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James Oswald
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No Time to Cry: Constance Fairchild Series 1 (The Constance Fairchild Series) Kindle Edition

by James Oswald (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,638 ratings

From one of the UK's biggest crime writers - the man brought you the bestselling Inspector McLean novels - comes a phenomenal new series guaranteed to have your heart in your mouth.


Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong.

Returning to their base of operations, an anonymous office in a shabby neighbourhood, she finds the bloodied body of her boss, and friend, DI Pete Copperthwaite. He's been executed - a single shot to the head.

In the aftermath, it seems someone in the Met is determined to make sure that blame for the wrecked operation falls squarely on Con's shoulders. She is cut loose and cast out, angry and alone with her grief... right until the moment someone also tries to put a bullet through her head.

There's no place to hide, and no time to cry.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Constance Fairchild
  2. Print length
    330 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Wildfire
  5. Publication date
    26 July 2018
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
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Product description

Review

Crime fiction's next big thing ― Sunday Telegraph

Oswald's writing is a class above ― Express

The new Ian Rankin ― Daily Record

A wonderful, fast-paced thriller. -- Michael Wood

From the Back Cover

Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong.

Returning to their base of operations, an anonymous office in a shabby neighbourhood, she finds the bloodied body of her boss, and friend, DI Pete Copperthwaite. He's been executed - a single shot to the head.

In the aftermath, it seems someone in the MET is determined to make sure that blame for the wrecked operation falls squarely on Con's shoulders. She is cut loose and cast out, angry and alone with her grief... right until the moment someone also tries to put a bullet through her head.

There's no place to hide and no time to cry.

Praise for James Oswald:

Crime fiction's next big thing - Sunday Telegraph

Oswald's writing is a class above - Express

The new Ian Rankin - Daily Record

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B077TXWR81
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wildfire (26 July 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 2,638 ratings

About the author

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James Oswald

James Oswald

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James Oswald is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Inspector McLean series of detective mysteries. The first two of these, Natural Causes and The Book of Souls were both short-listed for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award. Set in an Edinburgh not so different to the one we all know, Detective Inspector Tony McLean is the unlucky policeman who can see beneath the surface of ordinary criminal life to the dark, menacing evil that lurks beneath.

James has also introduced the world to Detective Constable Constance 'Con' Fairchild, whose first outing was in the acclaimed No Time To Cry.

As J D Oswald, James has written a classic fantasy series, The Ballad of Sir Benfro. Inspired by the language and folklore of Wales, it follows the adventures of a young dragon, Sir Benfro, in a land where his kind have been hunted near to extinction by men. The whole series is now available in print, ebook and audio formats.

James has pursued a varied career - from Wine Merchant to International Carriage Driving Course Builder via Call Centre Operative and professional Sheep Shit Sampler (true). He moved out of the caravan when Storm Gertrude blew the Dutch barn down on top of it, and now lives in a proper house with two dogs, two cats and a long-suffering partner. He farms Highland cows by day, writes disturbing fiction by night.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,638 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an excellent first installment in a new series, praising its cleverly twisted plot and well-drawn characters, particularly the thoroughly believable young female protagonist. The writing style receives positive feedback for its first-person narrative that lends immediacy to the story, and customers appreciate its gritty, feisty pacing. The supernatural elements receive mixed reactions from customers.

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91 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’80 positive11 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, particularly praising it as an excellent first book in the new series.

"...Isolating Connie from the rest of her team was a really interesting way to start this series...." Read more

"Enjoyed this book very much. As always very well-written by one of my favourite authors, characters very well drawn...." Read more

"...I loved, loved, loved it. Constance, or Con (but never Connie) Fairchild, is my new favourite heroine...." Read more

"...Although set in London, this reads more like a road trip, and has a cinematic quality that would make a great film or TV series...." Read more

56 customers mention ‘Plot’45 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a gripping story with clever twists and turns.

"...To Cry the first book in his new series set in London and the pace never lets up. I couldn’t put this book down...." Read more

"...Another of James Oswald’s talents is weaving plot lines together that at the outset seem impossible to link...." Read more

"...of course this will also be due to the fact that the author has written a brilliant story and makes you feel like part of the story...." Read more

"...No Time to Cry is a well-written, fast-paced and gripping story, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series...." Read more

41 customers mention ‘Character development’36 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting the well-drawn and believable young female protagonist.

"...a new writer who writes excellent police procedurals and creates fascinating characters...." Read more

"...As always very well-written by one of my favourite authors, characters very well drawn...." Read more

"...The Narrator has done a brilliant job of portraying the characters with the use of different accents she made me feel like I was watching it rather..." Read more

"...James Oswald is to be commended for having written a thoroughly believable young female character, and not focussing too much on her appearance...." Read more

30 customers mention ‘Writing quality’26 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it brilliantly and eminently readable with a first-person narrative that lends immediacy to the story.

"...James Oswald is a fantastic writer. He puts Connie in a dangerous situation, and it is really interesting how everything all unfolds...." Read more

"Enjoyed this book very much. As always very well-written by one of my favourite authors, characters very well drawn...." Read more

"...No Time To Cry was the perfect introduction to Con. I look forward to meeting her again, soon. 😊..." Read more

"...conclusion of No Time To Cry Oswald managed it in the same completely believable manner that he shows in doling out talents to his protagonists...." Read more

27 customers mention ‘Series quality’27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this series, describing it as a brilliant piece of crime fiction and a great start to the series.

"...n’t come across James’ work before, then this is the perfect time to discover a new writer who writes excellent police procedurals and creates..." Read more

"...chance to take part in this tour with it giving me the perfect opportunity to start his books. and I sure has hell wasn't disappointed...." Read more

"Excellent start to the new series, with a couple of plot twists that I didn't expect...." Read more

"New series for a favorite author, great will continue to follow as the author writes well and keeps you interested" Read more

22 customers mention ‘Pacing’19 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging and gritty, with one customer describing it as a gripping tale.

"...I couldn’t put this book down. Constance Fairchild is a young Detective Constable, just starting out in her career in the metropolitan police...." Read more

"...Resourceful, dogged and good at thinking on her feet, Con eventually manages to break through the conspiracy and find out who is responsible for the..." Read more

"...Con is a brave, pro-active heroine you can’t help liking...." Read more

"...Feisty, determined and with a wit sharp enough to do real damage to her foes, she is most definitely a character I want to follow onward...." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Supernatural element’11 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the supernatural elements in the book, with some appreciating the supernatural undercurrent while others find it unbelievable.

"...like the inclusion of Rose, the cat with no name and the familiar hint of the supernatural – nods to the McLean series...." Read more

"...I love the touch of the paranormal here, not as much as in the McLean series though. Fast paced, thrilling page turner. I look forward to more." Read more

"Had found James Oswalds other series getting rather stale, not enough witchcraft, too much domestication. This is fresh and back on form...." Read more

"Gritty, disturbing and full of characters you can hate. There are also a couple you can love...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jacob Collins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 October 2018
    Verified Purchase
    James Oswald hits the ground running in his latest novel No Time To Cry the first book in his new series set in London and the pace never lets up. I couldn’t put this book down. Constance Fairchild is a young Detective Constable, just starting out in her career in the metropolitan police. She comes from a privileged background, but she is determined to earn her right to be a detective through hard work. She has very few friends in the police force, say for one, Detective Inspector Pete Copperthwaite. But on the first page of the book, Constance finds her boss and friend, dead, and she quickly becomes a person of interest in the minds of her superiors. With her main supporter no longer around, Constance is on her own. The rest of her career in the police force hangs in the balance, and she knows she may soon be framed for Pete’s murder as her colleagues rush to find a scapegoat.

    James Oswald’s Detective Inspector Tony McLean series is one of my favourites, so I was more than intrigued to learn that he was publishing a new crime series, this time, however, set in London. James does, however, visit Scotland again in this book with his new protagonist, Connie. And a familiar face from the McLean series turns up as well which was a nice surprise.

