Bestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with the second book in his gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller series set on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Get book 1, The Dark Tide, now!
This time, is she in too deep?
Two months since ex-Police Negotiator Laura Hart was forced back into action after the kidnap of her son, she has re-joined the force as a DI. When a skeleton is found in a crumbling castle ruin near the seaside town of Beaumaris, Anglesey, she can’t wait to prove herself by solving the case.
The victim is identified as Jamie McCann. The only thing anyone seems to know about him is that he disappeared without a trace twenty years ago.
When Laura’s investigation leads her to MI5 and the Real IRA, she knows she’s on the trail of something truly explosive. But some people will do anything to stop their secrets coming out. With the threat drawing in and her family yet again in danger, is she in too deep?
A pulse-pounding, atmospheric crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths and Val McDermid .
Readers love Simon McCleave!
‘The fact that I've already pre-ordered the next book in this series says it all really.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘If you've never read Simon’s books, take the chance and find yourself a new go-to writer.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Good action with unpredictable twists and turns to keep you from putting down the book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Thanks, Simon, for another great book- please keep ‘em coming!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Not enjoyed a book more for years! A real page-turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The most exciting new pulse-pounding crime thriller for 2022 from bestselling sensation Simon McCleave
I'm just loving it all - the setting, the characters and the history. This is a murder story occurring on Anglesey in Wales, with an interesting female detective returning to her career after a deep personal loss. There are almost too many twists and turns, but some were unexpected. Simon McCleave does it again!
Into deep by Simon McCleave is the second book in the Anglesey series. I have not read the first book in the series but, you can read this as a standalone book. After the incident in June Laura Hart is back in the Police force now as a DI in Beaumaris, Anglesey. Her first case is of remains of a body found near a ruin of a castle. With the body is part of a bank card and a brooch pin which is linked to the Irish Guards. When the body is identified being John McCann who disappeared over twenty years ago. John ex-army who went undercover to get intelligence to feed back to the army regarding the IRA. On the same day there is news that an MI% operative has done the same thing. Thank you, Avon, for a copy of Into Deep by Simon McCleave. To be honest, I have not heard of the author before and the books he has written and was completely surprised how good this book was. This is a tense thriller, with lots of twists and turns and the author has greatly researched the subjects of the IRA and British army. I also liked the parts of the story of Laura and her on and of relationship with her boss Gareth and her loss of her husband Sam. It made the story more interesting. I really enjoyed this and will look forward to the next book. 4 stars from me.
The second book to feature Detective Inspector Laura Hart and what a cracking read. After the first book After The Dark Tide I knew I would like this series and this book does not disappoint. A body is found but who is he and what is his real name???? A real page turner which takes the reader on a journey to Belfast and Dublin, the IRA and MI 5. Another action packed, heart stopping trek through this very talented author's mind and a budding romance to boot. What's not to love!!!! Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Two months since ex-police negotiator Laura Hart was forced back into action after the kidnap of her son, she has rejoined the force as a DI. when a skeleton is found in a crumbling castle ruin near the seaside town of Beaumaris, Anglesey, she can't wait to prove herself by solving the case. The victim is identified ad Jamie McCann. The only thing anyone seems to know about him is that he disappeared without trace twenty years ago. When Laura's investigation leads her MI5 and the real IRA, she knows she on the trail of something truly explosive.
I have not read the first book in this series, The Dark Tide, but the book did read well as a standalone. This story has two timelines, the present day is set in Anglesey, and the past in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s. This well written book has an intriguing plotline and plenty of twists to keep us guessing. The characters are well rounded and relatable. It has also been well researched. This is quite a tense thriller. We are left with a cliffhanger that sets us up nicely for book three.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #SimonMcCleave for my ARC of #InTooDeep in exchange for an honest review.
In Too Deep is book two in Anglesey series by Simon McCleave. And what a thrilling read it is! Laura Hart is back. She rejoined the police following the events that unfolded in The Dark Tide. And the first case that she has to deal with is a real tough one. Going back decades, with links to IRA and MI5, it's a case that's really going to test Laura and her colleagues. I really like Simon McCleave's writing. Not only are the cases absolute corkers but so are his characters. I love the relationships that Laura is building in Anglesey. And I also really enjoy the fact that nothing's instant. She's still grieving her husband. That link hasn't just been severed. Both her and her children are still healing. It feels real and reads great. Overall, Anglesey is shaping to be a great series and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in it.
It’s not often that a book mirrors the headlines in the daily newspaper! Furthermore, it’s not often that book 2 in a series is better than book 1, but McCleave knocked this one out of the park! I may be a bit biased since I was born not far from where this book takes place and grew up listening to adults discussing the events mentioned here unfold in real time.
The heart of the story is a recently discovered shallow grave and readers follow along as the detectives attempt to solve the mystery and the identity. In exploring possibilities, the plot circles around an Irish man who is serving in the Irish Guards “The Micks’ regiment of the British Army and he’s asked to infiltrate the IRA and feed the British Army intelligence. Sound familiar? It just so happens that today’s news is filled with headlines about an MI5 operative who did the very same thing. You’ll read about Michael McKevitt, the same man in today’s newspaper.
The writing continues to be sublime. I’ve never read such an intelligent crime thriller before! What a treat. McCleave writes to include readers in the action and his prose comes across as a movie script. The story was playing in my head as I read, adding to the ease of connection.
“If you was a Prod or a snout, we’d know by now.” “You take us for feckin’ eejits.” It’s phrases like this that unleashed my inner thick Irish brogue as I read!
The characters each have their own voice and the expressions and temperaments echo those I’ve grown up with; meaning that this story seems authentic. Growing up, I was on one side of the terror group and learned to fear them and their reach. Reading this book gave me insight into the other side; what it could have been like to live on the inside. I wish the dialogue had included more reasons why this faction broke away from the original IRA and why people would be enticed into joining this group. Regardless, I was on the edge of my seat, frantically turning page after page expecting the worst. It’s marketed as a compelling read, and it definitely is as claimed!
I was happy to see the language toned down a bit, but I still giggled at the Cagney and Lacey references and the ‘obviously male’ fantasy world the main character lives in where men think women want to jump their bones at any given moment, especially under the most inappropriate of circumstances. Warning: there is an open-door scene.
I loved the references to several books that characters were reading, the beautiful Bernese mountain dog, Elvis, how DI Hart speaks to her husband, the Bluetits, and Penguin bars. I’ve already recommended this book to almost everyone I met today! If you love a well-written crime thriller that keeps you glued to the storyline, this one’s for you!
I am already eagerly anticipating book 3!
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
After reading "The Dark Tide" last May, I was eager to revisit this series with book two, "In Too Deep". I'm certain this is a police procedural series that I will follow avidly.
The rich characterization added depth to the crime story with insights into what made the various characters tick. I liked how the author delved into the police officer's personal lives as it gave the story more of a human interest angle.
There were a few excellent plot twists that I did not anticipate. Also, I learned a few things about the IRA's activities after the Good Friday Agreement was signed.
The continuing attraction between Laura and Gareth added a romantic interest to the novel and adds some tension now that they are co-workers of equal rank in the North Wales Police Force.
The pacing was steady and leant an urgency to the narrative. I'm certain that fans of the police procedural subgenre will relish these characters and this series. Recommended!
The second book in the Anglesey series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A dark follow-up to the first book, which also really starts to build on the main characters; their histories, personalities, and lives. The character development digs in a bit deeper, which helped strengthen my ability to picture each of them. I thought the plot in this book was complex and layered, and the author did a great job going between the present day and going into the past to build the suspense and story. It kept me guessing the entire time, and I can honestly say I didn't suspect it to take the couple twists that it did and the climax of the plot was both unexpected and thrilling. I'm looking forward to getting into the next installment.
