Tied to Murder (Detective Jim Ashworth, #1) by Brian Battison

Tied to Murder (Detective Jim Ashworth, #1) Reviews

• 
  Linda Strong

  
  Please note this was originally published as The Christmas Bow Murder.
  
  An introduction to a new crime series, DCI Jim Ashworth is featured along with his partner, DS Owen Turner. Turner is a skilled detective and in line to take over when Ashworth retires. Ashworth is a 30 year veteran, a cop of the old school.
  
  Ashworth and Turner are called to investigate the murder of Stella Carway who was found murdered in her home, a blue bow tied around her broken neck.
  
  Upon questioning husband, family, friends, they learn that the Carway marriage was not a happy one and promptly puts the husband as primary suspect.
  
  And that's where the team of Ashworth and Turner part ways. One solidly believes that the husband is the killer .. the other does not.
  
  This British crime fiction is filled with suspense and page turning twists and turns. The characters are solidly drawn and the differences between the partners are highlighted. even in their personal lives, there are secrets and lies. The conclusion is compelling. THE PRICE OF MURDER is available now ... seems to be an excellent addition to the series.
  
  Many thanks to Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction, Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
  
  NOTE: Following a brief illness, the author died on 4 October 1998. Prior to his untimely death he had had eight novels published as well as numerous short stories and articles.
  
• 
  Steve Payne

  This is the first book in the Ashworth series. Some of the characters who appear in later books are not yet involved. It's a fine enough start with some good character conflict, but it's not amongst his best.
  
  [May 2021. My reviews were briefer when I originally reviewed this! I’m a big fan of the late Brian Battison and it’s good to see his books being re-printed. Good characters, no extraneous information, fast pace. This one has been given a different title – Tied To Murder]
• 
  Alayne

  An interesting mystery and I really liked the character of Jim Ashworth. His deputy, not much at all. But good story and a satisfying ending.
• 
  loopyloulaura

  Stella Carway is murdered in her home and a bow tied around her neck. Her marriage was far from perfect but the lead detective Jim Ashworth is not convinced that her husband is the killer. The police investigation uncovers lies, money and sexual secrets but who wanted Stella dead?
  Tied To Murder is a police crime thriller originally published in the 1990s. Some things do date the book a little such as the cost of houses and the lack of technology. However, I found it refreshing to revisit the era in which I was a teenager!
  The murder occurs at the very beginning of the book and we see it in detail but it doesn't seem gratuitous. We then discover that Stella wasn't the nicest of people and the number of suspects grows rapidly.
  The book centres around the two main detectives investigating the murder of Stella. Jim Ashworth is older and holds a superior rank to Owen Turner but they begin quite friendly and respectful of each other. However, differences in their opinion of Stella's husband's potential guilt as well as developments in their personal lives, drive the two officers apart.
  We are shown the human side of both Jim and Owen by seeing them in their home contexts with their wives. In particular, Owen's home life is in turmoil as he and his wife Karen bicker constantly and he turns to a female colleague for solace.
  Tied To Murder is a very enjoyable police mystery and I look forward to reading more books by Brian Battison as Joffe book republishes them.
• 
  Rich

  A brand new Detective series, self proclaimed as a ‘Gripping Novel’ and yes, for the most part, that wouldn’t be wrong.
  
  Welcome readers, to the new detective on the block, DCI James Ashworth. Ashworth, a copper of 30 years is partnered with a younger DS Owen Turner, set in the early 90s of Britain’s policing environment.
  
  Both characters add their own background to this novel, which is obviously needed. Ashworth as detailed is of the old school who believes the husband of the deceased is innocent, Turner is convinced otherwise.
  
  Personal turmoil interrupts this promising partnership and that is that.
  
  Ok, this novel is mostly gripping, with the odd red herring here and there and other interesting back stories.
  However, I just feel that the author takes forever to get to the conclusion, without much emphasis on how we got there.
  
  I will say, however, that this is still very well done and is worth a read.
  
  4 out of 5.
• 
  Beth

  Good book!
  
  I enjoyed this book. I really like the DCI. I didn’t like his sergeant so much. I hope he grows up. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to more of this series.
• 
  Ted Tayler

  "The policeman's lot"
  
  How does the song go? The policeman's lot is not a happy one? Based on the sexual antics of the coppers in this caper they should all be walking around with a big grin on their face. That apart, the twists and turns in the murder inquiry kept me reading to the very end. It's clear from the references throughout that this was written in different times, although the steady decline from a police force to a police service was already underway. Joffe Books have taken another forgotten talent and 'refreshed' a series that preceded the kindle era. Whether today's woke audience will accept what was par for the course twenty or thirty years ago, only time will tell.
• 
  Tracey

  Tied to Murder.
  
  Jim Ashworth investigates the murder of a woman whose life was far from straightforward.
  This is a really good first book in the series. The characters are well written and the story itself full of twists and turns.
  I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book in the series to see what happens to Jim next.
  If you are looking for a series of books featuring a new police officer then look no further than Tied to Murder.
  Highly recommended.
• 
  Donna

  Intricate and psychological
  
  I found it hard to put down. The sympathetic writing on the problems of people's lives was very captivating. The dialogue was natural. The mystery was presented in a varied manner, bouncing from character and locations. The writing was clear and economical with no extra detail. The contrast of the methodical Inspector and the ambitious compromising sergeant made thoughtful reading. I look forward to more from this author.
• 
  KDawn

  This was fine. Not sure it was quite 3 stars, but I liked it all right. The characters weren't terribly unique, though. The salty old detective set in his way, the newcomer full of spit & vinegar trying to outdo him...pretty standard fare. But, the story was good and while the plot got too derailed with interspectulation (a lot of it) by the characters, it was a decent mystery story overall. I'll read more.
• 
  Bob Hurley

  Silent but deadly
  
  Jim Ashworth might be old school but a fool he is not. Most of the coppers in the station think he is ready to be put out to grass but Jim has proved them wrong time and again. The death of a local woman seems to be as a result of a domestic quarrel bit Jim has his doubts. What follows is an interesting take of small force Policing and the station politics that dictate to it. Enjoyed the tale especially "Jim's Revenge"
• 
  Victoria Slotto

  When there is another Jim Ashworth story, I will read it, although I would like to see a bit more development of the main characters--more background, for example. The plot worked and descriptions of physical characteristics of players were especially good. I was able to guess who did it pretty early on.
• 
  Sandra Hooke

  Oh dear another reasonably good story spoilt by sloppy characterisation. I almost felt sorry for Sergeant Turner whose plot line was written so badly he was reduced to a man who can’t say no while attempting to reconcile with his wife( a caricature of a wife scorned) and disposing of one mistress to be with another! Terribly disappointing.
• 
  Susan

  Due to her lifestyle when Stella Carway is murdered the police discover they have a long list of suspects. It is up to D.I. Jim Ashworth and his team to find the motive and the killer. But Ashworth is at odds with the team.
  An entertaining and well-written crime story.
• 
  lisa Siddall

  Re-read
  
  I just couldn't get into this book and not sure why I persevered till the end but think I'd need to re_read this to enjoy it as left it too long from starting it until I finished reading the book.
• 
  Mary Beth

  Not bad for a first in the series
  
  The plot was good as were the characters. Yet, l have to say I didn't like a one of them: modern and messy, the lives of these characters. Plus, it readily became apparent who committed the murder.
• 
  Emma L.J

  Dnf
• 
  Daphne

  Good cosy mystery.