Deadly Force
by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

A police officer is murdered, found washed up on the banks of a canal in this gritty, page-turning mystery set in London and featuring DCI Bill Slider – “one of Britain’s most engaging coppers” (Booklist)

‘When it’s one of your own, you pull out all the stops.’

DCI Bill Slider and his team are plunged into a city-wide manhunt when the body of a police officer is found dumped in a canal. Murder is always treated seriously, but when the victim is a serving copper, the killer is going to find the whole London force on their tail – and there will be no let up until they’re caught.

Colleagues say PC Peter Bentley was a quiet bloke who kept himself to himself. But as Slider and Atherton dig deeper, it becomes clear that this likeable bobby had secrets. Was he involved in something that got out of control or had something from his past come back to bite him?

Soon, the hardships of ‘the Job’ and the office politics at play make for an intriguing mystery that, this time, feels too close to home . . .

This critically acclaimed British police procedural series is a great choice for fans of Catherine Aird, Ann Cleeves and Peter James. If you haven’t met Bill Slider and his team, why not start now?

Genre: Police Procedural

Reviews

“Outstanding . . . With Harrod-Eagles’ trademark laugh-out-loud humor, vivid characters, twisty plot, and keen insights into the challenges of modern-day policing, this is a must-read for her legions of fans”

Booklist

“Evocative prose . . . A diverting whodunit”

Publishers Weekly

“Procedural fans will rejoice at this latest installment, which has much to offer newcomers as well”

Kirkus Reviews

“Entertaining, suspenseful, tragic, funny, gripping, and eminently satisfying, showing the best and worst of the human race”

Booklist Starred Review of Easeful Death

“A model British procedural from a proven veteran”

Kirkus Reviews on Easeful Death

“Another delightful mystery for fans of unconventional police teams, witty dialogue, and excellent procedurals”

Library Journal on Before I Sleep

“A gripping plot, Harrod-Eagles’ trademark wry humor, and an authentic look at today’s police make this a fine read for procedural fans”

Booklist on Before I Sleep

“Harrod-Eagles reliably entertains”

Publishers Weekly on Before I Sleep

“A model British procedural”

Kirkus Reviews on Before I Sleep

“Another satisfying mystery starring one of Britain's most engaging coppers”

Booklist on Dying Fall

“Fans of Catherine Aird’s witty Inspector C.D. Sloan books will be hooked”

Publishers Weekly on Dying Fall

“

Outstanding . . . Harrod-Eagles’ latest DCI Bill Slider novel brings the series to a new level

”

Booklist Starred Review of Cruel as the Grave

“[This series is in] a league of its own . . . Will garner new readers and delight loyal fans”

Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Cruel as the Grave

“A witty, thoughtful mystery . . . Fans of Deborah Crombie’s ‘Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James’ series will be moved by this carefully constructed tale”

Library Journal Starred Review of Headlong

“Dialogue sparkling with wit and humor . . . Readers will wish for Slider’s career to continue for many years to come”

Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Headlong

“Highly entertaining . . . Harrod-Eagles shows once again why this series ranks high among contemporary British police procedurals”

Publishers Weekly on Shadow Play

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is the author of over ninety books, including the internationally acclaimed Bill Slider mysteries and her Morland Dynasty series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. cynthiaharrodeagles.comCynthia Harrod-Eagles was born and educated in London and had a variety of jobs in the commercial world before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed Bill Slider mysteries and the historical Morland Dynasty series. She lives in London, is married with three children and enjoys music, wine, gardening, horses and the English countryside.

View author page

Editions

Deadly Force by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is available in the following formats

97814483208375th May 2026 X mm288,288£20.99
Hardback9781448320820144 X 222mm288$39.99
Hardback9781448320820144 X 222mm288£21.99
Ebook97814483208375th May 2026N/A288£20.99
Paperback978144832084419th November 2026129 X 198mm288,288£9.99
Paperback978144832084419th November 2026129 X 198mm288,288$18.99
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