I really enjoyed this police procedural, which is set in Wales. This is the second book in a series.
The story is about Laura Hart, who left the police force after her policeman husband was killed whilst on duty. In this book she is back in the police force working hard on a case which is based in the past, with relations to the IRA and MI5. She has to find out who is behind some killings that have taken place. There is a lot of twists and turns, as we are led to believe that one thing has happened, when it is actually something else that has occurred.
I enjoyed reading about Laura's new relationship with policeman Gareth, although I didn't like the mistake that he made. I loved the ending between Laura and Gareth, however. I also loved the parts of the story where Laura was talking to her husband's spirit.
I didn't really like the parts of the book which were set in the past, especially when they were describing things that do not appeal to me, regarding bombs etc. However, it was all part of the story, and I did enjoy all the parts of the book with Laura and Gareth.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what they get up to next, as they make a great team. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
I love this series and this book didn’t disappoint. DI Laura Hart is back working in the police and her first case is certainly a complex one. I couldn’t get enough of it. The final twist at the end caught me blindsided…what?!…wtf!! I’m here for twists like that!! P.S is it wrong that one of my favourite characters is dead?
Narrator- the narrator is superb and brings all the characters to life. She is perfect for Laura Hart.
My only niggle was that sometimes the name Louise is used instead of Laura (I had to rewind the story to make sure that it wasn’t me) and that bugged me. Not sure if this is a audiobook problem or in the book? There’s also a story where Laura goes to find Louise at midnight on the mainland and returns home at 12:15am despite a long and involved story line. I knocked a ⭐️ off for this.
As soon as I saw this book I had to stop everything and read it. I just love this series, it is what I refer to an intelligent thriller. For me it is not a quick read but it is a good read and I am so invested in the back story, how is it going to be resolved? Also looking forward to the relationships developings. The crime itself was interesting and so different - dont want to say anything more due to spoilers, but it was good.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
DI Laura Hart is returning to the police force after an absence following the death of her husband in Manchester. Her first day starts with the discovery of human remains near the ruins of a castle in Beaumaris, Anglesey. A second murder on the beautiful island, the involvement of military intelligence and connections to Northern Ireland soon point to a more complex case where someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets. The story starts quite slowly, but then gains momentum with a complex plot and interesting characters.
What a ride, a rollercoaster that kept me on the edge, increasing my blood pressure and making me turn pages fast. A solid plot that that surprised me with each twists and kept guessing. The characters are fleshed out and relatable. Can't wait to read another one. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I received a free copy of, In Too Deep, by Simon McCleave, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Di Laura is back on the case after a few personal problems. This book goes back and forth between Belfast in 1998, and present time. A very interesting thriller, to read.
Fast paced and exciting - this book carries on beautifully from the first in the series, with an equally complex although completely different plot- simply amazing, I loved it.
A police procedural story set in Anglesey, Wales. The body of a murdered victim leads the local CID officers to investigate an undercover MI5 agent living in Belfast just after the Good Friday Agreement. The novel's dual timeframe is ambitious but the author eventually brings the two story lines together. Unfortunately, although McCleave is a very experienced writer, his writing is at times overwritten and/or sloppy to the point of irritation. I knocked off a further star for the unnecessary scenes, with truly toe-curling dialogue, between the female DCI and her dead husband.
In Too Deep is the exciting sequel to the Dark Tide by Simon McCleave. The storyline remains captivating and exciting right to the very end.
The suspense is there from the first page: human remains are found, along with a bank card and a pin from the Irish Guards, and after investigation, the team is convinced it is John Finn, an SAS officer who went undercover with the IRA and who went missing twenty years since. Laura is still struggling with the violent death of her partner Sam, much is still unclear, was there a mole active in the team? Sam's partner Louise in the Manchester police, also thought to have died in the explosion, appears to be alive, but she is terrified of something and on the run.
Here and there, the author briefly harks back to the first book. The story is extremely ingenious, I did not realise until the last page how the story was put together, and then also that cliffhanger at the end, insane. I found the story of John Finn in Belfast particularly captivating; the author constantly throws the reader off guard.
The story switches between the events of John Finn in Belfast, who infiltrates the real IRA after the Good Friday Agreement, and who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth after a pub quiz. The police want to know who killed him, and the Anglesey timeline.
I really enjoyed reading the interaction between Laura and Andrea, the reader gets enough background information on the different characters, which really makes them come alive for the reader. The whole thing with Gareth didn't need to happen for me and I found it disturbing in the beginning, I guess I'm probably not as forgiving as Laura. I do hope that the storyline of Louise, the Manchester police and a possible mole in that team is continued in the next volume, I so want to know what happened to Sam! I think the 'Ghost' theme between Laura and her Sam is nicely depicted, without it becoming unnatural or crazy. I found the book very cinematically written, and would love it if this series could be filmed.
I have now fully embraced DC Laura Hart and I am already looking forward to the sequel in this series: Blood on the Shore.
In Too Deep will be in shops from 5 January 2023, and if you want to read another wildly exciting detective thriller by Simon McCleave, don't hesitate to buy yourself a copy.
I would like to thank the publisher and the author Simon McCleave for providing a review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
I really rather enjoyed this. I know I have gone true to form and am reading the books out of order, but as I had heard the basic premise of book one at the literary festivals last year, I don't think I was really at a disadvantage by reading book two first. It is a standalone mystery and, whilst there are certain threads which carry between the books, there was nothing that I couldn't pick up, or that I believe would act as necessarily a spoiler in book one. If you want that absolutely fresh, no knowledge of what has come before approach though, obviously start at the beginning. I like to live on the wild side when it comes to reading 😋
The book starts on a cold dark night, building the intrigue and the mystery from the very beginning. There is something which occurs that is going to be central to the whole story, even though it takes twenty years for this deed to be uncovered. Told over a dual timeline, this book takes readers between present day Anglesey where DI Laura Hart is about to face her first day with the Anglesey CID, and late 90's Belfast. How the two elements of the story tie together remains to be seen, but Simon McCleave spins a very twisty and unexpected tale that moves between political tensions, personal rivalries and old scores to be settled. There is an undercurrent of threat from the very beginning, and whilst it's never quite in the high-octane thriller genre, there are some scenes which get the pulse racing and the anticipation increasing as we follow the investigation to its very surprising conclusion.
I really liked Laura Hart as a character. There are elements to her character that set her apart from your normal Detective, but not so much that she becomes either a cliche or an unbelievable character. She is all too recently widowed, and that grief and the way she deals with it, does come to inform the story and the way her character develops over the course of the book. There are insecurities there, not only because she is starting back at work after a sabbatical, but it only made me like her more. She has everything and nothing to prove, but it still makes for an interesting return being thrown into a cold case one day one. She is fun, and funny, and her pairing with DC Andrea Jones really works well, the experience of the more senior Hart a perfect match for the determination and enthusiasm of the younger DC. Then there is DI Gareth Williams, technically Laura's superior in this particular investigation, but an equal in all other respects. there is a great chemistry between them, although Gareth's personal life is as damaged and complicated as Laura's. I like them as a pair, and I'm intrigued to see how this develops over the course of the series.
I enjoyed how the author has woven past and present together to ensure that the readers learn just enough about the past of the suspected victim, John Finn, but still managing to keep the mystery and the truth hidden until the end. I had perhaps guessed one key part of the puzzle relatively early on, but there are plenty of unexpected revelations to come. The author has done a great job of capturing the tensions and political division that the Good Friday Agreement caused, even though it was meant to be a symbol of peace. It served as a stark reminder of the tensions in Northern Ireland in the 90's and earlier, and the importance of the agreement which is still all too fragile due to current events. He does not sensationalise the violence or the devastation felt in Northern Ireland, but you do feel the weight of its importance to what comes to pass.
The pacing in this book is just right, and the sense of place quite key. From the tranquility of Laura's morning swim in the sea, to the overt threat that she faces as someone tries to derail her investigations, you can feel those variations in tempo and mood with each page turn. It was a very interesting read as the more I read, the more uncertain I became about my feelings towards the victims and I love those books that can do that. a very enjoyable read and I'll be going back to book one just as soon as I can. I've also downloaded a few of the books from the author's other series too which I'm looking forward to reading. Another perspective on the holiday locations of my youth! Recommended.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy of In Too Deep, the second novel to feature DI Laura Hart of the Anglesey Police.
The discovery of a skeleton found buried in the grounds of a ruined castle near Beaumaris is a baptism of fire for Laura on her return to active duty. She finds herself investigating the Real IRA, MI5 among other things above her security clearance.
I swithered for long enough about my rating, should it be 3* or 4*?, because there is a fair amount I didn’t like in this book, but the thought and research that went into the novel and the twists at the end, although I guessed one of the better signposted ones, made me err on the generous side. I decided to put quality above personal taste and go for 4*.
The novel didn’t hold my attention until deep into the second half, mostly because the narrative is split between the investigation and the story of John Kelly, a soldier in the British Army, a story that I had zero interest in - terrorism and spying at the back end of the twentieth century. I think his story is well told and tense for the interested reader. Where does he fit in? Is he the perpetrator or the victim? The reader will have to wait to find out. These are two very different narratives with contrasting tones and the constant switch between them gives the novel a choppy feel and is not conducive to total immersion.
I liked the investigation and the way the team gradually narrows in on a suspect. I also liked the way other events force a rethink as they try to fit them in. There is not enough of the investigation, however, as Laura has so many things going on. There is a budding romance which isn’t going too smoothly, too many conversations with her dead husband, Sam, and a hunt for information on what really happened in the warehouse when he died. This last item is an ongoing thread through the series so far and as it ends in a cliffhanger in this one I can only assume that it will continue.
In Too Deep was a mixed bag for me, but some of that is due to personal taste.
I am new to this series and will immediately go back to read the book that I missed!
Laura Hart is returning to the force after an absence spent coming to terms with the death of her husband in a botched police operation, and caring for her kids during the fallout.
To complicate matters, Laura is in a new relationship with her supervisor, who may or may not be carrying a torch for his ex wife.
On her first day in the new job, Laura is called out regarding a body found. Subsequent investigation leads the team to discover that they may have found a British soldier who was undercover in the IRA.
The book uses flashbacks to introduce us to several characters, mainly one who was asked to go undercover in the IRA, but after being pulled from deep cover walks away one day never to be seen again!
What happened to him? Did someone from his old life track him down, or did someone from his new life do him in?
In the present day the investigation raises as many questions as it answers, such as who knew what and when? More bodies start to pile up, begging the question of their connection to the lost soldier.
In the background Laura is trying to move forward but still hanging on to the past. She is still trying to unravel what happened to her husband, and has a lead on his former partner.
As Laura grows closer to the truth, she faces an outside threat to her family. Who wants to discourage her from asking the right questions, and can she trust her instincts, or has she lost valuable skills? Also, can she trust her feelings in this new relationship, especially when the ex wife makes a surprise return?
With all the twists and turns it leads to a finish you may not have seen coming.
The book also shows Laura indulging in self care by early morning swimming,and I must admit I found those scenes terrifying!
I was kindly given an advanced copy of this title by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Anglesey Series, and another excellent read from Simon McCleave. I am growing to love these books as much as the DI Ruth Hunter Series. It helps that they are set in the far North-West corner of Wales that I feel always adds an extra flavour to the books.
