ON the face of it Inspector Jim Bible is a caring character.

He easily feels the frustrations of failing, as though it’s his fault a child killer is still on the loose and the mothers at his daughter’s school - including his own wife - feel the need to group together, to try and do something to stop them feeling so helpless.

The chap at the reservoir arouses suspicions, there’s more to him and his associations than meets the eye. Then there’s the young girl, Carol, captured on camera. She came to Inspector Bible’s attentions after spotting the reflection of a shadowy image in the water.

These are some of the threads that bind this interesting investigation connecting an impressive cast of characters in a tale centred around Carol’s desperate escape from her domineering father and the roguish hired helpers he was recruited along the way to bring her, and his other daughter who has followed in her sister’s footsteps, back to him.

His brutish behaviour had pushed his girls away and for them there was no going back - but Logan had other ideas....

Set in the Fifties, a time when technology wasn’t the great assistance it is now in catching criminals, ‘Stone and Water’ follows an enthralling and fast-paced plot with all the twists and turns you expect in a crime solving quest.

References to the author, David James Buckley’s Bradford roots are weaved throughout with references to the ornate architecture within Bradford City centre and the contrast between the bleakness and beauty of Ilkley Moor.

This riveting page turner is a must read for those who love a thrilling detective whodunnit. I couldn’t put it down in my quest to bring the crime to a conclusion.

David James Buckley has had Radio Plays on Radio 4 and BBC Radio Leeds and Sheffield. He also reviewed fiction regularly for The Observer and also wrote for The Independent; The Guardian; New Statesman and Society; The Yorkshire Post and The Times Educational Supplement.

Now living in Sheffield, David has also had short stories and poetry published. His crime writing began after studying for the MA Writing at Sheffield Hallam University and 'Stone and Water,' published this year, is the fruits of his studies.

'Stone and Water' is ripe for another series and that could be the case with reference to the 'Jim Bible Series' on the cover giving a distinctive clue.

Perhaps it could even spawn a TV series - Bible is another detective we could all get to know and love....

‘Stone and Water' is available through Amazon. Kindle edition is £1.99, paperback is £8.99. Visit Amazon’s book store or davidjamesbuckley.com.

Sally Clifford