A Marvellous Debut

The Devil’s Dice by Roz Watkins is a fabulous contemporary detective novel set in the Derbyshire Dales. It is the first in the D.I. Meg Dalton series and I cannot wait for the rest.

The Devil’s Dice grips from the start as the reader gets caught up in the action. As the body count rises, so do the suspects in the reader’s mind.

Ancient curses bump into modern crimes. Is the area really cursed or is it just old fashioned bad luck?

Everyone has a past. Sometimes our past haunts us. We cannot escape so we cope the best we can.

We all have fears. Some face them. Others run.

Secrets can ruin lives. Secrets meant to protect may spell disaster. Other secrets cover old crimes.

Good old fashioned policing, a coppers nose, knowledge and intelligence are needed to solve crimes. The Devil’s Dice is a thinking man’s detective novel. It reminded me of Morse where we need to follow the clues to solve the crime.

Roz Watkins weaves a fabulous plotline that keeps the reader entertained and guessing throughout. Her characters were well thought out and realistic with their faults and failings. I really like Meg Dalton and her sidekick Jai.

The Devil’s Dice is a marvellous debut novel. I hope Roz Watkins has many more stories inside her. The Devil’s Dice would translate wonderfully into an ITV police drama that I would love to see – any producers out there please take note.

A fabulous compelling read.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON