The Charterhouse Remains by Rhys Dylan (writing as Dylan Young)

The Charterhouse Remains by Rhys Dylan (writing as Dylan Young)
Publisher: Wrynmwood Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

On the hottest day of the year, 11-year-old Blair Smeaton vanishes near a riverbank, leaving police baffled and desperate. Detective Anna Gwynne, still haunted by her recent trauma, uncovers a sinister connection to an unsolved case. A chilling dark web photo reveals Blair trapped in the same room where a previous victim was once held captive ten years earlier. A captive whose remains, found near Charterhouse in the Mendip Hills, form the basis of the cold case she’s investigating.

The killer isn’t hiding; he’s taunting.

With Blair’s life hanging by a thread, Anna turns to a dangerous contact who can navigate the murky waters of the internet. But will trusting him save Blair—or cost Anna everything?

DI Anna Gwynne is almost recovered from the brutal ending of her previous case, but despite that she’s eager to return to work and a sense of normalcy. Her team continues to review and investigate cold cases, and it’s the unsolved child kidnapping that draws Anna fully back to work. When a recent photo on the dark web links their cold case with a very recent similar child kidnapping Anna and her team are once again drawn into a deadly game they still don’t fully understand.

This is the second book in the Black Squid trilogy and I found it every bit as gripping and well written as the first book. This kidnapping case and the particulars surrounding it can definitely be read as a stand alone book I feel – but the overall arc of this trilogy and some of the bigger picture items might have more emotional impact on the reader if they go back and read the trilogy in order. I absolutely enjoyed both these book a lot but as a police procedural and mystery this can be thoroughly enjoyed alone too.

I admit that I really enjoy Anna’s character. She’s different in many ways to Dylan’s other characters – especially those in his main series (DI Evan Warlow – another exceptional series to pick up) in that she uses her intuition rather a lot more than most police detective series that I’ve read.

I completely understand this won’t be every readers cup of tea – using instinct and even their dreams to help lead them down their investigative paths and to be fair Anna is a very long way from fully relying on these tools. There is ample amounts of following evidence, forensics, interviews and all the regular processes. I just really enjoy – and find refreshing and interesting – the fact Anna is a lot more open to listening to her subconscious making connections and even being open minded to rather more unusual voices of opinion. I feel this really sets this book and trilogy apart from the rest and for me, personally, I thoroughly enjoy it and would love a whole lot more of it.

Readers looking for a slightly different police procedural, full of well layered plot, different and interesting characters plus a bit more leaning into the thriller aspect and not just the regular mystery/suspense style of plot – this trilogy should absolutely be up your alley. These themes are a little darker than the usual fare – a little gritter and for those who like a bit more bite to their mystery and not the more cosy style.

A thoroughly gripping mystery and I’m very eager to read the final installment in this trilogy. Recommended.