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The Huntsmen

DS Royston Chase, Book 1

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The Huntsmen

By: Tony J. Forder
Narrated by: Alister Austin
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About this listen

Book one in the DS Royston Chase series.

When DS Royston Chase is called to the scene of a fatal road collision, his task is to identify the girl who died alongside the ex-chief constable of Wiltshire Police. Paired with the bold and strident DC Claire Laney, Chase is given the task of closing the case quickly and quietly.

But when the girl’s DNA provides a familial link to a child who vanished from her home 20 years earlier, Chase and Laney refuse to accept the coincidence. The pair start looking harder at the ex-cop’s life, at which point they encounter serious opposition. Perhaps deadly serious.

Because the establishment looks after its own, and soon it’s not only their bosses getting in the way of a thorough investigation. Chase and Laney find themselves seemingly at odds with everyone, fighting to save their own reputations as well as the case. But neither will rest until they identify their young victim, no matter what the cost....

©2021 Tony Forder (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd Modern Detectives Mystery Police Procedural Fiction

Critic Reviews

"The author is hugely talented and ranks, in my opinion, with the likes of Peter James and Val McDermid." (Maggie James, best-selling author)

"Just a word of warning - prepare to be in tears, on the edge of your seat and gobsmacked in equal measure. A triumph!" (Liz Mistry, best-selling author)

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I just finished THE HUNTSMAN. All I can initially say is WOW!! DOUBLE WOW !!!
What an absolutely Incredible Book. The tears are still running down my face. WOW. If you like Crime Detective stories you really must listen to THE HUNTSMAN. Dont hesitate, this truly is an incredible book. I know this book will be on my mind for a while. I guarantee this book will bring out emotional responses from majority of listeners if not all. I am now going on to Book two in the Series.
JARED..

INCREDIBLE. HELL OF A BOOK.

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Although fiction, I couldn't help but make the comparison to recent high profile cases that demonstrate this sick depravity in our society that needs to be stamped out. The story was heartbreaking, brave, well narrated and captivating. Thank you for its creation.

Great listen

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it was an excellent story, weaving this way and that way! the characters were very likeable, except for the villains they were truly abhorrent!

love the characters

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The coverups amongst the gentry always amaze me. I have no doubt that this sort of thing happens although the ending re the spooks and the building with women and children was far-fetched.

Excellent writing.

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Best book I've ever listened 2 and I've been a member of Audible for 3 years!! Could not stop listening. Narrator was the absolute best. WOW 👌

WOW just WOW

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This book is definitely one of the best I have listened to. If you enjoy police procedurals you will enjoy this. The story is very well written, with twists and turns to keep you involved with the characters.
The story matter is a hard subject to explore, however it is so well written you don’t struggle with it. Royston Chase is a character you will come to love, as is his sidekick.
The narrator has done an awesome job, definitely up there with the best I’ve heard.
I highly recommend this book

Excellent work by all involved!

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The story is okay a little predictable in places. However I did find the narrator could have been better, he was good at the characters but when narrating the main storyline it was like listening to a news reader, which I found off putting.

The Huntsmen

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What starts with a car accident cause by a well known English Peer, who was in the presence of a young naked girl, who was deceased at the scene & apparently in the mist of performing a sex act at the time.

Leads detective Chase and his partner detective Lainey, to investigate the disappearance of an eight year old girl twenty years previously.

These two cases become linked as it is revealed the young deceased girl shared DNA with the missing girl.

This revelation takes Chase & Lainey down a decidedly dangerous path as people with money and influence try to thwart their investigation.

As this police procedural story draws to a close, the ending is as harrowing a story as you could expect.
Revealing a shocking systemic case of repeated child abuse.

I absolutely adored the relationship between the two outcasts Chase & Lainey and the mysterious civil servant Maurice

Harrowing, If Not Suspenseful Tale

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