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DI Nikki Galena #8
Thieves on the Fens
DI Nikki Galena gets a series of anonymous calls. She is told the place, time, and who will die.
But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Nikki and her team must decode the riddles and work out where the threats are coming from.
Meanwhile, the fens have been hit by a series of “designer burglaries.” It appears that a new gang of thieves are stealing to order.
And things get very close to home when a friend of Nikki’s mother dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
Do any of these events relate, and can Nikki stop the thieves on the fens, before anyone else dies?
But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Nikki and her team must decode the riddles and work out where the threats are coming from.
Meanwhile, the fens have been hit by a series of “designer burglaries.” It appears that a new gang of thieves are stealing to order.
And things get very close to home when a friend of Nikki’s mother dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
Do any of these events relate, and can Nikki stop the thieves on the fens, before anyone else dies?
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2017
2610 people are currently reading
863 people want to read
About the author
Joy Ellis
59 books2,374 followersJoy Ellis grew up in Kent but moved to London when she won an apprenticeship with the prestigious Mayfair florist, Constance Spry Ltd. Having run her own flower shop in Weybridge for many years, Ellis then worked as a bookseller until a trip to the Greek island of Skyros, where she took part in a writer's workshop with Sue Townsend, encouraged her to write her own books. Joy soon after moved to the Lincolnshire Fens, where she has spent many of years living among the countryside accompanied by her partner, Jacqueline, and her variety of springer spaniels. After many years of writing, Jasper Joffe, from Joffe Books, discovered Joy's work and approached her with the offer of becoming her new publisher. This new relationship introduced Joy's work to the fascinating world of ebooks and audible listening. Since their partnership, Joy's success has grown further than she could have ever imagined. She has recently celebrated her 10th UK No.1 book on the Amazon 'Best Sellers' chart, with her 9th instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, Solace House. Joy boasts a staggering estimated total over 3.4 million copies sold worldwide, and became a short-listed nominee at the British Book Awards, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 324 reviews
April 8, 2023
Atmospheric!
Nikki Galena and her team are working together to solve more than one mystery. The first of the mysteries is how to solve the thieving of a group of thieves who are robbing the rich people in town like they are Amazon.com. They appear to steal on demand.
The next problem is The Mad Hatter. A lunatic who is murdering the thieves. And he blames the police for his actions. He hates the police and the thieves.
The third problem is that someone in the government is killing Nikki’s mother Eve’s friends. Two of them already. They are coming after Eve and her two friends who are left.
Then Nikki’s mother gets kidnapped and they don’t know what to do to find her and get her back home. They believe that the government may have her, but how can they prove it?
Lots of mystery and suspense and turmoil in every direction. A surprise ending.
Highly recommended
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
Nikki Galena and her team are working together to solve more than one mystery. The first of the mysteries is how to solve the thieving of a group of thieves who are robbing the rich people in town like they are Amazon.com. They appear to steal on demand.
The next problem is The Mad Hatter. A lunatic who is murdering the thieves. And he blames the police for his actions. He hates the police and the thieves.
The third problem is that someone in the government is killing Nikki’s mother Eve’s friends. Two of them already. They are coming after Eve and her two friends who are left.
Then Nikki’s mother gets kidnapped and they don’t know what to do to find her and get her back home. They believe that the government may have her, but how can they prove it?
Lots of mystery and suspense and turmoil in every direction. A surprise ending.
Highly recommended
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
November 26, 2017
This is the 8th book in the DI Nikki Galena series.
DI Nikki Galena starts getting anonymous calls where she is told the place, time and who will die. But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Meanwhile, the Fens have been hit by a series of "designer burglaries". A new gang of thieves are stealing to order. Then a family friend dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
This is a fast paced book that action packed, with plenty of twist and turns and a plot line that's gripping. The book can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading this series from the beginning,
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Joy Ellis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DI Nikki Galena starts getting anonymous calls where she is told the place, time and who will die. But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Meanwhile, the Fens have been hit by a series of "designer burglaries". A new gang of thieves are stealing to order. Then a family friend dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
This is a fast paced book that action packed, with plenty of twist and turns and a plot line that's gripping. The book can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading this series from the beginning,
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Joy Ellis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
Another fun audiobook! This one requires you to suspend belief more than the others, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment.
This time, Eve, Nikki’s mom, takes center stage. I felt I got a chance to see where some of Nikki’s stronger traits come from.
One thing I always appreciate is the number of balls Nikki is required to juggle. No ability to single mindedly focus on a single crime. This time, there is a gang of thieves raiding houses for specific items, a murderer targeting those thieves and then some of Eve’s friends have died under mysterious circumstances.
As with the other books in the series, this book is fast paced with lots of twists to keep the reader engaged. I heartily recommend this series for anyone who enjoys well done, character driven, police procedurals.
Kudos again to Henrietta Miere for her narration.
This time, Eve, Nikki’s mom, takes center stage. I felt I got a chance to see where some of Nikki’s stronger traits come from.
One thing I always appreciate is the number of balls Nikki is required to juggle. No ability to single mindedly focus on a single crime. This time, there is a gang of thieves raiding houses for specific items, a murderer targeting those thieves and then some of Eve’s friends have died under mysterious circumstances.
As with the other books in the series, this book is fast paced with lots of twists to keep the reader engaged. I heartily recommend this series for anyone who enjoys well done, character driven, police procedurals.
Kudos again to Henrietta Miere for her narration.
July 3, 2024
The eighth book in the DI Nikki Galena series and it was action packed as always.
In fact it was too action packed if that is possible, to the point where I felt it really slowed down in the middle with too many separate threads going on at once. Nikki's mother Eve gave us lots of excitement though especially in her attempts to escape from capture and the action sped up as the book raced to its conclusion.
I enjoyed seeing Joe and Nikki's relationship in such good place and I very much appreciated Eve and all her friends as they assisted in the detective work. It seems the next book will feature the introduction of a new Superintendent. I am looking forward to that.
In fact it was too action packed if that is possible, to the point where I felt it really slowed down in the middle with too many separate threads going on at once. Nikki's mother Eve gave us lots of excitement though especially in her attempts to escape from capture and the action sped up as the book raced to its conclusion.
I enjoyed seeing Joe and Nikki's relationship in such good place and I very much appreciated Eve and all her friends as they assisted in the detective work. It seems the next book will feature the introduction of a new Superintendent. I am looking forward to that.
August 10, 2024
Thieves on the Fens is the 8th in the DI Nikki Galena series by Joy Ellis and once again it's a real doozy! Nikki and her 2IC, Joseph Easter, are bombarded by thieves robbing to order; a madman who is phoning Nikki with cryptic clues; and danger to Nikki's mother and her friends. People are being brutally killed, and Rory is run off his feet. As the pressure mounts, Nikki wonders if they'll get through this mix of cases that seem to be linked, while Joseph is the voice of calm and reason.
Another intense and gripping police procedural by prolific author Joy Ellis which I recommend highly.
Another intense and gripping police procedural by prolific author Joy Ellis which I recommend highly.
April 27, 2019
Superb ...... Joy Ellis at her best!
November 29, 2017
DI Nikki Galena and her team are back at work. There's a band of thieves preying on home owners but they only take certain items. The question is .. how do they know where and when those items are available?
Things take a surprising turn when Nikki receives a note informing her of an impending murder associated with the thieves. And the message is not a bluff .... a murder occurs but what's their connection to the thieves?
Nikki's attention is being split in two ... two of her mother's friends have suffered sudden fatal heart attacks ... somehow they were induced. And then Nikki's mom is targeted to be next.
I have really enjoyed this entire series. The author's plots are always exciting, full of twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages. Nikki and her team are such memorable characters and all the secondary characters are well defined and come alive through the author's writings.
Although this is book 8, it does well as a stand alone. I highly recommend starting at book 1 for a marathon of reading.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 6, 2017
Joy Ellis is one of my favourite authors and her books just get better and better so I knew this book would not disappoint. I did not, however, expect to be so totally gripped from the very first page. So much going on, complex plots and we got down deep and personal with the characters very early on in the story absolutely, jaw-droppingly brilliant.
This is part of a series but the author expertly ensures that they can be read as stand-alone and she does so in a way that doesn’t involve repeating events from previous books. What she does do though is ensure that she feeds enough titbits to make you put the ones you haven’t read to the top of your TBR list.
I am not going to go into too much detail about the characters as there is a section at the end of the story that explains all about the characters. Joseph and Nikki are a relationship waiting to happen but trying to avoid it due to their working on the same team. Cat and Ben are also in the beginning of a relationship and also trying to keep work and personal lives apart. That said there is no romance in this book it is all thriller and police procedural, however, the relationships do play their part in making the characters humans we can all relate to.
There are 2 cases that are the main theme of the story. Nikki has become the target of a weirdo who wants her to play his game. He gives her clues and if she doesn’t work them out in time someone dies, brutally, at his hands. Unfortunately at the same time friends of Nikki's mother, Eve, are dying of seemingly natural causes but are they? I love Eve she is a feisty, ex-military, old lady with plenty of life left in her and her friends are of the same ilk and don’t take kindly to having their little group destroyed one by one and set out to discover who is behind it. The weirdo doesn’t like the fact that he isn't getting Nikki's full attention and escalates at the same time as her Mother goes missing.
This book is all action it is an intricate plot with many strands that will have the reader turning page after page until the heart racing ending. Absolutely brilliant I can't wait to see what Joy comes up with next to better this book. Definitely worth the 5 stars.
This is part of a series but the author expertly ensures that they can be read as stand-alone and she does so in a way that doesn’t involve repeating events from previous books. What she does do though is ensure that she feeds enough titbits to make you put the ones you haven’t read to the top of your TBR list.
I am not going to go into too much detail about the characters as there is a section at the end of the story that explains all about the characters. Joseph and Nikki are a relationship waiting to happen but trying to avoid it due to their working on the same team. Cat and Ben are also in the beginning of a relationship and also trying to keep work and personal lives apart. That said there is no romance in this book it is all thriller and police procedural, however, the relationships do play their part in making the characters humans we can all relate to.
There are 2 cases that are the main theme of the story. Nikki has become the target of a weirdo who wants her to play his game. He gives her clues and if she doesn’t work them out in time someone dies, brutally, at his hands. Unfortunately at the same time friends of Nikki's mother, Eve, are dying of seemingly natural causes but are they? I love Eve she is a feisty, ex-military, old lady with plenty of life left in her and her friends are of the same ilk and don’t take kindly to having their little group destroyed one by one and set out to discover who is behind it. The weirdo doesn’t like the fact that he isn't getting Nikki's full attention and escalates at the same time as her Mother goes missing.
This book is all action it is an intricate plot with many strands that will have the reader turning page after page until the heart racing ending. Absolutely brilliant I can't wait to see what Joy comes up with next to better this book. Definitely worth the 5 stars.
November 10, 2021
This book was oddly pretty damn good! Why oddly? Well, I'll tell ya', but I'm not even sure I understand it myself. Everybody was likable. Cop's. Villains. Secondary characters, and.........eck. There wasn't even a boss cop who was an asshole. Weird. Yet, it was a nice change. Also, no clue was given to who the bad person was. I hate that! I spend the whole book trying to piece together clues, then pftt., like a handful of smoke, it's just gone! Damn it!!!! But I'll hand it to the author, this was one really decent read. The people. Their character. The various mysteries. I loved it. I'll be reading more from this author.
August 7, 2025
*Against the Clock*
This is book 8 of 15 in the ‘Detective Nikki Galena Mysteries’. I find these books addictive reading. DI
Nikki Galena is trying to work out who is behind a series of murders. She receives a string of anonymous calls, but the strange thing is that the caller is using a secret language that only villains use. All she has to go on is the place, time, and who will die.
Not only does she and her team have to decipher the codes, but a suspicious death also occurs, putting someone extremely close to her in jeopardy. Nikki certainly has a lot on her plate, but I just enjoyed the ride.
This is book 8 of 15 in the ‘Detective Nikki Galena Mysteries’. I find these books addictive reading. DI
Nikki Galena is trying to work out who is behind a series of murders. She receives a string of anonymous calls, but the strange thing is that the caller is using a secret language that only villains use. All she has to go on is the place, time, and who will die.
