Hunting Grounds by LT Ryan

June 18, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Hunting Grounds by LT Ryan
Publisher: Liquid Mind Media
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A killer has returned and his reign of terror has only just begun.

An unstoppable killer stalks the city, leaving a mounting body count in his wake. As panic and fear grip Pittsburgh, the FBI is brought in to assist the local police with the manhunt, hoping to prevent further bloodshed.

Retired Pittsburgh K9 Handler Maddie Castle is pulled into the manhunt. She has experienced the killer’s deadly handiwork firsthand. He left her crippled in body and spirit.

Caught between her thirst for revenge and her desire to save lives, Castle knows that tracking the killer down and bringing him to justice will give her peace of mind.

But this madman is shrewd and evasive, eluding capture at every turn. As Maddie and her K9 partner stay hot on his heels, she realizes that he might be one step ahead of her…

He’s already put her on his hit list.

In the Hunting Grounds, death is the only escape. And if Maddie wants to survive the ultimate showdown with evil, she’ll have to stay alive long enough to outwit him once and for all.

Retired K9 handler Maddie Castle’s whole life changed when she came face to face with a serial killer. They both left with deep wounds and scars that would never heal – and apparently neither of their lives would ever be the same. Now Maddie has finally grasped back a new life and her old nemesis returns and this time the body count rises high from the very start. Can Maddie bring him down before he reaches her and removes her from his hit list?

I have been enjoying this series and especially enjoy Maddie’s relationship with her K9 companion. There is a strong cast of secondary characters and while I do feel the plot of this story can be easily understood as a standalone novel, there’s quite a bit of history between many of the primary characters and I do feel the story has more emotional depth for having read the previous books in order and not starting with this one.

Readers looking for a high-octane action-packed story might not find this one lands a solid punch. I thought the plot was very well paced and deliciously complicated, but there were certainly quite a few points in the story and investigation where a lot of history was explained and told. To be fair I felt this absolutely fleshed out the characters and made the emotional connection I had with them deeper and more meaningful, but for readers purely wanting an adrenaline-fueled action story I must admit this did make the action side to the plot lag and slow down a little.

Readers looking for a thrilling and emotional mystery story should absolutely find this book ticks all the boxes. I particularly enjoy how Maddie isn’t a superhero or perfect – she has vulnerabilities and makes mistakes just like we all do. I found this to be a well plotted, interesting character driven story and I expect I’ll pick up the next in the series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Brutal Tide by Kate Rhodes

June 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Brutal Tide by Kate Rhodes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

REVENGE
DI Ben Kitto made many enemies in his time working as an undercover officer for the Met police, none more ruthless and calculating than gang leader Craig Travis.

IS WORTH
Travis has longed to make Kitto pay for his role in getting him convicted – and that day has finally arrived. Now, a dark and twisted killer is heading for the Scilly Isles, one who has waited a long time for revenge.

WAITING FOR . . .
With Kitto busy investigating the discovery of a body on the islands and distracted by the imminent arrival of his first child, his defences are down. He has so much to lose.

And Travis will stop at nothing to take it all from him.

In his previous work in London, DI Ben Kitto had made many enemies, but none more so than his final case – putting a vicious gang leader behind bars after an extended undercover operation. Now dying, the police are alerted when key people involved in that final arrest begin to die from what looks like an organized hit. But DI Kitto doesn’t have time to worry about that with his partner due to give birth to their first child any day and the bones of a young man unearthed at a local work site. Can Ben juggle everything as his life takes such a drastic turn?

I really enjoyed this book. While I can understand if this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoyed the snippets every chapter or so where we could see the progress of the killer interspersed between Ben and his own case. I felt this was a different and highly interesting way to keep the tension high and not to make the plotline too farfetched. Since any new arrivals on the small islands stand out markedly, I thought having us see the killer progress through the other people on their list was an excellent way to fuel the tension but still have a strong murder-mystery plot with Ben and his own case load going.

I was also pleased the very climactic birth of Nina and Ben’s child wasn’t too cliched. While it was a little easy to guess – the traditional “racing from the final fight scene to not miss the baby’s birth” was quite the cliché, but there were a few little twists that made it a solid read, nevertheless. I thought the main plotline was quite well woven and while I guessed a few parts of the plot there were still other bits that I didn’t guess and came as a delightful surprise.

I’m enjoying this series and can recommend it for mystery readers who enjoy small town and/or British police procedural style mysteries. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

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Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham

June 13, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Sphere Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

His first three victims ended up dead. His fourth was not so fortunate . . .

Alison Willetts is unlucky to be alive. She has survived a stroke, deliberately induced by a skillful manipulation of pressure points on the head and neck. She can see, hear, and feel and is aware of everything going on around her, but is completely unable to move or communicate. Her condition is called locked-in syndrome. In leaving Alison Willetts alive, the police believe the killer made his first mistake.

Then DI Tom Thorne discovers the horrifying truth; it isn’t Alison who is the mistake, it’s the three women already dead. The killer is getting his kicks out of toying with Thorne as much as he is pursuing his sick fantasy, and as the detective zeroes in on a suspect, he finds himself pushed to his personal and professional limits . . .

When three young women appear to die suddenly from a stroke with no other signs of damage to their bodies and no real prior indicators they were at risk the medical community thinks there might be something else occurring. Only a sharp pathologist notices sedatives in a recent case’s blood and damage to the ligaments on the young woman’s neck. When DI Tom Thorne begins to investigate, he soon is told that the most recent case – where the woman survived but has locked in syndrome – is not the “mistake” but indeed the crowning glory and exactly what the killer has been trying to achieve, Thorne realizes that what appeared to be a fairly standard case is anything but.

I greatly enjoy British Police procedural style of murder mysteries but this first book in a new to me series is slightly different. I admit it took me a while to get used to the slight jumping around in the perspectives – usually an author stays fairly close to one style of telling the story, but this book has quite a few different voices going on. While I admit it definitely added to the story this did take me a little to get used to and grasp what all the different perspectives were on about. I’m not sure this will appeal to all readers, but I would strongly recommend the reader stick with it as the story definitely is worth getting a handle on the narrative style.

I was also pleased that Tom wasn’t all-powerful and made mistakes. A few times I really did wonder if the author had maybe given a bit too much perception to Tom, but I was pleased he got some things wrong and other things right. This seemed fairly realistic to me and helped me connect a bit better with Tom’s character which I admit I struggled with in a few places.

On the one hand the plot is quite straight forward – find the killer who is murdering young women but causing them to stroke out and die. Yet really this book is quite a bit more complicated than that. Tom has a very layered and complex relationship with his colleagues and managers in the police force, and I enjoyed watching him sort some of that out with a few key colleagues throughout the story. Tom also has some unresolved baggage from a life-changing case over a decade ago and while this history doesn’t overshadow the current case and issues – it’s there filtering and shadowing Tom, nevertheless.

I also enjoyed that Tom might need a few home truths really hammered in to him – but when this did occur in the book he finally sat up and took notice. In all I found this book to be well written, intensely plotted and quite addictive to read. I’m certain I’ll pick up the next in the series because I’m deeply curious how Tom will pull up after the events in this case.

A different and somewhat complicated story I felt this was an excellent first book. I can believe the writing style (and characters) might not suit everyone but for readers who like a slightly gritter British police procedural style of story and their stories told in layers and not necessarily in a linear function this is probably a good book to try out.

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The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven

June 10, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven
Publisher: Constable
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District’s prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of . . .

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he’s ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive …

Washington Poe has been suspended from his police duties for almost eighteen months after taking the blame when his final case goes pear-shaped. While it took some time, he has settled down well into his remote croft and picking up odd jobs from the rural locals in his surrounding areas. Poe’s life is different now, but he’s very happy. Until his previous police colleagues urgently reach out to him. Poe’s name has been carved into the latest victim of a serial killer. Clearly there’s a link between the murderer and Poe and no one will rest until the case is solved.

I picked this debut book up on a whim and within about five minutes and the first chapter had settled in for an exceptional read. While on the surface this book isn’t anything too unique (disgraced mid level police officer being drawn back into that world after making his peace and getting out) there were a number of elements that I really enjoyed and found freshly unique to this story.

First up I thought it was very brave and clever for the author to have Poe come in as a Sargant to his previous underling, newly promoted DI status. While this isn’t unique – I felt it gave a good tenseness to the atmosphere. Poe and Flynn clearly have a solid working relationship but there’s also a sense of newness to them as they each get used to the other’s ways in their new pecking order. I thought this was an excellent way to sew in some tension without being cliched or having conflict just for the sake of it. I was also thrilled this was more of an “uncomfortable getting used to the new ways” thing rather than there being bitterness or grudges or something I would have felt far more detrimental to the story.

Another key factor for my really loving this story was Tilly’s character. Incredibly intelligent but equally incredibly naïve I felt Tilly was a lovely breath of fresh air. I also loved how Tilly – more than any of the other characters to my mind – grew and learned throughout the story at a much faster rate than anyone else. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and see how she’s progressed and also how she handles the emotional and mental fall out from both the case and the darker side to policing work which she was exposed to for the first time in this case.

On top of all this, I found the plot to be deeply intriguing – multi layered and strongly believable. All these items plus a great sense of atmosphere and setting made this hands down the best thriller I’ve read in quite a few months and I am very eager to continue with this new-to-me author. I’d highly recommend this for readers who enjoy a slightly grittier British Police Procedural style of murder mystery. The pace and characters do romp along at a good clip but this isn’t a spy/thriller or American style go-go-go action story – but equally the plot and bodies keep dropping at a good rate so I wouldn’t classify this as an easy-paced British mystery either.

With exceptional characters, a deliciously convoluted plot and a stark reality to it I found this book to be a wonderful debut novel, and I am eager for the next in line. Recommended.

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The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan

June 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Busy Body by Kemper Donovan
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Cozy Mystery
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

“I tell other people’s stories for a living. . . . I nip and tuck their excesses, soften their hard edges, polish whatever an armada of editors and publicists deem unsightly till it sparkles.”

It’s a dream assignment. Former Senator Dorothy Gibson, aka that woman, is the most talked-about person in the country right now, though largely for the wrong reasons. As an independent candidate for President of the United States, Dorothy split the vote and is being blamed for the shocking result. After her very public defeat, she’s retreated to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her.

Her collaborator is impressed by Dorothy’s work ethic and steel-trap mind, not to mention the stunning surroundings (and one particularly gorgeous bodyguard). But when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances, Dorothy is determined to find the killer in their midst. And when Dorothy Gibson asks if you want to team up for a top secret, possibly dangerous murder investigation, the only answer is: “Of course!”

The best ghostwriters are adept at asking questions and spinning stories . . . two talents, it turns out, that also come in handy for sleuths. Dorothy’s political career, meanwhile, has made her an expert at recognizing lies and double-dealing. Working together, the two women are soon untangling motives and whittling down suspects, to the exasperation of local police. But this investigation—much like the election—may not unfold the way anyone expects . . .

Recently toppled Presidential Candidate Dorothy Gibson has reached out to an upcoming ghost writer to discuss writing her memoirs. As the most talked about woman currently in the United States no sane person would ever turn that opportunity down. When a well heeled neighbor dies under mysterious circumstances, the author – along with an energetic Dorothy Gibson – undertake a secret investigation to discover what’s going on. Let the sleuthing begin!

I picked this book up on a whim and am delighted to say this is easily one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I believe it’s the debut novel for this author – it’s certainly the first I’ve ever heard of him – and I shall absolutely be keeping my eyes open for any future works. Fun and lighthearted, this is written very much in the style of two friends gossiping over a hot cup of tea or coffee and some delicious cake.

I admit it took me a little while to get used to the voice of the story – we never really learn too much about the ghostwriter telling the story, it’s more in the style of someone telling us about their recent adventure and experience and while we do get snippets I did find this a little disorientating at first. It very quickly became obvious though that the other characters – Dorothy Gibson and the nearby neighbors – were really what the story was all about. So while I did find it a little unusual at first I was very quickly engrossed and I completed understand why the author wrote the story in this manner.

The characters are amazing – I found them all vibrant and very well written. While I would slot this book into a “cosy mystery” style of work it is very modern and relevant as well. The pace and plotline moves along at a decent clip but this is certainly more of a cosy feel rather than an action-orientated story or an espionage go-go-go sort of pace. I would strongly recommend readers who enjoy regular mysteries (as opposed to thrillers or spy novels) or small town mysteries should find this book well up their alley.

A new author with an excellent first novel this was a delightful find and one I shall happily keep an eye out for in the future for following works. An interesting and vibrant read I greatly enjoyed it and can happily recommend it to other mystery readers of all ages.

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Europa by Greig Beck

May 29, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Europa by Greig Beck
Publisher: Severed Press
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

The first mission to Europa—Jupiter’s enigmatic moon—has landed, and humanity’s darkest fears are about to awaken.

For years, mankind has speculated that this frozen world harbors a hidden ocean twice the size of all Earth’s oceans combined—an ocean potentially teeming with life.

Driven by this tantalizing mystery, they venture forth to unlock its secrets. But what they discover in the abyssal depths is far beyond anything they could have imagined.

Nearly four hundred million miles from Earth, their search for life has succeeded. But in their triumph, they overlook the most terrifying truth: what they have found is something far older and more horrifying than they ever could have conceived. Something has been trapped in the dark for eons—watching, and waiting, for them.

Now, the crew stands at the threshold of unimaginable terror, realizing too late that Hell, in its purest form, is cold.

For years mankind has speculated that the vast underground oceans on Jupiter’s moon, Europa, might be teeming with all forms of life. When the first Russian spacecraft to land on Europa loses contact, the American’s aren’t too far behind them. Only the life forms they discover are far older than anyone could have guessed, and they’re very, very hungry.

I have always been a massive fan of the various “monsters eat everyone” style of books and I was delighted by this new addition. Greig Beck has been an auto-buy for me for a number of years and while I find a stronger affinity for some of his books than others, this one is right up my alley and was a delight to read.

While there are definite horror themes in the story, I was pleased the action wasn’t too gorey and there was plenty of plot and discovery in amongst the monsters eating everyone in sight. I feel readers who like mystery/horror/monster books should find this story equally enjoyable as those who enjoy Sci-Fi or space exploration. And this is an absolute must for fans of Aliens – there’s quite a strong theme of that through this book as well.

I did find the set up and execution of this plot and the manner in which the story was told a little different and while I personally found it refreshing, I could understand if it wasn’t every reader’s cup of tea. In the beginning at least there is a little jumping around in the timelines and some different characters perspective, but I was pleased it settled down quite early on and the thrill of the discovery and adventures out on Europa quickly had me turning the pages.

A thrilling – and realistically terrifying – space story where the monsters are quite hungry and humans are not even close to top of the food chain; I found this to be an excellent read and a definite keeper for my shelf. Recommended.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Devil’s Table by Kate Rhodes

May 22, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Devil’s Table by Kate Rhodes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A MISSING CHILD
St Martin’s is shrouded in bitterly cold fog when Jade Minear and her twin brother, Ethan, are attacked in a field, late at night. Ethan manages to return home but the shocking events of Jade’s disappearance have rendered him mute.

A LONG-HELD GRUDGE
On a small island where there are few places a child can hide, DI Ben Kitto must battle the elements to search for Jade. When his investigation reveals that the Minear family have many enemies on the island, Kitto grows increasingly worried that Jade is in danger.

A KILLER HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT . . .
Meanwhile, someone on the island knows exactly where the girl is. Someone with a deep-seated hatred of Jade’s family. To find the truth, Kitto must investigate the lives of the people he has known all of his life. Because one of them is lying – and it isn’t long until a body is found . . .

DI Ben Kitto is called out when a young child goes missing unexpectedly one evening. Her twin brother was with her – but the terror of what occurred has rendered him mute. Ben and the locals quickly join together to search for the lost girl, but soon Ben has to admit that the girl hasn’t simply got missing – but very likely been taken. Who could hate her family so much and what is driving them?

I’ve been greatly enjoying this small town, island series and I felt this book was a good addition. While I did find aspects of the characters and the plotline were a little cliched I must admit it all fit very well together with the plot, and it retained my interest and hooked me in quite quickly. I also admit I’m getting a little tired of Ben’s slow-moving romance with Nina. While I admit it’s good that he’s not alone and moping – a large part of me really questions what additional value, particularly in relation to the plot, this romance really adds.

Readers who enjoy a strong British style murder mystery, especially ones involving small island communities and more “closed room” style of mysteries should find this an excellent story. I was pleased the plot and mystery is very well contained within this book with very few links to previous books other than some of the recurring characters. I also thought the mystery side of the plot was well handled and I’m eager to move to the next book in this series.

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Department Store Santa by Sean Michael

May 20, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Department Store Santa by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Luke loves his seasonal job as Jolly Elf at the mall’s Santa display. It suits his sweet and joyful nature and compliments his summer landscaping job perfectly. This year there’s a new man playing Santa and Luke thinks he’s great, even if he isn’t the traditional old guy under the beard.

Life hasn’t been easy for Chris, but he’s doing the best he can and the job as Santa at the mall is a godsend. He likes the job well enough, even if Jolly Elf Luke is unnaturally happy all the time. When Luke invites him over to watch movies one evening, Chris figures why not and the two co-workers slowly become friends.

Chris has a secret, though, and when Luke finds out, he sets about doing something to help whether Chris wants him to or not.

Can a little Christmas magic bring this unlikely pair together for more than just the holiday season?

Luke has a seasonal job as Jolly Elf in his local department store and he looks forward to the fun work each year. But this year there’s a new Santa – slightly rough around the edges Chris. Luke can’t help being cheerful and soon a delicate friendship develops between the two men. Can they both embrace the magic of Christmas?

I thoroughly enjoyed this mid-length story even though it’s not quite the right time of year for a Christmas tale. Fun and light, this was a delightful pick-me-up and I was thrilled to find it at the sweeter end of the steamy romance ratings. Indeed readers looking for an inta-lust heavily erotic read might find this a little too slow and light in the romance department – but personally I really enjoyed this.

Readers looking for a slow burn friendship that develops into more should find this as enjoyable as I did. I also found both Luke and Chris’ characters to be fairly realistic without going overboard on the cliches. Yes, Luke is a light and happy young adult – but he’s not obtuse nor is he particularly niave. Similarly, while Chris is fairly quiet and somewhat gruff, he’s absolutely no Grinch nor is he mean or hard. I thought both characters were well drawn and believable and – better still – I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book was watching these two men interact together in a new job and we the reader got to know them both as they slowly became friends.

I thought the pacing of the story – and the slowness of the romance – did a solid credit to the author. There were a number of things in the plotline that could have become flags or somewhat unhealthy, including the speed with which two virtual strangers connected, and I thought it was all handled very well. The author also managed to keep an air of lightness and holiday spirit running throughout the entire story and I strongly feel this book will go onto a regular reread list for me, personally.

Fun, light and happy, this was a lovely story that I greatly enjoyed. Recommended.

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The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

May 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment


The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss, whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?

Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

Briarwood House is an all female boarding house in the heart of the US capitol and behind the respectable fascade the ladies who reside there all having their own stories – and secrets – to tell. When a murder occurs within the walls one evening the ladies need to decide which path they’re all going to turn onto – and whether the trust they’ve built will remain solid or not.

I picked this book up on a whim, the author completely new to me, and thoroughly loved every moment of it. Written in a slightly different manner to most mysteries I read, there are multiple different sections all showing the perspective of the different residents of Briarwood House. I thought this was very clever, letting us get to know each of the ladies who live there in their own time and their own words. I also thoroughly enjoyed the few snippets from the perspective of the House itself and thought that added an interesting and vibrant element to the story as a whole.

While set in the historical 1950s, I loved how the various characters were realistic but also very relatable – many of the common issues back in those days still strongly relevant even today. I also appreciated that while social norms and expectations were vastly different back then, there are more than enough hooks and links despite the many decades that have passed these women back in history are still relevant and relatable just as much now as they were back then.

I feel this book would equally suit historical readers and chick-lit readers. While there is a mystery I admit it’s a fairly light theme through the books – readers who are only looking for a murder mystery might not find that element of the plot strong enough to maintain them through the whole story. This book is very much about the characters, these women and their lives and loves and troubles and the manner in which virtual strangers can learn to live together and knit themselves together into a tight group of friends/family – the murder mystery is very much a back seat to this aspect of the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am eager to try more by this author. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Hands Down by Felix Francis

April 30, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Hands Down by Felix Francis
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Sid Halley, a private investigator, has a new left hand, having had a transplant since his last appearance in Refusal. After receiving death threats, an ex-jockey trainer friend calls Sid to ask for his help, but Sid has his own problems to deal with; like recovering from surgery and saving his crumbling marriage.

When his friend’s stable yard is torched, horses killed, and the friend is found dead, Sid can only blame himself for not helping sooner. The police think it’s suicide, but Sid is not convinced after his friend’s terrified phone calls. Heavy with a guilty heart, Sid starts to investigate and soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that cuts to the very heart of the integrity of British horse racing.

Can Sid figure out what happened to his friend, or will he be the next one that the killer targets?

Sid Halley is having a rough time. His beloved wife, Marina, has decided she needs a break to think about their future and has gone to visit her dying father in the Netherlands with their young daughter. Still reeling from this emotional blow, Sid is asked for help by a friend who is an ex-jockey now trainer. Gary is being threatened and needs a friend he can trust, only before Sid can discuss what’s going on Gary’s stable is torched and his horses killed. Can Sid investigate what’s happening and sort out his marital crisis without anyone getting hurt in the meantime?

I’ve been a big fan of the various Sid Halley stories and found this addition was quite good. While all the previous books don’t need to have been read, I do feel that knowing who the main characters are in this series would give the relationship/emotional plotline a bit more oomph and have more meaning. The mystery aspect is new to this book and doesn’t really have any cross over to the previous books so I feel readers primarily concerned with the investigation side of things should be able to easily pick this book up by itself.

Readers looking for a fast paced or more action orientated mystery might find this doesn’t quite suit their needs. While I do feel the action is quicker than many British police procedural novels, I’ve read this isn’t an American or spy thriller where everything is just go-go-go from the first page till the explosive conclusion, but neither do I feel the is the pace slow or at all plodding. This is a nice balance somewhere in between.

I do admit that Sid’s marital issues take up a fair chunk of the pages and while I personally thought this helped balance out the story and made Sid feel more of a well-rounded family man I could understand if some readers are only really interested in the mystery and investigative aspects to the book.  This was a solid mystery with a well thought out plot.

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