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DI Charlotte Savage #4
Tell Tale
`A wonderfully twisty maze' JAMES OSWALDDI CHARLOTTE SAVAGE KNOWS WHO KILLED HER DAUGHTER But before Charlotte can get her revenge, disturbing events start to unfold on Dartmoor...A woman's naked body is found near an isolated reservoir on the bleak winter moors. When the woman's housemate also goes missing, Charlotte knows she must move fast. But in a police force tainted by corruption, Charlotte's hunt for the killer won't be easy. And resisting her own urge to kill will be even harder...A page-turning, terrifying crime thriller, perfect for fans of Peter May and Tim Weaver, and TV series Broadchurch and Scott and Bailey.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2015
31 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Mark Sennen
17 books115 followersMark Sennen was born in Surrey, but spent his formative years in rural Shropshire where he learnt to drive tractors and worm sheep. He has been a reluctant farmer, an average drummer, a failed Ph.D. student and a pretty good programmer. He lives, with his wife and two children beside a muddy creek in deepest South Devon where there hasn't been a murder in years. He is the author of the best selling DI Charlotte Savage series: Touch, Bad Blood, Cut Dead, Tell Tale, Two Evils, The Boneyard, and Puppet; the Holm and da Silva series: The Sanction, and Rogue Target; plus the standalone thrillers: Three and The Sum Of All Sins.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
The DI Charlotte Savage series is published by HarperCollins.
The Holm and da Silva series is published by Canelo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 1, 2016
A remarkable read.
I haven't read any of this authors books and didn't realize that its book 4. I don't think it matters, well, it didn't with me, it seems just as good as a stand alone.
The author has a way of twisting the tale, twisting the readers mind and really keeping you on your toes.
I felt quite alert and on the ball reading this, gasping and ooohhhing and awwing throughout, it a good way.
I love strong women and that is what we have in this story, women can be a strong feature in many a good read [not that I am a feminist or anything] emotionally we can be just as strong as a man.
And get the job done.
This is a mystery, an addictive mystery. So beware if you stay up all night reading it.
My thanks to the author and to HarperCollins UK, Avon via Net Galley for my copy
February 14, 2015
Tell Tale – Savage Crime Thriller
DI Charlotte Savage is back in Tell Tale the fourth instalment in the DI Savage series written by Mark Sennen and as each book goes by the thrill gets even stronger. Sennen is a master of writing a maze of a thriller with many twists and turns and a few dead ends. Also the women from Charlotte Savage and DC Jane Calter are strong characters not reliant on the men around them and seeing strong leading women detectives makes a refreshing change. With each book in the DI Charlotte Savage series has got stronger and stronger and Tell Tale does not let you down, as a reader the book delivers on every level.
Charlotte Savage knows that her Chief Constable’s son is guilty of killing her daughter but because of who he is and who is father is she will not be able to prove it in a court. With the help of local big shot criminal Kenny Fallon she is able to track down where the younger Fox is and what he is doing, but can she face dishing out the justice so much denied to her by the system. As she is deciding what to do next a new case drops in her lap.
A bag of clothes and the identity of a missing Hungarian is found in Fernworthy reservoir up on Dartmouth and a full search is taking place of the water but none is found. It is not until later and the already cleared area that the body turns up and so leads to events that will take Savage and her colleagues across Devon chasing the truth.
DI Phil Davies and DC Carl Denton of the Agricultural Crime Squad are having problems up on Dartmouth with ponies turning up mutilated and look like they have been part of some sort of Satanist ritual along the ley lines. It is not until it is too late do they realise that their case and that of DI Savage’s are interlinked and then they see how things fall together.
Simon Fox is still the Chief Constable of the Devon and Cornwall force a force that is tainted by corruption that goes all the way to the top. It will be this corruption that Savage can do nothing about but will help bring her case to a conclusion up on the dark moors. It will also be this corruption that puts the life of Savage and her family on the line and whether she can survive means she will have to live on her wits and skills.
Tell Tales see the further development of Charlotte Savage who while fighting her demons she is having to deal with crimes that are not ordinary and challenging at best. Mark Sennen is a writer who gets you hooked from the start making you identify with Charlotte Savage and sympathise with her while wanting her to do justice in particularly tough circumstances. There are twists and turns throughout the book which is fast paced and dynamic and with each book the writing just gets better and better. I cannot wait till I meet DI Charlotte Savage the fiery red head from Devon and Cornwall plod next!
DI Charlotte Savage is back in Tell Tale the fourth instalment in the DI Savage series written by Mark Sennen and as each book goes by the thrill gets even stronger. Sennen is a master of writing a maze of a thriller with many twists and turns and a few dead ends. Also the women from Charlotte Savage and DC Jane Calter are strong characters not reliant on the men around them and seeing strong leading women detectives makes a refreshing change. With each book in the DI Charlotte Savage series has got stronger and stronger and Tell Tale does not let you down, as a reader the book delivers on every level.
Charlotte Savage knows that her Chief Constable’s son is guilty of killing her daughter but because of who he is and who is father is she will not be able to prove it in a court. With the help of local big shot criminal Kenny Fallon she is able to track down where the younger Fox is and what he is doing, but can she face dishing out the justice so much denied to her by the system. As she is deciding what to do next a new case drops in her lap.
A bag of clothes and the identity of a missing Hungarian is found in Fernworthy reservoir up on Dartmouth and a full search is taking place of the water but none is found. It is not until later and the already cleared area that the body turns up and so leads to events that will take Savage and her colleagues across Devon chasing the truth.
DI Phil Davies and DC Carl Denton of the Agricultural Crime Squad are having problems up on Dartmouth with ponies turning up mutilated and look like they have been part of some sort of Satanist ritual along the ley lines. It is not until it is too late do they realise that their case and that of DI Savage’s are interlinked and then they see how things fall together.
Simon Fox is still the Chief Constable of the Devon and Cornwall force a force that is tainted by corruption that goes all the way to the top. It will be this corruption that Savage can do nothing about but will help bring her case to a conclusion up on the dark moors. It will also be this corruption that puts the life of Savage and her family on the line and whether she can survive means she will have to live on her wits and skills.
Tell Tales see the further development of Charlotte Savage who while fighting her demons she is having to deal with crimes that are not ordinary and challenging at best. Mark Sennen is a writer who gets you hooked from the start making you identify with Charlotte Savage and sympathise with her while wanting her to do justice in particularly tough circumstances. There are twists and turns throughout the book which is fast paced and dynamic and with each book the writing just gets better and better. I cannot wait till I meet DI Charlotte Savage the fiery red head from Devon and Cornwall plod next!
February 12, 2015
Mark Sennen's books have been on my TBR for a long time so when mysterious black envelopes started getting delivered to me, I was thrilled when a final package arrived with Tell Tale inside. For those who may also be new to the series, this is the place to start. I never had that feeling you sometimes get jumping into a series of feeling out of place. Rather the story was so good and I was endeared to the character of Charlotte Savage from very early on, that it didn't matter I hadn't read the previous books. Sennen sets the scene, makes the introductions and just gets straight into the story.
Usually this is where I do the 'book jacket blurb' and some shout 'Spoilers!' but the book's blurb gives nothing away and I feel I must do the same and urge you to go into this book knowing as little about it as possible. It's a very addictive mystery, with some equally addictive subplots running alongside it. Not least Charlotte Savage and the decisions she must make concerning her daughter's killer, who just so happens to be the son of somebody of a very high rank. This part of the story excited me because there was a real sense of unpredictability in not knowing just how Savage was going to act. I can't say whether the outcome is the one I would have chosen, but it was interesting to read a crime fiction book with this level of corruption.
Tell Tale is a little bit of a slow burner in the beginning, but this was necessary to introduce the characters and get the story going, starting that build up to a very exciting second half as some brilliant twists and turns take us towards a thrilling conclusion, and speaking of twists there were a couple in Tell Tale that I just did not see coming until they were revealed. Quite chilling in places and with an eerie sense of realism, this is a story that will definitely draw emotion from the reader, and I do always enjoy a book more that has that effect on me as a reader, getting caught up in the case and caring about the characters.
I loved the setting for this book, and really liked the way it was used to create some truly atmospheric scenes that at times had my heart racing. Some vivid descriptions allow the areas used in the book to completely come alive in the mind of the reader, making the book all the more exciting. Also, given how the story plays out the setting is perfect for it. You'll see why when you read. Overall the story, characters and everything else about Tell Tale just felt really fresh, and left me excited at having finally read one of Mark Sennen's books (I wasn't crazy about the short story released over Christmas) but I have definitely been left with the desire to go back and read the previous books in the series, and will be at the front of the queue for book five, as I can't wait to pick up where this book left off. I highly recommend Tell Tale and don't think it will disappoint new or returning readers.
Usually this is where I do the 'book jacket blurb' and some shout 'Spoilers!' but the book's blurb gives nothing away and I feel I must do the same and urge you to go into this book knowing as little about it as possible. It's a very addictive mystery, with some equally addictive subplots running alongside it. Not least Charlotte Savage and the decisions she must make concerning her daughter's killer, who just so happens to be the son of somebody of a very high rank. This part of the story excited me because there was a real sense of unpredictability in not knowing just how Savage was going to act. I can't say whether the outcome is the one I would have chosen, but it was interesting to read a crime fiction book with this level of corruption.
Tell Tale is a little bit of a slow burner in the beginning, but this was necessary to introduce the characters and get the story going, starting that build up to a very exciting second half as some brilliant twists and turns take us towards a thrilling conclusion, and speaking of twists there were a couple in Tell Tale that I just did not see coming until they were revealed. Quite chilling in places and with an eerie sense of realism, this is a story that will definitely draw emotion from the reader, and I do always enjoy a book more that has that effect on me as a reader, getting caught up in the case and caring about the characters.
I loved the setting for this book, and really liked the way it was used to create some truly atmospheric scenes that at times had my heart racing. Some vivid descriptions allow the areas used in the book to completely come alive in the mind of the reader, making the book all the more exciting. Also, given how the story plays out the setting is perfect for it. You'll see why when you read. Overall the story, characters and everything else about Tell Tale just felt really fresh, and left me excited at having finally read one of Mark Sennen's books (I wasn't crazy about the short story released over Christmas) but I have definitely been left with the desire to go back and read the previous books in the series, and will be at the front of the queue for book five, as I can't wait to pick up where this book left off. I highly recommend Tell Tale and don't think it will disappoint new or returning readers.
January 26, 2015
D.I. Charlotte Savage is set on a path to find justice for her daughters killer, but before she can seek revenge, a woman's body is found on the moors and Savage is drawn into an investigation involving satanic rituals and corruption.
Tell Tale was a great read, full of intrigue and a smartly woven plot that leads you down many different paths. 'Chubber' was a sufficiently creepy character and his actions gave me the chills! Savage herself is well written and I think most could identify with her need for revenge. I enjoyed the twist involved with this particular part of the story and found it wrapped things up nicely. A really good thriller with plenty of tension and atmosphere.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Tell Tale was a great read, full of intrigue and a smartly woven plot that leads you down many different paths. 'Chubber' was a sufficiently creepy character and his actions gave me the chills! Savage herself is well written and I think most could identify with her need for revenge. I enjoyed the twist involved with this particular part of the story and found it wrapped things up nicely. A really good thriller with plenty of tension and atmosphere.
*Thank you to the publishers for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 1, 2022
2.5 stars
Satanists. Sheep molesters. Pony murderers. A lumbering, old-fashioned village idiot.
This was like an episode of Midsomer Murders on crack.
Minus all the rose coloured fluff and lull that makes that series cosy.
While I did think Savage took two real steps forward in this book as a character I still don't like what the author is doing with his male characters and that drags the rating way, way down for me.
I mean, they can't meet or even look at a woman without evaluating her in a sexual way - even having a physical response in their pants.
Even if it's just a short passage, it's a constant. And it's bloody annoying and useless.
Does any of the female characters feel a tingle in their knickers every time they look at a hot male? Nope!
(To be honest, it would have been an equaliser if they did, even if it would be a real pond crawler of a low-life equaliser.)
So, so silly. So, so old-fashioned and tired.
Just like the tropes used in this book. It felt like one big mishmash of tropes.
I also didn't like the way the author handled the clearly mentally disabled man that I (sadly) had to spend quite a lot of time with. One of the previous books had another stereotypical "lunatic" that was quite "cringe". I sincerely hope this was the last one.
In many ways I feel like this book series must have been written in the 1990s.
In a different time. A different millennia. A world with now very out-dated views.
Or, maybe I've been living in an idealistic bubble the last couple of years and just been lucky while picking other books?
Hmm. I don't know, but I sure know what I prefer to spend time with!
Will I keep going though? Yeah, I think I will. In spite of everything I'm now a bit invested in seeing how things will turn out for Savage.
Satanists. Sheep molesters. Pony murderers. A lumbering, old-fashioned village idiot.
This was like an episode of Midsomer Murders on crack.
Minus all the rose coloured fluff and lull that makes that series cosy.
While I did think Savage took two real steps forward in this book as a character I still don't like what the author is doing with his male characters and that drags the rating way, way down for me.
I mean, they can't meet or even look at a woman without evaluating her in a sexual way - even having a physical response in their pants.
Even if it's just a short passage, it's a constant. And it's bloody annoying and useless.
Does any of the female characters feel a tingle in their knickers every time they look at a hot male? Nope!
(To be honest, it would have been an equaliser if they did, even if it would be a real pond crawler of a low-life equaliser.)
So, so silly. So, so old-fashioned and tired.
Just like the tropes used in this book. It felt like one big mishmash of tropes.
I also didn't like the way the author handled the clearly mentally disabled man that I (sadly) had to spend quite a lot of time with. One of the previous books had another stereotypical "lunatic" that was quite "cringe". I sincerely hope this was the last one.
In many ways I feel like this book series must have been written in the 1990s.
In a different time. A different millennia. A world with now very out-dated views.
Or, maybe I've been living in an idealistic bubble the last couple of years and just been lucky while picking other books?
Hmm. I don't know, but I sure know what I prefer to spend time with!
Will I keep going though? Yeah, I think I will. In spite of everything I'm now a bit invested in seeing how things will turn out for Savage.
May 4, 2025
Good characters, and story line that continues the provenance, don't read this out of order otherwise you wont understand the background to the story. Moral dilemmas abound reflecting the life choices that we all must make especially if your the one upholding the law. Gritty and real
April 27, 2015
This is the fourth novel in the detective inspector Charlotte Savage series. This is the first one that I have read and while this is not strictly a standalone the novel the fact that I have not read the early ones did not detract from my enjoyment. It is cleverly plotted and well-written police procedural featuring an inspector based in Plymouth. Detective Inspector Charlotte Savage is an engaging character, married to a naval officer and she juggles her family life with the demands of being in charge of a major crime unit.
The death of an East European immigrant is a prescient reminder of how European society has changed over the past decades and it is balanced by the emergence of a member of the landed gentry, a local MP into the plot all of which gives colour to this novel. At the beginning the unexplained slaughter of animals on the moorlands seems an unconnected series of events another body is discovered on the moorland. They are all linked to a possible satanist cult and we have the basis for an entertaining read. Sennen brings all the plot threads together expertly.
My only criticism would be that some of the events in the plot are little far-fetched but the quality of the writing and the general excellent pace and characterisation carried the novel forward. There were quite a lot of characters involved and sometimes I felt that occasionally there was a danger that they became stereotypes.
Sennen writes confidently with precision showing as enough details for us to understand the other relationships operate. And there is enough police procedural detail to make it interesting without over burdening the reader.
I would certainly recommend this book and I put the first three in the same series on my to be read list [even though it is far too long]
The death of an East European immigrant is a prescient reminder of how European society has changed over the past decades and it is balanced by the emergence of a member of the landed gentry, a local MP into the plot all of which gives colour to this novel. At the beginning the unexplained slaughter of animals on the moorlands seems an unconnected series of events another body is discovered on the moorland. They are all linked to a possible satanist cult and we have the basis for an entertaining read. Sennen brings all the plot threads together expertly.
My only criticism would be that some of the events in the plot are little far-fetched but the quality of the writing and the general excellent pace and characterisation carried the novel forward. There were quite a lot of characters involved and sometimes I felt that occasionally there was a danger that they became stereotypes.
Sennen writes confidently with precision showing as enough details for us to understand the other relationships operate. And there is enough police procedural detail to make it interesting without over burdening the reader.
I would certainly recommend this book and I put the first three in the same series on my to be read list [even though it is far too long]
March 12, 2015
As usual a complicated plot with various threads is skillfully brought together into a thrilling conclusion.
The police work is hindered by these seperate enquiries which are linked; in the process not all clues are immediately consolidated and processed. I did find the delay in running down and following up names who graduated from the same course at Cambridge a clear oversight. Over "errors" are the kind of thing you can expect but not always recognised in a police pocedural and it helps the credability of these books. This is now the fourth one and they continue to entertain and give scope for the detectives to develop tnto a group that maintain your interest.
I particualarly liked the unusual character of Chubber and the storyline running through the books concerning the hit and run incident that led to the death of Savage's daughter. This still has implications as the story goes forward and brings a humanity and vulnerability to the central character.
This is a story of missing girls, animal sacrifice and corruption but above all it shows how far people will go to protect their families and can be manulated by fear and shared secrets.
Until recently Mark Sennen was an author I hadn't read, now he ranks up there with the must reads and I am pleased to see with Tell Tale he has gained some book store awareness and justified promotion.
The police work is hindered by these seperate enquiries which are linked; in the process not all clues are immediately consolidated and processed. I did find the delay in running down and following up names who graduated from the same course at Cambridge a clear oversight. Over "errors" are the kind of thing you can expect but not always recognised in a police pocedural and it helps the credability of these books. This is now the fourth one and they continue to entertain and give scope for the detectives to develop tnto a group that maintain your interest.
I particualarly liked the unusual character of Chubber and the storyline running through the books concerning the hit and run incident that led to the death of Savage's daughter. This still has implications as the story goes forward and brings a humanity and vulnerability to the central character.
This is a story of missing girls, animal sacrifice and corruption but above all it shows how far people will go to protect their families and can be manulated by fear and shared secrets.
Until recently Mark Sennen was an author I hadn't read, now he ranks up there with the must reads and I am pleased to see with Tell Tale he has gained some book store awareness and justified promotion.
August 31, 2016
I liked this. Slow start, but, got better as it went on. Lots of different bits that eventually fused together. Quite a twist in it too.
December 10, 2016
quite ok. can guess the bad guys.
April 25, 2017
Excellent read. This is a very good series. The characters are very well defined and always a story that you can believe. Looking forward to the next one.
December 30, 2020
This is a gripping thriller that weaves a few story lines together, creating a web of deception and corruption that starts off small but gets bigger and bigger. Add into this Savage's need for revenge as she finds out who was responsible for her daughter's death, someone who plays an increasingly large part in the investigation, Sennen takes the reader on a tense journey to get justice. The writing flows well and keeps the stories moving, and I quite liked the different viewpoints that Sennen wove in throughout the book, leaving little hints at what was to come. Although there wasn't anything overly groundbreaking, this was a very enjoyable read and a great way to wile away an afternoon.
October 2, 2018
This is the first book by Mark Sennen I have read, just by chance. I am now aiming to back track because it was a fabulous book. Great characters and a very interesting story line....quite deep. It keeps you guessing and turning the pages faster as you delve deeper into the book. Enjoyed it very much and looking forward to reading more.
March 11, 2019
Good read. I started this one because it is based in and around Plymouth where I currently live. The author takes us on a tour of the darker sides and whisks us out to the wilds of Dartmoor.
The arroyo trots along at a great pace, the back story is as intriguing as the main plot.
A great holiday read, once started you will definitely want to know where the story takes you!
The arroyo trots along at a great pace, the back story is as intriguing as the main plot.
A great holiday read, once started you will definitely want to know where the story takes you!
October 24, 2018
Quite an enjoyable read.
This one took a bit of time to get started, and like all such novels was a bit far-fetched in places, but overall this is a series that I enjoy.
This one took a bit of time to get started, and like all such novels was a bit far-fetched in places, but overall this is a series that I enjoy.
January 28, 2019
I actually quite enjoyed this book. It was nothing like I expected it to be, but it really drew me in. Definitely worth a read.
November 19, 2020
It was okay. I finished the book out of principle, but it wasnt a 'cant put down book'. There were so many names and characters, at times it was hard to keep track!
Read
February 7, 2022Loved it!
August 29, 2022
Quite a far fetched plot but it kept me reading.
September 10, 2024
Devon crime thriller
February 19, 2015
I hadn't read a DI Savage book before, so I was very interested to discover if I could read this fourth book in the series without reading the first three. Thanks to a well written plot, with enough background information about DI Savage's past, I was able to do so. There were slight spoilers about the previous books, but not enough to turn me off reading these as well at some point.
Tell Tale starts off as the search for a murderer, following the discovery of the body of a naked young woman on the moors. However, the book is about far more than this, with several subplots that come together at the end in one giant web of deception.
One subplot concerns the identity of the hit and run driver who killed DI Savage's young daughter five years earlier. And how DI Savage is torn between doing the right thing as an officer of the law and the bitter choice of a mother tormented with grief.
Another involves police corruption and a cover up to protect those involved in a criminal act.
And then there is another subplot about the bloody slaughter of horses in satanic rituals.
Tell Tale is an intriguing story, with a strong independent female lead character. The story moves along at a decent pace, with enough action and new events to keep the book flowing constantly. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story unfolds, right until the end.
I look forward to reading more DI Savage books.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tell Tale starts off as the search for a murderer, following the discovery of the body of a naked young woman on the moors. However, the book is about far more than this, with several subplots that come together at the end in one giant web of deception.
One subplot concerns the identity of the hit and run driver who killed DI Savage's young daughter five years earlier. And how DI Savage is torn between doing the right thing as an officer of the law and the bitter choice of a mother tormented with grief.
Another involves police corruption and a cover up to protect those involved in a criminal act.
And then there is another subplot about the bloody slaughter of horses in satanic rituals.
Tell Tale is an intriguing story, with a strong independent female lead character. The story moves along at a decent pace, with enough action and new events to keep the book flowing constantly. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story unfolds, right until the end.
I look forward to reading more DI Savage books.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2017
I have read the previous novels in this series and felt they all lacked something because they were easy to put down in favour of doing something else. I'm glad to say that Tell Tale is different and is a gripping read. It starts with the discovery of a missing girl's clothing and driving licence, followed shortly by her body. Then her best friend goes missing. At the same time someone is mutilating and killing ponies and it has satanic overtones. The action comes thick and fast after that, some of it extremely gruesome.
This is a plot driven novel but Mr Sennen has not neglected characterisation. Charlotte Savage goes to some extreme ends to get revenge for the death of her daughter in a hit and run five years earlier which was covered up by the Chief Constable because his son was the driver. I cannot begin to understand the pain of losing a child, but I think it would lead you to act irrationally and out of character when you can't bring the culprit to justice as Charlotte does. It makes for powerful reading but I can't identify with it. The Chief Constable's actions, on the other hand, are all too understandable as he is a weak man cornered by his past actions but again powerful reading.
After a slow start I feel Mr Sennen has finally hit his stride and I have no reservation in recommending Tell Tale as a good, if unrealistic, read.
This is a plot driven novel but Mr Sennen has not neglected characterisation. Charlotte Savage goes to some extreme ends to get revenge for the death of her daughter in a hit and run five years earlier which was covered up by the Chief Constable because his son was the driver. I cannot begin to understand the pain of losing a child, but I think it would lead you to act irrationally and out of character when you can't bring the culprit to justice as Charlotte does. It makes for powerful reading but I can't identify with it. The Chief Constable's actions, on the other hand, are all too understandable as he is a weak man cornered by his past actions but again powerful reading.
After a slow start I feel Mr Sennen has finally hit his stride and I have no reservation in recommending Tell Tale as a good, if unrealistic, read.
November 6, 2016
I think I must be hard marker, oh dear. I did the enjoy the book , really I did.
Good grief - we have a dead illegal Hungarian immigrant found in bizarre circumstances, ponies found eviscerated and posed ritualistically in spots along ancient ley lines, a missing Russian woman, a strange intellectually challenged not-so-innocent fat man and a man found buried alive. WTF???
Meanwhile Savage knows who is responsible for the death of her daughter and is wondering what to do with this information as the killer is the son (Owen Fox) of her Chief Constable (Simon Fox). These threads all come together as the investigation into all the mysteries events and deaths threatens some of those responsible for covering up Owen's hit and run. Savage doesn't know what a hornet's nest she has stirred up and is in danger of losing her life over it all.
It was all very fast and furious and interesting enough to read but I must admit the plot stretched credulity beyond breaking point. It was just a little too far-fetched, especially the whole pony business. But I have very much enjoyed this series and will certainly continue.
Good grief - we have a dead illegal Hungarian immigrant found in bizarre circumstances, ponies found eviscerated and posed ritualistically in spots along ancient ley lines, a missing Russian woman, a strange intellectually challenged not-so-innocent fat man and a man found buried alive. WTF???
Meanwhile Savage knows who is responsible for the death of her daughter and is wondering what to do with this information as the killer is the son (Owen Fox) of her Chief Constable (Simon Fox). These threads all come together as the investigation into all the mysteries events and deaths threatens some of those responsible for covering up Owen's hit and run. Savage doesn't know what a hornet's nest she has stirred up and is in danger of losing her life over it all.
It was all very fast and furious and interesting enough to read but I must admit the plot stretched credulity beyond breaking point. It was just a little too far-fetched, especially the whole pony business. But I have very much enjoyed this series and will certainly continue.
August 19, 2016
D.I. Charlotte Savage is a woman haunted by an unbearable tragedy: the death of her young daughter Clarissa at the hands of a hit and run driver. A driver who has never been identified, never been brought to justice, until now that is. Charlotte is determined to dole out her own brand of justice but the identity of the driver complicates matters - the man who knocked down Clarissa is the son of the chief of police, Simon Fox, Charlotte's own boss. While dealing with that personal crisis, Charlotte also has to contend with a series of ritualistic killings that have distinctly pagan overtones. 'Tell Tale' was a suspenseful read, perhaps a bit complicated plot-wise at times, but it held my interest all the way through. Will be looking out for the next one in this series.
March 1, 2015
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of "Tell Tale" to read and review.
This was a really great read. It falls within the mystery suspense genre. The reader will easily be able to identify with the characters, and will get lost in the story. You will be led down many paths and be kept wondering who dunnit as you follow DI Savage in another mystery. If you have never read a DI Savage book, no need to worry. The book is well written and you will not feel you are missing something jumping into the series after 4 books.
Great book, fast read.
This was a really great read. It falls within the mystery suspense genre. The reader will easily be able to identify with the characters, and will get lost in the story. You will be led down many paths and be kept wondering who dunnit as you follow DI Savage in another mystery. If you have never read a DI Savage book, no need to worry. The book is well written and you will not feel you are missing something jumping into the series after 4 books.
Great book, fast read.
April 17, 2017
A good old fashioned, if slightly clichéd story about devil worship among the well off ( see Hot Fuzz) and some poor weirdo who's dragged in to it. I got just as much enjoyment out of the authors determined effort to cram in as many name drops for Plymouth and the surrounding area as I did the narrative.
The story is pretty good, lots of twists and not exactly unexpected turns, but the characters are well presented and likeable enough.
I'd definitely be keen to read some more 'Savage tales', when I'm allowed to purchase more books... 😐
The story is pretty good, lots of twists and not exactly unexpected turns, but the characters are well presented and likeable enough.
I'd definitely be keen to read some more 'Savage tales', when I'm allowed to purchase more books... 😐
January 21, 2017
This crime thriller starring DI Charlotte Savage has many twists and turns. Finding the killer is no mean task when her police force is corrupt and inundated with many crimes that need investigating. Solving her case is not easy as this is complex and linked with others. Lots of characters to get your head round in this book, many I wouldn't want to meet in daylight let alone on in the middle of nowhere on a pitch dark night.
March 16, 2015
I do like crime books, but mainly I prefer Dark Fantasy books... This is not going to be a bad review though... This made my love for crime/thriller books increase! Many twists and turns!
I haven't read any of the other books, but this was well written so I understood what was going on... definitely getting the others when I can though!
Think I love the main character Charlotte Savage too!
I haven't read any of the other books, but this was well written so I understood what was going on... definitely getting the others when I can though!
Think I love the main character Charlotte Savage too!
March 28, 2015
This is the fourth book in the DI Charlotte Savage series, but the first one I have read. Safe to say I will now be going back & reading the other three. Fantastic storyline that keeps you hooked right up until the end, wasn't so much a case of who-dunnit but why-dunnit. The writing is so destructive & picturesque, could easily be turned into a TV series
June 10, 2015
Another hugely enjoyable read - very fast moving plot once again - goodness Charlotte Savage gets herself into some serious situations. Everything was resolved very satisfactorily in the end. Satanism isn't something that you'd imagine the police having to deal with on a daily basis, but it certainly gave a scary twist to this story.
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