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pandasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Solace House || Joy Ellis
Solace House is the 9th book in the widely acclaimed crime thriller series featuring DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans. While it’s not strictly necessary to read the other books in the series before this one, I’d recommend it as it provides the backstory for the characters, and it’s just a really fantastic series.
Set in the Fens, this book follows Jackman and Evans who during a rare slow period look into who is harassing and trying to drive a young family away from their newly purchase home, Solace House. Solace House was home to some gruesome murders both in the recent past and historically. When the dismembered body of a young women turns up with links to a cold case, Jackman and Evans must once again put their skills to the test and get to the bottom of what is happening and how these crimes all tie together.
If you’re a fan of English crime or police procedurals then this one will be right up your alley. Featuring a cast of easy to relate to characters, and an easy to become engrossed in story, this crime mystery will entertain and leave you wanting more.
Thank you to Netgalley, Joy Ellis and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of this novel.
Solace House is the 9th book in the widely acclaimed crime thriller series featuring DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans. While it’s not strictly necessary to read the other books in the series before this one, I’d recommend it as it provides the backstory for the characters, and it’s just a really fantastic series.
Set in the Fens, this book follows Jackman and Evans who during a rare slow period look into who is harassing and trying to drive a young family away from their newly purchase home, Solace House. Solace House was home to some gruesome murders both in the recent past and historically. When the dismembered body of a young women turns up with links to a cold case, Jackman and Evans must once again put their skills to the test and get to the bottom of what is happening and how these crimes all tie together.
If you’re a fan of English crime or police procedurals then this one will be right up your alley. Featuring a cast of easy to relate to characters, and an easy to become engrossed in story, this crime mystery will entertain and leave you wanting more.
Thank you to Netgalley, Joy Ellis and Joffe Books for an advanced copy of this novel.
cassienolan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Really enjoyed this latest instalment in the Jackman & Evans series, but some aspects left me rating this as one of my least favourite of the series overall. I enjoyed the overall theme of the cult and as always, loved the characters and how they interacted with each other. I saw some of the plot twists coming but the ending completely surprised me and I loved it. Laura’s death seemed totally unnecessary to me and seemed like it didn’t happen for any reason in the end which just made me angry. If that hadn’t had happened I think I would’ve rated the book higher overall and been left feeling much better about it.
stacylmoll's review against another edition
5.0
I love love love this series! There are a few significant gut punches in this story, one that had me almost in tears. Jackman is such a caring man and goes above and beyond for those that cross his path, he needs to have some good things happen for him. Evans has also been through so much and the bomb dropped in this book has me biting my fingers waiting for the next book.
jordan_the_poet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
When Detective Jackman meets Holly Stewart, the new resident of Solace House, he is moved to help her and her family. The Stewarts have had a tough time since moving in, and now it seems that someone is trying to force them out of their home. At the same time Jackman and his team are investigating a cold case, a twenty year old murder. Days after the investigation is re-opened another body is found. As the murder investigation ramps up, so do the threats against the Stewarts, forcing Jackman's team to perform a tricky balancing act with the two.
And just like that I'm up to date with this series. It's a bitter sweet feeling - I've loved listening to them and have got a lot of enjoyment out of them, but am a little sad knowing that now I have to wait and see whether more books are written!
One of my favourite things about this series is that with each book Ellis tackles a different sub topic that provides the back story of the criminals or victims, and always explores it well. This time it's cults which is something I have forever been fascinated with. Ellis spends more time focussing on the brainwashing side of things rather than how they operate, and that was something I haven't read much of before so it made for interesting reading.
As always the character development is on point. I feel like I know this team as old friends now, and definitely have an attachment to them. I do question why certain developments had to happen, but I trust in Ellis and her writing so will wait and see what happens next. I think one of the things that really stands out with this set of characters though is how well they all get on, and the strong friendships between them all. It's unusual in a crime novel, where we often see some strife between characters.
The mystery is incredibly well planned out, and had me totally sucked in. I started to realise towards the end how things were likely to unfold, but that certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of listening. On top of that, possibly my highlight of the book, is that it ends with a definite hint of more to come which is exactly what I wanted to hear.
I 100% recommend this series, and if you are going to pick them up then the audiobooks are an excellent choice. Narrated by Richard Armitage who is probably my top rated narrator to listen to, and he does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life.
And just like that I'm up to date with this series. It's a bitter sweet feeling - I've loved listening to them and have got a lot of enjoyment out of them, but am a little sad knowing that now I have to wait and see whether more books are written!
One of my favourite things about this series is that with each book Ellis tackles a different sub topic that provides the back story of the criminals or victims, and always explores it well. This time it's cults which is something I have forever been fascinated with. Ellis spends more time focussing on the brainwashing side of things rather than how they operate, and that was something I haven't read much of before so it made for interesting reading.
As always the character development is on point. I feel like I know this team as old friends now, and definitely have an attachment to them. I do question why certain developments had to happen, but I trust in Ellis and her writing so will wait and see what happens next. I think one of the things that really stands out with this set of characters though is how well they all get on, and the strong friendships between them all. It's unusual in a crime novel, where we often see some strife between characters.
The mystery is incredibly well planned out, and had me totally sucked in. I started to realise towards the end how things were likely to unfold, but that certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of listening. On top of that, possibly my highlight of the book, is that it ends with a definite hint of more to come which is exactly what I wanted to hear.
I 100% recommend this series, and if you are going to pick them up then the audiobooks are an excellent choice. Narrated by Richard Armitage who is probably my top rated narrator to listen to, and he does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cathyjane's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
elle_e_d_light's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Richard Armitage did a great job narrating. I always enjoy listening to him.
I had a lot of problems with this book, though. I would definitely rank it towards the bottom of the list for this series. I feel like the book could have been shortened and it would have paced better. It seemed to take forever for the main plot to get started, and then it was quite convoluted—but I also somehow guessed most of the twists before the characters did, and then got a bit impatient waiting for them to catch up.
Also, <spolier> I was incredibly angry about Laura's death. It came out if nowhere but then didn't seem to really add anything. It sadly felt like the main reason for her death was to give the rest of the book (and most likely future ones) some extra manpain. It just felt a bit cheap.
I had a lot of problems with this book, though. I would definitely rank it towards the bottom of the list for this series. I feel like the book could have been shortened and it would have paced better. It seemed to take forever for the main plot to get started, and then it was quite convoluted—but I also somehow guessed most of the twists before the characters did, and then got a bit impatient waiting for them to catch up.
Also, <spolier> I was incredibly angry about Laura's death. It came out if nowhere but then didn't seem to really add anything. It sadly felt like the main reason for her death was to give the rest of the book (and most likely future ones) some extra manpain. It just felt a bit cheap.
Content Warnings
It heavily deals with cult activity. Assume the usual cult-related activity warnings are at least mentioned at some point in the book.
eventing_joy's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
books_hotchocolate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0