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DI Charlotte Savage #2
Bad Blood
‘We’re going to find them, sort them, pay them back …’
When the body of a six-year-old girl is found buried beneath a patio, nobody is surprised when a local paedophile is murdered shortly afterwards. But when a member of DI Charlotte Savage’s team is abducted and several men are executed in cold blood it becomes apparent that there’s a psychopath on the loose with no mercy for his victims…
It becomes clear that the killer isn’t selecting his victims at random and soon Savage is in a race against time to stop him. But what if this man has a message for Charlotte herself? One she won’t forget in a hurry. It’s payback time. Deadly payback time.
Part thriller, part police procedural, a must-read for fans of Mark Billingham and Chris Carter.
When the body of a six-year-old girl is found buried beneath a patio, nobody is surprised when a local paedophile is murdered shortly afterwards. But when a member of DI Charlotte Savage’s team is abducted and several men are executed in cold blood it becomes apparent that there’s a psychopath on the loose with no mercy for his victims…
It becomes clear that the killer isn’t selecting his victims at random and soon Savage is in a race against time to stop him. But what if this man has a message for Charlotte herself? One she won’t forget in a hurry. It’s payback time. Deadly payback time.
Part thriller, part police procedural, a must-read for fans of Mark Billingham and Chris Carter.
401 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
68 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Mark Sennen
17 books115 followersMark Sennen was born in Surrey, but spent his formative years in rural Shropshire where he learnt to drive tractors and worm sheep. He has been a reluctant farmer, an average drummer, a failed Ph.D. student and a pretty good programmer. He lives, with his wife and two children beside a muddy creek in deepest South Devon where there hasn't been a murder in years. He is the author of the best selling DI Charlotte Savage series: Touch, Bad Blood, Cut Dead, Tell Tale, Two Evils, The Boneyard, and Puppet; the Holm and da Silva series: The Sanction, and Rogue Target; plus the standalone thrillers: Three and The Sum Of All Sins.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 1, 2014
This book didn't quite live up to its predecessor's standard. So DI Savage's actions at the end of the previous book have, predictably, come home to roost and I'm not sure she handles this as well as she could. There are other examples of less than professional behaviour and it kind of let the book down a bit despite the apparently successful conclusion.
I'm also not convinced a pair of baddies as brutal and careless as the guys in this story could get away with things for so long in reality as the swathe of destruction was so vast. The plot was certainly tangled and I did finish it all with great interest.
I'm also not convinced a pair of baddies as brutal and careless as the guys in this story could get away with things for so long in reality as the swathe of destruction was so vast. The plot was certainly tangled and I did finish it all with great interest.
June 27, 2022
2.5
A solid "middle of the stream" sort of thriller.
Not good. Not bad. Gets the job done, but nothing more, nothing less.
I still think Charlotte Savage is mostly lacking a personality besides being pretty stern and (according to a lot of males around her) rather beautiful.
There are far too many sexually perverted details strewn around for no other reason than ... chock value(?) as well. I fail to find the meaning in them. They don't contribute with anything, not even disgust for the bad guys. Just a mentally raised eyebrow at the author with a huge "Uhmm... Why?" attached to it.
I had to check how old this book was since mobile phones still had buttons.
(Try pocket writing a text message with a touch screen if you're kidnapped nowadays!)
I was also really bothered by the sexism and misogyny portrayed right and left from every other male character except the ones on Savage's team. It was such a frequent thing and felt so very dated I had almost expected the book to take place in the 1990s, but no.
The release date says 2013.
Has the world and tune of fiction really changed that much in 10 years? In that case: Wow. That's really good. Because I really don't miss this sort of "male banter" that takes place in this book.
I'm quite interested in listening to all available books in the series to see how they evolve - sort of like the Inspector Frost books did, where you could clearly tell the author changed his tune as the years progressed.
The narrator got better compared to the first book.
First book was a bit slow and stilted, but now she's getting the hang of it.
I'll probably press play on book three because of her, alongside a curiosity about the misogyny in the following books.
Sometimes it's relaxing to listen to something that doesn't require much brain power.
A solid "middle of the stream" sort of thriller.
Not good. Not bad. Gets the job done, but nothing more, nothing less.
I still think Charlotte Savage is mostly lacking a personality besides being pretty stern and (according to a lot of males around her) rather beautiful.
There are far too many sexually perverted details strewn around for no other reason than ... chock value(?) as well. I fail to find the meaning in them. They don't contribute with anything, not even disgust for the bad guys. Just a mentally raised eyebrow at the author with a huge "Uhmm... Why?" attached to it.
I had to check how old this book was since mobile phones still had buttons.
(Try pocket writing a text message with a touch screen if you're kidnapped nowadays!)
I was also really bothered by the sexism and misogyny portrayed right and left from every other male character except the ones on Savage's team. It was such a frequent thing and felt so very dated I had almost expected the book to take place in the 1990s, but no.
The release date says 2013.
Has the world and tune of fiction really changed that much in 10 years? In that case: Wow. That's really good. Because I really don't miss this sort of "male banter" that takes place in this book.
I'm quite interested in listening to all available books in the series to see how they evolve - sort of like the Inspector Frost books did, where you could clearly tell the author changed his tune as the years progressed.
The narrator got better compared to the first book.
First book was a bit slow and stilted, but now she's getting the hang of it.
I'll probably press play on book three because of her, alongside a curiosity about the misogyny in the following books.
Sometimes it's relaxing to listen to something that doesn't require much brain power.
February 11, 2015
It is good that Mark Sennen felt encouraged to write more about his cop, DCI Charlotte Savage.
This second book shows real development in his writing, the handling of a complex plot and bringing a story together well to everyone's satisfaction.
Savage has her husband home but is still married to her job and perhaps too emotionally driven especially around children. Pete has a role in the wings while his wife remains centre stage; one wonders how this relationship might go but thankfully we don't have all the domestic joys reminiscent of Läckberg's Fjällbacka.
The story is quite harrowing initially with child abduction and murder but as horrific as this crime was it opens up into drug trafficking and brutal gang warfare that really gives this book an edge.
I liked very much the pace of the book, well developed chapters rather than the modern trend to switch cintinuously from scene to scene. I liked the sense of policing and the political dimension where you wonder who could be a police officer in modern britain where initiative is often suppressed and passion is dampened down to just do your job.
Some excellent characterisation; topical references to undercover police officers undermining convictions and corruption in all walks of life.
Great locations and interesting murder scenes or places bodies found. The book never really goes where you think it will go and the blurred lines between good and bad are cleverly left out of focus.
The sense of a criminal having power over a serving police officer reminded me of Rebus shaking hands with the devil and leaving his guard down with Big Ger Caffery. Sennen is a storyteller and a fine crime writer who will have to work his magic to help Savage out of her own vulnerability. I for one look forward to seeing the author weave that account in the coming books.
This second book shows real development in his writing, the handling of a complex plot and bringing a story together well to everyone's satisfaction.
Savage has her husband home but is still married to her job and perhaps too emotionally driven especially around children. Pete has a role in the wings while his wife remains centre stage; one wonders how this relationship might go but thankfully we don't have all the domestic joys reminiscent of Läckberg's Fjällbacka.
The story is quite harrowing initially with child abduction and murder but as horrific as this crime was it opens up into drug trafficking and brutal gang warfare that really gives this book an edge.
I liked very much the pace of the book, well developed chapters rather than the modern trend to switch cintinuously from scene to scene. I liked the sense of policing and the political dimension where you wonder who could be a police officer in modern britain where initiative is often suppressed and passion is dampened down to just do your job.
Some excellent characterisation; topical references to undercover police officers undermining convictions and corruption in all walks of life.
Great locations and interesting murder scenes or places bodies found. The book never really goes where you think it will go and the blurred lines between good and bad are cleverly left out of focus.
The sense of a criminal having power over a serving police officer reminded me of Rebus shaking hands with the devil and leaving his guard down with Big Ger Caffery. Sennen is a storyteller and a fine crime writer who will have to work his magic to help Savage out of her own vulnerability. I for one look forward to seeing the author weave that account in the coming books.
