I wanted to share some news and, as always it seems, there is good and bad!
Let me get the bad news out of the way first. I’m afraid that my optimism got the better of me and Dead Level will not now be released before Christmas. I know that will disappoint a great many of you but there are two very good reasons for the delay. Firstly, Christmas is not a good time to release a book, I’m told, for the simple reason that there is so much else going on. And, secondly, the contractual niceties took longer to resolve than I had hoped, but therein lies the good news, I am delighted to say π
My publisher had an option on book 5 in the series, i.e. Dead Level. But, instead of simply exercising that option, they have offered me a new two book deal, which I am pleased to say that I have accepted. Needless to say, the two books will be Dead Level and book 6, which now has a working title of Death Sentence.
So, although there will be a delay in the release of Dead Level until March (actual date in March to be confirmed), the deadline for Death Sentence is such that 2016 will be a ‘two book year’ with Dead Level in the Spring and Death Sentence in the Autumn.
I’m not sure I’ve explained that very well but I hope it makes sense. π I really am delighted, not least because it demonstrates a commitment to the series on the part of my publisher, and this may very well extend beyond book 6, of course.
Sorry about the wait for Dead Level but I hope it will be worth it!
Regards to all,
Damien
Hi Damien
We read a Nick Dixon book about several murders on the Quantocks around Nether Stowey/Buncombe and cannot find any reference to it or identify the title. Nick was on secondment from the met and stayed with relations at Weston. Have we imagined it?
Beryl & Phil
Not one of mine, sorry, Beryl and Phil! Nick does go to the Quantocks, but not that part. Yet anyway.
Could it have been The Night Stalker by Clare Donoghue?
Best wishes,
Damien
Great to get a copy of Death sentence from my sister in Somerset – signed too! I couldn’t put it down.
Glad you enjoyed it, Barbara!
Kind regards
Damien
Greetings from Philadelphia in the US! I have enjoyed 5 books so far and just pre-ordered #6 through Amazon. I follow the characters’ progress with Google Maps, and by so doing feel that am actually visiting the sites of the action. As a physician, I do cringe at times to read what type of diet a type I diabetic is following, but that is certainly realistic! Looking forward to the new book in October
Hello Bill,
I’m glad you enjoyed the books. Yes, all the places are real and so will appear on Google Maps and Google Earth. It’s a small world we live in these days!
Not ideal perhaps, but, as you say, a realistic diet for a diabetic copper π
With kind regards,
Damien
Hello Bill,
As the mother of a son who has type 1 diabetes, I’d say the food is realistic, full stop. My teenage son is just like any other teenage boy, eating us out of house and home! π
I like the fact that Dixon isn’t slowed down by his T1D, that he’s reasonably fit and has friends and a girlfriend and can be solitary when need be. I sometimes wonder when he actually doses for insulin– does he use an insulin pump or injection needles? There is so much detail in Dixon’s day to day life– including picking up after Monty– that it sometimes seems odd not to include the occasional insulin injection.
Great stories!
Cheers,
Becky
Hi Becky
Thank you for your kind comments!
Nick does do his jab occasionally in the later books, and gets shouted at by Jane and/or Roger Poland for doing it through his clothes…
Sound familiar?
With very best wishes,
Damien
Have just finished As The Crow Flies and I’m hooked ! Have downloaded your other books and am looking forward to reading those. Bonus time : you are a lot better looking than Sir Jeffery Archer (Ha!). Sending you every good wish for your future endeavours.
Cheers
Sylvia
Thank you, Sylvia!
Better looking than Jeffery Archer? I’ve met him a couple of times in the last few years. If our paths cross again, I won’t tell him you said that π
Hope you enjoy the books. Lots more to come!
With very best wishes,
Damien
Honestly one of the best series I have ever read. Every book in this series from As the Crow Flies to Dead Level has been gripping and has had me on the edge of my seat. Thank you for entertaining me Mr.Boyd and I hope that DI Nick Dixon will forever be solving cases! Best wishes for the future sir.
