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David Raker #11
Nářek drozda
DÁVNÁ VRAŽDA. NEVYSVĚTLITELNÉ ZMIZENÍ. A DĚSIVÉ TAJEMSTVÍ, KTERÉ JE SPOJUJE.
Krátce před nehodou zachytí Cate a Aidena Gascoigneovy na silnici dopravní kamera. Smějí se a všechno se zdá být v naprostém pořádku. Pouhých pár vteřin nato se jejich auto zřítí do třicet metrů hluboké propasti, kde okamžitě vzplane jako pochodeň.
Takovou nehodu nemohli manželé přežít. Jenže když se hasičům konečně podaří ohnivé peklo uhasit, čeká na ně překvapení. Ve voze ani v blízkém okolí nenajdou žádná těla nebo ohořelé ostatky. Po Gascoigneových se slehla zem.
Po dvou a půl letech se zoufalá rodina obrací na soukromého vyšetřovatele Davida Rakera, který se ihned pouští do rozplétání záhady. Proč sjelo auto Gascoigneových ze silnice? A kam se manželé poděli? Chtěli předstírat vlastní smrt? Ale proč zrovna takhle? A kvůli čemu? Nebo komu?
Před Davidem Rakerem se vrší otázky bez odpovědí. A to ještě netuší, jaké hrůzné tajemství pod vrstvami lží objeví a že se při honu za pravdou sám stane lovnou zvěří.
Krátce před nehodou zachytí Cate a Aidena Gascoigneovy na silnici dopravní kamera. Smějí se a všechno se zdá být v naprostém pořádku. Pouhých pár vteřin nato se jejich auto zřítí do třicet metrů hluboké propasti, kde okamžitě vzplane jako pochodeň.
Takovou nehodu nemohli manželé přežít. Jenže když se hasičům konečně podaří ohnivé peklo uhasit, čeká na ně překvapení. Ve voze ani v blízkém okolí nenajdou žádná těla nebo ohořelé ostatky. Po Gascoigneových se slehla zem.
Po dvou a půl letech se zoufalá rodina obrací na soukromého vyšetřovatele Davida Rakera, který se ihned pouští do rozplétání záhady. Proč sjelo auto Gascoigneových ze silnice? A kam se manželé poděli? Chtěli předstírat vlastní smrt? Ale proč zrovna takhle? A kvůli čemu? Nebo komu?
Před Davidem Rakerem se vrší otázky bez odpovědí. A to ještě netuší, jaké hrůzné tajemství pod vrstvami lží objeví a že se při honu za pravdou sám stane lovnou zvěří.
440 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2022
393 people are currently reading
3004 people want to read
About the author
Tim Weaver
56 books1,606 followersTim Weaver is the Sunday Times Top 3 bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series, the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces, and the novella collection, The Shadow at the Door. His novels have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club four times, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. He is currently developing an original TV drama with the team behind Line of Duty. He lives near Bath in the UK. Find out more about Tim and his writing at www.timweaverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
March 22, 2022
*4.5 stars*
Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are caught on CCTV, driving along a country lane, looking perfectly happy, however, 10 seconds later their car plunges 90 foot down a ravine. But, here’s the thing, rescuers arriving at the scene can find no evidence of the couple, they have simply disappeared!
The first chapter ensures that the reader will stay with this mystery - simply desperate to know what happened to Cate and Aiden, especially as the mystery deepens, and explores many avenues along the way.
Why have I never read Tim Weaver’s books before? Big mistake! This was a terrific read. It’s quite complex, so your full attention will be required, but you will be richly rewarded with a storyline that is clever, tense, pacy, and with an addition of many twists to keep you on your toes. Highly recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are caught on CCTV, driving along a country lane, looking perfectly happy, however, 10 seconds later their car plunges 90 foot down a ravine. But, here’s the thing, rescuers arriving at the scene can find no evidence of the couple, they have simply disappeared!
The first chapter ensures that the reader will stay with this mystery - simply desperate to know what happened to Cate and Aiden, especially as the mystery deepens, and explores many avenues along the way.
Why have I never read Tim Weaver’s books before? Big mistake! This was a terrific read. It’s quite complex, so your full attention will be required, but you will be richly rewarded with a storyline that is clever, tense, pacy, and with an addition of many twists to keep you on your toes. Highly recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
May 13, 2022
This is a stellar addition to Tim Weaver's superb crime series featuring the widower David Raker, Missing Persons Investigator with a daughter, Annabel. Catherine 'Cate' and Aiden Gascoigne are 37 years old, who have been together 9 years, and happily married for 5 years. Living in Twickenham, Aiden is a Creative Director at a Soho web design company and Cate is a talented full time photographer. On their way to dinner at Reigate, the couple are recorded laughing together on CCTV before their car plunges down a 90 foot ravine and bursts into flames. The fire crew arrive very soon after, but find themselves facing what appears to be an impossible scenario, Cate and Aiden's bodies are not in the car. With numerous conspiracy theories to be found online, and the media referring to it as The Mystery of Gatton Hill, it remains unsolved two and a half years later.
