Hello
Peter Owen-Smith
Hello there. I am an author and book reviewer who is a fan of crime and spy stories.
ABOUT
For the last five years before I retired, I worked as a police civilian, supporting investigators in the Professional Standards Department, which handles complaints and misconduct matters.This taught me about investigative procedures, suspect interviews, and collecting/processing crime scene exhibits.I completed a creative writing course run by Oxford University in 2012, and for the last two years, Ali Shaw, a published author and writing mentor, has helped me improve and polish my writing.In 2000, at Wolfson College, Cambridge, I produced a ninety-page dissertation, ‘Crime Spotting,’ a comparative study of the history and development of fingerprints and DNA
profiling. I hope to publish this at a future date.
WRITING
I’m a writer crafting a trilogy of crime novels, and my first book, ‘The Night Murders’, is due to be published in July 2025.
My love for crime and spy stories shines through in my work, and I truly hope my tales will captivate and enthral you. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just curious about the genre, I can't wait for you to join me on this exciting journey!
Stay tuned for more updates.
COMING SOON
THE NIGHT MURDERS
When DCI Joe Scipio is assigned to head up the new West Midlands Cold Case Review Team, he faces the biggest challenge of his career.Two seemingly unrelated cases, a murdered young woman and a missing teenage prostitute, lead straight to a cover-up by former senior officers who have buried the case files and hidden the related evidence.When Scipio finds that information is being leaked to to his boss, Chief Superintendent Julie Pope and the Security Services, the stakes get raised.With the support of a reliable partner, Scipio navigates a critical breakthrough with the aid of forensic scientists and ‘off the books’ help. The big question is, can he prevent the villains from escaping justice?
BOOK REVIEWS
Recent 5 Star reads
The Break in – Katherine FaulknerA suspenseful novel not to be missed. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end.The reveals are timely throughout, and an author I will read again. The narrative flowed and proved to be a gripping read as the clues brought a new perspective and the next question.... what is going on? A 5-star read!Dead to me by Gytha Lodge“Hold your breath. A great read”
Anna is chasing a story about a suspicious death amongst the elite world of Cambridge. The more she investigates, the more there's to find out and who to believe.Lots of red herrings and questions about who to believe and what are the facts.One person she needs to talk to is her ex-boyfriend but she can’t reach him. Will he save her when she needs him most? The climax is worth waiting for. A cracking page turner with multiple questions the reader needs to work through as Anna investigatesThe Day I lost You by Ruth Mancini“A first-rate thriller”
Who can you believe and what do you think? The stories of three main people are intertwined and keeps the reader questioning what is true and what is false—gripping right up to the final pages.
Another Ruth Mancini cracking read. 5 star!No Safe Place by Hannah Brennan“I never saw this coming”This line was included partway through the story, and I agree; I didn’t see the line that would lead to the killer. A great concept and superbly executed. The book provides a deeper understanding of the various types of OCD and gives the reader a better insight, which can often elude a lay person who has little or no exposure to the issues brought on by OCD.Pacing and plot were ‘spot on’ and included realistic scenarios which fitted with the storyline.An author I will look out for and read again. 5 Star!The Secret Barrister - SJ FleetIntriguing story with countless ‘twists and turns’.
This story is a courtroom thriller which provides the reader with a view of how a court and its proceedings.
It shares the Judge’s thoughts about the Barristers and the accused, the Barristers thoughts and rationalisation of the evidence and the thoughts of their clients. Each person has a story including the victim also brings some intrigue into the equation.
The reader receives a bird’s eye view of the proceedings in the criminal court overlaid with how each character ‘ducks and dives’ which enriches the story. It brings out so many questions and makes one realise how the facts of what happened can be challenged, distorted and twisted back on themselves.
The detective is one that you would not want to have working with you on such a serious case of three young men accused of murder, yet his character adds another r dimension to the events.
All in all, this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed and an author I will read again.
Contact
If you wish to contact me, please use the link below.