    Isolating Connie from the rest of her team was a really interesting way to start this series. Right from the start, I was backing her, you really do get the sense that she is fighting on her own and this sets in a feeling of trepidation right from the beginning. No Time To Cry has a complex plot, and it was interesting to see how James weaved it together. Shortly after Connie’s suspension, she is asked to track down missing student, Isobel, the sister of her old friend. This takes Connie back to her own past, as Isobel studies at her old school, and as her investigation into Isobel’s disappearance continues she is warned off by some dangerous individuals. But this only makes Connie more determined to find out what’s happened to her. What Connie eventually finds out is very disturbing, and it blows everything wide open and puts her own life in danger.

    James Oswald is a fantastic writer. He puts Connie in a dangerous situation, and it is really interesting how everything all unfolds. And the way in which the plot is pulled together is done very well. It will be interesting to see how this series will progress further, especially after the ending of this book. I think this new series will be just as successful as the Tony McLean books. Connie is a fantastic character, and I’m sure she will intrigue plenty of new readers.

    If you’re a long time fan of James Oswald, then you are in for a treat with this book, but if you haven’t come across James’ work before, then this is the perfect time to discover a new writer who writes excellent police procedurals and creates fascinating characters. No Time to Cry is a brilliant piece of crime fiction that will keep you gripped.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Suzanne Franks
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite Inspector McLean
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 February 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed this book very much. As always very well-written by one of my favourite authors, characters very well drawn. I am a big fan of Inspector McLean and sincerely hope James Oswald will be carrying on with him. The new story went at a very good pace but, though I liked Constance Fairchild's character, I just at times thought she was a bit too 'gung-ho'. Shall definitely read more though as they come along, but PLEASE more Tony McLean as well!
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  • Caroline Gleeson
    5.0 out of 5 stars My New Favourite Heroine
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone who follows my reviews will know by now that I love James Oswald's Inspector Tony McLean series. Therefore it should come as no surprise that I decided to try the Constance Fairchild series for size. So, what did you think of the first book in the series, I hear you cry?! Well, gather 'round good people, and I will tell you.
    I loved, loved, loved it. Constance, or Con (but never Connie) Fairchild, is my new favourite heroine. She comes from a background of wealth and privilege; she's actually Lady Constance Fairchild. She's sassy, she has a smart mouth, she's tenacious, and she's exceptionally brave. She became a police officer to annoy her father, sticking two fingers up to her upper class roots.

    No Time To Cry sees her become a scapegoat when an undercover operation she was working on goes very wrong. Suspended from her job, and treated like a pariah by her colleagues, Con soon finds herself looking into the disappearance of a young woman. This is when things take a sinister turn for the worst.

    Like all of Oswald's books, the subject matter of No Time To Cry is dark and disturbing, but thankfully there's no graphic detail.

    No Time To Cry was the perfect introduction to Con. I look forward to meeting her again, soon. 😊
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  • Stevie Robinson @johnnyutah66
    5.0 out of 5 stars No Time To Cry captivated and thrilled me
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2019
    Verified Purchase
    No Time To Cry, the first of the Constance Fairchild books introduces us to the lead character in almost immediate peril. With very little scene setting or faffing about Oswald throws us straight into the now turned upside down life of Detective Constable Fairchild just as her friend and Commanding Officer Pete Copperthwaite is murdered during an under cover operation. Her actions are immediately questioned, she’s under suspicion and is suspended pending investigation. This breakneck introduction to the character gives you very little time to get to know Con, but instead makes you feel like you are experiencing events just as she is. Her confusion is your confusion and as the story progresses every little reveal of the plot feels like you the reader are alongside her discovering it for yourself.

    As you get to know her a little you can’t help but find yourself rooting for Con. She behaves like someone in her situation would. She acts and reacts like someone with her set of skills as a detective. At no point does Oswald make her unbelievable or use Deus Ex Machina to get her out of a bind. His research into police training has to be extensive because everything about her role feels right.

    As well as her on the job peril, the plot weaves in and out of her relationship with her estranged family. Although Oswald’s police procedural aspects aren’t that procedural this allows for some interesting developments in this story and hopefully future Fairchild stories. I particularly enjoyed some of the extravagant names given to the other Fairchild family that I don’t want to spoil here, but I found myself smiling, waiting to find out what others had been christened as they came up.

