THE SECRETS MAN by John Dean
Meet Detective Chief Inspector John Blizzard — burly and blunt. He takes no nonsense from crooks or his superiors.
Hafton is on edge. Teenagers are dying from contaminated drugs. Tensions are high. But nobody can pin down where the supply is coming from.
DCI John Blizzard believes one man holds the answer — gangland figure Morrie Raynor, recently released from prison and quietly rebuilding his power. But Raynor is careful, slippery, and backed by people who want him left alone.
When a former detective passes Blizzard a name — “The Secrets Man” — it’s a thread that links old cases, buried loyalties, and a criminal network long thought dormant. But with little evidence and rising pressure from above, Blizzard finds himself isolated.
As more lives are lost and the clock runs down, Blizzard must choose between protecting his job — or doing what he knows is right.
A sharp, timely, and atmospheric police procedural with deep moral stakes.
Perfect for fans of Peter Robinson, Ian Rankin, and Ann Cleeves.
DCI John Blizzard is under scrutiny — not just from the criminals he’s hunting, but from the very force he serves. His obsession with bringing down Morrie Raynor risks alienating colleagues and jeopardising his career. Meanwhile, at home, his partner Fee Ellis is days away from giving birth. He doesn’t talk about it much — but the weight of what’s coming is never far from his mind. For now, though, he’s chasing justice — the only way he knows how.
Set in Hafton, a city of boarded-up pubs, burned-out estates, and crumbling loyalties, the novel explores both the physical and moral decay of a place on the brink. From derelict factories to hospital corridors, the city feels bruised — and dangerous. A perfect breeding ground for secrets.
THE SERIES HAD OVER 7000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent murder mystery storyline, enjoyed the read.”
— Kindle Customer
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great book, keeps you on your toes, with an unexpected twist at the end. Well worth picking up to read.”
— Kerry
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another great book. The banter between Blizzard and the team is so good. The way he deals with the cases is really good. A must read.”
— Mulli
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another well written and crafted story from John Dean. Lots of action with plenty of twists and turns and an exciting ending.”
— Kindle Customer
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A thoroughly entertaining read, with realistic characters who continue to develop as the series of DCI Blizzard books keeps improving. Highly recommended.”
— John O
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love this writer and this book did not disappoint.”
— Sue Armstrong
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a different direction of investigation, looking for a shooter with a list of people to kill, including cops.”
— Susan Green
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All of John Dean’s books are good but I love DCI Blizzard! The books are carefully plotted and the characters are well written. I hope there are many more books in the series. I highly recommend this book!”
— Elizabeth P.
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good addition to the DCI Blizzard series. The author has another series that I like as well, the DCI Harris series. No nonsense detective with interesting plot turns.”
— J Austen
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Just wasn’t long enough. I like DCI Blizzard and would like to know more about him.”
— Zippie 65