Down Among the Dead

DC Rose Gifford #3

by C.S. Green

The incredible new thriller from C.S. Green – featuring Detective Rose Gifford If you go down to the woods today… When DC Rose Gifford is called to investigate the death of a woman in Elford Country Park, she knows there is more to the case than meets the eye. Suzette’s broken body was found at the foot of a climbing centre after a terrible storm – but this was no accident. Was it? You’re in for a big surprise… Suzette isn’t the only person to have died in the woods. The park has claimed three other young lives – and there must be a connection. And when the police discover that Elford is situated on an ancient plague pit, things take an even darker turn… What really happened out in the forest that night? And how many others will fall victim to the woods before Rose can crack the case?

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[Julie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant crime series. It’s got a bit of a supernatural element too which adds to the story.
Detective Rose Gifford and her colleague Adam investigate unusual crimes. When they are asked to look into the death of a woman at a climbing centre in the woods, it’s not clear straight away what happened.
When they find a creepy stick doll next to the body they know why they were called.
Upon further investigation they find other people have died who were linked to this woman but they can’t seem to understand why.
It all seems linked to the woods and an old myth about a girl who was buried alive but they can’t see how this relates to the present day.
Rose has some personal problems as well but does her best to stay focussed on the case.
This is a great read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love this series but this book didn't quite work for me. I'm not sure what it was. I love this series for being a supernaturally themed series but I couldn't quite get on board with the story and to be honest, I probably missed something when listening to the audiobook. I get the revenge side of things, and the creepy dolls, but I'm not sure if I was completely on board with it all.

I love Rose and I love Adam, and I love the spark they have.

The unfinished story of Rose's mum was a focal point at the end and now I fear that now we have some answers that there will be no more, plus what a sad conclusion. I did blitz through this book, but the book I felt didn't focus too much on the case but more Rose and her life that is spiralling.

I do hope the series continues as I love the flow of this series and I love the supernatural element of it. I think it adds something to it, gives it an edge and gives the author so much freedom to play with the blurry lines. One I think is great fun.

I just hope Rose has an easier time next book!

[Big Bertha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how much I liked the characters in this series, a mismatch of compelling characters make up the team at UCIT, a police department with a difference. UCIT or to give its full title Uncharted Crimes Investigation Unit, deals with crimes that lean towards the supernatural, a role with unique challenges that requires careful staffing all of them handpicked by DS Sheila Moony. Rose Gifford is the latest addition to the team.

When the broken body of a woman is found at the base of a climbing centre platform in the woods at Elford County Park, she's not alone next to her is a creepy doll made of twigs. With UCIT asked if they can throw any light on the doll its not long before their enquiries find a local expert and uncover the chilling history that connects the woods and this type of doll.

Perfect pacing, great characters and intrigue with a hint of the supernatural, if you like police procedurals and want something just a little bit different, give this series a whirl. You'll be glad you did.

The first two books left questions unanswered so I was pleased when this one was released and I was able to get those questions answered. A fitting sequel to a very readable series.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, C S Green and HarperCollins for the eArc of Down Among the Dead.

This is the 3rd book in the Rose Gifford Series and I read this as a standalone book which did very well. I tend to pick underlaying stories up pretty quickly and intend to read the 1st book, Sleep Tight and 2nd Book, The Whisper House.

When Rose Gifford gets called out to investigate a women's body found in Elford Country Park after a storm, she has a feeling that there is something more that meets the eye. I love this Police Protocol thriler with supernatural elements and even without these, it would still make a great book. C S Green has done a great job of bringing her characters to life, their underlaying stories and the struggles they cope with. It makes them easier to bond with and likeable... or not in some cases. The pacing of this book is medium, which is great for the twists, turns and the reveals.

Would like to see more of Rose Gifford and Ill definitely be reading more of CS Greens books in the future.

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Amazon/Bookbeat/Netgalley/ and Waterstones

[Sandra Leivesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a crime thriller with a hint of the supernatural so almost as soon as I'd finished book 2 I started this one. Rose and her UCIT team are called in to investigate the death of a women at a climbing centre at Elford Country Park and next to the body is a creepy stick doll known as a poppet. Just the mention of that doll sent shivers down my spine. The book is well written and perfectly paced with some good twists. We did get some answers to questions about Rose's backstory in this book and I felt very sorry for her as her personal problems started to spiral out of control. I really, really hope that there will be more books in this series.

Excellent narration by Lisa Coleman.

[Oundle Crime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never read anything by this author before but I really enjoyed this and will now be looking for more. It's a nice blend of police procedural and the supernatural! D.C. Rose Gifford is called to investigate the death of a woman in a country park. Her body has been discovered at the foot of a climbing centre after a terrible storm. Gifford doesn’t think it was an accident, not least because there have been three other deaths in the park. It’s a mysterious place, situated on an ancient plague pit and there’s definitely more going on than meets the eye. It’s a twisty story, full of atmosphere and menace.
Review by: Northumberland Gal, Oundle Crime

[Jane Shand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favourite so far. A really meaty mystery and Rose seems to be sorting herself out (will she actually find some kind of peace with her past?). The team have to work out if they are trying to solve a murder, an accident or a suicide. And is it linked to some other odd occurrences in the same woods? There ares till some bumps in the road for Rose both work related and personal. It definitely feels as if this is not the end of the series, I certainly hope there are more and the author left some plot points open so it would imply they mean to write more, but no sign of anything so far.

[Fiona Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent conclusion to a series I loved!

Only negative is that I want more!

The answers gained in this story were satisfactory and I was very happy that Rose is finding some happiness at last!

This story was full of tension and creepiness - the Poppets were horrifying even though they aren’t meant to be mean spirited as a whole. The action was good and the fast pace meant this was another day read.

I’m sad to not look forward to anymore UCIT adventures but can’t wait to try some of Green’s other novels.

[Tiffeny Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Tracey Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable third installment in what is turning out to be a cracking wee series of supernatural crime books.