May 17, 2025
Setting: Devon, England; modern day.
This is the second book in the crime series featuring D.I. Charlotte Savage.
A criminal gang allegedly operating from a luxury yacht business on the River Tamar near Plymouth is under surveillance by a long-running police operation targeting the importation of drugs. But the gang are also being targeted by a former member who thinks he was set up and is now seeking revenge - leading to several kidnappings, serious assaults and brutal murders. As Charlotte tries to get to the bottom of the murders, she is obstructed by senior officers who don't want the drug investigation to be compromised. Even when one of her team is taken, Charlotte is still being starved of information - and has the added concern that one of the gang members is a prominent city councillor and also on the Police Crime Commissioner's Panel, who has in his possession a damning video of Charlotte at the scene of a car crash involving a serious offender whose antics featured in the previous book....
Another great crime novel, set in an area of the country that I like, and featuring some great characters whose back-stories are expanding since the first book. Can't wait to read more in this series - 9/10.
This is the second book in the crime series featuring D.I. Charlotte Savage.
A criminal gang allegedly operating from a luxury yacht business on the River Tamar near Plymouth is under surveillance by a long-running police operation targeting the importation of drugs. But the gang are also being targeted by a former member who thinks he was set up and is now seeking revenge - leading to several kidnappings, serious assaults and brutal murders. As Charlotte tries to get to the bottom of the murders, she is obstructed by senior officers who don't want the drug investigation to be compromised. Even when one of her team is taken, Charlotte is still being starved of information - and has the added concern that one of the gang members is a prominent city councillor and also on the Police Crime Commissioner's Panel, who has in his possession a damning video of Charlotte at the scene of a car crash involving a serious offender whose antics featured in the previous book....
Another great crime novel, set in an area of the country that I like, and featuring some great characters whose back-stories are expanding since the first book. Can't wait to read more in this series - 9/10.
November 7, 2013
Picked this one up because I liked the cover... (I am a walking cliche sometimes!)
It was almost brilliant. The story-line itself was really good and the individual characters were good but there was just something about it that didn't gel properly for me. I liked DI Charlotte Savage but her family and history were all just trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Her relationship with her partner was ridiculous and unbelievable.
There were either too many characters or not enough time spent building them, I not sure which. The story seemed to jump around all over the place and I found myself reading it at various points thinking 'I've no idea who this character actually is!'.
Given that the basis of the story-line itself was good, I can't help wondering why the editor didn't feel the need to suggest that the story was re-written to make it more cohesive and flow faster and better?
It's a shame. Should've rated higher and I've no plans to pick up another Sennen book :(
It was almost brilliant. The story-line itself was really good and the individual characters were good but there was just something about it that didn't gel properly for me. I liked DI Charlotte Savage but her family and history were all just trying a bit too hard to be edgy. Her relationship with her partner was ridiculous and unbelievable.
There were either too many characters or not enough time spent building them, I not sure which. The story seemed to jump around all over the place and I found myself reading it at various points thinking 'I've no idea who this character actually is!'.
Given that the basis of the story-line itself was good, I can't help wondering why the editor didn't feel the need to suggest that the story was re-written to make it more cohesive and flow faster and better?
It's a shame. Should've rated higher and I've no plans to pick up another Sennen book :(
August 1, 2013
First Mark Sennen book I've read. I enjoyed it, and thought the scene and characters well decribed and detailed. A lot of character names to keep track of though, as the storey jumps around a lot, ( 3 different storey lines that meet at the end) well definitely check out the first book "touch"and look forward to 2014's installment, looks good :0)
July 23, 2016
I was pleased to receive this book from a goodreads giveaway. A great read which was instantly captivating, gripping throughout and thoroughly enjoyable. A great crime-thriller, I felt like I was watching a film and could really visualise the characters. I will definitely be reading more books by Mark Sennen.
January 14, 2025
The second in the DI savage detective series, set the southwest of UK.
The story opens with the gruesome discovery of a child’s body under a patio of a house in a housing estate. The main story emerges, and revolves around a reasonably large drug smuggling cartel operating in the region.
There is a hint of dark humour floating around. Where scandi-noir is dark and bleak, Bad Blood is a tad lighter. The British habit of ‘the understatement’ and the odd badly placed sarcastic comment just give that smile at inappropriate moments.
The book had a great opening. I was drawn in immediately, but the story lost momentum for me as it got into the murky world of the drug barons. The location setting is superb and I loved the atmosphere created. It captured that small-ish town feel with countryside on the doorstep, without being too ‘Sunday afternoon drama’.
There is the odd brief glimpse into Savage’s home life. A nice break from the grind of the story, and helps gain a bit more of a hold on Savage’s character. Just the right amount, without taking over and without being soppy.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, and although you get the gist of the important events that come back to haunt, I feel I missed out a bit on that front.
I admit to getting a bit lost with the characters. There a number of bad guys as major players, and I never felt I got a handle of who was who. In the end it became a wee bit of a chore to get to the end. Seems to be setting up a good series though so I’ll try book 3.
The story opens with the gruesome discovery of a child’s body under a patio of a house in a housing estate. The main story emerges, and revolves around a reasonably large drug smuggling cartel operating in the region.
There is a hint of dark humour floating around. Where scandi-noir is dark and bleak, Bad Blood is a tad lighter. The British habit of ‘the understatement’ and the odd badly placed sarcastic comment just give that smile at inappropriate moments.
The book had a great opening. I was drawn in immediately, but the story lost momentum for me as it got into the murky world of the drug barons. The location setting is superb and I loved the atmosphere created. It captured that small-ish town feel with countryside on the doorstep, without being too ‘Sunday afternoon drama’.
There is the odd brief glimpse into Savage’s home life. A nice break from the grind of the story, and helps gain a bit more of a hold on Savage’s character. Just the right amount, without taking over and without being soppy.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, and although you get the gist of the important events that come back to haunt, I feel I missed out a bit on that front.
I admit to getting a bit lost with the characters. There a number of bad guys as major players, and I never felt I got a handle of who was who. In the end it became a wee bit of a chore to get to the end. Seems to be setting up a good series though so I’ll try book 3.
June 17, 2020
Another gripping and highly entertaining novel by Mark Sennen. I have now read all six of the DI Charlotte Savage series ( completely out of turn ) and am wondering when the next will be published. I like Charlotte, she doesn’t follow procedure too well and seems to do everything the hard way, but gets the job done without wanting any praise and isn’t afraid to tell her bosses what she thinks of them.
This begins with the body of a young girl being found buried in the back garden of a known paedophile who is then found also murdered. More murders ensue and a Pandora’s box of past crimes, drug dealers, police and local political corruption is opened. An incident from her past, which she would rather forget, is brought to light, an incident which could threaten her career. Then one of her colleagues is kidnapped and knowing that his life is in danger time seems to be running out.
It sounds like it could get confusing but Mark writes in a way that keeps everything flowing along smoothly. A score of 5 for this and like I say, I hope No 7 is not too far away.
This begins with the body of a young girl being found buried in the back garden of a known paedophile who is then found also murdered. More murders ensue and a Pandora’s box of past crimes, drug dealers, police and local political corruption is opened. An incident from her past, which she would rather forget, is brought to light, an incident which could threaten her career. Then one of her colleagues is kidnapped and knowing that his life is in danger time seems to be running out.
It sounds like it could get confusing but Mark writes in a way that keeps everything flowing along smoothly. A score of 5 for this and like I say, I hope No 7 is not too far away.
May 16, 2018
First book by this author. When I started reading it I wasn't overly fond of it. I found it didn't really keep my interest and it was a little hard to follow. There were a lot of names and a lot of jumping around from people and situations. I'm glad I continued on though because it was really good. After a few chapters in I was drawn into the story and it became a gripping page-turner for me. It's a police and thug story but with a lot of violence and gore. There is a lot going on but I got sucked in and really enjoyed it. The good guys may not be 100% good, which I like in main characters; and some of the bad guys are not 100% bad although they do terrible things. I ended up reading the last 70 pages or so in a mad rush to see what would happen. That's the kind of story I like :)
October 30, 2017
Enjoyed the first in the series but found this a little too confusing. Lots of characters all with some connections in the past that impacted on the story, probably my fault for leaving too big a gap between reading the first one. I started expecting a a hunt for a murderer but it was more about organised crime and didn't really hold my interest. However I am half way through the third book and enjoying it very much this one just wasn't for me.
March 24, 2017
This is a good book with an interesting plot - a wronged drug dealer out for revenge - and plenty of plot twists and turns. DI Charlotte Savage is an interesting character but I think it is obvious she has been created by a man as there is nothing feminine about her, in fact she's almost androgynous. As I said I can appreciate this is a good book but it didn't really hold my attention and I kept dipping in and out and I can't say why as all the ingredients for an engrossing read are there. 3.5*
October 14, 2017
Excellent
Better than the first book, a real edge of your seat story, brilliantly written has you guessing from the first page what is D I Charlotte Savage getting herself into next, I wonder about Charlotte and Darius ??? well done Mark Sennen 10/10. On to next book, thank you Mark for all your time and hard work that went into this series best wishes Jeannette allerston 😊
Better than the first book, a real edge of your seat story, brilliantly written has you guessing from the first page what is D I Charlotte Savage getting herself into next, I wonder about Charlotte and Darius ??? well done Mark Sennen 10/10. On to next book, thank you Mark for all your time and hard work that went into this series best wishes Jeannette allerston 😊
September 12, 2017
Another cracking read Mr Sennen!!
Only a four because of too many main characters thinly spread. Brilliantly written though and very gritty,I really like Charlotte and her team and I'm hoping that their characters will develop too.
Only a four because of too many main characters thinly spread. Brilliantly written though and very gritty,I really like Charlotte and her team and I'm hoping that their characters will develop too.
July 30, 2018
Okish a little cluttered with characters which lost me at times, the story lead by gruesome organised crime, the previous story catching up with DCI Savage but could of been better used, lacked procedure felt like it was being led rather than managed.
March 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ not as good as the first one. Slow to start and a lot of characters to get your head around. It did start to pick up pace and the last part of the book was enjoyable. A series I will continue with as I’m liking how Charlotte is developing
September 25, 2023
Another very dark book. Don’t think I wi be continuing with this series. It’s not really for me.
I enjoyed the police aspect but also found a lot of it quite unbelievable. An ok read and did keep me on the edge of my seat.
I enjoyed the police aspect but also found a lot of it quite unbelievable. An ok read and did keep me on the edge of my seat.
March 3, 2018
Better than the first book. the story flowed rather well, and the ending was far better.
March 22, 2018
A very good book keeps you page turning
November 5, 2018
Recommend to readers who enjoy detailed police procedurals that are gritty and gruesome.
Interesting story but I struggled to maintain interest at times.
Interesting story but I struggled to maintain interest at times.
July 25, 2022
Not for the squeamish but I couldn't put it down!
July 8, 2023
Still a very bland DI Charlotte and the thoughts I had with the first book is still the same, so I am finished with reading Sennen.
May 20, 2025
Started and finished date - 14.05.25 to 16.05.25.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book wasn't great or bad, It was in some were in middle The writing was fine and the ending of book was okay. The atmosphere was okay but it was bland and mystery was fine but little bit dull. The paced of plot was well structured and this book was steady paced. I have mixed feeling about the characters and I would have like them flash out bit more.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book wasn't great or bad, It was in some were in middle The writing was fine and the ending of book was okay. The atmosphere was okay but it was bland and mystery was fine but little bit dull. The paced of plot was well structured and this book was steady paced. I have mixed feeling about the characters and I would have like them flash out bit more.
September 22, 2013
Time taken to read - 5 days
Publisher - Avon
Blurb from Goodreads
‘We’re going to find them, sort them, pay them back …’
When the body of a six-year-old girl is found buried beneath a patio, nobody is surprised when a local paedophile is murdered shortly afterwards. But when a member of DI Charlotte Savage’s team is abducted and several men are executed in cold blood it becomes apparent that there’s a psychopath on the loose with no mercy for his victims…
It becomes clear that the killer isn’t selecting his victims at random and soon Savage is in a race against time to stop him. But what if this man has a message for Charlotte herself? One she won’t forget in a hurry. It’s payback time. Deadly payback time.
Part thriller, part police procedural, a must-read for fans of Mark Billingham and Chris Carter.
My Review
This is the second in a series, I was given an ARC copy from the publisher so this is my first encounter with this author. I think, personally I would recommend you go and get the first book in the series instead of starting with this one as I believe it will make the story more enjoyable. The story opens with the prologue, we meet the mastermind bad guy, Ricky Budgeon and a very brief look into his views on what has happened prior and brings him to the actions that follow. A bit vague? I thought so too and the theme follows throughout the story but it does all come together and information is released in snippets.
We move on to Savage, who turns out to be DI Charlotte Savage, at home with her family when she gets a reminder from a colleague about the PSD (Public Standards Department) inquiry meeting regarding her actions in a previous case. I believe this is also something that happened in the last book although I am not 100% sure. We then go to another scene where a body is discovered and DI Savage is called in, our story really starts here. Soon a child’s body is discovered, linked to an old residence of a paedophile and soon a paedophile is found murdered.
Shortly after that a member of DI Savages team goes missing, bodies are turning up murdered in vicious and horrific crime scenes and Savage and her team are running out of time to solve the mystery and save their colleague.
Exhausted reading all that? It is quite a lot to take in and to be honest, had I read the first book and had a feel for some of the characters it would probably have been a lot easier to get into. As it was I felt there was a lot of characters to try and get to know, a few different stories lines going on and I had to re read bits to try and establish what was going on.
There is a lot happening and plenty to keep you interested and intrigued as to what is going to happen and who is linked to whom but I would suggest reading it in big chunks or in one go if you can. Reading this over a few days can be a bit hard going as it is such a busy story.
It is quite violent and gorey, there is a lot of swearing and quite a few terms that are racist so be warned it may offend quite a few readers. DI Savage I found to be hard to like, she has been through a lot which may attribute to her attitude and almost total disregard for her professional standards and behaviour. She seemed like a loose cannon at times rather than a level headed leader of a police team and lead investigator in a high profile case. As I said I think maybe going back and reading the first book would give a bit of clarity and help with the enjoyment and understanding of this book.
All your ends are eventually tied up, most things are linked and explained although at the end of this book a character throws a curve ball that will pull followers from the first story to get the third book. I have only read book two however I want clarification and closure on this particular issue from the stories, a rather clever ploy from the author, always leave them wanting more. A rather mixed bag for me, it annoyed me on so many levels but got me there in the end and had enough intrigue to keep me going to the end so 3/5 for me this time. Thanks to Avon Books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and for introducing me to this author whom I will read again. This book is available to buy from all good retailers from the 26th of September 2013, in paperback format and for the kindle.
Publisher - Avon
Blurb from Goodreads
‘We’re going to find them, sort them, pay them back …’
When the body of a six-year-old girl is found buried beneath a patio, nobody is surprised when a local paedophile is murdered shortly afterwards. But when a member of DI Charlotte Savage’s team is abducted and several men are executed in cold blood it becomes apparent that there’s a psychopath on the loose with no mercy for his victims…
It becomes clear that the killer isn’t selecting his victims at random and soon Savage is in a race against time to stop him. But what if this man has a message for Charlotte herself? One she won’t forget in a hurry. It’s payback time. Deadly payback time.
Part thriller, part police procedural, a must-read for fans of Mark Billingham and Chris Carter.
My Review
This is the second in a series, I was given an ARC copy from the publisher so this is my first encounter with this author. I think, personally I would recommend you go and get the first book in the series instead of starting with this one as I believe it will make the story more enjoyable. The story opens with the prologue, we meet the mastermind bad guy, Ricky Budgeon and a very brief look into his views on what has happened prior and brings him to the actions that follow. A bit vague? I thought so too and the theme follows throughout the story but it does all come together and information is released in snippets.
We move on to Savage, who turns out to be DI Charlotte Savage, at home with her family when she gets a reminder from a colleague about the PSD (Public Standards Department) inquiry meeting regarding her actions in a previous case. I believe this is also something that happened in the last book although I am not 100% sure. We then go to another scene where a body is discovered and DI Savage is called in, our story really starts here. Soon a child’s body is discovered, linked to an old residence of a paedophile and soon a paedophile is found murdered.
Shortly after that a member of DI Savages team goes missing, bodies are turning up murdered in vicious and horrific crime scenes and Savage and her team are running out of time to solve the mystery and save their colleague.
Exhausted reading all that? It is quite a lot to take in and to be honest, had I read the first book and had a feel for some of the characters it would probably have been a lot easier to get into. As it was I felt there was a lot of characters to try and get to know, a few different stories lines going on and I had to re read bits to try and establish what was going on.
There is a lot happening and plenty to keep you interested and intrigued as to what is going to happen and who is linked to whom but I would suggest reading it in big chunks or in one go if you can. Reading this over a few days can be a bit hard going as it is such a busy story.
It is quite violent and gorey, there is a lot of swearing and quite a few terms that are racist so be warned it may offend quite a few readers. DI Savage I found to be hard to like, she has been through a lot which may attribute to her attitude and almost total disregard for her professional standards and behaviour. She seemed like a loose cannon at times rather than a level headed leader of a police team and lead investigator in a high profile case. As I said I think maybe going back and reading the first book would give a bit of clarity and help with the enjoyment and understanding of this book.
All your ends are eventually tied up, most things are linked and explained although at the end of this book a character throws a curve ball that will pull followers from the first story to get the third book. I have only read book two however I want clarification and closure on this particular issue from the stories, a rather clever ploy from the author, always leave them wanting more. A rather mixed bag for me, it annoyed me on so many levels but got me there in the end and had enough intrigue to keep me going to the end so 3/5 for me this time. Thanks to Avon Books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and for introducing me to this author whom I will read again. This book is available to buy from all good retailers from the 26th of September 2013, in paperback format and for the kindle.
July 25, 2013
Bad Blood took a different direction, a more complex one, than its predecessor Touch, but this wasn't a bad thing. Charlotte Savage took another step away from being solely a good cop after her decision at the end of touch, finding herself subject to recriminations that weren't simply procedure. In Bad Blood she finds herself immersed in a corrupt underworld, involving a local councillor who I'm hoping hasn't met his final comeuppance yet and a criminal who lends an intriguing end and promise for the third in the series. Enjoyable, well paced, with characters who are fully formed and not two dimensional, this was a good read on a sun lounger in Greece!
August 13, 2015
Far better than book 1, characters have a deeper role. Good story, loved the local description (still wierd reading about places where you know so very well!) one error, soldiers are not from 42 Cdo, they are Royal Marines. Other than that blip, good story, great pace. Have to say, DI Savage has grown on me.
September 10, 2016
Another good installment in the Charlotte Savage series. Lots of suspense with a storyline that didn't start to unravel until towards the end. Am looking forward to reading the next installment when it gets released.
March 31, 2014
Sennen brings the goods again. I enjoyed this book as much as I did touch. The story keeps you reading with its short chapters also with switching between different characters perspectives the story stays fresh.
I look forward to reading Cut Dead next to see what is next in store for Savage!
I look forward to reading Cut Dead next to see what is next in store for Savage!
May 15, 2015
I love these Charlotte Savage novels and I am particularly enjoying the threads which link one book to another, a clever ploy which guarantees that I keep reading the series, although I would have done anyway.
June 20, 2014
The second one of the books and the weaker of the three published-read number one first and then number three (not something I like doing) Good interesting characters and a well thought out storyline. Looking forward to better things in book 4
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