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Ronnie Blake #1
Because She Looked Away
Fifteen-year-old Bethany Trent vanishes without a trace from a sunny Cambridge park, and for the next four years her sister Claire holds onto the hope of finding her alive, fighting to keep the case in the public eye. But when Claire inherits her mum's house, she discovers a body in the garden which the police had already searched.
After a family tragedy, DI Ronnie Blake reluctantly relocates to Cambridge to live with her brother Alex and nephew Noah. Although she prefers to work alone, she is put in charge of the small but disorderly missing persons' team who first investigated Bethany's disappearance.
As Ronnie begins to uncover the clues in the original case notes and the secrets kept by Bethany's family, she realises that the killer is playing a complex and deadly game. Ronnie needs to use her wits and unite her dysfunctional team to discover why Bethany had to die.
After a family tragedy, DI Ronnie Blake reluctantly relocates to Cambridge to live with her brother Alex and nephew Noah. Although she prefers to work alone, she is put in charge of the small but disorderly missing persons' team who first investigated Bethany's disappearance.
As Ronnie begins to uncover the clues in the original case notes and the secrets kept by Bethany's family, she realises that the killer is playing a complex and deadly game. Ronnie needs to use her wits and unite her dysfunctional team to discover why Bethany had to die.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2024
15 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Alison Bruce
35 books241 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Alison Bruce was born in Surrey, United Kingdom, and now lives in Cambridge.
Alison Bruce was born in Surrey, United Kingdom, and now lives in Cambridge.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 3, 2024
4.5 / 5.0
Maybe it’s the start of a new book or a new series, or maybe it’s going into the unknown having not read any books from Bruce but right from the start I knew this book was good. Quite often, in fact in most cases the start of the book is actually the make or break especially if you don’t know the author, their writing style and what to expect. Immediately I was drawn to this book, I was drawn to the mystery but also just how captivating this book is. The more I read, the more information would naturally unravel and I progressively started to get more invested. I found the twists, the turns and the reveal to be completely unpredictable. I got my guess completely wrong and I was completely blindsided.
The book starts off with the dead of her sister as DS Ronnie (Veronica Blake) relocated it Cambridge to help her brother (Alex) raise her sister’s son Noah. She reports for duty on her first day but instead she finds herself questions by the special investigation unit (known as the Dead team) lead by DI John Fenton. Currently the team is working on Operation Byron, the single case still outstanding. The only thing they have is a note linking three unconnected people a fraudster, a dead professor and Ronnie’s sister Jodie. On a plain piece of paper this looks like it’s reaching for stars, initially Ronnie is excluded from the investigation but the youngest member of the team spills information to her. A deep personal journey for Ronnie, but a packed case filled with murder, assaults and blackmail. Warning to those that will read this book will talk about SA, assaults and Dark web talk.
I found this book to be captivating, maybe it’s the introduction of Ronnie Blake or just how well written, multilayered and executed this book is that has drawn me in. I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next book. Great read!
Maybe it’s the start of a new book or a new series, or maybe it’s going into the unknown having not read any books from Bruce but right from the start I knew this book was good. Quite often, in fact in most cases the start of the book is actually the make or break especially if you don’t know the author, their writing style and what to expect. Immediately I was drawn to this book, I was drawn to the mystery but also just how captivating this book is. The more I read, the more information would naturally unravel and I progressively started to get more invested. I found the twists, the turns and the reveal to be completely unpredictable. I got my guess completely wrong and I was completely blindsided.
The book starts off with the dead of her sister as DS Ronnie (Veronica Blake) relocated it Cambridge to help her brother (Alex) raise her sister’s son Noah. She reports for duty on her first day but instead she finds herself questions by the special investigation unit (known as the Dead team) lead by DI John Fenton. Currently the team is working on Operation Byron, the single case still outstanding. The only thing they have is a note linking three unconnected people a fraudster, a dead professor and Ronnie’s sister Jodie. On a plain piece of paper this looks like it’s reaching for stars, initially Ronnie is excluded from the investigation but the youngest member of the team spills information to her. A deep personal journey for Ronnie, but a packed case filled with murder, assaults and blackmail. Warning to those that will read this book will talk about SA, assaults and Dark web talk.
I found this book to be captivating, maybe it’s the introduction of Ronnie Blake or just how well written, multilayered and executed this book is that has drawn me in. I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next book. Great read!
October 12, 2024
This book introduces us to a new hero, Detective Sergeant Veronica (Ronnie) Blake. Ronnie’s childhood was traumatic and so are the events that prompt her move to Cambridge. She moves in to live with her half brother, Alex and their orphaned nephew, Noah.
Ronnie joins a small team of detectives, known as the DEAD Team, at Cambridge’s Parkside police station. The unit which is under threat of disbandment is unable to solve an outstanding unsolved case, Operation Byron. Then a list of three names is passed to the group anonymously, one of the names is that of Ronnie’s sister Jodie. With a fresh pair of eyes Ronnie, with the help of fellow newcomer to the team Malachi, is able to help the DEAD team start to make progress with this complex enquiry.
I have enjoyed every book of Alison Bruce’s I have read, Because She Looked Away, is the best yet. I thought it was impossible for her writing to get any better, how do you improve on perfection? Somehow she has managed it. I’m looking forward to the next Ronnie Blake book in the series. This is an intriguing who done it which kept me reading at every opportunity.
Ronnie joins a small team of detectives, known as the DEAD Team, at Cambridge’s Parkside police station. The unit which is under threat of disbandment is unable to solve an outstanding unsolved case, Operation Byron. Then a list of three names is passed to the group anonymously, one of the names is that of Ronnie’s sister Jodie. With a fresh pair of eyes Ronnie, with the help of fellow newcomer to the team Malachi, is able to help the DEAD team start to make progress with this complex enquiry.
I have enjoyed every book of Alison Bruce’s I have read, Because She Looked Away, is the best yet. I thought it was impossible for her writing to get any better, how do you improve on perfection? Somehow she has managed it. I’m looking forward to the next Ronnie Blake book in the series. This is an intriguing who done it which kept me reading at every opportunity.
May 1, 2025
Alison Bruce is back and better than ever.
To devise one police procedural set in Cambridge was outstanding but to conceive a new series after the success of DC Gary Goodhew is creative genius.
DS Ronnie Blake is an original and memorable character. Fighting for her career and required to move to Cambridge to support her nephew she is both fierce and compassionate. An intuitive copper but likely to act before planning, respond before caring about the consequences.
I loved the passion and her fight for justice.
Her lack of the need for validation and quiet encouragement of others shows she can be a strong team player.
She is an asset to the investigation she joins but often strays beyond her remit.
A tense and immersive thriller that is so personal to Ronnie. We want her to succeed and feel her pain as the case unravels. I was hooked from the very beginning and read it quickly over a couple of days.
I say again, Alison Bruce is a bit of a genius. She knows her location and brings the city alive with a dash of menace.
To devise one police procedural set in Cambridge was outstanding but to conceive a new series after the success of DC Gary Goodhew is creative genius.
DS Ronnie Blake is an original and memorable character. Fighting for her career and required to move to Cambridge to support her nephew she is both fierce and compassionate. An intuitive copper but likely to act before planning, respond before caring about the consequences.
I loved the passion and her fight for justice.
Her lack of the need for validation and quiet encouragement of others shows she can be a strong team player.
She is an asset to the investigation she joins but often strays beyond her remit.
A tense and immersive thriller that is so personal to Ronnie. We want her to succeed and feel her pain as the case unravels. I was hooked from the very beginning and read it quickly over a couple of days.
I say again, Alison Bruce is a bit of a genius. She knows her location and brings the city alive with a dash of menace.
October 23, 2024
Still reeling from the sudden death of her sister, DS Ronnie Blake relocates to Cambridge to help her brother, Alex, raise the son she left behind, eight-year-old Noah. Ronnie knows this is going to bring big changes on the personal and professional fronts, but she does not expect her first day with the Cambridgeshire police force to be quite so strange.
Rather than getting back to work, Ronnie is called in to answer questions about her sister's death as part of Operation Byron, an extortion investigation being conducted by a special unit nicknamed the DEAD team. She is then unceremoniously sent home to await approval to recommence active duties.
Ronnie refuses to be kept in the dark about what her sister's death could possibly have to do with a spate of bizarre blackmail cases. Her persistence results in the new member of the team, Malachi, passing her a tip-off about three seemingly unconnected names that have been sent anonymously to the investigative team - one of them being the name of her sister.
It is not long before Ronnie uncovers a lead which appears to connect Operation Byron to a shocking local murder, and she is seconded to the DEAD team to help with the investigation - with strict instructions not to venture into territory about her own sister's possible part in the case. But Ronnie, never known for her ability to work well with others, is determined to find out exactly why her sister died. She is unprepared for the dark secrets and lies she discovers in Cambridge's leafy environs - and quite what they mean for her own family...
This is the first part in a new crime series set in Cambridge by Alison Bruce, featuring DS Ronnie Blake. We meet Ronnie at a difficult time in her life when she is trying to adjust to taking on the unfamiliar role of co-parent to her young nephew, Noah, while also having to get used to living in a new city and beginning a new job.
If all this was not enough to cope with, Ronnie is thrown into the deep end of a difficult case that no one wants, within a team struggling for its own survival - not to mention one which gives her a whole new perspective on the death of her sister. Ronnie is not a team player, so suddenly having to work closely with a small group of officers she does not know is less than ideal, but unexpectedly she finds herself striking up a working relationship with young DC Malachi Henry, who is newly appointed to the team and still feels something of an outsider. It is a match made in heaven, and I loved how their relationship develops over the course of the story, with eager, wise-beyond-his-years, hot chocolate-loving Malachi knocking off some of the hard edges Ronnie has cultivated over the course of her career, as they go about giving Operation Byron the impetus it needs to reach a conclusion.
This is not your average police procedural, as it gives a fascinating oblique view of the workings of a force mired in tricky internal politics, with clashing personalities and complicated boundary issues, through the eyes of a tiny, specialst team desperate to prove themselves. Loose cannon Ronnie is caught between loyalties she does not fully understand, with an agenda of her own, and this feeds into all the beautifully wielded threads of mystery that run through the story. The Cambridge setting is so atmospheric, the pacing and build up of tension are spot-on, and Bruce knows how to create oodles of misdirection to have you casting a suspicious eye at practically every character when it comes to the chilling truth that lies behind a tangled web of dark deeds.
Bruce explores lovely, wide-ranging themes in this book, examining different sides of family relationships; how much we really know about those close to us; ambition; corruption; academia; sexual violence; grief; and personal responsibility. The characters are well drawn, and she uses them nicely to evoke a whole range of keenly felt emotions - particularly when it comes to Ronnie and the way she is finally able to process the loss of her sister. Her relationship with Noah and her brother Alex, much like the budding partnership she forges with Malachi, provide much needed warmth to cut through the darker parts of the story too.
This is my first Alison Bruce novel and I am mightily impressed. I was drawn in from page one and remained completely absorbed right to the final page. What a cracking start to a new series - I cannot wait for book two!
Rather than getting back to work, Ronnie is called in to answer questions about her sister's death as part of Operation Byron, an extortion investigation being conducted by a special unit nicknamed the DEAD team. She is then unceremoniously sent home to await approval to recommence active duties.
Ronnie refuses to be kept in the dark about what her sister's death could possibly have to do with a spate of bizarre blackmail cases. Her persistence results in the new member of the team, Malachi, passing her a tip-off about three seemingly unconnected names that have been sent anonymously to the investigative team - one of them being the name of her sister.
It is not long before Ronnie uncovers a lead which appears to connect Operation Byron to a shocking local murder, and she is seconded to the DEAD team to help with the investigation - with strict instructions not to venture into territory about her own sister's possible part in the case. But Ronnie, never known for her ability to work well with others, is determined to find out exactly why her sister died. She is unprepared for the dark secrets and lies she discovers in Cambridge's leafy environs - and quite what they mean for her own family...
This is the first part in a new crime series set in Cambridge by Alison Bruce, featuring DS Ronnie Blake. We meet Ronnie at a difficult time in her life when she is trying to adjust to taking on the unfamiliar role of co-parent to her young nephew, Noah, while also having to get used to living in a new city and beginning a new job.
If all this was not enough to cope with, Ronnie is thrown into the deep end of a difficult case that no one wants, within a team struggling for its own survival - not to mention one which gives her a whole new perspective on the death of her sister. Ronnie is not a team player, so suddenly having to work closely with a small group of officers she does not know is less than ideal, but unexpectedly she finds herself striking up a working relationship with young DC Malachi Henry, who is newly appointed to the team and still feels something of an outsider. It is a match made in heaven, and I loved how their relationship develops over the course of the story, with eager, wise-beyond-his-years, hot chocolate-loving Malachi knocking off some of the hard edges Ronnie has cultivated over the course of her career, as they go about giving Operation Byron the impetus it needs to reach a conclusion.
This is not your average police procedural, as it gives a fascinating oblique view of the workings of a force mired in tricky internal politics, with clashing personalities and complicated boundary issues, through the eyes of a tiny, specialst team desperate to prove themselves. Loose cannon Ronnie is caught between loyalties she does not fully understand, with an agenda of her own, and this feeds into all the beautifully wielded threads of mystery that run through the story. The Cambridge setting is so atmospheric, the pacing and build up of tension are spot-on, and Bruce knows how to create oodles of misdirection to have you casting a suspicious eye at practically every character when it comes to the chilling truth that lies behind a tangled web of dark deeds.
Bruce explores lovely, wide-ranging themes in this book, examining different sides of family relationships; how much we really know about those close to us; ambition; corruption; academia; sexual violence; grief; and personal responsibility. The characters are well drawn, and she uses them nicely to evoke a whole range of keenly felt emotions - particularly when it comes to Ronnie and the way she is finally able to process the loss of her sister. Her relationship with Noah and her brother Alex, much like the budding partnership she forges with Malachi, provide much needed warmth to cut through the darker parts of the story too.
This is my first Alison Bruce novel and I am mightily impressed. I was drawn in from page one and remained completely absorbed right to the final page. What a cracking start to a new series - I cannot wait for book two!
December 29, 2024
DS Ronnie Blake has just relocated to Cambridge from London. She is still recovering from the sudden death of her sister, Jodie, and she and her brother Alex are raising Jodie’s son, eight-year-old Noah. Ronnie is aware that this will impinge on her professional life, but she, she reports to Cambridge Police Station, expecting to be allocated some duties, but is instead told that she is still considered unfit to work. Then, to her surprise, she is questioned by members of the Special Investigations Unit for the Eastern Region (nicknamed the DEAD Team). Ronnie is puzzled by this and eventually discovers that, though the unit has had great success, it only has one outstanding case (Operation Byron) and that is proving difficult to crack. They have the names of three apparently unconnected people: a convicted fraudster, a dead academic, and her dead sister, and it seems to involve blackmail.
Despite warnings to stay out of the case, Ronnie cannot ignore it and tries to find out what is going on. However, she quickly finds a possible lead which appears to connect Operation Byron to a shocking local murder. She is seconded to the DEAD team and with the help of Malachi (a new member of the team) she tries to find out why her sister died.
The plot develops in a variety of ways: Ronnie’s relationship with her professional colleagues and the tensions between the DEAD team and Superintendent Cooper (her new boss). Returning to her childhood home, she is discovering things about Cambridge and her family. And she and her brother Alex are learning how to care for and support Noah – new roles for both of them.
The various strands are teased out in unexpected ways and the twists and turns make it difficult to spot the criminals. The story is a gripping read with some dark parts, but short chapters keep the pace going and encourage the reader to read just a bit more. Ronnie is a great lead, a good detective, determined, persistent but not known for her team spirit. The other characters are well-developed individuals, with their own hopes and problems, and it will be interesting to see how they develop in future stories.
This is a great start to the new D S Ronnie Blake series, and one looks forward very much to the next instalment.
------
Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Despite warnings to stay out of the case, Ronnie cannot ignore it and tries to find out what is going on. However, she quickly finds a possible lead which appears to connect Operation Byron to a shocking local murder. She is seconded to the DEAD team and with the help of Malachi (a new member of the team) she tries to find out why her sister died.
The plot develops in a variety of ways: Ronnie’s relationship with her professional colleagues and the tensions between the DEAD team and Superintendent Cooper (her new boss). Returning to her childhood home, she is discovering things about Cambridge and her family. And she and her brother Alex are learning how to care for and support Noah – new roles for both of them.
The various strands are teased out in unexpected ways and the twists and turns make it difficult to spot the criminals. The story is a gripping read with some dark parts, but short chapters keep the pace going and encourage the reader to read just a bit more. Ronnie is a great lead, a good detective, determined, persistent but not known for her team spirit. The other characters are well-developed individuals, with their own hopes and problems, and it will be interesting to see how they develop in future stories.
This is a great start to the new D S Ronnie Blake series, and one looks forward very much to the next instalment.
------
Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
October 22, 2024
This is the 1st in a new series from Alison Bruce, some of you may be familiar with her DC Gary Goodhew series, her new protagonist is DS Ronnie (Veronica) Blake, a woman with a troubling background. To add to her burdens, she is there when her sister, Jodie, commits suicide, driving her decision to leave the Met and relocate to Cambridge, to help look after Jodie's young son, Noah, with her brother, Alex. Her arrival at Parkside Police Station does not go to plan, Ronnie is reminded of her reputation for working alone, guarding her caseload, not helping others and them not helping her. To her consternation, she finds herself being interviewed by the DEAD team (Special Investigations Team for the Eastern Region), headed by DI John Fenton.
Fenton's team is working on Operation Byron, struggling until an anonymous tip off comes in linking Jodie's name with 2 others comes in, this surprises Ronnie and arouses her curiosity, a bright Jodie had won a scholarship to St Eldith's college, but had left the city under some disturbing and dark circumstances early in her time there. Having such a close relationship with someone being looked into places Ronnie in a rather awkward position, but this does not dissuade her search for answers. In a chilling and murky narrative, which has deeply personal implications for Ronnie, she works closely with the team's Malachi Henry, there are numerous shocking twists and turns, the team joins with a separate DCI Beeton inquiry, taking in murder, horrifying assaults, and victims of an extortion racket.
The experienced and talented Bruce weaves a superbly multilayered and complex mystery that had me completely gripped and immersed, biting my nails at the increasing levels of suspense and tension, right up to the thrilling conclusions. Her plotting is stellar, and I am delighted that she has returned us to the mean streets of an atmospheric and ancient Cambridge, a city where so much simmers beneath the surface. Ronnie is an instant winner with her complicated character and traumatic background, and I cannot wait for the next in this promising new series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Fenton's team is working on Operation Byron, struggling until an anonymous tip off comes in linking Jodie's name with 2 others comes in, this surprises Ronnie and arouses her curiosity, a bright Jodie had won a scholarship to St Eldith's college, but had left the city under some disturbing and dark circumstances early in her time there. Having such a close relationship with someone being looked into places Ronnie in a rather awkward position, but this does not dissuade her search for answers. In a chilling and murky narrative, which has deeply personal implications for Ronnie, she works closely with the team's Malachi Henry, there are numerous shocking twists and turns, the team joins with a separate DCI Beeton inquiry, taking in murder, horrifying assaults, and victims of an extortion racket.
The experienced and talented Bruce weaves a superbly multilayered and complex mystery that had me completely gripped and immersed, biting my nails at the increasing levels of suspense and tension, right up to the thrilling conclusions. Her plotting is stellar, and I am delighted that she has returned us to the mean streets of an atmospheric and ancient Cambridge, a city where so much simmers beneath the surface. Ronnie is an instant winner with her complicated character and traumatic background, and I cannot wait for the next in this promising new series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 3, 2024
I am a big fan of this author's Gary Goodhew series so it was a no brainer that I would jump on this book as soon as I saw it available. And I wasn't disappointed!
In this, the series opener, we meet Ronnie Blake. She is a detective who has relocated from the Met to Cambridge for personal reasons. On her first day back however, she is called into the office of her superior and told that she is to remain on leave for occupational health reasons. But that she is needed to give evidence as a witness to an ongoing case - the aforementioned personal reasons she was signed off for! Long story short but the suicide of her sister might actually be more than meets the eye and her help is needed to investigate. It's part of a way bigger series of incidents. She then manages to inveigle herself into the team investigating, the wonderfully nicknamed DEAD team...
And so begins a rather twisty turny interconnected investigation which kept me on my toes throughout, spitting me out at the end exhausted from chasing my tail.
I really did have to have my wits about me every step of the way! Plot wise, not character wise I hasten to add, that was the easy part! The characters were all well drawn and all played their parts well, major and minor alike.
And with no unnecessary waffle or padding, the story gets on with itself very well indeed, pace matching action all the way through. Ramping up to the rather satisfying ending.
All in all, a cracking series opener, leaving me intrigued as to what is next for Ronnie. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
In this, the series opener, we meet Ronnie Blake. She is a detective who has relocated from the Met to Cambridge for personal reasons. On her first day back however, she is called into the office of her superior and told that she is to remain on leave for occupational health reasons. But that she is needed to give evidence as a witness to an ongoing case - the aforementioned personal reasons she was signed off for! Long story short but the suicide of her sister might actually be more than meets the eye and her help is needed to investigate. It's part of a way bigger series of incidents. She then manages to inveigle herself into the team investigating, the wonderfully nicknamed DEAD team...
And so begins a rather twisty turny interconnected investigation which kept me on my toes throughout, spitting me out at the end exhausted from chasing my tail.
I really did have to have my wits about me every step of the way! Plot wise, not character wise I hasten to add, that was the easy part! The characters were all well drawn and all played their parts well, major and minor alike.
And with no unnecessary waffle or padding, the story gets on with itself very well indeed, pace matching action all the way through. Ramping up to the rather satisfying ending.
All in all, a cracking series opener, leaving me intrigued as to what is next for Ronnie. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
October 8, 2024
Because She Looked Away is the first in a promising new series featuring DS Ronnie (never Veronica) Blake. The former Met detective relocates to Cambridge following the suicide of her sister to look after her nephew. Her family history is full of tragedy; this the latest installment.
Ronnie finds herself sidelined by her new boss but establishes a link to her sister's death and a hint that there may have been something more than the obvious. And when she finds out that several other cases have been linked by a special team, she wants in. Of course, conflict of interest means she can't investigate directly, but there are creative ways around that.
The case becomes more and more complex, and as new facts are discovered they seem to cloud rather than resolve the situation. Ronnie and her new team attempt to figure it out, while Ronnie wonders who she can trust and how far.
The novel starts slowly and feels a little confusing before the investigation proper starts, where it becomes a compelling read. Ronnie Blake is a strong lead, with personal motivations and professional pride driving her. The conclusion is a fitting ending to a good novel.
Ronnie finds herself sidelined by her new boss but establishes a link to her sister's death and a hint that there may have been something more than the obvious. And when she finds out that several other cases have been linked by a special team, she wants in. Of course, conflict of interest means she can't investigate directly, but there are creative ways around that.
The case becomes more and more complex, and as new facts are discovered they seem to cloud rather than resolve the situation. Ronnie and her new team attempt to figure it out, while Ronnie wonders who she can trust and how far.
The novel starts slowly and feels a little confusing before the investigation proper starts, where it becomes a compelling read. Ronnie Blake is a strong lead, with personal motivations and professional pride driving her. The conclusion is a fitting ending to a good novel.
January 27, 2025
Because She Looked Away is the first book in the new Ronnie Blake series by Alison Bruce.
In short, after the death of her sister DS Ronnie Blake relocates to Cambridge to help her brother Alex raise their sister’s young son. Ronnie joins a small team of detectives known as the DEAD team to investigate a possible link between a convicted fraudster, a dead academic…and Ronnie’s sister Jodie! And there begins the unraveling of a dark and twisty, emotional investigation.
This is the first book I’ve read by Alison Bruce and I look forward to reading more from her, especially this new series.
Because She Looked Away is a clever, taut & twisty plot page turner…a gripping tale of murder and mystery and a cracking start to a new series. I particularly liked the connection between Ronnie & Malachi and look forward to see how their characters develop through future cases.
Big thanks to Alison Bruce, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
In short, after the death of her sister DS Ronnie Blake relocates to Cambridge to help her brother Alex raise their sister’s young son. Ronnie joins a small team of detectives known as the DEAD team to investigate a possible link between a convicted fraudster, a dead academic…and Ronnie’s sister Jodie! And there begins the unraveling of a dark and twisty, emotional investigation.
This is the first book I’ve read by Alison Bruce and I look forward to reading more from her, especially this new series.
Because She Looked Away is a clever, taut & twisty plot page turner…a gripping tale of murder and mystery and a cracking start to a new series. I particularly liked the connection between Ronnie & Malachi and look forward to see how their characters develop through future cases.
Big thanks to Alison Bruce, Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
October 2, 2024
Because She Looked Away is the first in a brand new series by Alison Bruce to feature DS Ronnie Blake. New to Cambridge, she expects to get to work as a detective, but a small team with only one operation left open, Operation Byron, wants to question her about her late sister who may turn out to be linked to a series of unsolved crimes.
I loved this premise as soon as I read the synopsis. I always enjoy a good police procedural but this had a slightly different focus, that of a police officer being questioned, and I was really drawn into the story because of that. Ronnie is a great character who brooks no nonsense but she's also an excellent detective. She ends up working with the team who are questioning her, the so-called DEAD team and I thought the whole plot unfolded very well. I found it a bit complex at times, keeping track of all the characters and what was happening, but I did enjoy this twisty and tension-filled, often dark and disturbing read.
I think there's lots of promise for the series to develop as it goes on and for the members of the team to grow. Because She Looked Away is a really good opener.
I loved this premise as soon as I read the synopsis. I always enjoy a good police procedural but this had a slightly different focus, that of a police officer being questioned, and I was really drawn into the story because of that. Ronnie is a great character who brooks no nonsense but she's also an excellent detective. She ends up working with the team who are questioning her, the so-called DEAD team and I thought the whole plot unfolded very well. I found it a bit complex at times, keeping track of all the characters and what was happening, but I did enjoy this twisty and tension-filled, often dark and disturbing read.
I think there's lots of promise for the series to develop as it goes on and for the members of the team to grow. Because She Looked Away is a really good opener.
November 1, 2024
L'unica cosa che ho pensato dopo aver finito questo libro è stata "ora devo leggere tutti gli altri". Scritto così bene che ti ci perdi tranquillamente dopo i primi capitoli. Non annoia, e non è troppo lungo.
Altra cosa che ho adorato è stata proprio la lunghezza dei capitoli. Massimo tre pagine, il che è perfetto piuttosto che leggere quelli di 50 pagine che ti fanno addormentare dopo cinque minuti!
Oh, poi la storia è ambientata a Cambridge. Quasi tutto nei dintorni di casa mia, quindi magari questo è stato un altro dei punti a favore ma devo anche aggiungere che fino al penultimo capitolo non avevo capito chi fosse il colpevole. Ho pensato di tutto, davvero! Mai però avrei pensato quello che poi è successo. Spettacolare davvero.
E ora via con cambridge blue
Altra cosa che ho adorato è stata proprio la lunghezza dei capitoli. Massimo tre pagine, il che è perfetto piuttosto che leggere quelli di 50 pagine che ti fanno addormentare dopo cinque minuti!
Oh, poi la storia è ambientata a Cambridge. Quasi tutto nei dintorni di casa mia, quindi magari questo è stato un altro dei punti a favore ma devo anche aggiungere che fino al penultimo capitolo non avevo capito chi fosse il colpevole. Ho pensato di tutto, davvero! Mai però avrei pensato quello che poi è successo. Spettacolare davvero.
E ora via con cambridge blue
November 29, 2024
After the death of her sister, DI Ronnie Blake has relocated from London to work in Cambridge and share custody of her nephew with her brother. However, on her first Day Ronnie is surprised to be called in to an interview with a specialist team who believe her sister's death is linked to a blackmail scam. As Ronnie digs down, she joins the team and finds that sometimes the most obvious isn't the truth.
I found myself voraciously rushing through this book as it is an exciting read. That surprised me as I found the plot wildly complex and one that didn't really hang together. The main thing though is that this is a terrific police procedural and introduces some interesting characters who I look forward to reading about in the next instalment.
I found myself voraciously rushing through this book as it is an exciting read. That surprised me as I found the plot wildly complex and one that didn't really hang together. The main thing though is that this is a terrific police procedural and introduces some interesting characters who I look forward to reading about in the next instalment.
October 5, 2025
I found this book was clunky and disjointed at times. Everything felt rushed, especially the ending. Plus there were so many side characters that I lost interest in them quickly. I disliked the main character, she was constantly standoffish and rude. I understand that her sister had died, but despite that she was very unlikeable in my opinion. I had pretty much worked out who had done it when we first met his character. However I did enjoy the final twist. That was interesting and whilst slightly rushed I did appreciate it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
To read this novel you have to swallow a great deal of 'that would never happen' and the heroine is your standard straight talking type. The DEAD team are really nothing but names - we know nothing about them - and this makes the ending underwhelming. But it was competently written, sufficiently entertaining and the prologue wasn't the usual cryptic nonsense but was brief, clear and set the scene straight away.
October 3, 2024
excellent.
I loved the Goodhew series & was disappointed that it ended. So, of course I was always going to give this new series a good. It’s brilliant, lots of intriguing twists, great in depth characters & plenty of scope for a very long series. I really hope it’s not long before book 2 is released. 5* without a doubt.
I loved the Goodhew series & was disappointed that it ended. So, of course I was always going to give this new series a good. It’s brilliant, lots of intriguing twists, great in depth characters & plenty of scope for a very long series. I really hope it’s not long before book 2 is released. 5* without a doubt.
October 5, 2024
This is the first in a very promising new series, set in Cambridge and featuring DS Detective Veronica Blake. I really liked the characters and could empathise with Veronica as she gets caught up investigating the death of her sister. It's full of twists and excellent characterisation, as well as being fast paced with a well thought out ending. looking forward to more in this series.
November 14, 2024
A solid start to a series.
I enjoyed getting to know Ronnie and found her relationship with Malachi endearing. She’s the only one who noticed or listened to him.
I love a police procedural and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s fast paced and twisty. It did not end the way I expected. Plus it is quite a short and quick read.
Altogether a solid read.
I enjoyed getting to know Ronnie and found her relationship with Malachi endearing. She’s the only one who noticed or listened to him.
I love a police procedural and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s fast paced and twisty. It did not end the way I expected. Plus it is quite a short and quick read.
Altogether a solid read.
February 10, 2025
#BecauseSheLookedAway #NetGalley This is the first in a new police procedural series featuring D'S Ronnie Blake. It starts off slow whilst the characters and plot are being established. Once it gets going there is plenty of action, twists and turns and the odd red herring. Easy to read and kept my interest. I look forward to reading more in this series . A great start to the series.
November 20, 2024
I love all of Alison Bruce’s books. This one is the first of a new series DC Ronnie Blake relocates to Cambridge following the death of her sister to help care for her nephew with her half brother.
The plot is complex and makes the book really hard to put down!
Can’t wait for the next one!
The plot is complex and makes the book really hard to put down!
Can’t wait for the next one!
January 28, 2025
A police procedural with a difference, following an officer with a past who is an outsider in her new Cambridgeshire force. I liked the Cambridgeshire setting including the use of the real Parkside police station in the centre of Cambridge!
July 15, 2025
From the opening pages, this mystery thriller grips the reader with the heartbreaking disappearance of 15 year old Bethany Trent from a Cambridge park, and it never lets go. What begins as a missing persons case gradually unravels into something far darker and far more personal.
November 18, 2025
Really good mystery! Hadn’t read an Allison Bruce book in quite some time. This book introduces a new detective living in Cambridge and it was terrific. Complicated mystery with lots of twists and turns. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
October 26, 2024
Good read
July 3, 2025
Alison is a brilliant writer, another great book that I couldn't put down. cannot wait for the next in this series
August 27, 2025
The description given above is the plot of a different book.
November 22, 2025
not bad. confusing in some spots, but i think that was done on purpose to add suspense. worth a read.
January 4, 2026
A great start to 2026! I really enjoyed this book and will be seeing if I can find any more of Bruce’s books.
October 7, 2025
Are we sure the Goodreads book description is referring to this book? To the original draft, perhaps?
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