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Darke Deeds: Darke Deeds Mystery Thrillers Book 1
Careful what you wish for. You might get it and regret it.
True-crime podcasters and relatives, Angie and Violet Darke, are bored. Instead of covering small crimes, they want a huge case to solve.
It lands, literally, on their doorstep.
During renovation, a grave is discovered in Angie’s pub garden. When the identity of the body is revealed it means only one thing: murder.
As the investigation unfolds, loved ones can no longer be trusted. Devastating truths are uncovered. The Darke Deeds duo’s lives are at risk.
The present is bleak. The future seems uncertain. The past is never dead and buried.
With tension and twists throughout, this first book in the Darke Deeds series is a must-read for mystery thriller lovers.
True-crime podcasters and relatives, Angie and Violet Darke, are bored. Instead of covering small crimes, they want a huge case to solve.
It lands, literally, on their doorstep.
During renovation, a grave is discovered in Angie’s pub garden. When the identity of the body is revealed it means only one thing: murder.
As the investigation unfolds, loved ones can no longer be trusted. Devastating truths are uncovered. The Darke Deeds duo’s lives are at risk.
The present is bleak. The future seems uncertain. The past is never dead and buried.
With tension and twists throughout, this first book in the Darke Deeds series is a must-read for mystery thriller lovers.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2025
15 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Sell
10 books85 followersLisa Sell is an author of mystery, thriller, and crime novels. Her novels can be dark, nostalgic, serious, and humorous.
A sense of place in her writing is important to Lisa. Her books are often set in Oxfordshire and Dorset.
When she's not writing, Lisa is usually cat wrangling, adding cheese to most dishes, or tackling her to-be-read pile of books.
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: lisasellwriter
Instagram: lisasellwriter
A sense of place in her writing is important to Lisa. Her books are often set in Oxfordshire and Dorset.
When she's not writing, Lisa is usually cat wrangling, adding cheese to most dishes, or tackling her to-be-read pile of books.
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: lisasellwriter
Instagram: lisasellwriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 11, 2025
with a found-family cast
of unforgettable characters,
a bang of a first chapter and
a lot of twists, this sad story
just brought me to tears. ♡
of unforgettable characters,
a bang of a first chapter and
a lot of twists, this sad story
just brought me to tears. ♡
January 19, 2025
A fantastic start to a brand-new series by Lisa Sell, with a podcast, a pub, a biker gang, and a body! Tackling difficult topics sensitively, the author has created a great set of characters and an exciting murder mystery that keeps you gripped until the end. I can't wait for the next one! Highly recommend.
December 14, 2025
DARKE DEEDS BY LISA SELL.
OUT NOW.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Let me tell you something about this book. This is my first book by Lisa.
Currently I am so poorly with flu and I started this and I was immediately laughing at Chapter 1. An absolutely banging chapter.
The two main female characters are amazing. This book gave me an insight to Lisa's personality and its absolutely brilliant.
It's an amazing first book that's going to be an amazing series.
I was hooked throughout and really looking forward to starting book 2 BREAKING AMENDS
OUT NOW.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Let me tell you something about this book. This is my first book by Lisa.
Currently I am so poorly with flu and I started this and I was immediately laughing at Chapter 1. An absolutely banging chapter.
The two main female characters are amazing. This book gave me an insight to Lisa's personality and its absolutely brilliant.
It's an amazing first book that's going to be an amazing series.
I was hooked throughout and really looking forward to starting book 2 BREAKING AMENDS
January 17, 2025
Darke Deeds by Lisa Sell
Having previously read The Professor by this author and loving it, I had really high hopes for this book. It was good but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Professor.
This book fitted more into a cosy/ comedy crime style book in the first half instead of a thriller I was hoping for, however the 2nd half it ramped up the thriller side! Some sections are written as the podcast dialogue which was a nice transition between chapters.
Some good twists at the end, I didn’t know which way it was going to go so it left me guessing which is always a good thing.
Having previously read The Professor by this author and loving it, I had really high hopes for this book. It was good but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Professor.
This book fitted more into a cosy/ comedy crime style book in the first half instead of a thriller I was hoping for, however the 2nd half it ramped up the thriller side! Some sections are written as the podcast dialogue which was a nice transition between chapters.
Some good twists at the end, I didn’t know which way it was going to go so it left me guessing which is always a good thing.
January 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this latest offering from Lisa Sell. Angie and Violet Darke are two very refreshing, very entertaining new characters, and I'm delighted that this will be a series. I am most definitely looking forward to seeing them again. They are perhaps the very opposite of what you might expect podcasters to be. They are 'women of a certain age', Violet, owner of a cleaning company, wife and mother, Angie a pub landlady and widow. They are pillars of their community who just happen to have a slight obsession with true crime, and I loved the pair of them. Their podcasts are laced with humour - the opening chapter is a great example of that and will make a you a little weary of the self service checkout tills no doubt - with great banter back and forth between them, and their determination to do right by victims is extremely clear. And when the crime comes a little too close to home, it is absolutely guaranteed that they are going to get involved. Good news for us readers Lisa Sell delivers a perplexing mystery that is as witty as it is emotional.
Violet and Angie are best friends turned sisters-in-law, and it is fair to say that they know pretty much everything there is to know about each other. But only pretty much as will become clear throughout the course of the book. They are surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters, all of whom were a huge part of the women's formative years. A 'gang of bikers' who were best friends of Angie's father, Ron Darke, aka Wolfe, and are affectionately known as The Animals. Between the lot of them they make a for a brilliant central cast and are a team I really enjoyed spending time with. They have Angie's back at every turn, and that's no bad thing in this particular case. Not only are the women trying to solve a decades old murder, but Angie is being targeted by a unknown foe who seems hell bent on ruining her reputation and her life.
This book has excellent pacing and enough mystery and intrigue to keep me turning the pages at quite a pace. I was completely drawn into the case of the buried body, wondering just who they might be and what they might have done to be left where they were. And then, as for Angie's apparent stalker, it was a case of trying to fathom who may have had reason to hate her, given that nothing she had done seemed to be particularly controversial. There are a few clues as to who might be behind this particular thread of menace, but the author plays them out very carefully to make sure that those who should suspect - the victims of this particular set of pranks - remain completely in the dark until just the right point for a grand reveal.
There is plenty of threat laced throughout the pages, and quite a bit of emotion too as the murder case really starts to take shape. The finger of suspicion moves between several characters, principally the Animals and those close to Angie and Violet, but I have to admit that I didn't really see the big reveal coming. Clues serve to both reconfirm and misdirect, and that keeps the suspense going. There are a couple of quite tense scenes in the book as the perpetrators of the crimes are revealed, but despite this the humour that exists between the two friends ensures that the book never takes too dark a turn.
A delicious blend of humour and mystery with two women I loved from the off. Looking forward to reading more and seeing what kind of mess Angie and Violet get themselves into next. In the world of true crime podcasts, there are no end of possibilities.
Violet and Angie are best friends turned sisters-in-law, and it is fair to say that they know pretty much everything there is to know about each other. But only pretty much as will become clear throughout the course of the book. They are surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters, all of whom were a huge part of the women's formative years. A 'gang of bikers' who were best friends of Angie's father, Ron Darke, aka Wolfe, and are affectionately known as The Animals. Between the lot of them they make a for a brilliant central cast and are a team I really enjoyed spending time with. They have Angie's back at every turn, and that's no bad thing in this particular case. Not only are the women trying to solve a decades old murder, but Angie is being targeted by a unknown foe who seems hell bent on ruining her reputation and her life.
This book has excellent pacing and enough mystery and intrigue to keep me turning the pages at quite a pace. I was completely drawn into the case of the buried body, wondering just who they might be and what they might have done to be left where they were. And then, as for Angie's apparent stalker, it was a case of trying to fathom who may have had reason to hate her, given that nothing she had done seemed to be particularly controversial. There are a few clues as to who might be behind this particular thread of menace, but the author plays them out very carefully to make sure that those who should suspect - the victims of this particular set of pranks - remain completely in the dark until just the right point for a grand reveal.
There is plenty of threat laced throughout the pages, and quite a bit of emotion too as the murder case really starts to take shape. The finger of suspicion moves between several characters, principally the Animals and those close to Angie and Violet, but I have to admit that I didn't really see the big reveal coming. Clues serve to both reconfirm and misdirect, and that keeps the suspense going. There are a couple of quite tense scenes in the book as the perpetrators of the crimes are revealed, but despite this the humour that exists between the two friends ensures that the book never takes too dark a turn.
A delicious blend of humour and mystery with two women I loved from the off. Looking forward to reading more and seeing what kind of mess Angie and Violet get themselves into next. In the world of true crime podcasts, there are no end of possibilities.
October 1, 2025
Wowee. I just finished reading this. Should probably sit with this a while, but then again, first impressions...
The book cover suggests a dark thriller, so I was very surprised that the first third of the book is very dialogue-driven and most of that dialogue is chummy, teasing banter amongst friends or family. At about the halfway mark, I even commented to my partner that no, this isn't dark, it's like a cozy mystery, where two amateur true-crime podcasters--one has a cleaning business, the other a pub--stumble onto an old cold case that was discovered on the premises of the pub owner. The charming backdrop (if this were a cozy, which it turns out it isn't quite, but could be?) is a pub hangout of a bunch of old friends.
But THEN...about 2/3 the way into the story, things go much darker as the past is raked up. Kind of reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Grady Hendrix--he lures you into a story with engaging characters you care about and humor, and then smacks you with something scary. This one starts like a cozy but don't be fooled, don't get cozy! Keep your guard up!
In fact, trigger warnings are appropriate in several directions.
Part of me wants to say this is uneven, like the front half of the book is a different book from the back half. But it works. Life is messy and uncertain, and I highly suspect this is done on purpose. One day, you have a normal life and a normal job and then suddenly things get really upended and ugly.
I like the main characters, friends Angie and Violet, and the various pub friends. I love that bond of really true friends who will be there for each other. Now I find myself in a quandary! The description of the next book sounds even darker, and this time, I am prepared for the darkness. I usually don't gravitate to dark, but now I need to know that Angie and Violet will once again expose and vanquish evil!
The book cover suggests a dark thriller, so I was very surprised that the first third of the book is very dialogue-driven and most of that dialogue is chummy, teasing banter amongst friends or family. At about the halfway mark, I even commented to my partner that no, this isn't dark, it's like a cozy mystery, where two amateur true-crime podcasters--one has a cleaning business, the other a pub--stumble onto an old cold case that was discovered on the premises of the pub owner. The charming backdrop (if this were a cozy, which it turns out it isn't quite, but could be?) is a pub hangout of a bunch of old friends.
But THEN...about 2/3 the way into the story, things go much darker as the past is raked up. Kind of reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Grady Hendrix--he lures you into a story with engaging characters you care about and humor, and then smacks you with something scary. This one starts like a cozy but don't be fooled, don't get cozy! Keep your guard up!
In fact, trigger warnings are appropriate in several directions.
Part of me wants to say this is uneven, like the front half of the book is a different book from the back half. But it works. Life is messy and uncertain, and I highly suspect this is done on purpose. One day, you have a normal life and a normal job and then suddenly things get really upended and ugly.
I like the main characters, friends Angie and Violet, and the various pub friends. I love that bond of really true friends who will be there for each other. Now I find myself in a quandary! The description of the next book sounds even darker, and this time, I am prepared for the darkness. I usually don't gravitate to dark, but now I need to know that Angie and Violet will once again expose and vanquish evil!
January 23, 2025
Angie and Violet Darke are the creators of a podcast called Darke Deeds. They talk about crime and would love an opportunity to solve a crime when one drops into their lap...not literally.
Angie runs a pub that her father ran before he was hospitalized with dementia. He was also part of a biker gang called The Animals. When one of the gang members uncovers a body buried behind the pub, Angie and Violet step in to try to solve the murder.
It is determined that the body is that of a young woman and Angie and Violet talk to her sister to try to fill in some of the blanks. Angie starts receiving notes telling her to back off from the investigation and that the killer is closer than she thinks. Then Violet starts getting the same type of notes.
Who is the woman buried behind the pub and who killed her? Who is behind these threatening notes?
This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. The chapters alternated between the podcast episodes and the story itself and it flowed seamlessly.
Angie runs a pub that her father ran before he was hospitalized with dementia. He was also part of a biker gang called The Animals. When one of the gang members uncovers a body buried behind the pub, Angie and Violet step in to try to solve the murder.
It is determined that the body is that of a young woman and Angie and Violet talk to her sister to try to fill in some of the blanks. Angie starts receiving notes telling her to back off from the investigation and that the killer is closer than she thinks. Then Violet starts getting the same type of notes.
Who is the woman buried behind the pub and who killed her? Who is behind these threatening notes?
This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. The chapters alternated between the podcast episodes and the story itself and it flowed seamlessly.
January 20, 2025
This book opens with one of the most hilarious chapters I think I've ever read. Angie and Violet Darke have started a podcast called Darke Deeds, and they hope to uncover the lesson spoken of crimes around the area.
After handling the first case, they want to investigate something more serious. Somehow fate intervenes and the body of a woman is found in their garden.
There is so much to love about this. The gang of the animals, so named because of personality quirks, Fox, Wolfe etc. Then there is the Wolfe Pack, a pub rescued from ruin that becomes their focal point. The Rockers Retreat, a nursing home with a difference. The characters were great individually and together made a great and supportive family.
The issue of Alzheimers is dealt with throughout in a very sympathetic but unsugarcoated way. I loved one of the reveals later, done differently which was refreshing and I didn't see coming. There are various threads throughout and all are tied up neatly at the end.
I believe this is the first in a new series and if that's the case I'm thrilled. I can't wait to see what this gang get up to next.
After handling the first case, they want to investigate something more serious. Somehow fate intervenes and the body of a woman is found in their garden.
There is so much to love about this. The gang of the animals, so named because of personality quirks, Fox, Wolfe etc. Then there is the Wolfe Pack, a pub rescued from ruin that becomes their focal point. The Rockers Retreat, a nursing home with a difference. The characters were great individually and together made a great and supportive family.
The issue of Alzheimers is dealt with throughout in a very sympathetic but unsugarcoated way. I loved one of the reveals later, done differently which was refreshing and I didn't see coming. There are various threads throughout and all are tied up neatly at the end.
I believe this is the first in a new series and if that's the case I'm thrilled. I can't wait to see what this gang get up to next.
February 3, 2025
Having really loved The Professor, I was really looking forward to this one as I thought it would be the same sort of style. While I did enjoy it, it didn’t quite have the same impact for me.
The first half had more of a lighthearted, cosy crime feel than I expected, whereas I was hoping for a full on thriller from the start.
That said, the second half really stepped up in intensity, which I appreciated. The podcast-style sections were a clever touch and helped break up the chapters in an engaging way.
The twists towards the end were great although it did feel like they were perhaps all packed into the last 10% which was fine as I wanted to keep reading to find out more so it was hard to put the book down. I would have liked for the rest of the book to make me feel compelled like that though.
Overall it was a good read and I am grateful for the chance to have had an ARC in return for an honest review.
I will definitely read more from Lisa Sell
The first half had more of a lighthearted, cosy crime feel than I expected, whereas I was hoping for a full on thriller from the start.
That said, the second half really stepped up in intensity, which I appreciated. The podcast-style sections were a clever touch and helped break up the chapters in an engaging way.
The twists towards the end were great although it did feel like they were perhaps all packed into the last 10% which was fine as I wanted to keep reading to find out more so it was hard to put the book down. I would have liked for the rest of the book to make me feel compelled like that though.
Overall it was a good read and I am grateful for the chance to have had an ARC in return for an honest review.
I will definitely read more from Lisa Sell
January 22, 2025
This is the tale of a podcast about true crime that turns into something too close to home for the presenters. I found it to be a well paced thrillr that kept me on the edge of my seat. Twists and turns galore. I found this to be the author's best work yet and look forward to more adventures with Angie and Violet Darke.
January 18, 2025
This is a really good who done it, I didn't see any of it coming kept me guessing till the end. Set in Bournemouth (my happy place) Angie Darke owns a pub inherited from her dad Wolfie.
Violet Darke sister in law is married to Doug, Angie's brother.
They decide in their wisdom to start a podcast called Darke Deeds but it starts off all sorts of problems. Add in a rock group from the 70s a person that's been missing years and an overbearing mother and well you have a very twisty enjoyable read. This is the second book I have read from Lisa Sell and I will be reading more. Highly recommend.
Violet Darke sister in law is married to Doug, Angie's brother.
They decide in their wisdom to start a podcast called Darke Deeds but it starts off all sorts of problems. Add in a rock group from the 70s a person that's been missing years and an overbearing mother and well you have a very twisty enjoyable read. This is the second book I have read from Lisa Sell and I will be reading more. Highly recommend.
February 4, 2025
Initially I found the story confusing with all the different characters and switching from one to the other. I found the first half of the story a little slow going and not so much of a thriller. However, the second half became much more entertaining and found a lot of misdirection and red herrings used towards the end. At times I thought I had it all figured out but then I’d be completely wrong, although I did get some bits right. I loved that the dialogue went into podcasts and made for a different writing style. Another enjoyable read.
July 1, 2025
The Darke Sisters in Law Angie and Violet have been friends for years. Fascinated by real life crime they set up a podcasting series. They long for a serious crime to investigate and they don't have long to wait when a body is discovered in the garden of the pub Angie runs. The clues lead to a woman who has been missing since the mid 1970's and has dramatic consequences now in the present day.
This began as an entertaining cheerful mystery series which ended with serious undertones.
There is dark humour throughout, the cast of characters is long but they all bring something to the storyline.
The first half introduces the reader to all the characters and the action escalates in the second half, with a satisfying conclusion.
This began as an entertaining cheerful mystery series which ended with serious undertones.
There is dark humour throughout, the cast of characters is long but they all bring something to the storyline.
The first half introduces the reader to all the characters and the action escalates in the second half, with a satisfying conclusion.
December 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review
Darke Deeds by Lisa Sell
Let me be honest, because that’s kind of my brand.
At first? I struggled. Hard.
Not because the book was bad, but because my brain was doing that fun foggy thing where it feels like it’s buffering at 3% and refuses to load names, podcast dialogue, or basic human comprehension. Entirely a me problem. Not the book’s fault. My mind just chose chaos.
Still—I pushed through. Because I’m a reading junkie and also because I had faith. The quiet, annoying kind that whispers just keep going. And damn, I’m glad I listened.
This story doesn’t grab you by the throat immediately. It seeps in. Slowly. Patiently. Like it knows you’ll resist at first but you won’t win. It absorbs you and then refuses to let go. Suddenly you’re neck-deep in desperation, ambition, career panic, and that constant internal screaming of who did it? who are you? why are you lying?
And yes—when I thought I had it figured out (one part, early on, I’ll give myself that tiny victory), I got absolutely blindsided anyway. Smashed. Shoved. Politely betrayed by twist after twist. Not too many though—thankfully. I am not a plot-twist-marathon kind of woman. I don’t need narrative whiplash every five pages to feel alive.
The darkness creeps in fast toward the end. No warning signs. No gentle easing. Just oh, we’re here now. And it works. The suspense builds just right, the dialogue doesn’t overstay its welcome, and the investigation feels immersive without turning into a tangled mess of voices and filler.
I wanted to finish.
I needed to know.
I wanted to feel like part of the investigation—messy thoughts, suspicions, wrong turns and all.
Did I feel for everyone? No. Absolutely not. Some of them can sit with their choices. But that’s part of what made it work. Nothing felt overdone. Nothing felt too weird, too much, or trying too hard.
Just enough darkness.
Just enough twisted.
Just enough discomfort.
Honestly? My kind of comfort read.
Darke Deeds by Lisa Sell
Let me be honest, because that’s kind of my brand.
At first? I struggled. Hard.
Not because the book was bad, but because my brain was doing that fun foggy thing where it feels like it’s buffering at 3% and refuses to load names, podcast dialogue, or basic human comprehension. Entirely a me problem. Not the book’s fault. My mind just chose chaos.
Still—I pushed through. Because I’m a reading junkie and also because I had faith. The quiet, annoying kind that whispers just keep going. And damn, I’m glad I listened.
This story doesn’t grab you by the throat immediately. It seeps in. Slowly. Patiently. Like it knows you’ll resist at first but you won’t win. It absorbs you and then refuses to let go. Suddenly you’re neck-deep in desperation, ambition, career panic, and that constant internal screaming of who did it? who are you? why are you lying?
And yes—when I thought I had it figured out (one part, early on, I’ll give myself that tiny victory), I got absolutely blindsided anyway. Smashed. Shoved. Politely betrayed by twist after twist. Not too many though—thankfully. I am not a plot-twist-marathon kind of woman. I don’t need narrative whiplash every five pages to feel alive.
The darkness creeps in fast toward the end. No warning signs. No gentle easing. Just oh, we’re here now. And it works. The suspense builds just right, the dialogue doesn’t overstay its welcome, and the investigation feels immersive without turning into a tangled mess of voices and filler.
I wanted to finish.
I needed to know.
I wanted to feel like part of the investigation—messy thoughts, suspicions, wrong turns and all.
Did I feel for everyone? No. Absolutely not. Some of them can sit with their choices. But that’s part of what made it work. Nothing felt overdone. Nothing felt too weird, too much, or trying too hard.
Just enough darkness.
Just enough twisted.
Just enough discomfort.
Honestly? My kind of comfort read.
March 8, 2025
The first in a new series and a cracking start, the opening chapter was great and had me hooked. Violet and Angie Darke have been best friends for years; family but not quite family. Since her father Ron moved to a nursing home living with dementia, Angie runs his pub The Wolfe Pack in Bournemouth. Violet is married to Angie’s brother and has her own cleaning company. Together Violet and Angie, who have an obsession with crime, have a podcast called Darke Deeds where they aim to help solve local misdeeds.
Briefly, when a body of a girl is discovered in the pub garden the two women are determined to find out why and how she ended up there. They soon uncover some very unpleasant facts which turn their lives upside down. Along with their eccentric friends they also have to deal with a stalker who gets bolder by the day.
Long hidden secrets unveil a shocking history, particularly for one of them. As someone who has worked for a dementia charity and had a close family member with the disease I thought this thread was dealt with sympathetically. Excellent red herrings kept me guessing pretty much until the reveal. Laced with dark humour and lighter moments, which counter the dark ones, this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently. I love Angie and Violet and am pleased to see that this is going to be a series. Very entertaining read.
Briefly, when a body of a girl is discovered in the pub garden the two women are determined to find out why and how she ended up there. They soon uncover some very unpleasant facts which turn their lives upside down. Along with their eccentric friends they also have to deal with a stalker who gets bolder by the day.
Long hidden secrets unveil a shocking history, particularly for one of them. As someone who has worked for a dementia charity and had a close family member with the disease I thought this thread was dealt with sympathetically. Excellent red herrings kept me guessing pretty much until the reveal. Laced with dark humour and lighter moments, which counter the dark ones, this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently. I love Angie and Violet and am pleased to see that this is going to be a series. Very entertaining read.
January 21, 2025
Darke Deeds introduces us to two unique and witty sisters-in-law who host a True Crime Podcast together. When the evidence of a crime is uncovered close to home they decide to investigate.
As things begin to unravel they learn that those they love may be hiding something and not everyone can be trusted.
The book is extremely fast paced to the point I felt there was almost too much going on and each event felt slightly rushed in order to get to the next shock. If you love a story with a lot (and I mean a lot) of plot twists then give this a read, the author has an amazing brain to keep track of everything.