Not only does she and her team have to decipher the codes, but a suspicious death also occurs, putting someone extremely close to her in jeopardy. Nikki certainly has a lot on her plate, but I just enjoyed the ride.
November 23, 2021
With a Midsomer-style body count and a rollercoaster storyline, this police procedural novel was more like a thriller. And there's a bonus: a very satisfying ending, at long last, which doesn't spell the end of the series. On to the next one soon...
November 27, 2017
DI Nikki Galena gets a series of anonymous calls. She is told the place, time, and who will die.
But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Nikki and her team must decode the riddles and work out where the threats are coming from.
Meanwhile, the Fens have been hit by a series of “designer burglaries.” It appears that a new gang of thieves are stealing to order.
And things get very close to home when a friend of Nikki’s mother dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
Are any of these events connected,and can Nikki and her team work out the identity of the mysterious caller before anyone else dies.
This gripping thriller starts with its foot firmly on the accelerator from the very first page and continues building up speed until the story crosses the finishing line and stamps on the brakes leaving the reader gasping for breath and very happy that they were safely strapped into their comfy reading chair.I liked Nikki Galena and her close knit team,I liked how the team worked well together and that other team members were able to contribute their own theories about the cases rather than Nikki always having all the answers.I really liked Nikki`s mother Eve and her ex intelligence friends Wendy,Lou and Rene,they were a wonderful group of diverse personalities.I would love to read a spin off series featuring them getting involved in their own adventures,maybe they could set up their own private investigator service and Nikki could make a guest appearance every now and again.This was a well plotted thriller,both the main cases where intreguing,packed with twists and turns,suspense,mystery and adventure.
Although this is the eighth book in the series,it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.I haven't read any of the previous books but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this entertaining,riveting thriller.
Many thanks to Joffe books and Jill Burkinshaw for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review.
But the messages are in a secret language used only by villains. Nikki and her team must decode the riddles and work out where the threats are coming from.
Meanwhile, the Fens have been hit by a series of “designer burglaries.” It appears that a new gang of thieves are stealing to order.
And things get very close to home when a friend of Nikki’s mother dies suddenly and perhaps suspiciously.
Are any of these events connected,and can Nikki and her team work out the identity of the mysterious caller before anyone else dies.
This gripping thriller starts with its foot firmly on the accelerator from the very first page and continues building up speed until the story crosses the finishing line and stamps on the brakes leaving the reader gasping for breath and very happy that they were safely strapped into their comfy reading chair.I liked Nikki Galena and her close knit team,I liked how the team worked well together and that other team members were able to contribute their own theories about the cases rather than Nikki always having all the answers.I really liked Nikki`s mother Eve and her ex intelligence friends Wendy,Lou and Rene,they were a wonderful group of diverse personalities.I would love to read a spin off series featuring them getting involved in their own adventures,maybe they could set up their own private investigator service and Nikki could make a guest appearance every now and again.This was a well plotted thriller,both the main cases where intreguing,packed with twists and turns,suspense,mystery and adventure.
Although this is the eighth book in the series,it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone.I haven't read any of the previous books but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this entertaining,riveting thriller.
Many thanks to Joffe books and Jill Burkinshaw for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review.
October 4, 2020
Nikki Gallena is kept busy with two investigations running at the same time. Designer burglaries thrown in as well. Not a bad tale, a little bit predictable when family members are involved, but a good read anyway.
December 6, 2017
Joy Ellis is one of my favourite authors and her books just get better and better so I knew this book would not disappoint. I did not, however, expect to be so totally gripped from the very first page. So much going on, complex plots and we got down deep and personal with the characters very early on in the story absolutely, jaw-droppingly brilliant.
This is part of a series but the author expertly ensures that they can be read as stand-alone and she does so in a way that doesn’t involve repeating events from previous books. What she does do though is ensure that she feeds enough titbits to make you put the ones you haven’t read to the top of your TBR list.
I am not going to go into too much detail about the characters as there is a section at the end of the story that explains all about the characters. Joseph and Nikki are a relationship waiting to happen but trying to avoid it due to their working on the same team. Cat and Ben are also in the beginning of a relationship and also trying to keep work and personal lives apart. That said there is no romance in this book it is all thriller and police procedural, however, the relationships do play their part in making the characters humans we can all relate to.
There are 2 cases that are the main theme of the story. Nikki has become the target of a weirdo who wants her to play his game. He gives her clues and if she doesn’t work them out in time someone dies, brutally, at his hands. Unfortunately at the same time friends of Nikki's mother, Eve, are dying of seemingly natural causes but are they? I love Eve she is a feisty, ex-military, old lady with plenty of life left in her and her friends are of the same ilk and don’t take kindly to having their little group destroyed one by one and set out to discover who is behind it. The weirdo doesn’t like the fact that he isn't getting Nikki's full attention and escalates at the same time as her Mother goes missing.
This book is all action it is an intricate plot with many strands that will have the reader turning page after page until the heart racing ending. Absolutely brilliant I can't wait to see what Joy comes up with next to better this book. Definitely worth the 5 stars.
This is part of a series but the author expertly ensures that they can be read as stand-alone and she does so in a way that doesn’t involve repeating events from previous books. What she does do though is ensure that she feeds enough titbits to make you put the ones you haven’t read to the top of your TBR list.
I am not going to go into too much detail about the characters as there is a section at the end of the story that explains all about the characters. Joseph and Nikki are a relationship waiting to happen but trying to avoid it due to their working on the same team. Cat and Ben are also in the beginning of a relationship and also trying to keep work and personal lives apart. That said there is no romance in this book it is all thriller and police procedural, however, the relationships do play their part in making the characters humans we can all relate to.
There are 2 cases that are the main theme of the story. Nikki has become the target of a weirdo who wants her to play his game. He gives her clues and if she doesn’t work them out in time someone dies, brutally, at his hands. Unfortunately at the same time friends of Nikki's mother, Eve, are dying of seemingly natural causes but are they? I love Eve she is a feisty, ex-military, old lady with plenty of life left in her and her friends are of the same ilk and don’t take kindly to having their little group destroyed one by one and set out to discover who is behind it. The weirdo doesn’t like the fact that he isn't getting Nikki's full attention and escalates at the same time as her Mother goes missing.
This book is all action it is an intricate plot with many strands that will have the reader turning page after page until the heart racing ending. Absolutely brilliant I can't wait to see what Joy comes up with next to better this book. Definitely worth the 5 stars.
December 6, 2017
Joy Ellis – Thieves on the fens.
What a book, I love this series; I mean I really love this series. Here we are at book 8, and I have to say personally I think these books should be read in order. I’m not saying you couldn’t read as standalone, but to get the full background story which I feel really does make a difference here, then they really are best read in order.
Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter, a first class crime solving partnership. I find these two characters just amazing, the way they interact, the way they know each other and of course they work so so well together.
We are on the lookout in this book for a killer who seems to be taunting the police. Mainly Nikki and Joseph, Leaving clues as to what he is going to do. The clues that Nikki and Joseph need to figure out.
We also see a little more of Eve in this book. (Nikki’s mother) and I think she’s also a great character. Finding one of her long time friends dead, Eve is determined to figure out if this was just a natural death or something a little more sinister, but the more she searches the more she puts herself in danger.
I can't recommend this series highly enough from the very beginning I have thoroughly enjoyed it
What a book, I love this series; I mean I really love this series. Here we are at book 8, and I have to say personally I think these books should be read in order. I’m not saying you couldn’t read as standalone, but to get the full background story which I feel really does make a difference here, then they really are best read in order.
Nikki Galena and Joseph Easter, a first class crime solving partnership. I find these two characters just amazing, the way they interact, the way they know each other and of course they work so so well together.
We are on the lookout in this book for a killer who seems to be taunting the police. Mainly Nikki and Joseph, Leaving clues as to what he is going to do. The clues that Nikki and Joseph need to figure out.
We also see a little more of Eve in this book. (Nikki’s mother) and I think she’s also a great character. Finding one of her long time friends dead, Eve is determined to figure out if this was just a natural death or something a little more sinister, but the more she searches the more she puts herself in danger.
I can't recommend this series highly enough from the very beginning I have thoroughly enjoyed it
December 20, 2017
I love female detectives. This one is about Nikki Galena and her team. It is the 8th book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. There a set of thieves stealing prized items, there is a psychotic killer killing thieves and on top of all that Nikki's mother Eve is grieving her best friend Jenny's death. Eve suspects that Jenny didn't die of natural causes
Who killed Jenny?
Why is the killer targetting thieves?
Will Nikki catch the house burglars?
It was a fast paced suspense novel. I enjoyed the nail biting suspense. I would definitely like to read more stories of Nikki. Of late I noticed most of my suspense novels kind of drag out, but this one was perfect.I love how the events played out.
Recommend for suspense thriller readers
Who killed Jenny?
Why is the killer targetting thieves?
Will Nikki catch the house burglars?
It was a fast paced suspense novel. I enjoyed the nail biting suspense. I would definitely like to read more stories of Nikki. Of late I noticed most of my suspense novels kind of drag out, but this one was perfect.I love how the events played out.
Recommend for suspense thriller readers
October 9, 2021
3.5 stars.
Ok. I'm officially requesting a series starring Nikki's mum Eve and her friends. I think they would be pretty cool as a team of covert operatives. :)
Again, the author couldn't resist creating a tenuous link between the cases. But I have to admit being a bit dissatisfied with some of the outcomes.
Overall, it was another good instalment to the series.
Ok. I'm officially requesting a series starring Nikki's mum Eve and her friends. I think they would be pretty cool as a team of covert operatives. :)
Again, the author couldn't resist creating a tenuous link between the cases. But I have to admit being a bit dissatisfied with some of the outcomes.
Overall, it was another good instalment to the series.
September 30, 2024
Thieves on the Fens by Joy Ellis is the 8th book in the D.I. Nikki Galena series. An anonymous caller taunts Detective Inspector Nikki Galena regarding his future planned killings forcing her team to try to stop him while Nikki also helps her mother whose friends have started dying suspiciously. A brilliant book with so much going on. Plenty of tension as Nikki grapples with all her cases and we learn a little more about Eve's past in this book. A suspenseful and action packed, gripping thriller.
October 13, 2020
I loved this book , great characters, great setting, I could really picture the fens , and great plot.
June 2, 2023
Another fast paced book in this series.
December 13, 2017
I have another confession to make. (At this rate I should have my own confessional box), I have never read any of Joy’s books before. I know that’s shocking right? Well rest assured that I am now one of her biggest fans as I enjoyed ‘Thieves On The Fens’ so much. I love discovering new series’ and I particularly love discovering that there are 7 books prior to the one I am reviewing here. Anyway more of the fan girling in a bit.
I took to DI Nikki Galena from the start. She is feisty, she is determined, she is strong but she also has her vulnerable side. Her vulnerability particularly comes through when she is talking about her late daughter and when Nikki is feeling threatened. This is especially apparent in this book when it becomes clear that she is being watched and that somebody has been in her property to move things around. Nikki is also determined to protect her mother after it becomes apparent that someone is killing off her mother’s friends. (Her mother had a tight knit group of friends with whom she worked in the MOD, although the exact nature of their work led me to suspect that they were involved in something far more secret i.e: espionage). One by one this tight knit group is being picked off by persons unknown. I get the impression that Nikki finds it hard to trust people and I did wonder if this is because she has been badly let down in the past. One person, with whom she is very close is her Detective Sergeant, Joseph, who seems to adore her and he wants to be her knight in shining armour, or at least that’s how it seemed to me. Nikki is one hard working woman and she isn’t afraid to muck in to do her fair share of work when lives are at stake. This is especially apparent with the current case that she & her team are working on. An unknown person keeps ringing Nikki to tell them about a murder, yet to be detected, and gives the location of where the body can be found. However, there is a snag because the caller uses an archaic language, which was used centuries ago amongst the criminal fraternity. So Nikki swiftly has to get up to speed with the translation of said language, apprehend the killer before it is too late and protect her mother & her mother’s colleagues. It’s safe to say that Nikki and her team have their work cut out for them.
In my opinion, ‘Thieves On The Fens’ is superbly written. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. At no point did I feel left behind or confused about who did what. I have to say that I was hooked on this book from the very first word on the very first page and reading ‘Thieves On The Fens’ became something of an addiction to me. I found it to be a real ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book, which came everywhere with me. I was so hooked on the story that I didn’t notice how quickly the pages were turning and before I knew it I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. Don’t get me wrong, I was pleased to see how this episode ended but I was enjoying the writing style and story so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on. There were lots of twists and turns to the story, as well as the occasional red herring. I smugly thought that I had fathomed out who did what and why but then I was sent down another path entirely. You could definitely say that this book certainly kept me guessing. On more than one occasion, I almost had to read through my fingers and hold my breath because I genuinely feared what was going to happen next. If I get into a really good book, I start to live the story, I feel like an invisible member of the team and I tend to start arguing with the different characters, which is weird to watch because I know it is a work of fiction and I am arguing with a book!! The only bad part about this book is that it had to end.
In short, I absolutely loved reading ‘Thieves On The Fens’ and I can’t wait to read more in the series featuring DI Nikki Galena. Whilst I wait I can content myself with working through the earlier books in the series. Happiness is discovering a series part way through and realising that there are several books to catch up on. It means I can buy more books, which is always a good thing (not so according to Mrs. Ginger Book Geek). I would have no hesitation in recommending this series to anybody. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board for ‘Thieves On The Fens’ is a mahoosive and well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I took to DI Nikki Galena from the start. She is feisty, she is determined, she is strong but she also has her vulnerable side. Her vulnerability particularly comes through when she is talking about her late daughter and when Nikki is feeling threatened. This is especially apparent in this book when it becomes clear that she is being watched and that somebody has been in her property to move things around. Nikki is also determined to protect her mother after it becomes apparent that someone is killing off her mother’s friends. (Her mother had a tight knit group of friends with whom she worked in the MOD, although the exact nature of their work led me to suspect that they were involved in something far more secret i.e: espionage). One by one this tight knit group is being picked off by persons unknown. I get the impression that Nikki finds it hard to trust people and I did wonder if this is because she has been badly let down in the past. One person, with whom she is very close is her Detective Sergeant, Joseph, who seems to adore her and he wants to be her knight in shining armour, or at least that’s how it seemed to me. Nikki is one hard working woman and she isn’t afraid to muck in to do her fair share of work when lives are at stake. This is especially apparent with the current case that she & her team are working on. An unknown person keeps ringing Nikki to tell them about a murder, yet to be detected, and gives the location of where the body can be found. However, there is a snag because the caller uses an archaic language, which was used centuries ago amongst the criminal fraternity. So Nikki swiftly has to get up to speed with the translation of said language, apprehend the killer before it is too late and protect her mother & her mother’s colleagues. It’s safe to say that Nikki and her team have their work cut out for them.
In my opinion, ‘Thieves On The Fens’ is superbly written. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. At no point did I feel left behind or confused about who did what. I have to say that I was hooked on this book from the very first word on the very first page and reading ‘Thieves On The Fens’ became something of an addiction to me. I found it to be a real ‘CPID’ (can’t put it down) book, which came everywhere with me. I was so hooked on the story that I didn’t notice how quickly the pages were turning and before I knew it I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. Don’t get me wrong, I was pleased to see how this episode ended but I was enjoying the writing style and story so much that I just wanted the book to continue on and on. There were lots of twists and turns to the story, as well as the occasional red herring. I smugly thought that I had fathomed out who did what and why but then I was sent down another path entirely. You could definitely say that this book certainly kept me guessing. On more than one occasion, I almost had to read through my fingers and hold my breath because I genuinely feared what was going to happen next. If I get into a really good book, I start to live the story, I feel like an invisible member of the team and I tend to start arguing with the different characters, which is weird to watch because I know it is a work of fiction and I am arguing with a book!! The only bad part about this book is that it had to end.
In short, I absolutely loved reading ‘Thieves On The Fens’ and I can’t wait to read more in the series featuring DI Nikki Galena. Whilst I wait I can content myself with working through the earlier books in the series. Happiness is discovering a series part way through and realising that there are several books to catch up on. It means I can buy more books, which is always a good thing (not so according to Mrs. Ginger Book Geek). I would have no hesitation in recommending this series to anybody. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board for ‘Thieves On The Fens’ is a mahoosive and well deserved 5* out of 5*.
