ABOUT
Hello
Peter Owen-Smith
Hello there. I am an author and book reviewer who is a fan of crime and spy stories.
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’, was published in April 2026.
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.
Available now on Amazon
THE NIGHT MURDERS
When DCI Joe Scipio (pronounced skip-e-o) 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 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?22 May 2026 - Review by Suzanne Collins:
The Night Murders is a gripping mystery novel that pulls readers into a dark, suspenseful world from the very beginning. Peter Owen Smith delivers a tense, intelligent story filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and compelling characters that keep the pages turning to the end.
Check out the back story in the video, below:
My Best read of 2026!
When You Looked Away by SM Govett
An incredible story that captivated me from page 1. It was a marvellously planned story that allowed the development of every character and raised questions about the perpetrator, with twists and turns that cast doubt on who did what and when.
The story relates to a missing child and his death, which DI Helen Stratton investigates. She has her own back story, and I couldn’t help but like her.
The author's engaging style and the way she has crafted the characters deserve significant acknowledgement.
The story told through two perspectives brought so many questions, and despite thinking I knew what had happened, how wrong was I? Brilliant is all I can say! This is a superbly written novel that deserves 5 stars. I have brought book 1 in the series and it's my next read.
BOOK REVIEWS
Recent 5 Star reads
Everything she didn‘t say – Jane CaseyThis is Jane Casey at her best! What a wonderful concept: Ruth telling her story and taking detectives along as they investigate further to establish whether another girl, Maura, is fiction or fact.Detectives follow up on conflicting stories and try to locate missing individuals. Whose story is true, and who is hiding the facts?
A typical, well-written, nail-biting Jane Casey novel with plenty of clues, but the ending amazed me. Brilliant!A cracking story, and one that cannot fail to delight the reader.My best 5-star read of 2026.The City of Echoes - (To be published in January 2027)
This is the third book in the trilogy by the eloquent writer Joseph O’Connor. It was certainly worth the wait, delivering a monumental story worthy of one of the highest accolades in literature.
When a hijacked strongbox containing Nazi money is discovered, the Escape Line desperately needs the cash as its funds dwindle. But the money has been stolen by a Roman criminal whose legendary ruthlessness makes recovering it a perilous undertaking.
The story centres on a dangerous mission to retrieve the looted cash in Occupied Rome, right under the noses of the Nazis. The wartime setting, combined with the authentic depiction of Rome’s alleys, underground routes and atmosphere, provides a brilliant backdrop to the unfolding events.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a story not to be missed. The use of reports, interviews and vividly portrayed events blends seamlessly with the atmosphere of wartime Rome, heightening the tension and excitement while bringing to life the remarkable acts of courage and heroism at the heart of the novel.
One of my best reads so far in 2026.
Contact
If you wish to contact me, please use the link below.