What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken Wings
When the body of a young woman is discovered in a remote North Yorkshire barn DI Zara Fisher is called back to duty before she’s ready. Haunted by her own past and exiled to an anger-management group for “difficult” officers, she’s forced to share therapy with three equally broken colleagues. But when their so-called routine cases begin to echo one another, they uncover a web of secrets stretching from the North Yorkshire Dales to darkened corridors of power.
Broken Wings is a darkly humourous, rain-lashed thriller about guilt, obsession, and the dangerous comforts of denial.
Broken Wings is a darkly humourous, rain-lashed thriller about guilt, obsession, and the dangerous comforts of denial.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 2, 2026
The first in a new series set in North Yorkshire about four police colleagues, three detectives and one IT support worker, who are all undergoing group therapy for anger management. The main protagonist is DI Zara Fisher who alongside DS Pan Demetriou, ACC Neil Musgrove, and IT Specialist Sophie Doyle (who is working in digital forensics for North Yorkshire Police as part of an agreement she reached after hacking a government contractor), form the ‘Broken Wings’. I love a good police procedural and this is certainly that, but one with a difference, and I found it compelling reading.
Briefly, Zara has been off work after an emotional breakdown but she is recalled to take charge of a case involving a woman found dead in a barn. It soon becomes clear that the various cases our four protagonists are working on have some uncommon similarities. Cases that no one else wanted and so they can investigate in the shadows.
I really enjoyed all four protagonists and it was good to see how they went from disregarding each other moving towards trust and even, god forbid, liking each other. I liked that we are learning about their personal lives and the reasons they have come together in the therapy group and there are obviously more revelations to come. The cases are dark, as is the humour, and the plot was very good. It was quite a long read for this genre but that was fine for me as I really enjoyed it. I’m definitely up for revisiting these characters in book 2.
Briefly, Zara has been off work after an emotional breakdown but she is recalled to take charge of a case involving a woman found dead in a barn. It soon becomes clear that the various cases our four protagonists are working on have some uncommon similarities. Cases that no one else wanted and so they can investigate in the shadows.
I really enjoyed all four protagonists and it was good to see how they went from disregarding each other moving towards trust and even, god forbid, liking each other. I liked that we are learning about their personal lives and the reasons they have come together in the therapy group and there are obviously more revelations to come. The cases are dark, as is the humour, and the plot was very good. It was quite a long read for this genre but that was fine for me as I really enjoyed it. I’m definitely up for revisiting these characters in book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Powerful and Emotional Read.
Broken Wings kept me engaged from start to finish with its strong characters and moving storyline. Barry Rainsford delivers an excellent book that is both gripping and thought-provoking. And I Highly recommend this book. Thanks to Barry N. Rainsford for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Broken Wings kept me engaged from start to finish with its strong characters and moving storyline. Barry Rainsford delivers an excellent book that is both gripping and thought-provoking. And I Highly recommend this book. Thanks to Barry N. Rainsford for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 2, 2026
#AD:PR It's my turn on the tour and I am so excited to finally talk about this book!
Broken Wings: A Trail Of Crumbs by Barry N Rainsford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let's all just admit that if we're going to set a gritty thriller anywhere, the North Yorkshire Dales has got to be the best location. Dark, brooding and with a landscape that's constantly shifting, I can't think of a better personification of the Dales than four frustrated, 'difficult' and suspicious members of the police force, all of them handling cases but also wrought out with the system they're in. In setting his Broken Wings series within the Dales, Rainsford has played a blinder.
In this book, the first of the series, Rainsford focuses on DI Zara Fisher. Upon discovering the body of a woman in a remote barn, she is called back to duty from a leave of stress related absence and in returning, is forced into an anger management group where she meets our other three protagonists. Though each member has their own cases and issues, sudden similarities in cases bring them to working together to uncover a web of secrets hidden across North Yorkshire.
I really liked Rainsford's handling of the characters and issues in these books. There are some dark, emotional themes here but they are handled with both sensitivity and a humour that is placed ao nuancedly that it works to lift the novel. The novel is thought provoking and the issues that each character faces outside of work as well as within thwir cases, makes them relatable and three-dimensional. I also loved how he was able to keep you hooked with clever plot points and the ability to link characters in different ways with ease. The descriptions of the North Yorkshire landscape and it's features were also fantastic and clearly the writing of someone who knows this area.
A fantastic book and a really strong way to open a series, I can't wait for the next one! Thanks to the author and RandomThingsTours for the ARC!
Broken Wings: A Trail Of Crumbs by Barry N Rainsford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let's all just admit that if we're going to set a gritty thriller anywhere, the North Yorkshire Dales has got to be the best location. Dark, brooding and with a landscape that's constantly shifting, I can't think of a better personification of the Dales than four frustrated, 'difficult' and suspicious members of the police force, all of them handling cases but also wrought out with the system they're in. In setting his Broken Wings series within the Dales, Rainsford has played a blinder.
In this book, the first of the series, Rainsford focuses on DI Zara Fisher. Upon discovering the body of a woman in a remote barn, she is called back to duty from a leave of stress related absence and in returning, is forced into an anger management group where she meets our other three protagonists. Though each member has their own cases and issues, sudden similarities in cases bring them to working together to uncover a web of secrets hidden across North Yorkshire.
I really liked Rainsford's handling of the characters and issues in these books. There are some dark, emotional themes here but they are handled with both sensitivity and a humour that is placed ao nuancedly that it works to lift the novel. The novel is thought provoking and the issues that each character faces outside of work as well as within thwir cases, makes them relatable and three-dimensional. I also loved how he was able to keep you hooked with clever plot points and the ability to link characters in different ways with ease. The descriptions of the North Yorkshire landscape and it's features were also fantastic and clearly the writing of someone who knows this area.
A fantastic book and a really strong way to open a series, I can't wait for the next one! Thanks to the author and RandomThingsTours for the ARC!
February 7, 2026
Wow! Loved it. Very Chandler-esque - lots of characters linking up in unexpected ways, characters you can empathise with (I think I'd be Fisher, ready to punch someone on the nose but using cutting wit instead), obscure motives and of course a really, twisty plot.
I felt the prologue hooked you right in with innocuous kids suddenly finding the mysterious hair rope.
From around the middle, particularly when Strong laid out what had really happened with Brightside, the pace racked up and I was on tenterhooks wanting to solve the puzzle. As soon as Demetriou was sent to interview Crosby, I was thinking Oh No he's going to "cop it". When I went to bed, I was trying to work out who the mystery killer could be.
I loved the ending where the good guys win - sort of- and a cracking last line. I think it would make readers think "I wonder if this really happened and that Musgrove is based on the real author and he wrote this book to reveal the corruption"!!
The prime characters are complex, like real people, and I'm sure people will identify with them and the awkward situations they find themselves in. Even outside of the police, you have bullying, conniving bosses that you have to manage your way through. I really liked how the Broken Wings group dynamic developed from disdain and aggression to respect and support. I loved Demetriou's character, how his clear thinking pulled the others together, plus the mellowing and changes in Musgrove, Fisher and Doyle. These are characters that, at first, are a bit annoying as you imagine having to work with them, but then you start to really empathise with and root for them. (And look forward to seeing them in future books.)
I felt the prologue hooked you right in with innocuous kids suddenly finding the mysterious hair rope.
From around the middle, particularly when Strong laid out what had really happened with Brightside, the pace racked up and I was on tenterhooks wanting to solve the puzzle. As soon as Demetriou was sent to interview Crosby, I was thinking Oh No he's going to "cop it". When I went to bed, I was trying to work out who the mystery killer could be.
I loved the ending where the good guys win - sort of- and a cracking last line. I think it would make readers think "I wonder if this really happened and that Musgrove is based on the real author and he wrote this book to reveal the corruption"!!
The prime characters are complex, like real people, and I'm sure people will identify with them and the awkward situations they find themselves in. Even outside of the police, you have bullying, conniving bosses that you have to manage your way through. I really liked how the Broken Wings group dynamic developed from disdain and aggression to respect and support. I loved Demetriou's character, how his clear thinking pulled the others together, plus the mellowing and changes in Musgrove, Fisher and Doyle. These are characters that, at first, are a bit annoying as you imagine having to work with them, but then you start to really empathise with and root for them. (And look forward to seeing them in future books.)
February 16, 2026
Put on restricted duties due to being placed in Anger Management therapy, damaged DI Zara Fisher gets the case of a young trafficked woman found with her head shaved and hanged in a remote barn from a rope intertwined with human hair, not all of it the victim’s, as opposed to the exciting investigation into the death of prominent millionaire businessman Paul Webb who was decapitated inside the log flume at a new waterpark he had built and was opening. He was standing in for the Prime Minister, so who was the real target? Her boss DCS Crosby declares the woman’s death to be a suicide but Zara is not so sure. What if there are more victims like her? Zara is soon joined in the support group by DS Pan Demetriou transferred under a cloud from Birmingham, ex-hacker Sophie Doyle from digital forensics and her own ACC Neil Musgrove who certainly demonstrates his red mist when dealing with Webb’s crime scene. Angry birds with broken wings. Soon after, another case is handed to Pan and Zara, that of a solicitor plummeting to his death from the roof of a hotel. Again Crosby wants it to be called a suicide but Zara and Pan continue to investigate regardless. Gradually all their cases converge and the body count rises as they combine forces, and find themselves on a very dangerous path to unearth some dark secrets that someone is intent on keeping buried at all costs.
There’s much humour in this first book in a brand-new series featuring some flawed but also clever and inciteful characters who are all very likable in their own ways. The twisty plot is clever, complex and engrossing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
There’s much humour in this first book in a brand-new series featuring some flawed but also clever and inciteful characters who are all very likable in their own ways. The twisty plot is clever, complex and engrossing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Random Things Tours for inviting me to participate in this blog tour. This is a dark, rain-soaked crime thriller with an intriguing premise and a lead character who immediately captures attention. While it may not fully reach every height it aims for, it offers a distinctive and atmospheric take on the genre.
DI Zara Fisher is a compelling protagonist — flawed, guarded, and shaped by emotional scars that feel authentic rather than overplayed. Her forced return to duty and placement in an anger-management group for “difficult” officers is a smart and refreshing angle, adding depth and originality to the familiar police procedural format. The idea of four damaged officers gradually realising their cases may be linked is particularly clever and brimming with narrative potential.
Atmosphere is one of the novel’s strongest assets. The bleak North Yorkshire setting, combined with themes of guilt, obsession, and buried secrets, creates a consistently moody backdrop. Touches of dark humour are woven throughout, helping to ease the tension and giving the story a distinctive voice, even if some moments resonate more strongly than others.
The novel occasionally stumbles in terms of pacing and focus. There are times when the plot feels a little crowded, with multiple threads competing for attention, and not every reveal lands with the same impact. However, these moments don’t overshadow the overall experience, and patient readers will still find plenty to engage with as the story unfolds.
Broken Wings is a thoughtful, ambitious crime novel that stands out for its character work and atmosphere. While it didn’t completely grip me from start to finish, it offers originality and emotional depth that will appeal to readers who enjoy darker, character-driven crime fiction.
https://featzreviews.com/broken-wings...
DI Zara Fisher is a compelling protagonist — flawed, guarded, and shaped by emotional scars that feel authentic rather than overplayed. Her forced return to duty and placement in an anger-management group for “difficult” officers is a smart and refreshing angle, adding depth and originality to the familiar police procedural format. The idea of four damaged officers gradually realising their cases may be linked is particularly clever and brimming with narrative potential.
Atmosphere is one of the novel’s strongest assets. The bleak North Yorkshire setting, combined with themes of guilt, obsession, and buried secrets, creates a consistently moody backdrop. Touches of dark humour are woven throughout, helping to ease the tension and giving the story a distinctive voice, even if some moments resonate more strongly than others.
The novel occasionally stumbles in terms of pacing and focus. There are times when the plot feels a little crowded, with multiple threads competing for attention, and not every reveal lands with the same impact. However, these moments don’t overshadow the overall experience, and patient readers will still find plenty to engage with as the story unfolds.
Broken Wings is a thoughtful, ambitious crime novel that stands out for its character work and atmosphere. While it didn’t completely grip me from start to finish, it offers originality and emotional depth that will appeal to readers who enjoy darker, character-driven crime fiction.
https://featzreviews.com/broken-wings...
February 22, 2026
I was initially drawn to Broken Wings due to its setting in Yorkshire and being a “Yorkshire Lass” anything Yorkshire always intrigues me.
However, once I got into the book, and to e honest it took me a while I was intrigued about the idea of taking four “Broken “ members of the police force and putting them in a counselling session together and their anger, frustrations and ultimately discussions put them in a situation where they are able to look at the so called suicides from a different angle and uncover the truth behind them all.
The characters Barry has created are strong and you feel as though you get to know them as they work together to solve the sinister happenings in the Yorkshire Dales. The connecting thread, which I won’t reveal for obvious reasons, running through the book is a clever one and ,I don’t know about you, I find myself often wondering where do writers get these new ideas from that, as far as I am aware, have never been used before in a book.
Barry N Rainsford is definitely a writer to watch out for and as Broken Wings is the first book in the North Yorkshire Crime Thriller series I’m awaiting the next instalment “Keeper of Souls” with anticipation .
However, once I got into the book, and to e honest it took me a while I was intrigued about the idea of taking four “Broken “ members of the police force and putting them in a counselling session together and their anger, frustrations and ultimately discussions put them in a situation where they are able to look at the so called suicides from a different angle and uncover the truth behind them all.
The characters Barry has created are strong and you feel as though you get to know them as they work together to solve the sinister happenings in the Yorkshire Dales. The connecting thread, which I won’t reveal for obvious reasons, running through the book is a clever one and ,I don’t know about you, I find myself often wondering where do writers get these new ideas from that, as far as I am aware, have never been used before in a book.
Barry N Rainsford is definitely a writer to watch out for and as Broken Wings is the first book in the North Yorkshire Crime Thriller series I’m awaiting the next instalment “Keeper of Souls” with anticipation .
February 18, 2026
I love a good crime thriller especially one with such a fantastic, dark sense of humour throughout!
DI Zara Fisher is called back to duty after a leave of absence when a woman’s body is discovered in a remote barn. Her boss decides it’s a suicide but Zara is not so sure herself so begins to investigate, when yet another death is again ruled a suicide by her boss she is determined to carry on her investigations alongside Pan who agrees. During her leave of absence Zara was forced to attend an angry management group where she meets 3 officers from around North Yorkshire, in this first book of the series we get to meet each character and get to know them really well. These 3 officers end up working on cases that have some similarities to the cases DI Zara Fisher has been called back to work on, between them they begin to discover the links between the cases and uncover some dark secrets.
With lots of dark twists and turns you can’t help but get lost in the storyline and characters who all have their own unique personalities, issues and part to play in unravelling the secrets across North Yorkshire.
DI Zara Fisher is called back to duty after a leave of absence when a woman’s body is discovered in a remote barn. Her boss decides it’s a suicide but Zara is not so sure herself so begins to investigate, when yet another death is again ruled a suicide by her boss she is determined to carry on her investigations alongside Pan who agrees. During her leave of absence Zara was forced to attend an angry management group where she meets 3 officers from around North Yorkshire, in this first book of the series we get to meet each character and get to know them really well. These 3 officers end up working on cases that have some similarities to the cases DI Zara Fisher has been called back to work on, between them they begin to discover the links between the cases and uncover some dark secrets.
With lots of dark twists and turns you can’t help but get lost in the storyline and characters who all have their own unique personalities, issues and part to play in unravelling the secrets across North Yorkshire.
February 8, 2026
A crime thriller set in North Yorkshire seeing a group of down & out coppers coming together to solves some mysterious deaths that don’t quite add up.
With various reasons they ended up in the “Broken Wings” therapy group they aren’t going down without a fight.
From personal demons to long buried secrets this book as a bit of everything. Dark humour, work place banter, sarcasm and betrayals… what more could you want.
I love how descriptive the scenes are, there’s so much there that it makes it easy to form a picture in your mind. The characters are really good. I like the work place banter & relationships the Broken Wings group form as time goes on. This is a slow & steady one, great for anyone who doesn’t like an intense read. It builds nicely leading towards the explosive end- but again nothing too crazy. there’s so many ways this could’ve gone, lots to keep you guessing.
Barry gives so much depth to his characters with their back stories so the reader really gets to know them.
I’m looking forward to see what’s to come with book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
With various reasons they ended up in the “Broken Wings” therapy group they aren’t going down without a fight.
From personal demons to long buried secrets this book as a bit of everything. Dark humour, work place banter, sarcasm and betrayals… what more could you want.
I love how descriptive the scenes are, there’s so much there that it makes it easy to form a picture in your mind. The characters are really good. I like the work place banter & relationships the Broken Wings group form as time goes on. This is a slow & steady one, great for anyone who doesn’t like an intense read. It builds nicely leading towards the explosive end- but again nothing too crazy. there’s so many ways this could’ve gone, lots to keep you guessing.
Barry gives so much depth to his characters with their back stories so the reader really gets to know them.
I’m looking forward to see what’s to come with book 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Broken Wings is a cracking start to a new crime series—sharp, gritty, and quietly clever. DI Zara Fisher is a wonderfully flawed lead: damaged, angry, and absolutely compelling. Thrown back into the job via an enforced anger-management group (which is as darkly funny as it sounds), she finds herself investigating a case that’s far messier—and more dangerous—than it first appears.
What I really loved here is the character work. This isn’t just about catching a killer; it’s about the emotional cost of the job, the baggage people carry, and the ways they try (and often fail) to hold it together. The North Yorkshire setting adds real atmosphere—moody, bleak, and beautifully done—and the pacing keeps things moving without sacrificing depth.
