Play with Fire

Detective Sheridan Holler, Book 3

By: T. M. Payne

Narrated by: Heather Bleasdale

A missing woman. A gruesome delivery. A terrifying discovery. Where is Caroline Crow?

"Just when you think Payne is at the top of her game, she pulls this out of the bag."—Graham Bartlett

All has been quiet in Liverpool, suspiciously quiet…

So, when a frantic 999 call comes into Hale Street Police Station reporting a missing woman, it seems like there’s work to do. Except for DI Sheridan Holler there are questions. Why did Caroline Crow take her purse, suitcase and even tell friends she was going away? There’s no reason to suspect foul play…until a severed, burned hand is delivered to another address.

With no hard evidence linking the two cases, Holler’s gut is telling her that all is not as it seems and if she’s right, time is running out to find Caroline alive.

As DI Holler attempts to weed out the truth from the lies, will this be one puzzle that runs out the clock? Or can Holler and her team fit the pieces together before it’s too late?

©2025 T. M. Payne (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Just when you think Payne is at the top of her game, she pulls this out of the bag. Ingenious and intricate plotting, deeply authentic characters who leap off the page combining into a stunning story you’ll never want to end. Bravo!”—Graham Bartlett

Brilliant!

T. M. PAYNE is one of my new favorite authors. I have read/listened to hundreds of mystery/thriller/police procedural novels. I can honestly say the three released books in this series are the best I've encountered. The action grabs the readers action from the first line of each story and doesn't let go until the last page. I love that this author also never leaves unanswered plot holes!

Amazing twists

I loved this book so much. I read the series in a week! I’m sad I have to wait until November for the 4th one but it will be worth it. The narrator is fantastic and the banter is hilarious. It helps with the serious topics.

Outstanding

In the third in the series of Detective Sheridan Holler Tina Payne creates amazing tale with twists and turns and incredible characters. I got so invested while listening I had to suspend life and listen. The story has many threads and I’ve realized listening to all three (must be read in order) that I have to pay attention from the beginning as she weaves in all the characters from the beginning of the story. The best thing is I don’t feel like any clues or information is unanswered by the end.
This book managed to made be tear up and laugh in equal measures. It is also so real that I was brought back to north England and remembered many quirky language phrases and land marks from that area. It’s been awhile since I lived there but both the quality of the story and the amazing narration by Heater Bleasdale made this one of the best crime fiction I’ve listened too. I’m incredibly excited for the fourth installment due out in November 2025. Thank you Ms Payne!

Excellent teamwork

DI Sheridan Holler leads the search for a missing woman. So many twists and turns, especially when Oliver comes into the picture

Please keep writing this series!

I am really enjoying this series. The characters (including the angry DCI) are very likeable and the stories are good. There are definitely some laugh out loud parts along with the mystery and the cops doing the right thing.

The reader is also very good with a great voice variety and solid delivery!