The Murder Road (Cooper and Fry) Paperback – 5 May 2016

Stephen Booth's wonderful stories continue apace, yet another gripping mystery set, this time, not in the Peak District as the blurb tells us but in the High Peak; the Dark Peak, which is culturally and geographically very different. The tiny hamlet of Shawhead, which is close to the town of New Mills is home to a very small, diverse population but is at the heart of this story. Although Booth does not live in the Peak, he has captured the dark, atmospheric pulse of the area, where the inhabitants look to Manchester rather than the south of the county, all very reminiscent of William Blake's 'dark satanic mills'. The bleak and dramatic mountain of Kinder Scout looms over both the story and the characters.Cooper is now a detective inspector and Gavin has retired from the police service, although as he is about to take up a new job as an enquiry agent, so we can be sure he will figure in future plots! DS Diane Fry has moved on ... or has she?! A new addition to the team is DS Sharma who travels all the way from the city of Derby each day and even further from the cultural diversity of that city. What is he really doing in 'E Division'? No doubt we will find out as these long awaited stories continue to unfold.Other reviewers have outlined the plot so I don't feel the need to add to that, I am attempting to describe the setting which is unique to this part of the world.On this occasion, I have only given the book 4 stars overall because I felt that the ending was a little messy, although maybe I am being picky. However, for storyline, plot and characterisation, it is a five star mystery tale as is usual with this author. Can't wait for the next one, so please keep on writing Stephen!

The Cooper and Fry novels are some of my favourites, but this one was so disappointing. The endless descriptions of canals, motorways, laybys, bridges, train lines etc became overwhelming and I found myself skimming large chunks. I felt sorry for anyone who lives in New Mills given the quite unpleasant and judgmental remarks - perhaps the author once had a bad experience there! The plot did not really work for me, neither did the behaviour of the characters. The entire team seemed to be acting out of character, and I kept expecting some back story which would explain this, but nothing was forthcoming. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. In the previous books, Cooper, who was clearly feeling slightly overwhelmed at his forthcoming marriage, if not getting cold feet. It felt as though the author had painted himself into a corner and could only extricate himself by killing off the poor fiance in a fire after Cooper had suddenly rediscovered his joy at the impending nuptials, which felt just too contrived. But at least we could get back to Cooper and Fry. My greatest wish was granted when they did indeed get together. But now, well, such a perfunctory and disappointing ending. Sob.

A HGV lorry driver is murdered just outside a small and remote Derbyshire village. The murder could be connected to the inhabitants of the village, but can Detective Inspector Ben Cooper find the links to the village, a suicide, and a death on a nearby A road that happened 8 years before. Stephen Booth winds all of these events to a conclusion and in doing so shows his reader, the strangeness of a remote Derbyshire village as well as painting a picture of the Derbyshire countryside - the lightness and darkness, of White Peak and Black Peak. This is mostly Ben's story in which his team gains a new Detective Sergeant who may or may not fit in. Diane Fry is on the periphery yet, at the closure the will they, won't they, relationship between Cooper and Fry becomes more clearly defined.

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.

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.

I have read all Stephen Booth's books with Fry and Cooper. Sadly this one is not very good, reads more like a travel book than a murder mystery. Fry and Cooper as a couple just don't jell, she is just in there at the edge of the story to make the reader think she is still part of it. It is all getting very tired. Is it not time that Stephen Booth introduced another character to replace her and pep things up a bit. Why write the story at all if it is just going to be padded out with endless scenery and weather descriptions. I do appreciate we need some for atmosphere but the standard of this book is nowhere near the last books. I shall try the next one of course, having come this far with Ben Cooper but I fear readers will be lost if the next one is like this one.

Good basic crime story, but leaves the reader with a feeling of unfinished story. There are a few inconsistencies as well. For example at the end, Ben and Iane meet somewhere to start their walk, later on we read that they were both silent on the drive back to Ben’s apartment, leading one to believe they drove together. However, somehow Diane’s car is at the apartment because Ben watches her leave in her car.

Cooper's promotion to DI seems to fit him. The unfolding story behind the truck driver's death is well done with enough twists to satisfy me. My only niggle is with the way Fry is portrayed in this novel. She doesn't play a significant role and the author can't seem to make up his mind as to how her relationship with Cooper should work. Not quite up to the usual standard, but still an enjoyable read.

This was reasonable. Very unsatisfying that Cooper and Fry seem to be calling it a day. Oil and water - agreed, but one would have hoped that after all of this history there might have been something there. Without that I'm not at all sure where this series goes.

I loved how this story drew me in and made the situation and people so realistic. I've been a tourist in the area and saw the quaint, picturesque views so it was fun to think of the darker underside. That and I'll never whiz past a hamlet on the equivalent of the A6 without wondering what life is really like. Z

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.

Cooper/Fry procedurals are always imteresting, particularly with the local colour almost playing an additional character. I must say that the Fry storyline was less than satisfying.

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.

Another captivating story by Stephen Booth, you can even smell the Peak District.Can't wait for the next installment of Cooper and Fry.

A typical Cooper and Fry mystery. Fry is still irritating the hell out of me. I want to slap her most of the time. But it's a good murder mystery yarn and I like Stephen Booth, so I was happy to read it.

Great writer, you always know when you have one of Stephen Booth's books in your hands you are in for a real treat.

Another great read by Stephen Booth. Fare from getting stale the story keeps growing. A great read.

Got lost in background Material, to unterstand everything one needs an OS map, and good Google Connection . Still good.

Mr. Booth has done it again....a very good story, and Ben is in focus, while his Team is sometimes missing his point(s)

Another mystery in the Peak District solved by Ben Cooper. But this one has a twist that was insuspected at the end!

Very good.