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DCI Evan Warlow #5
Gravely Concerned: DCI Evan Warlow Crime Thriller, Book 5
Predators watch. They’re patient. And strike when it’s least expected.
In broad daylight, on a quiet rural road, six-year-old Osian Howells disappears from his own front garden. In the blink of an eye he’s a missing person, taken, in the words of a headline hungry press, for nefarious purposes.
DCI Evan Warlow knows that the first hours after an abduction are crucial. Decisions have to be made quickly. Evidence can get lost or compromised, persons of interest need to be interrogated. And one or two have the team’s antennae twitching.
Worse, the abductor’s deviousness seems to know no bounds as cruel taunts pepper the investigation. With emotions at boiling point, and under pressure from family, the press and his superiors are all ‘gravely concerned’ for the boy’s welfare.
As always in such cases, the clock is ticking. Warlow and the team need answers and soon, before a kidnapping turns into something infinitely worse.
Gravely Concerned is the fifth book in the DCI Warlow bestselling series of fast-paced thrillers by Rhys Dylan. Set in the heart of wild Wales, this dark murder mystery full of action and pathos will keep you guessing. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk. JM Dalgliesh and Simon McCleave, with an added dash of dark humour.
In broad daylight, on a quiet rural road, six-year-old Osian Howells disappears from his own front garden. In the blink of an eye he’s a missing person, taken, in the words of a headline hungry press, for nefarious purposes.
DCI Evan Warlow knows that the first hours after an abduction are crucial. Decisions have to be made quickly. Evidence can get lost or compromised, persons of interest need to be interrogated. And one or two have the team’s antennae twitching.
Worse, the abductor’s deviousness seems to know no bounds as cruel taunts pepper the investigation. With emotions at boiling point, and under pressure from family, the press and his superiors are all ‘gravely concerned’ for the boy’s welfare.
As always in such cases, the clock is ticking. Warlow and the team need answers and soon, before a kidnapping turns into something infinitely worse.
Gravely Concerned is the fifth book in the DCI Warlow bestselling series of fast-paced thrillers by Rhys Dylan. Set in the heart of wild Wales, this dark murder mystery full of action and pathos will keep you guessing. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, JD Kirk. JM Dalgliesh and Simon McCleave, with an added dash of dark humour.
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First published November 1, 2022
1430 people are currently reading
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About the author
Rhys Dylan
20 books544 followershttps://www.facebook.com/Rhysdylanbooks
https://www.instagram.com/rhysdylanbo...
Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.
Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.
He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.
https://www.instagram.com/rhysdylanbo...
Rhys Dylan lives on the edge of the Black mountains of Wales with his wife and a dog who doesn't like the rain.
Though he has written books for children and adults under different pen names in other genres, the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series sees him return to crime and his love of Celtic noir and dark humour.
He hopes readers will find a brief escape from a very troubled world inside the stories. He does not expect to get rich as an author, but as someone once famously said, money can't buy you love, but it can get you some great chocolate digestives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
October 10, 2022
Gravely Concerned by Rhys Dylan (Dylan Jones) is book 5 in the DCI Evan Warlow series. I just love this series. Evan is at his ex-wife’s funeral with his 2 sons, Tom and Alun, when the call comes through about the abducted 6 year old boy, Osian Howells. The person responsible is taunting them, sending them in circles. A few red herrings. Great storyline, wonderful characters. It’s good to see the development of DC Rhys Harries over the series. It is a tense read, moving at a fast pace. It was very hard to put the book down
November 17, 2022
Not badly plotted, but a tad overemotional. And the author has the annoying habit of using the same word in two consecutive sentences.
There are a lot of what the author describes as "Dad jokes," but they are not. They are not funny, but they are far lamer than a Dad joke should be.
There are a lot of what the author describes as "Dad jokes," but they are not. They are not funny, but they are far lamer than a Dad joke should be.
July 16, 2023
It's every parent's worst nightmare, one moment your 6-year old son is playing in the garden, the next minute he is gone. DCI Evan Warlow and team are called to find missing Oswain who disappeared in a small village not far from police headquarters in Carmarthen. A stranger in a camouflage jacket has been seen around the village recently, but not thought to pose any danger. The nearly blind widow of a former police officer has heard noises at night in the apartment being refurbished, but thinks it is the new tenant checking on progress. Some locals in search of their moment of fame don't report a drone to the search team. The team needs to figure out what is going on and how the kidnapper seems to know what they are doing at every step of the investigation. Another excellent instalment in the series.
December 20, 2022
Not What I Was Afraid of
When I first read the description, I was apprehensive . Stories about children being hurt or abused are not my choice to read. I’m always afraid I will read something that I won’t be able to get out of my head. This book stayed in my library for quite a while before I started to read it. The reason I began to read it was that I remembered the other books by the author and how they made me feel a the end. I decided to trust the author to make the ending uplifting and proper considering the type of characters he has created. Thank you for another great story. I do like the team. They are all human and relatable as well as hilarious at times. Can’t wait until the next one.
When I first read the description, I was apprehensive . Stories about children being hurt or abused are not my choice to read. I’m always afraid I will read something that I won’t be able to get out of my head. This book stayed in my library for quite a while before I started to read it. The reason I began to read it was that I remembered the other books by the author and how they made me feel a the end. I decided to trust the author to make the ending uplifting and proper considering the type of characters he has created. Thank you for another great story. I do like the team. They are all human and relatable as well as hilarious at times. Can’t wait until the next one.
September 28, 2024
Evan Warlow and his adult sons are at the funeral of his ex-wife Denise when he gets the call that a six year old boy has been reported missing in rural Wales. DCI Warlow and his team are assigned to the case. Earlier, a child on a school trip has reported seeing a "green man" who ostensibly lured her away from her group; could there be a connection? Red herrings abound, but the team perseveres, knowing that the longer the child is missing, the positive outcome they all want is less likely.
October 17, 2022
Once you pick up a book by this Author you won't put it down like me. I Absolutely enjoyed reading this book and you will too. Lastly I would like to thank the Author for my ARC copy of this book it's much appreciated by me.
August 28, 2024
My favorite Evan Warlow so far.
August 6, 2025
Police procedurals don't get better than this.
October 20, 2022
Book 5 in the DCI Evan Warlow series of Black Beacons thrillers and it’s another brilliant police procedural. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again this is one of my favourite series, it always gets my attention quickly and then I’m hooked until the last page. This case is very different to previous books in that it is one case, that of a missing boy and covers a 14 hour period from when he went missing. I love the whole team but Rhys holds a special place in my heart and I was pleased to see he’s finally getting some of the puns! And although less there was still a little about Evan’s private life and he still hasn’t told his sons about his health. But back to the storyline…
Briefly, when 6 year old Osian Howells goes missing the team know they won’t be getting much sleep until he’s found. One of his spidey-gloves is found near a wood, and then the police find out that a young girl went missing for a short time and was with ‘the green man’. Time is of the essence in any missing person case and in this case it’s swiftly running out…
I love how this author writes, I find it eminently readable. A great plot with some brilliant red herrings made for an exciting book. I didn’t guess who the perpetrator was or why they had taken Osian. Another excellent read in this series and I’m already looking forward to book 6.
Briefly, when 6 year old Osian Howells goes missing the team know they won’t be getting much sleep until he’s found. One of his spidey-gloves is found near a wood, and then the police find out that a young girl went missing for a short time and was with ‘the green man’. Time is of the essence in any missing person case and in this case it’s swiftly running out…
I love how this author writes, I find it eminently readable. A great plot with some brilliant red herrings made for an exciting book. I didn’t guess who the perpetrator was or why they had taken Osian. Another excellent read in this series and I’m already looking forward to book 6.
November 16, 2022
This is the second book of the series that I've read, and I have to say they just get better.
The storyline is detailed and draws you in, who wouldn't care about a novel that details the investigation into a missing 6-year-old boy?? But it's so much more than that. DCI Evan Warlow is a man with a secret, something eating away at him that he is desperate to share with his sons, but there never seems to be the right time. Especially not at the funeral of Evan's toxic ex-wife Denise.
Evan's team are an absolute joy and I've got to admit to having a rather soft spot for DS Gil Jones, a man who loves his job, has a fantastic knowledge from his experiences and adores his family, particularly his wife, Anwen.
I loved how the story developed, it's more about the hard graft of the team to solve the case. The ending was fast paced and pretty gruesome, gritty and thrilling.
I received an ARC copy of the novel from the author and am sharing my honest review
The storyline is detailed and draws you in, who wouldn't care about a novel that details the investigation into a missing 6-year-old boy?? But it's so much more than that. DCI Evan Warlow is a man with a secret, something eating away at him that he is desperate to share with his sons, but there never seems to be the right time. Especially not at the funeral of Evan's toxic ex-wife Denise.
Evan's team are an absolute joy and I've got to admit to having a rather soft spot for DS Gil Jones, a man who loves his job, has a fantastic knowledge from his experiences and adores his family, particularly his wife, Anwen.
I loved how the story developed, it's more about the hard graft of the team to solve the case. The ending was fast paced and pretty gruesome, gritty and thrilling.
I received an ARC copy of the novel from the author and am sharing my honest review
January 4, 2023
Like the best PBS
I have flown through the series this week. Each one is like watching a fast paced police drama but of the highest quality. Well developed characters that you care about but the focus on the crime and it’s solution. Plus, I’m learning some Welsh which is where my father’s family came from in the 19th century.
I have flown through the series this week. Each one is like watching a fast paced police drama but of the highest quality. Well developed characters that you care about but the focus on the crime and it’s solution. Plus, I’m learning some Welsh which is where my father’s family came from in the 19th century.
May 22, 2025
5 out of 5 stars – A Gripping and Gritty Crime Thriller That Delivers
Rhys Dylan’s Gravely Concerned is a masterclass in atmospheric crime fiction, blending a compelling mystery with rich character development and an immersive Welsh setting. From the first page, this novel grips the reader with its dark tone, sharp prose, and layered storytelling.
Set in the rural hills of South Wales, Gravely Concerned follows DCI Evan Warlow, a recently retired detective drawn back into the world he left behind when a body is found in a shallow grave. The crime echoes an old case he never truly let go of, dragging him—and the reader—into a web of secrets, old wounds, and buried truths.
What sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Warlow is not your typical hardened investigator; he’s a man grappling with his past, his failures, and his relationships. Dylan portrays him with nuance and empathy, making him a relatable and compelling lead. The supporting cast, from loyal colleagues to suspicious locals, are equally well-drawn, adding richness to the story.
The plot unfolds with precision—twists arrive not with bombast but with quiet inevitability, making the tension all the more effective. Dylan’s writing is lean and evocative, painting the Welsh landscape as both beautiful and haunting, a fitting backdrop to the secrets it holds.
As the first book in the DCI Evan Warlow series, Gravely Concerned lays a strong foundation. It strikes the perfect balance between standalone mystery and series potential, leaving just enough unresolved threads to pull readers eagerly into the next installment.
Final verdict: If you enjoy Tana French’s moody narratives or Peter James’ fast-paced crime thrillers, Gravely Concerned will not disappoint. Rhys Dylan has created a gripping, thoughtful, and atmospheric detective novel that lingers long after the last page.
December 1, 2025
Very good British set police procedural. The location is Wales, near the border with England. There's some Welsh used but it's generally translated or the meaning is obvious from context.
In this entry, the team is called on to find a 6 year old boy who's been taken from his home. It wasn't a completely random snatching, as there was a fire set on the opposite side of the house as a decoy. Further, additional clues keep popping up in areas that have already been thoroughly searched so it's clear the person is toying with them. But to what end?
The investigation looks at family, local registered offenders, and others but it's not until the 11th hour that some facts begin to come together and a picture forms.
The team works well together; there's clear respect and enough good humored ribbing to keep things from getting too tense. A minor quibble is that they're all VERY dismissive of the press, whose job it is, of course, to follow the story and publish what they figure the public needs to hear. That said, you can completely understand where they're coming from; it's just that the press isn't presented in even a neutral way, let alone positive.
In this entry, the team is called on to find a 6 year old boy who's been taken from his home. It wasn't a completely random snatching, as there was a fire set on the opposite side of the house as a decoy. Further, additional clues keep popping up in areas that have already been thoroughly searched so it's clear the person is toying with them. But to what end?
The investigation looks at family, local registered offenders, and others but it's not until the 11th hour that some facts begin to come together and a picture forms.
The team works well together; there's clear respect and enough good humored ribbing to keep things from getting too tense. A minor quibble is that they're all VERY dismissive of the press, whose job it is, of course, to follow the story and publish what they figure the public needs to hear. That said, you can completely understand where they're coming from; it's just that the press isn't presented in even a neutral way, let alone positive.
November 3, 2022
In this next instalment of the DCI Evan Warlow series, this pulled me straight into the action when a little boy is kidnapped. Evan and his team have their work cut out for them as there doesn’t seem to be a reason behind the abduction and they know it’s a race against time to rescue the boy. The sense of urgency is made only stronger by the headings which each show how long Osian Howells has been missing for. The story line is dark but Rhys Dylan manages to offset it with some great subtle and not so subtle humour. As ever, I loved Gil’s comments and it was great to ‘meet’ the woman who as to put up with him.
Although I tend to read Rhys Dylan’s books quite quickly as they are fast paced, action packed and difficult to put down, as I said earlier about the chapter headings, they just made me read the pages even faster as those few words compelled me to race along with the team to the book’s thrilling climax. Yet again Rhys has written a brilliantly addictive story which I knew that once I started it I wouldn’t be putting it down again until I’d read the final page.
Although I tend to read Rhys Dylan’s books quite quickly as they are fast paced, action packed and difficult to put down, as I said earlier about the chapter headings, they just made me read the pages even faster as those few words compelled me to race along with the team to the book’s thrilling climax. Yet again Rhys has written a brilliantly addictive story which I knew that once I started it I wouldn’t be putting it down again until I’d read the final page.
October 24, 2022
The story opens with Evan and some of his team at his ex wife's funeral, when they get the call that a six year old boy has just disappeared from his home. What Rhys does well is (a) describe the fear that flows through any parents' body when their child cannot be found even for a split second and (b) how being a senior police officer takes precedent over anything else but especially where a child is involved. We are lead from one possible suspect to another and the story is written in the time frame of the day and so this adds to the urgency of finding him alive.
It is taut and tense and has a great flow to it, constantly making you turn the next page. I really enjoyed it and would not only recommend this book but also the whole series.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review.
It is taut and tense and has a great flow to it, constantly making you turn the next page. I really enjoyed it and would not only recommend this book but also the whole series.
Thanks to the author for the ARC to review.
November 13, 2023
I enjoyed that this book in the series focused on a child abduction case and did not start with a murder. This case had an urgency and elements that your typical murder investigation did not have. The clues were artfully rolled out for the reader and there were many false leads and suspects. I appreciate that the team of detectives all have their different strengths and weaknesses and DCI Warlow is skilled at using and cultivating their skills without taking over. There is a good amount of banter and humor along the way to help them stay centered. I also enjoy Warlow's difficulty dealing with the predatory news media and abusive people. It makes him very real. Warlow's personal life problems move in the background as well. The Welsh names and acronyms can be a little daunting for Americans but not too bad. I look forward to starting the next book in the series.
Read
July 16, 2024In broad daylight, on a quiet rural road, six-year-old Osian Howells disappears from his own front garden. In the blink of an eye he’s a missing person, taken, in the words of a headline hungry press, for nefarious purposes.
DCI Evan Warlow knows that the first hours after an abduction are crucial. Decisions have to be made quickly. Evidence can get lost or compromised, persons of interest need to be interrogated. And one or two have the team’s antennae twitching.
Worse, the abductor’s deviousness seems to know no bounds as cruel taunts pepper the investigation. With emotions at boiling point, and under pressure from family, the press and his superiors are all ‘gravely concerned’ for the boy’s welfare.
As always in such cases, the clock is ticking. Warlow and the team need answers and soon, before a kidnapping turns into something infinitely worse.
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
This is Book 5 of the DCI Evan Warlow series by Rhys Dylan, and Warlow and his team are investigating the disappearance of Osian Howell, a six-year-old boy who goes missing from the front garden of his home in broad daylight.
Knowing that time is of the essence when it comes to kidnappings—and especially child kidnappings—Warlow’s team wastes no time and starts hunting for the missing boy. Clues do not come easy, but the team are frustrated by the taunting that is no doubt coming from the kidnapper. As time ticks by, the team hopes that they are not letting the life of Osian slip through their fingers.
Another great read from Rhys Dylan. His books seem to have a really good flow which makes them hard to put down. This series has definitely moved up the list on my “books I definitely need to read”. I look forward to tracking down a copy of the next installment.
Knowing that time is of the essence when it comes to kidnappings—and especially child kidnappings—Warlow’s team wastes no time and starts hunting for the missing boy. Clues do not come easy, but the team are frustrated by the taunting that is no doubt coming from the kidnapper. As time ticks by, the team hopes that they are not letting the life of Osian slip through their fingers.
Another great read from Rhys Dylan. His books seem to have a really good flow which makes them hard to put down. This series has definitely moved up the list on my “books I definitely need to read”. I look forward to tracking down a copy of the next installment.
December 14, 2022
Book 5 of the Black Beacons Murder Mystery series featuring the fabulous DCI Evan Warlow. It can be read as a standalone but why do that to yourself? Start at the beginning & snuggle in for the ride.
This is another brilliant police procedural but written a bit differently this time as it focuses on a specific time frame of just 14 hours. Six-year-old Osian Howells goes missing & the team know they are up against it especially when they learn that a young girl also disappeared for a short period before returning.
I love these books & I adore the team, particularly Rhys, it’s like meeting old friends & you can just settle in & enjoy each other’s company.
A brilliant read & I’m ready for book 6.
This is another brilliant police procedural but written a bit differently this time as it focuses on a specific time frame of just 14 hours. Six-year-old Osian Howells goes missing & the team know they are up against it especially when they learn that a young girl also disappeared for a short period before returning.
I love these books & I adore the team, particularly Rhys, it’s like meeting old friends & you can just settle in & enjoy each other’s company.
A brilliant read & I’m ready for book 6.
January 29, 2023
Excellent Series - DCI Evan Warlow
I cannot recommend this series enough. DCI Evan Warlow and his team cover the largest police force area in England and Wales. Even though I have lived and worked in that area all my life I have learned a lot reading these books. Rhys Dylan weaves threads of history and geography seamlessly into the narrative.
Gravely Concerned is a very well constructed and is such a compelling read that I finished it in two days. The interaction between members of the team is first class and provides a few lighter moments away from the seriousness of the case.
Looking forward to the next book.
Hopefully some TV types will see the potential in these books and snap up the rights - they would make an excellent crime-drama series.
I cannot recommend this series enough. DCI Evan Warlow and his team cover the largest police force area in England and Wales. Even though I have lived and worked in that area all my life I have learned a lot reading these books. Rhys Dylan weaves threads of history and geography seamlessly into the narrative.
Gravely Concerned is a very well constructed and is such a compelling read that I finished it in two days. The interaction between members of the team is first class and provides a few lighter moments away from the seriousness of the case.
Looking forward to the next book.
Hopefully some TV types will see the potential in these books and snap up the rights - they would make an excellent crime-drama series.
August 5, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed all the books in the DCI Warlow series, and in my opinion, this was the best book yet. I really enjoyed the short time frame of the novel, which allowed for a more in depth procedural novel. As always, however, it is the characters and their relationships that steal the show. The mutual respect between Warlow and Allanby, the well-meant teasing of Rhys, and the so-cringy-they’re-funny dad jokes of Gil all help to offset the horror of the crimes around them. I am not sure this team is an accurate representation of a police unit, but it seems to me to be what it SHOULD be - caring, empathetic, and hard-working. I love Warlow and his team, and I can’t wait to read the next instalment!
November 17, 2022
Gravely Concerned by Rhys Dylan (Dylan Jones) is book 5 in the DCI Evan Warlow series.
What I love about this series is that the series is maturing like a fine wine, each book gets better and better and I totally love the characters. As you know it's a who done it book, but the author manages to side track me one way then the other and is always keeping me guessing.
This series is an additive read and once your start it you will just want to keep on reading and pick up the next and then the next book. It's an unputdownable read.
Always look forward when I hear a new book is coming out in the series. Hurry up Mr Author please!!!!
What I love about this series is that the series is maturing like a fine wine, each book gets better and better and I totally love the characters. As you know it's a who done it book, but the author manages to side track me one way then the other and is always keeping me guessing.
This series is an additive read and once your start it you will just want to keep on reading and pick up the next and then the next book. It's an unputdownable read.
Always look forward when I hear a new book is coming out in the series. Hurry up Mr Author please!!!!
March 18, 2023
Rhys Dylan’s Black Beacons Murder Mystery starring DCI Evan Warlow has another book with 5 stars. Book 5 Gravely Concerned is about finding a 6 year old who has been kidnapped from his home. The story is tight and the crew works together as a well oiled machine but with feelings. Nothing makes police angrier than the kidnapping of a child. DCI Warlow is trying to figure it all out but there are lots of smoke screens thrown out along the way making the investigation difficult. Several suspects pop up taking attention from the crime but too close to be overlooked. These are excellent mysteries. I will read more of this author’s books but first I’ll finish this series.
June 23, 2023
Can't Put It Down
Like other DCI Evan Warlow mysteries this book is well written and plotted so that it holds your attention from beginning to end. A young boy is abducted from his own front yard when his Mom turns her attention to fire in an outbuilding. We see the steps that the police take to locate the villain and find the child before it's too late. The book feels very true to life in the steps DCI Warlow's team takes and the speed that they work to solve the case. It's the 5th book in the series and although best read in sequence it can be read as a stand alone book and thoroughly enjoyed. Mmm
Like other DCI Evan Warlow mysteries this book is well written and plotted so that it holds your attention from beginning to end. A young boy is abducted from his own front yard when his Mom turns her attention to fire in an outbuilding. We see the steps that the police take to locate the villain and find the child before it's too late. The book feels very true to life in the steps DCI Warlow's team takes and the speed that they work to solve the case. It's the 5th book in the series and although best read in sequence it can be read as a stand alone book and thoroughly enjoyed. Mmm
August 24, 2024
I am continually impressed with the storytelling. The countryside and people are so real. The use of the Welsh language is appreciated. As well as explaining and sharing definitions.
Learning more about Wales and the life there is a step away from my everyday. Nice to escape into for a couple hours read in the evenings.
The officers on this team are very believable and you can almost smell the pastry assortments.
Speaking of the food and culture, living in the southern United States “Halloumi fries” were unknown to me. Thanks to our local Aldi and a new to me British Pub l totally understand why these are so good.
Thanks for a lovely trip to a world I may never see.
Learning more about Wales and the life there is a step away from my everyday. Nice to escape into for a couple hours read in the evenings.
The officers on this team are very believable and you can almost smell the pastry assortments.
Speaking of the food and culture, living in the southern United States “Halloumi fries” were unknown to me. Thanks to our local Aldi and a new to me British Pub l totally understand why these are so good.
Thanks for a lovely trip to a world I may never see.
May 1, 2025
This was a riveting read and would have been a 5 star except for one thing that really bugged me - SPOILER ALERT
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The red herring of an autistic character who was the suspect because of his quirks (and implied danger to children). I was relieved that they didn’t make him the evil villain BUT there was zero need to imply that he was potentially dangerous as a result of aspects of being autistic. This is such a harmful stereotype and Dylan could have taken the time to dispel the myth or, even better, attribute his previous misdeeds to something other than an outdated, offensive misperception of autism.
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The red herring of an autistic character who was the suspect because of his quirks (and implied danger to children). I was relieved that they didn’t make him the evil villain BUT there was zero need to imply that he was potentially dangerous as a result of aspects of being autistic. This is such a harmful stereotype and Dylan could have taken the time to dispel the myth or, even better, attribute his previous misdeeds to something other than an outdated, offensive misperception of autism.
October 4, 2025
This one may be my favorite so far. The author must be a kind, sympathetic, open-minded fellow as he conveys this with his characters. He has a good team. They all have quirky individual personalities, but they are dedicated and work well together….like in a perfect world. There are always interesting plot twists, like what happened to the Geoghans? Maybe next time, this will be revealed. I take the story line as it comes, so I certainly didn’t figure this one out until the author wanted me to. My only complaint, the friends of the disgraced police officer should lose their jobs..,.they perpetuated the situation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
This was much less compelling than the first four books in the series. Warlow and Co. remain interesting characters, but watching the police work this case was kind of boring, and it was also predictable. The earlier installments in this series weren’t as predictable as this one.
I wonder if this book didn’t work as well for me because it was SO centered on solving the crime. We got very, very little of the characters’ lives off the clock because they weren’t really off the clock in this story. Not much character work happens here.
I’ll give the series one more chance. I just hope the next book is stronger.
The narration was great.
I wonder if this book didn’t work as well for me because it was SO centered on solving the crime. We got very, very little of the characters’ lives off the clock because they weren’t really off the clock in this story. Not much character work happens here.
I’ll give the series one more chance. I just hope the next book is stronger.
The narration was great.
October 30, 2022
This is book 5 in the DCI Evan Warlow police series but can also be read as a stand alone. But to get a real feel for the characters I would recommend reading the previous four books.
The book reads as a timed police investigation into the disappearance of six year old Osian Howells.
It shows the perspective from the families point of view but also from Warlow and his team.
Gravely Concerned had me completely gripped from the start and for the life of me I couldn't think of who the perpetrator was.
Another fantastic read.
The book reads as a timed police investigation into the disappearance of six year old Osian Howells.
It shows the perspective from the families point of view but also from Warlow and his team.
Gravely Concerned had me completely gripped from the start and for the life of me I couldn't think of who the perpetrator was.
Another fantastic read.
December 9, 2022
Excellent Story
I am not normally into child abduction crime stories but this one was so much more than that. And the excitement ramped up as police frustration mounted and the minutes ticked on with no breakthrough. A number of quite clever twists and red herrings to trick the reader. I did miss more scenes with Cadi and Molly. Hopefully, they will be present in the next installment. Thank you to the author for sharing this story and also his part of the Welsh countryside.
I am not normally into child abduction crime stories but this one was so much more than that. And the excitement ramped up as police frustration mounted and the minutes ticked on with no breakthrough. A number of quite clever twists and red herrings to trick the reader. I did miss more scenes with Cadi and Molly. Hopefully, they will be present in the next installment. Thank you to the author for sharing this story and also his part of the Welsh countryside.
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