October 24, 2019
I have read many of Joy Ellis books and come to the conclusion that she is an author who is either careless or lazy. Her books are full of typos and misuse of words, she calls her main characters by the wrong name or rank, and she doesn't seem to do her research. In this book she talks about mental health treatment but clearly has no idea. She repeatedly refers to women in the police force as WPCs (women police constables) even though that's a term not used since 1999. In other books she has used terms for processes and forms that changed name eons ago.
I have read books from other authors where there have been a dozen or more books in the series and the characters constantly grow and develop (take Ian Rankin for example); their books never grow dull. The same can't be said for this series.
This is my last Joy Ellis book. I just can't care about an author who doesn't care about their reader.
I have read books from other authors where there have been a dozen or more books in the series and the characters constantly grow and develop (take Ian Rankin for example); their books never grow dull. The same can't be said for this series.
This is my last Joy Ellis book. I just can't care about an author who doesn't care about their reader.
December 6, 2017
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I am a massive fan of this series and I think the books just keep getting better and better!
The book is fast-paced and gripped me right from the start - plenty of suspense, thrills and lots of twists and turns, the 'on the fens' series is definitely one of my favourites at the moment and this book is a great addition to that series!
The books draws you in and I didn't want to put t down until I'd finished - the characterisation was great as normal and it had a well planned plot - five stars from me for this one and looking forward to book 9!!
I am a massive fan of this series and I think the books just keep getting better and better!
The book is fast-paced and gripped me right from the start - plenty of suspense, thrills and lots of twists and turns, the 'on the fens' series is definitely one of my favourites at the moment and this book is a great addition to that series!
The books draws you in and I didn't want to put t down until I'd finished - the characterisation was great as normal and it had a well planned plot - five stars from me for this one and looking forward to book 9!!
March 21, 2020
This is a three and a half star from me. It is well paced, the characters interesting, collaborative and engaging. It is an absorbing police procedural. For my part, I’d prefer plots that do not involve the detective’s family as potential victims. When used as a formula, which I am beginning to suspect it is by Ellis, it seems to me a cheap way to create tension and sympathy. It stretches credulity and becomes a bore. While detective fiction has quite a bit of licence, my tolerance does not extend to every case involving someone close to the detective.
That said, it is a gripping page turner with characters you want to see win.
That said, it is a gripping page turner with characters you want to see win.
December 26, 2020
Still like the series but this wasn’t one of the best. Strong Bletchley Park influence. Gutsy old girls from WW2 days!
November 16, 2023
Reread 11/2023 review- 3.5 stars??
Original 04/2023 review- 3.9 stars?? Kind of sad & not quite the ending I would have preferred, but still pretty good overall.
Original 04/2023 review- 3.9 stars?? Kind of sad & not quite the ending I would have preferred, but still pretty good overall.
May 18, 2020
Having read the previous stories in this series and have followed Nikki Galena from her rebellious times in the early books. This one starts out with the team all exuding charm and bonhomie. They were coming over as all too "nice" and much too close privately to be healthy in a professional police unit.
The storyline helps to improve the situation as the bodies start to mount up. However, the civilian element has much too much leeway. The story involves murder, kidnap and lots of intrigues which helps to bring the story back to life. There are enough ends left to start the next episode.
Not a great start but improves as the story builds and gets to about 3.5 for me.
The storyline helps to improve the situation as the bodies start to mount up. However, the civilian element has much too much leeway. The story involves murder, kidnap and lots of intrigues which helps to bring the story back to life. There are enough ends left to start the next episode.
Not a great start but improves as the story builds and gets to about 3.5 for me.
December 3, 2023
Started to read a few other books between this and book 8 as I felt I needed a break but couldn't get interested so came back to this series. Was glad I did. Met new friends, lost old ones and enjoyed the development of the characters. Definite touch of intrigue in this book which kept me interested until the end. I'll continue on with the series as it's obviously quite addictive.
October 23, 2023
I just love DI Nikki Galena and her team. They work together so well and truly care about each other. The characters are well developed and each book keeps me guessing until the end.
February 26, 2024
Another satisfying murder mystery from one of my favourite authors.
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