What I love about the Callum Doyle series is that all the books can easily be read as stand alone's. I should know as I have read them all out of sequence by starting with Cry Baby which is the fourth in the series to reading the first, third and then this one. So as you can see, totally out of sequence, which really isn't like me at all but luckily it didn't matter that they weren't read in order and all have been worthy of five stars as have loved them all.
The Helper is quite different to the others in the series. This is due to the killer dropping hints to Cal in order to give him a chance to try and stop the murders before they happen. This not only infuriates Cal but the reader also. You need to be psychic at times I think to work the hints out and understandably Cal is beating himself up when he doesn't manage to stop them in time.
It felt very much like a cat and mouse game where the killer has the upper hand and is more powerful whilst Cal is the mouse who just seems to be running back and forth with no idea of what is going on but knowing he has to put a stop to it. It is a very fast paced read and very much a race against time to try and stop even more innocent people being killed.
I loved Gonzo's character in the book. He is a bit of a techno geek who fancies himself as a bit of a detective and gets under Cal's feet whilst trying to help him solve the murders. It is obvious that Cal finds Gonzo annoying but he can't help admiring his determination and I think he has a bit of a soft spot for him.
The Helper is yet another griping ride in the series that will have you holding on tight. With shocks and twists a plenty it left me feeling breathless by the end. Loved it!
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The Helper: A dark crime thriller packed with twists (The Detective Callum Doyle Series) Kindle Edition
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David Jackson
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David Jackson
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Product description
Review
"This fiendishly addictive thriller has more twists and turns than a bag full of snakes." --Peterborough Evening Telegraph
--This text refers to the paperback edition.
Book Description
A fast-paced and totally unforgettable novel from David Jackson, rising star of the thriller genre, The Helper will appeal to readers of Harlan Coben and Lee Child.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
About the Author
After taking his Bachelor's degree and then a PhD, David Jackson became a full-time academic. He is married, with two daughters and a menagerie of animals. Pariah, his first novel, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Awards. This is his second novel.
--This text refers to the paperback edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B01AC2JEPW
- Publisher : Zaffre (14 January 2016)
- Language : English
- File size : 892 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 361 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 0230760481
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383,661 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 6,016 in Police Procedurals (Kindle Store)
- 8,657 in Police Procedurals (Books)
- 14,492 in Suspense Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
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Top reviews from other countries

Sarah H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast paced and gripping.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2016Verified Purchase
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Michael Watson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Somebody needs help for sure
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 August 2013Verified Purchase
Callum Doyle is back again with another story which is designed to rattle him, very much as in the first book, Pariah. When I reviewed that book, I remember stating there was unfinished business which would hopefully be resolved in book 2. Not so. We start, more or less, with a blank canvas.
Of course, Doyle is his usual self, still on the periphery of policing outside the office and still very much a loner.
The book is annoying to this reader in that Doyle appears clueless when the killer invites him to solve who will be his next victim. So, too, is his coterie of police detectives in 8th. Precinct. I can't for one minute imagine that any normal police force would not consider two identical murders to be the work of one man. Some policy that the two words 'serial killer' must not be mentioned for fear of panic in the city. Nor that it would be left to Doyle to finally sort out the answers. These come at him in the last few chapters though, in fairness to the author, the final twist is excellent and quite unexpected.
In the meantime, although the story is well written and we are all led on a wild goose chase, I found myself putting down the book to read Gregg Hurwitz's new novel. This was a mistake, as the stories almost collide and, at least in the first half of the each book, I was wondering if I'd picked up the wrong book. The saving grace was Doyle works in New York where, if we believe other crime writers, serial killers abound, hence my bafflement as to why 8th Precinct had this phobia about them.
When I returned to The Helper, the story had gathered pace but Doyle was so slow in reaching any conclusions and some of his actions, not the least in choosing civilians to help him, struck me as odd. Still, the writing is good and the mystery does unfold in quite an ingenious way.
I note book 3 is available so I'll definitely find a copy. Maybe Doyle will always remain a pariah to the Force despite that he wishes to be considered a helper in the investigations. He appears to be a marked man and so to book 3!
Of course, Doyle is his usual self, still on the periphery of policing outside the office and still very much a loner.
The book is annoying to this reader in that Doyle appears clueless when the killer invites him to solve who will be his next victim. So, too, is his coterie of police detectives in 8th. Precinct. I can't for one minute imagine that any normal police force would not consider two identical murders to be the work of one man. Some policy that the two words 'serial killer' must not be mentioned for fear of panic in the city. Nor that it would be left to Doyle to finally sort out the answers. These come at him in the last few chapters though, in fairness to the author, the final twist is excellent and quite unexpected.
In the meantime, although the story is well written and we are all led on a wild goose chase, I found myself putting down the book to read Gregg Hurwitz's new novel. This was a mistake, as the stories almost collide and, at least in the first half of the each book, I was wondering if I'd picked up the wrong book. The saving grace was Doyle works in New York where, if we believe other crime writers, serial killers abound, hence my bafflement as to why 8th Precinct had this phobia about them.
When I returned to The Helper, the story had gathered pace but Doyle was so slow in reaching any conclusions and some of his actions, not the least in choosing civilians to help him, struck me as odd. Still, the writing is good and the mystery does unfold in quite an ingenious way.
I note book 3 is available so I'll definitely find a copy. Maybe Doyle will always remain a pariah to the Force despite that he wishes to be considered a helper in the investigations. He appears to be a marked man and so to book 3!

Susan Hampson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Becareful what you wish for!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2015Verified Purchase
Book 2 of this series about Callum Doyle. Detective Doyle has been allowed back into the fringe of defective work but at the mundane level. He is quite prepared to buckle down and just get on with it until a young girl is brutally murdered in a library with his phone number written on her arm. As an Irish phone code has been used no one but Doyle works this out. It's not like any friends at work will pick up on this either as he is still regarded with suspicion. Doyle gets a phone call with an offer he simply can't refuse from the killer. The killer offers to give Doyle clues before he kills his future victims, an offer Doyle can't refuse as it could be his way to get his colleagues to respect him again. Unfortunately the bodies pile up quickly and Doyle gets deeper into trouble.
Doyle develops a working relationship with a computer geek to help him and as time goes on he develops quite a soft spot for him. This is a great series very cleverly written. I love the humour in these books and find myself laughing at different places. Excellent end, I didn't see that coming. Already started book 3
Doyle develops a working relationship with a computer geek to help him and as time goes on he develops quite a soft spot for him. This is a great series very cleverly written. I love the humour in these books and find myself laughing at different places. Excellent end, I didn't see that coming. Already started book 3

T. Banting
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb new author. Read this book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 July 2012Verified Purchase
I was attracted to 'Pariah', David Jackson's first novel, by the reviews on Amazon, which were overwhelmingly good. As always there is the concern that the author might have only one good novel in them. I can assure you that David Jackson has managed to surpass my expectations with his second work, 'The Helper', which is just brilliantly executed, with a great story line, well rounded characters, and a level of suspense which leads to late nights spent reading just one more chapter.
This man is here to stay, and I think that, in years to come, he will be compared to the likes of Mark Billingham and others of that ilk.
Having just returned from the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Festival at Harrogate, where I met several authors including David Jackson, I can confirm that he is such a pleasant and unassuming gentleman that I really do hope he receives the critical and popular acclaim he deserves. Definitely one to watch. I reckon he may well be one of next years Festival's 'Rising Stars'.
This man is here to stay, and I think that, in years to come, he will be compared to the likes of Mark Billingham and others of that ilk.
Having just returned from the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Festival at Harrogate, where I met several authors including David Jackson, I can confirm that he is such a pleasant and unassuming gentleman that I really do hope he receives the critical and popular acclaim he deserves. Definitely one to watch. I reckon he may well be one of next years Festival's 'Rising Stars'.

MEJ
3.0 out of 5 stars
It was a good read, definitely a page turner and kept me ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 August 2014Verified Purchase
I bought this on my Kindle after reading Pariah. It was a good read, definitely a page turner and kept me interested to the end. But, just as with Pariah, I felt that there was a lack of detailed characterisation. David Jackson writes well and the plots are good but the characters seem rather vague and one dimensional. We know nothing about them other than their actions in the story - they remind me of chessmen, each playing a vital role in the game but never coming over as real people. As a reader, I wanted to solve the puzzle but I realised by the end that I wasn't exactly rooting for our hero to overcome the challenges facing him - I didn't really care about him that much. It's a shame because I think this author does have a good, flowing style and I'd like to read more of his books - but perhaps he could bring more real humanity to his people.