An Unpardonable Act: A DI Anna Gwynne Novel

by Rhys Dylan

This book was previously published as The Silent Girls

Truth is often buried where few dare to look.

A young girl disappears, echoing an unsolved murder from the past. The police think they’ve found their man, just as they had before. But they've already got it badly wrong once, forcing facts to fit a theory to convict an innocent man.

. Determined not to let that happen again, Detective Sergeant Anna Gwynne must go into the darkness that cloaks the worst of crimes and risk damaging herself in the process.

Can she get what she needs before another life is lost, or could the horror lead her down a path that puts her own life in grave danger?

An absolutely page-turning thriller that will have you hooked. If you love the novels of Angela Marsons and Simon McCleave, you won’t be able to put down An Unpardonable Act, Book 1 in the Anna Gwynne Black Squid trilogy.

What people are saying about An Unpardonable Act:

‘An impressive, addictive and compelling read from a master storyteller. Once I started this book, I could not bear to be parted from it… you dare not take a breath as the suspenseful story unfolds right up until the cinematic end.’ Renita D’Silva

‘I read this book in less than 24 hours… I was hooked.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘A very creepy procedural with tons of suspects and red herrings and a twist that I didn't see coming… unbearably suspenseful.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘Creepy, eerie, gritty, and suspenseful… A must read!’ AMZ reviewer

‘An absorbing new crime series with a cleverly written, complicated plot.’ Humble Tart Kitchen

‘So many unexpected twists and turns and an ending that came as a complete surprise.’ Goodreads reviewer

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2026

About the author

https://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.

Reviews

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series feating DI Anna Gwynne from an author whose Evan Warlow series I love. This is totally different in terms of characters and storyline. It was certainly had a grittier feel to it and there's no characters to provide humour. However it was just as riveting.

Anna is looking into an old case where it seems that the main suspect was railroaded by the police at the time. However at the time of his release, a similar crime occurs leading them back to the original suspect. Anna is not convinced. I loved her doggedness and I found the story really had me hooked. I'm keen to see why a certain character is so interested in Anna but enjoyed the back and forth. I definitely didn't see a certain twist coming until it was revealed and it was a big wow moment. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the usual rhys dylan

The first in this new series featuring Detective Anna Gwynne is darker and lacks the humor and the sense of camaraderie I expected. However, the plot and intensity make quite a thriller.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting sorry, but the poor editing make for a difficult read

This book has quite an intriguing plot. The characters are compelling. The main issue is the poor editing, which is jarring and makes the book hard to read.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unpardonable Act by Rhys Dylan, writing as Dylan Young, is book 1 in the DI Anna Gwynne series. This was previously published in 2018 as The Silent Girls. DCI Ted Shipwright and DS Anna Gwynne work in the Major Crime Review Task Force. Neville Cooper has just been released from prison, when it was found the investigating team had been selective with the evidence presented. He had served 17 years for murdering Emily Risman. Is the real killer still out there. In the same area Nia Hopkins has now gone missing. The story starts with a bang, and my heart was in my mouth. The Review Task Force is handed the review. Love the characters of Anna and Ted. They are like chalk and cheese and very likeable. Anna has fascinating personality traits, and a phenomenal memory. DC Justin Holder, DC Ryia Khosa and Trisha Spedding are the other members of the team and there is also Superintendent Rainsford. They fit together well. Then there are other characters who made me quite churned up as they were so narrow-minded. I am looking forward to seeing the characters grow in future books as it was such a great read. What an ending.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new (to me) series by the author, Rhys Dylan, of one of my favorite series ( DCI Evan Warlow series). New to me because it’s a re-release of a previously published series, renamed. It’s darker than his other series, but so descriptive in that you feel immersed in the settings & feel the tension & trepidation of the main character, DI Anna Gwynne. I won’t leak any spoilers, but I noticed a comment regarding poor editing by another reader. Maybe her copy was an older version, because I didn’t notice any editing errors except maybe a few typos & missing breaks where paragraphs should have been. Since I’m such a fan of Mr Dylan’s Warlow series, it was easy for me to overlook those. The writing talent is obvious & the storyline intriguing. It’s a whole new cast of characters for me to get to know & love. I would recommend anything written by Mr Dylan. I admit I’m probably biased because of my love of the other series. I look forward to the next book, due in 3 weeks, as well as the next Evan Warlow book. Do yourself a favor and read this book, as well as make a start on my favorite series. Neither will disappoint.

[Lucy Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

For once, it really was hard to put this down

So many books on Amazon, (and elsewhere) are advertised as 'unputdownable', which let's face it, isn't even a proper word, never mind true most of the time.

An Unpardonable Act justifies the description perfectly and I just love Anna Gwynne and her no nonsense way of looking at life and the characters it puts in her way. The reveal of the 'whodunnit' was a big surprise, it really had been woven wonderfully into the story.

Many of you will know Rhys Dylan/Dylan Young from his Evan Warlock stories, and these have all the skill but more of the tension and more of the grit as they're rooted in the past by being cold cases, when policing was a different culture and somewhat wild, (to say the least).

I can't wait for the beginning of March and the next step in DI Anna Gwynne's story.

[Helen Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling, twisty and utterly compelling

This book is darker than some of the Evan Warlow books, in a way. Or perhaps it's the different characters and the lack of jokes.

There are dark characters, that's certain and dark deeds. A man wronged and damaged. A dark web runs through the stories, more than one really but who is at the centre and which web is darkest?

I shouldn't write late at night and with fictional imaginings infiltrating my thoughts and making me picture the fictional events recounted, to a very uncomfortable extent. The book has certainly had an impact.

I definitely want to read the next in series and I definitely recommend this skilfully written first in series.

I'm hoping the sense of jeopardy and risk, in the somewhat nail biting closing chapters, is not going to give me another night of weird and a bit too realistically tense, dreams.

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping crime thriller this turned out to be!
Acting DI Anne Gwynne who is placed in charge of the small team who looks into unsolved cases, when her boss ends up in hospital with heart problems, amongst dealing with a psychopath who is serving a life term for murder, who sees Anne as 'starling to his cannibal lecter' drawing her mind towards certain people in the crimes she is looking into!
This book had me turning the pages from the start and kept me guessing until the end!
A new series with fantastic characters to enthrall us with each book to come! 5🌟 is the only rating to give ... thanks Rhys Dylan

[Christina Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Evan Warlow books and loved themb but this one is much darker, with no light moments as in the Warlow books. Detective Sergeant Anna Gwynne is made acting Inspector after her boss falls ill. Part of a cold case team they are reopening the case against Neville Cooper convicted of murder 17 years ago now realeased after having the conviction overturned. Were the police team corrupt? Is Neville as guilty as they made out? Anna must uncover all the evidence to find the truth.
A very good read that I couldn't put down.

[Andi Caissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

needs some work

I’ve really enjoyed the DCI Warlow series, so I had high expectations for this one. While I do like Anna Gwynn, I found the mistakes in the book incredibly annoying. Besides the typos and formatting errors, there were continuity flaws. Example: Anna calls an old professor to discuss something. Halfway through the conversation they change the perspective so that it was the professor who called Anna. I hope the next book in this series has better editing and proofreading.

[Timothy Scherr · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent work

Well developed characters with enough variety to keep them interesting and leave room for growth in the series. Anna and her unique talents make her likable and also gives her room to mature and bring her skills to increased use. Enjoyed Shaw, shipman and Jane- hope they continue to mentor her. Very well done and look forward to more!
Strong work!

[Jacqueline O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh approach to crime fiction

I really love the author Rhys Dylan and,having finished his other series of crime I looked to find something else by him. This book is completely different and a real page turner. Lots of twists and turns.
DI Gwynne is a brilliant character and I look forward to reading the next instalment.

[Kate leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent page turner

I have read all Evan Warlow books by Rhys Dylan and thoroughly enjoyed them all but this one had me reading from start to finish without a break, an all nighter

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old crime and then a new crime. Anna Gwynne will. To give up,as she knows that the poor guy arrested 17 years ago was not guilty and police shenanigans locked him up. She knows the truth, but still goes in her stupid jog alone. Really?

[Leorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good One

Rhys Dylan does not disappoint. I’ve read his entire DCI Evan Warlow series and enjoyed each one. Dylan is a gifted writer who successfully creates engaging characters and also creates compelling settings.

[Jackie Marsden]

I’m afraid I abandoned this one I m a fan of Rhys but this one was too dark and humourless for me I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore in the series

[Jane Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spine Chilling

Amazing. Lots of twists and turns but my goodness gripping until the end. Just couldn't put the book down. What's next !!!

[mrs jane.bakerdavies · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read .

Love the difference and false leads !
Nice to see modern policing and recognise older ways good read nicely written x

[Becky Plankenhorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poor editing made it difficult to read and took my 5 star rating down to a 4.

[Vanessa Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this new character from my favourite Rhys Dylan can’t wait to read the next one

[Mr David Bevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gradually got into the story, thought it dragged in some places. Will read the next book.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the writing of the Evan Warlow series. This did not seem like it was the same author - I will read the next one to see if there is growth.