Smart, character-driven crime with heart, bite, and just the right amount of humour. A strong series opener, and one I’ll happily continue with.
What I really loved here is the character work. This isn’t just about catching a killer; it’s about the emotional cost of the job, the baggage people carry, and the ways they try (and often fail) to hold it together. The North Yorkshire setting adds real atmosphere—moody, bleak, and beautifully done—and the pacing keeps things moving without sacrificing depth.
Smart, character-driven crime with heart, bite, and just the right amount of humour. A strong series opener, and one I’ll happily continue with.
February 6, 2026
I really enjoyed the way this author writes. Loved the colorful yet realistic characters, unique compelling storyline, and there was a constant low rumble of humor that had me grinning so much if you were watching me you wouldn't believe I was reading a murder mystery! For me, the humor is what makes it exceptional. I've found a new author to add to my favorites list, and I truly can't wait to read the next book. I did receive this as an ARC, but this is my honest opinion.
February 17, 2026
My goodness I loved this read, the cover drew me in then when I started reading I was hooked straight from the prologue right to the last page.
The characters are great, the setting of the North Yorkshire Dales was brought to life through the writing, when you’re read of the rain, the dark and crimes scenes the descriptive writing I could imagine it all.
The whole concept was good and I’m really excited to read more from this series.
#BrokenWings @barrynrainsford_writer
@randomthingstours
February 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this book especially living and working in the Dales where the book is set. It is super atmospheric and you can easily imagine the scenes whilst reading.
The characters are fantastic and I loved their back stories and their involvement in the 'Broken Wings' support group.
There's a dark humour to the book that keeps you chuckling along at the same time as you're trying to solve who the murder is. There's a great twist at the end as well (no spoilers).
A thoroughly enjoyable book especially if you enjoy crime books with a twist of dark humour. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series .
March 2, 2026
‘Broken Wings’ is the start of a brand new crime series with a difference. Set in North Yorkshire, it revolves around three detectives and one IT support worker that are all members of an anger management group! Pushed to the sidelines of their work for various reasons, they are left with the cases no one else wants. But that means they can work in the shadows and investigate cases others would just sign off on.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, filled with dark humour, nuanced and flawed characters, and an interesting mystery to boot! It is clear from the writing and content that the author loves old-school mysteries, noir-like Chandler, and wants to incorporate this into the story. There is a fine balance to be had when it comes to being descriptive in your writing, and I lean more towards leaving some space for the readers to make their own thoughts and images. Although I can fault any of the descriptors used, they were a tad few many for my personal taste. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t pick up the second book in the series, as I love these characters and I can’t wait to catch up with them!
The concept of ‘broken wings’ for those members of the anger management group really resonated throughout the book. All four members had a valid reason to be there, but I also kind of agree with those actions that put them there! The main character, DI Fisher, has an interesting past— one darkened by her being off with the stress of hunting and catching a serial killer. Hopefully, as the series progresses, we will learn more about her father and his death. Her DS Demetriou, ACC Musgrove, and IT Doyle make an excellent team, and it was interesting to see them evolve from disdain and distrust to one who became more open-minded.
I found the book to be very engaging, and the opening scenes with the rope of hair very evocative. Full of Yorkshire wit and authenticity, it was gripping right until the end. This is a series with great potential, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, filled with dark humour, nuanced and flawed characters, and an interesting mystery to boot! It is clear from the writing and content that the author loves old-school mysteries, noir-like Chandler, and wants to incorporate this into the story. There is a fine balance to be had when it comes to being descriptive in your writing, and I lean more towards leaving some space for the readers to make their own thoughts and images. Although I can fault any of the descriptors used, they were a tad few many for my personal taste. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t pick up the second book in the series, as I love these characters and I can’t wait to catch up with them!
The concept of ‘broken wings’ for those members of the anger management group really resonated throughout the book. All four members had a valid reason to be there, but I also kind of agree with those actions that put them there! The main character, DI Fisher, has an interesting past— one darkened by her being off with the stress of hunting and catching a serial killer. Hopefully, as the series progresses, we will learn more about her father and his death. Her DS Demetriou, ACC Musgrove, and IT Doyle make an excellent team, and it was interesting to see them evolve from disdain and distrust to one who became more open-minded.
I found the book to be very engaging, and the opening scenes with the rope of hair very evocative. Full of Yorkshire wit and authenticity, it was gripping right until the end. This is a series with great potential, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews