Making of a Murderer

DCI Matilda Darke #10.5

by Michael Wood

‘DCI Matilda Darke is the perfect heroine ’ Elly Griffiths ‘Matilda Darke is an excellent character’ BA Paris A MISSING TEENAGER When Sharon Mackintosh allows her teenage daughter to pick up a friend late one evening, she doesn’t expect to find the police on her doorstep the next morning. The body of a young woman has been found in the boot of a car and the police think it’s her daughter. AN ABANDONED CAR DCI Matilda Darke and her team are called in to investigate the murder. The body has been left in such a peaceful way, she could almost be sleeping, except for the trauma to the back of her head. A CRIME OF PASSION With the body of one teenager in the morgue and a second missing, Matilda’s on borrowed time. But when new information comes to light about the identity of the missing teenager, her investigation takes a dark turn back to the past… ‘Dark and twisted’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book had me gripped and reading through the night’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is one of the darkest books I've read for a very long time, but Michael in his usual way handles it brilliantly’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My new favourite author’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly fantastic’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fast-paced’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Bleak and chilling… highly recommended’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Crime, Short Stories, Suspense

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2023

Reviews

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Matilda Darke is back in another gripping prequel story which I read in just one sitting it was that good!

As Matilda, Sian and new team member DC Rory Fleming are called in when a body of a teenage girl is found in the boot of a car.

And the case soon gets weird. As the victim (Daisy) was reported missing by her mum along with her friend Andrew. Whom she was supposed to be meeting and who Sian swears she recognises. She just doesn't know where from.

But it doesn't take long for the team to learn why Sian knew his face. As Matilda's husband James arrives with shocking news.

News that turns the investigation on its head and has Matilda looking to the past and questioning everything. Especially when Adele reveals that Daisy died of natural causes.

So why make it look like murder?

And where is Andrew now?

That's what Matilda is determined to find out. Even if that inadvertently means putting herself and James in danger.

And with Michaels signature twists, shocks and humour. Not to mention a happy reminder of characters past. This was a cracking unputdownable read and reminder of just what an awesome series this is. 😊

I'd one hundred percent recommend to all.

[Tonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short prequel to the Matilda Darke series.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Wood’s Making of a Murderer is a gripping prequel to the DCI Matilda Darke series, delivering a chilling murder investigation packed with twists and emotional depth. Wood masterfully explores Matilda’s early days as a detective, blending complex character development with fast-paced storytelling. Both newcomers and long-time fans will find this atmospheric and suspenseful read utterly compelling. A must for crime thriller enthusiasts.

[Rosemarie Swayze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making of a Muderer

This book holds you from start to finish, thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in the series

[ReadandRated · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars from me  

I am so happy when a new Michael Wood book is released and snapped this one up as soon as I saw it advertised!

Knowing it was a short story was bittersweet - I knew I would be devouring it in one sitting and then it would be done. But. I couldn't help it, I had to dive straight in.

Needless to say it was like dipping into a favourite and comfy pair of slippers and as ever with Michael's books, within just a few pages I felt at home. He is a gifted author and has such a skillful way of making characters come to life on the page. I completely love DCI Matilda Darke and her team and reading about the early days with much loved characters was a delight.

Making of a Murderer is a brilliant read - superbly measured suspense and with a fair sprinkling of Michael's trademark darkness. It really is testament to his skill that even a short story can pack such a punch in terms of a well-defined back-story and perfectly crafted characters. 

DCI Matilda Darke is the perfect heroine and I love reading about her. This series surely must be televised - I can picture them all, I can see the offices and I cannot wait for them to come alive on the screen. A series this good must be shared wider and needs to join the ranks of Banks, Vera and Morse. It's incredible and a cannot wait for the next installment.

If you are new to the Matilda Darke series - you are in for a treat:

Making of a Murderer
The Fallen
For Reasons Unknown
Outside Looking In
A Room Full of Killers
The Hangman’s Hold
Stolen Children
The Murder House
Time Is Running Out
Survivor’s Guilt
The Lost Children
The Seventh Victim

And out on audio book only: Vengeance Is Mine and Chapter One.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Wood is one of my favourite authors and especially the DCI Matilda Darke series so I was always going to read this short story. This thriller is an excellent read and doesn’t have the feel of a short story due to the fact that I am already familiar with the characters.

A young woman’s body is found in the trunk of a car and DCI Matilda Darke is leading the investigation. Sharon Mackintosh had allowed her teenage daughter to pick up a friend late one evening but is alarmed when the police turn up on her doorstep the next morning. The police believe that the dead body is her daughters. With the body of one teenager in the morgue and a second missing, Matilda’s needs to act fast. But new information surfaces about the identity of the missing teenager which takes a dark turn back to the past.

This book is well written and is full of emotion and suspense making it a very good read. A well thought out plot, the usual excellent characters and very well paced make this book a great addition to the series.

Looking forward to the next full length novel.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book cover is misleading. It’s a Short story so it’s not as complex as the full novel. It was quite an easy case but it’s nice to meet the familiar cast again. Although not a lot of banter and team work due to the length of the book. It’s not enough I need a full story. Please publish the next book soon.

[Renny Barcelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

You, sir, is a cruel man, Michael Wood.

This book tear us apart. It's so good to see Matilda happy and in love, to see Sian still with a stable family, Rory and Chris alive… the mystery is also excellent.

But then, by the end… oh my. Wood has to put the finger on our wounds directly and profoundly. 😭

[Valerie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Michael Wood is an excellent author his books have you on edge and wanting to never sleep as you just can't stop reading them,this book was excellent and very enjoyable even though it was only a short story.

[Kim Snaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wood's idea of a short story is much more fleshed out than you'd expect: this is a generous helping of Matilda Darke and a murder mystery with enough meat to keep you gripped. It's a treat to get a glimpse at a younger Darke, with her husband James by her side. A must-read for fans of the series, and every bit as enjoyable as the mainline entries.

[TonyaStark · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘When you have a child,’ Adele began, ‘you look after them and hope to teach them right from wrong. You raise them to always do the right thing. When they don’t, well, some things are forgivable, but I suppose, from Nigel’s point of view, he felt a need to protect his son through everything.’

[David Dowling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short Stories arent my favourite.

As stated i dont really like short stories. But this one would be one of favourites from those ive read.
Good story and quite enjoyable but the ending is a bit weak

[Ellie Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally was going to skip past this short story but decided to give it a go. Really glad I did! It was a fast paced interesting case, it jumped back to a time where Matilda’s husband James was around and gave a nice insight to what life was like for them.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you will get a humdinger of a read when it is written by Michael Wood. The story is well written and flows really well. The plot is full of twists and turns. It ends with a flourish.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite series.

[sam Towle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written prologue! I’m hoping another part will be winging its way to us soon to fill in the background to Mathilda.s young widowhood - oh and another murder too please Mr Wood..

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great prequel to the Matilda Darke series. I loved it.

[Emily Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story. A young woman is found dead in the trunk of a car. The police are looking for a young man who was with her the night she died. Unexpected ending.

[David Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Yes

Ih yes A Very good Story..Matilda and Her Team have to have their wits about them .and Help comes from an unusual source

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so nice to meet a happy Matilda

[WR · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tragedy!😪

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Michael Wood's best; I can't believe that I nearly didn't read it, just because it was a 'half' numbered book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to the Matilda Darke series.

A woman is discovered in the boot of her mum's car.

I enjoyed this one more than the other two.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic short story by the author, I’m reading these in order and much as I like that we read a different timeline and glimpse a peek into a Matilda’s past, my heart cannot cope, especially this ending as we know exactly what is coming up.

If ever a series need a ‘Dallas dream’ set up it’s this, Can Matilda get out of the shower and spot James and we the readers can just have a 10 book dream? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Quick palate cleanser novella if you like this world.