What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Birch #5
The Dead Don't Speak: a completely gripping crime thriller guaranteed to keep you up all night
DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, housebound and exceptionally bored. Her boss, DCI McLeod, has made it crystal she is not to take on any work until her recuperation is over.In her absence, Amy Kato is promoted to sergeant and is given a maddening case to work Edinburgh is being plagued by an anonymous vigilante. He started small, meting out punishment to obnoxious boy racers and other antisocial folk, but his behaviour is escalating. Amy can tell from the anonymous online paper trail he leaves. His writings are increasingly confident, and increasingly threatening. And yet he also seems to be her team can find no clue as to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.At first, McLeod doesn't see the case as a huge deal. Concerned, Amy comes to Birch in secret to ask for help, and Birch finds it impossible to resist taking placing her directly in the path of immense danger ...
390 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2023
30 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Claire Askew
28 books124 followersClaire Askew is a poet, novelist and the current Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh. Her debut novel, All the Hidden Truths, was the winner of the 2016 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, and longlisted for the 2014 Peggy Chapman-Andrews (Bridport) Novel Award. Claire holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh and has won a variety of accolades for her work, including the Jessie Kesson Fellowship and a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award.
Her debut poetry collection, This changes things, was published by Bloodaxe in 2016 and shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award and a Saltire First Book Award. In 2016 Claire was selected as a Scottish Book Trust Reading Champion, and she works as the Scotland tutor for women's writing initiatives Write Like A Grrrl! and #GrrrlCon.
Claire Askew was born in 1986 and grew up in the Scottish Borders. She has lived in Edinburgh since 2004. Her poems have appeared in numerous publications, including The Guardian, Poetry Scotland, PANK, Edinburgh Review and Be The First To Like This: New Scottish Poetry (Vagabond Voices, 2014), and have been selected twice for the Scottish Poetry Library's Best Scottish Poems of the Year. In 2013 she won the International Salt Prize for Poetry, and in 2014 was runner-up for the inaugural Edwin Morgan Poetry Award for Scottish poets under 30. She runs the One Night Stanza blog, and collects old typewriters (she currently has around 30).
Her debut poetry collection, This changes things, was published by Bloodaxe in 2016 and shortlisted for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award and a Saltire First Book Award. In 2016 Claire was selected as a Scottish Book Trust Reading Champion, and she works as the Scotland tutor for women's writing initiatives Write Like A Grrrl! and #GrrrlCon.
Claire Askew was born in 1986 and grew up in the Scottish Borders. She has lived in Edinburgh since 2004. Her poems have appeared in numerous publications, including The Guardian, Poetry Scotland, PANK, Edinburgh Review and Be The First To Like This: New Scottish Poetry (Vagabond Voices, 2014), and have been selected twice for the Scottish Poetry Library's Best Scottish Poems of the Year. In 2013 she won the International Salt Prize for Poetry, and in 2014 was runner-up for the inaugural Edwin Morgan Poetry Award for Scottish poets under 30. She runs the One Night Stanza blog, and collects old typewriters (she currently has around 30).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 13, 2023
EXCERPT: I made it to Berwick, the sea to my left almost hidden by the haar. Gulls hung over the tarmac, wailing. I turned on the radio, but not for long - its idle prattle annoyed me. I hated that the world wasn't changed, the sky hadn't fallen. Didn't everyone realise I'd killed a man? Didn't everyone know?
ABOUT 'THE DEAD DON'T SPEAK': DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, housebound and exceptionally bored. Her boss, DCI McLeod, has made it crystal clear: she is not to take on any work until her recuperation is over.
In her absence, Amy Kato is promoted to sergeant and is given a maddening case to work on: Edinburgh is being plagued by an anonymous vigilante. He started small, meting out punishment to obnoxious boy racers and other antisocial folk, but his behaviour is escalating. Amy can tell from the anonymous online paper trail he leaves. His writings are increasingly confident, and increasingly threatening. And yet he also seems to be invisible: her team can find no clue as to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.
At first, McLeod doesn't see the case as a huge deal. Concerned, Amy comes to Birch in secret to ask for help, and Birch finds it impossible to resist taking action: placing her directly in the path of immense danger ...
MY THOUGHTS: DI Helen Birch is an extremely independent woman who finds it hard to accept help and almost impossible to ask for it. But in this episode of the series, she runs the risk of alienating everyone, not just her bosses who find her 'gung-ho' attitude infuriating and at times dangerous. I can empathise with her frustration at not being allowed to work, but let's face it Helen, working on crutches and high doses of painkillers isn't to be recommended.
I have to admit to beginning to feel more than a little frustration with Helen in The Dead Don't Speak. While I can understand her boredom and irritation at being kept out of the loop, she became an absolute menace, a danger, not only to herself, but to everyone else on the team. Sorry Claire, but at times you went a little overboard with Helen's actions and reactions.
BUT, I still really enjoyed this read. I liked the vigilante slant, and the way Amy comes into her own. I am also really starting to warm to Jamieson's character - he's a breath of fresh air, and I am enjoying his devotion to Helen in her hour of need after all those years of not having been involved in her life.
There is plenty of action and suspense in Helen's life - far too much for anyone to be happy with her.
The Dead Don't Speak left me wondering if, after all these horrific injuries, Helen is going to be able to return to work in her old and full capacity. Perhaps there are changes coming for Helen. I, for one, can't wait to find out!
I don't recommend that The Dead Don't Speak be read as a stand-alone. There is far too much knowledge from previous books required to make this a fulfilling read. But it is a great series, so if you want to pick it up, please start at the beginning.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheDeadDontSpeak #NetGalley
I: @one.night.stanzas @hodderbooks
T: @OneNightStanzas @HodderBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #mentalhealth #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Claire Askew is a poet, novelist and the current Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh. Claire Askew was born in 1986 and grew up in the Scottish Borders. She has lived in Edinburgh since 2004. She runs the One Night Stanza blog, and collects old typewriters (she currently has around 30).
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dead Don't Speak by Claire Askew for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'THE DEAD DON'T SPEAK': DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, housebound and exceptionally bored. Her boss, DCI McLeod, has made it crystal clear: she is not to take on any work until her recuperation is over.
In her absence, Amy Kato is promoted to sergeant and is given a maddening case to work on: Edinburgh is being plagued by an anonymous vigilante. He started small, meting out punishment to obnoxious boy racers and other antisocial folk, but his behaviour is escalating. Amy can tell from the anonymous online paper trail he leaves. His writings are increasingly confident, and increasingly threatening. And yet he also seems to be invisible: her team can find no clue as to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.
At first, McLeod doesn't see the case as a huge deal. Concerned, Amy comes to Birch in secret to ask for help, and Birch finds it impossible to resist taking action: placing her directly in the path of immense danger ...
MY THOUGHTS: DI Helen Birch is an extremely independent woman who finds it hard to accept help and almost impossible to ask for it. But in this episode of the series, she runs the risk of alienating everyone, not just her bosses who find her 'gung-ho' attitude infuriating and at times dangerous. I can empathise with her frustration at not being allowed to work, but let's face it Helen, working on crutches and high doses of painkillers isn't to be recommended.
I have to admit to beginning to feel more than a little frustration with Helen in The Dead Don't Speak. While I can understand her boredom and irritation at being kept out of the loop, she became an absolute menace, a danger, not only to herself, but to everyone else on the team. Sorry Claire, but at times you went a little overboard with Helen's actions and reactions.
BUT, I still really enjoyed this read. I liked the vigilante slant, and the way Amy comes into her own. I am also really starting to warm to Jamieson's character - he's a breath of fresh air, and I am enjoying his devotion to Helen in her hour of need after all those years of not having been involved in her life.
There is plenty of action and suspense in Helen's life - far too much for anyone to be happy with her.
The Dead Don't Speak left me wondering if, after all these horrific injuries, Helen is going to be able to return to work in her old and full capacity. Perhaps there are changes coming for Helen. I, for one, can't wait to find out!
I don't recommend that The Dead Don't Speak be read as a stand-alone. There is far too much knowledge from previous books required to make this a fulfilling read. But it is a great series, so if you want to pick it up, please start at the beginning.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheDeadDontSpeak #NetGalley
I: @one.night.stanzas @hodderbooks
T: @OneNightStanzas @HodderBooks
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #mentalhealth #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Claire Askew is a poet, novelist and the current Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh. Claire Askew was born in 1986 and grew up in the Scottish Borders. She has lived in Edinburgh since 2004. She runs the One Night Stanza blog, and collects old typewriters (she currently has around 30).
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dead Don't Speak by Claire Askew for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
February 23, 2023
3.5 rounded up
DI Helen Birch Book 5, Edinburgh.
This instalment picks up following the drama and fallout from Operation Kendall in the Scottish Borders in which Helen is injured. She’s on sick leave but being Helen she isn’t coping well with the restrictions of her injury and she’s bored. Oh dear! Watch out team.
An observer, a good deed with a woman driver saved from an odious, vicious boy racer. Over the next few months a couple of other incidents suggest a Robin Hood type of figure targeting individuals who threaten others on some way, shape or form. But why? It becomes clear that the person need stopping as their actions are escalating. Newly promoted DS Amy Kato is placed in charge of the case but Helen finds it impossible to keep out of it which is no great surprise!
This has been a high octane mystery thriller series up to this one which isn’t as breathtaking as its predecessors though I’m not sure what else Claire Askew could do given Helen’s circumstances! However, it is gritty in places especially in the ‘revenge’ acts and the voice of the vigilante figure is very good and chilling. The characterisation is good as they all feel authentic and real. Helen is a VERY independent woman, she’s intelligent and intuitive but is equally exasperating, infuriating and frustrating especially to those above her pay grade in the police ranks. It entertainingly coveys the conflicts and clashes as she wants to work but they fully appreciate her current limitations. I love the character of her father Jamieson who always enlivens the pages he’s on and he’s called upon here to help Helen out on more than one occasion. His broad Scottish vernacular is always a fun challenge!
The pace rises and falls throughout as some of the narrative concerns Helen's struggles and also the pitfalls and difficulties of a job in the police force and what it can lead to so it definitely hits the realism button. It builds with some twists to a good conclusion with a surprise or two along the way.
Get well soon Helen and I look forward to the next high octane instalment when your up and at ‘em!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
DI Helen Birch Book 5, Edinburgh.
This instalment picks up following the drama and fallout from Operation Kendall in the Scottish Borders in which Helen is injured. She’s on sick leave but being Helen she isn’t coping well with the restrictions of her injury and she’s bored. Oh dear! Watch out team.
An observer, a good deed with a woman driver saved from an odious, vicious boy racer. Over the next few months a couple of other incidents suggest a Robin Hood type of figure targeting individuals who threaten others on some way, shape or form. But why? It becomes clear that the person need stopping as their actions are escalating. Newly promoted DS Amy Kato is placed in charge of the case but Helen finds it impossible to keep out of it which is no great surprise!
This has been a high octane mystery thriller series up to this one which isn’t as breathtaking as its predecessors though I’m not sure what else Claire Askew could do given Helen’s circumstances! However, it is gritty in places especially in the ‘revenge’ acts and the voice of the vigilante figure is very good and chilling. The characterisation is good as they all feel authentic and real. Helen is a VERY independent woman, she’s intelligent and intuitive but is equally exasperating, infuriating and frustrating especially to those above her pay grade in the police ranks. It entertainingly coveys the conflicts and clashes as she wants to work but they fully appreciate her current limitations. I love the character of her father Jamieson who always enlivens the pages he’s on and he’s called upon here to help Helen out on more than one occasion. His broad Scottish vernacular is always a fun challenge!
The pace rises and falls throughout as some of the narrative concerns Helen's struggles and also the pitfalls and difficulties of a job in the police force and what it can lead to so it definitely hits the realism button. It builds with some twists to a good conclusion with a surprise or two along the way.
Get well soon Helen and I look forward to the next high octane instalment when your up and at ‘em!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 1, 2023
DI Birch #5
DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, housebound and exceptionally bored. Her boss, DCI McLeod, has made it crystal clear: she's not to take on any work until her recuperation is over. In her absence, Amy Kato is promoted to Sergeant and is given a maddening case to work on: Edinburgh is being plagued by an anonymous vigilante. He started small, meting out punishment to obnoxious boy racers and other antisocial folk, but his behaviour is escalating. Amy can tell from the anonymous paper trail he leaves. His writings are increasingly confident, and increasingly threatening. and yet he also seems to be invisible: her team can find no clue as to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.
This book is descriptively written. Helen is on sick leave after being shot in the line of duty. She's not coping very well, she's also suffering from the incident and going stir crazy. Amy Kato has been promoted to acting Sergeant and Helen wants Amy to let her help with the investigation. This is a gritty, gripping and twisted read. The story is mostly about Helen's resentment and daily struggles whilst recovering from being shot. The characters are well developed. The pace is steady. This book could be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #ClaireAskew for my ARC of #TheDeadDontSpeak in exchange for ab honest review.
DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, housebound and exceptionally bored. Her boss, DCI McLeod, has made it crystal clear: she's not to take on any work until her recuperation is over. In her absence, Amy Kato is promoted to Sergeant and is given a maddening case to work on: Edinburgh is being plagued by an anonymous vigilante. He started small, meting out punishment to obnoxious boy racers and other antisocial folk, but his behaviour is escalating. Amy can tell from the anonymous paper trail he leaves. His writings are increasingly confident, and increasingly threatening. and yet he also seems to be invisible: her team can find no clue as to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.
This book is descriptively written. Helen is on sick leave after being shot in the line of duty. She's not coping very well, she's also suffering from the incident and going stir crazy. Amy Kato has been promoted to acting Sergeant and Helen wants Amy to let her help with the investigation. This is a gritty, gripping and twisted read. The story is mostly about Helen's resentment and daily struggles whilst recovering from being shot. The characters are well developed. The pace is steady. This book could be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #ClaireAskew for my ARC of #TheDeadDontSpeak in exchange for ab honest review.
July 10, 2023
4 / 5 stars!
I enjoyed this book following the aftermath of the events of book 4. However, for this book it’s a must to read the book prior as it gives a lot of context about Helen and her physical / mental state. That being said, I enjoyed this book although I felt as though Helen was on the extreme end of things.
The book follows Helen after the aftermath of the prior events from book 4, she is recovering from her injuries sustained in the event which has left her temporarily on crutches undertaking therapy and physiotherapy. An vigilante is present on the streets of Edinburgh tackling issues, what was a hit and run, transforms to a killer taking a life of a lowlife gangster. Helen is forced to sit out, placed on indefinite leave until she recovers, helping DS Amy Kato with the case.
This book is odd to read, as usually we see Helen on the forefront taking charge and running the investigation, but this time things have changed. You get to see a side of Helen that we haven’t seen before struggle to come to terms with her injury and the mental side of Operation Kendall. I have to admit I like the character development of Birch, but at times it can be extreme and jump to the extreme end. Put that aside, I was drawn to this book, I was hooked in to see who was responsible, enough for me to finish it in one day.
Overall I recommend the series, but you’ll definitely have to read the fourth book prior to this as this book ultimately ruins the plot, but you’ll get a greater understanding of who Helen was before and after the events.
I enjoyed this book following the aftermath of the events of book 4. However, for this book it’s a must to read the book prior as it gives a lot of context about Helen and her physical / mental state. That being said, I enjoyed this book although I felt as though Helen was on the extreme end of things.
The book follows Helen after the aftermath of the prior events from book 4, she is recovering from her injuries sustained in the event which has left her temporarily on crutches undertaking therapy and physiotherapy. An vigilante is present on the streets of Edinburgh tackling issues, what was a hit and run, transforms to a killer taking a life of a lowlife gangster. Helen is forced to sit out, placed on indefinite leave until she recovers, helping DS Amy Kato with the case.
This book is odd to read, as usually we see Helen on the forefront taking charge and running the investigation, but this time things have changed. You get to see a side of Helen that we haven’t seen before struggle to come to terms with her injury and the mental side of Operation Kendall. I have to admit I like the character development of Birch, but at times it can be extreme and jump to the extreme end. Put that aside, I was drawn to this book, I was hooked in to see who was responsible, enough for me to finish it in one day.
Overall I recommend the series, but you’ll definitely have to read the fourth book prior to this as this book ultimately ruins the plot, but you’ll get a greater understanding of who Helen was before and after the events.
June 15, 2023
I usually love this Scottish crime series that features Helen Birch who is recovering from a major injury sustained in her last case in her last book. Somehow she insinuates herself into a major case which I found so unbelievable that I soon lost interest. I did finish this book but for me not one of best in this otherwise gripping series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
June 15, 2023
The Dead Don’t Speak is number 5 in the DI Helen Birch series, set in Edinburgh. I’m new to these books so have jumped right in partway through, however I feel this can be read as a standalone as enough background detail is given for a new reader.
Helen Birch is rather a mess, both physically and mentally. Having previously been seriously injured she is on leave but the immobility, pain and boredom of not being allowed to do anything is driving her mad. Not being one to easily accept help, she is pushing some of those closest to her away and feeling even more isolated.
Her colleague Amy Kato has been promoted and is in charge of what initially seems a standard hit and run to solve. However all is not what it seems and when actions escalate, the team are on the backfoot.
The ‘team’ should not include Helen as she has orders not to involve herself in work and to rest and recover. However, she ignores this and her own investigations leads to danger and the possible end to her career.
This is my first outing with Helen Birch so I’m only able to comment on this book and not in comparison with the series. Parts of the book have a slower pace and at times it was an introspective character driven story but I suspect this is probably due to Helen’s own circumstances and her immobility. Having said that, there was plenty of tension and intrigue with the perpetrator’s own voice, ‘the Vampire’, included in the narrative. This wasn’t a clear cut case of the bad guy being hunted and deserving to be caught – there was somewhat of a moral dilemma involved too.
Despite her grumbling and prickly nature, I liked Helen. It’s clear she is a strong willed character but brave too and I loved the developing relationship she had with her previously distant father. Her frustration at her physical limitations came over so clearly, as did the mental torment she put herself through when thinking about the previous case that ended so badly.
Suspenseful, gritty and absorbing with dramatic twists and surprises, The Dead Don’t Speak was a very enjoyable read and a series that I shall be following in future.
Helen Birch is rather a mess, both physically and mentally. Having previously been seriously injured she is on leave but the immobility, pain and boredom of not being allowed to do anything is driving her mad. Not being one to easily accept help, she is pushing some of those closest to her away and feeling even more isolated.
Her colleague Amy Kato has been promoted and is in charge of what initially seems a standard hit and run to solve. However all is not what it seems and when actions escalate, the team are on the backfoot.
The ‘team’ should not include Helen as she has orders not to involve herself in work and to rest and recover. However, she ignores this and her own investigations leads to danger and the possible end to her career.
This is my first outing with Helen Birch so I’m only able to comment on this book and not in comparison with the series. Parts of the book have a slower pace and at times it was an introspective character driven story but I suspect this is probably due to Helen’s own circumstances and her immobility. Having said that, there was plenty of tension and intrigue with the perpetrator’s own voice, ‘the Vampire’, included in the narrative. This wasn’t a clear cut case of the bad guy being hunted and deserving to be caught – there was somewhat of a moral dilemma involved too.
Despite her grumbling and prickly nature, I liked Helen. It’s clear she is a strong willed character but brave too and I loved the developing relationship she had with her previously distant father. Her frustration at her physical limitations came over so clearly, as did the mental torment she put herself through when thinking about the previous case that ended so badly.
Suspenseful, gritty and absorbing with dramatic twists and surprises, The Dead Don’t Speak was a very enjoyable read and a series that I shall be following in future.
June 11, 2023
The Dead Don’t Speak takes up the story a few months after A Matter of Time ended in dramatic style. DI Birch is recovering from a serious injury which sees her incapacitated and frustrated. Helen is not used to sitting doing nothing and doesn’t take kindly to being looked after. Despite strict instructions not to work on any cases, when her friend and colleague DS Kato calls her for help with a serious crime scene, her intuition kicks in and there’s no way she’s not investigating further, permission or not.
Helen Birch is a fascinating character and we really get under her skin in this book. As well as receiving treatment for her physical injuries, she is also in therapy to help her cope mentally with what she has gone through. That was so interesting as we got to find out a bit more about the workings of Birch’s mind, or at least as much as she is willing to reveal. I enjoyed reading about her other colleagues and the way they interacted with Birch. DS Amy Kato in particular gets a rather prominent role in this book mirroring her newly elevated role as sergeant.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the developing relationship Birch had with her dad Jamieson. He had been largely absent from her life until recently and at first it was hard for her to trust him and rely on him but she really had no choice. Jamieson was quite a character who made me smile a lot. He may not have been there for Birch’s early years but he is certainly there for his daughter in this book. His quiet pride in her and fierce devotion to her was evident.
Claire Askew is brilliant at writing a story that I get totally caught up in every time. My husband and I not only enjoyed listening to the story but spent quite a bit of time discussing our theories about what might happen and how or if Helen was going to solve the crime. The book is cleverly written and Claire Askew so good at misleading us on more than one occasion. We enjoyed the Edinburgh setting very much, knowing exactly the streets which the characters moved in.
I absolutely loved this book! It was absolutely gripping with the tension building up throughout the final pages as Birch puts herself in serious danger and there seemed to be no way out. A real nail-biting finish. This series just gets better and better and The Dead Don’t Speak is my favourite so far. I can’t wait to find out what case Helen takes on next.
Helen Birch is a fascinating character and we really get under her skin in this book. As well as receiving treatment for her physical injuries, she is also in therapy to help her cope mentally with what she has gone through. That was so interesting as we got to find out a bit more about the workings of Birch’s mind, or at least as much as she is willing to reveal. I enjoyed reading about her other colleagues and the way they interacted with Birch. DS Amy Kato in particular gets a rather prominent role in this book mirroring her newly elevated role as sergeant.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the developing relationship Birch had with her dad Jamieson. He had been largely absent from her life until recently and at first it was hard for her to trust him and rely on him but she really had no choice. Jamieson was quite a character who made me smile a lot. He may not have been there for Birch’s early years but he is certainly there for his daughter in this book. His quiet pride in her and fierce devotion to her was evident.
Claire Askew is brilliant at writing a story that I get totally caught up in every time. My husband and I not only enjoyed listening to the story but spent quite a bit of time discussing our theories about what might happen and how or if Helen was going to solve the crime. The book is cleverly written and Claire Askew so good at misleading us on more than one occasion. We enjoyed the Edinburgh setting very much, knowing exactly the streets which the characters moved in.
I absolutely loved this book! It was absolutely gripping with the tension building up throughout the final pages as Birch puts herself in serious danger and there seemed to be no way out. A real nail-biting finish. This series just gets better and better and The Dead Don’t Speak is my favourite so far. I can’t wait to find out what case Helen takes on next.
June 6, 2023
DI Helen Birch has been signed off sick after being shot whilst working on a previous case, but relaxing and recovering is not her style and she finds herself desperate to get back to the career that she loves. When a suspected vigilante starts roaming the streets of Edinburgh, newly promoted DS Amy Kato asks Helen for help and DI Birch can’t help but get involved, despite her superiors instructions.
I really enjoyed the vigilante storyline and we get to hear from them directly without knowing who they are which adds to the tension and drama of the story. The story starts with them running a boy racer off the road to stop them terrorising another driver and it quickly ramps up from there. A game of cat and mouse pursues with the police unsure of the vigilante’s motives.
This is the 5th book in the DI Birch series and whilst it definitely works as a standalone novel, it’s one I’d recommend reading in order as it does give some spoilers for previous storylines. I struggled to connect with Helen initially and I think that’s because we meet her in this book at a difficult time in her life, but because this was the first book I’d read I didn’t have the experience of her backstory to use as a yardstick for her usual persona.
My favourite parts of the book involved Helen’s dad Jamieson. He brings some much needed comedic relief to the storyline and I found myself cheering him on despite his many flaws. I can tell that there’s a lot more for me to find out about all the characters and I’d like to go back and read the earlier novels to fully understand their stories up until this point. If you like a police series, especially ones set in such a beautiful setting as Edinburgh then I’d recommend giving this series a try, but definitely start with the first book and go from there.
I really enjoyed the vigilante storyline and we get to hear from them directly without knowing who they are which adds to the tension and drama of the story. The story starts with them running a boy racer off the road to stop them terrorising another driver and it quickly ramps up from there. A game of cat and mouse pursues with the police unsure of the vigilante’s motives.
This is the 5th book in the DI Birch series and whilst it definitely works as a standalone novel, it’s one I’d recommend reading in order as it does give some spoilers for previous storylines. I struggled to connect with Helen initially and I think that’s because we meet her in this book at a difficult time in her life, but because this was the first book I’d read I didn’t have the experience of her backstory to use as a yardstick for her usual persona.
My favourite parts of the book involved Helen’s dad Jamieson. He brings some much needed comedic relief to the storyline and I found myself cheering him on despite his many flaws. I can tell that there’s a lot more for me to find out about all the characters and I’d like to go back and read the earlier novels to fully understand their stories up until this point. If you like a police series, especially ones set in such a beautiful setting as Edinburgh then I’d recommend giving this series a try, but definitely start with the first book and go from there.
June 12, 2023
Great series. Edinburgh's Matilda Darke!
June 4, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
theres a vigilante in town
DI helen birch is off on sick leave recovering from being shot, but her friend and newly promoted sergeant kato rings her for help at an horrendous crime scene as she cant get hold of anyone else
and its not long before things start to escalate...
an interesting compelling read that i couldnt put down and i didnt see the end coming at all...
looking forward to the next book in this brilliant series
theres a vigilante in town
DI helen birch is off on sick leave recovering from being shot, but her friend and newly promoted sergeant kato rings her for help at an horrendous crime scene as she cant get hold of anyone else
and its not long before things start to escalate...
an interesting compelling read that i couldnt put down and i didnt see the end coming at all...
looking forward to the next book in this brilliant series
April 22, 2024
Whilst I enjoyed the idea of a vigilante killer on the loose and the challenge that presents to the attitudes of the police, as well as Amy Kato moving on in her career, I found Helen Birch’s behaviour too much in this novel. I’ve previously enjoyed all of these books, and Helen’s character, and I understand how frustrated she would have felt being off work sick, but she went past being a gutsy and determined police officer here to being annoying, I’m sorry to say.
August 1, 2025
When I started this, I wasn't too sure that I would like it. How wrong I was! Great plot and narrative and I really enjoyed the characters. Although there were a couple of bits of the plot that were slightly far-fetched, it certainly didn't affect my enjoyment. There were a couple of twists too that I didn't work out until towards the end, so that was really good. I liked the setting of Edinburgh as I recognised many places in the novel.
June 11, 2023
Not a favourite for me. It's an adequate police procedural thriller however a lot of the plot is extremely far fetched and doesn't seem to be procedurally accurate. I kept reading to the end purely because in wanted to see how it would be tied up but can't say that I enjoyed it.
May 7, 2023
Claire Askew takes her Edinburgh based DI Helen Birch series in a different direction here, what we have here is a detailed forensic psychological study of a traumatised Birch as she hits rock bottom, she is on sick leave after being shot in Operation Kendall, and plagued by nightmares replaying all that went wrong and her failures that led to the death of Gerald Hodgson. Her recovery is far too slow a process for her to manage, forced by DCI MacLeod to see a therapist, Dr Jane Ryan. Birch is climbing the walls, living in lawyer Anjan's exclusive, well organised, luxury city apartment, her crippling pain ensuring that she is dependent on him to look after her. She is alone for most of the day, a headstrong personality, she has nothing to fill the mental vacuum she faces, reading is not enough, she has nothing and no-one who can fill the gaping hole that is her role as a police officer, it is fundamental to her sense of identity, nothing else matters.
All the elements are there for Birch to follow the most self destructive and dangerous of paths, as she leaves Anjan's to return to her chaotic disorganised home without telling him, and proceeds to ignore all his efforts to get in touch. She insists on helping newly promoted DS Amy Kato on a strange case of someone targeting and following small time perpetrators, described as tall, thin and driving a black car. She is going against orders, in no state to be involved in an active investigation, she needs help whether she likes it or not, the only person left she can call on is her father, Jamieson, a man in his seventies, who owes her for being absent most of her life. As matters escalate to murder, there is no way Birch will let go, not the threat to her career that suspension will bring, nor the damage to her physical and mental health as self doubts grow.
Birch is convinced that they have a vigilante on their hands, not a gang turf war, but she soon loses anyone who believes in her, the terrific Jamieson stays with her, but only because of his love for his daughter. This is a fascinating addition to the series, Birch is exasperating, she is teetering on the edge of losing it, facing suspension, and still nothing will stop her, not the setbacks to her physical health, she is who she is, and has to do what she has to do, whatever it costs her. This is one for crime and mystery readers who love indepth character studies. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
All the elements are there for Birch to follow the most self destructive and dangerous of paths, as she leaves Anjan's to return to her chaotic disorganised home without telling him, and proceeds to ignore all his efforts to get in touch. She insists on helping newly promoted DS Amy Kato on a strange case of someone targeting and following small time perpetrators, described as tall, thin and driving a black car. She is going against orders, in no state to be involved in an active investigation, she needs help whether she likes it or not, the only person left she can call on is her father, Jamieson, a man in his seventies, who owes her for being absent most of her life. As matters escalate to murder, there is no way Birch will let go, not the threat to her career that suspension will bring, nor the damage to her physical and mental health as self doubts grow.
Birch is convinced that they have a vigilante on their hands, not a gang turf war, but she soon loses anyone who believes in her, the terrific Jamieson stays with her, but only because of his love for his daughter. This is a fascinating addition to the series, Birch is exasperating, she is teetering on the edge of losing it, facing suspension, and still nothing will stop her, not the setbacks to her physical health, she is who she is, and has to do what she has to do, whatever it costs her. This is one for crime and mystery readers who love indepth character studies. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 25, 2023
This is the 5th outing for DI Helen Birch and, as with all series, I am obviously going to recommend you start at book one and read in order. I know I bang on about this all the time but you really will get the best from the individual books if you do this.
So... Helen in stuck at home recovering after having major surgery after being shot. She is also a bit shot in the head from the outcome of her last case, and seeing a force therapist. Her relationship with Anjan is suffering. She really isn't in a good place.
She is therefore under strict orders from DCI McLeod not to work. Yeah...right... as if!?
Meanwhile her teammate Amy Kato, recently promoted to sergeant is heading up a rather nasty case. There's a spate of crimes plaguing the city. A boy racer is sideswiped leading to hospitalisation, other nefarious antisocial people are also targeted. Initially deemed unrelated, they think it is all just gang related. But with an ever changing MO and a plethora of maybe targets, Amy is struggling. McLeod isn't convinced it's that big a deal but Amy fears things are escalating. So she does what she isn't supposed to do... She asks Helen for help. Helen then ropes her previously estranged father to help her.
After starting to investigate, it soon becomes evident that maybe it could be the work of one person - a sort of batman type vigilante. But will she be able to crack the case... and at what personal cost...?
Ooo this was a juicy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I do like Helen as a character and very much felt for her with how the previous book's events concluded. I feared for the fallout and that is very much evident herein. She is a mess. And being sidelined is not helping. But she also doesn't help herself, or indeed ask others for help she needs. Vicious circle. I also love the ongoing relationship with father Jamieson.
And the case under investigation is a doozy. Where part of you wants them to get away with things as the targets are nasty people, there's also the case of right and wrong and where do you draw the line with vigilante and retribution.
It also highlights the issues that cops face day in day out. How every case effects them in some way and how it can all compound and come to a head if not dealt with properly.
All in all, a good solid read and a great addition to an already well impressive series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... Helen in stuck at home recovering after having major surgery after being shot. She is also a bit shot in the head from the outcome of her last case, and seeing a force therapist. Her relationship with Anjan is suffering. She really isn't in a good place.
She is therefore under strict orders from DCI McLeod not to work. Yeah...right... as if!?
Meanwhile her teammate Amy Kato, recently promoted to sergeant is heading up a rather nasty case. There's a spate of crimes plaguing the city. A boy racer is sideswiped leading to hospitalisation, other nefarious antisocial people are also targeted. Initially deemed unrelated, they think it is all just gang related. But with an ever changing MO and a plethora of maybe targets, Amy is struggling. McLeod isn't convinced it's that big a deal but Amy fears things are escalating. So she does what she isn't supposed to do... She asks Helen for help. Helen then ropes her previously estranged father to help her.
After starting to investigate, it soon becomes evident that maybe it could be the work of one person - a sort of batman type vigilante. But will she be able to crack the case... and at what personal cost...?
Ooo this was a juicy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I do like Helen as a character and very much felt for her with how the previous book's events concluded. I feared for the fallout and that is very much evident herein. She is a mess. And being sidelined is not helping. But she also doesn't help herself, or indeed ask others for help she needs. Vicious circle. I also love the ongoing relationship with father Jamieson.
And the case under investigation is a doozy. Where part of you wants them to get away with things as the targets are nasty people, there's also the case of right and wrong and where do you draw the line with vigilante and retribution.
It also highlights the issues that cops face day in day out. How every case effects them in some way and how it can all compound and come to a head if not dealt with properly.
All in all, a good solid read and a great addition to an already well impressive series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 27, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Dead Don’t Speak, the fifth novel to feature DI Helen Birch of Police Scotland, based in Edinburgh.
Helen is off work recovering from a gunshot wound, but she’s struggling with boredom, so when newly promoted DS Amy Kato asks for help on the case of a suspected vigilante she is working Helen is only too pleased to help. Warned off the case by her boss she continues to work it despite the danger it puts her in.
I enjoyed The Dead Don’t Speak, which is a different kind of novel from its predecessors as the crime element is more background than front and centre. The novel is all about Helen and her recovery process and, frankly, it doesn’t make her very likeable. For this reason I think that this novel would be a poor fit for a new reader to the series.
I think that Helen’s situation is very realistic as I can identify with many of her emotions when I first became ill. Her self worth is linked to her job, so not working is a kind of torture, then there is the boredom of being physically unable to do normal things and the unwanted solicitiousness and care of others. She is railing against her fate and feeling guilty that her actions caused the death of a man. It’s a strong brew of emotions and she’s not handling it well. Add to this her belief that she knows best and she manages to upset everyone in her orbit. It’s not a great picture of her, but, on the other hand, she is right.
The plot is about the hunt for a vigilante. The reader knows this before the detectives because his point of view is given several airings in the first person. How can you be an accidental vigilante, because that’s how he sees himself initially? Nevertheless he evolves as the novel progresses, although the novel offers no insight into why he would fall into the most improbable trap ever conceived. The trap makes sense as a plot device, but seems to come from nowhere and would never happen without more safeguards. I can’t say more, but really. Still, it’s exciting and a suitable finale.
The Dead Don’t Speak is a good read that I can recommend.
Helen is off work recovering from a gunshot wound, but she’s struggling with boredom, so when newly promoted DS Amy Kato asks for help on the case of a suspected vigilante she is working Helen is only too pleased to help. Warned off the case by her boss she continues to work it despite the danger it puts her in.
I enjoyed The Dead Don’t Speak, which is a different kind of novel from its predecessors as the crime element is more background than front and centre. The novel is all about Helen and her recovery process and, frankly, it doesn’t make her very likeable. For this reason I think that this novel would be a poor fit for a new reader to the series.
I think that Helen’s situation is very realistic as I can identify with many of her emotions when I first became ill. Her self worth is linked to her job, so not working is a kind of torture, then there is the boredom of being physically unable to do normal things and the unwanted solicitiousness and care of others. She is railing against her fate and feeling guilty that her actions caused the death of a man. It’s a strong brew of emotions and she’s not handling it well. Add to this her belief that she knows best and she manages to upset everyone in her orbit. It’s not a great picture of her, but, on the other hand, she is right.
The plot is about the hunt for a vigilante. The reader knows this before the detectives because his point of view is given several airings in the first person. How can you be an accidental vigilante, because that’s how he sees himself initially? Nevertheless he evolves as the novel progresses, although the novel offers no insight into why he would fall into the most improbable trap ever conceived. The trap makes sense as a plot device, but seems to come from nowhere and would never happen without more safeguards. I can’t say more, but really. Still, it’s exciting and a suitable finale.
The Dead Don’t Speak is a good read that I can recommend.
June 14, 2023
I really enjoyed Claire Askew’s latest outing for D.I. Helen Birch. This is a series I have really grown to love, not least because Claire Askew’s writing is lucid and she really does develop her characters well.
In this, the fifth in the series, DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, and is confined to her partner, Anjan’s luxury Quartermile flat, letting her boredom drive her mad. It’s been made very clear to her that she is not to take on any work until she is better, but Helen lives for her work and she’s chafing at the bit to know what’s going on at the station.
Helen is also required to attend therapy to help her mental recovery as well as her physical. Though she is a very self-contained person who does not easily give up her inner thoughts, her therapist, Dr Jane Ryan is gently teasing those thoughts from her.
In Helen’s absence, DS Amy Kato has been promoted to Sergeant and is running her first case. It’s no big deal; a tall, thin man appears to be targeting petty crooks and other anti-social behaviours. It started with a car chase and is escalating. Amy tells Helen about her case and Helen begins to see a possible pattern. Excited at having something to get her teeth into Helen ignores D.C.I McLeod’s instructions to stay away from work and begins to behave like the proverbial bull in a china shop as she asserts her ideas about the case in a forceful fashion to anyone who will listen.
Convinced that only she has the answer, as this man’s behaviour becomes ever more lethal, Helen’s behaviour becomes ever more erratic, putting herself in danger and alienating most of those who are closest to her, Only her long estranged dad seems prepared to stand by her.
Claire Askew has produced a really interesting portrait of a good policewoman, traumatised and injured after a dramatic event and shows us the personal and professional fall-out from the impact of such an event on both the physical and the mental health of an individual.
I was captured by this superb read and found this to be the best book yet in this excellent series.
In this, the fifth in the series, DI Helen Birch is recovering from major surgery, and is confined to her partner, Anjan’s luxury Quartermile flat, letting her boredom drive her mad. It’s been made very clear to her that she is not to take on any work until she is better, but Helen lives for her work and she’s chafing at the bit to know what’s going on at the station.
Helen is also required to attend therapy to help her mental recovery as well as her physical. Though she is a very self-contained person who does not easily give up her inner thoughts, her therapist, Dr Jane Ryan is gently teasing those thoughts from her.
In Helen’s absence, DS Amy Kato has been promoted to Sergeant and is running her first case. It’s no big deal; a tall, thin man appears to be targeting petty crooks and other anti-social behaviours. It started with a car chase and is escalating. Amy tells Helen about her case and Helen begins to see a possible pattern. Excited at having something to get her teeth into Helen ignores D.C.I McLeod’s instructions to stay away from work and begins to behave like the proverbial bull in a china shop as she asserts her ideas about the case in a forceful fashion to anyone who will listen.
Convinced that only she has the answer, as this man’s behaviour becomes ever more lethal, Helen’s behaviour becomes ever more erratic, putting herself in danger and alienating most of those who are closest to her, Only her long estranged dad seems prepared to stand by her.
Claire Askew has produced a really interesting portrait of a good policewoman, traumatised and injured after a dramatic event and shows us the personal and professional fall-out from the impact of such an event on both the physical and the mental health of an individual.
I was captured by this superb read and found this to be the best book yet in this excellent series.
June 2, 2023
Thank you to the author, publishers Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.
DI Birch is desperate to get back to work. Recovering from a gunshot wound in the line of duty, she’s been ordered to rest and enter therapy. But when her protégé tells her about a pattern she’s spotted between recent reports, Birch throws herself into an unofficial investigation.
This is book five in the DI Birch series, but it absolutely passes the great series test by balancing relevant backstory with plot in a way that doesn’t labour the point while welcoming new readers who arrive mid-series.
Birch is a great character. In many ways the archetypal trope detective of the social misfit whose inability to play the organisational politics game is tolerated because she reaches insights into the case all her colleagues miss. But, she manages to feel fresh in a way that isn’t simply ’oh, but this one’s female’.
The supporting cast are also largely strong, apart from Birch’s boss and the rival who has taken over her position while she is on leave. Both fall dangerously close to caricatures in their rope pf provide opposition and challenge to Birch’s insightful, but renegade detective.
Newly-minted Detective Sergeant Amy Kato, Birch’s father Jamieson and her boyfriend Anjan are, however, all well-developed character who both challenge and facilitate Birch in an interesting and largely believable way.
A really good standalone story and a new author added to my TBR list to catch-up with their back catalogue.
DI Birch is desperate to get back to work. Recovering from a gunshot wound in the line of duty, she’s been ordered to rest and enter therapy. But when her protégé tells her about a pattern she’s spotted between recent reports, Birch throws herself into an unofficial investigation.
This is book five in the DI Birch series, but it absolutely passes the great series test by balancing relevant backstory with plot in a way that doesn’t labour the point while welcoming new readers who arrive mid-series.
Birch is a great character. In many ways the archetypal trope detective of the social misfit whose inability to play the organisational politics game is tolerated because she reaches insights into the case all her colleagues miss. But, she manages to feel fresh in a way that isn’t simply ’oh, but this one’s female’.
The supporting cast are also largely strong, apart from Birch’s boss and the rival who has taken over her position while she is on leave. Both fall dangerously close to caricatures in their rope pf provide opposition and challenge to Birch’s insightful, but renegade detective.
Newly-minted Detective Sergeant Amy Kato, Birch’s father Jamieson and her boyfriend Anjan are, however, all well-developed character who both challenge and facilitate Birch in an interesting and largely believable way.
A really good standalone story and a new author added to my TBR list to catch-up with their back catalogue.
April 24, 2023
If a book mentions fans of Elly Griffiths would enjoy it, is instantly added to my teetering tbr. This is how I find myself reading The Dead Don’t Speak by Claire Askew, a new author to me.
It would appear I’ve picked up a series on book number 5. DI Helen Birch sustained a serious injury, a gunshot, during a hostage situation, and is currently recovering, in theory. Taking things easy, and letting her body rest does not come easily to her, in fact, it’s virtually impossible.
Despite being a new instalment of a series, the book reads well as a standalone. I feel there is a lot of ground covered in previous books, but I don’t feel I have missed out. The author puts enough detail through the pages, to help me to understand the backstories of the characters, and the previous events they have experienced.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, all were distinct and easily remembered. Helen is independent and head strong, to the point of self destruction. Her Dad Jamieson is my favourite character, I found his rich language painted his image into my mind. I found myself smiling during the pages he featured in. A rough diamond you would rather have on your side, than against.
The story felt realistic, and authentic. The characters are imperfect and relatable. I read the book quickly, as it was a good easy read.
The Dead Don’t Speak is a good, solid 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ crime fiction read.
It would appear I’ve picked up a series on book number 5. DI Helen Birch sustained a serious injury, a gunshot, during a hostage situation, and is currently recovering, in theory. Taking things easy, and letting her body rest does not come easily to her, in fact, it’s virtually impossible.
Despite being a new instalment of a series, the book reads well as a standalone. I feel there is a lot of ground covered in previous books, but I don’t feel I have missed out. The author puts enough detail through the pages, to help me to understand the backstories of the characters, and the previous events they have experienced.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, all were distinct and easily remembered. Helen is independent and head strong, to the point of self destruction. Her Dad Jamieson is my favourite character, I found his rich language painted his image into my mind. I found myself smiling during the pages he featured in. A rough diamond you would rather have on your side, than against.
The story felt realistic, and authentic. The characters are imperfect and relatable. I read the book quickly, as it was a good easy read.
The Dead Don’t Speak is a good, solid 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ crime fiction read.
May 23, 2023
The Dead don’t speak by Claire Askew is the fifth book in the D I Helen Birch series.
In this instalment Helen is on sick leave and recovering from a gunshot wound in her hip that she got in her last case of Operation Kendall. Which was a hostage situation that went wrong, and the person died. Not only is she in a lot of pain but she id blaming herself of what happened that day. She is not dealing with it very well even though she is seeing a therapist. She is not a person to seat still for very long. So, when newly promoted Sargent Amy Kato calls her for her to help on a case of a Vigilante. She jumps at the chance to help. Even though the rest of her colleagues and her boyfriend Anjan to leave well alone. But Helen is at home bored and can’t help herself to get involved. So, she goes out on her own to find the vigilante, with the help of her dad who is driving her around.
Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton, for a copy of Claire Askew’s latest offering. This is another fab edition to the series. It has a well written realistic plot; with lots of twists regarding Helen Birch who is determined to find the vigilante and solved the case. But her friends and colleagues think she has gone a step to far and not staying on leave and recovering from her injuries. So much so that she is on the edge of being suspended. They question her mental health. This is a great read. 4 stars from me.
In this instalment Helen is on sick leave and recovering from a gunshot wound in her hip that she got in her last case of Operation Kendall. Which was a hostage situation that went wrong, and the person died. Not only is she in a lot of pain but she id blaming herself of what happened that day. She is not dealing with it very well even though she is seeing a therapist. She is not a person to seat still for very long. So, when newly promoted Sargent Amy Kato calls her for her to help on a case of a Vigilante. She jumps at the chance to help. Even though the rest of her colleagues and her boyfriend Anjan to leave well alone. But Helen is at home bored and can’t help herself to get involved. So, she goes out on her own to find the vigilante, with the help of her dad who is driving her around.
Thank you, Hodder & Stoughton, for a copy of Claire Askew’s latest offering. This is another fab edition to the series. It has a well written realistic plot; with lots of twists regarding Helen Birch who is determined to find the vigilante and solved the case. But her friends and colleagues think she has gone a step to far and not staying on leave and recovering from her injuries. So much so that she is on the edge of being suspended. They question her mental health. This is a great read. 4 stars from me.
May 29, 2023
The Dead Don’t Speak Claire Askew
4 stars
The next DI Birch book
This is the third book in the DI Birch series and I really thing I needed to have read the previous two to understand better what had happened to DI Birch when she got shot. This book is mainly about her resentment and struggling to recover from her injury and, in particular, her frustration at not being able to do the job she loves so much. She is particularly unkind to her long –suffering partner, Anjan, who is only trying to help her.
The story revolves around a set of murders that appear to be that of a vigilante trying to hurt people who most deserve it. Because one of the victims, James Able, was linked to a known gang leader currently in prison, the police seem to think this is the work of a person hoping to take over as the new hard man. However Helen is sure that this is a vigilante and despite being forbidden to get involved she goes her own way and sets up a trap to catch this person.
I found it hard to have a lot of sympathy with DI Birch and she seems determined to do whatever she wants to despite causing problems to her colleagues and being threatened with suspension from her job. Maybe if I had read the earlier books I would be able to understand her stubbornness and her treatment of other people. I also found the solving of the suspect a little too contrived but did enjoy the book.
.
Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley
4 stars
The next DI Birch book
This is the third book in the DI Birch series and I really thing I needed to have read the previous two to understand better what had happened to DI Birch when she got shot. This book is mainly about her resentment and struggling to recover from her injury and, in particular, her frustration at not being able to do the job she loves so much. She is particularly unkind to her long –suffering partner, Anjan, who is only trying to help her.
The story revolves around a set of murders that appear to be that of a vigilante trying to hurt people who most deserve it. Because one of the victims, James Able, was linked to a known gang leader currently in prison, the police seem to think this is the work of a person hoping to take over as the new hard man. However Helen is sure that this is a vigilante and despite being forbidden to get involved she goes her own way and sets up a trap to catch this person.
I found it hard to have a lot of sympathy with DI Birch and she seems determined to do whatever she wants to despite causing problems to her colleagues and being threatened with suspension from her job. Maybe if I had read the earlier books I would be able to understand her stubbornness and her treatment of other people. I also found the solving of the suspect a little too contrived but did enjoy the book.
.
Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley
June 11, 2023
I’ve read 84 books so far this year, 20 of them deserving of all the stars, but this is the first one I’ve finished in a single sitting. Talk about a page-turner! It has everything: a brilliant plot, electrifying pace, and a hugely likeable protagonist. It’s the fifth book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Meet DI Helen Birch, a career police officer, who’s recuperating from a gunshot to her hip, following a disastrous standoff in her last case. She’s in constant pain, fed up with her partner’s fussing, and desperate to get back to work. To her frustration, though, an early return to duty isn’t an option; her DCI has made that perfectly clear. But Birch is not one for following orders. So, when she gets wind of a new case, a vigilante stalking the streets of Edinburgh, she can’t resist getting involved.
What follows is a nail-biting police procedural, with Birch playing fast and loose with her credentials to help track down ‘The Vampire’. The pace is relentless; the momentum building inexorably as the retribution meted out by the Vampire becomes ever more extreme. The final showdown, which sees Birch place her life on the line yet again, is as explosive as it gets.
Fair to say, I loved everything about this book, including the familiar Edinburgh setting and the clever weaving in of chapters from the anonymous Vampire’s POV, which give chilling insight into his warped state of mind. But the standout for me was the characterization, especially that of Helen Birch, who is so much more than your stereotypical female maverick. Yes, she’s a hardened cop; tough and unpredictable. But she’s also vulnerable; plagued by guilt and insecurities. And she has a fascinating back story.
For me, this was the perfect balanced of plot and character, both driving the narrative in equal share. It’s a feat not many authors can pull off, but Askew does so with aplomb. I’ve already added the first four books in this series to my library and shall eagerly look forward to DI Birch’s next adventure.
Meet DI Helen Birch, a career police officer, who’s recuperating from a gunshot to her hip, following a disastrous standoff in her last case. She’s in constant pain, fed up with her partner’s fussing, and desperate to get back to work. To her frustration, though, an early return to duty isn’t an option; her DCI has made that perfectly clear. But Birch is not one for following orders. So, when she gets wind of a new case, a vigilante stalking the streets of Edinburgh, she can’t resist getting involved.
What follows is a nail-biting police procedural, with Birch playing fast and loose with her credentials to help track down ‘The Vampire’. The pace is relentless; the momentum building inexorably as the retribution meted out by the Vampire becomes ever more extreme. The final showdown, which sees Birch place her life on the line yet again, is as explosive as it gets.
Fair to say, I loved everything about this book, including the familiar Edinburgh setting and the clever weaving in of chapters from the anonymous Vampire’s POV, which give chilling insight into his warped state of mind. But the standout for me was the characterization, especially that of Helen Birch, who is so much more than your stereotypical female maverick. Yes, she’s a hardened cop; tough and unpredictable. But she’s also vulnerable; plagued by guilt and insecurities. And she has a fascinating back story.
For me, this was the perfect balanced of plot and character, both driving the narrative in equal share. It’s a feat not many authors can pull off, but Askew does so with aplomb. I’ve already added the first four books in this series to my library and shall eagerly look forward to DI Birch’s next adventure.
June 24, 2023
DI Helen Birch is signed off work after the dramatic denouement of her previous investigation but is restless and desperate to get back to work.
When a man is set on fire at a local scrapyard and subsequently dies from his injuries, Helen becomes convinced that a vigilante is at work and that the same person is responsible for other revenge type incidents, including a hit and run.
Convincing her superior officer DCI McLeod to take her theory seriously, a covert operation is set up to draw the vigilante out. Helen goes ahead, knowing that failure could well see the end of her police career.
I found this a fast-paced and tightly drawn storyline, with realistic dialogue.
Helen's mental health is fragile as she constantly revisits previous events. We also see her visibly struggling with her physical condition and reluctant to accept help. This leads to a rift with her partner, Anjan.
The perpetrator is a damaged individual who takes increasing risks whilst managing to remain anonymous and untraceable. It isn't easy to portray someone whose obsession with justice gradually spirals out of control but Claire Askew manages this adeptly.
Jamieson, Helen's dad, is quite a character and provides some moments of genuine humour as well as supporting his daughter when her professional judgement is doubted.
I received a free digital ARC of this book via Hodder & Stoughton and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When a man is set on fire at a local scrapyard and subsequently dies from his injuries, Helen becomes convinced that a vigilante is at work and that the same person is responsible for other revenge type incidents, including a hit and run.
Convincing her superior officer DCI McLeod to take her theory seriously, a covert operation is set up to draw the vigilante out. Helen goes ahead, knowing that failure could well see the end of her police career.
I found this a fast-paced and tightly drawn storyline, with realistic dialogue.
Helen's mental health is fragile as she constantly revisits previous events. We also see her visibly struggling with her physical condition and reluctant to accept help. This leads to a rift with her partner, Anjan.
The perpetrator is a damaged individual who takes increasing risks whilst managing to remain anonymous and untraceable. It isn't easy to portray someone whose obsession with justice gradually spirals out of control but Claire Askew manages this adeptly.
Jamieson, Helen's dad, is quite a character and provides some moments of genuine humour as well as supporting his daughter when her professional judgement is doubted.
I received a free digital ARC of this book via Hodder & Stoughton and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2023
‘The Dead Don’t Speak’ is the latest in Claire Askew’s compelling DI Helen Birch series set in and around Edinburgh. This time Helen should be far away from the action – she is on sick leave trying to recover physically and mentally from a gunshot wound inflicted during a hostage incident. Recuperating at partner Anjan’s super cool flat, she feels very much out of her comfort zone and, when recently promoted DC Amy Kato tells her about a hit and run incident, her interest is piqued. Soon she is coming up with a theory about the perpetrator that needs consideration.
Not only does this narrative provide plenty of twists and turns. ‘The Dead Don’t Speak’ is also an intelligent consideration of the psychological pressures that are often part of a ‘policeman’s lot’. We see how traumatic events can derail even the strongest as Helen Birch lives with the aftermath of a shooting. And it’s not just her who is troubled: in the police community we see how alcohol makes life bearable, how self-doubt creeps in, and why fantasy can take hold.
Another excellent addition to this series about a feisty officer who is also very human.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Not only does this narrative provide plenty of twists and turns. ‘The Dead Don’t Speak’ is also an intelligent consideration of the psychological pressures that are often part of a ‘policeman’s lot’. We see how traumatic events can derail even the strongest as Helen Birch lives with the aftermath of a shooting. And it’s not just her who is troubled: in the police community we see how alcohol makes life bearable, how self-doubt creeps in, and why fantasy can take hold.
Another excellent addition to this series about a feisty officer who is also very human.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
June 9, 2023
This series just keeps getting better!
The fifth of Claire’s DI Birch series is a tightly plotted mystery wrapped in deep, meaningful and realistic character development, topped off by her expert writing. It was so compelling that it took me less than a day to inhale the whole thing - from first opening it during my coffee break to reaching the final page well after I normally curl up for sleep - and I spent the hours I wasn't reading during that time desperate to get back to it.
Without spoiling anything I can't say everything I'd like to about how deftly and believably DI Birch's overarching character growth and personal storyline was handled in this instalment but I have to mention it because it was just so well done. I was already emotionally invested in Birch's character but I think this has bonded me for life!
If you’ve read the rest of the series what on earth are you waiting for? Dive right in to this wonderful book.
If you haven’t, then whilst you wouldn’t need to read the first four books to appreciate just how good this is, you’d be denying yourself a treat if you didn’t so acquire a copy of All The Hidden Truths and start what I'm fairly certain will become one of your new favourite series!
The fifth of Claire’s DI Birch series is a tightly plotted mystery wrapped in deep, meaningful and realistic character development, topped off by her expert writing. It was so compelling that it took me less than a day to inhale the whole thing - from first opening it during my coffee break to reaching the final page well after I normally curl up for sleep - and I spent the hours I wasn't reading during that time desperate to get back to it.
Without spoiling anything I can't say everything I'd like to about how deftly and believably DI Birch's overarching character growth and personal storyline was handled in this instalment but I have to mention it because it was just so well done. I was already emotionally invested in Birch's character but I think this has bonded me for life!
If you’ve read the rest of the series what on earth are you waiting for? Dive right in to this wonderful book.
If you haven’t, then whilst you wouldn’t need to read the first four books to appreciate just how good this is, you’d be denying yourself a treat if you didn’t so acquire a copy of All The Hidden Truths and start what I'm fairly certain will become one of your new favourite series!
April 11, 2023
This book finds Scottish DI Helen Birch unusually inactive, as she recovers from being shot in the hip during the hostage situation she found herself negotiating in the previous novel, “A Matter of Time.” Immobile, in pain and, reluctantly, in therapy, she has been ordered to take time off to recover, and is staying with her lawyer boyfriend, Anjan, in his immaculate apartment. Frustrated, bored and guilty about what she perceives as her failure to get a better outcome from the siege, she is soon drawn in when her friend and colleague Amy Kato tells her about a case involving escalating vigilante-type crimes. Soon she is unofficially investigating- and putting at risk her health, her relationship and her career. Another cracking read from Askew, gritty and realistic with a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are really well portrayed and sympathetic, and it is fascinating to get some input into Birch’s psychology, particularly her self doubt., and to see the relationship with her previously absent father being rebuilt slowly. The writing is intelligent and gripping, with interesting detail on how evidence can be pieced together to solve a crime. Hopefully Birch will be back on her feet and ready for her next case very soon!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2023
Although this is the 5th book in a series, I read it as a stand alone without any issues. Claire Askew can certainly write and there are some resonant descriptions of the protagonist's surroundings that perfectly reflect her mood, as well as some very gripping action scenes. Some of the best characters and moments lie on the periphery, like the mother of a misogynistic nutcase whose house is chock-full of Doulton figurines. The narrative is thoughtfully written - a welcome change from thrillers that are too preoccupied with plot to bother with description, nuance and telling details. Having said this, some characters (like the DI's father who drives her around because she is recovering from an accident) are much more compelling and creative than others. DI Helen's female sergeant friend is pretty bland, as are all the male policemen. The plot is cleverly engineered but there are flaws and inconsistencies. The killer - given his vigilante mission - would not harm innocent people, or risk being identified so carelessly. And finally - I think Ms. Askew could have come up with a better, less-cliched title.
March 5, 2023
I've read and enjoyed a few in this series about Edinburgh-based DI Helen Birch, so was looking forward to the latest instalment.
Things aren't going well for Helen in this book - signed off work and on crutches after being shot in the line of duty, she's going stir crazy. She's also suffering trauma as well as her physical injuries after the incident in which a man died, and she's not dealing with it particularly well, chafing against the restrictions and her partner's attempts to take care of her. Developing a new theory about a case her DS, Amy Kato, is investigating, Helen prevails upon a reluctant Amy to let her get involved.
There's not a huge amount of mystery - we see parts of the story from the point of view of the criminal they're seeking, although some salient aspects - like his identity - are withheld till the end.
There's a lot said about a social media/pop star - the oddly named Eddison Deas - who's performing in Edinburgh, and I thought this might turn out to have a bigger role or connection than it in fact did.
I'm not sure if this is my favourite in the series, but I did enjoy it, and Helen is definitely an interesting and relatable character.
Things aren't going well for Helen in this book - signed off work and on crutches after being shot in the line of duty, she's going stir crazy. She's also suffering trauma as well as her physical injuries after the incident in which a man died, and she's not dealing with it particularly well, chafing against the restrictions and her partner's attempts to take care of her. Developing a new theory about a case her DS, Amy Kato, is investigating, Helen prevails upon a reluctant Amy to let her get involved.
There's not a huge amount of mystery - we see parts of the story from the point of view of the criminal they're seeking, although some salient aspects - like his identity - are withheld till the end.
There's a lot said about a social media/pop star - the oddly named Eddison Deas - who's performing in Edinburgh, and I thought this might turn out to have a bigger role or connection than it in fact did.
I'm not sure if this is my favourite in the series, but I did enjoy it, and Helen is definitely an interesting and relatable character.
June 7, 2023
This is book 5 in the DI Helen Birch series set in Edinburgh and Birch is recovering from having been shot (an event in book 4 and mentioned in authors notes). She is on leave of absence still learning to walk with crutches. It read well as a stand-alone. Helen is a great character and I loved it when she enlists the help of her Dad and how well this aspect is brilliantly inserted in the story. I did struggle a bit with Dad’s Scottish dialect and had to reread a few times.
Briefly, a series of increasingly violent events take place and as a reader we know it is a vigilante but to the police the events appear to be gang related. Birch is bored and frustrated at home and becomes involved in the case when her colleague asks for help. Needless to say she upsets her bosses and they don’t agree with her intuition that there is a vigilante on the streets so she continues to investigate off her own back.
It started quite slowly but the the pace soon moves up a notch. The descriptions of how the incident in the last book and her subsequent pain, has affected Birch, both physically and mentally is very well managed. Alongside the police procedural element of the book this is really a very character driven story. A clever thriller with a number of surprising twists and turns; an enjoyable read.
Briefly, a series of increasingly violent events take place and as a reader we know it is a vigilante but to the police the events appear to be gang related. Birch is bored and frustrated at home and becomes involved in the case when her colleague asks for help. Needless to say she upsets her bosses and they don’t agree with her intuition that there is a vigilante on the streets so she continues to investigate off her own back.
It started quite slowly but the the pace soon moves up a notch. The descriptions of how the incident in the last book and her subsequent pain, has affected Birch, both physically and mentally is very well managed. Alongside the police procedural element of the book this is really a very character driven story. A clever thriller with a number of surprising twists and turns; an enjoyable read.
Read
June 4, 2023I was really pleased to be given this book to read through the Oundle Crime Book Club, having read the earlier novels and found DI Birch such an interesting person. I would suggest it would be better to read the earlier books in the series as the past influences the present.
This is a story of what happens when a do-gooder turns into a do-badder. DI Birch is recovering from being shot in the hip, which occurs in the previous novel, she is not good at accepting help and questioning her future in the police. DS Cato calls on her for help and she starts to look into a case and pick things up missed by the DI in charge. She is told to stop, but of course does not, upsetting her Boss amongst others. But they follow her hunch.
The story is told by the police, the criminal and the counsellor’s point of view, which makes it flow well at an enjoyable pace. I could not put it down and am already looking forward to the next in the series.
4.5 stars
This is a story of what happens when a do-gooder turns into a do-badder. DI Birch is recovering from being shot in the hip, which occurs in the previous novel, she is not good at accepting help and questioning her future in the police. DS Cato calls on her for help and she starts to look into a case and pick things up missed by the DI in charge. She is told to stop, but of course does not, upsetting her Boss amongst others. But they follow her hunch.
The story is told by the police, the criminal and the counsellor’s point of view, which makes it flow well at an enjoyable pace. I could not put it down and am already looking forward to the next in the series.
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews