The new book in the DI Garibaldi series
is now available to order

PRIVATE LESSONS
by Bernard O'Keeffe

 Published by Muswell Press on March 30, 2023

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PRIVATE LESSONS
by Bernard O'Keeffe

Private tutoring is booming and someone's making a killing.

When Giles Gallen, a young Cambridge graduate, is found stabbed to death in Barnes Old Cemetery, DI Garibaldi is drawn into the world of private tutoring as he tries to track down the killer. As Garibaldi investigates, his curiosity about the tutoring business grows. How close does a tutor get to the families they work for? How much do they find out? And what are the risks of inviting a tutor into your house, or even taking one away with you on holiday?

When Gallen's murder is followed by assaults on and threats to other tutors working for the same firm more questions follow. Did Gallen know something? Did someone kill him to keep him quiet?
And why are other tutors being threatened?

From the super-rich in Tuscan villas and the middle-classes of leafy Barnes to aspirational students on the White City Estate, Garibaldi's inquiries lead him to a discovery of not only who killed
Giles Gallen but also the true cost of private lessons.

The second in the series featuring county music-loving, Larkin-quoting detective Jim Garibaldi.
The only cop in the Met who can't drive a car.

The Final Round by Bernard O'Keeffe

Book 1 in the DI Garibaldi series

'DI Garibaldi takes the biscuit — my kind of detective in my part of London.
'Ingenious, entertaining, surprising — everything you want in a satisfying murder mystery.'
Gyles Brandreth

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Reviews for The Final Round, featuring Detective Inspector Garibaldi:

“Absolutely gripping” (John Carey)

“You’re in for a treat” (Times Crime Club)

“A fine, twisting mystery  the real pleasure lies in seeing Garibaldi dismantle the murderous self-interest of the London upper-middle classes.” (Mail on Sunday)

“Another country music loving detective on the scene!” (Mark Billingham)

“A high-grade debut novel in the classic tradition” (Daily Mail)

“Don’t miss it. Highly recommended” (Liz Barnsley)

“Crime fiction fans are in for such a treat – a terrific read” (Anne Cater)

“A breath of fresh air in the police procedural world” (Girl With All The Crime Books)

‘A new detective hero, charismatic, erudite and full of dry humour. If this is the start of a series, I'm in!' Celia Anderson

'Fast paced investigation with an intricate plot and a surprising denouement.' Ruth Giles

'If this is Detective Garibaldi's first appearance, we can only hope it is not his last...This book has all the tension mystery and pace that is needed to keep the reader's attention. It is very well written. I recommend it.' Douglas Oser, NetGalley

'I really liked this book. The plot was good and kept moving at a decent pace, the characters were engaging and I enjoyed the ending. Five stars!' Natalie Teller, NetGalley

'There is no doubt that O'Keeffe can tell a story. He writes well and includes enough domestic detail for the reader to be able to picture the ghastly suspects as they go about their days.' Sarah Dawson

'The story is a good one, the pacing is excellent and it kept me reading until the book was finished. I'd recommend this.' Ian Kennedy, NetGalley

'I always enjoy discovering excellent new police procedurals and the partnership of Garibaldi and Gardner is an interesting and original one. I was totally engaged by this thriller and its fascinating plot. Well worth a read and I look forward to the next instalment.' Greville Waterman

'This is the first DI Garibaldi book in what I hope will be a series. I liked it a lot. When I read a book and I want to get back to it, rushing through my chores, it's, as far as I'm concerned, a good book. I did not see the end coming. A good start to a series that I definitely recommend.' Hannalore Cheney

'A fine introduction to an interesting character and an absorbing read.' Elaine T, NetGalley

Here's the synopsis of The Final Round:

On the morning after Boat Race Day, a man's body is found in a nature reserve beside the Thames. He has been viciously stabbed, his tongue cut out, and an Oxford college scarf stuffed in his mouth. The body is identified as Nick Bellamy, last seen at the charity quiz organised by his Oxford contemporary, the popular newsreader Melissa Matthews.
Enter DI Garibaldi, whose first task is to look into Bellamy's contemporaries from Balfour College. In particular, the surprise 'final round' of questions at this year's charity quiz in which guests were invited to guess whether allegations about Melissa Matthews and her Oxford friends are true. These allegations range from plagiarism and shoplifting to sextortion and murder...

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