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Savage Moon – a dark and thrilling murder mystery (Detective Spicer series, book 3) Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,460 ratings

What if the law of the jungle is unleashed in a city?


The body of a woman with her throat ripped out is found on the moors near Manchester. She is discovered in an area where several sightings of a large black cat have recently been made.

When analysis shows that hairs caught under the victim's nails are those of a panther, it’s assumed the animal has killed its first human prey.

Then a man who maverick Manchester Detective, Jon Spicer, is investigating as part of an entirely different case is murdered in exactly the same way. Only his body is found in a secluded car park far closer to the city centre.

As the body count rises, Spicer races against time to catch the elusive "Monster of the Moor" - a killer whose stealth and savagery strikes terror into the hearts of men and women alike.


If you enjoyed The Silence of the Lambs, Savage Moon is a must-read for you.


Shortlisted for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year!


Praise for Chris Simms’ novels


An atmospheric, psychologically astute and emotionally literate study of the nature of predator and prey, with an unexpected ending. (THE GUARDIAN)


An intricate plot is enhanced by good writing and human sympathy. Highly recommended. (LITERARY REVIEW)


Simms weaves an ingenious and surprising thriller with a big twist in the tale.’ (BOOK CLUB ASSOCIATES)


The plot has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster…fast-paced, involving, tense and well-written. (SHOTS MAGAZINE)


Simms is getting better and better. A chilling thriller, this will have you leaving the light on when you climb into bed.’ (LOVE READING)


Some Amazon reader reviews for Savage Moon


‘Brilliant storyline, imaginative, cohesive plot. Characterisation great. Loved it. Gripped from the beginning.’ ★★★★★


‘I love the way this author writes. I enjoyed this book very much. Excellent storyline with loads of twist.’ ★★★★★


‘Chris Simms is a great writer in my opinion, little wasted vocabulary, and kept me reading til the end.’ ★★★★★


‘I cannot recommend this book enough, it really is a great read!’ ★★★★★


‘Absolutely thrilling book, gripped my imagination and didn’t let go. The plot and the characters have so much depth. Starting my next Chris Simms book immediately.’ ★★★★★



About the Author

Chris Simms has worked in airports, nightclubs, post offices and telesales centres. After travelling around the world he settled near Manchester - where he now scribbles away in a cosy garden shed with a dainty little lurcher lying at his feet.

Along with nominations for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year award and Crime Writers’ Association Daggers (for his novels and short stories), Chris was selected by Waterstone’s as one of their ‘25 Authors For The Future’.

Don’t miss out on this heart-pounding thriller – get it now before the price changes!






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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00N12RJ62
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Richmond Publishing; 1st edition (August 23, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1197 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 418 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,460 ratings

About the author

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Chris Simms
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Chris Simms has worked in airports, nightclubs, post offices and telesales centres. Along with nominations for Crime Writers' Association Daggers and the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year award for his novels and short stories, Chris was selected by Waterstones as one of their '25 Authors for the Future'.

The idea for his debut novel, Outside the White Lines, came to him in the early hours of the morning while broken down on the hard shoulder of the M40.

His series of DI Spicer novels - psychological thrillers set very firmly in Manchester - follow the police detective's fortunes as he pursues mad, bad and deadly individuals through the city's ever-evolving landscape.

In October 2012, Scratch Deeper was launched - a new series featuring Detective Constable Iona Khan of Manchester Police's Counter Terrorism Unit. This was followed-up by another DC Khan novel, A Price To Pay.

Most recently, Chris has written two supernatural thrillers, Sing Me To Sleep and Rats' Nest. Both are receiving Amazon reader reviews that focus on the novels' frightening qualities.

Chris says he is drawn to books that give insights into unusual minds. The twisted desires of Frederick in John Fowles', The Collector; the tormented thoughts of Scobie in Graham Greene's, Heart of the Matter; the violent urges of Francie in Patrick McCabe's, Butcher Boy are all books Chris states had a major influence in shaping him as a writer.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,460 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and realistic. They describe the book as a great read with an excellent writing style and vivid descriptions that bring the town and moor to life. The characters are described as real, complex, and human. Readers appreciate the suspenseful and exciting episodes that keep them interested until the end. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it fast-paced and engaging, while others feel it drags and slows down the story development.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

66 customers mention "Story quality"57 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the story's engaging plot and smooth transitions between storylines. They find the premise intriguing and the mystery well-crafted. The book contains unexpected twists and turns that keep readers hooked until the end. Overall, it is described as an enjoyable mystery with good storytelling skills.

"...The plotting is equally strong...." Read more

"...And it is an excellent story...." Read more

"...However, it turned out to be a really good detective story...." Read more

"...is not a particularly `likeable' character but the story is an intriguing mystery that would have benefitted from considerable editing...." Read more

48 customers mention "Readability"48 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an enjoyable read and a good addition to the series. The author keeps readers interested with an engaging storyline. While not the easiest read, they consider it worthwhile.

"...books, this can be read as a stand-alone, but it's more rewarding to read the books in order: the characters develop beautifully through time...." Read more

"...if you like the detecting aspect of detective stories, this is well worth reading...." Read more

"Starts off slow, but close to 60% the plot heats up. Good read IF the reader has patience and a bit of fortitude...." Read more

"...Savage Moon" is a good read and an important lesson in history." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing style"24 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the writing style. They found the story engaging with interesting characters and interactions. The author used authentic language and vivid descriptions to bring the town and moor to life. The book was readable, relying on facts, and riveting, capturing their imagination.

"...Like the first two books, this can be read as a stand-alone, but it's more rewarding to read the books in order: the characters develop beautifully..." Read more

"...Characters are vivid. DI Spicer is a very human, thinking detective. He is given a problem and he runs with it, without diversion...." Read more

"...The history of the British in Kenya was well done - enough to understand why it is relevant to the whole premise of the story, and also make you..." Read more

"It’s been along time since I couldn’t put down a book. This book has so many elements: a complex historical context totally obscured by a rampaging..." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters real and complex. They carry natural hurts, hopes, and fears. The book is an exploration of the psychology of broken people and how they respond.

"...wonderfully developed settings and situations, and characters who are both complex and convincing. The plotting is equally strong...." Read more

"...I am not given a choice of 4.5. Characters are vivid. DI Spicer is a very human, thinking detective...." Read more

"...Good read IF the reader has patience and a bit of fortitude. Great main character; like his superior who has his back...." Read more

"...Natural characters carry natural hurts, hopes and fears. History is ugly and real. And monsters are very genuinely scary...." Read more

12 customers mention "Suspenseful"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's suspenseful and exciting plot. They find it entertaining and action-packed, with an interesting approach to the mystery story. The book is described as a well-written mystery that keeps readers interested until the end.

"I enjoyed the main storyline of this book. It had some exciting episodes...." Read more

"...A well written book that kept me interested to the end. The character development was very good. The story made sense, and was well developed...." Read more

"Found the author entertain and fun! Has a great sense of how to keep the reader involved in the atory. A definite page turner...." Read more

"...Interesting police procedural that contains a lot of suspense. My only complaint was that the ending was rushed and left many loose ends." Read more

33 customers mention "Pacing"22 positive11 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it interesting with suspense and believable motives. Others feel the story drags and slows down, with too much filler.

"...equally well-rounded so, in the course of each of the tightly constructed police procedurals, the reader comes to feel involved with all of them...." Read more

"...a book, it stands alone in the series, but there are some interpersonal relationships that obviously came from the previous two books and will carry..." Read more

"...He was not particularly smart, or brave, or cunning, or anything you expect in this kind of protagonist--an investigator...." Read more

"...Loved the ending! Fabulous research into not topics of political concern. PottsvillePA_01212021. Thank you Chris Simms -- it was a WILD read!!!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2019
    in setting - Saddleworth moor - and atmosphere, an unavoidable comparison that only increases my respect and liking for this author. He's good enough (and now I am irrevocably hooked on Jon Spicer) to have overcome my dislike of serial killer stories. I avoid them because madness fails (as Dorothy Sayers noted long ago) to provide a satisfying motive for murder. Chris Simms has worked through that problem in a very convincing manner. Like the first two books, this can be read as a stand-alone, but it's more rewarding to read the books in order: the characters develop beautifully through time.In the Spicer series, you will find an intricate problem believably resolved, wonderfully developed settings and situations, and characters who are both complex and convincing. The plotting is equally strong. Jon Spicer has a passion for rugby and for justice - his problem-solving skills often veer into violence, but the repercussions are fair and representative. His co-workers are equally well-rounded so, in the course of each of the tightly constructed police procedurals, the reader comes to feel involved with all of them. Having read all five equally well-written (and edited) in the series so far, I recommend them without reservation - and I am beyond thrilled to discover there are three new titles coming. I can't wait!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2020
    As a book, I have to rate this four stars. I am not given a choice of 4.5. Characters are vivid. DI Spicer is a very human, thinking detective. He is given a problem and he runs with it, without diversion. He is, as the ME is too, dealing with facts, not conjecture. They stay true on course. His family life, a wife with a weeks old child, becomes an integral part of the story. And it is an excellent story. As is true with all other UK based stories, be prepared to consult your dictionary [UK] for words and terms not clear in US English. As a book, it stands alone in the series, but there are some interpersonal relationships that obviously came from the previous two books and will carry to the following ones.

    A word of caution to the author. When you are using history, specially contemporary history, as the structure of your work, please, please make sure you have it right. You cannot compare pears, apples and oranges and expect no reaction from readers that know the difference between pears, apples and oranges. I do, and I do not appreciate the comparison.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2015
    I thought I'd made a mistake when I first started the book and thought it was a horror story about wild animals terrorizing towns and villages. However, it turned out to be a really good detective story. It winds its way in typical British fashion, which is to say that it might seem slow to people who prefer fast paced, action thrillers. But, if you like the detecting aspect of detective stories, this is well worth reading. The history of the British in Kenya was well done - enough to understand why it is relevant to the whole premise of the story, and also make you feel good that you learned something, but not so much, or in such a way, that you start yawning. This is another book that has an underlying political statement as it is set during the 2003 Iraq war. If you disagree with the author's apparent viewpoint on that war, it might spoil your overall enjoyment of the book, but, the author does offer facts to support that viewpoint and it's certainly not presented as a diatribe in any way. It is also a very small part of the book overall, so I'm not sure it should make the story less enjoyable for anyone. The story itself is a bit like the region in which it is set, that is to say, dark, moody, and unpredictable at times. I thought it was a great read, and will look for more by this author.
    16 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015
    Savage Moon, first published by Orion in Great Britain in 2007 is an unusual mystery in e-book form by Chris Simms.
    DI Jon Spicer, a member of the Manchester, England Police Department, has been shifted from his position with the most active investigative division because of borderline insubordination to his dictatorial superior DCI McCloughlin. His new boss, Summerby is easier, but in anticipated impending retirement is in charge of a division handling less interesting cases. Jon is ambivalent about the change because he misses the more involved cases, but it provides him more time to help his wife with their newborn daughter. He is working on cases involving homosexual crimes when an unusual case occurs where a man is attacked and a follow-up killing appears to have been performed by an animal similarly to a slaying reported earlier at a sheep farm bordering the moors. In spite of his lesser experience, he asks and is granted the lead position in the investigation by Summerby. This cause of death in Great Britain appears highly unlikely but possible after reports of several sightings of black panthers. A number of guarded responses to questions by several `persons of interest' and additional killer activity make him believe it is not and the case evolves into a mind-boggling mystery requiring almost around the clock activity with his assembled team. Concurrently his young wife gradually descends into post-partum depression and complications pile up until dogged police work ferrets out the cause and a finale is reached.
    Conclusion: Granted the protagonist is not a particularly `likeable' character but the story is an intriguing mystery that would have benefitted from considerable editing. However if a reader also enjoys historical material, a considerable amount of the `editable' material is acceptable and presents a captivating picture of government `cover-up' with respect to the heavily publicized mid-century Mau Mau rebellion. In fact, American readers may find this a matter of interest sufficient to make it a little easier to equate with the more particularly British story.
    12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Pat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2023
    I found this story interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Also a good lesson in history. I would read more of his books.
  • Lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in Australia on March 25, 2019
    Real page turner again. I have enjoyed every Spicer book. Personal & professional intertwined; gritty & intense. Twists & turns galore
  • sumit sabal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on October 10, 2015
    nice book
  • scantlebury
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the faint of heart
    Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2019
    This novel had lots of plot twists and turns, however, there was a little too much furious violence for me. I did finish the book but was not surprised that the main character did actually become the hero even though he greatly struggled to keep it all together.
  • Pauluspaolo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great murder mystery set in the North
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2020
    I'd not read any Chris Simms/DI Spicer novels before & found this one to be an excellent murder mystery with a good plot & plenty of red herrings. There was also an insight into an exceedingly grim bit of British history. I enjoyed the book & thought it a very good read. I'm sure it won't be the last DI Spicer novel I read.

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