Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The third book in this series focuses on a body found during an archaeology dig. A recently promoted Robin finds himself in charge of both the investigation and a team of resentful officers.

I think this is easily the most exciting and the most carefully crafted story in this series so far. Quirky characters, complicated suspects, and a small town rivalry between detectorists and amateur archaeologists make this an entertaining read.

Adam and Robin are an established couple now and Adam does a tiny bit of sleuthing on his own this time. There is even less heat in this story than there was in the previous two but the platonic affection between Robin and Adam is charming in its own way.

Despite the internet playing an important role in the book, this still feels quite quaint. Characters continue to speak and act quite formally and there is much less focus on the forensic element of the investigation than there is in most modern crime writing.

This time around, I found the traditional nature of the story charming instead of frustrating and I think I’m actually growing quite fond of Adam, Robin, and Campbell.


Veronica – ☆☆☆
Adam has started a new assistant principal job at a new school and Robin is now working at a new police station. Their happy love life and relationship tick on in the background of our murder mystery.

We follow Robin from the discovery of the dead body right through to him discovering who the killer is. We are taken through many police witness interviews and watch Robin and his team follow down leads that lead nowhere and leads that just bring up more questions until we eventually get the killer.

There is plenty of detail in this story and it meanders along at a slow but steady pace. I felt like I couldn’t rush reading it because I didn’t want to miss any details, and in the end, it took me four days to read finish reading Two Feet Under.

This is a really good mystery. I love the setting of small town England and I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in their fun, language, culture, and their love of a cup of tea. Adam and Robin are a sweet couple and I hope the author plans to write more Lindenshaw Mysteries.

This is the third book in the Lindenshaw Mystery series. I had little difficulty getting the background of Adam and Robin. Adam has just started his new job at a new school and Robin has been promoted in the police department. The newest murder is again involving both men but this story seems to be more about Robin and his work environment. Their dog, Campbell is also involved in the investigation. The couple's gay romance is up front in the story but not over powering in it's intensity. This is a pretty typical English police mystery, a good read with plenty of suspects.

A bit slow paced, but for those who enjoy a good British Mystery story, it provided enough red herrings to be unsure of just who the killer was. I thought there might be a bit more romance, but it’s definitely a back burner item.

Though I haven’t read the rest of the series, I wasn’t terribly lost with what had happened in the past or what was happening at the present. All in all, it was okay but never quite thrilled.

I love everything about this series. I love Adam and Robin. I love the fact that no matter how far removed from one of Robin's cases Adam seems to be he always seems to get caught in the middle. I love the crazy, annoying, adorable characters that drive both Adam and Robin nuts - even though they love them dearly. And I absolutely adore Campbell (their lovable Newfoundland) who once again saved the day, even if it wasn't exactly a life or death situation. He's way more perceptive than anyone gives him credit for. ;)

When Robin is transferred, it isn't exactly into friendly territory. No one really trusts him and that makes it hard for him to know exactly who he can trust. There may be a few more bad apples among his new fellow officers that need to be weeded out, but the case must go on. Luckily, he has a couple of co-workers who step up and make his job just a little bit easier. It still takes his team a while to figure out exactly who the bad guys are. The thing is, even the 'good' guys aren't perfect in Two Feet Under.

I can't wait to see what Charlie Cochrane has in store for Robin and Adam next. Lindenshaw Mysteries is turning into one of my favorite cozy mysteries - at least in this genre. The characters are witty and fun and the who-dun-it aspect takes a little bit of figuring out on the reader's part as well. ;)

This book begins with Robin and Adam settling into new jobs. With the conclusion of that other business in Lindenshaw, they both have started anew in their respective professions. Adam has moved from Lindenshaw St. Crispins to Culdover Church of England Primary School. He’s become a deputy head-teacher, and he couldn’t be more ecstatic. Robin has moved from his old precinct to Abbotston, where he is the acting chief inspector while the current man with the job is out for a while. Getting away from Stanebridge and all that happened there is a welcome change for Adam, and he has high hopes that the temporary position will become permanent. We do get some secondary characters that have moved on with Robin and Adam, both from Robin’s old job. His newly minted sergeant is Pru, and his unwelcome houseguest is Anderson, his old sergeant from Stanebridge.

There’s a dead body. Of course there is a dead body! But who is she? Aaaand, this is where Charlie Cochrane excels. I didn’t get it, didn’t see it coming. Adam and Robin and, of course, Campbell are once again all three involved in Robin’s police work. Remember, these stories are mysteries wherein the characters involved happen to be gay. They are not romances even though our MCs met and fell in love within their pages, and their relationship is adorable. Cochrane weaves a police procedural that reminds me of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock television series. There are layers here, and not just of dirt on top of our corpse. Added to the mystery of this one is a houseguest that just won’t leave, and with a conundrum that only the dog, Campbell, can solve. Good old Campbell, I love that dog as a secondary character, and he plays his role so well.

The lies, the manipulations, the intrigue! This story has them all in spades. Nothing is face value and the shady characters abound. The farther you get in the story, the more you realize that you are left with one too many viable suspects and wondering what clues you obviously missed which would point you in the direction of the killer. But in the end, all hypotheses are supported, and you’ll face-palm and say, “Of course that’s who it was!”

The cover art by L.C. Chase is once again spot-on with the story, and Campbell steals the spotlight all the time anyway, so why not the cover of the book?! I totally enjoyed revisiting murder with these characters, and I am really hoping that this series continues. I adore how very British they are, and Cochrane is a master at creating time and place, mixing them with good, solid characterizations and police procedurals.

“It’ll make sense in the end.” Adam began to plate up their food. “Like a jigsaw when you can’t see where a particular bit goes until you’ve got the ones that fit round it. Then you say, ‘Bloody hell, I never realized it went there!’”

Each of the stories in this series is a standalone. You could pick them up individually and read them, but start with the first to get Adam and Robin’s love story from the beginning. These two met, fell in love, and now are thinking about the future amidst all the chaos and colorful people in their lives. These books are witty, the banter between the MCs entertaining, and the mystery is always just that, a mystery to be solved. I highly recommend them.

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Things are looking up for Adam Matthews and Robin Bright—their relationship is blossoming, and they’ve both been promoted. But Robin’s a policeman, and that means murder is never far from the scene.

When a body turns up in a shallow grave at a Roman villa dig site—a body that repeatedly defies identification—Robin finds himself caught up in a world of petty rivalries and deadly threats. The case seems to want to drag Adam in, as well, and their home life takes a turn for the worse when an ex-colleague gets thrown out of his house and ends up outstaying his welcome at theirs.

While Robin has to prove his case against a manipulative and fiendishly clever killer, Adam is trying to find out which police officer is leaking information to the media. And both of them have to work out how to get their home to themselves again, which might need a higher intelligence than either a chief inspector or a deputy headteacher.

Adam has a new job at a new school, Robin's working to combine  police officers from different locations into one group, and Robin's former Sergeant is thrown out of his house and needs putting up.  Sounds like a perfect time for a murder or two!

How I love sinking back into Charlie Cochrane's cozy mystery series, Lindenshaw Mysteries, now on it's third book, Two Feet Under.  From the first story,The Best Corpse for the Job (Lindenshaw Mysteries, #1), we've watched Robin and Adam become a couple, establish a home  ( Jury of One (Lindenshaw Mysteries #2) , and now become happy in their relationship.  As they've grown more secure in themselves as partners and in their relationship, it's been wonderful to watch their dynamics change, not only when at home but during the investigations as well.  Because once a body pops up, somehow all clues or a few unlikely leads will point towards Adam. Or someone he knows.  Or perhaps even something that Campbell has buried in the garden...you can never be sure how Campbell is involved.  But that Newfie will be important somehow!  Ah, the thrill of anticipation.

Here in Two Feet Under, the mysteries were wonderfully challenging!  It wasn't just Adam, Robin, and his crew muttering to themselves as they tried to figure out whodunnit.   I too was at the crossroads a few times on this one.  How delicious!  Plus we also got the mole in the station, all the great side characters that ramble through the villages around and near Abbotson. We tumble through the local pubs, out into the streets, and across the wild hillsides in pursuit of killers and the truth.  It's wonderful.

Or sometimes, we just deal with the fact we have an unwelcome guest we need to figure out how to boot out of our house.  There's that too.  One whose been a staple character in the first two stories. Oh my.

All that, plus not forgetting the love and warmth of the relationship between Robin and Adam.  Charlie Cochrane pulls is all together famously!

Here's a cozy to spend the night with.  Or day with.  Or both.  I read it right through because I had to know whodunnit.  I was completely satisfied with the ending.  Now I can't wait for the next mystery to roll out and my next visit with Adam, Robin, and Campbell.

If you love mysteries and romance, a fan of cozies, don't let this series or book pass you by! The writing is wonderful.  Charlie Cochrane has done it again!  I highly recommend them both.  They'll charm you into forgetting that maybe you should be looking over your shoulder! Murder's like that!

Cover art by L.C. Chase is so much fun.  You've got to have that wonderful Newfie, Campbell, on the cover, he's in the middle of everything, so bloody smart!

This is a third book in the Lindenshaw Mystery series with a little MM romance thrown in. It was a great mystery with many twist and turns. Just when you thought you knew who had done it, the circumstances would change. The romance is really a minor part of the story. The characters are well developed and the story really kept me interested. Even though this is the third in the series, I did not read the first two and had no problems reading it.

Once again this book revolves around a case and the romance is very much in the background of this book. In this book Robin is a newly promoted Chief Inspector and he's moving in with Adam who is now a Deputy Headteacher. Adam is of course trying to stay out of his cases as he's been in the middle of the last two but unfortunately Robin's first big case takes place close to Adam's new school and involves one of his student's parents.

This case was a bit confusing and there were so many characters to keep straight that I found it a bit difficult. The majority of the book takes place during the questioning of witnesses and suspects and a lot of brain storming sessions while Robin tries to make sense of the clues. There are a lot of red herrings and that along with the mistaken identities and impersonations made this one a bit difficult to figure out what was going on. Sergeant Anderson plays an interesting role in this book and I can't say whether I liked it or not but I found it a little surprising as I had liked him more in the previous books.

Overall, since so much of this book depends on the mystery and I found it just a bit frustrating this series may just not be for me as I like a little more romance in my M/M books.

A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

The more of this series I read the more I fall in love with Robin, Adam and Campbell. I also fall in love with the mystery involved in the murders and how they are solved. We don’t see them magically get a hat pulled out of a rabbit at the last minute but are walked through the investigation. From the beginning to end.

We see how Robin thinks and comes about figuring things out and how he bounces things off of Adam to help solve the crime. Adam gives him a fresh perspective and support. Our romance is cleverly and wonderfully understated and we get such happy surprises throughout in not only their relationship but others as well. The ending is just heart warming.

In this book are wonderful couple have their sanctuary temporarily in flux for Robin’s old Sergeant is in the doghouse and I can tell you Campbell doesn’t like sharing his master’s roost.

Here a woman was found two feet under at a archeological site. It is a twisted tale just to find out who the woman is and the deception we see here is amazing and intriguing as the story unfolds and unravels before our eyes. You are brought through a maze of threats, rivalries, characters that don’t jibe, deception, and manipulation with Adam and Robin embroiled in this mystery as Robin tries to solve his first case in his new position as chief inspector.

Adam is brought into the case even when he doesn’t try poor guy. He is not only a great sounding board for Robin but also while at his new job as deputy headteacher a observer due to one of his student’s dad inviting him to a meeting. boy does he learn a lot as well. But more important he is where Robin feels safe and at home. He helps him go through his thoughts and sort them out. He is supportive, kind and loving. Even Campbell helps the ever frustrated Robin clear his mind when the case gets convoluted and frustrating for him.

As Robin delves into the murder and all the petty rivalries, deception and manipulations he is also dealing with a leak at his work and co-workers who don’t really want him and Davis around. I love seeing his thoughts and the process that he goes through to solve the murder and get to the bottom of the truth. You are never truly sure who did what and why until the very end.

The story enraptures in the mystery and doesn’t let you go until every stone is unturned and the murder is solved in this crafty and wonderful third book of the Lindenshaw mysteries series. Can’t wait to see what is next for our duo and their friends.

3.25 Stars

My favorite trio from Charlie Cochrane’s “Lindenshaw Mysteries” are back, they even got their promotions. Newly Chief Inspector Robin Bright now moves in with Deputy Headteacher Adam Matthews, and their Newfoundland doggo, Campbell. After getting involved in Robin’s previous big cases, Adam now determines to stay as far away from any murder case as possible. And of course, Robin’s first big case in the new office took place close to Adam’s new school, involving one of his student’s parent.

Just like the previous entry to the series, Two Feet Under is told alternately from Adam and Robin’s POVs. Not only this enables readers their insights and first hand lowdown of the characters’ development, especially compared from that of the first book. The only part I slightly miss (and Robin’s probably agree with me on this) is the lack of Sergeant Anderson in Robin’s new post. The chap makes a cameo here, though not entirely in a positive way, before the intervention from Campbell (that’s a hilarious scene for sure).

Mystery-wise, it’s rather convoluted and frustrating to follow. Without Adam’s lending a hand - albeit indirectly - I seriously worry for Robin’s new team. On the other hand, given the situation of Robin’s new post, it contributes to the proper and wholehearted feeling to the story. There’s room for improvement should the series continue and Robin (and Adam) got more cases to solve.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adam, Robin and Campbell are back in another convoluted tale of murder, mayhem and mystery. The boys have moved on to better jobs in different towns but a body dug up in an archeological dig gives newly minted Chief Inspector Robin Bright a puzzle that will stress even his bright mind. Adam loves his new position as deputy head teacher but is afraid that the gossip papers will make it difficult for him and Robin. And a couch surfing friend may need Campbells help to move on.
This story will have your head spinning trying to keep up with suspects and motives if only they can give a name to the body. I truly enjoyed this story. Fans of British television detective dramas will love this addition to the Lindenshaw Mysteries.