What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Sebastian Locke #1
The Quiet Dead
Fifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children.
As a teenager, Hayley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother, and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home… and her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again.
He lied. But why?
Now, Hayley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until the call from Detective Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan… and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Leonard’s confession was false. He didn’t kill his family. So why did he say he did?
As DI Locke and the squad realise that a killer has been hiding in plain sight in the sleepy commuter town of Thamespark, the previously cold case becomes an urgent investigation. But as the squad gets closer to the truth of who really murdered the DaSilvas, it becomes clear that the culprit won’t hesitate to spill blood to keep their shocking secrets hidden…
An absolutely unputdownable police procedural with a shocking twist, introducing Detective Sebastian Locke. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Cara Hunter and Sharon Bolton will love this.
As a teenager, Hayley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother, and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home… and her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again.
He lied. But why?
Now, Hayley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until the call from Detective Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan… and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Leonard’s confession was false. He didn’t kill his family. So why did he say he did?
As DI Locke and the squad realise that a killer has been hiding in plain sight in the sleepy commuter town of Thamespark, the previously cold case becomes an urgent investigation. But as the squad gets closer to the truth of who really murdered the DaSilvas, it becomes clear that the culprit won’t hesitate to spill blood to keep their shocking secrets hidden…
An absolutely unputdownable police procedural with a shocking twist, introducing Detective Sebastian Locke. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Cara Hunter and Sharon Bolton will love this.
366 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2023
11 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
October 24, 2023
Actual Rating 2.5
Hayley’s family was brutally murdered when she was a teen and her father confessed to the killings, though the body of her young brother was never found. Years later, she receives a call from Detective Locke informing her that her brother’s body was found near their house and that there are holes in her father’s conviction. This means that the killer is still out there, hiding in plain sight. Will Detective Locke and Hayley be able to find the real identity of the murderer?
This story is told from multiple POVs. The characters were fine but nothing too compelling. What worked the best was the relationships that were included, especially with Detective Locke and his daughter. While the relationships weren’t necessarily plot relevant, it added much to the character development and overall immersion of the read. I did want a bit more concerning Lucy as she seemed like an interesting character, so hopefully she’ll be included more in Book Two.
I didn’t find the motivation for the father’s actions particularly convincing, and as it was a major plot point, that was a disappointment. It came to a point sometime after the first quarter where it felt like we were going over the same facts and thoughts over and over again, until things began to move a bit more in the last quarter. This certainly made for a slower and somewhat boring read for much of the middle of the work.
This was a decent slow burn mystery and drama. There wasn’t much tension, suspense, or action until very end, but the rest of the story was still quite enjoyable. I do think it started off much stronger than it ended, though. While I did mostly enjoy this read, it felt like it was missing several things to give it some real oomph and to make it memorable. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Hayley’s family was brutally murdered when she was a teen and her father confessed to the killings, though the body of her young brother was never found. Years later, she receives a call from Detective Locke informing her that her brother’s body was found near their house and that there are holes in her father’s conviction. This means that the killer is still out there, hiding in plain sight. Will Detective Locke and Hayley be able to find the real identity of the murderer?
This story is told from multiple POVs. The characters were fine but nothing too compelling. What worked the best was the relationships that were included, especially with Detective Locke and his daughter. While the relationships weren’t necessarily plot relevant, it added much to the character development and overall immersion of the read. I did want a bit more concerning Lucy as she seemed like an interesting character, so hopefully she’ll be included more in Book Two.
I didn’t find the motivation for the father’s actions particularly convincing, and as it was a major plot point, that was a disappointment. It came to a point sometime after the first quarter where it felt like we were going over the same facts and thoughts over and over again, until things began to move a bit more in the last quarter. This certainly made for a slower and somewhat boring read for much of the middle of the work.
This was a decent slow burn mystery and drama. There wasn’t much tension, suspense, or action until very end, but the rest of the story was still quite enjoyable. I do think it started off much stronger than it ended, though. While I did mostly enjoy this read, it felt like it was missing several things to give it some real oomph and to make it memorable. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 11, 2023
Although the novel started off strong and captivating, the story's momentum tapered off after 30% and it never picked back up for me.
Overall, an okay read. It didn't have that oomph or excitement I was looking for. I might be just a minority in this, as there are many high ratings. If you're a fan of slower-pacing mysteries, maybe give this novel a try.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, NJ Mackay, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Overall, an okay read. It didn't have that oomph or excitement I was looking for. I might be just a minority in this, as there are many high ratings. If you're a fan of slower-pacing mysteries, maybe give this novel a try.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, NJ Mackay, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
September 2, 2023
My Rating: 2⭐️⭐️ strong start… but fizzled out and became mundane…
Goodreads synopsis:
Fifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children.
As a teenager, Hayley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother, and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home… and her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again.
He lied. But why?
Now, Hayley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until the call from Detective Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan… and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Leonard’s confession was false. He didn’t kill his family. So why did he say he did?
As DI Locke and the squad realise that a killer has been hiding in plain sight in the sleepy commuter town of Thamespark, the previously cold case becomes an urgent investigation. But as the squad gets closer to the truth of who really murdered the DaSilvas, it becomes clear that the culprit won’t hesitate to spill blood to keep their shocking secrets hidden…
This book had a strange start, I liked the switching POVs, this was done without headings at the top which may become confusing for some people who really need those spelt out… but honestly it was pretty easy to follow. I really liked the premise of this book… but it largely disappointed me by the end.
I think the writing itself wasn’t too bad… it captivated me well enough from the beginning and there were no major issues… at the beginning you could feel the emotion in the writing. From about half way things kind of went downhill. I felt like the story was going around in circles a bit just to try to confuse the reader.
It really annoyed me that Hayley returned to her hometown which she hadn’t been to for 15 years or so but then just picked up right where she left off with certain friendships, frenemies and relationships… so much time had passed yet it was like she had never left. I found that to be a bit of a cop out… of course things had changed. She had changed… she was in a loveless marriage as arm candy… surely she would be less likely to trust people at the very least.
The police procedural part of this book was quite good… except that the big reveal / baddie was unveiled by some citizens gone rogue style detective work… Hayley just happened to work it out randomly… and of course she runs off into the night to confront the murderer of her whole entire family… ALONE!!! Why wouldn’t she…
I don’t really have too much to say…this book was fine… but not great. I think some of my GoodReads friends would probably like it… but those of you that have similar tastes to me… not so much… Pink, Carol, Anne - don’t bother it would be a lacklustre read for you I think.
I may consider reading book two just to give this author another try because like I said the writing was actually quite good for most of the book. I did like DI Sebastian Locke, he is a single dad trying to raise a teenage daughter… which is a new take on single parent that I haven’t read much and is nice to see a loving dad for a change. He did dip out on the investigation a lot to go home to his daughter which is great for her but not so much for the investigation. I also thought the dynamic between him and his partner was a good one… there were some loose ends that could have been tied up though…
As mentioned this was just missing something… but I didn’t hate it.
Thank you to Hera Books, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Goodreads synopsis:
Fifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children.
As a teenager, Hayley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother, and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home… and her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again.
He lied. But why?
Now, Hayley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until the call from Detective Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan… and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Leonard’s confession was false. He didn’t kill his family. So why did he say he did?
As DI Locke and the squad realise that a killer has been hiding in plain sight in the sleepy commuter town of Thamespark, the previously cold case becomes an urgent investigation. But as the squad gets closer to the truth of who really murdered the DaSilvas, it becomes clear that the culprit won’t hesitate to spill blood to keep their shocking secrets hidden…
This book had a strange start, I liked the switching POVs, this was done without headings at the top which may become confusing for some people who really need those spelt out… but honestly it was pretty easy to follow. I really liked the premise of this book… but it largely disappointed me by the end.
I think the writing itself wasn’t too bad… it captivated me well enough from the beginning and there were no major issues… at the beginning you could feel the emotion in the writing. From about half way things kind of went downhill. I felt like the story was going around in circles a bit just to try to confuse the reader.
It really annoyed me that Hayley returned to her hometown which she hadn’t been to for 15 years or so but then just picked up right where she left off with certain friendships, frenemies and relationships… so much time had passed yet it was like she had never left. I found that to be a bit of a cop out… of course things had changed. She had changed… she was in a loveless marriage as arm candy… surely she would be less likely to trust people at the very least.
The police procedural part of this book was quite good… except that the big reveal / baddie was unveiled by some citizens gone rogue style detective work… Hayley just happened to work it out randomly… and of course she runs off into the night to confront the murderer of her whole entire family… ALONE!!! Why wouldn’t she…
I don’t really have too much to say…this book was fine… but not great. I think some of my GoodReads friends would probably like it… but those of you that have similar tastes to me… not so much… Pink, Carol, Anne - don’t bother it would be a lacklustre read for you I think.
I may consider reading book two just to give this author another try because like I said the writing was actually quite good for most of the book. I did like DI Sebastian Locke, he is a single dad trying to raise a teenage daughter… which is a new take on single parent that I haven’t read much and is nice to see a loving dad for a change. He did dip out on the investigation a lot to go home to his daughter which is great for her but not so much for the investigation. I also thought the dynamic between him and his partner was a good one… there were some loose ends that could have been tied up though…
As mentioned this was just missing something… but I didn’t hate it.
Thank you to Hera Books, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.
August 24, 2023
DI Sebastian Locke #1
Fifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children. As a teenager, Haley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home.... her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again. He lied, but why? Now, Haley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until a call from DI Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan.... and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Lenord's confession was false. He didn't kill his family. So why did he say he did?
With great characterisation, I quite liked DI Sebastian Locke who has a complex backstory. I also liked his colleague, Lucy and the relationship they had. I was pulled in from the beginning. If Leonard DaSilva did not kill his family - who did? And what had happened to her nine-year-old brother Ethan? As the shocking truth emerges, more twists and turns are revealed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeraBooks and the author #NJMcKay for my ARC of #TheQuietDead in exchange for an honest review.
Fifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children. As a teenager, Haley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home.... her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again. He lied, but why? Now, Haley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until a call from DI Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan.... and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Lenord's confession was false. He didn't kill his family. So why did he say he did?
With great characterisation, I quite liked DI Sebastian Locke who has a complex backstory. I also liked his colleague, Lucy and the relationship they had. I was pulled in from the beginning. If Leonard DaSilva did not kill his family - who did? And what had happened to her nine-year-old brother Ethan? As the shocking truth emerges, more twists and turns are revealed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeraBooks and the author #NJMcKay for my ARC of #TheQuietDead in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2023
The Quiet Dead is a complex police procedural and is book 1 in a new series. The DI is a fantastic character and I definitely look forward to seeing more of him.
There were a lot of characters in this book and at times it got complicated. The author did a great job simplifying to ensure the reader kept up.
This is a slow burn novel, which I personally enjoy. I love to watch the story carefully unfold as it gives me a much needed glimpse into the characters.
Overall, a fantastic start to a new series. If done right, I think this has some real staying power like Karin Slaughter or Michael Robotham.
There were a lot of characters in this book and at times it got complicated. The author did a great job simplifying to ensure the reader kept up.
This is a slow burn novel, which I personally enjoy. I love to watch the story carefully unfold as it gives me a much needed glimpse into the characters.
Overall, a fantastic start to a new series. If done right, I think this has some real staying power like Karin Slaughter or Michael Robotham.
September 6, 2023
N.J. Mackay's THE QUIET DEAD is the first in a new series, DI Sebastian Locke #1 —a mystery surrounding a murder fifteen years ago comes to the surface. The killer is still out there, and the one behind bars is innocent in this whodunit suspense thriller.
Fifteen years ago, Hayley DaSilva, a rebellious teen, walked into a murder scene of her mother, twin brother, and friend, brutally slaughtered in her home, and her nine-year-old brother, Ethan, is still missing.
Her father, Leonard, confessed to the murders, but the brother, Ethan, was never seen again.
So why would the father confess to something he did not do? Who was he trying to protect?
Hayley is building a new life with a partner she is not crazy about.
Detective Sebastian Locke is on the case, and Haley has been brought back into her past when bones are uncovered in a shallow grave that belongs to her brother Ethan.
Someone is in the small town of Thamespark and the cold case has been brought to the present. Now, the investigation is in full swing to find the real killer. A big mystery to solve!
In the meantime, Hayley and her father have a lot of making up to do. A father she thought murdered her family is now untrue. So how will she get back all these years with him?
While I liked DI Locke, the personal and business side, the cop procedural part, and the narrator, the book started strong and slowly went downhill from there. I thought it was too drawn out with all the drugs, which I do not care for. I found myself fast-forwarding the audio to get to the end. My first book by the author, and I will try again.
