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Dr. Harrison Lane #4
Innocent Dead
The curta ins were closed and incense burned in a pottery jug. Brightly coloured cloth was draped over pictures on the wall. Out of a bag spilled stones, teeth, bones. Beside them were jars of herbs and ground powders. Was the person who lived here an innocent victim… or a killer?
Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, is called to investigate the brutal assault of an African healer. The two attackers are normally law-abiding parishioners from the nearby Catholic church. Behind bars, the men claim they were acting in self-defence after the man used 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, sending a wave of sudden deaths and sickness through the panicked congregation.
While items like bones, ritual figures, robes and an altar are found at the healer's home, Harrison is convinced they’re not seeing the whole picture. But as more fall desperately sick, he’s running out of time to find out who – or what – is killing the parishioners.
Why was the first victim’s body cremated before testing could be carried out? It’s clear to Harrison that there’s a killer in their midst, picking them off one by one then destroying the evidence. Is it a voodoo practitioner, or something far more evil much closer to home?
Innocent Dead is a gripping police procedural with twists and turns you won’t see coming, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, LJ Ross and Matt Brolly.
This book was previously published under the title Holy Man by Gwyn GB.
What readers are saying about this
“A brilliant series of books that once I started, I could not put down … I have absolutely loved each and every book they are all brilliantly written books.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“This was another great mystery for Dr. Lane to solve. I had never read one like it. I promise you won’t be able to put it down! I highly recommend this book!” Online reviewer, 5 stars
“These books keep you gripped from start to finish .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“Another exciting and compelling Dr Harrison Lane story!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, is called to investigate the brutal assault of an African healer. The two attackers are normally law-abiding parishioners from the nearby Catholic church. Behind bars, the men claim they were acting in self-defence after the man used 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, sending a wave of sudden deaths and sickness through the panicked congregation.
While items like bones, ritual figures, robes and an altar are found at the healer's home, Harrison is convinced they’re not seeing the whole picture. But as more fall desperately sick, he’s running out of time to find out who – or what – is killing the parishioners.
Why was the first victim’s body cremated before testing could be carried out? It’s clear to Harrison that there’s a killer in their midst, picking them off one by one then destroying the evidence. Is it a voodoo practitioner, or something far more evil much closer to home?
Innocent Dead is a gripping police procedural with twists and turns you won’t see coming, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, LJ Ross and Matt Brolly.
This book was previously published under the title Holy Man by Gwyn GB.
What readers are saying about this
“A brilliant series of books that once I started, I could not put down … I have absolutely loved each and every book they are all brilliantly written books.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“This was another great mystery for Dr. Lane to solve. I had never read one like it. I promise you won’t be able to put it down! I highly recommend this book!” Online reviewer, 5 stars
“These books keep you gripped from start to finish .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
“Another exciting and compelling Dr Harrison Lane story!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
- GenresAudiobook
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2023
About the author
Gwyn Bennett
25 books70 followersGwyn Bennett is a best-selling author who writes intriguing fast-paced character driven crime mysteries.
She's always been a writer, initially working as a broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London, before she was able to become a full-time fiction author. Gwyn undertakes a lot of research for her books, weaving fact in with the fiction in order to make them relatable to readers. Her favourite days are when she hears from people who have enjoyed her books and meeting the characters.
Gwyn was born in England, but has lots of Welsh and some Irish blood in her. She now lives in the tiny Channel Island of Jersey, where her husband was born, with her family, rescue dog, and geriatric goldfish. Apart from being chief dog slave and fish feeder, she enjoys walking, yoga and eating crisps, with a bit of gardening when the sun shines.
She's always been a writer, initially working as a broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London, before she was able to become a full-time fiction author. Gwyn undertakes a lot of research for her books, weaving fact in with the fiction in order to make them relatable to readers. Her favourite days are when she hears from people who have enjoyed her books and meeting the characters.
