What do you think?
Rate this book
Skin of Their Teeth: an absolutely gripping crime thriller with a massive twist
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 21, 2025
3.5 stars for me.
D.I. Nicki Hardcastle have a hard case to solve.Bodies pile up,and all seem to be connected to year 2005.Not many things make sense,but this case have more secrets uravelling and grotesque murders getting more close to home.
Will Nicki get the killer before more bodies turn up?
Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lifes.I got to know most characters ,and from their POV we get full story of disturbing events,that in time they fasten and there is no coming back from it.Good first book for me by this author,I hope to read more.
Thank you Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
D.I. Nicki Hardcastle have a hard case to solve.Bodies pile up,and all seem to be connected to year 2005.Not many things make sense,but this case have more secrets uravelling and grotesque murders getting more close to home.
Will Nicki get the killer before more bodies turn up?
Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lifes.I got to know most characters ,and from their POV we get full story of disturbing events,that in time they fasten and there is no coming back from it.Good first book for me by this author,I hope to read more.
Thank you Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.
November 20, 2025
Skin Of Their Teeth’ is an involving thriller that keeps DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team working long hours but also affects her personally. This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I feel it would be better to read it in the full series but feel can also be read as a standalone. The plot is well thought-out and there are numerous twists and turns. I like Nicki who works well with her hardworking team, but I think I would have a better understanding of the background if I read the previous books in the series. Overall I found this to be a thrilling book with good twists.
Big thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Skin of Their Teeth’, book 4 of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series written by Michelle Kidd, in exchange for my honest review.
Big thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Skin of Their Teeth’, book 4 of the DI Nicki Hardcastle series written by Michelle Kidd, in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2026
📚Skin of their Teeth
✍🏻Michelle Kidd
Blurb:
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
READERS LOVE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a brilliant police procedural! Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story.’ Jennifer T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.’ Mary R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great, fast-paced book to keep you wanting to read on.’ Anita W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me guessing to the end. Just when I thought I had it all sussed out, the author threw in another curve ball! Fast-paced, gripping and tense.’ Martha B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. An engaging mystery and complex plot. Great series!’ Bonita S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic book! It had gripping suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, jaw-dropping twists, and some shocking moments! Can’t wait for more!’ Debbie B.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
My Thoughts:
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.Twisty murder mystery with a solid team and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Set in Bury St Edmunds, a possible suicide leads the team into their latest investigation,This storyline really keeps you interested and puzzled. Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lives. This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together.
Thanks NetGalley, Joffe Books Ltd and Author Michelle Kidd for the advanced copy of "Skin of their Teeth: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#JoffeBooksLtd
#MichelleKidd
#SkinoftheirTeeth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Michelle Kidd
Blurb:
MEET DETECTIVE NICKI HARDCASTLE IN THIS GRIPPING SUFFOLK-BASED CRIME SERIES.
One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who’s only just begun.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she’s supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. ‘You might want to see this one, boss.’
Minutes later, she’s standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.
It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don’t add up.
Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?
Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: ‘It’s time to pay for what you did.’
Two days later, there’s another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.
Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they’ve only just begun . . .
Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.
READERS LOVE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a brilliant police procedural! Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story.’ Jennifer T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.’ Mary R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great, fast-paced book to keep you wanting to read on.’ Anita W.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me guessing to the end. Just when I thought I had it all sussed out, the author threw in another curve ball! Fast-paced, gripping and tense.’ Martha B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. An engaging mystery and complex plot. Great series!’ Bonita S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic book! It had gripping suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, jaw-dropping twists, and some shocking moments! Can’t wait for more!’ Debbie B.
THE DETECTIVE
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She’s an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki’s perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.
THE SETTING
Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly ‘Grey Lady’. It’s also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain’s smallest pub. It’s an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.
My Thoughts:
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.Twisty murder mystery with a solid team and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Set in Bury St Edmunds, a possible suicide leads the team into their latest investigation,This storyline really keeps you interested and puzzled. Full of secrets and suspense this thriller is a portrayal of disturbing need for revenge.It dig deep to someone's rage at unfairness and betrayal that ruins lives. This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together.
