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Stephen Booth
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The Murder Road (Cooper and Fry Book 15) Kindle Edition

by Stephen Booth (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,364 ratings

'A modern master'
Guardian

Ben Cooper and his team from Derbyshire Constabulary's E Division return in this gripping new page-turner from the master of the genre.

For the Peak District hamlet of Shawhead, there's only one road in and one road out. Its handful of residents are accustomed to being cut off from the world by snow or floods. But when a lorry delivering animal feed is found jammed in the narrow lane, with no sign of the driver except for a blood-stained cab, it's the beginning of something much more sinister...

'Booth skilfully portrays a stunning landscape with a dark heart that conceals secrets, vendettas and revenge'
Daily Mail

'Makes high summer as terrifying as midwinter'
Val McDermid

'A first rate mystery
Sunday Telegraph

'Ingenious Plotting and richly atmospheric'
Reginald Hill

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  1. Book 15 of 18
    Cooper & Fry Mysteries
  2. Print length
    403 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Sphere
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    16 July 2015
  7. File size
    699 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 18 books in this series.

In this series (18 books)

Kindle Edition

Product description

Review

Booth skilfully portrays a stunning landscape with a dark heart that conceals secrets, vendettas and revenge. (Daily Mail on The Corpse Bridge)

Top notch crime writing with an irresistible sense of place (Lancashire Evening Post)

About the Author

Stephen Booth is the internationally bestselling, CWA Dagger-winning author of the acclaimed thrillers featuring Cooper and Fry. The series is in development as a TV programme. Booth lives in Nottingham.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00SRXRA14
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sphere
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 July 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 0
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 699 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 403 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0751559965
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 15 of 18 ‏ : ‎ Cooper & Fry Mysteries
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 2,364 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Stephen Booth

Stephen Booth

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Stephen Booth is an award winning UK crime writer, the creator of Derbyshire police detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry, who have appeared in 18 novels set in England's atmospheric Peak District. His latest novel DROWNED LIVES is a standalone historical thriller, a story of hidden family secrets among the inland waterways of South Staffordshire.

Stephen has been a Gold Dagger finalist, an Anthony Award nominee, twice winner of a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, and twice shortlisted for the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year. DC Cooper was a finalist for the Sherlock Award for the best detective created by a British author, and in 2003 the Crime Writers' Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for "the author whose books have given readers the most pleasure". The Cooper & Fry novels are published all around the world, and have been translated into 16 languages. The latest title in the series is FALL DOWN DEAD. Stephen is also the author of a previous standalone crime novel TOP HARD.

A former newspaper journalist, Stephen Booth was born in the Lancashire mill town of Burnley and brought up by the sea in Blackpool. He attended Birmingham City University and worked on local newspapers in the North and Midlands of England before his first novel BLACK DOG was published in 2000. He lives in Nottinghamshire.

Visit the author's website at: http://www.stephen-booth.com

Follow Stephen Booth on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephenbooth

Or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenboothbooks

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
2,364 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this book as the latest in an excellent series, praising its perfectly woven murder storyline and clever twists that keep readers guessing. The writing is well-executed, and customers appreciate the believable characters, with one review highlighting the wonderful descriptions of the Peak District. Customers disagree on the pacing, with some finding it too slow.

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ReadabilityPlot qualityDescriptionSeries qualityWriting qualityBelievable charactersInsightPace
74 customers mention ‘Readability’67 positive7 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, particularly praising it as the latest book in an excellent series.

"...Recommended - this is a pleasure to read." Read more

"...I look forward to these books & find them compulsive reading & I shall look forward to the next even more." Read more

"Another great book from Stephen Booth, I love the way he describes locations, especially when you know the location, I know New Mills and..." Read more

"...who likes to pit their wits against good solid coppering, this is a great read." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Plot quality’28 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, which is perfectly woven into a murder story with plenty of twists and turns.

"...first half but this really can be forgiven as this truly is an enjoyable mystery that is well plotted and well written...." Read more

"The plot was good and kept you going and I know Stephen likes to fill out with details but in places he spent too much time describing where a..." Read more

"This is a well-fashioned story in the British crime fiction tradition: upright officers, diligent and intelligent, following a logical path to solve..." Read more

"...& detailed - a little too detailed in places making it somewhat convoluted towards the end but I'm a lot happier with the turn of events & the way..." Read more

17 customers mention ‘Description’14 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's vivid descriptions of the Peak District, with one customer noting how it brings the area to life.

"...There are the wonderful descriptions of the Peak District, so vivid you feel that you are there (or stimulated enough to look it up/visit) and..." Read more

"...This book was atmospheric & detailed - a little too detailed in places making it somewhat convoluted towards the end but I'm a lot happier with the..." Read more

"Another great book from Stephen Booth, I love the way he describes locations, especially when you know the location, I know New Mills and..." Read more

"...and Stephen Booth's descriptions of Derbyshire and the Peak District are fantastic. Particularly enjoyed the Swizzels Matlow and Love Hearts part...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Series quality’7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series, with one specifically mentioning their love for the Cooper and Fry books.

"This is the 15th in the excellent series featuring the brilliant Cooper and Fry...." Read more

"...Stayed up very late to finish it!Love the Cooper and Fry series...." Read more

"...Cooper and DS Diane Fry,and have enjoyed all the books in this excellent series...." Read more

"another excellent cooper an fry especially as we live on a narrowboat and know the canal basin well" Read more

7 customers mention ‘Writing quality’6 positive1 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...as this truly is an enjoyable mystery that is well plotted and well written...." Read more

"...The writing is assured, not showy, but for me, a little more detail of landscape and a little more delving into personal relationships would have..." Read more

"Good & well written with a lot of local interest around my area. The final chapters were somewhat of a let-down but never the less a very good read." Read more

"Stephen Booth always writes a good book, if you are new to this author then you need to start at the beginning of the series in order to get to..." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Believable characters’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters believable, with one specifically praising the detective Ben Cooper.

"...The characters and storyline are believable and Stephen Booth's descriptions of Derbyshire and the Peak District are fantastic...." Read more

"...Stephen Booths series and enjoying the plot and the character of his detective Ben Cooper...." Read more

"...The books are interesting and easy to follow, plus the people portrayed have characters, not just faceless people." Read more

"Love these books. Great story!ones and believable characters" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Insight’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, with one review noting how the setting is beautifully evoked.

"...There are the wonderful descriptions of the Peak District, so vivid you feel that you are there (or stimulated enough to look it up/visit) and..." Read more

"...one & showing us the Detective Inspector we knew he would always be: thoughtful, introspective, insightful & wanting to manage his team well...." Read more

"...the British crime fiction tradition: upright officers, diligent and intelligent, following a logical path to solve a crime...." Read more

"...with these books - the crime plot was interesting and the setting is beautifully evoked,, but I felt it was slightly back to being a potboiler in..." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Pace’3 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pace, with some finding it good while others say it's too slow, particularly noting that the actual incidents are described too slowly.

"...This one was a little frustrating in that it moved too slowly. The police missed glaringly obvious clues and links...." Read more

"Started off very well and at a good pace but the middle to the end were a pretty slow burn...." Read more

"...Booth and have enjoyed the series unfortunately this book is far to slow on actual. incidents far far too much description...." Read more

"...What a disappointment! I found it slow repetetive and tedious. The descriptions of the landscape which I usually love took over from the plot...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Suzan
    5.0 out of 5 stars The 15th in the excellent Cooper and Fry series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is the 15th in the excellent series featuring the brilliant Cooper and Fry.

    Ben Cooper is making the adjustments to being a newly promoted DI; waving off Gavin Murfin to his retirement; having a new DS join his team and then there's the change in his relationship with Diane Fry. Diane doesn't feature heavily in this novel. Just as I thought I was warming to her, she reverts to type and I'm annoyed with her again!

    The novel starts with a fatal accident 8 years earlier. Then moving forward a lorry driver, following his sat nav, gets his vehicle stuck under a railway bridge to a village that only has the one road in and out. The driver disappears and there is blood left in the lorry cab. Ben and his team investigate and along the way there are clever twists to keep the reader guessing.

    I'm sure it will be picked up with those who have eagle eyes that there are a few typing/editing errors in the first half but this really can be forgiven as this truly is an enjoyable mystery that is well plotted and well written. Whilst there is murder and other horrific events there is no graphic detail.

    Stephen Booth's books always feel more than just a mystery to solve for me. There are the wonderful descriptions of the Peak District, so vivid you feel that you are there (or stimulated enough to look it up/visit) and interesting information about the area. He also conveys convincingly the team dynamics with believable interaction. Maybe Ben will need to toughen up a bit.

    Recommended - this is a pleasure to read.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • A Reviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Liking the way things are going!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    These books are always dark but the last two were particularly so. It's good to see Cooper coming through in this latest one & showing us the Detective Inspector we knew he would always be: thoughtful, introspective, insightful & wanting to manage his team well.
    I'm not sure about the Cooper & Fry, storyline. I hope it peters out as it looks. It's not what Cooper needs nor is it in anyway realistic given both their values & personalities.
    This book was atmospheric & detailed - a little too detailed in places making it somewhat convoluted towards the end but I'm a lot happier with the turn of events & the way things are proceeding.
    The main plot was good & I love the way Booth imparts so much knowledge - a lot of it local.
    I look forward to these books & find them compulsive reading & I shall look forward to the next even more.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Another great book from Stephen Booth, I love the way he describes locations, especially when you know the location, I know New Mills and surrounding areas quite well after staying in the town numerous times. I think it's great he doesn't tell us what the main characters look like, you get a picture of them in your imagination, and meet them like old friends in subsequent books. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Deborah Holmes
    3.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The plot was good and kept you going and I know Stephen likes to fill out with details but in places he spent too much time describing where a character was stood, to the point where you felt it was just fill to increase the page numbers
    One person found this helpful
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  • Dediva
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good solid coppering
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a well-fashioned story in the British crime fiction tradition: upright officers, diligent and intelligent, following a logical path to solve a crime. There is a satisfying vein of sympathy for victims and witnesses, even the perpetrators of crimes, who have been borne along by factors outside their control or reaped harsh consequences from their folly or vanity. The reader is allowed to draw her own conclusions with no trickery on the author's part, but just enough evidence is withheld to keep the reader guessing. The writing is assured, not showy, but for me, a little more detail of landscape and a little more delving into personal relationships would have been possible, without slowing down the pace of the plot. I like the way I could imagine the events happening in any real-life community - not too far-fetched. Also, I looked up places on mapping websites and found them as described. For anyone who likes to pit their wits against good solid coppering, this is a great read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Deeds in the High Peak
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    When a lorry gets wedged in on a narrow country lane and the driver disappears apparently with serious injuries,Ben Cooper and his team move in to investigate . The small hamlet of Shawhead with its diverse inhabitants come under suspicion but at first there is little to go on until past events and a suicide start to reveal dark motives. This is the usual fare from Stephen Booth a well researched mystery set in the High Peak area of the Dark Peak. Diane Fry is now back in the city solving what she believes is proper crime far away from the rural landscape and its people she so despised .Such a pity she won't be back in Edenfield tramping round the moors in all weathers chasing local criminals up to her neck in mud and muck.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Persephone
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Murder Road Stephen Booth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant, Stephen Booth delivers another page turner. Stayed up very late to finish it!Love the Cooper and Fry series. The characters and storyline are believable and Stephen Booth's descriptions of Derbyshire and the Peak District are fantastic. Particularly enjoyed the Swizzels Matlow and Love Hearts part. I also really enjoy following the relationship between Cooper and Fry.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • smokey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good English mystery
    Reviewed in Canada on 20 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Good mystery with twists and turns. Love the environmental aspects, but think that like all Mr. Booth's stories it cries out for a map. I find I get distracted trying to figure out the locations. The tension between Ben and Diane is spot on and continuing.
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  • Kate Couriaken
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Hard to put down. Some surprising twists and turns. Well developed characters and plot. Read l silicon that all the questions were not evident.
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  • Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Another great read by Stephen Booth. Fare from getting stale the story keeps growing. A great read.
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  • ldauvill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bon thriller
    Reviewed in France on 13 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Encore un bon opus dans la lignée des Cooper et Fry !
    Un bon Thriller qui nous fait surtout partager une ranche de vie (de campagne plutôt) anglaise.
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  • Gloria Muller
    5.0 out of 5 stars The murder road
    Reviewed in Germany on 5 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A book for both sexes and hopefully enjoyable to all. Personally I have read many of the Cooper and Fry books and enjoyed each one. Mystery and intrigue is the main factor but there is also the odd thrill introduced.
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