Dead on Demand is the first book of Mr Campbell’s that I have read, but I intend to search out more from this accomplished author. The story was intriguing from the outset, and captured my attention. The plot line appeared initially to be one of family drama, which was captivating in itself, but then descended into a sinister, complicated web of murder, lies and deception. From the get-go you know who the murderer is, so this isn’t a whodunnit premise. From that perspective, the reader gains ever more insight into the twisted machinations of the main character Edwin Murphy, and the depths he will sink to. A wordsmith, and a former Editor of a national rag The Impartial, Edwin is able to be the go-between, imitating the syntax and style of different peoples’ writing who are communicating over a newsgroup on the dark net. These people are looking for murder swaps - the Death on Demand - aspect of the book’s title. Edwin creates messages, impersonating one party requesting a murder, and messaging another party, establishing links, and intricately covering his tracks, placing further degrees of separation from himself and the murder of his wife Fiona.
I know perhaps I shouldn’t, as Edwin was the book’s villain, but I did feel considerable sympathy for him in the beginning. It all started so well for Edwin, a man with such high hopes, a strong academic background (Cambridge University graduate), a great job and a loving, beautiful and intelligent wife, also a Cambridge grad. And then it all crashes down in one day. No job, no wife, and with Fiona’s intention made clear that when she left for New York she would take Chelsea, his only daughter, with her – Edwin realized he’d lose what little family he had too. It couldn’t get much worse for Edwin, and I really understood his numbing pain of betrayal. However, after being interviewed for an Editor’s job in a Vancouver paper and getting the thumb's up from the paper's CEO that he had the job, he still pursued the murder of his wife. That action destroyed any sympathy I had for this character.
The premise of the criminal technique is ingenious, and only stymied by the recalcitrance of one of the parties in question to commit the murder swap. I’m giving away no spoilers to the final denouement, but it is a little sad and somewhat ironic, who is finally manipulated. Genius writing from Mr Campbell.
Through the meticulous murder chain, characters are introduced. There are a number of characters, and I enjoyed dropping into their ‘life moments’, learning of their motivations, their backstory and the means by which they would make their fatal play, removing the life of their mark.
Many of Edwin’s pawns - those unsuspecting individuals caught up in his murder web - are obnoxious, awful people, others are pitiful or just plain stupid. Peter Sugden, a City financier, was hideous, a xenophobic, racist oaf I despised. Another of Edwin’s pawns, Anthony Duvall, affected me, and I really felt for his plight. A trusting stooge, who’d been set up by an unscrupulous man, and who subsequently had his life ripped apart by one single action. After years in prison, the idealistic, studious young man was overwritten by tattooed, hard-edged lag; a man aged beyond his years and brutalized by his time in jail.
The second major character is DCI David Morton, heading up the Metropolitan Police’s Murder Investigation Team. He’s a formidable and intrepid detective who had an instinctive feeling that the ‘random’ deaths were somehow connected. However, despite his investigations he couldn’t find relationships between the victims. Their backgrounds seemed disparate - a young prostitute, a drug dealer, a hedge funder, a father of critically ill child. Breaks in the investigation weren’t forthcoming until he discovered Barry Fitzgerald, another murderer, who met his end at the hands of a professional assassin. That outcome landed another spanner in the works for Morton. Amateur and professional killers, rich folk and down-and-outs. It was quite a test for Morton, and a fantastic intro to his character and his series. I shall certainly be reading the next in the series ‘Cleaver Square’, and its already nestling in my library now. Dead on Demand is a fabulous, engrossing read and one that I recommend highly.
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There are 7 books in this series.
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From the Publisher
Dead on Demand [DCI Morton #1]
He had the perfect life. Now he’ll kill to get it back.
A career man, Edwin Murphy has always put more effort into his work than his family. Everything changes for Edwin when his wife files for divorce. On the brink of losing his home, his job and his daughter, Edwin orchestrates an intricate plan to eliminate his wife and regain his former lifestyle.
The police are baffled when bodies begin to appear all over London with no apparent connection between them. Detective Chief Inspector David Morton must think outside the box as he investigates the deadly web of deceit behind the murders.
Cleaver Square [DCI Morton #2]
The bleakest winter on record and a gruesome discovery bring DCI David Morton to the Hackney Marshes in search of a clue, any clue, as to the identity of a dead child found near the Old River Lea.
Meanwhile, closer to home, Morton’s long suffering wife Sarah comes to the conclusion that her man has been doing more than work during his late nights at the office. As he closes in on the mystery of the boy’s identity his life begins to crumble and a terrible wrong is done to someone he loves.
With all of London watching, Morton’s impeccable ethics will be tested to their limit as he is forced to choose between doing what is right and what is legal.
Ten Guilty Men [DCI Morton #3]
An anonymous tip leads DCI Morton to a detached house in Richmond where he finds the body of Ellis DeLange, celebrity photographer and socialite extraordinaire.
Morton must investigate the details of Ellis’ private life while keeping the baying mob of journalists out front away from the investigation, dealing with Ellis’ highly secretive celebrity friends and trying to answer the one question that keeps on nagging at him: who called in the anonymous tip?
The investigation takes a bizarre turn when a key witness reveals she saw a man fleeing from the crime scene in the dead of night – without any clothes on.
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2021
Top reviews from other countries
- Cinta Garcia de la RosaReviewed in the United States on 8 May 2012
AMAZING FOR A DEBUT NOVEL!!