Thanks NetGalley, Joffe Books Ltd and Author Michelle Kidd for the advanced copy of "Skin of their Teeth: I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#JoffeBooksLtd
#MichelleKidd
#SkinoftheirTeeth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 1, 2025
Thanks to the wonderful Joffe books and Netgalley for this eARC.
Michelle Kidd’s Skin of Their Teeth is a taut, relentless crime thriller that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of secrets.
🔍 This novel plunges readers into a world where justice feels precarious and survival hinges on razor-thin margins.
From the opening pages, Kidd crafts an atmosphere of unease—dark alleys, fractured loyalties, and the constant sense that danger is ebbing ever closer. The title itself becomes a motif: characters are forced to scrape through impossible odds, clinging to life and truth by the narrowest of margins.
🧩 Kidd’s detectives are flawed, driven individuals. Their determination to uncover the truth is complicated by their own personal demons and the weight of their past choices.
The antagonists are drawn with chilling realism, with motives rooted in greed, vengeance, and survival. They are not caricatures but complex figures whose brutality feels disturbingly imaginable.
Victims, witnesses, and bystanders add texture, each carrying fragments of the larger mystery.
The interplay between these groups creates a narrative where trust is fragile, and betrayal lurks at every turn.
⚡Skin of Their Teeth explores the thin line between justice and vengeance, the corrosive impact of secrets, and the resilience required to confront darkness. Kidd suggests that survival is not just physical but moral—characters must decide how much of themselves they are willing to sacrifice to see justice done.
This story resonates with contemporary anxieties about corruption, loyalty, and the cost of truth, making it more than just a puzzle to solve.
📚 Kidd’s prose is sharp and cinematic, balancing brisk pacing with moments of psychological depth.
The narrative structure keeps readers off balance, shifting suspicion and revealing new layers of danger. Each chapter ends with a hook that propels the story forward, ensuring the book earns its “unputdownable” label.
The impact is lasting: beyond the thrills, Kidd leaves readers reflecting on the fragility of justice and the human cost of survival.
Skin of Their Teeth is a gripping crime thriller that combines relentless suspense with emotional resonance.
Michelle Kidd delivers a story as compulsively readable as it is thought-provoking, cementing her place among contemporary masters of the genre.
I look forward to my entries in this compelling police procedural series.
Michelle Kidd’s Skin of Their Teeth is a taut, relentless crime thriller that thrives on tension, moral ambiguity, and the haunting weight of secrets.
🔍 This novel plunges readers into a world where justice feels precarious and survival hinges on razor-thin margins.
From the opening pages, Kidd crafts an atmosphere of unease—dark alleys, fractured loyalties, and the constant sense that danger is ebbing ever closer. The title itself becomes a motif: characters are forced to scrape through impossible odds, clinging to life and truth by the narrowest of margins.
🧩 Kidd’s detectives are flawed, driven individuals. Their determination to uncover the truth is complicated by their own personal demons and the weight of their past choices.
The antagonists are drawn with chilling realism, with motives rooted in greed, vengeance, and survival. They are not caricatures but complex figures whose brutality feels disturbingly imaginable.
Victims, witnesses, and bystanders add texture, each carrying fragments of the larger mystery.
The interplay between these groups creates a narrative where trust is fragile, and betrayal lurks at every turn.
⚡Skin of Their Teeth explores the thin line between justice and vengeance, the corrosive impact of secrets, and the resilience required to confront darkness. Kidd suggests that survival is not just physical but moral—characters must decide how much of themselves they are willing to sacrifice to see justice done.
This story resonates with contemporary anxieties about corruption, loyalty, and the cost of truth, making it more than just a puzzle to solve.
📚 Kidd’s prose is sharp and cinematic, balancing brisk pacing with moments of psychological depth.
The narrative structure keeps readers off balance, shifting suspicion and revealing new layers of danger. Each chapter ends with a hook that propels the story forward, ensuring the book earns its “unputdownable” label.
The impact is lasting: beyond the thrills, Kidd leaves readers reflecting on the fragility of justice and the human cost of survival.
Skin of Their Teeth is a gripping crime thriller that combines relentless suspense with emotional resonance.
Michelle Kidd delivers a story as compulsively readable as it is thought-provoking, cementing her place among contemporary masters of the genre.
I look forward to my entries in this compelling police procedural series.
November 16, 2025
What a fantastic sequel to The Hardwick Heath Killer! ((https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
The questions I was left with at the end of that book are addressed in the sequel, including those surrounding the relationship between Deano and Nicki. This story can also be read as a standalone novel.
This story leaves plenty of room for sorrow, and grief, as well as exploring how to deal with whatever life throws at you. Police work plays a secondary role here; the focus is on the circumstances that shape people's lives.
I enjoyed learning more about Nicki and discovering the background of her family circumstances.
Without giving too much of the plot away, I'm glad I currently live in the Netherlands, I've also lived in the UK; and realise there are countless advantages and disadvantages between my two home countries, an issue that is well illustrated in this story. (sorry, no spoilers :)-)
Nicki not only has to deal with a number of issues in her private life, but also has to face the painful reality that her father's life may be in danger because of something that happened in the past.
The gruesome beginning of the story sees a "jumper" who is initially dismissed as a suicide by the police. However, when another person ends his own life in a very different way later on, the team is alarmed because both of these victims are found with seven teeth in their pockets. A sign of the seven deadly sins?
With lots of twists, red herrings, and different points of view, this thrilling novel is a superb continuation of the Nicki Hardcastle series: a brilliantly crafted thriller that keeps you in suspense until the very last page! Highly recommended!
Thank you Joffe Books for the arc 🌷
The questions I was left with at the end of that book are addressed in the sequel, including those surrounding the relationship between Deano and Nicki. This story can also be read as a standalone novel.
This story leaves plenty of room for sorrow, and grief, as well as exploring how to deal with whatever life throws at you. Police work plays a secondary role here; the focus is on the circumstances that shape people's lives.
I enjoyed learning more about Nicki and discovering the background of her family circumstances.
Without giving too much of the plot away, I'm glad I currently live in the Netherlands, I've also lived in the UK; and realise there are countless advantages and disadvantages between my two home countries, an issue that is well illustrated in this story. (sorry, no spoilers :)-)
Nicki not only has to deal with a number of issues in her private life, but also has to face the painful reality that her father's life may be in danger because of something that happened in the past.
The gruesome beginning of the story sees a "jumper" who is initially dismissed as a suicide by the police. However, when another person ends his own life in a very different way later on, the team is alarmed because both of these victims are found with seven teeth in their pockets. A sign of the seven deadly sins?
With lots of twists, red herrings, and different points of view, this thrilling novel is a superb continuation of the Nicki Hardcastle series: a brilliantly crafted thriller that keeps you in suspense until the very last page! Highly recommended!
Thank you Joffe Books for the arc 🌷
November 25, 2025
In Bury St Edmunds, a man plummets from a four-storey building and dies, impaled on an iron spike. DI Nicki Hardcastle, along with her usual team of DS Graham Fox, DS Royston Carter and DCs Matt Holland, Duncan Jenkins and Darcie Butler are on the case which starts to look very odd after seven of the man’s recently extracted teeth are found in his pocket. He’s identified as Jacob Towers, a graphic designer, who appears to have been threatened when a voicemail and a sickening video are unearthed. Meanwhile Nicki’s father, a retired detective superintendent, is concerned he has a stalker and worried that someone is digging around in his old cases. While the detectives search for more clues surrounding Jacob’s demise, a second death occurs. Once again, the circumstances and appearance of seven teeth make it stand out as suspicious. How could these men be linked and what are they paying for? How many have already died and will there be any more similar deaths to come? Nicki and her team will need to look to the past to reveal the truth behind this bizarre and baffling investigation.
This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together. It wasn’t hard to guess the motive behind the deaths and the link between the victims but there were still plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The book works fine as a stand-alone, and anything relating to past events is well explained, such as the disappearance and eventual discovery of Nicki’s brother. Full of suspense, this story feels a little slower in pace than previous ones but is just as engrossing and gripping as the rest of the series.
