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Raine and Hume #3
Dead Town
She digs up London’s past crimes. Her blog is called Deadtown. Now she’s dug up something that got her killed.
Detective Mary Hume stares at the crime scene in confusion. She’s in an empty flat. Peeling wallpaper. A bloodstained chair in the middle of the room.
But no body.
Her sergeant hands her a burner phone. On it is a video clip. It shows a woman. Tied to the chair in the flat, a carving knife pressed to her throat. As Mary watches in horror, the blade flashes across the woman’s exposed skin. She slumps forward, lifeless.
Placed in the woman’s lap is a piece of cardboard. Written on it in blood-red is one DEADTOWN.
The phone was handed in to Charing Cross police station the day before. The woman in the video is Melissa Clarke. A true crime blogger famous for exposing London’s most notorious cold cases.
Just what did Melissa dig up that got her killed?
To find the answers, Mary calls on maverick ex-police officer Raine. Raine thinks outside the box. She can reach people — and places — that Mary can’t.
Then a second body is discovered — and the two detectives realize that someone is playing twisted mind games with them.
Can they pull the pieces of the puzzle together before more people die?
Detective Mary Hume stares at the crime scene in confusion. She’s in an empty flat. Peeling wallpaper. A bloodstained chair in the middle of the room.
But no body.
Her sergeant hands her a burner phone. On it is a video clip. It shows a woman. Tied to the chair in the flat, a carving knife pressed to her throat. As Mary watches in horror, the blade flashes across the woman’s exposed skin. She slumps forward, lifeless.
Placed in the woman’s lap is a piece of cardboard. Written on it in blood-red is one DEADTOWN.
The phone was handed in to Charing Cross police station the day before. The woman in the video is Melissa Clarke. A true crime blogger famous for exposing London’s most notorious cold cases.
Just what did Melissa dig up that got her killed?
To find the answers, Mary calls on maverick ex-police officer Raine. Raine thinks outside the box. She can reach people — and places — that Mary can’t.
Then a second body is discovered — and the two detectives realize that someone is playing twisted mind games with them.
Can they pull the pieces of the puzzle together before more people die?
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 17, 2024
Fast-moving thrills but....
I have very mixed feelings about this book. For me, It has a fundamentally good storyline, though it comes over as very convoluted. It gives extraordinary insight into how the electronic we all take for granted in our everyday lives can be manipulated to completely deceive people about the images they perceive.
Stephen Williams has written two previous books in the Raine and Hume series. Raine, in particular, is carrying a lot of "baggage" from what has happened in those books. She is a feisty, complex character. I would have been a lot more comfortable as a reader if I had read those earlier books as there was a bit of "filling in the blanks."
There are some gory killings and some fierce action scenes, but all are necessary for the story to evolve
I have very mixed feelings about this book. For me, It has a fundamentally good storyline, though it comes over as very convoluted. It gives extraordinary insight into how the electronic we all take for granted in our everyday lives can be manipulated to completely deceive people about the images they perceive.
Stephen Williams has written two previous books in the Raine and Hume series. Raine, in particular, is carrying a lot of "baggage" from what has happened in those books. She is a feisty, complex character. I would have been a lot more comfortable as a reader if I had read those earlier books as there was a bit of "filling in the blanks."
There are some gory killings and some fierce action scenes, but all are necessary for the story to evolve
August 20, 2024
I have very mixed feelings on this book. I have categorized my thoughts into the three main issues.
The first being that I did not realize that this was the third in a series. And while that didn't hinder me from understanding this one, I do feel like I missed out on a lot of the complexities that make the characters of Hume and Raine the way they are. It is obvious that there was something deeper going on there than just former mother and daughter-in-law that I felt like I was missing out on. However, I think Raine's approach to grief was well written and it made it easy to emphasize with some of the more reckless choices she made.
The second was that for all of the action in this book, things seemed to drag on throughout most of it. I'm not sure if this is because there seemed to be so much going on with all of the different characters exploring different things (some things pertaining to Melissa's case, others not), that it just became to muddled or what, but there were times I could easily put this novel down to go to other things.
The final issue I had with this story is entirely a personal one of my own. I feel like this book was trying too hard. At one point an officer tries to help Hume out of the car as they said that the ground was very slippery (mind you she is above said officer in rank). Not only does Hume take exception to being called ma'am, but she also seems almost insulted that the officer offered his hand to help her and even questions if he did that to every officer. Personal pet peeve I know, but people who genuinely act like this irritate me. The officer was trying to be nice to a superior officer, there was no reason to react the way she did. A simple no thank you, would have sufficed, along with her preference of being called guv instead.
