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Sam Delaney Mystery #2
Don't Say a Word
Traffic cop Sal Delaney has to solve another twisted and dark case in this pulse-pounding and gritty police procedural set in the north of England, with a complex, intriguing female protagonist.
"Mark is a superbly gifted writer who creates a bleak, unforgiving setting, deeply damaged characters, and a plot that ramps up the violence, tension, and suspense to an almost unbearable level before an explosive ending that will leave readers utterly shattered" Booklist Starred Review on When the Bough Breaks
North of England. Cumbria. While Salome Delaney is trying to juggle daily life, she struggles to keep it all together. Looking after her ex-boyfriend’s daughters, trying to do her job as a Collision Investigation Officer and dealing with the aftermath of the shocking discoveries around her most trusted mentor isn’t an easy task.
A new case which involves more than just a car accident doesn’t help her mental health. Things get even worse when she is assigned to Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn who seems to have a vendetta against her and tries to make her life even more miserable.
Without realising it, Sal is sucked into a twisted and dark case involving medieval torture chambers which contain buried secrets that come to light and make Sal almost lose her mind for good – and if she isn’t careful, she might even lose her life . . .
Fans of David Mark’s critically acclaimed DS McAvoy mysteries as well as readers of Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and Peter Robinson shouldn’t miss this suspenseful sequel in the Sal Delaney series by Sunday Times bestselling author David Mark.
"Mark is a superbly gifted writer who creates a bleak, unforgiving setting, deeply damaged characters, and a plot that ramps up the violence, tension, and suspense to an almost unbearable level before an explosive ending that will leave readers utterly shattered" Booklist Starred Review on When the Bough Breaks
North of England. Cumbria. While Salome Delaney is trying to juggle daily life, she struggles to keep it all together. Looking after her ex-boyfriend’s daughters, trying to do her job as a Collision Investigation Officer and dealing with the aftermath of the shocking discoveries around her most trusted mentor isn’t an easy task.
A new case which involves more than just a car accident doesn’t help her mental health. Things get even worse when she is assigned to Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn who seems to have a vendetta against her and tries to make her life even more miserable.
Without realising it, Sal is sucked into a twisted and dark case involving medieval torture chambers which contain buried secrets that come to light and make Sal almost lose her mind for good – and if she isn’t careful, she might even lose her life . . .
Fans of David Mark’s critically acclaimed DS McAvoy mysteries as well as readers of Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and Peter Robinson shouldn’t miss this suspenseful sequel in the Sal Delaney series by Sunday Times bestselling author David Mark.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 24, 2025
4+ stars
Sal Delaney #2
Between Hexham and Haydon Bridge, a 4x4 is wedged between a farm gate and a large oak tree. The driver is Sycamore Le Gros (yes, really) a wealthy landowner and he says he swerved to avoid a “zombie”. Sal, a Collision Investigation Officer is at the scene and feels a migraine coming on and exhaustion setting in as she listens to Sycamore‘s story. Then she hears something she can’t make sense of it. She heads towards the sound and is stunned with shock at the sight before her eyes and that’s just the start of the horror to come.
Talk about a powerful start. The fantastical, vivid writing makes me feel part of the scene and glues me to the narrative. David Mark has a unique way of writing, despite the horrifying nature of what his mind has conjured up, his writing is beautiful, it’s almost poetic and lyrical which is such a contrast to what you’re reading.
The author has created some brilliant characters with an originality to them. Sal is such a great character. She has so much going on in her personal life which she has to navigate alongside a difficult job and there are things lingering from her past that make her feel overwhelmed. In addition, she has to cope with the hatred of her superior officer in Magda Quinn, who as foul characters go, is in a league of our own. Some scenes between them are so good with tension and the animosity between them crackling off the pages. There are plenty of other really good characters too who have terrific back stories that I suspect will remain a theme throughout the next book and possibly those after that.
This is a complex case with apparently disparate threads that start connecting in one of those ‘Ah,I see’ revelations. It’s tense, suspenseful, eerie, gruesome, chilling to the bone, pitch black dark and in places it’s very scary. There are occasions where the hate, the fear and the sense of being overwhelmed positively jumps off the pages. It builds to an intense crescendo in a breathtaking conclusion and a cliffhanger ending. Clearly, to be continued.
Overall, a cracking read, albeit a dark one.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Severn House for the much appreciated EPUB in return for an honest review.
Sal Delaney #2
Between Hexham and Haydon Bridge, a 4x4 is wedged between a farm gate and a large oak tree. The driver is Sycamore Le Gros (yes, really) a wealthy landowner and he says he swerved to avoid a “zombie”. Sal, a Collision Investigation Officer is at the scene and feels a migraine coming on and exhaustion setting in as she listens to Sycamore‘s story. Then she hears something she can’t make sense of it. She heads towards the sound and is stunned with shock at the sight before her eyes and that’s just the start of the horror to come.
Talk about a powerful start. The fantastical, vivid writing makes me feel part of the scene and glues me to the narrative. David Mark has a unique way of writing, despite the horrifying nature of what his mind has conjured up, his writing is beautiful, it’s almost poetic and lyrical which is such a contrast to what you’re reading.
The author has created some brilliant characters with an originality to them. Sal is such a great character. She has so much going on in her personal life which she has to navigate alongside a difficult job and there are things lingering from her past that make her feel overwhelmed. In addition, she has to cope with the hatred of her superior officer in Magda Quinn, who as foul characters go, is in a league of our own. Some scenes between them are so good with tension and the animosity between them crackling off the pages. There are plenty of other really good characters too who have terrific back stories that I suspect will remain a theme throughout the next book and possibly those after that.
This is a complex case with apparently disparate threads that start connecting in one of those ‘Ah,I see’ revelations. It’s tense, suspenseful, eerie, gruesome, chilling to the bone, pitch black dark and in places it’s very scary. There are occasions where the hate, the fear and the sense of being overwhelmed positively jumps off the pages. It builds to an intense crescendo in a breathtaking conclusion and a cliffhanger ending. Clearly, to be continued.
Overall, a cracking read, albeit a dark one.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Severn House for the much appreciated EPUB in return for an honest review.
June 19, 2025
EXCERPT: 'Did you hear that?' she asks, turning to Priestfield.
'Hear what?'
'No, listen . . . '
She strains her ears. Tries to pick up the sound again. She's about to dismiss it when it comes again: plaintive, lost.
'Thats the sheep,' says Priestfield, automatically. 'That's just sheep. . .'
Sal ignores him. Steps over the tyre tracks and finds a gap in the line of tangled hawthorns. Covers her face with her hand. Pushes in through the spikes and bars.
Only as the thorns close behind her, as the darkness sweeps up, does she acknowledge the whiff of blood.
She pushes deeper. Hears Priestfield grunting far behind her, complaining, carping. She winces as a thorn snags her hair.
She smells him first. Smells the rotting, rancid flesh: a sweet, shitty fug that climbs into her mouth and throat and fills her head with thoughts of dead meat.
A flash of skin. A block of flesh. Ugly, ravaged skin.
She gasps, takes in a deeper lungful of the foul stench.
For a moment she can't make sense of what she's seeing. Can't turn the mass of lesions and wounds into something human.
Sal reaches out to steady herself. Tries to cover her nose and mouth, the light spinning in haphazard helixes and whorls.
She leans over the rotting, twisted body, bound in brambles and hawthorn, laid out in the wet grass. Her whole heart fills with compassion, with pity. Nobody should endure this. Nobody should die like this.
There comes a desperate, ear-splitting screech: a sound that makes her think of barn owls, of final breaths; of agony and fear unimaginable.
And then the thing in the grass grabs her wrist.
ABOUT 'DON'T SAY A WORD': North of England. Cumbria. While Salome Delaney is trying to juggle daily life, she struggles to keep it all together. Looking after her ex-boyfriend’s daughters, trying to do her job as a Collision Investigation Officer and dealing with the aftermath of the shocking discoveries around her most trusted mentor isn’t an easy task.
A new case which involves more than just a car accident doesn’t help her mental health. Things get even worse when she is assigned to Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn who seems to have a vendetta against her and tries to make her life even more miserable.
Without realising it, Sal is sucked into a twisted and dark case involving medieval torture chambers which contain buried secrets that come to light and make Sal almost lose her mind for good – and if she isn’t careful, she might even lose her life . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Don't Say a Word is #2 in David Marks new Sal Delaney mystery series. #1 was When the Bough Breaks, which I didn't particularly enjoy either. I love David Mark's Aector MacAvoy series, would walk across burning coals to pick up one of his books. Unfortunately, Sal Delaney doesn't have the same effect on me.
There is some incredible writing in Don't Say a Word, as evidenced by the passage quoted above - no one does dark, bleak suspense and creepiness quite like David Mark. BUT much of the time I felt lost and was frequently confused. The narrative was hard to follow. I was constantly flipping back a page or two and rereading in an effort to make sense of what I was reading. It made little to no difference. Had this not been such a short book (222 pages) I might well have abandoned it.
I'm sorry Mr. Mark, but this is goodbye from me to the Sal Delaney series, but I will continue to devour your Aector MacAvoy series with love and devotion.
⭐⭐.2
#DontSayaWord #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: David spent more than 15 years as a journalist, including seven years as a crime reporter with The Yorkshire Post – walking the Hull streets that would later become the setting for the internationally bestselling Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy novels.
His writing is heavily influenced by the court cases he covered: the defeatist and jaded police officers; the inertia of the justice system and the sheer raw grief of those touched by savagery and tragedy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House for providing an e-ARC of Don't Say a Word by David Mark for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Don't Say a Word by David Mark was published June 03, 2025
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Hear what?'
'No, listen . . . '
She strains her ears. Tries to pick up the sound again. She's about to dismiss it when it comes again: plaintive, lost.
'Thats the sheep,' says Priestfield, automatically. 'That's just sheep. . .'
Sal ignores him. Steps over the tyre tracks and finds a gap in the line of tangled hawthorns. Covers her face with her hand. Pushes in through the spikes and bars.
Only as the thorns close behind her, as the darkness sweeps up, does she acknowledge the whiff of blood.
She pushes deeper. Hears Priestfield grunting far behind her, complaining, carping. She winces as a thorn snags her hair.
She smells him first. Smells the rotting, rancid flesh: a sweet, shitty fug that climbs into her mouth and throat and fills her head with thoughts of dead meat.
A flash of skin. A block of flesh. Ugly, ravaged skin.
She gasps, takes in a deeper lungful of the foul stench.
For a moment she can't make sense of what she's seeing. Can't turn the mass of lesions and wounds into something human.
Sal reaches out to steady herself. Tries to cover her nose and mouth, the light spinning in haphazard helixes and whorls.
She leans over the rotting, twisted body, bound in brambles and hawthorn, laid out in the wet grass. Her whole heart fills with compassion, with pity. Nobody should endure this. Nobody should die like this.
There comes a desperate, ear-splitting screech: a sound that makes her think of barn owls, of final breaths; of agony and fear unimaginable.
And then the thing in the grass grabs her wrist.
ABOUT 'DON'T SAY A WORD': North of England. Cumbria. While Salome Delaney is trying to juggle daily life, she struggles to keep it all together. Looking after her ex-boyfriend’s daughters, trying to do her job as a Collision Investigation Officer and dealing with the aftermath of the shocking discoveries around her most trusted mentor isn’t an easy task.
A new case which involves more than just a car accident doesn’t help her mental health. Things get even worse when she is assigned to Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn who seems to have a vendetta against her and tries to make her life even more miserable.
Without realising it, Sal is sucked into a twisted and dark case involving medieval torture chambers which contain buried secrets that come to light and make Sal almost lose her mind for good – and if she isn’t careful, she might even lose her life . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Don't Say a Word is #2 in David Marks new Sal Delaney mystery series. #1 was When the Bough Breaks, which I didn't particularly enjoy either. I love David Mark's Aector MacAvoy series, would walk across burning coals to pick up one of his books. Unfortunately, Sal Delaney doesn't have the same effect on me.
There is some incredible writing in Don't Say a Word, as evidenced by the passage quoted above - no one does dark, bleak suspense and creepiness quite like David Mark. BUT much of the time I felt lost and was frequently confused. The narrative was hard to follow. I was constantly flipping back a page or two and rereading in an effort to make sense of what I was reading. It made little to no difference. Had this not been such a short book (222 pages) I might well have abandoned it.
I'm sorry Mr. Mark, but this is goodbye from me to the Sal Delaney series, but I will continue to devour your Aector MacAvoy series with love and devotion.
⭐⭐.2
#DontSayaWord #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: David spent more than 15 years as a journalist, including seven years as a crime reporter with The Yorkshire Post – walking the Hull streets that would later become the setting for the internationally bestselling Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy novels.
His writing is heavily influenced by the court cases he covered: the defeatist and jaded police officers; the inertia of the justice system and the sheer raw grief of those touched by savagery and tragedy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House for providing an e-ARC of Don't Say a Word by David Mark for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Don't Say a Word by David Mark was published June 03, 2025
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 3, 2025
DNF 40%
May 30, 2025
David Mark’s Don’t Say a Word is a haunting and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that ventures into the darkest corners of human experience. At its core, the novel is a study in trauma and resilience, following a protagonist whose emotional burden is as compelling as the mystery she’s determined to unravel.
The story is unapologetically dark, laced with elements of psychological torment and moral ambiguity. Mark’s writing crafts a chilling atmosphere that never quite lets the reader breathe easy. What sets this novel apart is not just its intricate and twisted plot, but the emotional weight carried by the main character—a woman forced into a role of protector for children who are not her own, all while confronting horrors that test the limits of her endurance.
Her inner turmoil is rendered with nuance and authenticity, drawing the reader into a narrative that is as emotionally gripping as it is disturbing. As the mystery unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that nothing is as it seems, and Mark does an excellent job of keeping the suspense taut throughout.
Don’t Say a Word is not a light read—it’s intense, often brutal, and lingers long after the final page. For readers who are prepared for a deeply twisted and emotionally charged story, this novel offers a unique and unforgettable journey into the shadows of the human psyche.
The story is unapologetically dark, laced with elements of psychological torment and moral ambiguity. Mark’s writing crafts a chilling atmosphere that never quite lets the reader breathe easy. What sets this novel apart is not just its intricate and twisted plot, but the emotional weight carried by the main character—a woman forced into a role of protector for children who are not her own, all while confronting horrors that test the limits of her endurance.
Her inner turmoil is rendered with nuance and authenticity, drawing the reader into a narrative that is as emotionally gripping as it is disturbing. As the mystery unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that nothing is as it seems, and Mark does an excellent job of keeping the suspense taut throughout.
Don’t Say a Word is not a light read—it’s intense, often brutal, and lingers long after the final page. For readers who are prepared for a deeply twisted and emotionally charged story, this novel offers a unique and unforgettable journey into the shadows of the human psyche.
March 18, 2025
BLOODWORM!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by David Mark and published by Severn House in 2025, this is an eerie fantasy/detective novel set in the North of the U.K in the modern day. Perhaps it is meant to be a murder mystery. As I have gotten older, I have found it difficult to keep up with stories that contain a lot of characters. This is one of them.
In addition, the novel is written in a very unusual style. All of the body-text in the story is taken from the present-tense, first-person perspective of each of the characters. The primary protagonist is named Salome or Sal, and she apparently is a working detective at a police department in Northumberland, U.K. Sal’s last name is Delaney. Her husband has been in a coma for a number of years. There might be some indication that Sal is responsible for the wound that led to her husband’s coma. She has a superior in the police department named Magda who hates her. Magda is the former mistress of Sal’s husband. The tension between them adds to the tension in the story.
Central to the story is a medieval torture/murder device known as the oubliette. It was invented in France but was widely used by King William the Conqueror in England and Scotland. At least one of these devices has survived the past and has been found and used in the ruins of one of King William’s old castles. (In the present day.)
Other characters in the story include Theo, a young man who was falsely accused of murder and served time in prison for a murder he did not commit. His court-appointed counsel gave him bad advice, telling him to answer, “No comment!” to all questions put to him by police and the courts. That lawyer becomes one of the victims of the oubliette later in the story, after Theo has been released from prison and works to become an actor. He makes a costume based on the favorite executioner of King Willian: A man known as The Bloodworm. His costume includes a leather mask like the one that was the signature of the original Bloodworm.
Then there is Wulf Hagman (I think that is right.) He actually served a deserved long prison sentence for murdering a man a number of years earlier. He is friends with Sal, her children and with Theo. He often looks after Sal’s children. Magda thinks he is the current murderer.
There are a number of other characters that flesh out the story, but this review would be way too long if I mentioned all of them.
I have no doubt that the author is a talented writer. However, I do not like this style of writing and imagine that you might not like it, either. It certainly is not common. Reading it was a lot of work for me, and so was not very enjoyable. The style of writing confused me a great deal when I read the book. I almost quit reading after the first few pages, and I am not too certain of just exactly what all I read. I will not recommend this novel, but if you want to try something new, give it a look. I award only two of the available five stars, and do not plan to read any more of this author’s works.
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by David Mark and published by Severn House in 2025, this is an eerie fantasy/detective novel set in the North of the U.K in the modern day. Perhaps it is meant to be a murder mystery. As I have gotten older, I have found it difficult to keep up with stories that contain a lot of characters. This is one of them.
In addition, the novel is written in a very unusual style. All of the body-text in the story is taken from the present-tense, first-person perspective of each of the characters. The primary protagonist is named Salome or Sal, and she apparently is a working detective at a police department in Northumberland, U.K. Sal’s last name is Delaney. Her husband has been in a coma for a number of years. There might be some indication that Sal is responsible for the wound that led to her husband’s coma. She has a superior in the police department named Magda who hates her. Magda is the former mistress of Sal’s husband. The tension between them adds to the tension in the story.
Central to the story is a medieval torture/murder device known as the oubliette. It was invented in France but was widely used by King William the Conqueror in England and Scotland. At least one of these devices has survived the past and has been found and used in the ruins of one of King William’s old castles. (In the present day.)
Other characters in the story include Theo, a young man who was falsely accused of murder and served time in prison for a murder he did not commit. His court-appointed counsel gave him bad advice, telling him to answer, “No comment!” to all questions put to him by police and the courts. That lawyer becomes one of the victims of the oubliette later in the story, after Theo has been released from prison and works to become an actor. He makes a costume based on the favorite executioner of King Willian: A man known as The Bloodworm. His costume includes a leather mask like the one that was the signature of the original Bloodworm.
Then there is Wulf Hagman (I think that is right.) He actually served a deserved long prison sentence for murdering a man a number of years earlier. He is friends with Sal, her children and with Theo. He often looks after Sal’s children. Magda thinks he is the current murderer.
There are a number of other characters that flesh out the story, but this review would be way too long if I mentioned all of them.
I have no doubt that the author is a talented writer. However, I do not like this style of writing and imagine that you might not like it, either. It certainly is not common. Reading it was a lot of work for me, and so was not very enjoyable. The style of writing confused me a great deal when I read the book. I almost quit reading after the first few pages, and I am not too certain of just exactly what all I read. I will not recommend this novel, but if you want to try something new, give it a look. I award only two of the available five stars, and do not plan to read any more of this author’s works.
June 3, 2025
This book, featuring Traffic Cop Sal Delaney follows on from the shenanigans that ensued during her first outing in When the Bough Breaks so you do need to read that one first to really understand all the ins and outs of what in the heck is going on in this book. To say that the main players and their connections to each other are complex would be a gross understatement and, even though the min case is self-contained, I do feel you would struggle and get a bit confuddled by it all if you don't have the full backstory.
So... we catch up with Sal as she is trying to single parent her ex-step-daughters whilst their father, her ex-boyfriend is recuperating. It's a bit of a complex arrangement being as he there her out of the family home not long ago, but - well - here we are... She does have help though, mostly from Wulf but, as we soon find out, DCI Magda Quinn is, well, has her own personal agenda to make Sal's life more hellish...
But when Sal is assigned to Quinn to investigate a crash between wealthy landowner Sycamore Le Gros and, well, what he describes as a zombie, things get even weirder. And with Quinn demanding more than just crash info from Sal, her world is about to get even more complex, if that's even possible.
Meanwhile, Wulf is trying to help Theo who was wrongly imprisoned for something he had absolutely nothing to do with, mainly because he got some duff advice from his solicitor.
Quite how this all comes together I will leave for you to discover as the author intended. Suffice to say that it is a complex plot, played out my a massive cast and you might need to make notes along the way. I did! Oh and I nearly forgot, it's also rather dark and brutal and pulls no punches. But you'll probably be expecting that as you will have already read book one!
On the whole I did enjoy this book. I did initially struggle with the vast cast of characters, the majority of whom are as complex as Sal, Wulf and Quinn, but armed with my list, I was soon able to get them all straight, and once I did, it all started to come together nicely.
It's intense, it's brutal, and it's definitely not for the faint-hearted. And it's also quite vivid in description. But, that said, it never went too dark. There are lighter moments to be found. Just hold on to them when you come across them and you'll be just fine!
And when it did all come together, as we raced to the finish line, I breathed a sigh of relief that it was all over. And then I sat back and mourned the fact that I was having to leave the characters once again. Which is a shame as I really do like Sal, warts and all. And I really can't wait to see what the author has in store for her next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... we catch up with Sal as she is trying to single parent her ex-step-daughters whilst their father, her ex-boyfriend is recuperating. It's a bit of a complex arrangement being as he there her out of the family home not long ago, but - well - here we are... She does have help though, mostly from Wulf but, as we soon find out, DCI Magda Quinn is, well, has her own personal agenda to make Sal's life more hellish...
But when Sal is assigned to Quinn to investigate a crash between wealthy landowner Sycamore Le Gros and, well, what he describes as a zombie, things get even weirder. And with Quinn demanding more than just crash info from Sal, her world is about to get even more complex, if that's even possible.
Meanwhile, Wulf is trying to help Theo who was wrongly imprisoned for something he had absolutely nothing to do with, mainly because he got some duff advice from his solicitor.
Quite how this all comes together I will leave for you to discover as the author intended. Suffice to say that it is a complex plot, played out my a massive cast and you might need to make notes along the way. I did! Oh and I nearly forgot, it's also rather dark and brutal and pulls no punches. But you'll probably be expecting that as you will have already read book one!
On the whole I did enjoy this book. I did initially struggle with the vast cast of characters, the majority of whom are as complex as Sal, Wulf and Quinn, but armed with my list, I was soon able to get them all straight, and once I did, it all started to come together nicely.
It's intense, it's brutal, and it's definitely not for the faint-hearted. And it's also quite vivid in description. But, that said, it never went too dark. There are lighter moments to be found. Just hold on to them when you come across them and you'll be just fine!
And when it did all come together, as we raced to the finish line, I breathed a sigh of relief that it was all over. And then I sat back and mourned the fact that I was having to leave the characters once again. Which is a shame as I really do like Sal, warts and all. And I really can't wait to see what the author has in store for her next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 21, 2025
3.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC. I was grateful to receive an early digital copy of "Don't Think Twice," the latest thriller by David Mark. He has become a favourite author for his dark crime stories, at latest count, I have read and enjoyed more than a dozen of his books. This is the second installment in the Sal Delaney mystery series, following 'When the Bough Breaks'. The new book is barely a standalone, as events in the previous book have emotionally and physically damaged some characters. I highly recommend this book, with the caveat that prospective readers may find it easier to follow if they first read the earlier book. The publication date for 'Don't Say a Word' is June 3, 2025.
The author creates memorable, flawed, and damaged leading characters, deranged villains, and infuses a multi-layered storyline with a bleak, creepy descriptive vibe. His exceptional writing skills cannot be denied, even when he describes dark, gruesome, and gory deeds in a visceral manner.
The story features Sal Delaney, a Collision investigator with the police department. Her superior officer, Magda Quinn, has personal reasons to hate Sal, adding to the tension at work. Past memories haunt Sal and is trying to keep her mind on her assignments. She has custody of her late partner's children, who is now in an extended coma. Wulf Hagman, who spent years in prison, is now trusted to look after the children while Sal works. He also acts as a counsellor to a young man, Theo. Theo is haunted by being incarcerated for years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated with no financial compensation and denied his long-term goal as a member of the police force, now working at basic labour jobs. His present aim is to become an actor.
Sal, barely able to keep her mind together, is called to an automobile collision. The driver, a wealthy landowner, claims he swerved to avoid hitting a zombie. His incredible excuse is interrupted by a shriek that breaks the silence. Sal is surprised and shocked by its source.
The human drama is increased by tension, suspense, and violence. If this wasn't disturbing enough, the story is connected to a medieval torture chamber and Bloodworm, the historic executioner for King William. This is a complex story with multiple threads, all of which come together by the end. I will definitely read the next Sal Delaney book, but this one ended on a cliffhanger, and it may not work as a standalone.
The author creates memorable, flawed, and damaged leading characters, deranged villains, and infuses a multi-layered storyline with a bleak, creepy descriptive vibe. His exceptional writing skills cannot be denied, even when he describes dark, gruesome, and gory deeds in a visceral manner.
The story features Sal Delaney, a Collision investigator with the police department. Her superior officer, Magda Quinn, has personal reasons to hate Sal, adding to the tension at work. Past memories haunt Sal and is trying to keep her mind on her assignments. She has custody of her late partner's children, who is now in an extended coma. Wulf Hagman, who spent years in prison, is now trusted to look after the children while Sal works. He also acts as a counsellor to a young man, Theo. Theo is haunted by being incarcerated for years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated with no financial compensation and denied his long-term goal as a member of the police force, now working at basic labour jobs. His present aim is to become an actor.
Sal, barely able to keep her mind together, is called to an automobile collision. The driver, a wealthy landowner, claims he swerved to avoid hitting a zombie. His incredible excuse is interrupted by a shriek that breaks the silence. Sal is surprised and shocked by its source.
The human drama is increased by tension, suspense, and violence. If this wasn't disturbing enough, the story is connected to a medieval torture chamber and Bloodworm, the historic executioner for King William. This is a complex story with multiple threads, all of which come together by the end. I will definitely read the next Sal Delaney book, but this one ended on a cliffhanger, and it may not work as a standalone.
December 8, 2025
Don't Say a Word by David Mark is a gritty, atmospheric, and tightly written police procedural that deepens the psychological and emotional complexity of the Sal Delaney series. Mark crafts a world rooted in the bleak, unforgiving landscapes of northern England rich with mounting tension, unrelenting pressure, and a protagonist whose inner turmoil is as compelling as the crimes she investigates.
Sal Delaney stands out as a complex, wounded, and sharply drawn heroine. As a Collision Investigation Officer juggling the responsibility of caring for her ex boyfriend’s daughters while navigating the emotional fallout of her mentor’s devastating revelations, Sal is pulled in multiple directions at once. Her vulnerability, resilience, and raw internal struggle elevate her beyond the typical detective archetype and create a powerful emotional anchor for the narrative.
The central case a supposed car accident that spirals into something far darker demonstrates Mark’s talent for weaving psychological intensity with procedural detail. What begins as routine quickly escalates into a labyrinth of buried secrets, medieval torture chambers, and a sinister history that threatens not only Sal’s stability but her very life. The introduction of Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn adds another layer of friction, tension, and institutional conflict that enriches the stakes.
Mark’s signature strengths are all on display: an atmospheric setting saturated with dread, deeply damaged and realistic characters, and pacing that grows more suffocating and explosive as the truth edges closer. Fans of Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina, and gritty UK crime fiction will find this sequel both gripping and emotionally resonant.
Don't Say a Word delivers intense psychological suspense, procedural authenticity, and a heroine whose internal battles are as compelling as the external threats she faces.
Sal Delaney stands out as a complex, wounded, and sharply drawn heroine. As a Collision Investigation Officer juggling the responsibility of caring for her ex boyfriend’s daughters while navigating the emotional fallout of her mentor’s devastating revelations, Sal is pulled in multiple directions at once. Her vulnerability, resilience, and raw internal struggle elevate her beyond the typical detective archetype and create a powerful emotional anchor for the narrative.
The central case a supposed car accident that spirals into something far darker demonstrates Mark’s talent for weaving psychological intensity with procedural detail. What begins as routine quickly escalates into a labyrinth of buried secrets, medieval torture chambers, and a sinister history that threatens not only Sal’s stability but her very life. The introduction of Detective Chief Inspector Magda Quinn adds another layer of friction, tension, and institutional conflict that enriches the stakes.
Mark’s signature strengths are all on display: an atmospheric setting saturated with dread, deeply damaged and realistic characters, and pacing that grows more suffocating and explosive as the truth edges closer. Fans of Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina, and gritty UK crime fiction will find this sequel both gripping and emotionally resonant.
Don't Say a Word delivers intense psychological suspense, procedural authenticity, and a heroine whose internal battles are as compelling as the external threats she faces.
February 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
This is the 2nd in the Sal Delaney series which I was really looking forward to reading.
Sal is in a bad place, still reeling from the events of the recent past and desperately missing her twin brother. Then she has to attend the horrifying scene of a man so severely wounded he's barely clinging onto life, which plunges her into a mental spiral that makes her barely cope. Her ex is in hospital unable to function and she's taking care of her 2 stepdaughters. Plus, her boss is determined to end her!
It's a bit of a tough read, very visceral and I had to skip certain passages that creeped me out. But as usual it's beautifully written and hard to put down, plus the ending was excellent. Can't wait for no.3!
This is the 2nd in the Sal Delaney series which I was really looking forward to reading.
Sal is in a bad place, still reeling from the events of the recent past and desperately missing her twin brother. Then she has to attend the horrifying scene of a man so severely wounded he's barely clinging onto life, which plunges her into a mental spiral that makes her barely cope. Her ex is in hospital unable to function and she's taking care of her 2 stepdaughters. Plus, her boss is determined to end her!
It's a bit of a tough read, very visceral and I had to skip certain passages that creeped me out. But as usual it's beautifully written and hard to put down, plus the ending was excellent. Can't wait for no.3!
June 25, 2025
The second book with Sal Delaney, a detective in the Cumbria police although I hadn’t read the first book and feel I would have benefitted by doing so.
Sal's uncle is out of prison and getting on with his life.
Theo Myers who was previously imprisoned for murdering a homeless man has been exonerated & released. Meanwhile the solicitor who represented Theo is found seriously injured.
I found the storyline confusing at times and I wondered if this was because I hadn’t read the previous instalment. Perhaps I would have been absorbed into the story easier if I had.
Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Sal's uncle is out of prison and getting on with his life.
Theo Myers who was previously imprisoned for murdering a homeless man has been exonerated & released. Meanwhile the solicitor who represented Theo is found seriously injured.
I found the storyline confusing at times and I wondered if this was because I hadn’t read the previous instalment. Perhaps I would have been absorbed into the story easier if I had.
Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 4, 2025
I love David Mark's Aector McAvoy series. This was #2 in his new Sal Delaney series and I was at a huge disadvantage since I did not read #1 first. I have to admit that I was quite lost for a good portion of the book as it seemed to reference events from book #1 constantly. I'll give marks for the dark, brooding atmosphere that is the author's trademark but overall the book fell a little short for me. Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It thrilled me, scared the pants off me and moved me in equal measure.
I hadn't read book one in the series (that will be rectified pretty damn quickly) but that didn't impair my enjoyment of the story.
I loved Sal's vulnerability, her tenacity and resilience and I loved her network of support.
The ongoing conspiracy looks set to continue and it really gripped me. Excellent story with vividly visceral descriptions that made me feel very present in the horror and fear of the darker scenes. Looking forward to the next
I hadn't read book one in the series (that will be rectified pretty damn quickly) but that didn't impair my enjoyment of the story.
I loved Sal's vulnerability, her tenacity and resilience and I loved her network of support.
The ongoing conspiracy looks set to continue and it really gripped me. Excellent story with vividly visceral descriptions that made me feel very present in the horror and fear of the darker scenes. Looking forward to the next
May 22, 2025
This is a well written dark read, full of suspense, drama and tension. The characters just leap off the page and get right into your head and I failed to like any of them! That aside the book draws you in to an evil web of secrets, lies and conspiracy. If you like dark, scary thrillers, this is one for you. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
August 3, 2025
A superb sequel to when the bough breaks. As with all of David Marks books it is extremely dark and sufficiently gruesome. It's quite a complex story which you need to follow but we'll worth every minute.
May 19, 2025
Still reeling from the events of the first book in the series, When the Bough Breaks, Salome 'Sal' Delaney finds herself responsible for her ex's daughters and with a new case to solve when she stumbles upon a half dead body in a field belonging to local landowner Sycamore Le Gros. Yes, David Mark does seem to like his unusually named characters! Badly mutilated, the victim has clearly been tortured in some way and has links to the earlier book. I found this a hard one to read, due to a lack of reading time, and the heavy ties to the first book in the series, a combination that made the narrative hard to follow at times. However, I did still get the strong sense of location that I've come to expect from David Mark's fiction. He has a real eye for location, if not always for character.
Thanks to NetGalley, Severn House and the author for an advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Severn House and the author for an advance copy.
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