Daniel Owen has spent the best part of ten years renovating his house when he finds the cellar. By falling through the floor.
The mysterious cellar has a mysterious door, and behind the mysterious door is a mysterious box … and in the box … there are clues to the shocking history of Daniel’s beloved home town.
A cold case is occupying Mal Kent’s time. A notorious car thief is released from prison. Town and police station gossip says the thief killed an old man years ago, and the minute he gets out, there’s another death.
If that wasn’t enough, Daniel and Mal have a wedding to plan and a honeymoon to agree. Then Daniel gets an offer he can’t refuse…
I'm really glad I came across this author and series. I loved the Welsh setting, how each case had so much local flair and how incredibly intricate the characters were interwoven with their heritage and also each other. The writing is brilliant and it puts you right there in the middle of the investigation, and also in the middle of each character's struggle. The characters are very well rounded and real and I loved the way the author ended Mals and Daniels journey here. I feel like there are still some loose ends and maybe there will be more- can't wait to read Charlie's series and to be honest every single book there is to read from this author. Hwyl fawr 🏴
I enjoyed this (as I do all of Hayes' books), but for me, it wasn't quite as strong as the previous DO books. First, Mal
Second, the mystery was intriguing, but it unfolded pretty slowly, and I would've liked to see a little more of Daniel's involvement, I guess.
Third, I felt like Daniel was getting bashed on all sides. Sasha, who's supposed to be one of his closest friends, really attacked him a bit and accused him of things that I felt were unfair. For instance, she claimed that he'd 'used' Hector to make Mal jealous. Now I could be misremembering that book, but from what I recall, Mal and Daniel weren't even dating yet when he and Hector hooked up, and Hector was kind of exploring his bisexuality. I do think Hector liked Daniel more than Daniel liked him, but I didn't get the feeling that Daniel had 'used' him, per se. She also accused Daniel of choosing his home in Wales over Mal -- which was somewhat true -- but that book, which I thought was a really intriguing look at Daniel's inner struggles (along with a compelling mystery or two), opened up Daniel's fears and depression. He let his own worries about being 'good enough' for Mal overwhelm him, but it wasn't malicious. And Sasha made it sound like Daniel had been horrible to Mal and cheated on him (they were broken up at the time). Plus,
All this to say, to me it felt like an unfair and exaggerated look at Daniel's role in his relationship with Mal, and I didn't really understand why Sasha didn't have his back more, I guess. Anyway, it wasn't my favorite book of the series because of the struggles both men faced, and I also felt like the ending was rushed a bit and some things just glossed over.
However, Hayes remains one of my favorite authors, and I will definitely continue to read the next book (which is supposed to focus on Mal's youngest brother). :)
A fitting finale to a great series - I'm sad to leave Dan, Mal and their supporting cast of colleagues, friends and extended family. The author winds things up quite well but leaves enough open for another possible (hope against hope) book. Two MCs from the author's other series make a surprising cameo appearance earlier on but no Charlie Rees alas!
Maldwyn Kent has all kinds of issues as the Chief Superintendent of the Melin Tywyll Police Station. Short of staff, the Royal Visit, no funding, a possible promotion, and dealing with Asst. Commissioner, Crime, Jack Bowen. Mal even has an idea to keep the Melin Tywyll PS open. Then there’s those domestic issues: renovation of the old cottage, Daniel studying to be an educator, animals to care for, what it would mean if he got promoted, family and an upcoming wedding. Is it just the ever mounting stress of the job that plagues Mal?
Daniel Owen is looking to start a new career in teaching. He’s also spending time finishing up renovations on his cottage. Melin Tywyll is his home and he hopes never to leave. There are also issues that are bothering Daniel too, as he watches Mal go through some changes.
All the issues will have Daniel and Mal both finding themselves soul searching on a past between them and misunderstandings along the way. Will they have a future to look forward too?
But everything will come to a halt, when the parole board makes a very bad decision to release Wesley Farrage. The morally deranged Farrange belonged in prison. The search for Farrange, a mysterious book, slavery and murder will have Mal doing what he can. Then Daniel will find himself getting deeper involved, but he’ll have the help of: Detective Inspector Bethan Davies, Abby Price, PC Baker, and Hector Powell. They will find themselves caught up in a twisted mystery of danger.
