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Detective Inspector Declan Walsh #20
A Pocket Full of Posies
The critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling Declan Walsh series continues...
"Ring-a-ring o' roses, a pocket full of posies, a-tishoo! a-tishoo! They all fall down..."
Three years ago, Detective Sergeant Anjli Kapoor faced her most terrifying case—the brutal kidnapping and murder of two young girls, each found with posies in their pockets. The prime suspect, local florist Thomas Blackthorne, committed suicide, leaving the case unresolved and haunting Anjli ever since.
Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Another child has vanished, with all signs pointing to the same twisted killer. But how can it be, when the prime suspect is dead?
As Anjli is forced into a sickening treasure hunt around London by a new kidnapper, DCI Declan Walsh and the Last Chance Saloon team must delve into the past to uncover the truth. With time running out, can they decipher the dark secrets behind a seemingly innocent nursery rhyme and stop the killer before another innocent life is lost?
And can Declan navigate the dangerous spotlight cast upon him by Karl Schnitter's dying wish, which places him and his loved ones in the path of a ruthless vigilante?
"Ring-a-ring o' roses, a pocket full of posies, a-tishoo! a-tishoo! They all fall down..."
Three years ago, Detective Sergeant Anjli Kapoor faced her most terrifying case—the brutal kidnapping and murder of two young girls, each found with posies in their pockets. The prime suspect, local florist Thomas Blackthorne, committed suicide, leaving the case unresolved and haunting Anjli ever since.
Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Another child has vanished, with all signs pointing to the same twisted killer. But how can it be, when the prime suspect is dead?
As Anjli is forced into a sickening treasure hunt around London by a new kidnapper, DCI Declan Walsh and the Last Chance Saloon team must delve into the past to uncover the truth. With time running out, can they decipher the dark secrets behind a seemingly innocent nursery rhyme and stop the killer before another innocent life is lost?
And can Declan navigate the dangerous spotlight cast upon him by Karl Schnitter's dying wish, which places him and his loved ones in the path of a ruthless vigilante?
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2024
1224 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
70 books247 followersJack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 7, 2024
I've just finished #20 in the Inspector Declan Walsh series of novels: "A Pocket Full of Posies." I've read all of the books in order, and I'm patiently waiting for #21, which will be released in about one week. Like all of the Declan Walsh, now Detective Chief Inspector, stories, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The plot is tight and interesting, the recurring characters are comfortable and I was happy to revisit them. The new characters are interesting, and the author keeps the reader engaged and interested.
DCI Walsh is part of a special section of the City of London Police known--sometimes affectionately, and sometimes not at all affectionately--as the Last Chance Saloon. The team is comprised of former misfits and outcasts that were too good of coppers to be fired, but weren't wanted by anybody else. Together, they make a formidable team that has developed some strong political connections. Those connections have given them a special remit to assume responsibility for just about any crime they choose.
DI Anjli Kapoor is DCI Walsh's partner, professionally and personally, in a relationship that works well for them in both arenas. A Pocket Full of Posies is a look back several years to a case the DI Anjli Kapoor investigated several years before. That case involved the abduction and murder of two young girls, and it was resolved when the suspected killer committed suicide rather than be taken by police. Now, there's been another abduction matching many of the tell-tale characteristics of the former murders, including the small posies of flowers left at the scene of the abduction.
Did DI Kapoor get it wrong last time? Is this a copycat crime? Is the original posies killer still at large? The coppers at the Last Chance Saloon race to find the answers as time might be running out for the latest abductee.
Jack Gatland's novels are always well crafted and solid reads. A Pocket Full of Posies is no exception. The story keeps moving along, and I found myself rushing to the end. I'm looking forward to the 21st instalment in the stories of the Last Chance Saloon.
DCI Walsh is part of a special section of the City of London Police known--sometimes affectionately, and sometimes not at all affectionately--as the Last Chance Saloon. The team is comprised of former misfits and outcasts that were too good of coppers to be fired, but weren't wanted by anybody else. Together, they make a formidable team that has developed some strong political connections. Those connections have given them a special remit to assume responsibility for just about any crime they choose.
DI Anjli Kapoor is DCI Walsh's partner, professionally and personally, in a relationship that works well for them in both arenas. A Pocket Full of Posies is a look back several years to a case the DI Anjli Kapoor investigated several years before. That case involved the abduction and murder of two young girls, and it was resolved when the suspected killer committed suicide rather than be taken by police. Now, there's been another abduction matching many of the tell-tale characteristics of the former murders, including the small posies of flowers left at the scene of the abduction.
Did DI Kapoor get it wrong last time? Is this a copycat crime? Is the original posies killer still at large? The coppers at the Last Chance Saloon race to find the answers as time might be running out for the latest abductee.
Jack Gatland's novels are always well crafted and solid reads. A Pocket Full of Posies is no exception. The story keeps moving along, and I found myself rushing to the end. I'm looking forward to the 21st instalment in the stories of the Last Chance Saloon.
August 13, 2025
Pacy read
This is the first Declan Walsh book I’ve read in a while, I didn’t read the last few that featured the Red Reaper because, he kept turning up just when you thought he was gone and I got a bit fed up, though his legacy still lingers in this book too.
The story starts in the past when Anjli was at Mile End, investigating the Posies Killer, Thomas Blackthorne which ended abruptly when he committed suicide, but now someone is keen to have case reopened by suggesting that Blackthorne was not the killer, or at least not the only killer.
There are a lot of distractions in this story. Declan being the sole beneficiary of serial killer Karl Shnitter’s will is a big one, not only are the press creating waves but the senior brass are also unhappy. Then a child is kidnapped, the scenario is similar to Thomas Blackthorne’s MO and disgraced former DCI Ford starts to make a fuss from her prison cell, implying that Anjli failed to investigate the Posies Killer thoroughly and that she could help.
The clock is ticking and they need to find the missing girl quickly.
This story takes place over a few days and it gathers pace very quickly. The familiar characters are all there, with their specific talents and personalities which makes it an interesting if sometimes frenetic read.
This is the first Declan Walsh book I’ve read in a while, I didn’t read the last few that featured the Red Reaper because, he kept turning up just when you thought he was gone and I got a bit fed up, though his legacy still lingers in this book too.
The story starts in the past when Anjli was at Mile End, investigating the Posies Killer, Thomas Blackthorne which ended abruptly when he committed suicide, but now someone is keen to have case reopened by suggesting that Blackthorne was not the killer, or at least not the only killer.
There are a lot of distractions in this story. Declan being the sole beneficiary of serial killer Karl Shnitter’s will is a big one, not only are the press creating waves but the senior brass are also unhappy. Then a child is kidnapped, the scenario is similar to Thomas Blackthorne’s MO and disgraced former DCI Ford starts to make a fuss from her prison cell, implying that Anjli failed to investigate the Posies Killer thoroughly and that she could help.
The clock is ticking and they need to find the missing girl quickly.
This story takes place over a few days and it gathers pace very quickly. The familiar characters are all there, with their specific talents and personalities which makes it an interesting if sometimes frenetic read.
October 6, 2025
Really 4.5
In this installment, we go back to an old case of Anjli's. I do enjoy every Last Chance Saloon member gets their turn at being the one bringing the sh*t to the team.
Jack/Tony does tend to have convoluted storylines and this one is no different. One of his favorite things to do is the person we think is the big baddie, is not, that there's someone else behind them or pulling their strings and this one was no exception.
I did figure out pretty early on who was playing who and who the bad guy really was. I was surprised at the end where Anjli didn't see her convo with Johnny/Jackie Lucas back then resulted in what happened when at the beginning of the novel, her convo with him does show she knows. I felt her "ohhh that happened" type enlightenment at the end was not on par with her intellect and her skills as a detective...that's really un-self aware. Or maybe it was just missed in editing?
I hope our newest and now resigned MP doesn't slip back into his former ways....a little bad guy sure, but not a big baddie. I love his interactions with both LCS and Ellie's team.
Oh I am also thrilled MI5 has stepped up because that was a storyline that was beginning to grate....look at all Declan has done, all the people he's caught, but the media and people...they're fickle.
In this installment, we go back to an old case of Anjli's. I do enjoy every Last Chance Saloon member gets their turn at being the one bringing the sh*t to the team.
Jack/Tony does tend to have convoluted storylines and this one is no different. One of his favorite things to do is the person we think is the big baddie, is not, that there's someone else behind them or pulling their strings and this one was no exception.
I did figure out pretty early on who was playing who and who the bad guy really was. I was surprised at the end where Anjli didn't see her convo with Johnny/Jackie Lucas back then resulted in what happened when at the beginning of the novel, her convo with him does show she knows. I felt her "ohhh that happened" type enlightenment at the end was not on par with her intellect and her skills as a detective...that's really un-self aware. Or maybe it was just missed in editing?
I hope our newest and now resigned MP doesn't slip back into his former ways....a little bad guy sure, but not a big baddie. I love his interactions with both LCS and Ellie's team.
Oh I am also thrilled MI5 has stepped up because that was a storyline that was beginning to grate....look at all Declan has done, all the people he's caught, but the media and people...they're fickle.
December 4, 2024
A Pocket Full of Posies is book 20 in the DCI Declan Walsh series by Jack Gatland. When Anjli Kapoor was at Mile End, 4 years ago, one of her cases was for a child kidnapper. Edward Blackwood, prime suspect, committed suicide before he could be arrested. Now it seems to be happening again, and it is the same MO. How can it be if Blackwood is dead. There is also fallout from the Red Reaper investigation and threats have been made, which places Declan and his daughter, Jess, in the cross-hairs of a vigilante. Anjli is front and centre for quite a bit of this book and this works well. The usual characters of the Last Chance Saloon from the City of London Police are back. This is a Unit set up for those officers who are more misfits and unable to be placed anywhere else. As it happens, it is a Unit that has a very high success rate, although they are quite often in the public eye not necessarily for the right reasons. This adds to the interest of the story. I love the little snippets of history sprinkled through the book. The amount of research required is evident as you read and certainly makes for a fabulous read. There is a lot packed in to the book and just when it looks like it is heading in the right direction, there is a twist to send it off in another direction. So clever.
November 3, 2024
Some spoliers included
Had potential...didn't deliver. I just couldn't get into this book. Too many sub plots taking away from the main story.
The overall plot: florist is suspect of the homicides(potentially a serial killer), in midst of investigation suspect kills himself then years later similar murders star happening again.
Unfortunately, story went way off the rails, the current investigators (with too much of their baggage brought into the story) are being targeted in one form or another. That baggage becomes the story and unfortunately the actual murder investigation is secondary.
5 stars it isn't
Had potential...didn't deliver. I just couldn't get into this book. Too many sub plots taking away from the main story.
The overall plot: florist is suspect of the homicides(potentially a serial killer), in midst of investigation suspect kills himself then years later similar murders star happening again.
Unfortunately, story went way off the rails, the current investigators (with too much of their baggage brought into the story) are being targeted in one form or another. That baggage becomes the story and unfortunately the actual murder investigation is secondary.
5 stars it isn't
October 15, 2024
3.5 stars
While I always enjoy returning to these characters, maybe it is time to move on a bit from the dangers the Last Chance Saloon faces from the past--to both personal members and to the unit.
A Pocket Full of Posies hits Anjali Kapoor's past at Mile End and Declan's past with Karl Schnitter. Full of twists and turns and the usual threats to the unit and/or their families.
I look forward to more adventures and hope there might be a slightly new direction.
While I always enjoy returning to these characters, maybe it is time to move on a bit from the dangers the Last Chance Saloon faces from the past--to both personal members and to the unit.
A Pocket Full of Posies hits Anjali Kapoor's past at Mile End and Declan's past with Karl Schnitter. Full of twists and turns and the usual threats to the unit and/or their families.
I look forward to more adventures and hope there might be a slightly new direction.
June 16, 2025
Another old case comes back to haunt a team member, Kapoor's time under imprisoned Ford was difficult and she felt the suicide of Posies killer wasn't the end but cutting corners was Ford's way so a clearance is a clearance....now a child is abducted in the same manner and the team will run all over town following poem clues. Also someone is once again going after Jess. Actually a really good read!
October 3, 2024
The latest Declan Walsh mystery is another solid piece of detective fiction. The story focuses more on Anjli, and it is nice to get more of her perspective. I really enjoy the characters. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 7, 2025
A case from the past comes back to haunt…Anjali. The fact that it was led by her imprisoned former DCI brings out her ire. Meanwhile, Declan is still dealing with public anger over inheriting a serial killer’s fortune.
October 3, 2024
Another great read. This one I could not put down. Love the dynamics with all the characters and the humour. Looking forward to more of the trials of Declan Walsh.
November 1, 2024
A Pocket Full of Posies
Always a good read, Gatland does not disappoint. Good plot and great character development, as usual. I highly recommend all DI Walsh capers.
Always a good read, Gatland does not disappoint. Good plot and great character development, as usual. I highly recommend all DI Walsh capers.
June 5, 2025
Another gripper!
You just can't wait till the next case. As individual, twisted, fast paced and yes gripping. The saga continues with anticipation.
You just can't wait till the next case. As individual, twisted, fast paced and yes gripping. The saga continues with anticipation.
November 3, 2025
Satisfying case(s)
Enjoyed this one, everything made sense and Anjli got her closure in more ways than one. On to the next one!
Enjoyed this one, everything made sense and Anjli got her closure in more ways than one. On to the next one!
November 30, 2025
Good story. Get an editor!
Good story lines, strong characters but seriously writing series when the needed word is serious? Makes be careful even try Gammarly.
Good story lines, strong characters but seriously writing series when the needed word is serious? Makes be careful even try Gammarly.
October 21, 2025
Another 5 star from Gatland ❤️
He continues to keep you on the edge of your seat, then suddenly creates a new scenario that ties it all together!
He continues to keep you on the edge of your seat, then suddenly creates a new scenario that ties it all together!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews