Dive into the gritty, pulse-pounding world of the DI Hanlon series, where Detective Inspector Hanlon, a fierce and fearless cop, battles crime with an iron will and a knack for bending rules! Written by Alex Howard (a pen name for Alex Coombs), this crime thriller saga hooks readers with its raw intensity, complex characters, and dark mysteries set against the moody backdrop of London and Oxford. If you love tough heroines and twisty plots, Hanlon’s world is your next obsession.
Unlike your typical detective, Hanlon is a force of nature—part avenging angel, part rogue cop—who fights for justice even when it means crossing ethical lines. Her stories aren’t just about solving crimes; they’re about the messy, human struggle to do what’s right in a flawed system. Ready to meet Britain’s most uncompromising crime heroine?
How DI Hanlon Began
Alex Howard, born in 1961 in Lambeth, London, didn’t start as a novelist. A teacher with a background in Arabic and Islamic history from Oxford and Edinburgh, he later trained as a chef, collecting stories from diverse kitchens that likely fueled his vivid settings. Writing as Howard, he launched the DI Hanlon series in 2014, inspired by gritty crime dramas and tough, flawed protagonists like Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. His goal? To craft a female detective who’s as ruthless as she is relatable, cutting through crime with sharp instincts and unyielding resolve.
The series, later continued under his real name, Alex Coombs, grew from this vision of a no-nonsense heroine. Howard’s eclectic life—spanning academia, cooking, and even boxing—infuses Hanlon’s world with authenticity, from London’s seedy underbelly to Oxford’s academic halls. His storytelling blends hard-boiled action with emotional depth, making Hanlon a standout in crime fiction.
The Heart of DI Hanlon
The DI Hanlon series kicks off with Time to Die (2014), where Hanlon tackles a chilling case of missing children, including a diabetic boy whose life hangs in the balance. The stakes are high, and corruption within her own department complicates her mission. In Cold Revenge (2015), she goes undercover in Oxford to unmask a sadistic killer targeting students, diving into a world of trafficking and betrayal. A Hard Woman to Kill (2015) sees her forming uneasy alliances to rescue a missing friend from the Russian mafia, while An Incidental Death (2017) pits her against political murders tied to a controversial speech at the Oxford Union.
Themes of loyalty, justice, and moral ambiguity run deep. Hanlon’s not your cookie-cutter cop—she’s prickly, uncompromising, and fiercely loyal to those she trusts, like her boss, Corrigan, and partner, Enver Demirel. Her feminine strength shines through, not in stereotyped toughness but in her emotional complexity and relentless drive. The series’ noir style, vivid settings, and unflinching look at issues like corruption, trafficking, and abuse create a world that’s as unsettling as it is addictive.
Howard’s writing doesn’t shy away from darkness—think kidnappings, murder, and systemic rot—but it’s balanced by Hanlon’s grit and humanity. Fans compare her to Lisbeth Salander or even Modesty Blaise, praising her as a fresh take on the hard-boiled detective. The fast-paced plots and richly drawn characters keep readers hooked, with twists that rival a roller coaster.
Why DI Hanlon Resonates
The DI Hanlon series stands out in crime fiction for its bold heroine and unflinching storytelling. Hanlon’s blend of strength and vulnerability challenges the male-dominated detective trope, offering a feminist twist that feels authentic, not forced. Fans on Goodreads and blogs like Ginger Book Geek rave about her tenacity and the series’ addictive pacing, calling it a must-read for fans of Angela Marsons or Lisa Regan.
Though not a household name, the series has carved a niche among crime fiction lovers for its raw honesty and compelling world-building. Its exploration of justice in a corrupt system feels timeless, resonating with readers who crave stories that don’t pull punches. Hanlon’s legacy lies in her unforgettable presence—a detective who fights not just for law, but for what’s right.
- Publication Years: 2014–2017
- Number of Books: 4
- Setting: London and Oxford, UK
- Author’s Real Name: Alex Coombs
Grab Time to Die and step into DI Hanlon’s thrilling, shadowy world of crime and justice. Trust us, you won’t put it down!