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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another wonderful read from Michael Hambling. I absolutely love this series, Sophie Allen has grown more as a character since the last book and talks about her breakdown and illness because of it and even though she's still vulnerable the team she has around her and the support for her family help her through the transition back to work.
It's wonderful to see a transgender character introduced as not everyone is usually included in a crime/mystery book and if they do they don't end up in the best light or it doesn't end well for them.
These books just keep getting better and better and I eagerly await book 4 which, I believe, is coming out later this year!! Cannot wait!
*Huge thanks to Michael Hambling, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review*
It's wonderful to see a transgender character introduced as not everyone is usually included in a crime/mystery book and if they do they don't end up in the best light or it doesn't end well for them.
These books just keep getting better and better and I eagerly await book 4 which, I believe, is coming out later this year!! Cannot wait!
*Huge thanks to Michael Hambling, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review*
Third in the series
Taking place nine months after the events in 'Deadly Crimes', DCI Sophie Allen returns to work after the trauma of what actually happened to her father and how his death was connected to a human trafficking ring. Sophie has always been unflappable in her ability to solve even the most difficult of crimes. But for the first time, she was the one who needed help.
After months of therapy she is ready to return to work. She is met with a new member for her team, Rae. She is working though issues of her own and forms a quick bond with her new boss. Sophie is understanding of the fact that Rae is transgender and knows that it will have no effect on the teams abilities to solve cases. Rae proves herself to be an essential part of the team by providing insight and ideas that have been overlooked by others.
Immediately Sophie is given a case where woman has been found dead during a large music festival. Sophie finds that the victim, Sarah, had taken a man back to her hotel room. Trying to find him, the lead suspect, just by witness descriptions and the name Derek proves to be nearly impossible for Sophie's team. When Derek's body is found the next day, it becomes apparent that things are not what they seem.
The story is complex and filled with questionable characters that make it difficult to know the truth until the very end.
Like in previous books there is what could be difficult content for some readers. The crime is based around group sex, some not consensual. Their are no gratuitous acts actually described, though.
Rae's gender is often referred to, but is not a driving point in the plot. She has been given a back story that adds new layers to books. Previously, the focus was on the case at hand. Slowly the lives of the secondary characters are being revealed.
This is a fairly short book that leaves no room for the story to lag. While always going full steam, there is still much to be learned about the characters. Enough to keep the reader anticipating the next book!
Taking place nine months after the events in 'Deadly Crimes', DCI Sophie Allen returns to work after the trauma of what actually happened to her father and how his death was connected to a human trafficking ring. Sophie has always been unflappable in her ability to solve even the most difficult of crimes. But for the first time, she was the one who needed help.
After months of therapy she is ready to return to work. She is met with a new member for her team, Rae. She is working though issues of her own and forms a quick bond with her new boss. Sophie is understanding of the fact that Rae is transgender and knows that it will have no effect on the teams abilities to solve cases. Rae proves herself to be an essential part of the team by providing insight and ideas that have been overlooked by others.
Immediately Sophie is given a case where woman has been found dead during a large music festival. Sophie finds that the victim, Sarah, had taken a man back to her hotel room. Trying to find him, the lead suspect, just by witness descriptions and the name Derek proves to be nearly impossible for Sophie's team. When Derek's body is found the next day, it becomes apparent that things are not what they seem.
The story is complex and filled with questionable characters that make it difficult to know the truth until the very end.
Like in previous books there is what could be difficult content for some readers. The crime is based around group sex, some not consensual. Their are no gratuitous acts actually described, though.
Rae's gender is often referred to, but is not a driving point in the plot. She has been given a back story that adds new layers to books. Previously, the focus was on the case at hand. Slowly the lives of the secondary characters are being revealed.
This is a fairly short book that leaves no room for the story to lag. While always going full steam, there is still much to be learned about the characters. Enough to keep the reader anticipating the next book!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is weird. The book is well written, the case was ok and I enjoy the characters but I still found it a bit blah .
I think I will stop this series because I don't care enough to want to read more
I think I will stop this series because I don't care enough to want to read more
DCI Sophie Allen had taken 9 months off after her last case due to the emotional stress of that case and what she learned about her own past. That is important and a good reason to read books in series in order. While I think someone would enjoy this book as a stand-alone, I highly recommend they read the first two, or at least the second book in the series. Otherwise, there is a lot that might be lost or confusing in this book.
Sophie is a middle-aged police inspector who is amazingly supportive and nurturing of her staff. Don't mistake that to mean she mothers them, because that is not the case. While she chastises when appropriate, she also points out when someone does something well or is thinking smartly. She is a great boss! It also makes for a great book as she guides her team to track down a killer. Sophie may be the main character but the story highlights that it takes teamwork to solve crimes.
In this installment, a couple are killed at a music festival. The path to find the killer is quite windy. No huge twisters, just developed characters, enjoyable personalities, and a really well written story. I am excited to see that a fourth book is planned to be released later this year!
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Joffe Books in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie is a middle-aged police inspector who is amazingly supportive and nurturing of her staff. Don't mistake that to mean she mothers them, because that is not the case. While she chastises when appropriate, she also points out when someone does something well or is thinking smartly. She is a great boss! It also makes for a great book as she guides her team to track down a killer. Sophie may be the main character but the story highlights that it takes teamwork to solve crimes.
In this installment, a couple are killed at a music festival. The path to find the killer is quite windy. No huge twisters, just developed characters, enjoyable personalities, and a really well written story. I am excited to see that a fourth book is planned to be released later this year!
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Joffe Books in exchange for an honest review.
At a weekend music festival a body is found on the shore. Its for DCI Sophie Allen to find the solution.
There was some reference to what I presume was an earlier book which could have been missed out as it wasn't pertinent to the plot, nor was all the personal background which was turning into political correctness, and I found Allen some what annoying.
A NetGalley Book
There was some reference to what I presume was an earlier book which could have been missed out as it wasn't pertinent to the plot, nor was all the personal background which was turning into political correctness, and I found Allen some what annoying.
A NetGalley Book