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amargari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
amothersmusings1's review
5.0
“Monument to Murder” is the fourth in Mari Hannah’s ‘DCI Kate Daniels’ series set in North East England and is my favourite one so far. Although I have immensely enjoyed the previous three, the premise, the setting and the continued development of the characters in this book, made this for me more than a five star read, I enjoyed reading it so much.
Set in and around the iconic Bamburgh Castle and its wild and weather beaten coastline, gave this story a sinister backdrop, especially with the discovery of skeletal remains and their manner of burial. Living myself in the North East, I always enjoy books set in my local area and it was an added enjoyment to be able to relate to the areas mentioned.
Once again Kate’s private life is still in turmoil but I was pleased to read that this thread was given more scenes and I’m hoping in the coming books she finally gets to be happy in her chosen relationship, she’s a wonderfully developed character, a fantastic police detective and a really nice person. Her working relationship with her sergeant Hank Gormley is a delight to read and their camaraderie lightens the often dark theme of the books.
All in all, another brilliant instalment in an engaging and addictive series of police procedurals that I wholeheartedly recommend to crime readers young and old.
#MonumentToMurder - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
robert_vardill's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.25
anetq's review against another edition
4.0
Mari Hannah weaves a mean handful of stories into one another here: Two skeletons are dug up on a beautiful beach, and in the local prison a psycho is ready for release - and unhealthily obsessed with the in-house shrink - Also DCI Daniels' private life might get a reboot, if only she can find the time for it... It's a chilling story of who to distrust, when there are so many possibilities...
wendoxford's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the 4th book in the series - a real, twisting pageturner
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful location for the most chilling of crimes. On the beaches at Bamburgh, a grisly discovery has been made..
The notion that Bamburgh Castle or Holy Island – two of the most revered places in Northumberland – could be some kind of macabre monument to murder stunning them into silence.
Bamburgh beach and castle is definitely worth a visit and it sits on a craggy rock with lovely views of the surrounding area and coastline. Most of the action takes place here and in the village of Bamburgh itself.
It’s here, in the middle of winter, that the chills come thick and fast and its’s not just the snow that’s the problem. The team are forced to set up their investigation room in a B and B in Alnwick since the roads back to Newcastle are so bad.
The two bodies found under the sands, buried with certain items which will become central to the investigation and possibly the clues for the murders.
Kate’s team has a tough job on their hands and its a long and complicated task ahead. The team is as solid as ever but cracks are starting to show, so the newest members of the team are welcome additions. Kate does not have it easy either at work or in her personal life and her stress levels are through the roof. The investigation is like the sand on the beach - so many grains, hidden items, new things to discover and red herrings scattered all over. But what do the sands of time hide?
Although Bamburgh is the focus, other places are mentioned such as Felton and up near the River Coquet where Emma lives. Oh a birthday meal in the Black Bull pub in Corbridge where Kate grew up. Not forgetting Acklington prison (HMP Northumberland). Bamburgh is the star of the show so to speak and it shines as a setting and a remote landscape for murder and intrigue.
To see Mari Hannah’s Northumberland - in fact to see Kate Daniels Northumberland, take a tour around Bamburgh and see the majestic castle, its view of Holy Island, the desolate but stunning beaches and stand on the dunes like Kate and Hank would have done, feeling the nip in the air and the rough sea fret on your face.
This novel - the fourth one in an increasing good series. If the location adds a gritty chilling realism to the plot, then the level of suspense is the connecting story involving Emily McCann who is a female psychologist, Emily McCann. The scenes involving her within the prison with a more than your usual twisted sex offender were some of the creepiest I have read in a while. It was the ‘what was happening between the lines’ which got me. Brrrr.
I really felt as if I got to know Kate Daniels in this novel. She’s got a lot on her plate what with her personal life unravelling and the sparks which are evident in her scenes with Jo. There are further demands within the police team and Kate is a lot more on edge a lot of the time. I started to see just how many plates this lady juggles! Emily McCann is another standout character here and her backstory is one of despair and upset and I understood a different role within the prison service by her development.
Captivating, Creepy and disturbing but very very gritty and real.
Kate Daniels is going from strength to strength.
The notion that Bamburgh Castle or Holy Island – two of the most revered places in Northumberland – could be some kind of macabre monument to murder stunning them into silence.
Bamburgh beach and castle is definitely worth a visit and it sits on a craggy rock with lovely views of the surrounding area and coastline. Most of the action takes place here and in the village of Bamburgh itself.
It’s here, in the middle of winter, that the chills come thick and fast and its’s not just the snow that’s the problem. The team are forced to set up their investigation room in a B and B in Alnwick since the roads back to Newcastle are so bad.
The two bodies found under the sands, buried with certain items which will become central to the investigation and possibly the clues for the murders.
Kate’s team has a tough job on their hands and its a long and complicated task ahead. The team is as solid as ever but cracks are starting to show, so the newest members of the team are welcome additions. Kate does not have it easy either at work or in her personal life and her stress levels are through the roof. The investigation is like the sand on the beach - so many grains, hidden items, new things to discover and red herrings scattered all over. But what do the sands of time hide?
Although Bamburgh is the focus, other places are mentioned such as Felton and up near the River Coquet where Emma lives. Oh a birthday meal in the Black Bull pub in Corbridge where Kate grew up. Not forgetting Acklington prison (HMP Northumberland). Bamburgh is the star of the show so to speak and it shines as a setting and a remote landscape for murder and intrigue.
To see Mari Hannah’s Northumberland - in fact to see Kate Daniels Northumberland, take a tour around Bamburgh and see the majestic castle, its view of Holy Island, the desolate but stunning beaches and stand on the dunes like Kate and Hank would have done, feeling the nip in the air and the rough sea fret on your face.
This novel - the fourth one in an increasing good series. If the location adds a gritty chilling realism to the plot, then the level of suspense is the connecting story involving Emily McCann who is a female psychologist, Emily McCann. The scenes involving her within the prison with a more than your usual twisted sex offender were some of the creepiest I have read in a while. It was the ‘what was happening between the lines’ which got me. Brrrr.
I really felt as if I got to know Kate Daniels in this novel. She’s got a lot on her plate what with her personal life unravelling and the sparks which are evident in her scenes with Jo. There are further demands within the police team and Kate is a lot more on edge a lot of the time. I started to see just how many plates this lady juggles! Emily McCann is another standout character here and her backstory is one of despair and upset and I understood a different role within the prison service by her development.
Captivating, Creepy and disturbing but very very gritty and real.
Kate Daniels is going from strength to strength.
syren1532's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely hooked on this series. Love the characters - keep trying to think who I would cast if the books were ever made into a TV series. Mark Benton would be my recommendation for Hank!
shb26's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0