I was also annoyed by the fact that both Raine and Hume somehow manage to disarm their opponents by always breaking their wrists (in Hume's case it was with a kick). It was like the author couldn't think of another way to disarm the bad guys than that.
Now those things aside, I thought that the idea of this story was one of the most unique ones that I have seen in a long time. The idea of using artificial intelligence in order to "murder people", as part of a game was intriguing. And honestly, I would not be surprised if a game like this didn't pop up in the future (although hopefully without the horrific truths that this one included). And as I said previously, the characters were all complex and individual which made them stand out against each other, while still working well as a team.
All that being said, I do believe that this book will be well received by fans of the series, and I enjoyed it enough that I will be going back to book one to give this author another chance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
The first being that I did not realize that this was the third in a series. And while that didn't hinder me from understanding this one, I do feel like I missed out on a lot of the complexities that make the characters of Hume and Raine the way they are. It is obvious that there was something deeper going on there than just former mother and daughter-in-law that I felt like I was missing out on. However, I think Raine's approach to grief was well written and it made it easy to emphasize with some of the more reckless choices she made.
The second was that for all of the action in this book, things seemed to drag on throughout most of it. I'm not sure if this is because there seemed to be so much going on with all of the different characters exploring different things (some things pertaining to Melissa's case, others not), that it just became to muddled or what, but there were times I could easily put this novel down to go to other things.
The final issue I had with this story is entirely a personal one of my own. I feel like this book was trying too hard. At one point an officer tries to help Hume out of the car as they said that the ground was very slippery (mind you she is above said officer in rank). Not only does Hume take exception to being called ma'am, but she also seems almost insulted that the officer offered his hand to help her and even questions if he did that to every officer. Personal pet peeve I know, but people who genuinely act like this irritate me. The officer was trying to be nice to a superior officer, there was no reason to react the way she did. A simple no thank you, would have sufficed, along with her preference of being called guv instead.
I was also annoyed by the fact that both Raine and Hume somehow manage to disarm their opponents by always breaking their wrists (in Hume's case it was with a kick). It was like the author couldn't think of another way to disarm the bad guys than that.
Now those things aside, I thought that the idea of this story was one of the most unique ones that I have seen in a long time. The idea of using artificial intelligence in order to "murder people", as part of a game was intriguing. And honestly, I would not be surprised if a game like this didn't pop up in the future (although hopefully without the horrific truths that this one included). And as I said previously, the characters were all complex and individual which made them stand out against each other, while still working well as a team.
All that being said, I do believe that this book will be well received by fans of the series, and I enjoyed it enough that I will be going back to book one to give this author another chance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
September 20, 2024
DI Mary Hume returns from her holiday and is rushed to a crime scene to meet DS Etera Echo. There’s been a murder. At least there’s one they’ve seen in a sickening video clip on a burner phone found in an abandoned bloodstained handbag. But in the small unoccupied house, there’s no body, no blood and a huge amount of leaves which don’t belong there. The woman in the film is Melissa Clarke, a historical true crime blogger and the name of her blog, Deadtown, is scrawled on a piece of card on her lap. Is what they’ve seen real or an elaborate hoax? IF Melissa really is dead, did she unearth something in her research to endanger her life? Meanwhile ex-officer turned PI Raine gets told of a sighting of Frankie Ridgeway, the trafficker involved in the disappearance of Heather Salim, a woman she was charged to find. The man who gave Raine the scar on her arm before vanishing. She learns he’s up to his old tricks in Hastings now and hopes that locating him will lead her to Heather but what else will that bring to her door? With a second murder, soon Raine and Mary, who is also the mother of Raine’s late wife Clara, find themselves teaming up. With Mary working within the confines of the law together with Raine’s much broader and unorthodox methods and contacts, can they reach the truth?
Chapter one made me instantly love Raine. The second chapter had me hooked completely. I soon grew to like Mary and Echo who had a great working relationship with some lovely humour, and Raine’s assorted set of associates like Brin and Jasper were very likable characters. This is a nice and refreshing take on a detective combination. With a dark and twisty plot, the well written story flowed very easily and kept me engrossed right the way through. Although it’s book three, it works fine on its own. I’m off to catch up on the first two books now.
Chapter one made me instantly love Raine. The second chapter had me hooked completely. I soon grew to like Mary and Echo who had a great working relationship with some lovely humour, and Raine’s assorted set of associates like Brin and Jasper were very likable characters. This is a nice and refreshing take on a detective combination. With a dark and twisty plot, the well written story flowed very easily and kept me engrossed right the way through. Although it’s book three, it works fine on its own. I’m off to catch up on the first two books now.
August 25, 2024
Review:
I was offered this by Joffe as an ARC, and at first I couldn’t remember what had gone on in book 1. I knew “Raine” (with an e) rang a bell, but as I read so many, I’d forgotten. Started this one, realised I’d not read book 2, so read that and carried on.
This time the team are called out to what purports to be a murder, but although the scene is set, there’s no body. Mary Hume is given a phone with a video on it of a killing taking place. It’s of a blogger Melissa Clarke, who is known for her cold case investigations. Mary & Echo are given the task of finding what’s happened and enlist the help of Raine and her unorthodox methods.
I have to say Raine is delightful, no nonsense, sorts the thugs out, doesn’t give a fig for what the hierarchy think, we could do with more like her on the streets today. Breaks a few limbs of the most evil villains and goes on her way. Excellent!!
What follows is a really well thought out crime. Being of the older generation I did struggle a little bit with the gaming side of it with Echo and Bitz, but it was so cleverly worked out, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not going into great detail because I dont understand gaming, but it is a fabulous read. I would recommend, if time permits, to read the first two so that the picture is clearer.
I do hope Stephen continues with this series, as the characters are excellent, they work well together and there’s none of the upper echelons interference that stop the police officers doing their jobs. Also the plots are different from usual crime. I think he’s got a lot more mileage yet and Raine will be able to sort out her demons.
My thanks to Joffe and the author for the ARC.
I was offered this by Joffe as an ARC, and at first I couldn’t remember what had gone on in book 1. I knew “Raine” (with an e) rang a bell, but as I read so many, I’d forgotten. Started this one, realised I’d not read book 2, so read that and carried on.
This time the team are called out to what purports to be a murder, but although the scene is set, there’s no body. Mary Hume is given a phone with a video on it of a killing taking place. It’s of a blogger Melissa Clarke, who is known for her cold case investigations. Mary & Echo are given the task of finding what’s happened and enlist the help of Raine and her unorthodox methods.
I have to say Raine is delightful, no nonsense, sorts the thugs out, doesn’t give a fig for what the hierarchy think, we could do with more like her on the streets today. Breaks a few limbs of the most evil villains and goes on her way. Excellent!!
What follows is a really well thought out crime. Being of the older generation I did struggle a little bit with the gaming side of it with Echo and Bitz, but it was so cleverly worked out, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not going into great detail because I dont understand gaming, but it is a fabulous read. I would recommend, if time permits, to read the first two so that the picture is clearer.
I do hope Stephen continues with this series, as the characters are excellent, they work well together and there’s none of the upper echelons interference that stop the police officers doing their jobs. Also the plots are different from usual crime. I think he’s got a lot more mileage yet and Raine will be able to sort out her demons.
My thanks to Joffe and the author for the ARC.
September 7, 2024
Many thanks to Joffe Books for this free eARC.
A slow burn with no real obstacles for the main character
This books opens strong and entertaining, which provides amusement and a main character who’s loveable and leaps from the page from the get go.
Unfortunately, throughout the story, whatever the main character faces, she sails through with ease every time. For a realistic plot, Raine needs to face at least some obstacles that put her in peril and up the tension. Despite the amusing character, this lack of struggle makes what could be a fun, gripping read a boring one instead.
In the latter half of the narrative some lines stood out as particularly well done …
‘With the weight loss, his head looked like a skull waiting to break out.’
And …
‘Echo noted the scarred windscreen and the pool of viscous liquid beneath, and felt the residual whisper of violence that hung around the vehicle like mist.’
And …
‘Maybe it was time to let go. To stop using the tears she had shed over Clara to be the ink she used to write the rest of her life.’
And one final line, a bit of dialogue that had me laugh aloud …
‘ “Word of advice, mate: never try to hide a weapon behind a door with glass panes. It just doesn’t work.”’ This shows some of Raine’s sass under pressure.
