Base Line

James Ellson

ISBN 10: 1036711447 / ISBN 13: 9781036711443

Published by Vinci Books, GB, 2026

About this Item

A British crime thriller featuring a Manchester detective, a shadowy Russian network, and a dangerous investigation inside the UK's criminal underworld.A routine case is about to destroy DCI Rick Castle's career.Investigating a tyre blowout on a school minibus is not what DCI Rick Castle expected in his new role heading Special Investigations in South Manchester.He would rather be working the cold case murder he has just taken public. Instead, a routine enquiry begins to reveal something far more serious.Then drugs are discovered in Castle's car.Arrested and under suspicion, Castle must clear his name while uncovering the truth behind a criminal network operating in plain sight. If he fails, his career will be over before the real investigation even begins.Baseline is Book 4 in the DCI Castle series. Perfect for readers who love British crime fiction in the style of J.D. Kirk, Ian Rankin, and Peter James.___________________________________________________________________Praise for the DCI Castle Series:? ? ? ? ? The best yet.? ? ? ? ? Strong characterisation and plenty of plot twists.? ? ? ? ? A terrific read.? ? ? ? ? A cracking story that keeps you on your toes the whole time.? ? ? ? ? Fully familiar with police procedure.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781036711443

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Base Line
• Publisher: Vinci Books, GB
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1036711447
• ISBN 13: 9781036711443
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

A British crime thriller featuring a Manchester detective, a shadowy Russian network, and a dangerous investigation inside the UK’s criminal underworld.

A routine case is about to destroy DCI Rick Castle’s career.

Investigating a tyre blowout on a school minibus is not what DCI Rick Castle expected in his new role heading Special Investigations in South Manchester.

He would rather be working the cold case murder he has just taken public. Instead, a routine enquiry begins to reveal something far more serious.

Then drugs are discovered in Castle’s car.

Arrested and under suspicion, Castle must clear his name while uncovering the truth behind a criminal network operating in plain sight. If he fails, his career will be over before the real investigation even begins.

Baseline is Book 4 in the DCI Castle series. Perfect for readers who love British crime fiction in the style of J.D. Kirk, Ian Rankin, and Peter James.

___________________________________________________________________

Praise for the DCI Castle Series:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The best yet.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Strong characterisation and plenty of plot twists.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A terrific read.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A cracking story that keeps you on your toes the whole time.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Fully familiar with police procedure.

About the Author

James Ellson was a police officer in the UK for 15 years, starting in London and finishing as a Detective Inspector at Moss Side in Manchester. When he left the police he started writing, and has been writing ever since. James’s debut novel The Trail was published in 2020, and the sequel Cold Dawn in 2022. Cold Summer will be published in November 2023. He also writes short stories, and was runner up in the 2021 Bay Tales Christmas short story competition with Roisin's Christmas Party. His story The Translator was published in a 2022 anthology (To Serve, Protect, and Write) of former police officers, now writers. James is a keen climber and mountaineer, and has visited Nepal many times. In 2004 he climbed 6,812 metre Ama Dablam, and in 2008 soloed the Matterhorn. He lives in the Peak District with his wife, and manages their smallholding, which includes bees and an orchard. James can be followed on Twitter @jamesellson3 And on Facebook: james.ellson.98