# Death's Scratch - DS Tomek Bowen Essex Crime Thriller - Book 9 **First, he takes you. Then he cuts you. Again and again, until your last breath slips away.** DS Tomek Bowen is back from a short suspension that nearly derailed his career, and he wants to hit the ground running. But an unexpected phonecall from prison shakes his focus—and threatens to pull him into a web of lies and betrayal. It isn't until a witness comes forward, reporting a missing persons case, that Tomek is reminded of his priorities. Somebody has been abducted, and now their slow, torturous death is being documented live on the Dark Web. One cut at a time… Death’s Scratch is the unforgettable ninth book in the DS Tomek Bowen Essex Murder Mystery series by Jack Probyn. If you love fast-paced British police procedurals filled with memorable characters, mind-bending twists that will keep you guessing to the last page, and oodles of black humour, you'll love this series. Fans of TG Reid, Rhys Dylan and Simon McCleave can't put this book down. Tap the buy button to read today! **A Gritty Descent into Essex Noir** - Death’s Scratch is the explosive ninth instalment in the DS Tomek Bowen series. It weaves authentic police procedure with deep psychological trauma, set against the salt-air and grey skies of the Essex coast. **Perfect for Readers Who Love:** - Gritty UK Police Procedurals: Mark Billingham, JD Kirk, and MW Craven. - Flawed, Psychological Detectives: Michael Connelly’s realism and Angela Marsons’ psychological depth. - Fast-Paced British Thrillers: Daniel Cole and Mo Hayder. - Atmospheric Regional Crime: Authentic Southend-on-Sea settings, from the sprawling pier to the silent marshes. **What Makes Tomek Bowen Distinctive:** - Endearing Human Flaws: He’s an endearing man-child who dyes his beard to hide the gray and struggles with the isolation of his past. - The Ultimate Revelation: Amidst the hunt for a serial killer, Tomek discovers a daughter he never knew existed—a bombshell that redefines his fight for justice. - Unresolved History: While the primary case closes, Tomek’s hunt for his brother’s second killer — the ghost named "Charlie" — is just beginning. **Story Details:** - Genre: British Police Procedural / Murder Mystery. - Mood: Tense, Gritty, Emotional, Atmospheric. - Format: Full-length novel. - Setting: Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK. - Series Entry: Book 9 of the DS Tomek Bowen Crime Thriller Series. **Reader Reviews:** - "I liked Tomek as a character. He feels totally real and flawed. Riveting and enjoyed the many twists as things progressed." — Reader Review - "A classic police thriller, very well composed. Investigate by very real people with normal human flaws." — Reader Review **Key Facts:** - Protagonist: Detective Sergeant Tomek Bowen. - Primary Conflict: A vigilante targeting released offenders in the Essex community. - Themes: Vigilante justice, childhood trauma, and long-buried family secrets. - ISBN-13: 978-1-80520-081-9. - Dimensions: 5.06in x 7.81in. - Price: £8.99. ## Details - **Price:** 9.99 GBP - 11.99 GBP - **Vendor:** Jack Probyn - **Type:** Book - **Tags:** DS Tomek Bowen ## Variants | Variant | Price | Available | |---------|-------|-----------| | Paperback | 9.99 GBP | In stock | | Signed Edition | 11.99 GBP | In stock | ## Images - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh - Book cover of Death’s Scratch by Jack Probyn. A gritty Essex Murder Mystery featuring an old stone boathouse and a rotting wooden ship on a marshy shoreline, with a rusted Celtic cross in the foreground. Book 9 in the DS Tomek Bowen series, perfect for fans of JD Kirk and JM Dalgliesh --- > Source: [Jack Probyn Books](https://www.jackprobynbooks.com/products/deaths-scratch-book-9-ds-bowen-essex-crime-thriller-series) > Updated: 2026-05-20