Ripley Hayes brings “Interwoven” an outstanding continuation of the “Daniel Owen Welsh Mysteries”. The novel brings: heartbreak, danger, lasting friendships, love and what the future might hold for Daniel and Maldwyn. I have to commend the author as she did an expert job at how important the structure of a complex investigation is and how important it is to work together for justice.
The story also addresses a sad history from the 18th and 19th century. Negro Cloth or Lowell Cloth that was imported from Europe mainly Wales. It sheds light on the book that Daniel finds in the basement. The author also addresses the hate, homophobia and grudges held in law enforcement.
This is also heart rending and a tear-jerker to see Mal go through a very sad and emotional time. He struggles so much with all the issues in his mind. To think Daniel would be so selfish and leave him, especially in a time of great need. Daniel, in a way, neglected himself for his great concern over Mal.
I loved that Peter Tudor and Lorne Stewart from the “Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery” series, got a cameo. Lorne brings just a touch of his own magic to the story. This is another series by Ripley Hayes that is very well done.
If I was not aware of the “Daniel Owen Welsh Mysteries” series, this would be the book that would have me reading the entire series from the first book “Undermined.” I highly recommend “Interwoven” it’s riveting, a tear-jerker, filled with thrills, suspense and hope for a future. “Interwoven” is suppose to be the last book in this series, but never say never, maybe Ripley Hayes will surprise us!
It was good to be back with Daniel and Mal although they do go through quite a tough time. I had totally misread the blurb as I thought that the body was found in the cellar and so was a little surprised. A good murder mystery and a lovely ending. I am hoping we might be back from time to time to see whats happening in their little corner of Wales.
Well this had a shocker of a beginning which set the tone for the rest of the story. Mal's health isnt functioning at 100%, Daniel falls through the floor into a cellar he didnt know he had, Mall's nemesis Jack is making life more difficult that it needs to be and there are fewer resources than normal making the load heavier than it needs to be. Generational greed comes in to play and a modern slavery ring is uncovered along with bodies and arson. The boys do eventually get their HEA but not before some serious soul searching. Wonderful series, fabulous characters and terrific story lines every time.
Not the greatest ending to the series, and the blurb is deliberately misleading to make the book sound more interesting than it is - I mean, that aspect barely gets delved into.
This series does need to be read in order, but seriously, the toxicity present in Mal has only increased, not decreased, despite a rapprochement with his estranged family. The guy treats Daniel like less important, and Daniel seems to just take it. I did like that Daniel's become more comfortable with his decision to quit the force, but he's also kind of in the thick of things with his detective's mind that doesn't rest. But, of course he's not really appreciated or thanked and some of Mal's put downs jarred. With me, but seemingly not with Daniel. That's a relationship that needs serious therapy if it's going to survive. Yes, they've come a long way and there are reveals and things end up in a good place for the leads and side characters, but you get the impression that there's micro resentments from more than one 'friend'. Some of it is hashed out, I think to close off the tale with knowledge that things are out in the open, but was it really necessary? Not sure. It felt like hurting each other needlessly. Still, worth a read in KU, not as a paid-for read.
What a fantastic final installment (please say it’s not so) to the Daniel Owen Welsh Mysteries. As a newbie to the series, I’m sure it’s better to read them in order; however, Hayes manages to integrate enough backstory without it being boring that I never felt lost. Instead, I settled into a comfy chair and read it all in one sitting. Between the scare that may put a wrinkle in the wedding plans to the mysterious box mentioned in the blurb to the cold case and all its threads, this was a mystery that had layers upon layers, making it hard to put down in the very best ways. Brilliant.
This is another fabulous addition to the Daniel Owen series (which I really hope doesn't end here, despite the author notes at the end!). This one has a lot of focus on Mal, issues he is facing, and the very realistic push and pull of a relationship where communication about hard stuff isn't always easy. Daniel, as usual, is in the thick of things and there's some angst, some adventure, some pulling at the heart strings - a little something for everyone, in the best possible way. As always the Welsh setting is vividly depicted, and practically another character in the book. Highly, highly recommended!
Mystery wise it was interesting and exciting as I have thought the series ended at book 5. There were bits and pieces that kept the suspense going.
Romance - I'm not too please to learn that Mal blames Daniel here and there. I gather he is afraid of being abandoned.
I rather like the earlier books without much of the sex coz it seems forced and not cozy as how people in love should be. I'm not really sure of their relationship.
For a mystery lover, I prefer more mystery but I gather since I have read all of the books on the series - the domestic part is something I can accept. Though as mentioned, I'm not sure of their relationship. Mal hardly sympathized with Daniel's leg sprain unlike Daniel who cared and worried through for Mal.
Oh well . Probably the author could have another book reflecting a healthier relationship with another mystery finding on the sidelines..
In the meantime I've devoured the whole series. And I love it. I wish there were more books. The author creates interesting, complex crimes, well interwoven in the whole setting. In addition the MCs go through several personal developments, each on their own and as a couple. The writing is excellent, the atmosphere is spot on, the people are all real individual characters, each side character well fleshed out. Even the fact that sometimes not all crimes get punished as you wish as a reader fits perfectly in the whole setting. Very satisfying read, love the romance as well as the crime plots. Higly recommended series.
Daniel had been renovating his house for years when he found a cellar that had been covered up. In that cellar, he found a box, which led to finding clues about the history of his hometown. Mal is dealing with a cold case and a car thief who was released from prison. Mal is also dealing with health issues that get in the way of his work.
This was an okay book. I hadn't read anything else in the series, but I didn't feel that I needed to read previous books to understand the characters and their relationship. It was a good book, and I enjoyed it, so I might go read earlier books to see how their relationship developed.
This is supposedly the final book in the Daniel Owen Welsh Mysteries series and it is a corker. Ripley Hayes has said that it is the last planned book but she is not willing to saying that there will be no more. Here's hoping. I had loved all of Ripley's books. The stories are good and they are so well written. They are all on my to be reread list. Daniel and Mal are facing both professional and personal challenges but all I could do was hope that they will come through unscathed. If you are new to the series please start reading at book 1. Definitely worth reading and highly recommended.
Excellent! Daniel goes down a rabbit-hole investigating the history of his lodge. You can’t take the policeman out of him. Mal is having health issues on top of a hit and run victim murder investigation. It lovely to see how strong their relationship was to see things reversed, Daniel taking care of Mal for once. And I loved how the story all ties the threads together, how all their friends work together as well. This was a perfect ending for the series, yet I hope more will come. Maybe a spin-off series?
Another peek into Daniel and Mal’s life as they head for the wedding bells! As the title indicates, a number of seemingly unrelated incidents are interwoven, especially linked by the Preece family. With Daniel’s house previously owned by them, he is pulled in as well. Mal has terrible news and both of them struggle to accept.
By the sounds of it, perhaps the last book, but as we others from the authors books pop in here, maybe we will hear from them again. But a new Welsh police series to come!
I’ve been so excited for the release of this book, then dreaded reading it, since it would be the end of the series. Of course once I started, I couldn’t put it down, something I may regret as it’s just an hour from sunrise now. What a satisfying final mystery for the Daniel Owen books. Thanks, Ripley Hayes, for this wonderful conclusion. I can’t wait to start the new series!
Anything Ripley Hayes writes is ok by me but this is an excellent conclusion to an interesting, well written police procedural series - with 2 well defined, contrasting and flawed lead characters. The murder is based firmly in current day issues but is only half the story, as the relationship between Daniel and Mal is very much at the heart of proceedings. Brilliant but I do recommend you start at the beginning, with ‘Undermined’.
Feeling pretty bittersweet about this one as I loved the book, but did not love that it looks like it might be the end for this series…or at least the end for now. Daniel and Mal have been through some things and I have loved seeing them navigate through many mysteries and they will be missed.
I was hesitant to start this series at the 7th book, but there was no way I was going to be able to read all previous 6 books to get to the 7th for the challenge I’m reading it for. I really liked it, and so when it was over I went right back and started with Underminded and wow, I am really enjoying seeing how things originated.
This is one of the best in the series, and an excellent conclusion (allegedly? though we can hope?) to Mal and Daniel's story. A must-read for all existing fans! Readers not already familiar with the series should probably start st the beginning.
Another great murder mystery. I love that each one has a current, real life issue. But more than that I love the characters. I only just discovered this series and I’ve binge read it, sad this is the last. I hope the author is already working on the next one.
This has been a steady series, nothing to ground breaking. I didn't like this as much as some of the other books in the series. Dan and Mal finished things off on the right note, Mal got on my nerves most of the book, he was so angry for most of it and i got tired of him.
Probably shouldn't have started with book 7, but I did. I liked the communication between the two, but I did feel like I was missing out. I will probably go and start the series again.