Gwyn was born in England, but has lots of Welsh and some Irish blood in her. She now lives in the tiny Channel Island of Jersey, where her husband was born, with her family, rescue dog, and geriatric goldfish. Apart from being chief dog slave and fish feeder, she enjoys walking, yoga and eating crisps, with a bit of gardening when the sun shines.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 11, 2023
Boom ba ba boom ba ba boom ba ba boom……
Book Information
"Innocent Dead" was written by Gwyn Bennett. Released on May 3, 2023, the book spans 244 pages. The audio version, narrated by George Weightman, became available on May 31, with a runtime of 6 hours and 18 minutes. Before becoming a full-time fiction author, Bennett established herself as a prominent broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London. This installment serves as the fourth book in Bennett's Harrison Lane series.
Summary
"Innocent Dead" follows Harrison Lane, the Head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime unit, as he delves into a perplexing case. When an African healer is brutally assaulted by two seemingly law-abiding parishioners from a nearby Catholic church, Harrison is called to investigate. The attackers claim self-defense, citing the healer's alleged use of 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, resulting in a wave of deaths and illnesses among the panicked congregation.
As Harrison uncovers eerie artifacts at the healer's residence, including bones, ritual figures, robes, and an altar, he becomes convinced that there is more to the story. With the parishioners falling ill one by one and the evidence mysteriously destroyed, Harrison faces a race against time to identify the killer lurking among them. Is it a voodoo practitioner or an even more sinister presence closer to home?
My Thoughts
"Innocent Dead" seamlessly blends elements of mystery, thriller, and police procedural, creating a compelling story. Tension is expertly built on all three fronts, ensuring that the book remains engrossing throughout. One aspect that particularly appealed to me was the book's symmetrical structure, with a beginning and ending that align. While this may not be significant to everyone, as a reader who appreciates organized storytelling, it pleased me.
This book is the fourth installment in a series that I had not previously read. However, the author's adeptness at introducing the protagonist, Harrison, through an event at a boys' school was both well-placed and incredibly helpful. This clever approach enabled new readers like myself to quickly familiarize themselves with Harrison's character, his investigative process, and the reasoning behind his conclusions. It skillfully avoided the need for excessive narrative backstory that often bogs down newer additions to a series.
The novel is exceptionally well written, and despite featuring numerous characters, which can sometimes be overwhelming, this was not the case here. The author successfully manages a large ensemble cast without sacrificing clarity or confusing the reader. Each character feels distinct and developed, adding depth to the story.
Although I managed to deduce the main mystery before Harrison, it did not diminish my enjoyment of the novel. The author's skillful plotting and well-executed writing ensured that the solution was neither obvious nor poorly developed. It was satisfying to piece together the puzzle alongside the hero.
George Weightman did an outstanding performance in portraying the main character and secondary characters in the story. Weightman's masterful use of various tones and inflections brought each character to life, making it effortless to differentiate between them. Furthermore, his impeccable pacing and delivery kept my attention from start to finish, immersing me in the world of the book.
Recommendation
Overall, "Innocent Dead" is a delightful read that successfully combines mystery, thrills, and police procedural elements. Gwyn Bennett's writing is skillful, with well-developed characters and a satisfyingly structured narrative. Whether you are a dedicated fan of the series or a newcomer like myself, this book will entertain you until the very last page.
Rating
4 Juju Priest Stars
Book Information
"Innocent Dead" was written by Gwyn Bennett. Released on May 3, 2023, the book spans 244 pages. The audio version, narrated by George Weightman, became available on May 31, with a runtime of 6 hours and 18 minutes. Before becoming a full-time fiction author, Bennett established herself as a prominent broadcast journalist and newsreader for the BBC and ITN in London. This installment serves as the fourth book in Bennett's Harrison Lane series.
Summary
"Innocent Dead" follows Harrison Lane, the Head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime unit, as he delves into a perplexing case. When an African healer is brutally assaulted by two seemingly law-abiding parishioners from a nearby Catholic church, Harrison is called to investigate. The attackers claim self-defense, citing the healer's alleged use of 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, resulting in a wave of deaths and illnesses among the panicked congregation.
As Harrison uncovers eerie artifacts at the healer's residence, including bones, ritual figures, robes, and an altar, he becomes convinced that there is more to the story. With the parishioners falling ill one by one and the evidence mysteriously destroyed, Harrison faces a race against time to identify the killer lurking among them. Is it a voodoo practitioner or an even more sinister presence closer to home?
My Thoughts
"Innocent Dead" seamlessly blends elements of mystery, thriller, and police procedural, creating a compelling story. Tension is expertly built on all three fronts, ensuring that the book remains engrossing throughout. One aspect that particularly appealed to me was the book's symmetrical structure, with a beginning and ending that align. While this may not be significant to everyone, as a reader who appreciates organized storytelling, it pleased me.
This book is the fourth installment in a series that I had not previously read. However, the author's adeptness at introducing the protagonist, Harrison, through an event at a boys' school was both well-placed and incredibly helpful. This clever approach enabled new readers like myself to quickly familiarize themselves with Harrison's character, his investigative process, and the reasoning behind his conclusions. It skillfully avoided the need for excessive narrative backstory that often bogs down newer additions to a series.
The novel is exceptionally well written, and despite featuring numerous characters, which can sometimes be overwhelming, this was not the case here. The author successfully manages a large ensemble cast without sacrificing clarity or confusing the reader. Each character feels distinct and developed, adding depth to the story.
Although I managed to deduce the main mystery before Harrison, it did not diminish my enjoyment of the novel. The author's skillful plotting and well-executed writing ensured that the solution was neither obvious nor poorly developed. It was satisfying to piece together the puzzle alongside the hero.
George Weightman did an outstanding performance in portraying the main character and secondary characters in the story. Weightman's masterful use of various tones and inflections brought each character to life, making it effortless to differentiate between them. Furthermore, his impeccable pacing and delivery kept my attention from start to finish, immersing me in the world of the book.
Recommendation
Overall, "Innocent Dead" is a delightful read that successfully combines mystery, thrills, and police procedural elements. Gwyn Bennett's writing is skillful, with well-developed characters and a satisfyingly structured narrative. Whether you are a dedicated fan of the series or a newcomer like myself, this book will entertain you until the very last page.
Rating
4 Juju Priest Stars
June 10, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
The narration on this book for the characters perfectly! George Weightman did a wonderful job fully encompassing all of the characters. The story itself is the fourth book in the series but can also be read as a standalone. I personally hadn’t read any of the series before this book and I feel like I would’ve enjoyed the main characters better if I had. There wasn’t a whole lot of backstory for them (I’m sure it’s been covered in the past) and not a lot of recap for what’s come before this. Overall, the writing was enjoyable and the story held my attention.
The narration on this book for the characters perfectly! George Weightman did a wonderful job fully encompassing all of the characters. The story itself is the fourth book in the series but can also be read as a standalone. I personally hadn’t read any of the series before this book and I feel like I would’ve enjoyed the main characters better if I had. There wasn’t a whole lot of backstory for them (I’m sure it’s been covered in the past) and not a lot of recap for what’s come before this. Overall, the writing was enjoyable and the story held my attention.
June 3, 2023
I'm loving this series and the mix of text and listening to the audiobook made it more realistic.
This is another good story, well plotted and full of interesting details about the occult and ritualistic part.
I liked the evolution of Harrison and the relationship with his colleagues.
I bought the rest of the series I liked this one even if it's not the best
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
This is another good story, well plotted and full of interesting details about the occult and ritualistic part.
I liked the evolution of Harrison and the relationship with his colleagues.
I bought the rest of the series I liked this one even if it's not the best
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
May 31, 2023
Book Title: Innocent Dead
Series: Dr. Harrison Lane #4
Author: Gwyn Bennett
Narrator: George Weightman
Publisher: Dreamscape Media/ Storm Publishing Ltd
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 31, 2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 244
This is Book Number 4 in the Doctor Harrison Lane series but it is my first. I read some of the reviews of the other stories and thought I would be okay with this but wish I had read at least one of the others.
The blurb states;
Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime unit, is called to investigate the brutal assault of an African healer.
The two attackers are normally law-abiding parishioners from the nearby Catholic Church.
The men claim they were acting in self-defense after the man used 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, sending a wave of sudden deaths and sickness through the panicked congregation.
Story was a different read for me. I have to admit I struggled a bit with it and some of the characters. I liked Harrison, so hung in there and it turned out better than expected.
I recently read several 5 star reads – I believe my expectation might have been too high; which would have happened to any transition read~ I think readers know what I mean.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media/Storm Publishing Ltd. for granting me this audiobook!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 31, 2023.
Series: Dr. Harrison Lane #4
Author: Gwyn Bennett
Narrator: George Weightman
Publisher: Dreamscape Media/ Storm Publishing Ltd
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 31, 2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 244
This is Book Number 4 in the Doctor Harrison Lane series but it is my first. I read some of the reviews of the other stories and thought I would be okay with this but wish I had read at least one of the others.
The blurb states;
Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime unit, is called to investigate the brutal assault of an African healer.
The two attackers are normally law-abiding parishioners from the nearby Catholic Church.
The men claim they were acting in self-defense after the man used 'voodoo magic' to curse their church, sending a wave of sudden deaths and sickness through the panicked congregation.
Story was a different read for me. I have to admit I struggled a bit with it and some of the characters. I liked Harrison, so hung in there and it turned out better than expected.
I recently read several 5 star reads – I believe my expectation might have been too high; which would have happened to any transition read~ I think readers know what I mean.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media/Storm Publishing Ltd. for granting me this audiobook!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 31, 2023.
June 7, 2023
Innocent Dead is the fourth book in the Dr Harrison Lane Mystery series. It follows Harrison, who is the head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime Unit, when he is called to investigate a brutal attack on an African healer. Those arrested for the crime claim to have been acting in self defence as he had used 'voodoo magic' to curse their church. When members of the congregation start falling ill, Harrison has to consider this as a possibility.
Things get even more suspicious when the first of the congregation to die is cremated before her body can be tested, is someone trying to hide the evidence?
When I requested this book, I hadn't realised that it was the fourth in a series; I usually like to read books in order. I listened to the first book and realised that it wasn't necessarily 'my kind of book' so then went straight on to this one.
I enjoyed it as a police procedural and thriller, but I found that all of the cult and ritual based crimes weren't something that I particularly enjoyed reading about.
I also found it odd that the audiobook is narrated by an American when the story is set in the UK.
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.
Things get even more suspicious when the first of the congregation to die is cremated before her body can be tested, is someone trying to hide the evidence?
When I requested this book, I hadn't realised that it was the fourth in a series; I usually like to read books in order. I listened to the first book and realised that it wasn't necessarily 'my kind of book' so then went straight on to this one.
I enjoyed it as a police procedural and thriller, but I found that all of the cult and ritual based crimes weren't something that I particularly enjoyed reading about.
I also found it odd that the audiobook is narrated by an American when the story is set in the UK.
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.
June 5, 2023
⭐⭐⭐
Two men, parishioners of a nearby Catholic church, are arrested after attacking a South African man. The men claim it was self-defense as he caused the death of one of their follower church-goers and cursed their church with "Voodoo Magic". The investigating officer, Harrison Lane, thinks that this man was an innocent bystander and that something else is at play.
I had both a hard time reading and rating this book. Initially the book begins with racial and religious tension and I was very unsure of what I had gotten myself into. However, once the main character enters that clears up and I think the author actually did a decent job handling delicate and sensitive topics despite them being the focus of the novel. I was also unaware that this was part of a series when I began the book. As such, a lot of information regarding the character and relationships were mostly likely explored in previous books and were therefore missing in this one. As a stand-alone it was missing information but I am assuming, if read in the correct order, that that would be present based on the author's work in this novel. Overall pleasant, but would not recommend starting here.
Two men, parishioners of a nearby Catholic church, are arrested after attacking a South African man. The men claim it was self-defense as he caused the death of one of their follower church-goers and cursed their church with "Voodoo Magic". The investigating officer, Harrison Lane, thinks that this man was an innocent bystander and that something else is at play.
I had both a hard time reading and rating this book. Initially the book begins with racial and religious tension and I was very unsure of what I had gotten myself into. However, once the main character enters that clears up and I think the author actually did a decent job handling delicate and sensitive topics despite them being the focus of the novel. I was also unaware that this was part of a series when I began the book. As such, a lot of information regarding the character and relationships were mostly likely explored in previous books and were therefore missing in this one. As a stand-alone it was missing information but I am assuming, if read in the correct order, that that would be present based on the author's work in this novel. Overall pleasant, but would not recommend starting here.
June 5, 2023
I absolutely loved The Innocent Dead by Gwyn Bennett! There were some dark, heartbreaking moments and they made this story so good. Harrison Lane, Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit was asked to help to solve the brutal assault of an African healer. There were more questions than answers, and things just got more complicated. I liked how Harrison trusted his feeling that not everything is how it looks like. His understanding of rituals and the people around them was just amazing. Things got more complicated when an unknown illness started killing the parishioners. Harrison knew he must hurry to find who and why is doing this!
I want to thank Netgalley, Gwyn Bennett, Dreamscape Media, and absolutely talented narrator George Weightman for this opportunity to listen to this audiobook! George Weightman made this audiobook so good! You could feel how he enjoyed the story and delivered it with the most delicate approach!
I would highly recommend jumping on the Dr. Harrison Lane series as each book is an amazing journey!
#InnocentDead #NetGalley
I want to thank Netgalley, Gwyn Bennett, Dreamscape Media, and absolutely talented narrator George Weightman for this opportunity to listen to this audiobook! George Weightman made this audiobook so good! You could feel how he enjoyed the story and delivered it with the most delicate approach!
I would highly recommend jumping on the Dr. Harrison Lane series as each book is an amazing journey!
#InnocentDead #NetGalley
May 30, 2023
Innocent Dead by Gwyn Bennett is a crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Harrison Lane, the Head of the Ritualistic Behavioural Crime unit, as he investigates the brutal assault of an African healer. That leads to another investigation. The plot is well-crafted and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
George Weightman did a fantastic job portraying the MC and secondary characters in the story. His use of a variety of tones and inflections really brought each character to life and made it easy to distinguish between them. Additionally, his pacing and delivery were spot on, drawing me in and holding my attention throughout the entirety of the book.
While I figured something out it was an interesting story and I was eager to discover how the book ended. While I haven’t read the previous books, I was able to read this book as a stand-alone but know I need to go back to the beginning to get a bit of Harrison’s backstory.
A very special thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
George Weightman did a fantastic job portraying the MC and secondary characters in the story. His use of a variety of tones and inflections really brought each character to life and made it easy to distinguish between them. Additionally, his pacing and delivery were spot on, drawing me in and holding my attention throughout the entirety of the book.
While I figured something out it was an interesting story and I was eager to discover how the book ended. While I haven’t read the previous books, I was able to read this book as a stand-alone but know I need to go back to the beginning to get a bit of Harrison’s backstory.
A very special thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
June 6, 2023
"The louder they scream the better the medicine."
Innocent Dead is guilty of Dr. Lane needing a TV series. This is the fourth book in the Dr. Harrison Lane murder mystery series by talented author Gwyn Bennett.
Why did two parishioners from a local Catholic Church attack an African healer? Seems they believe he cursed the church as the congregation falls ill and many are dead. Dr. Lane doesn't believe in curses but the bones, teeth, stones, and herbs found in the healer's home are curious.
Narrator George Weightman adds even more layers to our hero as the past catches up to him and the murder of his mother. As he solves crimes his own life is unraveling and the author has created a character we have come to love.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
*This Review Is For The Audiobook*
Innocent Dead is guilty of Dr. Lane needing a TV series. This is the fourth book in the Dr. Harrison Lane murder mystery series by talented author Gwyn Bennett.
Why did two parishioners from a local Catholic Church attack an African healer? Seems they believe he cursed the church as the congregation falls ill and many are dead. Dr. Lane doesn't believe in curses but the bones, teeth, stones, and herbs found in the healer's home are curious.
Narrator George Weightman adds even more layers to our hero as the past catches up to him and the murder of his mother. As he solves crimes his own life is unraveling and the author has created a character we have come to love.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
*This Review Is For The Audiobook*
July 13, 2023
I absolutely love this series! Harrison is such an interesting and unique character for a police procedural. I always picture him as Dave Bautista as a biker dressed liked a professor. He’s a great character and I love that we get little tidbits of his personal case being solved with each book. This series really is great, I can’t believe it doesn’t have more reviews. It’s well written, action packed, and has characters you can’t help but get attached to. And the narrator was AMAZING! One of my favorites. He’s great with telling the story with feeling and making you feel like you are there. And spot on with the accents!
Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
May 29, 2023
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. Very fast easy read. I enjoyed the book. I did look up the book because I felt like it was part of a series and come to find out it is. I usually don't feel like I miss out on a lot of books when I find out it is part of a series but in this case I did feel like I was missing out on a lot.
I enjoyed having a male narrator. I felt like the author did throw in some liberal feminist issues that to me didn't need to be in there. I think I would start from the beginning with this series.
I enjoyed having a male narrator. I felt like the author did throw in some liberal feminist issues that to me didn't need to be in there. I think I would start from the beginning with this series.
June 2, 2023
This was a nice solid police procedural. The authorities have to investigate the mysterious illnesses and deaths among a group of churchgoers. They're worried this could be the start of another pandemic if they don't figure out what's going on.
The writing was good and the characters were interesting. However, my only complaint was that there wasn't enough background information from the previous entries in this series. While this doesn't have to be done since it's not a standalone book, it seems like most authors do make some kind of effort to get new readers up to speed with what's been going on up to this point. But it was still an enjoyable book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was good and the characters were interesting. However, my only complaint was that there wasn't enough background information from the previous entries in this series. While this doesn't have to be done since it's not a standalone book, it seems like most authors do make some kind of effort to get new readers up to speed with what's been going on up to this point. But it was still an enjoyable book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2023
Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio copy of Innocent Dead for an honest review.
Innocent Dead is the 4th of the Dr Harrison Lane series. This is a complex thriller that involves the head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime Unit, Harrison Lane.
This is the second installment that I have read from this series. The content is fascinating!
Innocent Dead is the 4th of the Dr Harrison Lane series. This is a complex thriller that involves the head of the Ritualistic Behavioral Crime Unit, Harrison Lane.
This is the second installment that I have read from this series. The content is fascinating!
June 6, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I did not realize this was part of a series at first, but this works just fine as a stand-alone novel and this did not impact my reading experience. This was a quick and decent thriller. I really like the use of differing cultures and the exploration of different religions within the story.
I did not realize this was part of a series at first, but this works just fine as a stand-alone novel and this did not impact my reading experience. This was a quick and decent thriller. I really like the use of differing cultures and the exploration of different religions within the story.
June 7, 2023
I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book I have read in this series (missed book 3) but I enjoy the character of Dr. Harrison Lane and how the team works together to solve the crime. This story kept my interest and I will continue reading this series.
May 25, 2023
another epic tale…
Dr Harrison Lane once again is involved in a complex situation that only he can interpret. GB continues to write innovative novels. Dr Lane is a wonderfully crafted character with his beyond the norm interpretive skills & fascinating back story.
Dr Harrison Lane once again is involved in a complex situation that only he can interpret. GB continues to write innovative novels. Dr Lane is a wonderfully crafted character with his beyond the norm interpretive skills & fascinating back story.
February 19, 2024
Enjoying this series, it has a different angle and keeps you interested. Unfortunately there are some editing errors in this one which is why I’ve dropped a star, and I could do with not being reminded about Harrison’s physical appearance all the time.
June 4, 2023
I wanted to like this one but for a book about ritualistic killings, it was really slow. I also just didn't care a ton about any of the characters so it was hard to get invested.
July 20, 2023
This is such a good series, I read the first 3 books to get ready for this one and I am so glad I did. I am now invested in the story and can't wait to see how it ends!
#InnocentDead
#NetGalley
#InnocentDead
#NetGalley
March 22, 2025
Harrison Lane must be unique in crime fiction, a great character I love the part in the book where he analyses himself and his feelings for Tanya
September 15, 2025
A fantastic thriller series
Another fantastic story, and a great addition to the series. It's a definite must read.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and author.
Another fantastic story, and a great addition to the series. It's a definite must read.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and author.
December 9, 2025
244 pages I listen to the book
January 16, 2024
As I read the audiobook, I will start by saying that I loved the narrator. I found his voice incredibly relaxing and soothing. Normally, this wouldn't work for me with a crime novel but it did with this book and I finished this one in two days because of it!
As someone who hasn't read the previous Harrison Lang books, I liked the quick introduction to Harrison through the event at the boys school at the beginning. It was very cool to hear his process and reasoning for the conclusions he drew. After this case, the immediate start into the next one did lead to some confusion at times with how everything came together but this was resolved by the end. The investigation path was very clear, and this helped alleviate any confusion I had and instead turn that feeling into a suspenseful need to know what happens next.
I also appreciated the references to COVID and placing the book in a modern setting. This in my opinion allowed for all the cultural elements to really work, as they were real and directly connected to the world we are currently living in. I loved the acknowledgment of the lack of women in the detective field and how that's changing. I also loved the complex dynamics of race and how this played a role in the crime. The science explained around this topic, such as how witness misidentification increases across different ethnicities was especially compelling.
The only difficult thing for me was that there were a lot of characters, especially given that there were two unrelated crimes, so it was difficult to keep track of everything without a physical book to reference. That said, I loved how all these characters came together in the end and how everything wrapped up nicely. Although the ending was a bit fast, I loved the drama and how it tied up all the loose ends. I also loved how the first chapter tied into the last!
As someone who hasn't read the previous Harrison Lang books, I liked the quick introduction to Harrison through the event at the boys school at the beginning. It was very cool to hear his process and reasoning for the conclusions he drew. After this case, the immediate start into the next one did lead to some confusion at times with how everything came together but this was resolved by the end. The investigation path was very clear, and this helped alleviate any confusion I had and instead turn that feeling into a suspenseful need to know what happens next.
I also appreciated the references to COVID and placing the book in a modern setting. This in my opinion allowed for all the cultural elements to really work, as they were real and directly connected to the world we are currently living in. I loved the acknowledgment of the lack of women in the detective field and how that's changing. I also loved the complex dynamics of race and how this played a role in the crime. The science explained around this topic, such as how witness misidentification increases across different ethnicities was especially compelling.
The only difficult thing for me was that there were a lot of characters, especially given that there were two unrelated crimes, so it was difficult to keep track of everything without a physical book to reference. That said, I loved how all these characters came together in the end and how everything wrapped up nicely. Although the ending was a bit fast, I loved the drama and how it tied up all the loose ends. I also loved how the first chapter tied into the last!
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