    Minor characters don’t feel like they are minor, they are so fleshed out. I’m already deeply in love with Mrs Feltham, Con’s neighbour and as as usual Oswald has made a rod for his own back by making the greatest character in the entire book a cat – just like he did in the McLean series. This one is a cat called “Cat” that he will have to keep alive forever lest he be hunted down with pitchforks. While Tony Mclean doesn’t feature in this despite Con making a few trips up north in No Time To Cry it’s obvious they do exist in the same universe as a recurring face from McLean’s world pops up here to great dramatic and mysterious effect.

    Oswald’s dialogue, especially in scenes of confrontation is just excellent. People speak like people speak. Con isn’t adverse to dropping the odd FBomb and I liked that, my mother in law is a former Police Officer and she can swear like a sailor when the situation calls for it. Villains aren’t giving out James Bond like monologues on their intentions – they just say what they have to say and get on with being villains. Speaking of which there are a few good ones in this. Keep an eye on Roger Devilliers , he’s a great fleshed out creep of a bad guy, the type James Oswald writes so well.

    Oswald’s USP, the thing for me that sets him above his contemporaries is just the right dash of the supernatural he adds to his stories. He does it in such a clever way that at any point with any old Rent- A-Ghost shennanigans that appear to be going on, can, if you want them to be, be explained away with rational explanations. If not you can run with it and enjoy the books on a completely different level. I honestly thought that with this being an entirely new series that part might be done away with and when I was given the opportunity of a bit of old Scooby Doo in No Time To Cry I broke into a massive grin. It is exceptionally clever writing to be able deliver two types of book in one. I’m not spoiling it, you can decide for yourself if it’s all perfectly natural or things that go bump in the night.

    Another of James Oswald’s talents is weaving plot lines together that at the outset seem impossible to link. At one point in this, multiple plot lines had tangled themselves into such a Gordian Knot that I had no idea how they’d be brought together. In the exciting conclusion of No Time To Cry Oswald managed it in the same completely believable manner that he shows in doling out talents to his protagonists. I believed every second of it.

    No Time To Cry – the first of what I hope are many Constance Fairchild books captivated and thrilled me. The second in the series “Nothing to Hide” is set for publication in July 2019 and I for one can’t wait.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Norman William
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oswald improves
    Reviewed in Germany on 28 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It's hellish hard writing in the first person and leaving enough room for other characters to do their thing. I read "No Time" in one sitting after finishing the Fiona Griffiths series from Harry Bingham and had to wonder - in light of these heroins and Ray Grace - about the spirit world thing and authors from the British Isles.
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  • Tanya N
    5.0 out of 5 stars My new favourite series, Con is a firecracker of a character! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
    Reviewed in Australia on 18 July 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Love love love James Oswald's imagination and writing. In particular, the ability to write gripping and 'on the edge of your seat' police procedurals that are sprinkled with a magical touch of mystical otherworldiness, combined with unforgettable colourful characters and just the right amount of humour. Wasn't sure if Con was going to stack up to the impressive inspector McLean series, but a cameo from one of my favourite characters put paid to any doubts. Well done! Am already onto the second book and have pre-ordered the third.........addicted much? Thanks for a brilliant read!
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  • Jay Wordsman
    5.0 out of 5 stars good companion piece to McLean series - but in first-person narrative
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 January 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Parallel universe with McLean series with style differences, yet a gripping brisk read. Some cameos from McLean series. And more unnamed cats!
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  • uki
    4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing read
    Reviewed in Germany on 25 February 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Sometimes going a little beyond reality but makes you keep reading on and on. I'll be looking forward to the next one from the series.
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  • Pierke Bosschieter
    4.0 out of 5 stars Takes a bit getting used to
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 August 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It was only after the first 4 chapters that I really got hooked. In the first chapters I found the lead character a bit flat, but as the story unfolded she started to grow on me. Not yet in the same league as Inspector McLean, but I am sure it will get there.
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