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DI Ridpath #11
What the Dark Whispers: A gripping crime thriller from the ebook bestseller
A web of lies. A confusion of secrets. A maze of murder.
In a quiet Manchester suburb, a man sets himself on fire in a petrol station. Nearby, a fourteen-year-old girl murders her mother in cold blood.
At the Coroner's Officer, Detective Inspector Ridpath is called in to investigate both of these baffling deaths. Is one a suicide and and the other an unexplained murder? Or does something more sinister link the two seemingly unconnected tragedies?
As Ridpath delves deeper, he must confront the darkness lurking in the most unexpected places, where even innocent facades can hide the darkest of truths. Can he prevent more deaths?
An unputdownable and suspenseful crime thriller from the bestselling author, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Trevor Wood.
Praise for What the Dark Whispers
'The best in the series so far, with the tension turning with every page' Reader review
'Gripping I was drawn in very quickly, unable to put the book down' Reader review
'Keeps you on the edge of your seat once again MJ Lee serves up another masterpiece' Reader review
'Wow, a fantastic suspenseful crime thriller!! I highly recommend reading this book' Reader review
'Absolutely brilliant story. Grabs you from the beginning. I can't wait for the next book' Reader review
'Another superb Ridpath book by the brilliant MJ Lee. I love this series of books, and as soon as I have finished one I am desperate to read another' Reader review
'Well-crafted, realistic characters and a twisted plot' Reader review
In a quiet Manchester suburb, a man sets himself on fire in a petrol station. Nearby, a fourteen-year-old girl murders her mother in cold blood.
At the Coroner's Officer, Detective Inspector Ridpath is called in to investigate both of these baffling deaths. Is one a suicide and and the other an unexplained murder? Or does something more sinister link the two seemingly unconnected tragedies?
As Ridpath delves deeper, he must confront the darkness lurking in the most unexpected places, where even innocent facades can hide the darkest of truths. Can he prevent more deaths?
An unputdownable and suspenseful crime thriller from the bestselling author, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Trevor Wood.
Praise for What the Dark Whispers
'The best in the series so far, with the tension turning with every page' Reader review
'Gripping I was drawn in very quickly, unable to put the book down' Reader review
'Keeps you on the edge of your seat once again MJ Lee serves up another masterpiece' Reader review
'Wow, a fantastic suspenseful crime thriller!! I highly recommend reading this book' Reader review
'Absolutely brilliant story. Grabs you from the beginning. I can't wait for the next book' Reader review
'Another superb Ridpath book by the brilliant MJ Lee. I love this series of books, and as soon as I have finished one I am desperate to read another' Reader review
'Well-crafted, realistic characters and a twisted plot' Reader review
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books453 followersMartin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 29, 2026
Somehow I've missed this title on Netgalley so I bought the book recently. I've enjoyed it as much as the other titles in this series. No real shocking plot twists, but just enough surprises, some love, some hate, some humour. Maybe a little too much pizza though 😉.
I'm looking forward to the next one!
I'm looking forward to the next one!
February 22, 2026
Detective Inspector Ridpath, still working as the Coroner’s Officer, finds himself investigating a set of particularly puzzling deaths. Just why would a man set himself on fire in a petrol station and why would a fourteen-year-old girl kill her mother? When a link is made between these seemingly unconnected deaths, Ridpath must try to figure out what has made these people do what they have done while trying to stop others experiencing the same fate.
Book eleven in the Ridpath series and each one is as good as the last. While this could be read as a standalone, there are some elements of What the Dark Whispers that link back to previous books and could serve as a spoiler should you go back and read the rest of the series.
Ridpath has dealt with some disturbing cases over the cause of his career, but this may be one of the most disturbing yet. M J Lee has managed to link together a series of horrific crimes, creating a motive that really makes the reader think about justice and the reason people feel compelled to do what they do.
While Ridpath’s homelife isn’t as prevalent in What the Dark Whispers, we still see him struggling with his daughter and the aftermath of previous events, not realising how close she is is becoming to his current case. I liked how these plots linked together, creating incredibly tense moments.
This is still one of my favourite series and I look forward to book twelve!
Book eleven in the Ridpath series and each one is as good as the last. While this could be read as a standalone, there are some elements of What the Dark Whispers that link back to previous books and could serve as a spoiler should you go back and read the rest of the series.
Ridpath has dealt with some disturbing cases over the cause of his career, but this may be one of the most disturbing yet. M J Lee has managed to link together a series of horrific crimes, creating a motive that really makes the reader think about justice and the reason people feel compelled to do what they do.
While Ridpath’s homelife isn’t as prevalent in What the Dark Whispers, we still see him struggling with his daughter and the aftermath of previous events, not realising how close she is is becoming to his current case. I liked how these plots linked together, creating incredibly tense moments.
This is still one of my favourite series and I look forward to book twelve!
March 7, 2026
Good read
February 23, 2026
great book
I love this series of books. The story lines are always good and the characters have a reality that is easy to relate to.
I love this series of books. The story lines are always good and the characters have a reality that is easy to relate to.
November 18, 2025
Probably one of the best in the series. Loved every twist and turn that unfolded.
January 18, 2026
Again Ridpath doesn't disappoint. Excellent as always
January 24, 2026
Good read
Th8s was fast moving, with a high body count. A few tense moments along tye way. However, why does ever deceive have to have trauma? It makes me concerned for the real peelers.
Th8s was fast moving, with a high body count. A few tense moments along tye way. However, why does ever deceive have to have trauma? It makes me concerned for the real peelers.
May 15, 2026
I can’t believe this is the eleventh booth in the DI Ridpath series by MJ Lee. I read a large amount of Crime series but this one is certainly in my top 3. This is a very good police procedurals, characters are very strong and the plots are carefully crafted. The main character is DI Ridpath who had a very promising career brought to a sudden halt hen he was diagnosed with cancer. After a leave of absence of 9 months he is now back at work and on secondment to the Coroner’s office. Ridpath is a determined man who takes his job very serious as well as bringing up his daughter alone following the tragic death of his wife.
Two shocking, seemingly unrelated deaths, a man’s horrific self-immolation at a petrol station and a teenage girl murdering her own mother in cold blood. At first glance, these incidents appear tragically unconnected. But when Ridpath is brought in by the Coroner’s Office to investigate, he quickly suspects that a web of lies, secrets, and long-buried truths may bind them together. As the case unfolds, Ridpath finds himself navigating a moral maze where appearances deceive and the darkest corners of ordinary lives hide dangerous truths.
This is a fast paced novel that is emotionally charged. Thomas Ridpath is once again the strong and empathetic lead. He has his critics but remains dedicated and determined to uncover the truth. As he follows the trail, the novel builds steadily toward a chilling conclusion that not only ties the threads together but also leaves readers pondering the complexity of guilt, justice, and psychological trauma.
This is an atmospheric novel set in Manchester where two haunting cases fuse into one.
Two shocking, seemingly unrelated deaths, a man’s horrific self-immolation at a petrol station and a teenage girl murdering her own mother in cold blood. At first glance, these incidents appear tragically unconnected. But when Ridpath is brought in by the Coroner’s Office to investigate, he quickly suspects that a web of lies, secrets, and long-buried truths may bind them together. As the case unfolds, Ridpath finds himself navigating a moral maze where appearances deceive and the darkest corners of ordinary lives hide dangerous truths.
This is a fast paced novel that is emotionally charged. Thomas Ridpath is once again the strong and empathetic lead. He has his critics but remains dedicated and determined to uncover the truth. As he follows the trail, the novel builds steadily toward a chilling conclusion that not only ties the threads together but also leaves readers pondering the complexity of guilt, justice, and psychological trauma.
This is an atmospheric novel set in Manchester where two haunting cases fuse into one.
May 16, 2026
At a petrol station in a quiet Manchester suburb, a man watches horrified as someone walks up to the pump, pours petrol over themselves & sets it alight. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old girl is arrested for killing her mother but she seems confused over the details.
At the Coroner's Officer, Mrs Challinor is back even if it is only part time at present, but the Major Incident Team want Detective Inspector Ridpath back working on their cases. Given two green young detectives, Ridpath looks into the apparently unconnected suicide & murder & starts to find some odd coincidences, & if there's one thing Ridpath doesn't believe in, it's coincidence.
Another strong instalment in this series which takes the usual route of a slow start which builds up to a tense, fast-paced ending. Alongside the two cases, there's also the lingering aftermath of Ridpath's daughter's ordeal in a previous book. I wasn't a huge fan of the time jump ending but it was fine overall. If you haven't read this series & are a fan of police procedurals, then do give this one a go. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Canelo, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
At the Coroner's Officer, Mrs Challinor is back even if it is only part time at present, but the Major Incident Team want Detective Inspector Ridpath back working on their cases. Given two green young detectives, Ridpath looks into the apparently unconnected suicide & murder & starts to find some odd coincidences, & if there's one thing Ridpath doesn't believe in, it's coincidence.
Another strong instalment in this series which takes the usual route of a slow start which builds up to a tense, fast-paced ending. Alongside the two cases, there's also the lingering aftermath of Ridpath's daughter's ordeal in a previous book. I wasn't a huge fan of the time jump ending but it was fine overall. If you haven't read this series & are a fan of police procedurals, then do give this one a go. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Canelo, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
March 13, 2026
Story was ok, but, this will be my last MJ Lee book. Series is getting stale.
April 18, 2026
Ridpath
Should be a tv programme it's that good. Someone needs to p
itch it to channel five or even itv or four
Should be a tv programme it's that good. Someone needs to p
itch it to channel five or even itv or four
July 28, 2025
What can I say. It was an absolutely brilliant read. I literally couldn’t put it down. I read this book in 2 days. These are my favourite series of books. M. J. Lee, as a unique talent for telling and relaying a story. I wish someone would turn these into a TV series. 5 stars from me. Can’t wait for Ridpath book 12.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews