Bernadette Aitken

A gritty mystery

Reviewed: 05-03-2019

Wow! What a truly twisted story and protagonists. This was hard story to put down as a copycat killer appears on the fens and plays with the detectives trying to solve the case. There are twists and ‘Oh my’ moments at every turn. There was a secret from the past that was causing Matt to be obsessed with an old case, but I never imagined what that secret was.
The characters that torment the team and DCI Matt Ballard in particular, were cunning, methodical, logical, damaged and tech savvy. They used every method at their disposal to threaten the team, but it was all based on a false premise that could have been checked using DNA testing.
The relationship between Matt and Liz is complicated and is written about in detail. This is something different from the other series by Joy Ellis. I do love the fact that personal relationships are important the stories Joy writes because work and personal relationships can never really be separated from each other, even if they aren’t intimate.

Twists and twisted

Reviewed: 01-03-2019

I am a great fan of Joy Ellis’s work. DI Jackman and DS Evans are a wonderful team and good friends. Their support of each other and their team makes for a lovely feeling in this team. What I enjoyed in this book was the connection that was made with Joy’s other series through DCI Cameron.
The perpetrator of the crimes in this story is a very damaged man. His twisted view of the world caused grief for many people and hit home with Jackman’s sister-in-law. His family’s sorrow was heartfelt. The amazing way that the investigation team collects information and pieces it together always surprises me.
Joy has crafted a complex and suspenseful story, while developing the personal characteristics and relationships of the investigation team. It is lovely to have both and it is what has encouraged me to read everything Joy has written.
I love Richard Armitage’s reading. His voice is very seductive and his voices have become the characters for me. I can’t think of the characters without thinking of his voices. Thank you

Stunned by the final twist

Reviewed: 01-03-2019

Great story! This is the second book of Clare’s book that I have experienced. I use that term because I became so involved with the story and the characters I felt as if I was invested it. The story style of flipping between characters, some named, others not, was a wonderful way of creating tension and a desire to go on for just a bit longer. It’s not hard to convince yourself to go on.
The epilogue has a final twist that made me go back to Murray’s last chapter and be amazed by Clare’s word craft.
The beautiful relationship between Murray and Sarah, despite its difficulties, sheds a harsh light on the relationship of Anna’s parents. Mental health plays an important role in this book. The twists and turns in the plot make it a book that’s difficult to put down.
The narration was very well done and it was easy to recognise each character through the subtle changes in Gemma’s voice.

Burning revenge

Reviewed: 16-02-2019

This story is all about revenge being a dish best served cold. The perpetrator coldly plans the fires to seek revenge for a crime that he didn’t have the full facts for. His father’s lies and deception have lead to this young man’s mental instability. There are ‘suggestions’ from the higher ups that this case is too sensitive to continue investing. Fortunately for the victims and their families, Nikki, Joseph and the crew do some unofficial work until their evidence is overwhelming enough that they are given the go ahead to continue.
It wasn’t until the climax had almost arrived that I worked out a connection between the two main stories. I love the interactions amongst the characters and the feeling of being invested in their lives as a reader. I sincerely hope there is more to come in this series.

The past comes forward

Reviewed: 13-02-2019

This was such a sad story line. There was, of course, bad behaviour from ‘crims’ and some gruesome deaths as always. The premise of this story was the fallout from things in the characters past coming to haunt those in the present. A great story with many people contributing to solving the mysteries.
One death, in particular, gives Nikki and Joseph cause to pause and question what they have besides work. There is a very satisfying ending, if not quite just.

Splendid

Reviewed: 11-02-2019

Oh! I was so glad that none of the main team were hurt. This was a very long running case with seemingly no answers. New victims emerge and old ones are terrorised. It was hard to take in the story at times as the details of each victim was only partially given and the imagination took over from there.
This is a very well crafted story. It spirals towards its climax, connecting all of the separate threads as it goes. There is a very satisfying ending.
It was sometimes easier to listen to this book than it was to read it.

Nerve wracking

Reviewed: 06-02-2019

Brilliant! At the half way point in this story I was so worried about who was going to be targeted and whether the evil low life could possibly be caught that I was loathed to put the book down. The connections between cases and characters that have been in previous stories was incredibly well done.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Strange obsession

Reviewed: 03-02-2019

Another complex and exciting mystery. This story also finally completes a problem that has been plaguing Nikki and Joseph since before they began to work together. We also see the last of another, much loved/respected local villain. Time does move on and this series does that very well. We are kept in touch with familiar characters and are introduced to new ones.
This story is really two and a half stories in one. One has two threads to it. Joy really knows how to keep all the balls bouncing until the very end.
Having listened to this series from the beginning I have come to know these characters through their voices. Thanks.

Surprise, surprise

Reviewed: 01-02-2019

Another brilliant story! I had come to the a happy place during this story where I thought that the investigation was not going to become personal for anyone on the team - wrong! This was a fascinating case set in a very interesting background. The idea of one site being used so many times over history that you can track its development through the buildings is amazing.
The effort that this perpetrator went to in order to keep everyone away from this area was admirable. If they had put that much effort into solving their own mental health issues there wouldn’t have been a story.
The personal relationship between Nikki and Joseph continues to grow. They are there for each other and support each other with no questions asked.
The voices of each of the characters are now firmly embedded in my brain. So much so that I hear them when I read the book. I like that. Some pronunciation make me wince, but I just move on and enjoy the reading. Thanks.

A truly evil opponent

Reviewed: 30-01-2019

Another great story. I felt so sorry for the team in this book. Despite all of their hard work they were all hurt in some way by a twisted character. The psychological torture the team goes through seems to be coming from an old enemy, but nothing is what it seems.
I really like this series, but I don’t think I want to be part of this team as it’s too dangerous. They always end up at the hospital. This is a mystery that is difficult to solve as a reader, therefore it keeps you thinking right to the very end. There is a very satisfying ending for one character in particular.