This is one of those stories where the reader knows a lot more than the detectives do as multiple threads at the start of this complex and cleverly written story are gradually woven together. It wasn’t hard to guess the motive behind the deaths and the link between the victims but there were still plenty of twists and surprises along the way. The book works fine as a stand-alone, and anything relating to past events is well explained, such as the disappearance and eventual discovery of Nicki’s brother. Full of suspense, this story feels a little slower in pace than previous ones but is just as engrossing and gripping as the rest of the series.
November 25, 2025
4* A little heavy on minutiae, but a solid police procedural, as expected from this author.
I've not read all the books in this series, so it was a surprise for me to see that the lead's long lost brother had not only been found but was pretty much reunited with his family. I don't think it'll be easy sailing given how conflicted he is, understandably so when his captors were decent to him, but it was a bit of brightness in a dark tale.
A dark and believable tale, yes, but with victims who could possibly have not all died, it felt like. I couldn't quite understand how all gave in to the not-that-heavy threats, and how they thought money ill obtained could actually go to those they left behind.
The ending was a bit confusing where a thug being followed by police kind of saves the day. There's no explanation for his nocturnal adventure but he happens to be at the right place at the right time, using a weapon, but allowing a person to be saved and capturing the baddie. Hmm.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
I've not read all the books in this series, so it was a surprise for me to see that the lead's long lost brother had not only been found but was pretty much reunited with his family. I don't think it'll be easy sailing given how conflicted he is, understandably so when his captors were decent to him, but it was a bit of brightness in a dark tale.
A dark and believable tale, yes, but with victims who could possibly have not all died, it felt like. I couldn't quite understand how all gave in to the not-that-heavy threats, and how they thought money ill obtained could actually go to those they left behind.
The ending was a bit confusing where a thug being followed by police kind of saves the day. There's no explanation for his nocturnal adventure but he happens to be at the right place at the right time, using a weapon, but allowing a person to be saved and capturing the baddie. Hmm.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
November 11, 2025
The fourth in the D.I. Nicki Hardcastle crime thriller and a brilliant standalone.
The sleepy East Anglian town of Bury St Edmunds will never be the same! Michelle Kidd sets this series around her hometown and the surrounding villages. She cleverly feeds in the back story of Nicki's family and its problems and heartaches so that the book comes to life very early.
The story starts with what appears to be a straightforward and tragic suicide. A taxi driver is sitting in his car waiting for another job when he spots someone jumping from the roof of a nearby building he calls 999. The death could easily be passed off as suicide but Nicki is not satisfied that it is as simple as that! The post mort is gruesome enough, but a strange discovery in the man's pocket convinces Nicki and her team that the death is actually a murder.
There follows a mystery going back 14 years with multiple mysterious deaths. This is a twisty-turny thriller that will hook you from the start.
The sleepy East Anglian town of Bury St Edmunds will never be the same! Michelle Kidd sets this series around her hometown and the surrounding villages. She cleverly feeds in the back story of Nicki's family and its problems and heartaches so that the book comes to life very early.
The story starts with what appears to be a straightforward and tragic suicide. A taxi driver is sitting in his car waiting for another job when he spots someone jumping from the roof of a nearby building he calls 999. The death could easily be passed off as suicide but Nicki is not satisfied that it is as simple as that! The post mort is gruesome enough, but a strange discovery in the man's pocket convinces Nicki and her team that the death is actually a murder.
There follows a mystery going back 14 years with multiple mysterious deaths. This is a twisty-turny thriller that will hook you from the start.
November 15, 2025
This excellent multi layered fourth instalment in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series plunges the team into a baffling case. Don't worry if you haven't read the previous books as it's easily read as a standalone.
A man has jumped to his death, but the discovery of seven of his teeth in his pocket turns a suspected suicide into a high-stakes hunt for a killer.
The narrative, told by going back through time, is brilliantly twisty and will keep you turning the pages. As the body count increases, the story provides an intriguing mystery the team are relentlessly trying to solve.
Beyond this core plot, the narrative shines with its strong character development, weaving in Nicki's personal journey, encompassing her new relationship with her long-lost brother and the rebuilding of her bond with her parents.
A fantastic read with an ending tied up as neatly as an envelope full of money wrapped in a bow.
A man has jumped to his death, but the discovery of seven of his teeth in his pocket turns a suspected suicide into a high-stakes hunt for a killer.
The narrative, told by going back through time, is brilliantly twisty and will keep you turning the pages. As the body count increases, the story provides an intriguing mystery the team are relentlessly trying to solve.
Beyond this core plot, the narrative shines with its strong character development, weaving in Nicki's personal journey, encompassing her new relationship with her long-lost brother and the rebuilding of her bond with her parents.
A fantastic read with an ending tied up as neatly as an envelope full of money wrapped in a bow.
November 19, 2025
A good read. An apparent suicide is what DI Nicki Hardcastle and her team are investigating. It soon becomes clear there is much more to this case though. This case will set off a chain of events which will really challenge the investigation team. I found the pace a little slow to start but it does come together nicely towards the end. Its because of this I gave it 4 instead of 3 stars. It was an interesting storyline and the added dramas of the investigation team added a little something extra. It is part of a series but can also be read as a stand alone. Although I do recommend the others in the series. The others were a little bit of a faster pace too. The investigation team are what I enjoy most in this series the author really brings them to life. Its also a good book for the reader to try and figure out the ending. Overall a good read. Had some parts been more condensed it would have been a 5 star review.
November 25, 2025
🦷 Teeth, truth, and a trail of terror 🦷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Justice isn’t blind — she just chooses who to look at.”
Michelle Kidd delivers a razor-sharp thriller that sunk its teeth in from page one and never loosened its grip. Skin of Their Teeth is dark, pacey, and deliciously twisted—this crime novel had me vowing “just one more chapter” until my eyes blurred.
I'm a sucker for a fierce female lead, and Nicki Hardcastle is sharp, stubborn, and walks a knife-edge between professional duty and personal grit. From the first (impaled) body, to the cryptic voicemail, to the macabre trail of missing teeth, Kidd crafts each reveal with precision. The atmosphere hums with deadly menace, the clues are wickedly laid, and the tension climbs like a heartbeat you can’t quite steady.
Verdict: A brutal, brilliantly plotted mystery with a final twist that genuinely made my jaw drop. Five menacing stars, and Kidd earned each bloody one ten times over.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Justice isn’t blind — she just chooses who to look at.”
Michelle Kidd delivers a razor-sharp thriller that sunk its teeth in from page one and never loosened its grip. Skin of Their Teeth is dark, pacey, and deliciously twisted—this crime novel had me vowing “just one more chapter” until my eyes blurred.
I'm a sucker for a fierce female lead, and Nicki Hardcastle is sharp, stubborn, and walks a knife-edge between professional duty and personal grit. From the first (impaled) body, to the cryptic voicemail, to the macabre trail of missing teeth, Kidd crafts each reveal with precision. The atmosphere hums with deadly menace, the clues are wickedly laid, and the tension climbs like a heartbeat you can’t quite steady.
Verdict: A brutal, brilliantly plotted mystery with a final twist that genuinely made my jaw drop. Five menacing stars, and Kidd earned each bloody one ten times over.
October 26, 2025
Detective Nikki Hardcastle is on leave when she is called out to a suspicious death.
There are seven teeth in Jacob Towers' pocket, his own teeth. Nikki and her team are trying to find out why this man has been targeted.
It took me a while to get into this book. I enjoy police procedurals, and I absolutely am a fan of a strong female lead.
However, I do expect the team of police to actually find a clue or two. To research other cases with the same MO - country wide. Namely the discovery of teeth!
The team searched the date on the notes in terms of historical terms. Surely they should have searched the significance of the date in their own area?
If not for a journalist and Nikki's father's sudden epiphany, this case would have been relegated to the cold files I think.
3/5 stars from me. Not quite my cup of tea.
There are seven teeth in Jacob Towers' pocket, his own teeth. Nikki and her team are trying to find out why this man has been targeted.
It took me a while to get into this book. I enjoy police procedurals, and I absolutely am a fan of a strong female lead.
However, I do expect the team of police to actually find a clue or two. To research other cases with the same MO - country wide. Namely the discovery of teeth!
The team searched the date on the notes in terms of historical terms. Surely they should have searched the significance of the date in their own area?
If not for a journalist and Nikki's father's sudden epiphany, this case would have been relegated to the cold files I think.
3/5 stars from me. Not quite my cup of tea.
October 30, 2025
What a brilliant police procedural!! I’ve previously read No Red Lines, by the same author and it was excellent so I was excited to receive this ARC. It didn’t disappoint. Brilliant plotting, great character development, interesting back story. Nicki Hardcastle is tasked with investigating a grim death that initially appears to be suicide. Through investigations, Nicki & her team realise that Somehow this death is linked to a number of other cases and they all seem to have a date in common. But what is the significance of that date? In the meantime Nicki is rebuilding her relationship with her sibling having been reunited, but her Dad, recently retired, seems out of sorts and is worried about something. I inhaled this book - highly recommended! Huge thanks to the author & publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review
November 9, 2025
When Jacob Towers body was found he had seven of his own teeth in his trouser pocket. They initially thought he had committed suicide. They thought he had jumped from a roof.Then there were other deaths in similar circumstances. Detective Nikki Hardcastle and her team have their work cut out for them to solve this case.
It did take me a little while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. But it seemed to take ages before the police started investigating this case properly. So for all of the above, I took one star off my rating, otherwise, this would have been a four star read. Once I was about half way through the book was when I started to enjoy this story a bit more.
Published 18th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #SkinOfTheirTeeth in exchange for an honest review.
It did take me a little while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. But it seemed to take ages before the police started investigating this case properly. So for all of the above, I took one star off my rating, otherwise, this would have been a four star read. Once I was about half way through the book was when I started to enjoy this story a bit more.
Published 18th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichelleKidd for my ARC of #SkinOfTheirTeeth in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2025
Is it suicide or is it murder? When a man appears to have thrown himself off the roof of a four story building, this is the question DI Nikki Hardcastle has to ask herself. No one actually saw the man fall, but he was seen to be standing on the edge beforehand. Seven of his own freshly pulled teeth are found in his pocket. Another man commits suicide by driving head on into a truck when going the wrong direction on the motorway. When seven of his own freshly pulled teeth are found in his pocket, Nikki knows she has a problem. Book four of the Nikki Hardcastle series is a fast paced police procedural with many twists and turns. There is a sub-plot that has been running through the series but it doesn’t get in the way of the main story, so it can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the whole series as all the books are brilliant. Another riveting read by Michelle Kid.
November 22, 2025
What starts out looking like a straightforward suicide turns out to be anything but as the team are made aware of the victims own teeth in their pocket. Did they pull them out themselves or were they tortured first? But the body is giving away no clues. Before long, the team is looking at another death but whilst there’s similarities there’s also big differences. Is it the work of a single individual or is there more afoot?
This DI Nicki Hardcastle story is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end. Layered in is the additional story and background of Nicki’s family. You can read this as a standalone and Michelle Kidd does an excellent job of interleaving enough information that if this is your first Hardcastle book, you won’t be adrift.
Great read! Thanks to Joffe for this ARC for an honest review.
This DI Nicki Hardcastle story is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end. Layered in is the additional story and background of Nicki’s family. You can read this as a standalone and Michelle Kidd does an excellent job of interleaving enough information that if this is your first Hardcastle book, you won’t be adrift.
Great read! Thanks to Joffe for this ARC for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
I struggled to get into this one as I felt like it was long and there was a lot going on so I couldn’t keep up but that is absolutely a me problem!
This is book 4 of the DCI Hardcastle Mysteries. I haven’t read any of the previous books and do think that this would have been better for me if I had read them prior.
It is full of mystery and suspense. I do enjoy that we have a female lead character, she is written really well. I also like the premise.
I would happily read more from Michelle it’s just unfortunately this one wasn’t for me but I know it’ll be appreciated by lots of readers.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mysterious police procedural.
Thank you Zooloosbooktours and Michelle for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 3 stars.
This is book 4 of the DCI Hardcastle Mysteries. I haven’t read any of the previous books and do think that this would have been better for me if I had read them prior.
It is full of mystery and suspense. I do enjoy that we have a female lead character, she is written really well. I also like the premise.
I would happily read more from Michelle it’s just unfortunately this one wasn’t for me but I know it’ll be appreciated by lots of readers.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mysterious police procedural.
Thank you Zooloosbooktours and Michelle for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 3 stars.
November 18, 2025
4.5 Stars - Lots of Twists and Turns
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is busy with some home decorating but when she receives a call from one of her team about an unexplained death she has to put her paint brush down and rush into work. It looks as if a man has fallen onto some railings from a four storey town house, but why would he remove seven of his own teeth and put them in his pocket before jumping? Soon more bodies are found, all with teeth missing and a mysterious note left with the bodies with the date 15th August 2005. I really like this series, there were so many twists and turns, but I found I had to keep going back and reading bits again. More my problem than the author perhaps but that is why I have given it 4.5 stars.
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is busy with some home decorating but when she receives a call from one of her team about an unexplained death she has to put her paint brush down and rush into work. It looks as if a man has fallen onto some railings from a four storey town house, but why would he remove seven of his own teeth and put them in his pocket before jumping? Soon more bodies are found, all with teeth missing and a mysterious note left with the bodies with the date 15th August 2005. I really like this series, there were so many twists and turns, but I found I had to keep going back and reading bits again. More my problem than the author perhaps but that is why I have given it 4.5 stars.
November 18, 2025
A clever storyline, certainly gripping and also a bit gruesome- teeth just affect me that way! I didn’t realise this was part of a series and read it as a standalone without feeling I was missing something. A really enjoyable book and one with so many twists, turns and red herrings that it would probably benefit from a second read. My only criticism is that the police come across as a bit incompetent, or maybe just reluctant? It takes them so long to take the crimes seriously and indeed to discover there is a link between the deaths- the teeth are a fairly obvious clue though! However I still recommend this book, it will certainly enthrall!
November 23, 2025
This is #4 in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series but can easily be read as a standalone.
Nicki is on leave and doing some decorating when she gets called out to a death. Jacob Towers was seen falling from the top of a house and he then became impaled on metal railings. It seems to be a suicide but then seven of Jacob’s own teeth are found in his pocket. That find, along with Jacob having booked a grocery delivery for that day, leads Nicki to believe that this isn’t suicide, it’s murder.
A great police procedural that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
Nicki is on leave and doing some decorating when she gets called out to a death. Jacob Towers was seen falling from the top of a house and he then became impaled on metal railings. It seems to be a suicide but then seven of Jacob’s own teeth are found in his pocket. That find, along with Jacob having booked a grocery delivery for that day, leads Nicki to believe that this isn’t suicide, it’s murder.
A great police procedural that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
Book 4 of The DI Nicki Hardcastle Mysteries
This is one of those books where you are captured from beginning to end, in a gripping, fast-paced edge of seat, cleverly written storyline, and plot.
It has strong, interesting characters, shocking revelations, and a roller-coaster of twists and turns that have you guessing all the way through.
I have read all the books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book 4 in the series out does them all, its absolutely brilliantly written.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
This is one of those books where you are captured from beginning to end, in a gripping, fast-paced edge of seat, cleverly written storyline, and plot.
It has strong, interesting characters, shocking revelations, and a roller-coaster of twists and turns that have you guessing all the way through.
I have read all the books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book 4 in the series out does them all, its absolutely brilliantly written.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
November 26, 2025
Excellent series! This tense police procedural mystery thriller kept me flipping pages until I could barely see the page. So many plot threads deftly woven together! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan to read the rest of the series.
Note: a "casual" reader may find this book a bit difficult to follow, because there are so many characters, and the timeline skips around a bit. It worked for me, but some may need to be alert and watch for flashbacks.
I received an ARC from the publisher and enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Joffe Books!
Note: a "casual" reader may find this book a bit difficult to follow, because there are so many characters, and the timeline skips around a bit. It worked for me, but some may need to be alert and watch for flashbacks.
I received an ARC from the publisher and enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Joffe Books!
November 1, 2025
What a read this was. The death of a man who fell off a roof starts things off. The team are not sure if he jumped or was pushed but it's clear that there's some secrets involved. The discovery of seven teeth makes things more interesting. Later other deaths with similarities complicates things. Also what has Nicki's father got to do with things?
This was a very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.
This was a very riveting read. The story had me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to see how things tied together. Absolutely brilliant.
November 18, 2025
This is the fourth book in the Detective Inspector Nicki Hardcastle series but it stands very well alone.
It is well paced and gripping despite its graphic elements and with various plot twists it keeps the reader engaged and guessing.
I found that Nicki and the Bury St Edmunds team, together with the teams of police in several locations and their interactions, make for the most interesting central aspect of this mystery novel.
It is well paced and gripping despite its graphic elements and with various plot twists it keeps the reader engaged and guessing.
I found that Nicki and the Bury St Edmunds team, together with the teams of police in several locations and their interactions, make for the most interesting central aspect of this mystery novel.
November 18, 2025
Another instalment in the DI Nicki Hardcastle series. This book was way too busy for me, the chapters were short with each one flicking to a different time, location and character, making it hard to keep up with. The storyline is good but the author tried to cram too much into it so the book did not flow.
November 19, 2025
WOW what a book this was . A gripping read from start to finish with twists and turns that had me guessing right to the end . A tale of revenge and murder, Detective Nicki Hardcastle has her work cut out as bodies keep mounting up . This fast paced , tense thriller is one book you don`t want to miss
November 21, 2025
Skin of Their Teeth is absolutely gripping! Michelle Kidd keeps the tension high from start to finish, and DI Nicki Hardcastle is such a strong, relatable detective. The mystery is dark, twisted, and full of surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat. Perfect for fans of smart, fast-paced crime thrillers with shocking twists.
November 18, 2025
Shocking revenge for an injustice.
This book is the latest in a series by Michelle Kidd that features DI Nickki Hardcastle. There are frequent references to events in the earlier books.
A man is spotted by a taxi driver falling from a four storey building. The question for Nikki and her team is, did he jump, or was he pushed? The story switches between Nikki's base in Bury St Edmonds, Hastings, and other locations. A DI currently on Mickleover has curated a list of seemingly unrelated deaths, and Nikki eventually gets access to this list, which suggests a whole new line of enquiry. I managed to spot this link before it was revealed to readers.
It's a very clever storyline, but I found it a little confusing in some parts. Those readers of a sensitive nature might be disturbed by the significance of the title of the book to the story.
This book is the latest in a series by Michelle Kidd that features DI Nickki Hardcastle. There are frequent references to events in the earlier books.
A man is spotted by a taxi driver falling from a four storey building. The question for Nikki and her team is, did he jump, or was he pushed? The story switches between Nikki's base in Bury St Edmonds, Hastings, and other locations. A DI currently on Mickleover has curated a list of seemingly unrelated deaths, and Nikki eventually gets access to this list, which suggests a whole new line of enquiry. I managed to spot this link before it was revealed to readers.
It's a very clever storyline, but I found it a little confusing in some parts. Those readers of a sensitive nature might be disturbed by the significance of the title of the book to the story.
November 18, 2025
Skin of their teeth. A body falls from a roof. Murder or suicide, Nikki has to decide. As more bodies turn up the clues add up to a serial killer. A sharp tale of revenge and murder, gripping to the thrilling finale.
November 30, 2025
Detective Nicki Hardcastle is off-duty when she gets a call about a man, Jacob Towers, found dead impaled on a spike. However, his apparent suicide has suspicious details.
This was enjoyable, thrilling in places with sufficient plot twists to keep me engaged.
This was enjoyable, thrilling in places with sufficient plot twists to keep me engaged.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews