A brand new police mystery novel set on the shores of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross and Louise Penny. ***
“Two bodies. One male, approximately fifty years old. One female, mid-twenties. Both shot execution-style, with one bullet to the back of the head.”
When a murderous ghost from Erie City Police Detective Matthias Honeywell’s past appears unexpectedly, his investigation into a double homicide in a quiet residential neighborhood gets increasingly complicated, and puts everything and everyone he cares about at risk – including photographer Emma Anderson.
Emma’s first day as the crime beat photographer for ErieLIVE wasn’t meant to see her photographing the scene of her predecessor’s murder, and with ties to the victim as well as a deadly fire that follows in the wake of the crime, she fears she may also be in the killer’s sightlines.
To solve the case and catch the killer, Matthias and Emma will have to face their own demons. But what happens when the devil himself comes calling?
Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of 12 novels in the multi Agatha Award nominated Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. In addition, her standalone, Death by Equine, about a veterinarian at a second-rate thoroughbred racetrack, won the 2021 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. The second in her new Detective Honeywell Mystery series, Keep Your Family Close, was released in December 2023. Her upcoming What Comes Around (Zoe Chambers #13) is scheduled for release in May 2024. Annette and her husband live on ten acres of what was her grandfather’s dairy farm in southwestern Pennsylvania with their very spoiled cat, Kensi.
Detective Matthias Honeywell #3, Major Crimes Division, Erie Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania
Matthias learns from an ex-girlfriend from 20 years ago that his father Isaiah is now released from prison after serving a 25 year sentence. He hopes his father stays in Oklahoma as he has no desire to see him. Meanwhile, he and his partner DS Cassie Malone are sent to investigate a double homicide with a second one shortly afterwards which is followed by a house fire. Are these deaths connected? It seems the past is catching up with the present for Matthias.
This is another good read from Annette Dashofy. The plot is complex, it’s well connected together and clearly explained although it does get a bit convoluted towards the end. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and that requires all my concentration to work them all out which is no bad thing! The pace is steady, there are plenty of plot twists and turns and it has a good and satisfying ending.
I really like the central character of Matthias, he’s a complicated person who is dedicated to his job. His background story in this instalment is good, we learn more about him and this case really tests him to his limit as it becomes personal in more ways than one. His girlfriend Emma Anderson, a photographer with ErieLIVE, is a very likeable character and I thoroughly enjoy her point of view. She too has invested interests in the unfolding drama and so it’s personal for her as well. Their relationship is a good element in the storytelling and it’s interesting to see how it changes and develops.
I love the location and how it’s used in the storytelling as it creates an excellent atmosphere. I like the series and look forward to reading what happens next for Matthias and Emma.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
The Devil Comes Calling is another addictive entry in the Detective Honeywell series, a fast-paced mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's very appropriate that the publisher of these ones is One More Chapter because that's how I feel the entire time reading it. In this book, we find out more about Matthias' childhood when it comes back to haunt him. Dashofy excels at making the reader feel as tense as her characters do for much of this one, especially in every interaction with Isaiah and Russ. It's one you won't want to put down for even a second so that you can find out what's happened and whether the culprits will be put away for it (an uncertain question, given the power they seem to hold). Definitely a great third entry into the series and one that makes me all the more eager to read book 4.
An enjoyable read. This is the third Detective Honeywell mystery and even though there is a continuing story arc, this story is still a satisfying read without having read the earlier books in the series. As with any series though, the reading experience is richer when the series is read from the beginning. This is both a police procedural and a character driven series. It’s well written with well developed characters and a murder investigation that keeps you guessing and holds your interest until the end.
Two people are found dead in a house under renovation, executed by gunshots to the back of the head. As Detective Matthias Honeywell begins to investigate, things get complicated very quickly. Turns out that his girlfriend, Emma Anderson, just replaced one of the victims as the primary photographer for the local news outlet. Then there's an arson, with two more bodies that may or may not be connected. And most complicated of all, the detective's own past suddenly rears up and impacts the investigation.
In the first two books in the Detective Honeywell series, we learned a lot about Emma's past, the secrets she has and what she is hiding from. In this third book, the focus shifts to Matthias. He also has ghosts and secrets he's never talked about until now, when he really has no choice. As his past slowly comes to light alongside the investigation into the murders, the tension builds. What part does his past play in the present crimes? And how much harm can his past cause to him, or to Emma?
An excellent story, one of Dashofy's best. A real page-turner. I stayed up WAY later than I should have to finish the book! Highly recommend.
Discover the suspenseful world of police procedurals with Annette Dashofy’s gripping novel, “The Devil Comes Calling”, the third installment in her acclaimed Detective Honeywell series. From the very first page, you'll be immersed in a pulse-pounding investigation that pits Detective Matthias Honeywell against his darkest fears. When a double homicide rocks Erie City, Honeywell finds himself confronting not only a twisted killer but also resurfacing demons from his past—demons that threaten to destroy everything he cares about. To make matters more tense, Emma Anderson, a sharp-eyed beat photographer with ErieLIVE and Honeywell’s love interest, is pulled into the case, heightening his worries that the devil lurking in the shadows could target her next.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is a thriller you won’t want to miss! The opinions expressed here are my own and without influence.
If you like classic detective stories, then this is the one to read.
This is the third book of the Detective Honeywell series, and we continue to follow Dt. Matthias Honeywell and Emma Anderson, plus some of the previous characters in another murder mystery in the town on Erie.
Part of the story is a continuation from the first two books, so it might be ideal to read them beforehand, which I did! The first two books also gives you an idea of the background and understanding of these characters.
This book keeps you guessing on who the real killers are. Loved the unexpected ending and the continuous banter between the detectives. Can't wait to read the fourth book!
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC!
With The Devil Comes Calling, the third novel in Annette Dashofy's Detective Matthias Honeywell series, Ms. Dashofy once again proves her talent at crafting believable plots and outstanding characters that draw us back again and again. With each book in the series, I am drawn further and further into the lives of the characters as the mysteries that Matthias tackles pull out more and more of his life. I find myself rooting for the detective and Emma's personal relationship as I chew nails and cross my fingers for them throughout the suspense novels. Emma is pulled into the complex investigation when she is assigned to a double murder. It is only upon her arrival at the scene that she and the reporter discover that one of the victims is the photographer that Emma just replaced. While it is natural that Matthias is called to the scene, but soon, someone from his past make an appearance they may be connect. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for allowing me to read and review The Devil Comes Calling, a not to be missed addition to the Detective Matthias Honeywell series.
If you enjoy your mysteries with a brooding detective, a touch of danger, and a setting that feels as vivid as the characters, The Devil Comes Calling is one to add to your list.
Set along the misty shores of Lake Erie, this third instalment in the Detective Honeywell series opens with a chilling double homicide—two victims, both executed with a single shot to the back of the head. It’s a stark, cinematic beginning that immediately sets the tone. What follows is a tightly woven police procedural that’s as much about confronting the past as it is about solving a crime.
Detective Matthias Honeywell is a compelling lead—haunted, principled, and deeply human. When a ghost from his past resurfaces, the case becomes personal, and the stakes rise fast. I really enjoyed how Dashofy balanced the procedural elements with emotional depth. The tension never lets up, but there’s also space for character development, especially in the dynamic between Matthias and Emma Anderson, a photographer unexpectedly thrust into the heart of the investigation.
Emma’s perspective adds a fresh layer to the story. Her first day on the job photographing crime scenes turns into something far more dangerous, and her connection to the victims—and the fire that follows—keeps the suspense simmering.
Dashofy’s writing is crisp and atmospheric, with just the right amount of grit. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists are satisfying without feeling forced. It’s the kind of book you can sink into on a rainy weekend and not come up for air until the final page.
The Devil Comes Calling is a smart, suspenseful read with heart. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, LJ Ross, and Louise Penny. Whether you're new to the series or a returning reader, this one delivers.
With thanks to Annette Dashofy, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I first discovered the writing of Annette Dashoffy through her terrific Zoe Chambers Mystery Series so when I learned she had a new series I was delighted. The Devil Comes Calling is her third book in the Detective Matthias Hollywell Mystery Series. Matthias Hollywell is a Detective in the Major Crimes Division of the Erie, PA Police Department. He is 34 years old, single, yet happily involved with Emma Anderson, a photojournalist with an Erie newspaper, he met on a previous case. Both Matthias and Emma have had tragedies in their lives so they are cautious, yet romance is definitely in the air. Detective Sergeant Cassie Malone, Hollywell's partner and friend, and Matthias are called to what appears to be an execution style double murder. The victims are Orlando Larson, 52 year old owner of a general construction company and Darcy Tomasetti, a former colleague of Emma and newly hired design consultant working with Larson on a "house flip." The potential suspects are many, including the slimy Russ Carlisle, a restaurant manager and abuser of women. Carlisle had beaten Emma's sister to death, and many felt he was responsible for his wife's death. Other suspects include: Preston Guilfoyle a reporter at the paper; Darcy had been his partner personally and professionally; Yvonne Larson, the victim's wife, Quentin Donahue, the victim's ex-partner and current lover of Yvonne. There are subplots within the novel that are more than a little intriguing. One involves Isaiah Hollywell, Matthias's father recently released from prison for brutally killing Matthias's mother when he was a young boy. I simply couldn't put the book down; it's definitely an outstanding crime thriller, and provided insights into Emma and Matthias lives. The Devil Comes Calling is a standalone, however reading the first two is encouraged. 5 stars.
There are several plot lines early in this book that eventually are woven together into a tight thrilling conclusion. First, Detective Matthias Honeywell believes he and photojournalist Emma Anderson might actually have a future together when he receives a visit from his former girlfriend advising him that his father has been released from prison. After 25 years behind bars for the murder of his mother, Matthias had hoped he would never see or hear from the man again, but that proved not to be true. Second, Emma is promoted to be the photographer on the crime beat. On her first day on the job, she and her reporting partner, Preston cover a double murder. One of the victims is Emma's predecessor, Darcy. She and contractor Orlando Larson are found dead in an apparent professional hit in the house they are flipping. Third, Emma photographs Ross Carlisle talking to a young woman who has obviously been physically abused and Emma is certain Ross is the abuser based on previous experience with him. Fourth, that young woman and another man are found dead in an apartment fire, determined to be arson. How all these plot lines tie together, who lives, who dies, and how it all happens are a page-turning thrill a minute ride worth every moment it takes you to read it! My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts. I'm especially grateful because Annette Dashofy has been on my want to read author list for awhile now and this got it done. I'll be looking for more of her work!
Detective Matthias Honeywell is called to the scene of a double homicide. The victims were found in a home being renovated and were shot execution style. One of them was Emma Anderson’s predecessor as a crime beat photographer for ErieLIVE. While Honeywell conducts his investigation, Emma begins to wonder if a co-worker is involved. But with a complication from Honeywell’s past in town, will that distract him from the case?
While it’s been two years for us since the previous book, it’s only been a few weeks for the characters. I recommend you read the previous book because this one picks up a storyline from that book; I wish I’d had time to reread it myself. Also, keep in mind this is a police procedural, not one of the cozies I often read and you’ll be fine. As always, this book started strongly and kept getting better. I was hooked long before I reached the logical yet surprising climax. Honeywell gets some very nice backstory here, and Emma continues to be a strong second viewpoint characters. The switches between the two are always easy to follow. The suspects are strong, and I’m happy to see the supporting characters continue to grow. This book was worth the wait. Dive into this series today.
The Devil Comes Calling, third entry in the excellent Detective Matthias Honeywell series, shows that Annette Dashofy is one of the best authors of American character driven, carefully plotted procedural procedurals. The discovery of two bodies, executed gangland style in a house under renovation, begins this complicated case. Just as Detective Honeywell and his partner Cassie Malone begin their investigation, two more victims are found in a suspicious apartment fire. Honeywell believes that the crimes are connected and these murders, with disturbing links to the past, will lead to something more involved and dangerous. As usual, the mystery is balanced with the personal. Matthias’ father, who has just been released from prison, has come to Erie to see his son. Because of their tragic, violent history, Matthias wants nothing to do with him. At the same time, his relationship with crime-scene photographer Emma Anderson, who now works for ERIEnet, the local online news outlet, is deepening. The tension between his professional duties and private life adds layers to deepening suspense. Erie Pennsylvania, gritty, haunting, and atmospheric is almost a character in itself. The Devil Comes Calling is a compelling thriller. I can’t wait for the next in this must-read series! 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and Annette Dashofy for this ARC.
In THE DEVIL COMES CALLING, third book in Author Annette Dashofy’s Detective Matthias Honeywell series, the villains are familiar, some we’ve met before and some we’ve only heard about. The title is breathtakingly accurate as, with little notice, Matthias’ bete-noir confronts him. What is his father even doing out of prison? Is he here for revenge? Does Matthias really have to tell Emma, or anyone, about the darkest day in his life? Meanwhile Emma, now a photographer for her online newspaper’s crime beat, is being pulled into an investigation that somehow involves her nemesis from an earlier book. Soon Emma’s assignments overlap with Matthias’ investigations, and they must share information to catch a killer. Does her involvement put her in danger or does her relationship with the detective? As Matthias and Cassie investigate the execution style murders of two people at a building site and the deaths of two people in a fatal fire, certain elements begin to connect the crimes. As suspects disappear and new ones are discovered, the partners must sift through the lies to uncover the facts of the case. I think the conclusion is brilliant. I really enjoyed this book! If you love a good police procedural with two strong leads and a bit of romance, this book should be perfect for you.
Another thrilling and twisted mystery for Detective Matthias Honeywell and his partner Detective Sergeant Cassie Malone. Called to the scene of a double homicide, the victims have been shot execution style. When they I.D. the victims, Matthias realizes that the female worked as a crime scene photographer at the Erie Live television station. His girlfriend, Emma Anderson, also works there. Had the female victim taken a photo that got her killed? As they investigate the murders, a man and a woman are found deceased in a house fire. They soon realize that there are connecting issues between the cases. As if his case wasn’t demanding all of his time, he worries about Emma, especially when he sees his father in town. His father was just released from prison for murdering his wife, Matthias’s mother, over twenty years ago. He knows that somehow, his father is involved in both cases. Will he and Cassie be able to solve the murders before other lives are lost? When his father contacts Emma, why and what is he planning? Is she in danger too? Don’t blink, as once you think you might have everything figured out, you might be right…or not! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
Police Detective Matthias Honeywell is back for his third installment. The mysteries and the drama is flowing. While trying to solve a vicious execution that has ties to his new girlfriend, a key figure from Matthias’ past comes back into his life. Every aspect of his life is spiraling as he is trying to find the killer.
This was my introduction to this series and this author, and it was simply amazing. I may have just found my new favorite fictional character.
The writing is crisp. The characters are well defined. And the mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have had very few books that could keep my interest enough to sit down and read in one sitting. This book is one of those. The 4th book in the series is supposed to release soon after this one. I can’t wait to get it.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Detective Matthias Honeywell and photographer Emma Anderson are finally a couple, but there’s no happy ever after. On Emma’s first day as a crime photographer for ErieLIVE, she’s called to the scene of a double homicide and discovers one of the victims is her ErieLIVE predecessor, shot in an assassination-style murder. Matthias and his police partner—the wonderful character Cassie—investigate, but it’s hard for Matthias to focus when an evil presence from his past reappears.
This solid, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin police procedural is the third instalment in the atmospheric Detective Honeywell Mysteries, set on the shore of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania. Fans of LJ Ross and Ann Cleeves will enjoy their American equivalent. This series is settling in well for a long, satisfying run.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Although this is the third in a series, The Devil Comes Calling works fairly well as a standalone. Enough backstory is fed into the narrative to inform the reader of past events.
Set in the town of Erie, PA, the series features homicide detective Matthias Honeywell and his partner DS Cassie Malone. Investigating a double homicide, they are pulled in several different directions, with multiple suspects, including links to an old foe. Honeywell's girlfriend Emma Anderson, a photographer for the local paper, covers the case, causing some friction between the pair. And then his father turns up, newly released from prison.
The plot is complex with tangled relationships, both personal and business, to be navigated. The police and the local paper both chase leads, giving an interesting dynamic to the case. Overall, a decent read with a well thought out ending.
THE DEVIL COMES CALLING by Annette Dashofy Twisty, dangerous doings in Erie, Pennsylvania, as Emma tries to make sense of it all with camera and connections. The growing relationship with Matthias, the tightrope walk between journalist and law enforcement, is further complicated by unwelcome visitors from Matthias’ past. TV stayed off as I read on, savoring tense moments, puzzling mysteries, and admirably loyal friends in this well-constructed maze . . . with a few funhouse mirrors to inspire reflective thought. A wise reader might want to make a chart of characters and their complex involvements, note-taking as the detectives do for clarity. This book is worth a bit of lost sleep, as the raveled edges knit into a most satisfying conclusion.
The Devil Comes Calling is the third novel in the Detective Matthias Honeywell series by Annette Dashofy. Although I haven’t read the first two novels, I could easily read this as a standalone. Matthias learns from an ex girlfriend that his father had been released from prison after serving over twenty years for murder. To add to his increasing stress levels, he’s called to investigate a double homicide, execution style. Could this be linked to the reappearance of his father? I enjoyed this novel, it’s gripping and pacy and I would like to read more on the series. I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author of for the chance to review.
Emma Anderson's first day as crime beat photographer for ErieLIVE takes her and reporter Preston Guilfoyle to a double homicide. Emma & Preston are stunned to learn one of the victims in the execution-style murders was Darcy, her predecessor on the crime beat. Then a few days later, two more bodies are found in an apartment building fire. Emma knows one of the victims there, too.
Detective Matthias Honeywell & his partner Cassie are wondering if the two cases are linked. And then Matthias' estranged father Isaiah arrives in town. What manipulative, nasty game is he up to?
This was another satisfying read in the Detective Honeywell mystery series.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter. All opinions are my own.
4.5⭐ Engrossing mystery that grabbed my attention immediately with more than enough twists to keep you guessing. Set in an unusual place, on the lake in Erie, Pennsylvania, the main detective, Matthias Honeycutt, and his partner, Cassie, run an intelligent and thorough investigation. His girlfriend, Emma, goes on her first assignment as crime photographer only to discover her predecessor was murdered. Malignant ghosts from both her and Honeycutt's pasts threaten the investigation and potentially their relationship. Read in close to one sitting. Great series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Book #3 in the Detective Honeywell series continues to build on several story arcs begun in the first book. The book opens with a crime scene, a double homicide that pulls Honeywell into the middle of a series of crimes holding Erie City hostage. Annette Dashofy has expertly mixed the police procedural with a personal view of Honeywell's past, present and future, setting readers up for a long ride with this series. As the investigation moves closer to solution, the tension ratchets up. You'll read far longer than "one more chapter" as the end races closer and closer.
WOW! I have been a huge fan of Annette's for a long time. Her books are always exciting! This book was no exception. I just love so much about this series. I love the rapport between Matthias and Cassie. They make good partners with mutual respect. I'm enjoying the budding relationship between Emma and Matthias, too. I didn't expect Matthias' father to be such bad guy, though. Sometimes we grow up because of our parents; other times we grow up in spite of them.
Detective Matthias Honeywell faces a complex investigation into a double homicide when a ghost from his past returns. Whilst, Emma Anderson, a photographer on her first day, finds herself photographing a murder scene and fears for her safety due to her connections to the victim. Good well developed plot and with interesting characters. Despite this being the third in the series, I found that it was not detrimental to my enjoyment of the story. A good page turner.
The Devil Comes Calling by Annette Dashofy is detective/crime fiction. Mattias (Detective) and Emma (Photojournalist) are both very close to the crime they are investigating. There's a few twists and turns and I really enjoyed the relationship between Mattias and Emma. It didn't overshadow the storyline and fit in quite well. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
This is the third book in the Detective Honeywell series and my favorite so far. The plot is complex with multiple storylines, both personal and criminal with plenty of twists but it never got confusing. I found it hard to put down.
From the calm setting of Presque Isle to the tense police interrogation room, Dashofy drew me into her scenes. Her characters come alive on the page. Deceit and evil battle truth and love. Dashofy’s ending surprised and satisfied me. I’m looking forward to book four in the series.
This is a fantastic mystery. The characters are interesting. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
This is a good detective procedural story. A good addition to this series. It’s fast paced with a lot of secrets to uncover. Looking forward to the next one in this series.
A book is born from an idea, a "what if?" We ask: What if a creature were sewn together with body parts and then struck by lightning? What if ten strangers came to an island and were killed one by one? What if two people running from their past could actually find happiness?
In this series, Annette Dashofy asks us to consider a powerful question: Does the past control the present, or can a healthy self recognize and release the past?
I initially suspected setting the series in Erie, PA, was a shortcut to the paranormal. Not so. Every event, every character, and each conversation is completely believable. For me, this greatly increased the suspense: if I believe this could happen, it might happen to me.
Character growth happens indirectly through honest introspection. In Books 1 and 2, the focus was mostly on Emma: fleeing an abuser and shadowed by a stalker in Book 1, and in Book 2, searching for her sister lost to addiction. Through these trials, Emma begins to rely on the taciturn Detective Honeywell. Their burgeoning relationship serves as a necessary counterbalance to the charged intensity of the police investigation and Emma's amateur pursuits.
Now, in Book 3, it is Matthias's turn. Cassie, who remains one of my favorite characters, serves as the essential sounding board who witnesses Matthias's escalating angst. The core question becomes: Will Matthias find redemption, or will darkness finally win?
Dashofy is a master at creating unexpected plot shifts (or reversals), and this ending is no exception. Reader, I suggest a quick first read, and then a re-read to savor the wonderful crafting and thematic depth of the entire Honeywell series.
Full disclosure: I received the ARC from netgalley and Harper Collins UK in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.