The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, did a good job with the performance; however, the book was OK but did not hold my interest.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 5, 2023
My Rating: 3 Stars
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books
Fifteen years ago, Hayley DaSilva, a rebellious teen, walked into a murder scene of her mother, twin brother, and friend, brutally slaughtered in her home, and her nine-year-old brother, Ethan, is still missing.
Her father, Leonard, confessed to the murders, but the brother, Ethan, was never seen again.
So why would the father confess to something he did not do? Who was he trying to protect?
Hayley is building a new life with a partner she is not crazy about.
Detective Sebastian Locke is on the case, and Haley has been brought back into her past when bones are uncovered in a shallow grave that belongs to her brother Ethan.
Someone is in the small town of Thamespark and the cold case has been brought to the present. Now, the investigation is in full swing to find the real killer. A big mystery to solve!
In the meantime, Hayley and her father have a lot of making up to do. A father she thought murdered her family is now untrue. So how will she get back all these years with him?
While I liked DI Locke, the personal and business side, the cop procedural part, and the narrator, the book started strong and slowly went downhill from there. I thought it was too drawn out with all the drugs, which I do not care for. I found myself fast-forwarding the audio to get to the end. My first book by the author, and I will try again.
The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, did a good job with the performance; however, the book was OK but did not hold my interest.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 5, 2023
My Rating: 3 Stars
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books
August 4, 2023
The first book I've read by this author and it's a great one! The start might be a bit slower, but once you've gone through that, you're drawn more and more into the story and the characters.
15 years ago something awful happened, a family killed, a son missing, the daughter found them and the father was the killer. That's the start of the book. But now, the body of the missing brother is found and the confession of the father starts to fall apart. What if he didn't kill his family? What if the killer is still out there, after 15 years?
It started out a bit slow but once the story really started, it was a terrific read. The story itself is quite interesting and compelling. The characters were likeable and relatable which is great for a book.
4/5⭐
15 years ago something awful happened, a family killed, a son missing, the daughter found them and the father was the killer. That's the start of the book. But now, the body of the missing brother is found and the confession of the father starts to fall apart. What if he didn't kill his family? What if the killer is still out there, after 15 years?
It started out a bit slow but once the story really started, it was a terrific read. The story itself is quite interesting and compelling. The characters were likeable and relatable which is great for a book.
4/5⭐
August 11, 2023
The Quite Dead by @nikimackaywriter is a fantastic 5 ⭐ read..
Fifteen years ago Leonard DaSilva confessed to killing his wife and sons leaving his only surviving child his daughter Hayley devastated. but Leonard lied and now DI Sebastian Locke is reopening the case and the hunt is on to find the real killer before its too late..
I absolutely loved The Quite Dead from start to finish, I thought the story was brilliant I loved the character of DI Seb Locke I liked his family dynamic consisting of Seb his daughter Tilly and his mother in-law, it was refreshing to read about a single father who's working a demanding job along with the responsibilities of raising a teenage daughter also I liked the relationship he has with his mother in-law and I'm looking forward to reading more about the trio and how their family develops.
and of course there's Seb's wife & Tilly's mum Charile who's not in the picture at the moment but there's huge potential for a great story if and when that happens, I loved this story it was believable and I liked the character of Hayley DaSilva I enjoyed her journey I really did feel her emotions I literally had goosebumps when Hayley was talking I felt her pain of losing her family and of her letting her dad back in her life it got to the point where I couldn't put the book down, as the story was progressing with a mix of suspicious suspects each with a motive and secret I didn't have a clue who did it and I was shocked when the truth came out.
I loved the ending it was a perfect fit for the story and Hayley DaSilva, this is another brilliant book by Niki Mackay I love her style of writing and how she writes each character you can see the passion she has for each character she writes for and in yet to read a book by Niki Mackay that I don't like and I very much doubt that will happen. I highly recommend this book its utterly brilliant and totally unputdownable..
Fifteen years ago Leonard DaSilva confessed to killing his wife and sons leaving his only surviving child his daughter Hayley devastated. but Leonard lied and now DI Sebastian Locke is reopening the case and the hunt is on to find the real killer before its too late..
I absolutely loved The Quite Dead from start to finish, I thought the story was brilliant I loved the character of DI Seb Locke I liked his family dynamic consisting of Seb his daughter Tilly and his mother in-law, it was refreshing to read about a single father who's working a demanding job along with the responsibilities of raising a teenage daughter also I liked the relationship he has with his mother in-law and I'm looking forward to reading more about the trio and how their family develops.
and of course there's Seb's wife & Tilly's mum Charile who's not in the picture at the moment but there's huge potential for a great story if and when that happens, I loved this story it was believable and I liked the character of Hayley DaSilva I enjoyed her journey I really did feel her emotions I literally had goosebumps when Hayley was talking I felt her pain of losing her family and of her letting her dad back in her life it got to the point where I couldn't put the book down, as the story was progressing with a mix of suspicious suspects each with a motive and secret I didn't have a clue who did it and I was shocked when the truth came out.
I loved the ending it was a perfect fit for the story and Hayley DaSilva, this is another brilliant book by Niki Mackay I love her style of writing and how she writes each character you can see the passion she has for each character she writes for and in yet to read a book by Niki Mackay that I don't like and I very much doubt that will happen. I highly recommend this book its utterly brilliant and totally unputdownable..
September 14, 2023
This was the fist in a new police procedural series, and I enjoyed it. The plot was good and it kept me interested the whole time. The opening scene had me hooked, and the jump to fifteen years later kept me on the line. I’ll always cheer for trying to get an innocent man out of jail. Overall, a good first book in the series, I’ll definitely continue to read it.
15 years ago, a family was slaughtered. The 16 year old daughter discovered them after staying out last curfew, and found her mom, her twin brother and his friend all dead. She was found hysterical, covered in their blood, and her baby brother was missing. Her dad was arrested and he signed a confession. Now her little brother has been found and things aren’t adding up to the nice and neat little confession her dad signed. And as detectives start digging, it becomes clear that someone is willing to do anything to keep their secrets buried.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy to review, all thoughts are my own.
15 years ago, a family was slaughtered. The 16 year old daughter discovered them after staying out last curfew, and found her mom, her twin brother and his friend all dead. She was found hysterical, covered in their blood, and her baby brother was missing. Her dad was arrested and he signed a confession. Now her little brother has been found and things aren’t adding up to the nice and neat little confession her dad signed. And as detectives start digging, it becomes clear that someone is willing to do anything to keep their secrets buried.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy to review, all thoughts are my own.
September 15, 2023
Loved the premise of this book, and really enjoyed the characters, especially Hayley and Sebastian Locke. I thought it started off really strong and was hooked, but it really slowed down and ultimately lost my interest.
I thought the narrator did a great job, especially with the male and American accents. However, I would recommend people read the books vs listen to the audiobook because I found it somewhat hard to keep track of whose POV we were hearing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I thought the narrator did a great job, especially with the male and American accents. However, I would recommend people read the books vs listen to the audiobook because I found it somewhat hard to keep track of whose POV we were hearing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 12, 2023
After attending an outdoor party with her friends, teenager Hayley DaSilva arrived home to a bloodbath. Her mother, twin brother, & his friend had all been stabbed to death & her youngest brother, nine-year-old Ethan was missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, was arrested & imprisoned for the crime after he confessed to the murders. Hayley fled her past & moved to America. Fifteen years later, Detective Inspector Seb Locke receives a call to say that the bones of a young child have been found in a shallow grave. The bones are identified as Ethan DaSilva, & it looks as though he was killed shortly after the rest of his family. Why was he taken away & killed later though? Locke contacts Hayley DaSilva, now married & living a life of luxury, & she returns to the UK. When Locke uncovers evidence suggesting that Leonard DaSilva may be innocent, this sets off a chain of events that no-one could see coming.
The plot of this book is good, but the pace is rather slow. It's definitely more about weighing up the inconsistencies of interviews with witnesses, & looking at the holes in the previous investigation, rather than being focused on action. I liked DI Locke, he is a single father to a young teenage girl & the mother is not in the picture although her shadow casts a pall over home events at one point. Hayley is difficult to like at first as it seems she is hiding something about what happened to her family, but the reader gains sympathy for her as the story progresses. The only issue I really had, apart from the slow pace, was the shoehorning in of a couple of scenes with a female prison psychologist - as if there HAS to be some romance aspect in a book. They were so brief & there was no chemistry between the characters on the page, it felt a little out of step with the rest of the book. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The plot of this book is good, but the pace is rather slow. It's definitely more about weighing up the inconsistencies of interviews with witnesses, & looking at the holes in the previous investigation, rather than being focused on action. I liked DI Locke, he is a single father to a young teenage girl & the mother is not in the picture although her shadow casts a pall over home events at one point. Hayley is difficult to like at first as it seems she is hiding something about what happened to her family, but the reader gains sympathy for her as the story progresses. The only issue I really had, apart from the slow pace, was the shoehorning in of a couple of scenes with a female prison psychologist - as if there HAS to be some romance aspect in a book. They were so brief & there was no chemistry between the characters on the page, it felt a little out of step with the rest of the book. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 7, 2023
It is amazing to me how a cold case can begin so big, with the detectives on the case fleshing out the details, narrowing down the facts until the killer is revealed. Seb and Lucy, the detectives running the investigation, do an amazing job as there are a lot of characters to flesh out and talk to. So much so that I had a bit of a hard time keeping everyone straight. I do believe this is due to listening to the book vs. reading it. When the killer was revealed I was quite surprised! I liked Seb and it is obvious this will be a series based on him as we spend a fair amount of time with his family. To me this felt awkward as it leaves Lucy out of the picture. Perhaps she will not be in any future books?
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio book in exchange for my honest opinion. I would be willing to read a second book in this series, but I think I will read the book instead of listening to it.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio book in exchange for my honest opinion. I would be willing to read a second book in this series, but I think I will read the book instead of listening to it.
August 27, 2023
3.5 stars. Leonard DaSilva slaughtered his family one night, discovered the next day by his daughter Hayley. Youngest son Ethan was missing, but after Leonard's confession, everyone assumed he was dead and Hayley fled the country to start a new life. Fifteen years later, Ethan is found, and this raises some serious questions about whether Leonard was telling the truth all those years ago, threatening to upend Hayley's life yet again.
This was a really enjoyable mystery, and I was unable to predict how it would turn out in the end (which is always a bonus). I did find the sheer number of characters and relationships across generations and timelines pretty difficult to follow, but it did get easier as the story moved along. Just don't quiz me on any of those names of connections now, mkay? The audio narrator is excellent, and I thought the pacing of the story was perfect!
Thank you to NJ Mackay, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my advance audio copy.
This was a really enjoyable mystery, and I was unable to predict how it would turn out in the end (which is always a bonus). I did find the sheer number of characters and relationships across generations and timelines pretty difficult to follow, but it did get easier as the story moved along. Just don't quiz me on any of those names of connections now, mkay? The audio narrator is excellent, and I thought the pacing of the story was perfect!
Thank you to NJ Mackay, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my advance audio copy.
April 8, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Quiet Dead by N.J. Mackay is book 1 in the DI Sebastian Locke series. I liked the storyline and there was a good twist at the end but way too many characters! I was constantly confused and didn't have any clue who was who. By some point, I wanted to make a list just to keep up and probably this would be good advice for other readers :)
I mainly concentrated on Hayley, the main character. Fifteen years ago Hayley's mother and twin brother was murdered and her little brother went missing. Hayley's father was convicted and Hayley never visited him in prison. Hayley could not deal with the heavy truth so moved to America and changed her life. Now, when the bones of her little brother have been discovered Hayley returned to England but wasn't ready for reopening the case.
As I struggled to catch up with characters the twist didn't take me with a gasp or surprise as it could be anyone. But I liked how it was explained and how so many layers were out there. So once I understood the background I could agree that it was an unexpected twist!
I definitely recommend it!
The Quiet Dead by N.J. Mackay is book 1 in the DI Sebastian Locke series. I liked the storyline and there was a good twist at the end but way too many characters! I was constantly confused and didn't have any clue who was who. By some point, I wanted to make a list just to keep up and probably this would be good advice for other readers :)
I mainly concentrated on Hayley, the main character. Fifteen years ago Hayley's mother and twin brother was murdered and her little brother went missing. Hayley's father was convicted and Hayley never visited him in prison. Hayley could not deal with the heavy truth so moved to America and changed her life. Now, when the bones of her little brother have been discovered Hayley returned to England but wasn't ready for reopening the case.
As I struggled to catch up with characters the twist didn't take me with a gasp or surprise as it could be anyone. But I liked how it was explained and how so many layers were out there. So once I understood the background I could agree that it was an unexpected twist!
I definitely recommend it!
September 12, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It started off a little iffy for me but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it! I really enjoyed DI Sebastian Locke. Mackay wrote a great detective. He didn’t want to take the easy way out, use the simple answer. He continued to look for the truth even if it was more difficult and it took more time, energy, effort, and resources. We experienced his thoroughness and learned information as he learned it.
I also really enjoyed the mystery around who killed Hayley’ mom and siblings. It was interesting to read how it all played out, who did it, and why that person did it! I think Mackay ended this novel perfectly and I’m curious to see what situation DI Sebastian Locke finds himself in next!
I also really enjoyed the mystery around who killed Hayley’ mom and siblings. It was interesting to read how it all played out, who did it, and why that person did it! I think Mackay ended this novel perfectly and I’m curious to see what situation DI Sebastian Locke finds himself in next!
September 14, 2023
An excellent police procedural that kept on the edge and turning pages very fast as I wanted to know who did and why
Dark, twisty, surprising and welll written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Dark, twisty, surprising and welll written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 29, 2023
3.5
In the start of a new series N.J. MacKay, when a man confessed to a murder turns out to be innocent:
Hayley DaSilva walks in on a scene that no one should, the murder of her mother, brother, her brother's friend and her youngest brother missing and who was never found. He farther admits to the murder and is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. 15 years later, when a new development is being put in, small bones are dug up from the ground. They belong to Ethan DaSilva, he has finally been found. Hayley now lives in America in a new life, one where no ones knows that her family has been murdered. When she receives the phone call that Ethan has been found, she goes back to England and is forced to face the truth about what happens. DI. Sebastian Locke is assigned to the case and right away, he can tell that the case was not handled well and they were too quick to convict a man and the really murderer is out there. But 15 years has past, can DI Locke finally get justice for the DeSilva family?
I liked that Mackay does not do flashbacks other that what the characters remember, which is not much due to drugs and alcohol consumed at the time. I think that this made it harder to put the evidence together, for both the reader and the investigators in the book, as people are being asked to remember things from 15 years ago. There is never really a clear suspect within the book as the investigators continue their investigation, I enjoyed this, as it kept me on my toes in trying to figure out what happened back then and who has gotten away with murder. I will say I did not have it all figured out, which does not happen very often.
There are dual POV in this book, one of our investigator DI. Sebastian Locke and the only survivor of her family Hayley DeSilva and I did not mind this, but at the same time, I found that Hayley's POV were repetitive at times. She was not able to add much to the investigation, so I found some of her chapters felt slightly like filler chapters. They do make you care for Hayley as a character as you feel really sorry for her for what she has suffered, but that is not the point of the book, the point of the book is to solve what is now a cold case.
You have to admire DI Locke in the book, he is determined and wants everything done right, no matter where the truth may take him. I also like that Mackay took time to make Locke seem like a real person with having some of his family life shown in the book.
This was a good book and a good start to a series, I really enjoyed the cold case aspect and to me it seemed the investigation was on point. I hope that Sebastian and Lucy work together again, I think they had a good dynamic with each other. I would check out another book in this series.
Enjoy!!!
If You Like This,
Check These Out Too:
In the start of a new series N.J. MacKay, when a man confessed to a murder turns out to be innocent:
Hayley DaSilva walks in on a scene that no one should, the murder of her mother, brother, her brother's friend and her youngest brother missing and who was never found. He farther admits to the murder and is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. 15 years later, when a new development is being put in, small bones are dug up from the ground. They belong to Ethan DaSilva, he has finally been found. Hayley now lives in America in a new life, one where no ones knows that her family has been murdered. When she receives the phone call that Ethan has been found, she goes back to England and is forced to face the truth about what happens. DI. Sebastian Locke is assigned to the case and right away, he can tell that the case was not handled well and they were too quick to convict a man and the really murderer is out there. But 15 years has past, can DI Locke finally get justice for the DeSilva family?
I liked that Mackay does not do flashbacks other that what the characters remember, which is not much due to drugs and alcohol consumed at the time. I think that this made it harder to put the evidence together, for both the reader and the investigators in the book, as people are being asked to remember things from 15 years ago. There is never really a clear suspect within the book as the investigators continue their investigation, I enjoyed this, as it kept me on my toes in trying to figure out what happened back then and who has gotten away with murder. I will say I did not have it all figured out, which does not happen very often.
There are dual POV in this book, one of our investigator DI. Sebastian Locke and the only survivor of her family Hayley DeSilva and I did not mind this, but at the same time, I found that Hayley's POV were repetitive at times. She was not able to add much to the investigation, so I found some of her chapters felt slightly like filler chapters. They do make you care for Hayley as a character as you feel really sorry for her for what she has suffered, but that is not the point of the book, the point of the book is to solve what is now a cold case.
You have to admire DI Locke in the book, he is determined and wants everything done right, no matter where the truth may take him. I also like that Mackay took time to make Locke seem like a real person with having some of his family life shown in the book.
This was a good book and a good start to a series, I really enjoyed the cold case aspect and to me it seemed the investigation was on point. I hope that Sebastian and Lucy work together again, I think they had a good dynamic with each other. I would check out another book in this series.
Enjoy!!!
If You Like This,
Check These Out Too:
September 11, 2023
What a ride! I enjoyed the dual POV (though 3rd person), one the victim Hayley’s perspective, and the other, the detective Sebastian Locke’s perspective; it was interesting to see both sides and how they were working through the investigation and uncovering (or in Hayley’s POV— remembering) the past. The writing was gripping, and held my attention as I tried to figure out who did it— to no avail— the “whodunnit” took me by surprise. I also enjoyed the background we got on the characters, so that it wasn’t completely focused on the crime; for example, Detective Locke, who is a single dad of his daughter, Tilly, who is starting her teenage years without the help and guidance of her mom.
Thank you to Niki Mackay and Love Books Tours for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Niki Mackay and Love Books Tours for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 19, 2023
A police procedural that delves deep into the heart of the characters.
I wouldn’t say the end was exceptionally shocking - it kind of landed a little flat for me as the book wore on. I found the characters to be interesting, the multiple POVs a great way to tell the story, and the mystery behind it all mostly well revealed.