Thank you for your kind comments, Kevin!
Yes, plenty more investigations to come π
Kind regards and thank you again,
Damien
Halfway through Dead Level. Live in Dorset but grew up in Woolavington & Bridgwater. Many days and nights of mis-spent youth visiting Burnham-on-Sea and the surrounding area.
Discovered As The Crow Flies by chance so was thrilled to read a great novel based in and around all my old haunts. Really enjoying the Nick Dixon series and look forward Death Sentence in the Autumn. Keep ’em coming!
Kind regards
Gerry.
Thank you, Gerry. Glad you are enjoying them!
With kind regards
Damien
Hi
My name is Dr Roger Poland so somewhat of a shock when my wife found me practising in Musgrove when reading ‘As the crow flies’
A mystery to solve Damien?
Regards Dr P
Dear Dr Poland
Thank you for getting in touch and I do hope your wife enjoyed As the Crow Flies.
It’s one of the hazards of being an author. Whatever name I choose for a character, it will be somebody, somewhere! In this instance, however, I can tell you that this character is named after my old biology teacher. Could that be you?
If so, I recommend Swansong, book 4 in the series, when Dixon goes undercover into a certain boarding school to find a serial killer…
With very best wishes,
Damien
Yes certainly is!
RHCP
My past is catching up with me…
I have sent you an email, Sir!
I have read your series to date, and really loved them. I am from Somerset and it is a delight to feel so “at home” in the books. What I particularly enjoy is that Nick never forgets to feed or walk the dog, or pick up after him either! Keep the books coming!
Glad you enjoyed them, Maggie!
Yes, readers would be quick to tell me if Nick was forgetting Monty π
With kind regards
Damien
My sister lives in Berrow and bought me your first book. I’ve never looked back. So glad there’s another book in the autumn. It’s great to read about locations I have been to!
Living in Berrow is a dream of mine, Barbara, to be able to walk to that beach every day π
Glad you enjoyed the books. Did you spot the link to the Dixon short story on the homepage? It was serialised in the Somerset papers and there’s a link to the first episode.
With best wishes
Damien
Just finished Dead Level and couldn’t put it down. It is so good I didn’t want to finish it if that makes sense. It feels like Nick and Jane are two good friends who have gone away for several months and I miss them already. Joking apart the Nick Dixon books are seriously good books and I can’t wait for the next one. Just glad we may have as second one in 2016. I’m a northern lad but I know the south west so well having spent many holidays down there and I find that lots of places I know well get mentioned and it all adds to the pleasure of the read.
Thank you for kind comments, Alan. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
They feel like good friends to me too, but I get to spend more time with them, pretty much every day actually, if that makes any sense π
Yes, another is on the way in the autumn – Death Sentence. Just rounding off the editing now.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
Kind regards
Damien
Just finished reading Dead Level and found that I could not put it down. Excellent story and don’t remember even hearing of that motive behind a murder.
Do have one question about the Defender. Did you actually try one out to see if it floated? Is so, presume it is under lock and key now that they are the vehicle of choice to be pinched!!
Hello Jackie
I’m glad you enjoyed Dead Level!
Yes, a Land Rover Defender will float but only until it sinks, if that makes sense. It takes a minute or so, so the best advice is to open the doors and sink it so the wheels make contact with the ground or road surface again. That lets water into the passenger compartment, of course, but with a snorkel, it’ll keep going. In flowing water the danger is being swept away, but I didn’t want Nick to have to go that far!
I noticed they were being pinched to order these days. Shame!
With best wishes and thank you again for your kind comments,
Damien
I had been looking for a crime series that was different and engaging. I came across your series quite by accident but I’m glad I did. I listened to one book a week. I would listen to a couple of other books in between but I didn’t enjoy them 1/2 as much and always returned to the DI Dixon series. I can’t wait until book 5 is available. I’m really enjoying the serious. If you stop at book 6, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m totally addicted. Where will I get my fix (smile)?