The tormented and anguished parents of Cate, Martin and Sue Clark hire Raker, and feeling their emotional distress, he does what he shouldn't, he promises them he will get to the truth. However, he has no idea just how dangerous, macabre, and twisted the case will turn out to be, as he delves into Cate and Aiden's lives, and is looking to interview 2 witnesses, Audrey Calvert and Zoe Simmons, who came upon the site of the burning car almost immediately. He gets help accessing the police files and photographs on the incident from a Met source, Ewan Trasker, and works his way through the couple's phone records that he gets from Spike, the hacker. Raker finds himself forced to go on the run as he follows leads that point to Northumberland, and a 30 year old unsolved case of 3 murdered women, a case worked by DI Makayla Jennings.
This turns out to be merely the the tip of the iceberg in a chilling and menacing narrative that goes on to reveal a staggering number of murders over the years, and a extraordinarily intelligent serial killer who has no intention of getting caught. Raker is a remarkably tenacious and determined investigator, even when the pressures and dangers threaten to derail the case, and he has the added complications of trying to keep Colm Healy safe. This is a wonderfully complex, riveting and engaging read that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end with its sky high levels of suspense and tension. This will appeal to crime and mystery readers who love truly twisty. thrilling and superior crime fiction, and I think that this can reasonably be read as a standalone if you have not read any of the series before. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
The tormented and anguished parents of Cate, Martin and Sue Clark hire Raker, and feeling their emotional distress, he does what he shouldn't, he promises them he will get to the truth. However, he has no idea just how dangerous, macabre, and twisted the case will turn out to be, as he delves into Cate and Aiden's lives, and is looking to interview 2 witnesses, Audrey Calvert and Zoe Simmons, who came upon the site of the burning car almost immediately. He gets help accessing the police files and photographs on the incident from a Met source, Ewan Trasker, and works his way through the couple's phone records that he gets from Spike, the hacker. Raker finds himself forced to go on the run as he follows leads that point to Northumberland, and a 30 year old unsolved case of 3 murdered women, a case worked by DI Makayla Jennings.
This turns out to be merely the the tip of the iceberg in a chilling and menacing narrative that goes on to reveal a staggering number of murders over the years, and a extraordinarily intelligent serial killer who has no intention of getting caught. Raker is a remarkably tenacious and determined investigator, even when the pressures and dangers threaten to derail the case, and he has the added complications of trying to keep Colm Healy safe. This is a wonderfully complex, riveting and engaging read that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end with its sky high levels of suspense and tension. This will appeal to crime and mystery readers who love truly twisty. thrilling and superior crime fiction, and I think that this can reasonably be read as a standalone if you have not read any of the series before. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 6, 2022
Briefly - Classic Raker/Weaver so the 4.5/5 is happily rounded up. Loved the ending and laughed aloud...
In full
It was great to be reading the 11th David Raker book by Tim Weaver. I thought that the opening was excellent. A car crash that no one could have survived, so where are the bodies? Two witnesses were there within a couple of minutes of it happening and saw no one emerge from the car and there are no bodies in the burnt out car. The book follows Raker's investigation into their disappearance on behalf of the family.
I guess anyone who has read previous books in the series will have an idea of what might happen. If you haven't tried these books and enjoy a good thriller then do start from an earlier book to get the background stories of the main characters (maybe book 3!). It becomes increasingly tense and pacey. The twists and turns are very good. Some of the people from previous books are in this and Raker does get to meet some new characters too.
Overall and for me this is classic Weaver/Raker stuff. It's very well written and has a pace that kept me with it all along. I do love the "impossible mysteries" that Weaver sets for Raker to solve. This is probably one of the better ones too as far as I'm concerned. It's good to see Healy around again as well as some of the other smaller part characters from previous books. The presence of "old friends" is always good! It seems possible to me that Raker will have gained some new friends for the future too perhaps. I do have a minor reservation with an aspect of the plot here however I dislike spoilers and, taking the book overall, it was a small matter. Fans should be very happy with this latest outing for Raker - it was good to be reading one of his stories again.
So often the endings of book generally are maybe not quite there. I had some doubts about this one at one point. However I found myself laughing aloud at the end - my thanks to the author for the ending!
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
It was great to be reading the 11th David Raker book by Tim Weaver. I thought that the opening was excellent. A car crash that no one could have survived, so where are the bodies? Two witnesses were there within a couple of minutes of it happening and saw no one emerge from the car and there are no bodies in the burnt out car. The book follows Raker's investigation into their disappearance on behalf of the family.
I guess anyone who has read previous books in the series will have an idea of what might happen. If you haven't tried these books and enjoy a good thriller then do start from an earlier book to get the background stories of the main characters (maybe book 3!). It becomes increasingly tense and pacey. The twists and turns are very good. Some of the people from previous books are in this and Raker does get to meet some new characters too.
Overall and for me this is classic Weaver/Raker stuff. It's very well written and has a pace that kept me with it all along. I do love the "impossible mysteries" that Weaver sets for Raker to solve. This is probably one of the better ones too as far as I'm concerned. It's good to see Healy around again as well as some of the other smaller part characters from previous books. The presence of "old friends" is always good! It seems possible to me that Raker will have gained some new friends for the future too perhaps. I do have a minor reservation with an aspect of the plot here however I dislike spoilers and, taking the book overall, it was a small matter. Fans should be very happy with this latest outing for Raker - it was good to be reading one of his stories again.
So often the endings of book generally are maybe not quite there. I had some doubts about this one at one point. However I found myself laughing aloud at the end - my thanks to the author for the ending!
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
June 26, 2022
Tim Weaver is the author of now eleven books in his popular missing persons investigator series featuring David Raker. The fact that this book “THE BLACKBIRD” is number eleven just shows how successfully the series is and personally, having read a few of the previously entertaining books, I feel this is one of his best.
- Ten seconds before they crash, Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are recorded on CCTV. The couple are laughing - happy, untroubled. Then their car plunges into a ninety-foot ravine. The impact should kill them. And if that doesn't, the fire will. Within seconds, the vehicle is an inferno - with the Gascoignes trapped inside. But when fire crews arrive at the scene, they find something impossible. The vehicle is empty. Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now only missing persons investigator David Raker can solve the mystery —
The story primarily surrounded the puzzling crash but had another tied-in unsolved mystery within it. Dating back thirty years, when three women were murdered, David starts to unwind a trail of evidence that could lead to the killer and help solve the missing Cate and Aiden.
Part of the setting of the story is in the North East, my local area and I was particularly happy by the fact a high ranking character was from Sunderland and with a Mackem accent too!
Each book can be read as a standalone and any background information needed to fully enjoy the story is incorporated as needed, which also works as a refresher for those that can’t quite remember all the previous details. “The Blackbird” is a fabulously thought out story with many interesting layers that the author has cleverly ‘weaved’ together and which comes together in a denouement that literally takes your breath away. With a cliffhanger of an ending that had my jaw on the floor, I’m keeping a beady eye out for book twelve!
Mr Weaver does not disappoint in his writing, how he can come up with such a mixture of distinctive storylines and unique characters is literally amazing and the sign of a very talented and imaginative author.
#TheBlackbird - 5 stars
Tim Weaver is the bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series and the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces. His novels have twice been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award.
Thank you to Jen Breslin and Michael J Books for inviting me on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
- Ten seconds before they crash, Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are recorded on CCTV. The couple are laughing - happy, untroubled. Then their car plunges into a ninety-foot ravine. The impact should kill them. And if that doesn't, the fire will. Within seconds, the vehicle is an inferno - with the Gascoignes trapped inside. But when fire crews arrive at the scene, they find something impossible. The vehicle is empty. Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now only missing persons investigator David Raker can solve the mystery —
The story primarily surrounded the puzzling crash but had another tied-in unsolved mystery within it. Dating back thirty years, when three women were murdered, David starts to unwind a trail of evidence that could lead to the killer and help solve the missing Cate and Aiden.
Part of the setting of the story is in the North East, my local area and I was particularly happy by the fact a high ranking character was from Sunderland and with a Mackem accent too!
Each book can be read as a standalone and any background information needed to fully enjoy the story is incorporated as needed, which also works as a refresher for those that can’t quite remember all the previous details. “The Blackbird” is a fabulously thought out story with many interesting layers that the author has cleverly ‘weaved’ together and which comes together in a denouement that literally takes your breath away. With a cliffhanger of an ending that had my jaw on the floor, I’m keeping a beady eye out for book twelve!
Mr Weaver does not disappoint in his writing, how he can come up with such a mixture of distinctive storylines and unique characters is literally amazing and the sign of a very talented and imaginative author.
#TheBlackbird - 5 stars
Tim Weaver is the bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series and the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces. His novels have twice been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award.
Thank you to Jen Breslin and Michael J Books for inviting me on this tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2022
The Blackbird is the 11th Book in the David Raker series by Tim Weaver, and he never seems to disappoint.
Couple Cate and Aiden are happily married when their car crashes down a ravine. But when the emergency services get there, there are no where to be found. 2 years later they still haven’t been found by the police. The family ask missing person investigator David Raker to take up the case.
In searching for the pair David Raker comes across an old cold case of thirty years ago where bodies of young women turn up in sand dunes on a beach. What is the connection between them and the couple that has disappeared? Raker soon finds out.
Thank you, Penguin Michael Joseph, for a copy of The Blackbird by Tim Weaver this is another fabulous episode in the series. Even though this is the 11th book in the series. The quality of the author’s writing hasn’t faltered. This is a typical intriguing storyline from the author with some parts going back and forward in time and with several sub plots which only comes clear right at the end of the book. I really enjoyed this book from the Tim Weaver including the cliff hanger at the end to entice you until the next book. 5 stars from me.
Couple Cate and Aiden are happily married when their car crashes down a ravine. But when the emergency services get there, there are no where to be found. 2 years later they still haven’t been found by the police. The family ask missing person investigator David Raker to take up the case.
In searching for the pair David Raker comes across an old cold case of thirty years ago where bodies of young women turn up in sand dunes on a beach. What is the connection between them and the couple that has disappeared? Raker soon finds out.
Thank you, Penguin Michael Joseph, for a copy of The Blackbird by Tim Weaver this is another fabulous episode in the series. Even though this is the 11th book in the series. The quality of the author’s writing hasn’t faltered. This is a typical intriguing storyline from the author with some parts going back and forward in time and with several sub plots which only comes clear right at the end of the book. I really enjoyed this book from the Tim Weaver including the cliff hanger at the end to entice you until the next book. 5 stars from me.
November 17, 2023
Three-and-a-half stars rounded to four.
The story does keep you at the edge of your seat and wondering what/when/who, however a bunch of little details that feel just out of place or like right-out omissions to make the plot work, took me out of the narrative, breaking the grip of what was happening in the story way too often to make this a favorite...
The story does keep you at the edge of your seat and wondering what/when/who, however a bunch of little details that feel just out of place or like right-out omissions to make the plot work, took me out of the narrative, breaking the grip of what was happening in the story way too often to make this a favorite...
June 5, 2022
Book 11 in this powerful series and if you have read the previous 10 you will be addicted and need no encouragement to read this
Tim Weaver has created the character David Raker who specialises in unsolvable missing persons cases, each book a new case but with central sub stories running through each book, you can read any as a stand alone tbh but for me they work great in order
The world of missing persons is fascinating to many and this story is no different, a couple disappear after a car crash, literally without trace, leaving their families bereft and confused….but of course there is much more to this story and once Raker starts to unravel the mystery it is truly chilling
Maybe a touch more character confusing then previous but none the less another enjoyable, tense story
8/10
4 Stars
Tim Weaver has created the character David Raker who specialises in unsolvable missing persons cases, each book a new case but with central sub stories running through each book, you can read any as a stand alone tbh but for me they work great in order
The world of missing persons is fascinating to many and this story is no different, a couple disappear after a car crash, literally without trace, leaving their families bereft and confused….but of course there is much more to this story and once Raker starts to unravel the mystery it is truly chilling
Maybe a touch more character confusing then previous but none the less another enjoyable, tense story
8/10
4 Stars
August 9, 2022
After the excellent standalone Missing Pieces, Tim Weaver returns to his main protagonist, missing persons investigator, David Raker, in the 13th novel of the series.
By all accounts, Cate and Aiden Gascoigne should have been charred corpses when their car crashes into a ravine in rural Surrey and bursts into flames. However, when investigators eventually manage to reach the vehicle, it is found empty.
Two and a half years later, with still no answers to the mystery, Cate’s parents hire David to discover what really happened to their daughter and son-in-law. His investigations soon start pointing to another unsolved case from 30 years ago: that of three murdered young women whose bodies were buried in the sand dunes off the Northumbrian coast.
However, with evidence disappearing and witnesses dying, David soon realises he’s up against an adversary who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Putting not only his own life in danger, but also that of his closest ally, former Met. Officer Colm Healy – a man most presume is dead.
There are several flashback chapters relating to the Northumbrian murders, but these don’t so much clarify matters as add to the general sense of uncertainty and imminent danger.
As I’ve come to expect, this is yet another well constructed, seat-of-the-pants thriller from Tim Weaver – and, in the final chapter, there is promise of more to come. Nothing less than five stars will suffice.
By all accounts, Cate and Aiden Gascoigne should have been charred corpses when their car crashes into a ravine in rural Surrey and bursts into flames. However, when investigators eventually manage to reach the vehicle, it is found empty.
Two and a half years later, with still no answers to the mystery, Cate’s parents hire David to discover what really happened to their daughter and son-in-law. His investigations soon start pointing to another unsolved case from 30 years ago: that of three murdered young women whose bodies were buried in the sand dunes off the Northumbrian coast.
However, with evidence disappearing and witnesses dying, David soon realises he’s up against an adversary who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Putting not only his own life in danger, but also that of his closest ally, former Met. Officer Colm Healy – a man most presume is dead.
There are several flashback chapters relating to the Northumbrian murders, but these don’t so much clarify matters as add to the general sense of uncertainty and imminent danger.
As I’ve come to expect, this is yet another well constructed, seat-of-the-pants thriller from Tim Weaver – and, in the final chapter, there is promise of more to come. Nothing less than five stars will suffice.
June 25, 2022
Blog Tour Day guys for the fantastic The Blackbird by Tim Weaver
The Blackbird by Tim Weaver reminded me of this poem. Around 60% into the story as pressure mounts on the search for the missing couple, one can literally feel the creepiness like a spider weaving a web around your head and regardless of the efforts taken to break out of that sticky gluey web, we are still stuck to it. Tim Weaver’s writing is outstanding, and David Raker after 10 books in the series is in his element. After reading another book in the series, I had always wished to read the whole of them in their entirety but so far have been unsuccessful. A pop-up on social media of a new release had me instantly attracted, so obviously was overjoyed in receiving the ARC of The Blackbird, book #11 in the David Raker series, which can easily be read as a stand alone.
David Raker is a missing person investigator and his new case is as bizarre and as weird as it comes. A car has fallen into the ravine and burst into flames but the couple inside the car, Cate and Aiden have vanished without a trace and for two years, the mystery that has baffled one and all has become traumatic for Cate’s parents. David Raker is called in for any lead that would provide some semblance of closure for the grieving family but once the investigation starts, the complexity of the case that unravels for the reader causes a mind-numbing effect. Stretching back 30 years with the discovery of 3 dead bodies in Northumberland and a detective who has never let it go, the missing person's investigation wounds tighter and tighter and tension escalates to a fever pitch.
The mystery of the murders is intricate and Tim Weaver has layered the story so excellently that the readers are at a loss figuring out this puzzle and pouring oil into the burning fire is David’s hidden secret regarding Colm Healy. David Raker is a wonderful character, he is dogged in his determination to get to the truth heedless of the danger he finds himself in and there is a time when he becomes a fugitive himself hiding from the police, trying to get to the truth and what an astounding reveal it is at the end as the true horror show of the murders comes to plain light.
Brilliant and a must-read for fans of mystery thrillers, Tim Weaver’s The Blackbird is sure to leave your senses reeling.
Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
I’m a little spider
Watch Me spin
If you’ll be my dinner
I’ll let you come in
Then I will spin my web to
Hold you tight
And gobble you up in
One big bite!
The Blackbird by Tim Weaver reminded me of this poem. Around 60% into the story as pressure mounts on the search for the missing couple, one can literally feel the creepiness like a spider weaving a web around your head and regardless of the efforts taken to break out of that sticky gluey web, we are still stuck to it. Tim Weaver’s writing is outstanding, and David Raker after 10 books in the series is in his element. After reading another book in the series, I had always wished to read the whole of them in their entirety but so far have been unsuccessful. A pop-up on social media of a new release had me instantly attracted, so obviously was overjoyed in receiving the ARC of The Blackbird, book #11 in the David Raker series, which can easily be read as a stand alone.
David Raker is a missing person investigator and his new case is as bizarre and as weird as it comes. A car has fallen into the ravine and burst into flames but the couple inside the car, Cate and Aiden have vanished without a trace and for two years, the mystery that has baffled one and all has become traumatic for Cate’s parents. David Raker is called in for any lead that would provide some semblance of closure for the grieving family but once the investigation starts, the complexity of the case that unravels for the reader causes a mind-numbing effect. Stretching back 30 years with the discovery of 3 dead bodies in Northumberland and a detective who has never let it go, the missing person's investigation wounds tighter and tighter and tension escalates to a fever pitch.
The mystery of the murders is intricate and Tim Weaver has layered the story so excellently that the readers are at a loss figuring out this puzzle and pouring oil into the burning fire is David’s hidden secret regarding Colm Healy. David Raker is a wonderful character, he is dogged in his determination to get to the truth heedless of the danger he finds himself in and there is a time when he becomes a fugitive himself hiding from the police, trying to get to the truth and what an astounding reveal it is at the end as the true horror show of the murders comes to plain light.
Brilliant and a must-read for fans of mystery thrillers, Tim Weaver’s The Blackbird is sure to leave your senses reeling.
Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
April 3, 2022
This is the eleventh book in the David Raker series by author Tim Weaver.
I really enjoy this series that is a little bit different to many of the other crime novels. Author Tim Weaver somehow manages to keep this series fresh even though we are now into the eleventh book in the series.
Missing person investigator is hired to look into a very puzzling case. Cate and Aiden Gascoigne were recorded laughing on CCTV just before they crashed in their car. The vehicle plunged ninety feet into a ravine with the car turning into an inferno with the Gascoignes trapped inside. Mysteriously when the fire crews arrived the vehicle was empty, Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now David Raker is being hired by Cate’s family to find out what happened. Once Raker starts his investigations he discovers links to an unsolved thirty year old murder.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy this series that is a little bit different to many of the other crime novels. Author Tim Weaver somehow manages to keep this series fresh even though we are now into the eleventh book in the series.
Missing person investigator is hired to look into a very puzzling case. Cate and Aiden Gascoigne were recorded laughing on CCTV just before they crashed in their car. The vehicle plunged ninety feet into a ravine with the car turning into an inferno with the Gascoignes trapped inside. Mysteriously when the fire crews arrived the vehicle was empty, Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now David Raker is being hired by Cate’s family to find out what happened. Once Raker starts his investigations he discovers links to an unsolved thirty year old murder.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
Este livro manteve-me o interesse. Cativou-me mesmo. É um enredo deveras complexo e a cada novo elemento revelado, fiquei mais confusa.
Há 2 anos, um casal caiu de carro por uma ribanceira e desapareceu.
De alguma forma, este desaparecimento leva David Raker, investigador contratado pela família da mulher desaparecida, a um caso de três jovens mulheres descobertas mortas há 30 anos.
A forma como as coisas aconteciam faziam pensar num daqueles enredos que se passam nas altas esferas, com pessoas influentes, de recursos. A única desilusão que tive é que, no fim, foi tudo demais para quem se revelou ser o mau da fita. Foi um "huge letdown".
Fiquei super curiosa não apenas com o próximo livro da série mas também com o anterior, cujo caso é referido de passagem em Pássaro Negro.
Há 2 anos, um casal caiu de carro por uma ribanceira e desapareceu.
De alguma forma, este desaparecimento leva David Raker, investigador contratado pela família da mulher desaparecida, a um caso de três jovens mulheres descobertas mortas há 30 anos.
A forma como as coisas aconteciam faziam pensar num daqueles enredos que se passam nas altas esferas, com pessoas influentes, de recursos. A única desilusão que tive é que, no fim, foi tudo demais para quem se revelou ser o mau da fita. Foi um "huge letdown".
Fiquei super curiosa não apenas com o próximo livro da série mas também com o anterior, cujo caso é referido de passagem em Pássaro Negro.
April 3, 2022
This is the eleventh book in the David Raker series by author Tim Weaver.
I really enjoy this series that is a little bit different to many of the other crime novels. Author Tim Weaver somehow manages to keep this series fresh even though we are now into the eleventh book in the series.
Missing person investigator is hired to look into a very puzzling case. Cate and Aiden Gascoigne were recorded laughing on CCTV just before they crashed in their car. The vehicle plunged ninety feet into a ravine with the car turning into an inferno with the Gascoignes trapped inside. Mysteriously when the fire crews arrived the vehicle was empty, Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now David Raker is being hired by Cate’s family to find out what happened. Once Raker starts his investigations he discovers links to an unsolved thirty year old murder.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy this series that is a little bit different to many of the other crime novels. Author Tim Weaver somehow manages to keep this series fresh even though we are now into the eleventh book in the series.
Missing person investigator is hired to look into a very puzzling case. Cate and Aiden Gascoigne were recorded laughing on CCTV just before they crashed in their car. The vehicle plunged ninety feet into a ravine with the car turning into an inferno with the Gascoignes trapped inside. Mysteriously when the fire crews arrived the vehicle was empty, Cate and Aiden have vanished. Now David Raker is being hired by Cate’s family to find out what happened. Once Raker starts his investigations he discovers links to an unsolved thirty year old murder.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2022
Another excellent addition to the David Raker series,, one of my favourites so far.
The mystery is particularly baffling, David has his work cut out for him and as ever Tim Weaver weaves a twisty, unexpected and unpredictable tale that is hugely addictive and brilliantly done.
There are some intriguing consequences to think about after the ending of this one and a teaser for the next which drove me crazy with the need to carry on immediately. I'll have to wait though sadly.
This is without doubt one of the best series out there, still as fresh and new as it was when it started. I'm a huge fan long may it continue.
Highly Recommended
The mystery is particularly baffling, David has his work cut out for him and as ever Tim Weaver weaves a twisty, unexpected and unpredictable tale that is hugely addictive and brilliantly done.
There are some intriguing consequences to think about after the ending of this one and a teaser for the next which drove me crazy with the need to carry on immediately. I'll have to wait though sadly.
This is without doubt one of the best series out there, still as fresh and new as it was when it started. I'm a huge fan long may it continue.
Highly Recommended
April 7, 2023
Wow! Amazing gripping chilling story. Need to read more in this series.
May 4, 2024
Pena não terem começado a traduzir pelo primeiro da saga... é algo que me ultrapassa.
Gostei bastante da história, da escrita e aquele final só me deixa ansiosa pelo próximo... se é que vai haver próximo 🙄.
Assim espero...
Gostei bastante da história, da escrita e aquele final só me deixa ansiosa pelo próximo... se é que vai haver próximo 🙄.
Assim espero...
January 22, 2025
3.5
I really enjoyed this book until we got to the police part. It got far-fetched for me because there is no way the police would allow for a member of the public to sit in an interview, nor would they allow for medication to be taken during an interview.
However, the author's note at the end saved it. I personally feel the author's note should have been at the start, but then it may have ruined the book for some.
I really enjoyed this book until we got to the police part. It got far-fetched for me because there is no way the police would allow for a member of the public to sit in an interview, nor would they allow for medication to be taken during an interview.
However, the author's note at the end saved it. I personally feel the author's note should have been at the start, but then it may have ruined the book for some.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
4+
I genuinely don't know how Weaver does it.
So many twists and turns, and each of them makes perfect sense YET I never see it coming.
I NEVER work out how or why.
He's a near genius I'd say.
This week in Rakers life is relentless, just one thing after another. The pace does not let up .... I raced through the book at every chance I got.
If you've read Weaver before, you know what you're getting,and it's good. Very good.
If you've not read him before, I almost envy you the back catalogue to catch up on.
I say it every time, but these books do just keep getting better and better.
I genuinely don't know how Weaver does it.
So many twists and turns, and each of them makes perfect sense YET I never see it coming.
I NEVER work out how or why.
He's a near genius I'd say.
This week in Rakers life is relentless, just one thing after another. The pace does not let up .... I raced through the book at every chance I got.
If you've read Weaver before, you know what you're getting,and it's good. Very good.
If you've not read him before, I almost envy you the back catalogue to catch up on.
I say it every time, but these books do just keep getting better and better.
April 28, 2022
Tim Weaver and the David Raker series is guaranteed to have you reading late into the night. Another missing person's case that only Raker can solve and so much more. The back story which runs through this series is gripping and a revelation will shock the reader I kid you not. This book, this series is so GOOD I want the next book now PLEASE!!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 5, 2022
Another brilliant book in this fantastic series.
Raker is a great character and as an investigator always finds himself in tricky situations.
Raker is asked to investigate the disappearance of a husband and wife whose car crashed into a ravine, but their bodies were never found.
Cate’s parents are desperate to know what happened and Raker takes on the case.
I wondered how a whole book could be written about this at first, but there’s lots more to the story and it will definitely have you racing through the pages.
Cate was doing her own investigation before she died and when Raker catches up with her findings, his life is soon in danger like hers.
This is a brilliant crime thriller and a series that I highly recommend.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Raker is a great character and as an investigator always finds himself in tricky situations.
Raker is asked to investigate the disappearance of a husband and wife whose car crashed into a ravine, but their bodies were never found.
Cate’s parents are desperate to know what happened and Raker takes on the case.
I wondered how a whole book could be written about this at first, but there’s lots more to the story and it will definitely have you racing through the pages.
Cate was doing her own investigation before she died and when Raker catches up with her findings, his life is soon in danger like hers.
This is a brilliant crime thriller and a series that I highly recommend.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 24, 2025
In this eleventh book in the series featuring missing persons investigator David Raker, our protagonist yet again finds himself under serious threat when he takes on an enquiry into a missing couple. Two years earlier, their car crashed into a ravine off a narrow country lane and burst into flames - but when emergency services arrive, there are no bodies in the vehicle or nearby. Two witnesses who arrived in the immediate aftermath of the crash saw the car burst into flames but saw no-one leave the vehicle. As David's enquiries continue, he discovers that the wife, who was a freelance photographer, had become fascinated by the deaths of three young women in Northumberland, an unsolved case known as The Dunes Murders...
This was yet another great instalment in this series where, as usual, I just could not see how David was ever going to crack the case. But crack it he did, at the expense of being pursued across the country by the police for a crime he didn't commit! And then there is that cliffhanger at the end in respect of his old friend Colm Healy, who of course is supposed to be dead!! Can't wait to read the next instalment to see how that all pans out!!! - 9/10.
This was yet another great instalment in this series where, as usual, I just could not see how David was ever going to crack the case. But crack it he did, at the expense of being pursued across the country by the police for a crime he didn't commit! And then there is that cliffhanger at the end in respect of his old friend Colm Healy, who of course is supposed to be dead!! Can't wait to read the next instalment to see how that all pans out!!! - 9/10.
June 28, 2024
4.5* muito bom!
June 16, 2024
Uma estória original e viciante, com voltas e reviravoltas interessantes e em que nada é o que parece.
Não me parecendo que tenha grande interferência no entendimento do enredo é pena a editora portuguesa só ter começado a editar a série pelo 11°
Não me parecendo que tenha grande interferência no entendimento do enredo é pena a editora portuguesa só ter começado a editar a série pelo 11°
May 23, 2023
Review to follow
March 26, 2022
I read this book in one sitting. The first couple of chapters really hook you in to the mystery. Needing to know what happened.
Weaver manages to pack in a whole host of twists and turns into this story to keep you interested.
I did find some of the back and forth a little confusing and admittedly, reading all of these in order would probably also help.
I didn’t like the ending - I felt it ended up letting the rest of the book down, which is why I’ve gone for a 4/5.
Weaver manages to pack in a whole host of twists and turns into this story to keep you interested.
I did find some of the back and forth a little confusing and admittedly, reading all of these in order would probably also help.
I didn’t like the ending - I felt it ended up letting the rest of the book down, which is why I’ve gone for a 4/5.
November 2, 2022
I did enjoy it but towards the end gets very complicated. Sometimes I felt it moved away from the initial part of the book which really drew me in.
April 2, 2023
Hmmm can’t believe I accidentally read another Tim Weaver book! Marginally better than No one Home, but frankly that’s not saying much!
June 11, 2022
When driving home Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are caught smiling on a CCTV camera. Moments later their car crashed & went down a ravine. There were two witnesses that saw the event, but when the rescue services got down to the site of the crash they discovered the impossible. Although the car had burs into flames & the drop was a bad one there are no signs of the car's occupants. David Raker is called in a while after the crash by Cate's parents, desperate to know what has become of their daughter. David's search sends him to the North East to find out what Cate had found so riveting about the ancient murders of three young women. He also has to worry about his friend Colm, in hiding in North Wales after David had helped fake his death.
This is quite a long complex book. I have read a number of this series & loved them all. Tim Weaver creates a mood & an atmosphere all his own & although some may find this book slow going I found it exactly right for the story. I had no idea where the story was leading & after that ending I hope the next one in the series won't be too long coming along. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I loved it!
This is quite a long complex book. I have read a number of this series & loved them all. Tim Weaver creates a mood & an atmosphere all his own & although some may find this book slow going I found it exactly right for the story. I had no idea where the story was leading & after that ending I hope the next one in the series won't be too long coming along. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I loved it!
October 21, 2022
Some authors after writing so many books run out of steam, they don't know how to keep it fresh. NOT in Tim Weaver's case. This is probably one of his best.
Lots of short chapters for you to nip through. Not so much on David Raker's personal life in this one, but 100% focus on the case.
As usual lots of twists and turns and finding yourself trying to second guess the outcome.
A cliffhanger of an ending which lends itself easily into a follow on story.
The sign of a great book is when I'm reading beyond my alloted time in the morning because I just need to read another chapter and staying up late on a school night just to get it finished.
This is one of the few in the David Raker series that you could read out of chronological order.
Lots of short chapters for you to nip through. Not so much on David Raker's personal life in this one, but 100% focus on the case.
As usual lots of twists and turns and finding yourself trying to second guess the outcome.
A cliffhanger of an ending which lends itself easily into a follow on story.
The sign of a great book is when I'm reading beyond my alloted time in the morning because I just need to read another chapter and staying up late on a school night just to get it finished.
This is one of the few in the David Raker series that you could read out of chronological order.
June 3, 2025
I have started sooooo many series recently, but this series is the one I’ve been dedicated to, and I’ve loved it.
11 books and I’ve been hooked by all of them, the methodical way our main character pieces things together and the insane ways the stories turn is unmatched. Each book is a new mystery and they are dark.
In my opinion this series is the best thriller mystery series I’ve read and I’m lowkey sad it’s over… well there are two more separate books, but I’m at a loss as to how connected they are in the timeline of events after book 11, still going to read them though aren’t I 🤗🤗🤗
11 books and I’ve been hooked by all of them, the methodical way our main character pieces things together and the insane ways the stories turn is unmatched. Each book is a new mystery and they are dark.
In my opinion this series is the best thriller mystery series I’ve read and I’m lowkey sad it’s over… well there are two more separate books, but I’m at a loss as to how connected they are in the timeline of events after book 11, still going to read them though aren’t I 🤗🤗🤗
August 14, 2022
Well that was a thoroughly enjoyable read, the first of Mr Weaver's Raker series I've picked up. Neatly done, plenty of thriller-ish chapters, a really good protagonist and particularly nasty murders to investigate. There are quite a few flashbacks, which added depth but frankly could have been deleted and may not have made much difference the story (hence the 4 stars, not 5) but the end was set up really well to drop into the next installment. I'll definitely be looking for more of these...
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