. Well, in that case, if you fancy a tasty serving of tension, smothered in deliciously unpredictable twists and turns, accompanied by a side of authentic narration and garnished with a generous sprinkling of self-deprecating humour, you're in for a real treat when you dine at Chez Hames.
  An easy 5 stars :-)
• 
  Janet

  Loved it.....
  A fast paced, police procedural, come thriller, this book didn't really need reading. It read itself to me...there's so much to take in, the crime, the background, and the strange thinking and dry wit of Sam Williams, and yet it all flowed to an interesting end.
  The cold blooded killing of two police officers is only the beginning in this book, the twists and turns that follow lead in many directions including assault, murder and a hostage situation as they unravel to reveal a network of crime that dates back over twenty years.
  I loved this book, it's complexity and the intrigue meant that I was entirely engaged, trying to figure out who was behind it all and why...I need more of Sam Williams in my reading life
• 
  Lainy

  Time taken to read - in and our over 3 days
  
  Pages - 280
  
  Publisher - Mainsail books
  
  Source - Review copy
  
  Blurb from Goodreads
  
  Once the brightest star in the legal firmament, Sam Williams has hit rock bottom, with barely a client to his name and a short-term cash problem that's looking longer by the minute. So when he's summoned to Manchester to help a friend crack a case involving the murder of two unarmed police officers and a suspect who won't say a word, he jumps at the chance to resurrect his career.
  
  In Manchester he'll struggle against resentful locals, an enigmatic defence lawyer who thinks he's stepping on her toes, beatings, corrupt cops and people who'll do anything to protect their secrets. On its streets, he’ll see people die. But it's in the hills and valleys further north that Sam will face the biggest challenge of all: learning who he really is and facing down the ghosts of his past.
  
  He’s working someone else’s case and he’s in way over his head. But sometimes you need the wrong man in the right place.
  
  
  
  My Review
  
  Two police officers killed, one suspect arrested who isn't talking and a case that had no leads and pretty much no evidence. That is what Sam Williams has been called in as an adviser to help with, Sam is a lawyer who really needs an influx of cash. With money problems and one client business is not good so he really has nothing to loose. When he gets to Manchester he is met with resistance, hostility and that is just the staff on the case he is there to help! With a race against time, Sam starts digging to get answers, finds himself in danger and trodding on toes with dangerous consequences.
  
  This is my first dance with this author, whilst it is a serious crime and we run into violence and aggression there is humour laced throughout the book. Sam is a bit of a character, down on his luck and at times adding more problems than he is helping to solve. The suspect we know quite quickly there has to be more to, silence is suspicious and he is saying nothing. As Sam digs and stumbles about the case he has bitten off more than he can chew. I found myself questioning everyone and trusting no one. That said I had no idea why the crime had happened, I kept going chapter to chapter patiently (or impatiently) waiting to see what was coming next. You have the human aspect of the book too, Sam has a lot going on, money worries, career worries and when the cat is away.............temptation can rear its ugly head. Sam is, I thought, an interesting character, flawed but not a cliche of a guy a bit down on his luck.
  
  Interesting characters, lots of issues covered, teamwork, police procedure, relationships, pressure on individuals working the case, working relationships, politics within the force and those helping. And whilst it is busy with all of that, it doesn't overshadow the main parts of the book, the murder case, it just ties in nicely. I did enjoy this and I think (hope) there will be more in the series, I would quite like to see what is in store fr the characters next. A story that keeps the reader on their toes, engaging from the get go and I think even those readers who can guess the plot will have their work cut out for them this time. 4/5 for me, if you like crime but with focus on the characters and relationships side with some humour then I think you will love this book. On a wee additional note, there is swearing in the book, nothing over the top but just a heads up!
• 
  Mark

  ‘Dead North’ by Joel Hames published by Mainsail Books and Out Now
  
  Hey, so I approached ‘Dead North’ knowing I was going to read and review both this and the soon fo be published book 2 in the series and not having read anything by the author before....
  Firstly I enjoyed it, I liked the authors writing style, friendly and got you involved straight away and held you there theoughout the whole book, the narrative is almost chatty and I felt I knew what was happening to who, when and at the end why 😃
  I loved the character of Sam Williams and his quirks and attitude,I built a picture of him quickly and enjoyed his story and his sub stories
  The rest of the characters I liked and found them ‘human’ and easy to ‘get to know’
  The story itself was a fast paced thriller that included mysterious disappearances, corrupt Police and a double murder suspect who wont speak a word....many times the book surprised me with the direction things took and what happened and it kept me guessing and ‘on my toes’ throughout
  The author loves words and uses them!!! Migjt sound weird but some books when reading on Kindle App you seem to be swiping to turn every 8th word, not so this book as the descriptive narrative never lets up and its easy to build a picture of the ever changing story...
  A really good thriller, enjoyable, unpredictable and exciting and leaves me looking forward to Book 2 which is just as well as I am starting it !!! 😃
• 
  Kath

  This was another one of those books that I initially struggled with getting to grips with the author's style of writing. But I've played that game before and know that it'll either gel in the first 10% or so and I'll whizz through the rest or I'll have to admit that maybe this isn't for me. I really don't need to say which path this book took as I think the 5 big stars that I have rated it might just give it away!
  So Lawyer Sam Williams is asked to assist as a consultant on a case in Manchester. On first viewing, it appears to have already been solved as the suspect is in custody for the murder of two police officers already. Problem is, he isn't saying anything. As there is money involved and Sam being a tad financially challenged, he jumps at the chance to help his old mate. But, even though he is there to help get justice for the two dead cops, Sam doesn't find himself too welcome and really has to pit his wits to cut through the secrets and lies and get to the crux of what really happened on that country lane.
  Well, once I clicked with the writing style, I absolutely whizzed through this book. There was quite a lot in play for me to juggle with along the way. Some things easy to spot, others quite more subtle but when they cropped up later on, I did kick myself for not having noticed. Well played that author as I read so much that it does take a certain skill to do this these days!
  What can I say about Sam Williams. Well... he's a bit of a character isn't he! I am not sure I like him to be honest. I definitely respect him but there's just something about him that I am not too taken with. That said, he did get under my skin right from the off so, again, the author done good there too! I don't have to like a main character to have a connection with them and as long as I do get some connection then all's good. I did however enjoy the personal journey that Sam went on through the book and I did start to warm to him at the end. The other main players were just as well drawn and exciting to get to know, especially with all the duplicity flying about. They definitely kept me on my toes throughout I can tell you. I'd even go as far as to say that the setting of Manchester could almost be considered to be a character in its own right as it featured quite heavily in both the main plot and the other story arcs along the way.
  And now the plot. Boy, talk about convoluted and interconnected but all coming together very nicely at the end. There were twists and turns aplenty as well as the odd dead end and quite a bit of violence, poor Sam! But, when all was said and done and the truth was out I sat back with quite a satisfied grin on my face; job done!
  All in all, a cracking series opener which has me intrigued about where next for Sam and excited to read more about him in the future.
• 
  Kath Middleton

  Lawyer Sam Williams is called in as a consultant when two police officers are shot dead. It looks like an open-and-shut case but the chief suspect isn’t speaking at all. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t met Sam in previous books, as this story stands brilliantly alone. It’s fast-moving enough for any thriller reader and with believable twists. The last quarter of the book was so exciting I had to stop myself trying to skim-read to find out what happened. It’s worth savouring. It’s a fast and bumpy ride, so hold on tightly. Highly recommended.
• 
  Asimah Akhtar

  This is my first book by Joel Hames and it won't be my last.
  
  A fast paced thriller full of unexpected twists this book really had me hooked. From the dry British sense of humour of the main character, to the references to the weather that only us Brits get, this was an enjoyable read.
  
  The characters came across well, and the story progressed well. There was unexpected twists and turns, up until the final chapter. Well deserved five stars.
• 
  Tracy Fenton

  This is my first book by Joel Hames and won't be my last.  Dead North has all the ingredients of a fast paced thriller with a fabulous main character, Sam Williams, a lawyer with a very dry sense of humour, finds himself summoned up North to Manchester to help a colleague solve a double cop murder case with a suspect who won't say a word.
  
  Some fascinating characters, villians, corrupt policemen and a girlfriend with the patience of a saint and a truly fast paced, page turner of a thriller.
• 
  Sue Wallace

  Dead North by Joel hames.
  He’s working someone else’s case and he’s in way over his head. But sometimes you need the wrong man in the right place.
  a fantastic read. loved the story. Sam was my favourite character. 5*.
• 
  Patrice Gotting - #prdgreads

  I was kindly sent a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
  
  I loved this book, it’s the first time I’ve read a crime book from the perspective of a lawyer & it was a nice way to read it.
  
  This book was a little slow to begin with but I feel that this was because it’s the first book in a series so the author had the job of introducing all the characters.
  
  The characters were well thought out and very well developed as the book went on.
  
  Once the story took hold I was hooked & really struggled to put it down, my heart was in my mouth at some points! when it comes to crime books I’m normally pretty good at seeing the ending & things that are about to happen and this one honestly threw me!
  
  Will definitely be continuing on with the series, I need more of Sam Williams!
• 
  Priya

  I most liked this one for the quirkiness of the main character Sam Williams.
  Brought in to assist on a case where he is expected to get the main suspect in a police shooting to talk, he is all at sea.
  Not a police detective, his lawyer skills not required either, he plods along, till it becomes apparent there are a lot of things the police haven't considered.
  His self deprecating thoughts and humour are very effective in keeping this story interesting.
  It is fast paced and has quite a bit of action too.
• 
  Fiona

  A gritty, fast paced thrilling crime novel. Sam Williams quickly grew into one of my favourite characters, although I could have smacked him for some of the comments about Manchester and the North in general! I did wonder if the author is from the North so it’s tongue in cheek?
  Two policeman have been murdered and Sam, a down on his luck lawyer, is brought in by the detective in charge to try to get information from the accused. Roarkes is not convinced that he is the murderer. What follows is a series of dead ends, red herrings and lack of cooperation from witnesses, suspects and local police.
  My only gripe is the access that Sam seemed to get, given that he isn’t police and isn’t officially a lawyer. Would that be possible? In the end it doesn’t matter because the plot is so strong. I hadn’t read the other books but you don’t really need to.
  I have enjoyed many a crisp sandwich btw!
  My thanks to TBConFB for this copy and the chance to get to know Sam.
• 
  Laura Furuta

  Dead North (Sam Williams Book 1)
  By: Joel Hames
  5 out of 5 stars
  
  The story Dead North (Sam Williams Book 1) by Joel Hames is a thrilling/mystery book. It is the first book that I have read by the author and I truly enjoyed it. It hooked me in from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the final page. It is a page-turner that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. You feel that you are right there with the characters while they investigate. Clues and theories abound. I felt that I was putting together a puzzle to see the whole picture. I enjoyed reading about the character of Sam Williams. He is a lawyer whose career is currently taking a downward turn. He then assists a friend with a case. Sam is an intelligent man that trusts his intuition when it tells him that something is amiss. The current case has him at odds with some. Will Sam be able to get to the truth behind a crime that took the lives of two police officers? I could empathize with the frustration that Sam has at times. The story has many other characters that you are introduced to. While some of them assist Sam, there are also those with their own agenda. This investigation takes you down a road that has many curves in it. It is a well-written story that you don’t want to miss reading.
  
• 
  Karen Farrow

  A very gritty tale of lawyers, good and bad, gangs, mistrust, criminals, murders and police, both corrupt and clean, but you don’t realise who is who or what until well into the story and some not until the end. A good fast paced story which does keep you guessing to the end! The story is set in the North and the only downside I found was that the author paints an incredibly grim picture of Manchester (and it isn’t all bad) however the description of crisp butties is spot on!!
• 
  Louise

  First of all this book will properly make you crave crisp sandwiches which I have have spent the last twenty four years resisting!
  Secondly if you are from Burnley you may be a bit offended and also Manchester and also the north really!
  
  But all that doesn’t matter because this book is ace! The plot is great but it’s the narrator and his dry humour and self deprecating tone that make murder and gang violence unglamorous. A really different read for those thriller lovers. Great!
• 
  jhanami

  I love this series but hadn’t actually read the first volume before so when I had the chance to pick this up on audio I happily went for it.
  As the events from this book get referenced later on I already knew roughly what to expect from the plot but it was great to fill in the gaps in Sam’s background and the pace, plotting and page-turning quality are just as good as with books two and three. The narration by Andrew Calverley was absolutely excellent - in fact his voice made the main character immediately likeable from the start (it took me a little to warm to him in book two) and brought out the wry humour in Joel Hames’ writing wonderfully. A real treat to listen and may there be many more!
• 
  Sandra Leivesley

  Sam Williams is a down on his luck London solicitor who was fired from his last employment and is now taking small cases. He receives a phone call from a police colleague who asks him to assist as legal advisor on the case of the murder of 2 policemen in Manchester.
  
  Dead North is a fast paced, tautly written police procedural with a brilliant storyline which hooks you in from the start. It’s certainly very different to the usual crime thrillers. There were so many twists and red herrings and quite a bit of violence. But by the end all the loose ends were tied up for a satisfying conclusion..
  
  Sam Williams is a fantastic character and I loved his dry wit and self-deprecating humour. The other characters were also well drawn, and the setting of Manchester was painted so well, grey and miserable.
  
  This was my first book by Joel Hames and I loved his writing style so will definitely be searching out more of his books.. I listened to the Audible version and the narrator had a perfect voice for the book.
  
  
  
• 
  Suze Clarke-Morris

  This was my first book by Joel Hames, but it certainly won't be my last. I really enjoyed it. Sam Williams, a down in his luck lawyer from London, is summoned to Manchester by a cop friend, Gideon Roarkes, to help with a case. Two police officers have been gunned down, and what at first appears to be an open and shut case turns out to be anything but.
  
  I loved Sam's wit, but also his tenacity, his determination to follow even the most obscure, flimsiest leads until they are completely exhausted. He is very negative about Manchester and the surrounding area, which I am sure isn't that bad, but maybe that's just because he's a Londoner through and through. But crisp butties! Yes please!
  
  The pace keeps up all the way through, as the story twists this way and that way following leads, often provided via Sam's slightly murky contact, Maloney until the surprise (for me at least) at the end. I loved Sam (although I thought Claire deserved a medal for putting up with him!), Roarkes intrigued me and irritated me in equal measure. And Charlie Gaddeston broke my heart.
  
  Can't say much else without giving away too much. But it's well worth a read. I can't wait for Sam's next adventure!
• 
  Laura

  I received both this book and Joel Hames's No One Will Hear at the same time, but mistakenly read the 2nd book first! This meant that I already knew Sam William's story, but it didn't dampen my enjoyment of this book….I only wish I'd read it first as I think I'd have enjoyed No One Will Hear a lot more, despite it being classed as a stand alone book.
  
  With twists, turns and dead ends, this was a gripping, fast-paced read. Sam Williams is a likeable lawyer, down on his luck, and what initially appears to be an open and shut case soon keeps you turning the pages eagerly. A highly enjoyable crime thriller.
  
  Thank you to the author and TBC Reviewer Request Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.
• 
  Lorraine

  Dead North is the first Joel Hames book I have read – and I knew when I was only a quarter of the way through the book that it wouldn’t be the last! Fast paced and intelligently written, with the odd touch of dark humour, this thriller never lets up! Sam Williams, acting as a consultant to the police investigating the murder of two of their own, is a great character. It was so easy to relate to him. I reached the end of this book and immediately had to start the next in the series.
• 
  Stephanie

  
  Sam Williams is asked to go and help with a case in Manchester. DI Roarkes wants him to convince the man who is considered to be the killer of two police officers that it will be in his best interests to talk to them. But the suspect refuses to talk, he faces hostility from the local police force, the only officer who will help him has less intelligence than some, his girlfriend is upset by his attitude, and the accused man’s lawyer is out of her depth. As well as all this, Roarkes is less than helpful, he is staying in an inadequate hotel, eats inedible food and it rains a lot.
  I enjoyed this first book in the series. Much is made of the differing attitudes between Northerners and Southerners. Most of which is mentioned by Sam and directed at himself. Being familiar with the areas mentioned was a bonus. I can appreciate the beauty of the Forest of Bowland and how easy it is to get lost there, as well as the run down and unwelcoming towns in some areas.
  There is some humour, some violence and some great characters. The situation that Sam faced in police force that had lost two of its own was believable. I think he and Roarkes could have had more tact at times but they were in a difficult situation.
  A great book and I would be interested in reading more.
• 
  Gillian

  Sam Williams was a brilliant lawyer with potential to make it big. He and girlfriend Claire had moved to a great flat in London but when he was sacked from Mauriers everything changed. He started his own company but with very few clients he began to have a cash flow problem which was likely to become permanent if things didn’t change.
  Sam got a phone call from an old friend DI Roarkes asking if he could help out on a case. Two unarmed officers had been murdered they had a suspect Thomas Carson but he wasn’t saying a word. Roarkes knew that Sam was good at getting into people’s head and getting them to talk. Serena Hawkes was Carson’s appointed lawyer but Sam agreed to help.
  When he arrived in Manchester it was to a very frosty reception it was two of their colleagues down and they didn’t like Roarkes at all and were not welcoming Sam either it would be had to get information.
  It was a straightforward case Thomas Carson was there when it happened there was no one else around or was there?
  I really enjoyed this book took a while to get in to but once there I couldn’t put it down. Keeps you guessing right until the end definitely recommend it.
• 
  Sue Ross

  Wow! A new author to me, I was unsure of what to expect. I am so glad that I got this chance to read DEAD NORTH. The writing flew so well that I became immersed in the plot. I loved getting to know Sam, the main character. I do love a character, who is a bit rough and the edges and has a sense of humour. I needed to race to the end to find out how Sam does and whether he succeeds, in this fast paced journey.
• 
  Rose

  Having read The Art of Staying Dead and the Sam Williams shorts, I was eagerly awaiting Dead North. Happily the book met and even exceeded my high expectations, with a plot that whizzed along at a fair pace and which was intelligent and satisfyingly complex. Of course, plot is nothing without strong characters and Sam Williams is a wonderful creation. With his self-deprecating humour and emotional intelligence, he is so much more credible than many protagonists in this genre, and I could really empathise with his efforts and inner conflicts. The bad guys (some of whom didn’t emerge until the very end) were also well drawn, with believable motivations. All in all, a gripping read and looking forward to the next in the series!