Overall an easy read with entertainment but at a slow pace and 100% unrealistic successes. This book gets a soft three stars from me, which means I found it an okay read, and if you catch it at the cheap launch price, it’s worth a go. With more tension it would make for a brilliant book.
Note: this is book 3 of a series, which I didn’t realise when I asked for a review copy. I haven’t read the first two books, but I don’t think this affected my enjoyment of the story unless, of course, the prior two books reveal why/how Raine gets out of trouble with scary, violent people so easily. If that’s the case, I’d give four stars instead of three.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
A slow burn with no real obstacles for the main character
This books opens strong and entertaining, which provides amusement and a main character who’s loveable and leaps from the page from the get go.
Unfortunately, throughout the story, whatever the main character faces, she sails through with ease every time. For a realistic plot, Raine needs to face at least some obstacles that put her in peril and up the tension. Despite the amusing character, this lack of struggle makes what could be a fun, gripping read a boring one instead.
In the latter half of the narrative some lines stood out as particularly well done …
‘With the weight loss, his head looked like a skull waiting to break out.’
And …
‘Echo noted the scarred windscreen and the pool of viscous liquid beneath, and felt the residual whisper of violence that hung around the vehicle like mist.’
And …
‘Maybe it was time to let go. To stop using the tears she had shed over Clara to be the ink she used to write the rest of her life.’
And one final line, a bit of dialogue that had me laugh aloud …
‘ “Word of advice, mate: never try to hide a weapon behind a door with glass panes. It just doesn’t work.”’ This shows some of Raine’s sass under pressure.
Overall an easy read with entertainment but at a slow pace and 100% unrealistic successes. This book gets a soft three stars from me, which means I found it an okay read, and if you catch it at the cheap launch price, it’s worth a go. With more tension it would make for a brilliant book.
Note: this is book 3 of a series, which I didn’t realise when I asked for a review copy. I haven’t read the first two books, but I don’t think this affected my enjoyment of the story unless, of course, the prior two books reveal why/how Raine gets out of trouble with scary, violent people so easily. If that’s the case, I’d give four stars instead of three.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
September 11, 2024
“Dead Town” by Stephen Williams takes the reader (metaphorically) on a roller coaster ride around a raw and edgy contemporary London I did not know existed. The plot is coherent, complicated and exciting – I shall not spoil the potential reader’s anticipation more than to say there are enough gruesome and complicated deaths begging for a resolution to keep you glued to the pages – and the bodies may or may not be who you think they are! Cutting edge and obscure technology is used dramatically and impressively to enhance the plot and to catch the bad guys. Stephen kindly includes a character who needs the technicalities explained to her so that readers like me do not feel personally ignorant – a nice touch which definitely enhanced my reading enjoyment.
This book contains all the elements of a 5 star read. The characters are well defined and I felt I would like to get to know them personally. Many elements – especially the story of the Babylonian Angel – made me stop and think. Parts of the writing, particularly the picturesque similes, made me laugh. The sheer cruelty of a humanity which can – and does – make the torture and death of other humans into an entertainment made me sad. The conclusion, although all the elements of the plot are satisfactorily resolved, is unexpected and has a very surprising twist.
I thought this was an excellent book. The writing style and developing plot made it difficult to put down, and I enjoyed the characters.
August 17, 2024
4* Really enjoyed this intro to Hume and Raine.
This tale, it seems, is the 3rd in a series but I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. There's enough that's hinted at to clue you in about the leads and their relationship - MIL and DIL - and what's happened to make them love each other but have a prickly relationship with each other.
For those of us of a certain age, who've not grown up with the tech that features heavily in this book, at time things got confusing. There were small Eureka! moments in Hume's brain as she clocked what was going on via Echo's (her DC) explanations. Thank goodness!
The storyline has some gruesome scenes to it, and a pretty evil character that's not revealed until just before the end, and on top there's a reveal I hadn't seen coming, though in hindsight I should have - blame my age, the baffling jargon and a bit TMI. Wood for trees. There's a lot of detail, the tale is quite slow at times and Raine has an unorthodox MO, and there's not an ending with everything nicely dotted and crossed, which was a tad irritating. It's quite addictive, though, and I'm checking out the others. I'm not sure if I maybe missed a little something because of not reading the previous books in the series, as a lot of history was alluded to, but it certainly didn't spoil the book.
ARC courtesy of Joffe Books and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
This tale, it seems, is the 3rd in a series but I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. There's enough that's hinted at to clue you in about the leads and their relationship - MIL and DIL - and what's happened to make them love each other but have a prickly relationship with each other.
For those of us of a certain age, who've not grown up with the tech that features heavily in this book, at time things got confusing. There were small Eureka! moments in Hume's brain as she clocked what was going on via Echo's (her DC) explanations. Thank goodness!
The storyline has some gruesome scenes to it, and a pretty evil character that's not revealed until just before the end, and on top there's a reveal I hadn't seen coming, though in hindsight I should have - blame my age, the baffling jargon and a bit TMI. Wood for trees. There's a lot of detail, the tale is quite slow at times and Raine has an unorthodox MO, and there's not an ending with everything nicely dotted and crossed, which was a tad irritating. It's quite addictive, though, and I'm checking out the others. I'm not sure if I maybe missed a little something because of not reading the previous books in the series, as a lot of history was alluded to, but it certainly didn't spoil the book.
ARC courtesy of Joffe Books and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
September 10, 2024
Although this is book 3 in the Raine and Hume series it does work perfectly as stand alone.
Raine is a Detective but due to a traumatic event is currently working as a Private Investigator. She has a strange relationship with Mary Hume. Grief binds them together and also keeps them apart. But fate and crime make sure that they have to keep working through their issues and it makes an interesting back story that brings another dimension to the stories.
This story is gripping from the start the detective department has a video of a crime but when they get to the crime scene there is no body and no evidence of a crime. However, the victim is missing. It seems someone is playing a game and it is not just with them.
As the story progresses it takes all Hume's skills and resources to keep digging for clues and Raine plays a big part. With Hume on the inside and Raine on the outside both they and their respective colleagues are in a race against time to find out what is going on and if the murder victims are actually dead.
Intrigue and suspense by the bucket load. Add in red herrings and false leads and this becomes a gripping adrenaline pumping thriller that I couldnt put down.
Love the characters. Love the stories and absolutely love the book. Definitely 5 stars from me. Thank you to Joffe Books for the advance digital copy.
Raine is a Detective but due to a traumatic event is currently working as a Private Investigator. She has a strange relationship with Mary Hume. Grief binds them together and also keeps them apart. But fate and crime make sure that they have to keep working through their issues and it makes an interesting back story that brings another dimension to the stories.
This story is gripping from the start the detective department has a video of a crime but when they get to the crime scene there is no body and no evidence of a crime. However, the victim is missing. It seems someone is playing a game and it is not just with them.
As the story progresses it takes all Hume's skills and resources to keep digging for clues and Raine plays a big part. With Hume on the inside and Raine on the outside both they and their respective colleagues are in a race against time to find out what is going on and if the murder victims are actually dead.
Intrigue and suspense by the bucket load. Add in red herrings and false leads and this becomes a gripping adrenaline pumping thriller that I couldnt put down.
Love the characters. Love the stories and absolutely love the book. Definitely 5 stars from me. Thank you to Joffe Books for the advance digital copy.
September 12, 2024
Despite not having read the first two books in this series, I absolutely loved this instalment and immediately went to read the previous books. The team are called to what seems to be a murder, but there is no body, and with only a ‘video’ of a killing, the team are at a loss. Time to call on Raine, the daughter in law of the SIO. Both characters are dealing with grief and complex issues that bring them together and form a tenuous bond. I don’t want to spoil it so I will leave it at that.
I liked each and every character in this book. I was completely drawn in and for me, this book was an education in many ways as I learned so much about the development of technology and much more. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I was kept reading late into the night. We can’t help but root for Raine all the way through. She has unorthodox methods, unorthodox friends and a completely unorthodox way of living, all of which pull the reader in.
The premise of this book was so different from the norm and it all flows beautifully. This has to be one of my favourite books of the year and if I could give it ten stars I would.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
I liked each and every character in this book. I was completely drawn in and for me, this book was an education in many ways as I learned so much about the development of technology and much more. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I was kept reading late into the night. We can’t help but root for Raine all the way through. She has unorthodox methods, unorthodox friends and a completely unorthodox way of living, all of which pull the reader in.
The premise of this book was so different from the norm and it all flows beautifully. This has to be one of my favourite books of the year and if I could give it ten stars I would.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
October 20, 2024
Detective Mary Hume has scarcely got off the plane after her holiday before she is swept off to a crime scene. It doesn't make much sense until a mobile is handed in to Lost Property adding detail to the sickening scene. A video shows a woman being brutally murdered. In her hand is a card saying 'Deadtown' The victim is Melissa Clarke, famous blogger of true crimes that took place in London. Has she discovered something that brought her to this. Mary calls on Raine, ex-police officer now PI. She was married to Mary's daughter & after her death their relationship has been awkward. When another body is found it looks like someone is plating an elaborate mind game with them.
I haven't read the previous books in this series, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story. Raine is an amazing character & I am already looking forward to meeting her again & Hume is the perfect compliment to her. (I do wish the author would call her 'Mary!!') The story kept me guessing & my brain nipping from all the hi-tech stuff! It was an enjoyable read & thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
I haven't read the previous books in this series, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story. Raine is an amazing character & I am already looking forward to meeting her again & Hume is the perfect compliment to her. (I do wish the author would call her 'Mary!!') The story kept me guessing & my brain nipping from all the hi-tech stuff! It was an enjoyable read & thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
September 11, 2024
I’m not sure I should call a murder mystery ‘delightful’ but the start to this one was exactly that. Refreshingly different and positively gleeful in its early chapters as we’re introduced to the major characters. A young PI, and an older veteran of the MET make the perfect counterpoint. Although the third book in the series of Raine and Hume, the obligatory introduction of their relationship doesn’t feel like a page of explanation, rather it’s a steady pacing of facts woven into the first few chapters. Another refreshing change to the start of a book from within a series.
For such a serious topic as murder, I had some genuinely laugh out loud moments, too, including Hume’s description of her husband’s chosen coffee.
I really like the mix of older and younger characters. It felt like it gave it appeal to us older folks but then I may be biased as I’m also a techie so I understood the descriptions by Echo that frustrated Hume.
The story is well paced and while the ending is semi predictable, the premise less so. I actually didn’t think it needed the short chapter interjections by the killer. They don’t add much apart from slowing the flow. The sideways steps into an obviously ongoing investigation from previous books gave us other facets to Raine and her friend, Brin. So new readers won’t be completely in the dark.
All in all I enjoyed the book. I can see how this could easily be a reality if scarily so.
For such a serious topic as murder, I had some genuinely laugh out loud moments, too, including Hume’s description of her husband’s chosen coffee.
I really like the mix of older and younger characters. It felt like it gave it appeal to us older folks but then I may be biased as I’m also a techie so I understood the descriptions by Echo that frustrated Hume.
The story is well paced and while the ending is semi predictable, the premise less so. I actually didn’t think it needed the short chapter interjections by the killer. They don’t add much apart from slowing the flow. The sideways steps into an obviously ongoing investigation from previous books gave us other facets to Raine and her friend, Brin. So new readers won’t be completely in the dark.
All in all I enjoyed the book. I can see how this could easily be a reality if scarily so.
September 23, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I did not realize it was the third book in a series when I requested the arc from NetGalley. That being said, I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story, but I do feel like I missed out on quite a bit of the main characters backstory.
The uniqueness of this book was really enjoyable. Hume is called to a crime scene where there is no body and no blood, but yet they have a video of a gruesome murder occurring in that exact spot. They discover the victim is Melissa, a true crime podcaster. They then go on to investigate if a case she was researching was the reason for her murder or is it all just a big hoax?
I recommend this book if you are looking for a true crime investigation type book. It was fast paced and always something new popping up. It really keeps you intrigued. I give this book 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The uniqueness of this book was really enjoyable. Hume is called to a crime scene where there is no body and no blood, but yet they have a video of a gruesome murder occurring in that exact spot. They discover the victim is Melissa, a true crime podcaster. They then go on to investigate if a case she was researching was the reason for her murder or is it all just a big hoax?
I recommend this book if you are looking for a true crime investigation type book. It was fast paced and always something new popping up. It really keeps you intrigued. I give this book 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an arc copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2024
This is a read I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I've not read the previous book and don't feel as if I've missed anything and so would say this book can be read on its own. I really like the two main characters, Hume and Raine, their history and relationship, both personal and work. Echo is fast becoming one of my favourite characters in this series. Hume investigates a murder where artificial intelligence plays a part - I found Deadtown to be a very good read that drew me in right away and held my attention and interest all the way through. The authors writing is engaging and the plot is quite unique, certainly well thought out and in years to come will probably be all to believeable. I liked that an ongoing thread from the first book had closure. I am really enjoying this series and hope there is another book to look forward to.
4 stars
4 stars
October 13, 2024
I enjoyed the book. As always the story will make much more sense if the reader has read Books 1 and 2. I usually read a book in 2/3 days but I laboured a bit on this one but that was fine, the story remained live. I don't review the story. I leave that to the NetGalley readers. I think that Stephen Williams creates great stories with very good twists. What I do like is the real work he puts in structuring the story and this book's case, being up to date i.e. the use of AI. Leaving Raine aside our two main characters are an experienced DI in the Met and a Maori DS who really does know his stuff with IT and Ai and to me he is the most valuable member of the team. Go Echo! A good read, gory in parts and some very bad crims but I find UK crime stories are generally in the same vogue and that's what I read down here in OZ.
September 21, 2024
Mary Hume is a DCI, and Raine is an ex police officer, now a PI. Mary has a perplexing case involving strange AI simulated murders that Raine ends up involved in. This crime is super weird folks. And damn scary. I love how Mary's team works together sussing out the case. Raine is also dealing with some issues not related to the case, and she's wonderfully quirky and resourceful. Her & Mary share the grief of the loss of Mary's daughter, Raine's wife. It adds a complexity to them & their relationship. I love Raine for her funky ways, big heart, and relatable struggles with grief. I didn't know this was the third in a series, it works as a stand-alone but I will definitely go back and read the rest.
August 10, 2024
Dead Town is the third installment in the excellent London based series featuring DI Mary Hume and the enigmatic former detective turned PI known as Raine ("like the weather with an e"). With a combination of a twisting plot, several recurring characters from the first two novels and some serious violence, this is a gripping tale.
Dead Town sees a crime blogger gone missing, several linked crimes and a people smuggler with connections to Afghanistan. Raine and Hume try to piece it all together with the help of DS Echo, the Maori tech whizz and several other recurring characters. It's a difficult tale to untangle, but the ending makes it well worth the journey through London's seedier side.
Dead Town sees a crime blogger gone missing, several linked crimes and a people smuggler with connections to Afghanistan. Raine and Hume try to piece it all together with the help of DS Echo, the Maori tech whizz and several other recurring characters. It's a difficult tale to untangle, but the ending makes it well worth the journey through London's seedier side.
August 11, 2024
This is the 3rd book I have read by this author.
Series
Raine and Hume
1. The Skin Code (2022)
2. A Bloodstained Coat (2023)
3. Dead Town (2024)
Thoroughly enjoyed each book and looking forward to reading more in this interesting growing series.
Detective Mary Hume stares at the crime scene in confusion. She’s in an empty flat. Peeling wallpaper. A bloodstained chair in the middle of the room.
But no body.
A story filled with tension and twists throughout. Interesting, believable and likeable characters. Getting to know the main characters over these books has been interesting.
I was soon engrossed in the pages wanting and needing to read on.
At the end of these books you really are left wanting more and I look forward to the next installment. This book will be a great read for any crime thriller fan.
Series
Raine and Hume
1. The Skin Code (2022)
2. A Bloodstained Coat (2023)
3. Dead Town (2024)
Thoroughly enjoyed each book and looking forward to reading more in this interesting growing series.
Detective Mary Hume stares at the crime scene in confusion. She’s in an empty flat. Peeling wallpaper. A bloodstained chair in the middle of the room.
But no body.
A story filled with tension and twists throughout. Interesting, believable and likeable characters. Getting to know the main characters over these books has been interesting.
I was soon engrossed in the pages wanting and needing to read on.
At the end of these books you really are left wanting more and I look forward to the next installment. This book will be a great read for any crime thriller fan.
August 8, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe Books for the copy of Dead Town by Stephen Williams. You can read this as a standalone, of course, but you will get the most out of this book if you read the whole series because each book builds on the last and the characters’ relationships really develop throughout the series. Raine continues to be the most interesting character and I loved how she has such a good heart. The compelling story felt current and kept me guessing until the explosive reveal and end. You don’t want to miss this series or this book. 5 enthusiastic stars!
August 24, 2024
I found the storyline of this London based thriller intestesting but ultimately I found it a bit disappointing. Although it is mostly fast paced with plenty of action, there are times when the action slows right down, mostly due to some wordy explanations, and I found myself skipping a few pages.
I didn't realise this was book 3 in a series when I started reading and although it didn't spoil the story I did occasionally feel I was missing something.
I'm not sure I would read more by this author.
I didn't realise this was book 3 in a series when I started reading and although it didn't spoil the story I did occasionally feel I was missing something.
I'm not sure I would read more by this author.
September 11, 2024
It Kept Me Guessing
A phone is handed into Charing Cross police station and when DI Mary Hume and her sergeant Etera Echo looks at it she sees a video of a woman tied to a chair with a knife to her throat, but when they find the flat there is no body. Ex police officer Raine, joins forces with Mary and with her unorthodox methods and the help of Echo’s friend Bitz they are on the trail of a murderer who will stop at nothing to avoid detection. I enjoyed this book which kept me guessing all the way through.
A phone is handed into Charing Cross police station and when DI Mary Hume and her sergeant Etera Echo looks at it she sees a video of a woman tied to a chair with a knife to her throat, but when they find the flat there is no body. Ex police officer Raine, joins forces with Mary and with her unorthodox methods and the help of Echo’s friend Bitz they are on the trail of a murderer who will stop at nothing to avoid detection. I enjoyed this book which kept me guessing all the way through.
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! Noticing it was the third in a series, I was initially concerned, but the smooth introduction of the back story in the opening chapter was effective and efficient. I fall somewhere between Raine and Hume in age and I found it easy to read and follow this extremely modern plot and the cast of characters. Without grotesque violence or language a complex tale was told. At no point did the story lose pace and I finished it in two days. I would like to read more novels with these characters and by this author.
September 12, 2024
A gripping story from Stephen Williams as we follow DI Mary Hume and her quirky daughter in law Raine as they try to solve a pattern of murders before the next one takes place .Former police office Raine has an unconventional way of solving puzzles . Cleverly thought out story with twists and turns along the way Technology certainly plays a part but easy to follow . Although this is the third in the series it was easy to read as a standalone but having enjoyed this one I shall read the previous two
August 17, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.
This was a disappointing book for me. It had ingredients I like – quirky characters in a modern setting with twists but it didn't grip me. There were two occasions when the police got a breakthrough because of something unusual they had recently experienced and this felt too contrived.
I'm sure the author has his fans but, even though it's an easy read, it's not for me.
This was a disappointing book for me. It had ingredients I like – quirky characters in a modern setting with twists but it didn't grip me. There were two occasions when the police got a breakthrough because of something unusual they had recently experienced and this felt too contrived.
I'm sure the author has his fans but, even though it's an easy read, it's not for me.
September 11, 2024
This was my first book in the Raine and Hume series…..and it did not disappoint! I was barely halfway through the book and I immediately bought the first two books in the series. I usually can guess who the killer is, but Williams tosses out twists and turns for each murder. When Raine appears to be the next victim, some surprises emerge! I loved the relationship between Raine and Hume, and enjoyed learning about their private lives. A fun read!
September 17, 2024
This was an interesting tale but as I hadn't read the former books in the series I found myself a little lost as there were definitely parts that were related to those previous stories. I didn't realize this was a series when I grabbed this one so rounding my 2 stars up to 3 as I think this might have been better for me if I'd have read the others.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
September 11, 2024
Dead Town by Stephen Williams was a real page turner for me. At first you think there are two different crimes going on but soon realize the two become one. Lots of unconventional characters and modern technology make this book intriguing and fast paced.
Really enjoyed the plot and the writing style.
Really enjoyed the plot and the writing style.
September 14, 2024
Very well written book that kept me engaged with the story. Raine is back, still not with the Police but still when needed by them, helping out.
Raine is still looking for Heather, the missing girl, who has supposedly been killed; Raine is not convinced.
Plenty of unexpected turns and quite an ending.
Raine is still looking for Heather, the missing girl, who has supposedly been killed; Raine is not convinced.
Plenty of unexpected turns and quite an ending.
September 17, 2024
A murder with no body maybe not new however even the "kill scene" is void of any forensic evidence and this just adds to the complexity of the case. A very up to date story using all the latest gizmos which some people like to have and follow which only adds to the case. Good solid addition to this series.
Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Joffe books for the ARC to review.
September 28, 2024
Unique storyline; great characters; felt like the author went out of his way to add a politically correct agenda, but still enjoyed the book overall. I didn’t realize this was a third in a series so I will probably go back and read the previous novels since I enjoyed the characters of Raine, Hume, and Echo.
I’d like to thank Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I’d like to thank Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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