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A Killing in Paradise
'Full of sharp psychological insights, it grips the reader by the throat and never once lets go.' Daily Mail
'A promising and hard-hitting debut' Sunday Times
'A gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels.' Woman's Own
A young man has been murdered on the notorious Paradise estate in London. The police have their assumptions; out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed that the police will never find - or want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence tying an illegal production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
'A promising and hard-hitting debut' Sunday Times
'A gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels.' Woman's Own
A young man has been murdered on the notorious Paradise estate in London. The police have their assumptions; out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed that the police will never find - or want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence tying an illegal production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
416 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2024
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 28, 2024
Okay, so where has Kasper been all my life! I loved this, so gritty, I was completely hooked. I will definitely be giving the first book a read.
This had so many twists and turns, some of which I didn’t see coming, there are some dark and graphic moments, which I am completely there for.
The characters were all explained, so I never felt there were too many.
The narrator was also fantastic!
This had so many twists and turns, some of which I didn’t see coming, there are some dark and graphic moments, which I am completely there for.
The characters were all explained, so I never felt there were too many.
The narrator was also fantastic!
April 25, 2024
A Killing in Paradise is a true crime novel that is written from the perspective of Dylan Kaspar, a current private investigator and former cop. I think here's a good time to tell you, potential reader, that if you do not like stories with police procedures, police presence, or police POVs, don't read this novel! It is not for you!
However, if you do like those things, read on!
Kaspar is familiar with Paradise, a neighborhood in London, because he grew up there, and bad things happened to him. When approached with an opportunity to find a missing person, Kaspar decides to take it into his own hands instead of turning this potential case over to the police force, which his ex wife is a part of. While searching for evidence and clues, Kaspar comes across a tape that will open his eyes to what is happening to young girls around him, and he will befriend anyone he needs to discover the truth.
However, at the same time, Kaspar is dealing with the anniversary of his daughters death, his inability to pay rent, and his unwillingness to talk to the police about any of it, not wanting to involve them until he has hard evidence. What will this case cost him? And is he willing to sacrifice those he loves to figure out who the culprits are?
Sweeney is a superb storyteller, and I immediately felt compelled to care about these characters, especially Patience and Kwame. While I did see some of the twists coming, it didn't take away from the fact that I enjoyed the story nonetheless. The narrator was also great for this story, as those can truly make or break one!
My only criticism is that this story was rather long, and it could've been chopped down and condensed.
I think this is a great book for anyone who enjoys any type of thriller, especially those who enjoy ones from the POV of detectives and cops!
Thank you to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!
However, if you do like those things, read on!
Kaspar is familiar with Paradise, a neighborhood in London, because he grew up there, and bad things happened to him. When approached with an opportunity to find a missing person, Kaspar decides to take it into his own hands instead of turning this potential case over to the police force, which his ex wife is a part of. While searching for evidence and clues, Kaspar comes across a tape that will open his eyes to what is happening to young girls around him, and he will befriend anyone he needs to discover the truth.
However, at the same time, Kaspar is dealing with the anniversary of his daughters death, his inability to pay rent, and his unwillingness to talk to the police about any of it, not wanting to involve them until he has hard evidence. What will this case cost him? And is he willing to sacrifice those he loves to figure out who the culprits are?
Sweeney is a superb storyteller, and I immediately felt compelled to care about these characters, especially Patience and Kwame. While I did see some of the twists coming, it didn't take away from the fact that I enjoyed the story nonetheless. The narrator was also great for this story, as those can truly make or break one!
My only criticism is that this story was rather long, and it could've been chopped down and condensed.
I think this is a great book for anyone who enjoys any type of thriller, especially those who enjoy ones from the POV of detectives and cops!
Thank you to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 16, 2024
I listened to this with thanks to Netgalley, Wildfire & Headline Audio for the opportunity to review this with an honest review.
This book covers various aspects that can be viewed in their own right primarily the darkness that is a reality was brought to light with some graphic details making it potentially difficult at times. So i have to point out because the visionary you can conjure from this it is evidently so well done. The characters all had various different attributes that made them potentially relatable in some form or fashion but most of all I found myself working through the plot to unveil who was doing what as the private investigator Dylan Kasper was doing.
The character Nate was brought to life in an amazing unbearable way through the narration as I found myself at one section in particular extremely repulsed by the nature of his behaviours to me this showed how well this story was written and narrated because in that moment you are submerged in the details.
By the end of the book I felt I could understand the various aspects brought to light such as how corruption is or isn't handled, how innocent people can become involved in something as a survival method, a means to an end to get by type way of life. These things happen in many areas around our world and this story has so much deeper meaning than a simple psychological thriller.
I haven't read the 1st book by this author so this was new to me but I didn't feel the need to as it covers all bases from the very beginning.
The narrator Elliot Fitzpatrick is absolutely perfect for this book he captures all characters on all points and truly feels like your watching a movie inside your own head by sound of his voice your able to visualise the storyline with ease.
Compelling read only thing I would say is it would be extra bonus if the beginning of audiable had a trigger warning of sorts due to the extreme graphic details, to be expected to some degree of course with the genre however on the outset your unaware of how graphic and dark this novel will get. Definitely a gripping story with so much more than I could even write here!
This book covers various aspects that can be viewed in their own right primarily the darkness that is a reality was brought to light with some graphic details making it potentially difficult at times. So i have to point out because the visionary you can conjure from this it is evidently so well done. The characters all had various different attributes that made them potentially relatable in some form or fashion but most of all I found myself working through the plot to unveil who was doing what as the private investigator Dylan Kasper was doing.
The character Nate was brought to life in an amazing unbearable way through the narration as I found myself at one section in particular extremely repulsed by the nature of his behaviours to me this showed how well this story was written and narrated because in that moment you are submerged in the details.
By the end of the book I felt I could understand the various aspects brought to light such as how corruption is or isn't handled, how innocent people can become involved in something as a survival method, a means to an end to get by type way of life. These things happen in many areas around our world and this story has so much deeper meaning than a simple psychological thriller.
I haven't read the 1st book by this author so this was new to me but I didn't feel the need to as it covers all bases from the very beginning.
The narrator Elliot Fitzpatrick is absolutely perfect for this book he captures all characters on all points and truly feels like your watching a movie inside your own head by sound of his voice your able to visualise the storyline with ease.
Compelling read only thing I would say is it would be extra bonus if the beginning of audiable had a trigger warning of sorts due to the extreme graphic details, to be expected to some degree of course with the genre however on the outset your unaware of how graphic and dark this novel will get. Definitely a gripping story with so much more than I could even write here!
February 18, 2024
A Killing in Paradise by Elliot Sweeney
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
A young man has been murdered on the notorious Paradise estate in London. The police have their assumptions; out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed that the police will never find - or want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence tying an illegal production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
My Opinion
This is the second book in the Dylan Kasper series but I have read it as a standalone, I feel that enough information on the backstory was provided to allow this. This is a psychological thriller that is packed with drama. Kasper gets involved in quite a dark investigation so this book is not going to be for everyone. Will Kasper be able to solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?
I'd hesitate to say that this was an enjoyable read due to the themes, but it was a well-written gripping thriller.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Wildfire and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
A young man has been murdered on the notorious Paradise estate in London. The police have their assumptions; out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed that the police will never find - or want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence tying an illegal production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
My Opinion
This is the second book in the Dylan Kasper series but I have read it as a standalone, I feel that enough information on the backstory was provided to allow this. This is a psychological thriller that is packed with drama. Kasper gets involved in quite a dark investigation so this book is not going to be for everyone. Will Kasper be able to solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?
I'd hesitate to say that this was an enjoyable read due to the themes, but it was a well-written gripping thriller.
Rating 4/5
April 21, 2024
Thank you to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook. The review below is based on my own opinions.
Despite not reading the first book, A Killing in Paradise can be read as a standalone as we immediately get to know Kasper and do not feel like we were missing any information. Immediately, you feel draw in by the characters and keen to investigate alongside Kasper as to who the murderer is. I did find that some sections were a bit repetitive, however you are draw in by its unpredictability. It keeps you guessing right up to the end and still wasn't who you suspected. I was not expecting the ending and enjoyed going back to see the mystery unfold.
The narration of the story is engaging and helped convey the different characters in the piece. It was an engaging read, that I kept listening to and didn't want to put down as I wanted to know the next twist.
Despite not reading the first book, A Killing in Paradise can be read as a standalone as we immediately get to know Kasper and do not feel like we were missing any information. Immediately, you feel draw in by the characters and keen to investigate alongside Kasper as to who the murderer is. I did find that some sections were a bit repetitive, however you are draw in by its unpredictability. It keeps you guessing right up to the end and still wasn't who you suspected. I was not expecting the ending and enjoyed going back to see the mystery unfold.
The narration of the story is engaging and helped convey the different characters in the piece. It was an engaging read, that I kept listening to and didn't want to put down as I wanted to know the next twist.
March 2, 2024
Audiobook.
Well read. Fast paced. Engaging.
Kaspar is a former met cop turned PI. He’s asked to investigate the killing of a girl’s kid brother on the Paradise Estate in London. He doesn’t want to take the case, but says he’ll give it one day. He gets draw into a dark web of murder and flashbacks.
Usual twists and turns, some I saw, most I didn’t.
Couldn’t stop listening, just wanted to find out what happened and why…
Well read. Fast paced. Engaging.
Kaspar is a former met cop turned PI. He’s asked to investigate the killing of a girl’s kid brother on the Paradise Estate in London. He doesn’t want to take the case, but says he’ll give it one day. He gets draw into a dark web of murder and flashbacks.
Usual twists and turns, some I saw, most I didn’t.
Couldn’t stop listening, just wanted to find out what happened and why…
May 27, 2024
This is Dark, disturbing and unsettling stuff from Elliot Sweeney as he returns with his Pi Dylan Kaspar.
I loved the first book so was glad to see another had been commissioned and Sweeney nails it again with this brutal slice of London Noir. As ever we get the broken protagonist but in this series it’s almost Essential as you need someone who’s been their lowest to deal with the worst society has to bring to the table.
It’s a well crafted thriller that Sweeney manages very well to convince you of one thing while completely blindsiding you at the same time. Whilst the plot does fall through a few little holes, it’s all forgiven as this is a seriously good crime read that lays bare the depravity of humans and it’s all very close to home.
Top class crime.
I loved the first book so was glad to see another had been commissioned and Sweeney nails it again with this brutal slice of London Noir. As ever we get the broken protagonist but in this series it’s almost Essential as you need someone who’s been their lowest to deal with the worst society has to bring to the table.
It’s a well crafted thriller that Sweeney manages very well to convince you of one thing while completely blindsiding you at the same time. Whilst the plot does fall through a few little holes, it’s all forgiven as this is a seriously good crime read that lays bare the depravity of humans and it’s all very close to home.
Top class crime.
February 29, 2024
A KILLING IN PARADISE - Elliot Sweeney
My 5 star review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔫 🔎 🎧 📖
💥Crime
💥Serial killer
💥Gritty
💥Urban London based
💥Book 2 of a series
💥Private Investigator
I downloaded this as an audiobook on NetGallery, so I am providing a review as a member. This is the first book I have read by this author and this is the second in the Dylan Kasper series. I didn't know it was part of a series and it was easily enjoyed as a stand-alone. I have now bought the first book for my Kindle as I thought it was a fantastic story and I wanted to learn more about Kasper and his back story.
For fans of Paul Finch, JD Kirk, Ross Greenwood, Helen Fields.
I was gripped from the start, as the story launches into Kasper viewing a chilling and gruesome snuff video. The perpetrator is superb, skin crawlingly creepy and sadistic. Kasper has been asked to investigate the murder of a young thief, Kwayme. His sister is an amateur boxer and is fiercely determined to find her brother's killer. After his death, she found a camcorder he had stolen, with a message attached. It looks like whoever made the horrific film has silenced him.
There was a great balance between characterisation, descriptions of the settings and the drama of the hunt for the killer. The prose and plot was intelligent, thought provoking and very hard hitting. The dark underbelly of urban life in all its saddest and most brutal forms are described with unflinching clarity and realism. As I listened, I was transported into the dark heart of this grim council estate. The author's use of language to add layers of colour to his rogue's gallery was superb. "He had a face like a stubbed cigar. Squat flat nose, stupid, piggy eyes." As the mystery unfolds, the pace ramps up and at times explodes like a mountain of TNT.
I really recommend this novel. If you like your crime on the more grimy side, with a protagonist who is in equal measure fearless and honourably, yet flawed and vulnerably human - this will be your next favourite read. It's clever, at times heart stopping in intensity and the twists and shocks are sensational!
Audio Version
As I listened to this as an audiobook, I want to add that the narrator is Elliot Fitzpatrick. He does a superb job. He voices each character with realism, even the females. His accents are spot on too. He really brought the text to life. The listening time is a satisfying 11 hours 40 minutes.
Other Reviews
Full of sharp psychological insights, it grips the reader by the throat and never once lets go. Daily Mail
A promising and hard-hitting debut' Sunday Times
A gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels. Woman's Own
Description
A young man has been murdered on the notorious 'Paradise' estate in London. The police have their assumptions. Out of work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed. Something the police will never find and will never want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence, tying an illegal snuff film production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
Series:
The next to die
A killing in paradise
About the author
Elliot is a community psychiatric nurse. In 2018 he was awarded the HW Fisher Scholarship to attend the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, and he's also been supported by Spread the Word through their London Writers Awards Scheme 2019 Cohort, and Hachette's Future Bookshelf scheme. He's written for Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Switchblade, amongst others.
www.elliotfsweeneywriting.com
My 5 star review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔫 🔎 🎧 📖
💥Crime
💥Serial killer
💥Gritty
💥Urban London based
💥Book 2 of a series
💥Private Investigator
I downloaded this as an audiobook on NetGallery, so I am providing a review as a member. This is the first book I have read by this author and this is the second in the Dylan Kasper series. I didn't know it was part of a series and it was easily enjoyed as a stand-alone. I have now bought the first book for my Kindle as I thought it was a fantastic story and I wanted to learn more about Kasper and his back story.
For fans of Paul Finch, JD Kirk, Ross Greenwood, Helen Fields.
I was gripped from the start, as the story launches into Kasper viewing a chilling and gruesome snuff video. The perpetrator is superb, skin crawlingly creepy and sadistic. Kasper has been asked to investigate the murder of a young thief, Kwayme. His sister is an amateur boxer and is fiercely determined to find her brother's killer. After his death, she found a camcorder he had stolen, with a message attached. It looks like whoever made the horrific film has silenced him.
There was a great balance between characterisation, descriptions of the settings and the drama of the hunt for the killer. The prose and plot was intelligent, thought provoking and very hard hitting. The dark underbelly of urban life in all its saddest and most brutal forms are described with unflinching clarity and realism. As I listened, I was transported into the dark heart of this grim council estate. The author's use of language to add layers of colour to his rogue's gallery was superb. "He had a face like a stubbed cigar. Squat flat nose, stupid, piggy eyes." As the mystery unfolds, the pace ramps up and at times explodes like a mountain of TNT.
I really recommend this novel. If you like your crime on the more grimy side, with a protagonist who is in equal measure fearless and honourably, yet flawed and vulnerably human - this will be your next favourite read. It's clever, at times heart stopping in intensity and the twists and shocks are sensational!
Audio Version
As I listened to this as an audiobook, I want to add that the narrator is Elliot Fitzpatrick. He does a superb job. He voices each character with realism, even the females. His accents are spot on too. He really brought the text to life. The listening time is a satisfying 11 hours 40 minutes.
Other Reviews
Full of sharp psychological insights, it grips the reader by the throat and never once lets go. Daily Mail
A promising and hard-hitting debut' Sunday Times
A gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels. Woman's Own
Description
A young man has been murdered on the notorious 'Paradise' estate in London. The police have their assumptions. Out of work private investigator Dylan Kasper, more than familiar with the neighbourhood, has his own.
Kasper takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of the killing. He soon discovers the reason the boy was killed. Something the police will never find and will never want to find. A highly incriminating piece of evidence, tying an illegal snuff film production company to the government and police alike.
But this is just the beginning. Kasper has made a name for himself getting under the skin of the most brutal killers in the capital. When those dearest to Kasper are suddenly thrust into view, he will have to make an impossible choice. Will the inhabitants of Paradise feel safe at last, if the price must be paid in blood?
Series:
The next to die
A killing in paradise
About the author
Elliot is a community psychiatric nurse. In 2018 he was awarded the HW Fisher Scholarship to attend the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, and he's also been supported by Spread the Word through their London Writers Awards Scheme 2019 Cohort, and Hachette's Future Bookshelf scheme. He's written for Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Switchblade, amongst others.
www.elliotfsweeneywriting.com
May 3, 2024
Paradise is the ironically named, run down London estate, where the unfortunate souls who live there, try to keep their heads down and survive, as unscathed as possible.
It’s an attention grabbing start to the book. Footage on a camcorder comes to light, giving a grim insight into a film company’s latest work. Red Rose Films is not your usual mainstream production company, not by a long chalk. Unfortunately, this dubious footage comes into the hands of a teenager, his future was decided from that very moment. Kasper, a Private Detective, is asked to look into this unsettling case.
A Killing in Paradise is the second book in the Dylan Kasper series. I haven’t read book one, and have clearly missed a huge amount of action, but this didn’t spoil my understanding or enjoyment of the book. Elliot F Sweeney, the author, gave me all of the backstory I needed to understand Kasper. He has a complex history, which causes him to make some questionable decisions; which considering he is ex Met police, make them even more questionable.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick. Elliot brought the story to life, and made all the characters distinct and separate in my mind
It is a story based in the depraved criminal underbelly of London. It is dark and gritty, the descriptions of the crimes committed are graphic, it is certainly not a book for cosy crime fans.
I enjoyed this intense, disturbing rollercoaster of a book. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
It’s an attention grabbing start to the book. Footage on a camcorder comes to light, giving a grim insight into a film company’s latest work. Red Rose Films is not your usual mainstream production company, not by a long chalk. Unfortunately, this dubious footage comes into the hands of a teenager, his future was decided from that very moment. Kasper, a Private Detective, is asked to look into this unsettling case.
A Killing in Paradise is the second book in the Dylan Kasper series. I haven’t read book one, and have clearly missed a huge amount of action, but this didn’t spoil my understanding or enjoyment of the book. Elliot F Sweeney, the author, gave me all of the backstory I needed to understand Kasper. He has a complex history, which causes him to make some questionable decisions; which considering he is ex Met police, make them even more questionable.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick. Elliot brought the story to life, and made all the characters distinct and separate in my mind
It is a story based in the depraved criminal underbelly of London. It is dark and gritty, the descriptions of the crimes committed are graphic, it is certainly not a book for cosy crime fans.
I enjoyed this intense, disturbing rollercoaster of a book. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
May 4, 2024
I listened to the audiobook of this novel and, overall, really enjoyed it. It's dark, gritty and not for the faint-hearted!
I didn't realise this was book 2 in a series but, it didn't matter too much to me as I was able to get into it pretty quickly - not sure what I've missed not reading the first book but it didn't seem to affect my enjoyment of the story.
With great characters, a dark and gritty storyline which is pretty graphic and violent in parts (maybe there should be a warning at the beginning about the subject matter it deals with?), I have to say that I was hooked from the beginning.
The narrator was perfect for the male roles but the females, not so much - maybe use a female narrator for the female parts in future books? Other than that little gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more and getting to know Kasper a little better.
Many thanks to the author, Headline Audio, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this dark and gritty audiobook.
I didn't realise this was book 2 in a series but, it didn't matter too much to me as I was able to get into it pretty quickly - not sure what I've missed not reading the first book but it didn't seem to affect my enjoyment of the story.
With great characters, a dark and gritty storyline which is pretty graphic and violent in parts (maybe there should be a warning at the beginning about the subject matter it deals with?), I have to say that I was hooked from the beginning.
The narrator was perfect for the male roles but the females, not so much - maybe use a female narrator for the female parts in future books? Other than that little gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more and getting to know Kasper a little better.
Many thanks to the author, Headline Audio, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this dark and gritty audiobook.
February 22, 2024
The first thing I have to say about this book is.....THIS IS A BOOK 2!!!
Ok... that's over - apologies for that!
But, you know I hate reading books out of order and I chose this book out of 2 I had saved, because the other was a book 2!
I download this and within the first 30 seconds it told me it was Dylan Kasper book 2 🤪
Obviously I couldn't refuse to listen and review once I'd downloaded - so I stuck with it.....
And I'll be totally honest! This was a brilliant book and I really enjoyed it - but I can't get over the fact that there was so much backstory to Dylan that I had missed - not completely relevent to this story - but definitely extremely character building!
Note to author or publisher.....Please, please put somewhere, either in the blurb or on the cover that this is part of a series 🙏
That's a lot already, sorry!
So, the story was such a clever plot and although for a lot of the book, we know who the bad guys are - there are plenty of twists and shocking moments that throw up extra problems and excitement to he case.
I loved the shocking ending which enfolded, one which I really didn't see coming!
I loved the characters - quite a diverse bunch but all linked in some way.
Kasper was a great character to explore and although I've had a fair few spoilers for what has happened in the past, I'm keen to get hold of and read book one, so that I can catch up properly with this series - it's one I know I'll enjoy continuing in the future!
The setting and case is gritty, dark and harrowing - but we love this in a book of this genre!
A flawed and struggling, ex MET turned PI brought in to solve the case set in his old neighbourhood! Just perfect!
The writing was really well paced and gripping - I was totally invested in the case and the wellbeing of all of the characters.
A really great read - just blemished by the fact I'd not read book 1 and that there was no indication of this fact.
I'm off to grab this now and I can't wait to catch up and continue the series....
Ok... that's over - apologies for that!
But, you know I hate reading books out of order and I chose this book out of 2 I had saved, because the other was a book 2!
I download this and within the first 30 seconds it told me it was Dylan Kasper book 2 🤪
Obviously I couldn't refuse to listen and review once I'd downloaded - so I stuck with it.....
And I'll be totally honest! This was a brilliant book and I really enjoyed it - but I can't get over the fact that there was so much backstory to Dylan that I had missed - not completely relevent to this story - but definitely extremely character building!
Note to author or publisher.....Please, please put somewhere, either in the blurb or on the cover that this is part of a series 🙏
That's a lot already, sorry!
So, the story was such a clever plot and although for a lot of the book, we know who the bad guys are - there are plenty of twists and shocking moments that throw up extra problems and excitement to he case.
I loved the shocking ending which enfolded, one which I really didn't see coming!
I loved the characters - quite a diverse bunch but all linked in some way.
Kasper was a great character to explore and although I've had a fair few spoilers for what has happened in the past, I'm keen to get hold of and read book one, so that I can catch up properly with this series - it's one I know I'll enjoy continuing in the future!
The setting and case is gritty, dark and harrowing - but we love this in a book of this genre!
A flawed and struggling, ex MET turned PI brought in to solve the case set in his old neighbourhood! Just perfect!
The writing was really well paced and gripping - I was totally invested in the case and the wellbeing of all of the characters.
A really great read - just blemished by the fact I'd not read book 1 and that there was no indication of this fact.
I'm off to grab this now and I can't wait to catch up and continue the series....
February 16, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Killing in Paradise by Elliot F. Sweeney an audiobook narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick is an anxiety-building psychological thriller full of action. It's like a psychological thriller combined with a detective story.
Trigger warning: torture
It wasn't very clear at the beginning, but once the ball was rolling, oh my dear! There are some really graphic descriptions of torture, that I literally could imagine in front of my eyes, and because of that suspense and stress were built to the highest level! There were parts where I thought my heart would skip the beat! So I needed to take a break and turn back the next day but if I am looking at the book as a whole, I absolutely enjoyed it! And the final twist was spot on! I would not see that coming in a hundred years!
I really enjoyed the narrator! This was a good choice! It was like it was meant to be! I believe that good narration added to the fact I enjoyed this book!
Ex DI Kasper gets involved in the dark investigation. He never wanted to do it but once he started he could not stop! The things he discovers open a dark-illegal world where human life has no value! Money dictates the rules and decides who will live and who will die. Soon Kasper learns that he can't trust anyone!
Thank you, NetGalley, Headline Audio, and Wildfire for this copy!
A Killing in Paradise by Elliot F. Sweeney an audiobook narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick is an anxiety-building psychological thriller full of action. It's like a psychological thriller combined with a detective story.
Trigger warning: torture
It wasn't very clear at the beginning, but once the ball was rolling, oh my dear! There are some really graphic descriptions of torture, that I literally could imagine in front of my eyes, and because of that suspense and stress were built to the highest level! There were parts where I thought my heart would skip the beat! So I needed to take a break and turn back the next day but if I am looking at the book as a whole, I absolutely enjoyed it! And the final twist was spot on! I would not see that coming in a hundred years!
I really enjoyed the narrator! This was a good choice! It was like it was meant to be! I believe that good narration added to the fact I enjoyed this book!
Ex DI Kasper gets involved in the dark investigation. He never wanted to do it but once he started he could not stop! The things he discovers open a dark-illegal world where human life has no value! Money dictates the rules and decides who will live and who will die. Soon Kasper learns that he can't trust anyone!
Thank you, NetGalley, Headline Audio, and Wildfire for this copy!
April 12, 2024
Do love a crime story and when I saw this was the 2nd in a series I made sure to find the 1st book and managed to get it on audible to listen to too!
It was the same narrator for both which I liked as I got used to his voice and thought he did a great job!
I wasn’t to sure on Kasper in the first book but the second book had me warming up to him, and I liked the other reoccurring characters/his circle of friends - they’re an interesting bunch for sure!
The story is about an ex-policeman who’s just trying to get by in life and has decided to put his investigative skills to use by helping those he would prefer his help instead of the police. Patience comes to him after her brother is murdered and the police leads have gone dead and she finds something in his room that she doesn’t trust the police with.
It’s well paced, a good story line and has a great twist in the end that I wasn’t expecting! I was actually surprised when I thought we’d got to the end and still had about 20% of the story to go! Twist was perfectly done and will defo look out for further instalments in Kasper’s series!
It was the same narrator for both which I liked as I got used to his voice and thought he did a great job!
I wasn’t to sure on Kasper in the first book but the second book had me warming up to him, and I liked the other reoccurring characters/his circle of friends - they’re an interesting bunch for sure!
The story is about an ex-policeman who’s just trying to get by in life and has decided to put his investigative skills to use by helping those he would prefer his help instead of the police. Patience comes to him after her brother is murdered and the police leads have gone dead and she finds something in his room that she doesn’t trust the police with.
It’s well paced, a good story line and has a great twist in the end that I wasn’t expecting! I was actually surprised when I thought we’d got to the end and still had about 20% of the story to go! Twist was perfectly done and will defo look out for further instalments in Kasper’s series!
February 22, 2024
Book 2 in the PI Dylan Kasper series, can be a stand alone but like in all book series there is references to Book 1 throughout.
A murder of a young man on the notorious Paradise estate in London, calls in PI Kasper, ex cop turned PI and who is still grieving the loss of his daughter. The police have their ideas but Kasper, being who he is and his extensive knowledge of the neighbourhood discovers why the boy was killed, and it's likely something the police will never find out, or do they want to?
Will the case be solved before anyone else gets hurt?
I enjoyed this fast paced, police procedural thriller.
Its a dark investigation that won't be for everyone, including some graphic descriptions of torture, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Elliot Fitzpatrick also did a great job at narrating!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
A murder of a young man on the notorious Paradise estate in London, calls in PI Kasper, ex cop turned PI and who is still grieving the loss of his daughter. The police have their ideas but Kasper, being who he is and his extensive knowledge of the neighbourhood discovers why the boy was killed, and it's likely something the police will never find out, or do they want to?
Will the case be solved before anyone else gets hurt?
I enjoyed this fast paced, police procedural thriller.
Its a dark investigation that won't be for everyone, including some graphic descriptions of torture, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Elliot Fitzpatrick also did a great job at narrating!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2024
The book plot has a high degree of complexity. Almost all the characters had an amazing amount of issues to deal with in their lives.
A most enjoyable read considering the darker aspects. The main character was flawed but seemed to have amazingly perceptive detection skills as well as an ability to maintain a good sense of values.
I was intrigued to see what happened! I felt I had a good grasp of what was going on but my confidence took a few hits as there were quite a few unexpected twists! I simply could not guess the final discovery and was shocked!
I am encouraged to read more books by this author!
A most enjoyable read considering the darker aspects. The main character was flawed but seemed to have amazingly perceptive detection skills as well as an ability to maintain a good sense of values.
I was intrigued to see what happened! I felt I had a good grasp of what was going on but my confidence took a few hits as there were quite a few unexpected twists! I simply could not guess the final discovery and was shocked!
I am encouraged to read more books by this author!
April 7, 2024
Paradise is not a good place to live with neglected tower blocks and residents. When a young man is willed, Dylan Kasper is asked to investigate. He will discover some really dark, scary people who destroy lives for profit. More people will be put in danger but the truth must out.
A well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Strong characters whop will need their wits to avoid becoming victims. Can Paradise ever be a place to call home or even somewhere you can feel safe?
A well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Strong characters whop will need their wits to avoid becoming victims. Can Paradise ever be a place to call home or even somewhere you can feel safe?
April 7, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review. This book is the second book in a series but can easily be read as a standalone. A dark, gritty and sometimes disturbing tale about a private investigator who gets involved in a mysterious crime that ends up being much more than he bargained for. A really engaging story with a great set of complex characters. I would highly recommend this psychological thriller and I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series. 5 stars.
April 12, 2024
Dark detective thriller audiobook. Nicely narrated and produced. Listeners to this book’s story will be brought face to face with the grief of loss and the impact of lives broken by circumstance. I liked that the author doesn’t try to solve the problems of the characters lives, no real happy ending. Life goes on, we find ways to survive. Thank you to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
March 30, 2024
A killing in paradise is a good chilly thriller. The detective works very hard to unravel the mystery behind a film and see through the end by making sure the villain is punished at the cost of harm to himself and the ones close to him. Since it was a audiobook it was an easy to listen to the narrator. Very happy to had the opportunity to red the book , Thanks to netgalley and the publishers. I didn’t know it was part of a series would like to read other books as well.
February 14, 2024
This is the second in Elliot F. Sweeney's gritty and hard hitting London based series featuring the guilt ridden PI Dylan Kaspar, still grieving the loss of his daughter who committed suicide, living with retired former psychiatrist, Dr Steiner. I both read and listened to this on audio, narrated reasonably well by Elliot Fitzpatrick, and which is 11 hours and 40 minutes long. I should warn readers that this is a particularly gory and upsetting addition, with a too high dead bodies count, and takes in the horrifying filmed murders of young women for the purpose of snuff movies. It all begins with Mani taking Kaspar to a women's boxing match in a community hall, it turns he has an ulterior motive, as he introduces him to the talented and promising winner, the boxer Patience.
Patience lives in the poverty stricken and troubled London council estate of Paradise, she has suffered the loss of her father, and her 14 year old brother, Kwame Mensah, has been recently knifed to death, a crime that attracted no police investigation, and apparently witnessed by local crook, drug dealer and cafe owner, Terry Kinsella, his account raising suspicions. Patience shows Kaspar the truly disturbing and macabre film on a camcorder stolen by Kwame which suggests the real reason behind his murder. Patience is in no position to be able to pay, and Kaspar initially agrees to do a day's work for free, only to find himself unable to drop the case, so desperate is he to catch the 2 men committing such heinous crimes. However, he underestimates the criminal power and ruthlessness of those he is up against.
Those close to him are in danger, targets to ensure Kaspar complies with villainous demands, and he finds himself under the kind of dangers and case that will test his moral fibre and change him for good, along with others too, such as DS Diane McAteer and Suzanna McGovern, and there is a shocking final reveal at the end that is to underline the morally ambiguous territory he has now entered. There is an unevenness to the storytelling, plotting, and in the character of Kaspar in the way he handles the most gruesome of cases. After reaching the end, I was left wondering where the author will take Kaspar in his next outing. I would not recommend this to the faint of heart, and do recommend the audio and the book to others. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC and the ALC.
Patience lives in the poverty stricken and troubled London council estate of Paradise, she has suffered the loss of her father, and her 14 year old brother, Kwame Mensah, has been recently knifed to death, a crime that attracted no police investigation, and apparently witnessed by local crook, drug dealer and cafe owner, Terry Kinsella, his account raising suspicions. Patience shows Kaspar the truly disturbing and macabre film on a camcorder stolen by Kwame which suggests the real reason behind his murder. Patience is in no position to be able to pay, and Kaspar initially agrees to do a day's work for free, only to find himself unable to drop the case, so desperate is he to catch the 2 men committing such heinous crimes. However, he underestimates the criminal power and ruthlessness of those he is up against.
Those close to him are in danger, targets to ensure Kaspar complies with villainous demands, and he finds himself under the kind of dangers and case that will test his moral fibre and change him for good, along with others too, such as DS Diane McAteer and Suzanna McGovern, and there is a shocking final reveal at the end that is to underline the morally ambiguous territory he has now entered. There is an unevenness to the storytelling, plotting, and in the character of Kaspar in the way he handles the most gruesome of cases. After reaching the end, I was left wondering where the author will take Kaspar in his next outing. I would not recommend this to the faint of heart, and do recommend the audio and the book to others. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC and the ALC.
September 16, 2024
The first installment of this series, The Next to Die, was a solid thriller that showed great promise as the basis of a series. Dylan Kasper is reminiscent of Jackson Brodie before he got too philosophical, and the story hit a good balance of grittiness and intrigue. This second entry in the series picks up a year or so later with a promising start - Kasper's friend Mani the train driver, introduced in the first book, connects him with a teenager whose brother has been murdered. She wants more than the cursory look the police gave the death of a black teenager in a notorious public housing development, and Kasper's own past of having grown up there himself makes him unable to say no.
What follows is a twisty mystery that gives Kasper plenty of opportunity to show off his fighting skills, deductive reasoning, and talent for breaking and entering - but the core villains don't live up to the creativity of the rest of the story. The crimes are horrific to the point that sensitive readers might want to evaluate their own limits before starting to read/listen, but the perpetrators are straight out of Generic Villain Mart. The "twist" at the end is also a bit easy to see coming, as the author has done such a good job of documenting everyone's movements that there's only one possibility by that point. The narrator does an admirable job of differentiating the character voices, and seems to be enjoying the Velveeta of the villain monologues (oh yes, there are multiple), so that helps greatly with the enjoyability of the audio edition - but I suspect that much of this would be fairly painful in printed form.
I hope this series continues and that one day we will look back on this one as a slightly baroque diversion from the more straightforward plots to come.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
What follows is a twisty mystery that gives Kasper plenty of opportunity to show off his fighting skills, deductive reasoning, and talent for breaking and entering - but the core villains don't live up to the creativity of the rest of the story. The crimes are horrific to the point that sensitive readers might want to evaluate their own limits before starting to read/listen, but the perpetrators are straight out of Generic Villain Mart. The "twist" at the end is also a bit easy to see coming, as the author has done such a good job of documenting everyone's movements that there's only one possibility by that point. The narrator does an admirable job of differentiating the character voices, and seems to be enjoying the Velveeta of the villain monologues (oh yes, there are multiple), so that helps greatly with the enjoyability of the audio edition - but I suspect that much of this would be fairly painful in printed form.
I hope this series continues and that one day we will look back on this one as a slightly baroque diversion from the more straightforward plots to come.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
March 22, 2024
Title: A Killing in Paradise
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrator: Elliot Fitzpatrick
Review:
Disclosure: I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of this audiobook from the author, publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elliot Fitzpatrick, the narrator of "A Killing in Paradise," truly excels in bringing this gripping police procedural to life. His narration is impeccable, with a crisp pace that keeps listeners engaged throughout. As someone whose second language is English, I appreciated Fitzpatrick's clear enunciation and the way he skillfully brought out the nuances of the characters without overwhelming accents. His talent for pacing is particularly noteworthy, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
The book itself, as described by reviewers, is full of sharp psychological insights and grips the reader by the throat from the very start. Set in the notorious Paradise estate in London, where a young man has been murdered, the story is a promising and hard-hitting debut, according to the Sunday Times. It's a gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels, as noted by Woman's Own.
Sweeney's narrative follows the out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper as he navigates the complexities of the case, uncovering layers of deception and corruption. The plot is riveting, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Expected publication date: June 6, 2024.
In summary, Elliot Fitzpatrick's stellar narration truly enhances the experience of "A Killing in Paradise." I wholeheartedly give him five stars for a job very well done. Fans of police procedurals will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrator: Elliot Fitzpatrick
Review:
Disclosure: I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of this audiobook from the author, publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elliot Fitzpatrick, the narrator of "A Killing in Paradise," truly excels in bringing this gripping police procedural to life. His narration is impeccable, with a crisp pace that keeps listeners engaged throughout. As someone whose second language is English, I appreciated Fitzpatrick's clear enunciation and the way he skillfully brought out the nuances of the characters without overwhelming accents. His talent for pacing is particularly noteworthy, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
The book itself, as described by reviewers, is full of sharp psychological insights and grips the reader by the throat from the very start. Set in the notorious Paradise estate in London, where a young man has been murdered, the story is a promising and hard-hitting debut, according to the Sunday Times. It's a gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels, as noted by Woman's Own.
Sweeney's narrative follows the out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper as he navigates the complexities of the case, uncovering layers of deception and corruption. The plot is riveting, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Expected publication date: June 6, 2024.
In summary, Elliot Fitzpatrick's stellar narration truly enhances the experience of "A Killing in Paradise." I wholeheartedly give him five stars for a job very well done. Fans of police procedurals will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
April 25, 2024
Here is the review I wrote as BluJeans Books.
Title: A Killing in Paradise
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrator: Elliot Fitzpatrick
Review:
Disclosure: I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of this audiobook from the author, publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elliot Fitzpatrick, the narrator of "A Killing in Paradise," truly excels in bringing this gripping police procedural to life. His narration is impeccable, with a crisp pace that keeps listeners engaged throughout. As someone whose second language is English, I appreciated Fitzpatrick's clear enunciation and the way he skillfully brought out the nuances of the characters without overwhelming accents. His talent for pacing is particularly noteworthy, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
The book itself, as described by reviewers, is full of sharp psychological insights and grips the reader by the throat from the very start. Set in the notorious Paradise estate in London, where a young man has been murdered, the story is a promising and hard-hitting debut, according to the Sunday Times. It's a gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels, as noted by Woman's Own.
Sweeney's narrative follows the out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper as he navigates the complexities of the case, uncovering layers of deception and corruption. The plot is riveting, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Expected publication date: June 6, 2024.
In summary, Elliot Fitzpatrick's stellar narration truly enhances the experience of "A Killing in Paradise." I wholeheartedly give him five stars for a job very well done. Fans of police procedurals will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
Title: A Killing in Paradise
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrator: Elliot Fitzpatrick
Review:
Disclosure: I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of this audiobook from the author, publishers, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elliot Fitzpatrick, the narrator of "A Killing in Paradise," truly excels in bringing this gripping police procedural to life. His narration is impeccable, with a crisp pace that keeps listeners engaged throughout. As someone whose second language is English, I appreciated Fitzpatrick's clear enunciation and the way he skillfully brought out the nuances of the characters without overwhelming accents. His talent for pacing is particularly noteworthy, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
The book itself, as described by reviewers, is full of sharp psychological insights and grips the reader by the throat from the very start. Set in the notorious Paradise estate in London, where a young man has been murdered, the story is a promising and hard-hitting debut, according to the Sunday Times. It's a gritty, unflinching thriller that satisfies on many levels, as noted by Woman's Own.
Sweeney's narrative follows the out-of-work private investigator Dylan Kasper as he navigates the complexities of the case, uncovering layers of deception and corruption. The plot is riveting, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
Expected publication date: June 6, 2024.
In summary, Elliot Fitzpatrick's stellar narration truly enhances the experience of "A Killing in Paradise." I wholeheartedly give him five stars for a job very well done. Fans of police procedurals will find much to enjoy in this captivating tale.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
February 11, 2024
This book sounded like it would be right up my street. An ex-copper turned PI/vigilante goes after a group who murdered a young boy on a large London council estate? Sign me up.
When Patience's young brother is murdered, the cops don't seem to care. Patience wants Kasper to investigate. Kasper quickly discovers the boy accidentally stumbled upon a large-scale snuff film industry targeting local women sex workers. Soon the bodies are piling up around him.
I wanted to like this one. I really did. And I'm grateful to the publisher for the chance to read it. But this book irked me. Were it not for the fact it was an ARC, I would have stopped reading as soon as it became clear this was a cis White man writing about male violence against women. Honestly, I suspect this author doesn't think he hates women.
Who would enjoy this book? Probably a whole lot of people. I'm not one of them, though.
This novel is compelling in much the same way a car crash is. The plot is soap-operaish. The characters are amalgams of outdated stereotypes (e.g. about immigrants, women, people of colour, council estates) and overused tropes (e.g. tart with a heart, PI with a drink problem, etc.). As for setting, he seems to have used episodes of Casualty as a guide to what life is like on an urban council estate.
Towards the end, there's an uncritical reference to the crime fiction written by 'that woman famous for writing about wizards' and let's just say … that tracks.
My thanks to Headline and the author for the chance to read this one. I'm sorry I couldn't write a nicer review.
On the plus side, the narrator did an excellent job.
When Patience's young brother is murdered, the cops don't seem to care. Patience wants Kasper to investigate. Kasper quickly discovers the boy accidentally stumbled upon a large-scale snuff film industry targeting local women sex workers. Soon the bodies are piling up around him.
I wanted to like this one. I really did. And I'm grateful to the publisher for the chance to read it. But this book irked me. Were it not for the fact it was an ARC, I would have stopped reading as soon as it became clear this was a cis White man writing about male violence against women. Honestly, I suspect this author doesn't think he hates women.
Who would enjoy this book? Probably a whole lot of people. I'm not one of them, though.
This novel is compelling in much the same way a car crash is. The plot is soap-operaish. The characters are amalgams of outdated stereotypes (e.g. about immigrants, women, people of colour, council estates) and overused tropes (e.g. tart with a heart, PI with a drink problem, etc.). As for setting, he seems to have used episodes of Casualty as a guide to what life is like on an urban council estate.
Towards the end, there's an uncritical reference to the crime fiction written by 'that woman famous for writing about wizards' and let's just say … that tracks.
My thanks to Headline and the author for the chance to read this one. I'm sorry I couldn't write a nicer review.
On the plus side, the narrator did an excellent job.
March 8, 2024
*Thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for an ALC of this audiobook in return for an honest review*
3.5 stars 🌟
This is the second book and I haven't read the first. The author manages to provide enough background information such that the book stands alone, which is always a plus in my opinion.
One of the things that really struck me about this book was the way it explores social injustices between different groups of people. The author does an excellent job of looking at the reasons behind why women might turn to sex work, and the societal factors that contribute to this. It's a complex issue that is often overlooked, so it was refreshing to see it tackled here.
Another thing that stood out to me was the way the main character was written. While many authors feel the need to rely on constant swearing to create a "complex" character, this book proves that this isn't always necessary. The main character is nuanced and multi-faceted, and the author manages to convey this without resorting to foul language.
That being said, there were some aspects of this book that felt a bit cliché. The ex-police, divorced, complicated love life, and use of sex workers all felt like tropes that have been overdone in the genre. However, even with these flaws, the book was still an enjoyable read.
Overall, I found myself invested in the story and curious to see how it would all end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.
3.5 stars 🌟
This is the second book and I haven't read the first. The author manages to provide enough background information such that the book stands alone, which is always a plus in my opinion.
One of the things that really struck me about this book was the way it explores social injustices between different groups of people. The author does an excellent job of looking at the reasons behind why women might turn to sex work, and the societal factors that contribute to this. It's a complex issue that is often overlooked, so it was refreshing to see it tackled here.
Another thing that stood out to me was the way the main character was written. While many authors feel the need to rely on constant swearing to create a "complex" character, this book proves that this isn't always necessary. The main character is nuanced and multi-faceted, and the author manages to convey this without resorting to foul language.
That being said, there were some aspects of this book that felt a bit cliché. The ex-police, divorced, complicated love life, and use of sex workers all felt like tropes that have been overdone in the genre. However, even with these flaws, the book was still an enjoyable read.
Overall, I found myself invested in the story and curious to see how it would all end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.
October 6, 2024
Review Title: Dark, Gripping, and Immersive
Killing in Paradise by Elliot Sweeney is a gritty, intense psychological thriller set in the notorious Paradise estate. Private investigator Dylan Kasper dives headfirst into a murder investigation that uncovers deep corruption and ties to powerful players in both the police and government. The narrative is packed with twists, tension, and danger, making for a gripping read. While this is the second in the Dylan Kasper series, it works well as a standalone.
Kasper is a flawed yet compelling protagonist whose tenacity and streetwise instincts draw readers into the dark world he inhabits. Sweeney masterfully balances Kasper's personal stakes with the investigation’s high tension, keeping the suspense alive as Kasper grapples with impossible choices and life-threatening consequences.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart—its themes are heavy and explore the dark side of both the criminal world and institutional corruption. The writing is sharp, and the pacing fast, creating an immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience. If you enjoy dark thrillers with a strong sense of place and a protagonist willing to go to any length to uncover the truth, this one is worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wildfire, and Elliot Sweeney for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Killing in Paradise by Elliot Sweeney is a gritty, intense psychological thriller set in the notorious Paradise estate. Private investigator Dylan Kasper dives headfirst into a murder investigation that uncovers deep corruption and ties to powerful players in both the police and government. The narrative is packed with twists, tension, and danger, making for a gripping read. While this is the second in the Dylan Kasper series, it works well as a standalone.
Kasper is a flawed yet compelling protagonist whose tenacity and streetwise instincts draw readers into the dark world he inhabits. Sweeney masterfully balances Kasper's personal stakes with the investigation’s high tension, keeping the suspense alive as Kasper grapples with impossible choices and life-threatening consequences.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart—its themes are heavy and explore the dark side of both the criminal world and institutional corruption. The writing is sharp, and the pacing fast, creating an immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience. If you enjoy dark thrillers with a strong sense of place and a protagonist willing to go to any length to uncover the truth, this one is worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wildfire, and Elliot Sweeney for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 3, 2024
This is the second book in the Dylan Kasper series. I read the first one so was happy to pick up this one as I enjoyed the dark storyline of the first book.
Kasper is asked for help from his friend Mani. A local girl he knows Patience is distraught after her brother is stabbed on the infamous Paradise Estate, a place Kasper knows only too well having lived their himself when he was growing up. Patience believes that her brothers murder has been brushed under the carpet and this is where Kasper comes in and Mani know’s he will find it hard to not investigate.
And investigate is exactly what he does and it isn’t long before Kasper finds himself in the middle of yet another dangerous mess.
This is another very dark story, so if you are triggered by delicate subjects, it could be one to avoid. That being said, I enjoyed this second book as much as I did the first one. I know Kasper and his close friends and you get to know him and them a little more.
Would I go for book 3, yes, would I like it to be a little different, yes, there is a risk they could a be a little samey. I give this a fair 5/5. Thanks once again to Netgalley for this ARC.
Kasper is asked for help from his friend Mani. A local girl he knows Patience is distraught after her brother is stabbed on the infamous Paradise Estate, a place Kasper knows only too well having lived their himself when he was growing up. Patience believes that her brothers murder has been brushed under the carpet and this is where Kasper comes in and Mani know’s he will find it hard to not investigate.
And investigate is exactly what he does and it isn’t long before Kasper finds himself in the middle of yet another dangerous mess.
This is another very dark story, so if you are triggered by delicate subjects, it could be one to avoid. That being said, I enjoyed this second book as much as I did the first one. I know Kasper and his close friends and you get to know him and them a little more.
Would I go for book 3, yes, would I like it to be a little different, yes, there is a risk they could a be a little samey. I give this a fair 5/5. Thanks once again to Netgalley for this ARC.
May 25, 2024
A Killing in Paradise - 4 stars
#AKillinginParadise is the second book of the series about private investigator Dylan Kasper. I have to say, I didn't read the first one but provided information was enough to get through this story.
A young boy Kwame dies in a pretty rough area of London, ironically called Paradise. His sister Patience wants to find out the truth about his death. And because the police don't try to do much, she asks private detective Dylan Kasper to help her. As proof that it wasn't just an accidental murder, Patience shows him a very disturbing video, that she found in her brother's belongings. Dylan takes this case, even though Paradise is the last place he wants to be. He grew up there and something bad happened to him at that place. As the investigation progresses, Kasper discovers that the boy has gotten involved in something dangerous, something related to snuff films industry. And from this moment, everything is progressing like a snowball and everyone who's involved in this investigation finds themselves in danger. At the same time, Kasper has to deal with his own demons, it's an anniversary of the death of his young daughter and this leaves its mark on the investigation case and those around him. Will Dylan Kasper fight his own battle and discover all the truth about Kwame's death? Or Paradise take over him?
This story is quite dark, with a good few twists and turns that will leave you wondering. It's a good combination of detective and drama. Thanks to Elliot Sweeney for the great building up Dylan's character, it was really complex and decent, something you expect in any thriller.
And special thanks to the narrator E. Fitzpatrick, he made the story real and I found myself hooked almost immediately and that it was difficult to stop listening. The perfect voice for this thriller.
Overall, I think that this book will be liked by all fans of psychological thrillers, especially those who like the tropes 'ex-cop to detective'.
Will I read the next book? Yes. I would like to know where E. Sweeney will bring Dylan Kasper next.
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Headline Audio | Wildfire
Pub Date: 6 Jun 2024
Duration 11 hours, 40 minutes
Thank you NetGalley for providing the audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
#AKillinginParadise is the second book of the series about private investigator Dylan Kasper. I have to say, I didn't read the first one but provided information was enough to get through this story.
A young boy Kwame dies in a pretty rough area of London, ironically called Paradise. His sister Patience wants to find out the truth about his death. And because the police don't try to do much, she asks private detective Dylan Kasper to help her. As proof that it wasn't just an accidental murder, Patience shows him a very disturbing video, that she found in her brother's belongings. Dylan takes this case, even though Paradise is the last place he wants to be. He grew up there and something bad happened to him at that place. As the investigation progresses, Kasper discovers that the boy has gotten involved in something dangerous, something related to snuff films industry. And from this moment, everything is progressing like a snowball and everyone who's involved in this investigation finds themselves in danger. At the same time, Kasper has to deal with his own demons, it's an anniversary of the death of his young daughter and this leaves its mark on the investigation case and those around him. Will Dylan Kasper fight his own battle and discover all the truth about Kwame's death? Or Paradise take over him?
This story is quite dark, with a good few twists and turns that will leave you wondering. It's a good combination of detective and drama. Thanks to Elliot Sweeney for the great building up Dylan's character, it was really complex and decent, something you expect in any thriller.
And special thanks to the narrator E. Fitzpatrick, he made the story real and I found myself hooked almost immediately and that it was difficult to stop listening. The perfect voice for this thriller.
Overall, I think that this book will be liked by all fans of psychological thrillers, especially those who like the tropes 'ex-cop to detective'.
Will I read the next book? Yes. I would like to know where E. Sweeney will bring Dylan Kasper next.
Author: Elliot F. Sweeney
Narrated by Elliot Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Headline Audio | Wildfire
Pub Date: 6 Jun 2024
Duration 11 hours, 40 minutes
Thank you NetGalley for providing the audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#AKillinginParadise #NetGalley
May 7, 2024
I realised quite quickly that this book was not going to be great for me.
I listened to 30% of the book, but I was still struggling to find anything to enjoy in it. I decided to put it aside for a while and come back to it. I then read until the halfway point of the book and decided that was enough for me.
I found the narrator's voice to be very flat and monotonous, which was excellent for portraying the jaded ex-cop turned PI main character. However the flat tone made the other characters seem underdeveloped.
The early chapters of the book contain a very graphic description of a violent crime which was a tough listen.
There are some interesting and important themes raised in the book, but at the point I read to I felt they were being used as buzzwords, rather than genuine exploration of the issues.
I think this book will appeal to readers who like a strong lone-wolf hero who needs to save everyone (like a less trigger-happy Reacher). I am grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this book, unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
I listened to 30% of the book, but I was still struggling to find anything to enjoy in it. I decided to put it aside for a while and come back to it. I then read until the halfway point of the book and decided that was enough for me.
I found the narrator's voice to be very flat and monotonous, which was excellent for portraying the jaded ex-cop turned PI main character. However the flat tone made the other characters seem underdeveloped.
The early chapters of the book contain a very graphic description of a violent crime which was a tough listen.
There are some interesting and important themes raised in the book, but at the point I read to I felt they were being used as buzzwords, rather than genuine exploration of the issues.
I think this book will appeal to readers who like a strong lone-wolf hero who needs to save everyone (like a less trigger-happy Reacher). I am grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this book, unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
May 28, 2024
🎧4⭐️
I had the audiobook of this UK crime debut read by Elliott Fitzpatrick, he manages a decent female voice but didn’t find him the most entertaining narrator Kasper comes over quite flat.
Ex cop turned unemployed PI Dylan Kasper investigates the death of a young man on an estate called Paradise, that’s anything but in London. He soon finds out the reason for his death, but that’s just the beginning of this crime thriller with a dark side.
Kasper doesn’t mind bending the rules during the course of his investigation giving him a bad boy vibe. Kasper has an ‘in’ with the locals via the boxing club. I couldn’t gel with Kasper I think that was in part due to the narrator.
Initially I thought it was going to be a gentle mystery however the theme covered is quite dark it avoids any graphic description to keep it suitable for a wider audience.
It’s a slow burn start which gradually drew me in. I’m not sure if I’d follow the series. I think it would appeal to crime readers who like a different style of protagonist.
I had this book for free
I had the audiobook of this UK crime debut read by Elliott Fitzpatrick, he manages a decent female voice but didn’t find him the most entertaining narrator Kasper comes over quite flat.
Ex cop turned unemployed PI Dylan Kasper investigates the death of a young man on an estate called Paradise, that’s anything but in London. He soon finds out the reason for his death, but that’s just the beginning of this crime thriller with a dark side.
Kasper doesn’t mind bending the rules during the course of his investigation giving him a bad boy vibe. Kasper has an ‘in’ with the locals via the boxing club. I couldn’t gel with Kasper I think that was in part due to the narrator.
Initially I thought it was going to be a gentle mystery however the theme covered is quite dark it avoids any graphic description to keep it suitable for a wider audience.
It’s a slow burn start which gradually drew me in. I’m not sure if I’d follow the series. I think it would appeal to crime readers who like a different style of protagonist.
I had this book for free
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