The author explores some very real issues and also embraces individuality in her characters. The Dedication is so heartwarming and one that will stay with me.
I would definitely consider giving the next book a read but I'm not really sure how much more bad luck the unfortunate Darkes can attract.
As things begin to unravel they learn that those they love may be hiding something and not everyone can be trusted.
The book is extremely fast paced to the point I felt there was almost too much going on and each event felt slightly rushed in order to get to the next shock. If you love a story with a lot (and I mean a lot) of plot twists then give this a read, the author has an amazing brain to keep track of everything.
The author explores some very real issues and also embraces individuality in her characters. The Dedication is so heartwarming and one that will stay with me.
I would definitely consider giving the next book a read but I'm not really sure how much more bad luck the unfortunate Darkes can attract.
February 3, 2025
This was a terrific read and I'm delighted to see it's the first in a series. Angie and Violet are great characters. They are best friends and sisters in law who happen to also have a true-crime podcast on the go. When the body of a woman is found in the garden of Angie's pub, they decide to conduct their own investigation.
I found myself reading this really quickly. There's humour throughout and the characters felt quite real and normal. At the same time Angie is receiving some threatening letters which start to escalate so there's enough going on to keep you hooked. I thought the scenes dealing with dementia were handled excellently. There's a few twists at the end which caught me by surprise and the suspense built up wonderfully to the true reveal of the killer. I highly recommend this and look forward to the next book.
I found myself reading this really quickly. There's humour throughout and the characters felt quite real and normal. At the same time Angie is receiving some threatening letters which start to escalate so there's enough going on to keep you hooked. I thought the scenes dealing with dementia were handled excellently. There's a few twists at the end which caught me by surprise and the suspense built up wonderfully to the true reveal of the killer. I highly recommend this and look forward to the next book.
February 5, 2025
Fabulous read from start to finish. The second book I’ve read by the author and it didn’t disappoint . Angie and Violet are sisters in law and have a small time true crime podcast. They’re looking for something juicier to cover, and lo and behold it lands right in their lap. As renovations to Angie’s pub are taking place, a body is discovered buried in the back garden.
The discovery will have them both questioning themselves and those closest to them. Who can either of them trust? The further they delve, they are both having to examine their past, present and future. Will either of their lives ever be the same again?…
The author keeps you guessing right till the end. Definitely one for the true crime enthusiasts!
The discovery will have them both questioning themselves and those closest to them. Who can either of them trust? The further they delve, they are both having to examine their past, present and future. Will either of their lives ever be the same again?…
The author keeps you guessing right till the end. Definitely one for the true crime enthusiasts!
February 3, 2025
Sometimes you need to read a crime story with a bit of "Darke" humour in it and this book is one of them, especially when reading the podcast of the two sisters in law that give the book a different edge to it. The banter between them is well written as you can imagine them both sitting chatting to each other which is closer to script writing than prose. Plenty of twists and turns in it to keep the reader guessing throughout and with a couple of reveals which I was not expecting. If this is the start to a new series, then I look forward to reading the next one.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review
February 3, 2025
Violet and Angie Darke are real crime podcasters looking for a true crime to solve. After a body is discovered behind the pub Angie owns, the duo begins to investigate who the deceased is and what happened to them. However, someone doesn’t want them trying to uncover the truth.
The first half of the story was a little slow to pick up, but relationship between the sisters-in-law left me giggling and wishing I could become part of their podcast team. The second half of the book held twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
I received Dark Deeds as an ARC and I can’t wait to read the next adventure.
The first half of the story was a little slow to pick up, but relationship between the sisters-in-law left me giggling and wishing I could become part of their podcast team. The second half of the book held twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
I received Dark Deeds as an ARC and I can’t wait to read the next adventure.
February 11, 2025
Angie and Violet Darke are the voices behind Darke Deeds, a true crime podcast fueled by their fascination with unsolved mysteries. While they love discussing crime, they never expected to be caught in the middle of one—until a case lands right at their doorstep.
A witty and cozy thriller that builds suspense toward an action-packed ending—an entertaining read, and I’m hoping to see more from this series!
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
A witty and cozy thriller that builds suspense toward an action-packed ending—an entertaining read, and I’m hoping to see more from this series!
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
January 20, 2025
Perfect for readers who are looking for an easy, cosy read.
The focus on two real crime podcasters caught up in a mystery close to home kept my interest but I did not find myself fully engaged. Perhaps that was due to it may be being the opening book in a series so was more about scene setting for future publications.
Worth a read if you are looking for a complement to something that really has hooked you.
The focus on two real crime podcasters caught up in a mystery close to home kept my interest but I did not find myself fully engaged. Perhaps that was due to it may be being the opening book in a series so was more about scene setting for future publications.
Worth a read if you are looking for a complement to something that really has hooked you.
January 26, 2025
This is my 1st book by the author and one which I really enjoyed! The podcast style was different but fun to read along, the 1st half of the book was cosy mysteries style where as the 2nd ramped up the murder, mystery and criminal behaviour. A couple of the twists I'd guessed quite early on but the last two.. now the last two took me by surprise and I loved that! Would definitely read more by this author
February 3, 2025
Start of a new series, Dark Deeds introduces us to two sisters in law and their true crime podcast. Our leading ladies Angie and Violet Darke consider themselves a step up from arm chair detectives, and find them selves in the middle of a real life crime right on Angies door step or more the case in her pub garden. Angie, violet and their crew at the pub known as the Wolfe pack have some sleuthing to do.
January 23, 2025
When the Darke sisters set up their crime solving podcast they could never have imagined how close to home the 'big case' they really want will be. Secrets from the past,thought to be long buried and forgotten , are devastatingly revealed. An intriguing investigation with long friendships and family bonds shattered. Gripping.
January 23, 2025
It didn’t take long to get into this book of interesting characters. Great angle with the Darke Deeds Podcast, which displayed humour and provided information quickly in an interesting way.
Plenty of twists and turns made this a good read, and the ending was unexpected. As a foundation book for a new series, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
Plenty of twists and turns made this a good read, and the ending was unexpected. As a foundation book for a new series, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one.
January 26, 2025
This book is more a cosy light read.
Violet and Angie run a podcast called Darke deeds about true crime then they get a case that is to close to home.
Lots of twists and secrets buried in the past I like the angle with the podcast series.
This book is no 1 in a book series and i can not wait to read the other books coming out.
Recommend.
Violet and Angie run a podcast called Darke deeds about true crime then they get a case that is to close to home.
Lots of twists and secrets buried in the past I like the angle with the podcast series.
This book is no 1 in a book series and i can not wait to read the other books coming out.
Recommend.
January 28, 2025
I will admit this was a different read for me, to begin with I was a little confused with the gang names and it took me a minute to catch up.
Once I was in the flow, I really enjoyed Darke Deeds, the podcast, the way that the story unravelled was really very good.
A body is found and no one knows, how, when or why? The investigation unfolds and goes in a direction I did not see coming.
A story of long standing friendship and they experiences they have along the way.
Once I was in the flow, I really enjoyed Darke Deeds, the podcast, the way that the story unravelled was really very good.
A body is found and no one knows, how, when or why? The investigation unfolds and goes in a direction I did not see coming.
A story of long standing friendship and they experiences they have along the way.
January 28, 2025
This was an enjoyable read. Sort of a cosy mystery with comedy in the mix. I really liked the characters, Violet and Angie.
I found the book flowed really well, and at times, you didn't really know what to expect, which I liked.
Theres a podcast in the book that was quite enjoyable, and an unsolved murder.
It was certainly a great read.
I recommend this book.
I found the book flowed really well, and at times, you didn't really know what to expect, which I liked.
Theres a podcast in the book that was quite enjoyable, and an unsolved murder.
It was certainly a great read.
I recommend this book.
February 2, 2025
I have read each of the author's books. Each time I'm more engaged than the last. This one was no different. I really enjoyed it. Page after page of engaging content. Violet and Angie are my new favorite characters. There is so much I can say, but I don't want to give any of it away. - Cypress Blake
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