Jim Napier Mysteries
Creator of the Colin McDermott Series
The Colin McDermott novels are a contemporary British mystery series with a traditional puzzle at their core to challenge and intrigue readers. The plot is always about whodunit, or how could they have done it, or how can they be brought to justice. Assisted by Detective Sergeants George Ridley and Wilhemina Quinn, Detective Inspector Colin McDermott is on the Major Crimes Squad of the Metropolitan Police, and based at Charing Cross Police Station in London.
Novels
Second book of the series
Ridley's War
Yorkshire, 2004: when an elderly veteran of the Second World War dies at a regimental reunion, Colin McDermott and George Ridley look into his past. For Ridley it’s personal: the victim is his father. The challenge facing the pair is not only to determine what happened so many years ago, but also to bring a killer to justice six decades later.
The highly anticipated second book in the Colin McDermott series
REVIEWS
“[A]N INTRICATE TALE OF MURDER, THEFT, [AND] BETRAYAL…”
— OTTAWA REVIEW OF BOOKS
First book of the series
Legacy
When a young woman killed in London traffic is found to be carrying no identification, Detective Inspector Colin McDermott is assigned to track her down so her family can be notified. He soon discovers that she had a dual identity, concealing a very private life, and when her trail leads back to Colin McDermott’s own Alma Mater, it falls to the detective to determine whether her death was an accident or murder – and whether an old friend and mentor is involved.
Praise by best-selling and award-winning authors
“A classic British whodunit, reminiscent of the Golden Age. Napier depicts the bitter political rivalry of academia, and writes with dry wit and crisp dialogue.”
— Cath Staincliffe, award-winning and bestselling author of the Scott and Bailey and the Blue Murder tales, both televised
The Author
After a successful academic career at the college and university levels which included teaching both crime fiction and creative writing, Jim turned to writing full time. Since then Jim has published nearly six hundred reviews, interviews, and articles about crime writers, both in print and on multiple Internet sites. In 2011 Jim contributed to an anthology on the craft of crime writing titled Now Write! Mysteries, published by Tarcher/Penguin. Legacy is the first novel in the Colin McDermott series; Ridley’s War, the second; and the third novel is slated for release in 2022.
Jim Napier - The Reviewer
If Napier gives a positive review- I know that I will enjoy the book and/or author.
- Steve Neal, Amazon.com customer
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Latest Reviews by Jim
To view more Reviews, interviews and tributes, visit Deadly Diversions.
Readers Comments
Legacy/BR/June 15 2017
Jim Napier's "Legacy" is an excellent read: excellent story and excellent characterizations, both of
which are rare experiences nowadays. The plot kept me guessing—the ending is exciting, full of
frenetic activity, and leads to a satisfactory conclusion. Moreover, the narrative is witty and
continually engaging. Napier knows what he's doing, he has a distinctive voice, and it is a
pleasure to read an author who writes beautiful English (another rarity). I look forward to reading
more stories in the Inspector McDermott series.
Legacy/CR/July 24 2017
Legacy is a great summer read. The characters are very well developed and believable, the
setting (London UK) is vividly portrayed, and the reader is kept in suspense right until the end.
It's a very well written police detective story.
Ridley’s War/C/November 22 2020
A fascinating prequel to legacy, which reaches back to ww2 and the effects it can have on the present. As always a well researched and interesting read where the characters are well developed and real feeling people. An excellent author I hope that book 3 comes out soon.
Legacy/CB/June 2 2017
Great story, endearing characters. In the tradition of the classic English murder mystery, the story is chock full
of red herrings, and has the requisite surprise ending! Can't wait to read Colin McDermott's next adventure!
Events
No nonsense book and audio reviews
Memorable May Reads 2021
5⭐️ The Killing Pit Wes Markin
4.75⭐️ The Autumn Tree Tony Forder
4.5⭐️ Old Bones New Bones Alex Scarrow
4.5⭐️ A Girl called Justice Elly Griffiths
4.25⭐️ Twisted Lies Angela Marsons
4.25⭐️ Ridley’s War Jim Napier
4.25⭐️ You had it Coming B.M.Carroll
4.25⭐️ The Captive Deborah O’Connor
4⭐️ Her name was Rose Claire Allan
4⭐️ Rising Tide Morgan Greene
4⭐️ Lost Souls Jenny O’Brien