“Time to Die” by Stephen Puleston

A man is found dead on the beach. The reader knows what the police don’t – that two men had bound and gagged him and tossed him over the cliff to the beach below. At first, the likely killers seem obvious – the victim was scheduled to testify against the two Haddock brothers, charged with a number of crimes related to theft and fraud. 

Detective Inspector Ian Drake of the North Wales Police sees the obvious connection, but he’s not convinced. Too many of the people Drake and his team interview seem to be lying, including the victim’s wife. As the police team investigates, the connections grow murkier – convoluted relationships and other agendas seem to be playing a role. And then a second person scheduled to testify is found murdered, strangled in her home. It’s either the Haddock brothers, or someone trying to make it look like it’s the Haddock brothers. And most of the police, including Drake’s boss, think it’s slam-dun obvious.

 

But not Drake.

 

Stephen Puleston

Time to Die is the 10^th DI Ian Drake mystery by Welsh author Stephen Puleston. As he usually does in the DI Drake mysteries, Puleston adds a personal complication. In this case, Drake’s mother has decided to remarry, and Drake supports his mother while his sister has objections. And the wedding may come before Drake and his team solve the case, which threatens him missing the ceremony. The story also builds tension with the young couple who actually see what might have happened the night of the first murder, but who are too scared to go to the police.

 

Puleston publishes two series of Welsh police detective stories. Detective Inspector Ian Drake is with the North Wales Police Service, and Detective Inspector John Marco is with the South Wales Police Service. The author originally trained and practiced as a; solicitor/lawyer. He also attended the University of London. He lives in Wales, very close to where his fictional hero lives and works.

 

Time to Die keeps the reader guessing to the end. And it’s a thrill ride of an ending.

 

Related:

 

My review of Written in Blood.

 

My review of A Time to Kill.

 

My review of Another Good Killing.

 

My review of Brass in Pocket.

 

My review of Worse than Dead.

 

My review of Against the Tide.

 

My review of Devil’s Kitchen.

 

My review of Dead Smart.

 

My review of Speechless.

 

My review of A Cold Dark Heart.

 

My review of A Cold Dark Heart.

 

My review of Dead and Gone by Stephen Puleston.