It starts off with an innocuous discovery of a skeleton in a crumbling castle ruin near the seaside town of Beaumaris, Anglesey. Quickly events take a far more sinister twist and turn, and leads to the case having connections to Northern Ireland, the MI5 and the real IRA. It is clear Laura is digging into secrets that many are loathe to see come out and this puts her and her team at risk. An explosive first case for her on her return to the police service following her husband’s murder.
Alongside the main case more of the story of her husband’s death are revealed and it appears there are also people that are not wanting this story to come out, so Laura goes in search of old contacts of her husbands and it feels like this story will continue in future books of the series. As if this wasn’t enough for Laura she also takes a leap into a new relationship with a colleague, but even this isn’t as smooth sailing as you’d expect.
There are so many layers to this book and it quickly hooks you into all elements and keeps you wanting to read on and on and on. I finished this book in 24 hours as I needed to find out what happened and there were some excellent twists at the end of the book. I certainly recommend this book to everyone that likes good pacy crime / detective books, with good characterisations and the revelation of back stories. Personally I cannot wait for the third book to be published!
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a review copy of this book for an open, fair and honest review.
We first met DI Laura Hart in the gripping and suspense packed ‘The Dark Tide’ where her eleven year old son Jake was taken hostage during a school trip by a gang of drug dealers. At the time Laura and her children, Jake and eighteen year old Rosie had been living on the island of Anglesey for three years since Sam her policeman husband was killed in the line of duty in a warehouse explosion. Suffering from PTSD from witnessing his death, Laura left the police force and started a successful business but, after being involved in Jake’s rescue decided she was ready to re-join the police force.
On Laura’s first day back on the job with Beaumaris CID, a body is found in a shallow grave in the ruins of a castle. Clues on the body point to the body being that of an Irish ex-soldier who went missing twenty years ago, but untangling his background and past history in Ireland and why someone would want to kill him proves to be a difficult and convoluted job.
The novel is well written with an interesting plot and the characters are very relatable. Laura is still visited by her husband Sam’s ghost who gives her advice and support. Her fledgling romantic relationship for her new boss, DI Gareth Williams hits a serious bump in the road, but with so much in common they are clearly meant to be together.
Laura’s search for who was behind the plot that killed her husband is also making some headway with the novel ending on a cliffhanger in that regard, so we’re left waiting keenly for the next book in the series.
With thanks to Avon Books via Netgalley for a copy to read
I very much enjoyed this book, despite having not read the first in the series. After her husband is killed and her son kidnapped, Laura Hart took time out from the police force but she is now back in a new job on Anglesey. The first week is much busier than anticipated. A body turns up, which appears to have a blunt force trauma to the back of the skull. It is found with a pin from the Irish Guards and part of a bank card. Investigations lead Laura to MI5 and the IRA and once again her family is threatened. Another two men are murdered in the space of two more days and Laura's return to work is hectic and involved. I liked the setting on Anglesey and the characters in this book. They all carry baggage - Andrea has had a bad childhood, Laura has lost a husband and her family is under strain and Gareth's wife cheated on him leading to his divorce. The story is told through two time lines - the present day with Laura in the police force and other chapters involve Northern Ireland in the 80's and 90's. I enjoyed the current chapters better. I was more invested with the characters but the earlier parts added to the background. It is a twisty and involving plot, fast paced and a fast read. The story leaves the reader with a cliff hanger for the next book. I can fully understand why the author did this but as a reader I find it annoying especially when the next book is not yet out. I very seldom get to read sequels. With thanks to Netgalley and AvonBooksUK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.
Having very recently read the first book in the Anglesey series, I was really eager to read In Too Deep. In the 2 months since the end of The Dark Tide, Laura’s life has moved on a little, but she is still manifesting symptoms of deep grief and PTSD, from the incident that led to the death of her husband Sam, 3 years earlier. DI Laura Hart has to hit the ground running, when she starts in her new position. The uttering of the “Q” word, opens a floodgate of complex cases to Beaumaris CID.
The dual timeline story takes us back to “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, at the time when The Good Friday Agreement was newly formed. The atmospheric writing evokes the tension, high emotions and pressure felt within that community.
The author paints a lovely picture of Anglesey with his words, describing the rural beauty incredibly well. While also dropping in details of the Welsh history of the area.
The ending very neatly pulls together all the complex strands of the cases. The final few chapters beautifully sets up a few cliffhangers in readiness for book 3 in the series. There are some subtle, and not so subtle hints as to what awaits us in Blood on the Shore. The ongoing backstory has developed well, but there is still plenty to discover, which I look forward to. This tense book has everything you want in a thriller. Twists and turns, and red herrings a plenty, peppered with humour from the interesting and varied characters. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
This is the second book of The Anglesey Crime Thrillers and is the follow up to The Dark Tide. A totally compelling read, even better than book 1 which was a 5* read, and this series is now high on my must get list. I would definitely recommend reading book 1 first as there is background knowledge that adds to the story. Really well written with a great plot full of twists and turns and guessing the culprit was a complete fail on my part!
Briefly, DI Laura Hart starts her first day at Beaumaris CID after 3 years on leave after the death of her husband Sam. She has previously been involved in a case on Anglesey so is close to her new boss DI Gareth Williams. Expecting a quiet start the team is soon called out as human remains have been found at a nearby ruined Castle. It becomes apparent that the dead man has links to the situation in Northern Ireland in 1998. To complicate matters further Laura learns more about the circumstances behind her husbands death into which she is carrying out her own off book investigation.
I loved seeing the blossoming relationship between our two main protagonists but the course of true love never runs smoothly! The story builds brilliantly and there are some staggering revelations about both cases. Typically the author has left things well up in the air so bring on the next instalment, quickly! A really exciting and addictive read with some mind blowing reveals. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the second book in the DI Laura Hart series. After the events of the previous June, DI Hart is back on the force in Beaumaris and enjoying what might possibly be a new relationship (but one that's fraught with difficulties and obstacles) with her co-worker, the recently divorced DI Gareth Williams (DI Dickhead) who we also met in the previous book. And of course, she's still holding long, meaningful conversations with her (dead) husband. Right away, Laura and Gareth are in at the deep end when remains are found near an old Welsh castle - remains that may be recent or ancient; but judging by items found with the remains, they may be recent. And so we're plunged into a story that centres around the Real IRA in the 1980s and 1990s and seems to have repercussions in the present, as it turns out the remains may be that of John Finn, an Irishman who was a member of the British Forces and a hero in Desert Storm. But all is, as usual, not as it seems. And the team, rounded out by DS Declan Flaherty and DC Andrea Jones have to deal with present-day crimes simultaneously with the historical ones. This is a taut thriller, with plenty of twists and turns and a finale that you might not see coming. Simon McCleave does his usual masterful job of incorporating the Welsh history and atmosphere with modern-day investigations. Recommended.
Laura Hart is an ex police officer. Trained in the field of negotiating in hostage situations Laura left theforce when she saw her husband blown up whilst negotiating his release. It has not been determined how the leak happened and questions remain unanswered. Laura now runs professional courses for negotiators, looking after her two children and having long conversations withher dead husband who pops up all the time, very much there in the physical sense at least toLaura. This was the quirky part of the story but I just say its unusual, not that it cant happen.
in the midst of this, a sting operation gets under way tracking three drug dealers who are using Anglessey beach as a drop off point. What follows is every policeman's nightmare. A school trip to the outlying islands for six year olds begins a hostage situation with one reckless, dangerous lunatic and two others following his orders. When the detective in charge realises he is out ofhis depth,he calls on Laura who has the skills to handle the situation. What changes Laura mind to accept the case is when she realises that the child takenhostage along with the teacher is none other than her own son.
This is a tense read with a lot of detail about the conflicts between the IRA and the British Army. It added another strand to the story.