Thank you, Pamela, most kind! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
I have no plans to stop at #6 – Death Sentence – and have #7 ready in outline. No title for it yet, but I hope to finish Death Sentence by the end of this month and get to work on #7 pretty much straightaway.
Lots of ideas floating around for 8, 9 and 10 too π
Thanks again for getting in touch.
Kind regards
Damien
Loved reading all the first four, and seeing places I know in print. How about setting one of your books on or near the West Somerset Railway. Any help you want with details would be readily available from all the volunteers. (Including me). Really looking forward to books 5 and 6, and hopefully lots more in the future. Good luck with the retirement, I can thoroughly recommend it.
Thank you for getting in touch, Barbara, and I am glad you enjoyed the books!
That’s an interesting thought about the West Somerset Railway and opens up a world of possibilities. Thank you for the kind offer. I am just outlining book 7 now…
With best wishes,
Damien
Can’t wait for Dead Level to be published, as I have signed up for newsletter hopefully I will know when I can get it from Hurleys
Hello Sue
Dead Level is published on 15th March and I will email everyone nearer the time with a reminder, fear not!
If you are able to get to Hurleys, I will be there on Saturday 12th March, signing copies at an exclusive pre-launch book signing. Hope you can make it! 10am to 1pm.
With best wishes,
Damien
OMG. I brought your first book 5 days and please bear in mind I had to go out all day Sunday. Tuesday 20:50 hours and I’ve just finished book 4 and March is a very very long way away. I’m already in withdrawal. I am a big fan of Kathy Riech and for fun MC Beaton but they are now 2nd and 3rd on the Christmas card list. Nick Dixon is the copper you want on your side he’s intelligent, caring, funny and a bloody good copper and that’s all because of you.. Please keep on writing I’ve already told my daughter what to get me for my birthday(end of Feb) (and Xmas). Thank you. Oh and merry Christmas. Maggie
Thank you, Maggie! Most kind!
I am well underway with book 6, which I am hoping will be out next October and I shall keep on keeping on, fear not!
Did you spot the link to the free short story on the homepage? I’m planning a couple more of those next year too.
Thanks again for your kind comments.
With best wishes,
Damien
Hi I’ve just seen the picture of the misty morning so now not only are you my new best author you have a Westies so my 2 love you as well lol
I like the no nonsense style, I understand concerns about “death rate in Somerset”, like Oxford and Jersey! And watch out for titling with repeated words,cf Peter James ” dead” series with Roy Grace.
I lived in North Curry for 25years, lots of retired armed services there…story lines? Falklands commander, Burma camp liberators, submariner family’s link to Thetis…. Member of Taunton bench 1995— don’t think our paths crossed.
Regards
Are you psychic, Roger? Thank you for your well-timed email, but you’ll have to read book 6 to find out why π
Glad you enjoyed the books and thank you for the tip about North Curry.
With kind regards
Damien
Dead Level cover looks like the road from Lyng to North Curry?
Psychic, no! Just lucky, sometimes. But why book six!!! And why timely?
Suspenseful months ahead I think!
Will we read about Albanians again or perhaps the travellers of the county?
Hello Roger
Glad you enjoyed it! I’m not sure where exactly the cover photo was taken to be honest, except that it really is the Somerset Levels.
I can say that the Albanians don’t feature in book 6 or 7, but that is not to say that we’ve seen the last of them π
Kind regards
Damien.
Just read all your four books back to back and really enjoyed them all. You ll have to go some to better your last book!! Looking forward to it……
People keep saying that about Swansong, Ray! Glad you enjoyed it π
Thank you for your kind comments.
Kind regards,
Damien
Loved all four Nick Dixon books and really pleased there are two others coming- please DO NOT let anything bad happen to Monty π in future books, dogs always seem so defenseless somehow.
No chance of that, Gill! My wife would kill me π
Glad you enjoyed the books.
Kind regards
Damien
Having discovered and read the first four Dixon books within a few days, I would like to make a request. Could poor Nick and Jane have a brief respite from a rapid succession of murders? I know they had a week in Cyprus but I’m exhausted on their behalf, poor things! I think a couple of months of boring mundane police work needs to pass before the next series of murders. Obviously I don’t want to read about that, just tell me that it’s happened please Mr Boyd.
Best wishes, looking forward to the next book.
Emma
Hi Emma
I take your point and I’m making Somerset seem like a dangerous place at the same time! If it’s any consolation, Dead Level starts off with Nick and Jane enjoying Christmas π That’s all I dare say for now.
I’m glad you enjoyed the books and thank you for getting in touch.
Kind regards
Damien Boyd
Started reading your books and already waiting for the next one (5). Great read, couldn’t put them down. Glad I found you. As one of Jehovahs Witnesses I was intrigued with the characters and their words. My only criticism, and please don’t take this personally, is that if the taxi driver is a true witness he would not have deceived his wife when asked to accompany detectives to the station (i.e. I have a couple of lessons to go to!). Rather he would have told the truth as we always do, our bible trained conscience helps us to do that. May I encourage you to go to our websie at Jw.org and download the publication “What does the bible really teach” to help you with any further research you may need should you want to mention JJehovah’s Witnesses in any future episodes. Nevertheless, it was an excellent read and I am really glad I have found a new very good author of detective mysterious.
Hello Robert
Thank you for getting in touch and I’m glad you enjoyed the books.
I must confess that I was a little nervous about offending Jehovah’s Witnesses when I wrote Swansong, and am delighted that you were able to enjoy the book in spite of the references!
I have had several clients who were Witnesses in my day job (solicitor) and they were always a pleasure to deal with. Entirely truthful at all times, as you say, but sadly that doesn’t always make for good crime fiction.
I hope you can forgive the poetic licence on this occasion!
With very best wishes and thank you for your kind comments,
Damien.
Probably said many times before before but I think these books would make great TV shows. Saw them on the kindle bestseller list and have read the first 3 in 4 days, keep up the good work!
Thank you, Conor. Most kind!
A TV series would be fun. I did have a producer sniffing around last year but nothing came of it. Hope springs eternal, and all that!
Kind regards
Damien
I have just read your 4 books back to back and thought they are fantastic really puts you in the story must say you keep the pressure on can’t wait for the next 1 /2 might start over again later on. Also Monty fantastic a Staffie Bloody brilliant a Staff love it being a staff pal has well not a owner but have 1 who’s my mate thank you xxxx
Hello Kath!
I’m glad you liked Monty. I get lots of comments about him π
Kind regards
Damien
Hi Damien
Have just found your books…….and I love them!!!
Just started Swansong and I’m struggling to put it down….as I did the previous 3.
Having to wait for the next will give me chance to read them all again….
Thank you for a fabulous – and informative- read, please keep them coming π
Sorry about the wait, Andrea! It’s the audiobooks that take the time. That and the professional editing.
Glad you have enjoyed them and thank you for getting in touch!
Kind regards,
Damien
Great books never read murder mysteries before till I got Nick Dixon by accident on my kindle happy accident I’ve loved them. Hated you left before we knew what happened to Nick & Jane but hopefully you ll tell us in March can’t wait
Hello Chris
Thank you for getting in touch and I’m glad you have enjoyed the books. I’m sorry it’s such a long wait until Dead Level in March… π
With best wishes,
Damien
I am just reading Head in the Sand as I so enjoyed your first book and I have downloaded numbers 3 and 4. Great read and as I have In-Laws who live in Burnham on Sea they are even more enjoyable. I look forward to reading many more great stories in the future.
Thank you for your kind comments, Valerie. Do you get to B-o-S much? Walking my dogs on the beach in the Autumn and Winter is my favourite pastime, all in the cause of research, you understand!
Hope you enjoy the other books too. Plenty more on the way!
With kind regards
Damien
I’ve never read crime fiction before but picked up all 4 books on a whim after seeing them on offer on Amazon. I’m loving them so far! Pleased to hear there’ll be more books in the future.
I’ve converted you to crime fiction, Emily π
Glad you are enjoying the books!
With best wishes,
Damien
I’m a big fan of crime fiction and I’m delighted to have found the Nick Dixon series of books. The characters feel real, the plots are gripping and I love the twists at the end. I’ve read all of them (in order!) and am very much looking forward to the next one. Please keep writing them!
Happy to oblige, Carol! Thank you for getting in touch and I’m glad you enjoyed them.
With best wishes,
Damien
Hi Damien
Just read all 4 of Nick Dixon books and can safely say I really enjoyed them. I read them over 2 days good job I’m off sick at the moment or else I’d be in trouble. I’m also so glad that there are more to come as I’m a terrible book worm( that’s why my hubby bought me a kindle so that he doesn’t have to buy more bookshelves.).
This series is really good and as I live near Burnham on Sea I can relate to the area.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to books 5 &6 next year.
Regards
Helen Hughes.
Hi Helen,
Glad you enjoyed them and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Yes, lots more to come (although I suppose in saying that I’m giving it away that Nick survives whatever scrapes he gets into…) π
Book 7 is ready in outline and the plot for #8 came to me tonight in a Chinese restaurant!
Best regards,
Damien
Make sure that you (and Jane) revisit the Chinese restaurant frequently if it speeds up book 8!
My husband is just reading 6. I’ve just finished 7.
What I really enjoy is the ‘down to earthness’ of it all. Human frailties, humour, affection, astute character judgement, suspense. I’m a bit lost now til book 8 comes out so now I’m on Stella Rimington. Very good but not as good as Nick Dixon!
Thank you, Ann! High praise indeed and I’m glad you’re both enjoying the books π
Number 8 will be out next May, all being well. I’m just getting going on book 9 too.
Plenty more to come!
With best wishes and thank you again,
Damien
Don’t you hate the way your favourite authors write slower than you can read? Enjoying the reunion with Somerset (even though the bit I know best is further North around Stratton-on-the-Fosse), and looking forward to 2016. Now, you, get back to that word processor!
Must speed up, must speed up π
Thank you for your kind comments, Mike. Glad you enjoyed them!
Kind regards,
Damien
I’ve enjoyed each of the first 4 in the Nick Dixon series – keep them coming! I like the story line and the characters. Fun to read about British law enforcement. Go Nick!
Will do, Lynda! Glad you enjoyed them.
Kind regards,
Damien
Mr. Boyd,
I would like to express to you how very much I have enjoyed the four DI Dixon novels that I just finished reading, These books are remarkable! I stayed up all night reading the last one – impossible to put it down.
It is so rare to find a new favorite author with a series that has such perfectly done characters and engrossing stories. I have sent your name to all my reading friends. Thank you for your great work. I look forward to your next books.
L F (and that’s an L, not a K F )
Hello and thank you for your kind comments! I’m glad you enjoyed the books and am sorry for your lost sleep!
Book 5 – Dead Level – is on the way, and I am working on book 6 now.
With kind regards,
Damien
Just discovered your books and listened to them in order, just finished Swansong and had to find out if the series would continue, happy to see that there will be more DI Nick Dixon to come. Too bad we have to wait till 2016! I enjoy the narration by Napoleon Ryan. Great stories, looking forward to books 5, 6, 7 and on.
Hello Dee and thank you for your kind comments!
I’m glad you enjoyed the audiobooks. He does quite a job Napoleon, probably harder than writing them I always think…and he’s going to have his work cut out with Dead Level!
Yes, lots more to come. Working on book 6 now and #7 is ready in outline.
Kind regards,
Damien
I did the audiobooks as well. I’m very excited to hear Napoleon Ryan will be reading them as well. He did a great job, and obviously, so did you.
Thank you, Rik!
I often think that Napoleon has the harder job to be honest. And he’s going to be well and truly tested by Dead Level π
With best wishes,
Damien.