DI Jackman does not know anything about his sister-in-law's past. He never even wondered about it which is not a problem until she jumps in the river in London. Why is she there? Why would she do that? She was very happy with her family and her life. Another woman the same age jumps off a building in London for no reason. Jackman is able to stay on the case and working with the team to find out what is in Sarah's past. They find a whole different life his brother never knew about and soon come to realize there are more people in danger. Can Jackman solve this mystery before it is too late for others? When they find out what happened to Sarah 20 years ago then they begin to put the pieces together. Another great book by Joy Ellis.

I really loved this book! Excellent story with brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest title from Joy Ellis. It kept me turning the pages from beginning to end.

Joy Ellis is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. The speed at which her books are published is phenomenal, as is her writing.

There is just something I really like about all Joy's books, I love the stories, the settings, the characters. I really want to sit and not move once I have started one of these books. It's like something takes over me.
This is the 4th book in the JACKMAN & EVANS series, a series i'm really enjoying. I also love Joys other series of books featuring NIKKI GALENA.

Jackman is faced with one of the toughest cases of his career. When his sister in law commits suicide, Jackman is convinced there is more to it. Why would a woman with 2 small children, and a husband that adores her, throw herself off a bridge. Everything about her and her life seemed happy, so what can have driven her to do it.
When DI Jackman and DI Evans dig into Sarah’s background, all is not as it should be. Jackman realises he knew almost nothing about his sister-in-law’s past. He knows more about his work colleagues than he does his own family.
When it's found that another woman has died, in similar circumstances the case starts to heat up.
Can Jackman and Evans find out what is going on, before anyone else has to die?
This is a nail biting read, edge of your seat read. I so cannot wait for more in this series.

Another excellent book by Joy Ellis which keeps the reader in suspense from beginning to end, with many twists. Would recommend it and other books by the author to anyone.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange from an honest review. This is the first book of Joy Ellis's that I have read and despite being the fourth in the series it is easy to read without any prior knowledge. The only difficulty I experienced was taking longer to get to grips with the array of characters. There were a few references to what I assume were the events of previous novels but it didn't affect my appreciation or understanding of the book.

The story starts when DI Jackman's sister-in-laws commits suicide. This is out of character to her and as the family are starting to grieve suspicions are raised when there is a second out of character suicide. As the investigation continues it becomes apparent that the two dead women were witnesses to an event that occurred decades before.

Overall I wasn't too fussed over this book. The plot was one that has been written many times before although before the detectives and the antagonist are all too keen to point out that he is the first person to think of murdering people by forcing them to commit suicide. It almost feels like a smug comment in spite of the fact this is something that has been seen on both TV and in literature. The dialogue felt strangely forced and formal and I struggled to imagine any one speaking to one another in the way the characters in the book did. The plot felt strangely contrived in places (who recognises a character from a drawing by a seven year old?). By the time the cliffhanger at the end came around I no longer particularly cared. To be honest I rushed through the end of this book as I wanted it to be over.

Another excellent read by Joy Ellis, definitely one of my favourite authors. This is book 4 in the DI Jackman series and the best so far. A cast of familiar characters investigate the apparent suicide of Jackman's sister in law. With the killer getting personal, Jackman and his team need to catch him, and fast. The body count rises but what do they have in common? A really elaborate story which kept me engrossed to the last page. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.

When DI Rowan Jackman`s sister-in-law Sarah disappears to London and throws herself in the river Jackman and his team find themselves investigating a complex case that is not only very personal for Jackman but will also cause other members of his team to 're - evaluate their own lives.As Jackman and DS Marie Evans dig into Sarah`s life Jackman discovers that he knew almost nothing about his sister-in-law`s past.

During the ensuing investigation the team uncover a possible connection between Sarah`s death,the death of another woman in a neighbouring village and the case of a convicted murderer who`s family are convinced he was innocent.

DI Jackman and his team find themselves caught up in a deadly battle of wits against a twisted adversary who is manipulative,cunning and very,very dangerous.

I think I have a bit of a crush on a certain DI Rowan Jackman,he`s just a really lovely nice guy.He is respectful to the members of his team,loves his family and is kind to the people he interviews during the course of his investigators.One of the things I love about this series is the camaraderie and banter between all the members of the team.They are friends as well as colleagues,care about each other and work well together as a team.I also like Rory Wilkinson the pathologist,I love his witty humour and sarcastic quips.

This is a gripping,twisty,roller coaster ride that hooks the reader in from the first page and has a unexpected cliff hanger ending.Because of the perceived threat to their lives Jackman`s family feature quite a bit in this book and we learn more about his relationships with them which adds personal depth to the story.Occasionally throughout the story we get a glimpse into the twisted thoughts and perceived reasons behind the actions of Jackman`s adversary.

Although this is the fourth book in the series it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.Jackson and his team also get help.in this books from a character from the Nikki Galena series.I love this brilliant series and can't wait to find out what Joy Ellis has planned for Rowan Jackman and his team in the next book.

Joy Ellis at her best, what an amazing read! This book had it all, it was full of twists and action that kep me engaged right the way through the book. This was a hard one to put down! I really enjoyed this book it totally deserves 5 stars.

Another book in the Jackman Evans series and a great addition it. The main plot is close to home to Jackman with the death of his sister in law and so starts the hunt. Great story and the subplot any characters continue to develop. Nice crossover with characters from the Nikki Galena series I there too

The Guilty Ones is the 4th in the DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans by Joy Ellis. Why do I enjoy Ellis' books so much? It has much to do with the ensemble casts that Ellis creates for both this series and her DI Nikki Galena series. I am at home now in the Fens and with either DI's team. The characters are familiar, and I enjoy their sense of commitment to each other.

That feeling of familiarity with characters in a book is similar to the reason I like certain television series. I like the folks who inhabit the stories, and although the cases and problems are different each time, there is a sense of comfort when rejoining the characters in each new episode or new book.

When Jackman's sister-in-law commits suicide, circumstances are too close to home. Why would a happily married woman who adores her children do such a thing?

This one gets a bit elaborate, but kept me engrossed throughout. The conclusion leaves an opening for a story-arc to be continued.

NetGalley/Joffe Books

Mystery/Crime. March 14, 2018.

4 stars

DI Rowan Jackman’s brother James’ wife has gone missing. Later James’ wife Sarah is found dead. It is initially believed that she drowned herself by jumping in a river. But DS Marie Evans and Jackman don’t believe it. She lived a wonderful life, with two small children, a loving husband and a beautiful home.

As the investigation begins, Jackman realizes that he knows very little about Sarah’s background. Then another woman dies in the same circumstances. This only increases Marie and Jackman’s assertion that Sarah didn’t kill herself.

What follows is a painstaking police investigation that follows from clue to clue until the case is finally solved.

This is another great entry into the Joy Ellis collection of novels. It is well written and plotted. The suspense begins immediately and continues throughout the book. I like that way every story increases the reader’s knowledge of the characters; their backgrounds and personal likes and dislikes. I like DI Jackman much better in this story because he is more human and likeable. Of course I like Marie as well. What’s not to like? I will continue to read Joy Ellis as long as she continues to write.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read and enjoy.

Having read most of the previous books by Joy Ellis, I knew I would like this novel.

I liked the way the old established characters continue to be developed.

The pace of the story is swift.

These books stand well on their own merit. However if you can read the series in order, you get the added enjoyment of following the development of the detectives.

My thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for a copy in exchange for this review.

Joy Ellis is becoming one of my favourite authors, and this series certainly keeps your attention and leaves you wanting more. DI Jackman and DS Evans are a great team and compliment each other, they always have each others back. This particular storyline is quite unique and I loved it. Can't wait for the next in the series.

Thank you Net Galley. Another wonderful book by Joy Ellis. I love the setting, in the Lincolnshire Fens. It adds to the atmosphere of the books. I have read a couple of the previous books in the series and enjoyed them very much. This one is a notch above the previous ones. Highly recommended.

DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans are well written likeable characters. When Jackman's sister-in-laws body is found dead below a bridge everything points to suicide but Sarah had a wonderful husband and children and everything to live for. Why would she commit suicide? Jackman wonders but when another young woman in similar circumstances is found dead in the same manner they start to wonder if their deaths are connected? Soon Jackman is up against a horrific evil man with a personal vendetta against Jackman. Good twists and turns and suspense keeps you reading non-stop.

4.5 Stars

A case turns real personal for DS Jackman. His brother's wife has committed suicide by throwing herself into the river. She leaves behind not only her husband, but 2 young sons as well.

When Jackman and Evans delve into Sarah's life, he's surprised to learn that there is no record of her at all until she married. It's like she never existed until her wedding day. So, the question is .... who was Sarah? Why would she kill herself?

And then more information comes to light. They discover a woman in a neighboring village died in similar circumstances. What is the connection to a convicted murderer whose family are convinced he is innocent? Who is really pulling the strings?

Can someone be manipulative enough to force someone to kill themselves? Is Jackman on this killer's list?

As usual, the author does a bang-up job of writing a crime mystery that keeps one glued to the pages from the very first to the very last page. There are twists and turns along the way, and when you think you have it all figured out ... think again!

Although 4th in a series, this one is easily a stand-alone. However, I recommend starting from the beginning to get the full experience of this author.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the advance digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Guilty Ones, the fourth novel to feature DI Rowan Jackman of Saltern-Le-Fen police.

Jackman's family life is torn apart when his sister-in-law, Sarah, commits suicide but is there more to it? Why would a happily married mother of two, whom she loved dearly, travel to London to drown herself? Further investigation shows that she's not the only one but what links them?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Guilty Ones which is a tense, exciting read. I must admit that I found the plot a little implausible but got so caught up in the narrative it didn't seem to matter. Ms Ellis has a way of drawing the reader in with pleasant characters, strong plotting and timely reveals which engage the reader's attention throughout.

As I said the plotting is rather improbable, starting with why Sarah didn't consult her detective brother-in-law, but the depiction of the mastermind behind it is chilling, scary and believable. The novel is mostly told from Jackman's point of view but there are glimpses of the mastermind's thought processes and reasoning. It's the age old nature v nurture debate, but done in an interesting way.

The characters are moving on with their lives with romance in the air but the events of this case take a heavy toll. Many of the team are forced to re-examine their priorities and Jackman is torn apart with the hurt to his nephews and family. It adds an extra dimension to the novel.

The Guilty Ones is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
DI Jackman and DI Evans are involved in one of the worst cases in Jackman's career. His sister-in-law has drowned herself and her husband and children are in total shock. What would cause a happily married woman who adores her family to commit suicide? When a man and another woman also die by their own hand, the team realize the victims were pushed into these tragic acts by an unknown perpetrator, but why?
Jackson, terrified his family will continue to be targeted, is determined to find out what and who is behind this so he can stop the madness.
I enjoyed this book, but was a little disappointed with the cliffhanger ending. Will definitely have to read the next book and hope Jackson will finally be in a relationship... it's about time!

Joy Ellis has quickly become one of my favorite, go to authors. I love the characters, plot, "those dastardly villains!" even the setting of The Fens gives me the shivers. This wasn't my favorite by Ms. Ellis, but then I've only read 3 of her books so far. I just didn't like the cliffhanger ending. Cliffhanger endings for me, usually mean that by the time the killer shows up again I've read so many other books that I've completely lost the plot. That's just me though. My thanks to Joffe and Netgalley.