{
    "id": 385385,
    "slug": "ruthless-crimes-michael-hambling",
    "nstc": null,
    "title": "Ruthless Crimes",
    "subtitle": null,
    "collection_title": "Sophie Allen",
    "collection_part_number": "09",
    "annotation": null,
    "description": "Looking for a gripping mystery by a best-selling author? Full of twists and turns, this crime thriller will keep you turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.\n\nTWO VICTIMS WITH NO PASTS\n\nA man is found stabbed to death on the Southampton morning commuter train.\n\nBut why can\u2019t Detective Sophie Allen\u2019s team find out anything about his history? And why was he staying in a house that seems to be owned by a government security unit?\n\nThen there is another stabbing, this time in a refuge for abused women. And again, Sophie can find very little about the victim\u2019s life.\n\nHOW DOES ALL THIS CONNECT TO DESPERATE MIGRANTS ARRIVING ON THE BEACHES?\n\nThe Dorset-based detective team discovers duplicity that reaches to the top echelons of government in this twisting tale of treachery, tragedy and hope.\n\nDiscover a captivating crime mystery which will have you gripped from start to finish.\n\nIf you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this exciting new crime fiction writer.\n\nWhat readers are saying about MICHAEL HAMBLING\n\n\u201cVery well written and highly recommended.\u201d Viv\n\n\u201cAn utterly compelling book from Michael Hambling.\u201d Ron\n\n\u201cThe characters were a diverse, mixed bag of well-developed, realistic personalities.\u201d Nicki\n\n\u201cThis book is a must read.\u201d Barbara\n\n\u201cThis was a good book, I love Sophie as a character.\u201d Hannelore\n\nTHE DETECTIVES\n\nDCI Sophie Allen is Dorset\u2019s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master\u2019s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past. \n\nDS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.\n\nTHE SETTING\n\nDorset. A beautiful English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.\n\nDISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY SERIES NOW\n",
    "imprint": null,
    "language_code": "eng",
    "original_language_code": null,
    "page_count": 193,
    "duration_seconds": null,
    "publication_date_first": null,
    "publication_date_latest": "2020-09-09",
    "cover_url": null,
    "editions": [],
    "ratings_count": 0,
    "read_count": 0,
    "review_count": 0,
    "favorite_count": 0,
    "reading_status_read_count": 0,
    "reading_status_reading_count": 0,
    "reading_status_want_to_read_count": 0,
    "rating_average": null,
    "ratings_distribution": {
        "1": 0,
        "2": 0,
        "3": 0,
        "4": 0,
        "5": 0
    },
    "created_at": "2025-09-19T13:35:46+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2025-11-01T00:32:26+00:00",
    "publisher": {
        "id": 5353,
        "slug": "joffe-books",
        "name": "Joffe Books",
        "created_at": "2025-09-19T13:21:23+00:00",
        "updated_at": "2025-09-19T15:04:33+00:00"
    },
    "contributors": [],
    "genres": [],
    "subjects": [],
    "campaigns": []
}