There were a few things that bothered me - her American boyfriend using English slang that felt odd? But also the kind of thrown together part of the main woman’s life. Didn’t really serve a purpose aside from showing how she dealt with her trauma.
I liked the romance threads a lot, loved Sebs home front views and his relationship with his daughter! I think I would have just liked there to be more mystery and “shock” at the end which was kind of just passed over.
My rating: 3.5*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own!
I wouldn’t say the end was exceptionally shocking - it kind of landed a little flat for me as the book wore on. I found the characters to be interesting, the multiple POVs a great way to tell the story, and the mystery behind it all mostly well revealed.
There were a few things that bothered me - her American boyfriend using English slang that felt odd? But also the kind of thrown together part of the main woman’s life. Didn’t really serve a purpose aside from showing how she dealt with her trauma.
I liked the romance threads a lot, loved Sebs home front views and his relationship with his daughter! I think I would have just liked there to be more mystery and “shock” at the end which was kind of just passed over.
My rating: 3.5*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own!
September 15, 2023
The cover photo of this book is quite intriguing and so is the book. I am glad that I read it. I really loved the plot of this book.
Thе bооk is а gripping аnd suspеnsеful rеаd thаt kееps thе rеаder hookеd until thе еnd. Thе аuthor creаtes а cоmplex аnd intriguing plоt thаt is full оf twists аnd turns, аs wеll аs а comрelling аnd sympаthеtic protаgonist in Lоcke. Thе bооk еxplorеs thеmes suсh аs trаumа, guilt, deceptiоn, аnd justice, аnd shоws how thе pаst cаn hаunt thе present.
Thе bооk аlso hаs а shоcking аnd sаtisfying conclusion thаt reveаls thе truth behind thе mystery. Thе bооk is wеll-written, fаst-pаced, аnd engаging, аnd I would recommеnd it to fаns оf crime fiсtion аnd psychologicаl thrillers. I would rаte it 4 out оf 5 stаrs.
Thе bооk is а gripping аnd suspеnsеful rеаd thаt kееps thе rеаder hookеd until thе еnd. Thе аuthor creаtes а cоmplex аnd intriguing plоt thаt is full оf twists аnd turns, аs wеll аs а comрelling аnd sympаthеtic protаgonist in Lоcke. Thе bооk еxplorеs thеmes suсh аs trаumа, guilt, deceptiоn, аnd justice, аnd shоws how thе pаst cаn hаunt thе present.
Thе bооk аlso hаs а shоcking аnd sаtisfying conclusion thаt reveаls thе truth behind thе mystery. Thе bооk is wеll-written, fаst-pаced, аnd engаging, аnd I would recommеnd it to fаns оf crime fiсtion аnd psychologicаl thrillers. I would rаte it 4 out оf 5 stаrs.
September 14, 2023
This was such a good book! I had no idea what the answers were til the very end! The characters I found very believable, as if they were any of your small town neighbours, and the main character detective a very likeable character as a single dad who adored his daughter …. the writing was so enthralling and detailed, and lots of back story on characters. I read it in 2 days, cause I just couldn’t wait to come back to the story! Very Karin Slaughter feel, without as much “gory details” (although still some)
I did this on audio and the narrator added to the story as well, as she did a fantastic job!
Thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC .. publish Date Sept 5 20233
October 1, 2023
Narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Quiet Dead" by NJ Mackay ⭐⭐⭐
In "The Quiet Dead," we delve into a family tragedy that captivates from the start. The narrative's pace is engaging, and the characters, including the husband, are relatable to varying degrees. This book would be a solid recommendation for fans of police drama, although it falls just short of earning a higher rating. While the story is intriguing, it lacks that extra something to truly make it stand out.
"The Quiet Dead" by NJ Mackay ⭐⭐⭐
In "The Quiet Dead," we delve into a family tragedy that captivates from the start. The narrative's pace is engaging, and the characters, including the husband, are relatable to varying degrees. This book would be a solid recommendation for fans of police drama, although it falls just short of earning a higher rating. While the story is intriguing, it lacks that extra something to truly make it stand out.
September 7, 2023
I do love a good book series and if this first outing is the standard then the Sebastian Locke series looks like it will be a cracker. I pretty much binged this one and of course now I have the regret of having to wait for the next instalment. Seb Locke is a great central character and the relationship with his colleague Lucy already feels pretty solid. There is a good balance between the investigation and his private life and he just ticks all the boxes for me. Highly recommended
September 19, 2023
I was sucked into this book from the beginning, and it gave me both ‘Unforgotten’ and ‘Line of Duty’ TV series vibes. The book had me guessing throughout and when I thought I was convinced with the plot, I was wrong and then was left guessing again. All the characters were great, and I really liked the main detectives, DI Locke and Lucy. I felt the emotions of the characters towards the end and that for me means the story was written so well. This is the first book in the DI Sebastian Locke Series, and I cannot wait to read the other books when they come out and see how the characters develop.
July 29, 2023
This book had a bit of a slow start, but ended up full of twists and turns. I liked the characters and am looking forward to any future books featuring DI Locke! He was determined and thorough, and that drive really carried the whole book!
September 2, 2023
I’m addicted already and very thankful that this is the first in a new series! I loved discovering Detective Sebastian Locke and Lucy, his partner in the investigation team.
Hayley DaSilva, a central character in this book, is scripted carefully and reflected well a person who had buried her traumas in order to survive. Seeing her rediscover who she was originally, was brilliantly and slowly revealed within the plot.
The dynamics between all the characters in this book worked so well, I felt I was standing there watching it all unfold.
This was never going to be an easy case for Seb and Lucy to solve, the ‘killer’ having confessed and been in prison for 15 years already. The grief behind this is quite palpable for the reader and the unknown threads kept me racing through the book, keen to see who really killed the DaSilva family.
A great read!
Hayley DaSilva, a central character in this book, is scripted carefully and reflected well a person who had buried her traumas in order to survive. Seeing her rediscover who she was originally, was brilliantly and slowly revealed within the plot.
The dynamics between all the characters in this book worked so well, I felt I was standing there watching it all unfold.
This was never going to be an easy case for Seb and Lucy to solve, the ‘killer’ having confessed and been in prison for 15 years already. The grief behind this is quite palpable for the reader and the unknown threads kept me racing through the book, keen to see who really killed the DaSilva family.
A great read!
September 1, 2023
Mackay does a wonderful job of combining the present, the past, and backstory for our protagonist into a well-crafted and riveting story. The characters are wonderfully written and have depth and the story draws you in with it's horrible premise: what if the wrong man has been behind bars?
This book is a slow start and I do wish the author had included a bit fewer characters as they got confusing to keep them all straight.
If the rest of the series is anything like this I will definitely have to continue with it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook
This book is a slow start and I do wish the author had included a bit fewer characters as they got confusing to keep them all straight.
If the rest of the series is anything like this I will definitely have to continue with it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook
September 16, 2023
No better birthday present (it was 9/14) for a book lover than a good book, and that’s just what I got! This psychological thriller/mystery book was impossible to put down. I could not guess who was to blame, and that is always exciting for me because it doesn’t happen often.
This was a great mystery/crime read. I was entranced with the mystery of who committed the heinous crime at the center of the story. The relationship building between families, friends, and romantic partnerships, both in the present and in the past, was intense and intriguing. The author delved deep into those relationships, and that is something I always enjoy. Really understanding those relationships is often the root of solving a mystery, and that was no different this time.
I was thoroughly surprised by the culprit, and that is always a pleasant surprise for me. It isn’t often an author can completely surprise me, and I’m always excited when it happens. It means they’ve managed to hide their clues well, and I’ve either managed to be a little distracted while reading or it’s been an excellent read. I think this time it’s been the latter.
I was drawn in from the first chapter and pulled along throughout. I really enjoyed the dual POV, and it was handled the way I enjoy it best – no repeats of the storyline, just new information each time. I enjoyed seeing the view of the detective who the series will follow alongside the girl whose family died, who I assume we probably won’t see in further novels. Or if we do, she won’t be a main character.
I really enjoyed meeting DI Sebastian Locke and will enjoy reading more by him. The development of his relationship with his colleagues, a potential new love interest, and his daughter were all done so well. Seeing a single dad was a refreshing perspective I hadn’t read before. I’ve definitely known single dads, so seeing their stories represented is great. Also, you frequently see dads represented as bumbling or ridiculous, so it was great to see a good dad, handling life with his daughter, and meeting the tough stuff head-on. I look forward to exploring that relationship further in future books especially.
Who’s It For?
Anyone who loves a good psychological thriller and mystery should enjoy this book. It is fast-paced with short chapters that move quickly. The mystery is very solid with lots of twists and surprises. But I somehow didn’t realize some of the triggers when I read the blurb, so be sure to check those if you have concerns for those.
Content Warnings: This book deals with several topics that may trigger some readers including, but not limited to, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, adult situations, adult language, child death, murder, suicidal ideation, disregard for human life, menstruation, blackouts, betrayal, infidelity, relationship abuse, and more.
This was a great mystery/crime read. I was entranced with the mystery of who committed the heinous crime at the center of the story. The relationship building between families, friends, and romantic partnerships, both in the present and in the past, was intense and intriguing. The author delved deep into those relationships, and that is something I always enjoy. Really understanding those relationships is often the root of solving a mystery, and that was no different this time.
I was thoroughly surprised by the culprit, and that is always a pleasant surprise for me. It isn’t often an author can completely surprise me, and I’m always excited when it happens. It means they’ve managed to hide their clues well, and I’ve either managed to be a little distracted while reading or it’s been an excellent read. I think this time it’s been the latter.
I was drawn in from the first chapter and pulled along throughout. I really enjoyed the dual POV, and it was handled the way I enjoy it best – no repeats of the storyline, just new information each time. I enjoyed seeing the view of the detective who the series will follow alongside the girl whose family died, who I assume we probably won’t see in further novels. Or if we do, she won’t be a main character.
I really enjoyed meeting DI Sebastian Locke and will enjoy reading more by him. The development of his relationship with his colleagues, a potential new love interest, and his daughter were all done so well. Seeing a single dad was a refreshing perspective I hadn’t read before. I’ve definitely known single dads, so seeing their stories represented is great. Also, you frequently see dads represented as bumbling or ridiculous, so it was great to see a good dad, handling life with his daughter, and meeting the tough stuff head-on. I look forward to exploring that relationship further in future books especially.
Who’s It For?
Anyone who loves a good psychological thriller and mystery should enjoy this book. It is fast-paced with short chapters that move quickly. The mystery is very solid with lots of twists and surprises. But I somehow didn’t realize some of the triggers when I read the blurb, so be sure to check those if you have concerns for those.
Content Warnings: This book deals with several topics that may trigger some readers including, but not limited to, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, adult situations, adult language, child death, murder, suicidal ideation, disregard for human life, menstruation, blackouts, betrayal, infidelity, relationship abuse, and more.
September 24, 2023
Here is my review of The Quiet Dead
This book was an intriguing read which I found to start off slowly, then begin what was a slow burn through approx half of the book, before picking up the tension and the pace, then it suddenly got much more interesting and my crime senses came alive and I really started to enjoy the book. The plot is interesting with lots missed out of the original shoddy investigation and a false confession to boot.The new team is a young dynamic duo, DI Locke and DC Quinn who work well together and are out for results. This book will tease you and have you asking questions but hopefully keep you engaged until the end. It’s worth it. This is book one, hopefully there will be another book to follow.
Blurb
One day on the building site where they are building some new homes in Thamespark, there is a shout from the digger when they notice what could be bones sticking out of the muck. The police are called. DI Sebesbation Locke and DC Lucy Quinn arrive with scenes of crime officers too. The bones are confirmed as human bones and then they find some material too, some M&S pyjamas, which they might be able to use to date the bones. They do this and find them to be fifteen years old so then they look at children missing from that period and come up with Ethan DeSilva. When they do the dental check, it’s a match. They have identified the child. He has been missing for fifteen years. Ever since there was a murder at his house.
That night, his mother Anita, brother Matthew and Matthew’s friend Ryan Dudley. Only Hayley DeSilva survived and is now living in America with her rich husband. Her father Leonard DeSilva was arrested at 5am by the police and confessed to four murders although Ethan’s body was never found.
When DI Locke looked over the original paperwork, he was shocked at the appalling lack of work put into the murder case once Leonard had confessed. It was a disgrace. Interviews were missing, leads not followed up, alibi’s not checked, he could go on. It was meant to be a simple case of tying up loose ends but Locke thought there was more to it than that.
When Locke is speaking to Leonard, he confesses to making a false confession. He did it because he thought his daughter had done the killings. So he had sat in jail for fifteen years doing time for a crime he didn’t commit. Consequently, it meant that a killer was on the loose in Thamespark somewhere. That meant a new enquiry had to be opened and DI Locke was put in charge with DC Quinn on the team too. He got more bodies to help him as well.
Who was the killer? No DNA evidence. Hard slog, questions all the way and hopefully, they strike lucky…..
This book was an intriguing read which I found to start off slowly, then begin what was a slow burn through approx half of the book, before picking up the tension and the pace, then it suddenly got much more interesting and my crime senses came alive and I really started to enjoy the book. The plot is interesting with lots missed out of the original shoddy investigation and a false confession to boot.The new team is a young dynamic duo, DI Locke and DC Quinn who work well together and are out for results. This book will tease you and have you asking questions but hopefully keep you engaged until the end. It’s worth it. This is book one, hopefully there will be another book to follow.
Blurb
One day on the building site where they are building some new homes in Thamespark, there is a shout from the digger when they notice what could be bones sticking out of the muck. The police are called. DI Sebesbation Locke and DC Lucy Quinn arrive with scenes of crime officers too. The bones are confirmed as human bones and then they find some material too, some M&S pyjamas, which they might be able to use to date the bones. They do this and find them to be fifteen years old so then they look at children missing from that period and come up with Ethan DeSilva. When they do the dental check, it’s a match. They have identified the child. He has been missing for fifteen years. Ever since there was a murder at his house.
That night, his mother Anita, brother Matthew and Matthew’s friend Ryan Dudley. Only Hayley DeSilva survived and is now living in America with her rich husband. Her father Leonard DeSilva was arrested at 5am by the police and confessed to four murders although Ethan’s body was never found.
When DI Locke looked over the original paperwork, he was shocked at the appalling lack of work put into the murder case once Leonard had confessed. It was a disgrace. Interviews were missing, leads not followed up, alibi’s not checked, he could go on. It was meant to be a simple case of tying up loose ends but Locke thought there was more to it than that.
When Locke is speaking to Leonard, he confesses to making a false confession. He did it because he thought his daughter had done the killings. So he had sat in jail for fifteen years doing time for a crime he didn’t commit. Consequently, it meant that a killer was on the loose in Thamespark somewhere. That meant a new enquiry had to be opened and DI Locke was put in charge with DC Quinn on the team too. He got more bodies to help him as well.
Who was the killer? No DNA evidence. Hard slog, questions all the way and hopefully, they strike lucky…..
September 4, 2023
Thank you to Hera Books, NetGalley, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 Stars.
Hayley Marriott (née DaSilva) is living as a trophy wife in New York City when her whole world is upended. The former life she ran away from comes barreling towards her charmed life. Fifteen years ago in the U.K., Hayley's mother and twin brother were brutally murdered as well as her brother's best friend. Hayley's youngest brother, Ethan, was nowhere to be found. The perpetrator? Hayley's own father, Leonard DaSilva. Back in present day, bones belonging to a child are uncovered during a construction project in Hayley's hometown. The police determine the child is Ethan DaSilva, sending Hayley to return to her past life and finally face her father after his supposed crimes.
The writing started off really strong and I was really interested in the story until we got to about 50% through. Sebastian Locke is a single dad with a teenaged daughter who is trying to balance his career and family. Sebastian doesn't believe Leonard committed these crimes which leads him to think about what he would do for his own daughter. Those are some heartfelt parts that make you go "aww" but don't necessarily add to the story but help build Sebastian as a multidimensional character. Mackay also does this with Hayley's story but it falls flat with the supporting characters. Hayley has been gone for over a decade with no contact, basically disappeared off the face of the Earth as far as her high school friends are concerned. She picks up all her past relationships as if nothing happened.
Once we get to about half way through, the story really really slows down. It's almost like Mackay realized she was going too fast, too soon and needed to buy time. The story starts taking the reader in circles trying to spin a twist that when the final reveal happens you don't care anymore because you're so exhausted from trying to keep everything straight with so many red herrings. But I guess that's how police work is, so therefore, it's well-written. Just not my cup of tea.
I do read a lot of thriller/mysteries. I wouldn't quite classify this a thriller per se. Definitely a police procedural, which is not my favorite, but I was interested in this after reading the synopsis. If you are a fan of police procedurals, this will most likely be a good read for you. Mackay's writing is good for the most part, but I'm not sure if I would read another police procedural from her.
2.5 Stars.
Hayley Marriott (née DaSilva) is living as a trophy wife in New York City when her whole world is upended. The former life she ran away from comes barreling towards her charmed life. Fifteen years ago in the U.K., Hayley's mother and twin brother were brutally murdered as well as her brother's best friend. Hayley's youngest brother, Ethan, was nowhere to be found. The perpetrator? Hayley's own father, Leonard DaSilva. Back in present day, bones belonging to a child are uncovered during a construction project in Hayley's hometown. The police determine the child is Ethan DaSilva, sending Hayley to return to her past life and finally face her father after his supposed crimes.
The writing started off really strong and I was really interested in the story until we got to about 50% through. Sebastian Locke is a single dad with a teenaged daughter who is trying to balance his career and family. Sebastian doesn't believe Leonard committed these crimes which leads him to think about what he would do for his own daughter. Those are some heartfelt parts that make you go "aww" but don't necessarily add to the story but help build Sebastian as a multidimensional character. Mackay also does this with Hayley's story but it falls flat with the supporting characters. Hayley has been gone for over a decade with no contact, basically disappeared off the face of the Earth as far as her high school friends are concerned. She picks up all her past relationships as if nothing happened.
Once we get to about half way through, the story really really slows down. It's almost like Mackay realized she was going too fast, too soon and needed to buy time. The story starts taking the reader in circles trying to spin a twist that when the final reveal happens you don't care anymore because you're so exhausted from trying to keep everything straight with so many red herrings. But I guess that's how police work is, so therefore, it's well-written. Just not my cup of tea.
I do read a lot of thriller/mysteries. I wouldn't quite classify this a thriller per se. Definitely a police procedural, which is not my favorite, but I was interested in this after reading the synopsis. If you are a fan of police procedurals, this will most likely be a good read for you. Mackay's writing is good for the most part, but I'm not sure if I would read another police procedural from her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews