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DC Ian Bradshaw #2
Behind Dead Eyes
A missing woman, a disfigured corpse, a chillingly persuasive serial killer. A gripping crime thriller perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Mel Sherratt and Mark BillinghamTrue-crime writer Tom Carney receives a letter from a convicted murderer who insists he is innocent. His argument is persuasive - but psychopaths are often said to be charming.Across the city, Detective Ian Bradshaw has a murder case on his hands. But he can't catch the killer if he can't ID the victim, and this woman's identity has been extinguished in the most shocking manner imaginable.And meanwhile, journalist Helen Norton is one step away from uncovering a massive criminal conspiracy. Soon, she will learn the price of the truth.Three crimes. One chilling connection. A gripping crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.SEE WHAT BESTSELLING AUTHORS ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT BRITAIN'S BEST NEW CRIME AUTHOR'One of the best new writers around. This is a must-read series' Mark Billingham'Gripping and convincing.' Kimberley Chambers'A new master of the gripping, gritty thriller. Howard Linskey takes you right to the heart of it' Paul Finch'An emotional, gripping, and pulse-pounding crime novel to start what is certain to be a brilliant new series from Howard Linskey' Helen Fitzgerald
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2016
22 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Howard Linskey
31 books251 followersABOUT ME
A bit about me and my books. I am an author with Canelo, currently writing a series of William Shakespeare mysteries. The first is 'A Serpent In The Garden' which sees Will forced to look into the mysterious death of a lady in Elizabethan London. .
I am also the author of a series of books set in the north east of England, featuring journalists Tom Carney & Helen Norton with detective Ian Bradshaw, who all appear in ‘The Chosen Ones’, ‘The Search’, 'Behind Dead Eyes’ and ‘No Name Lane' and the standalones, 'Alice Teale Is Missing', 'Don't Let Him In' and The Inheritance'.
My WW2 historical novels include ‘Hunting the Hangman’, which tells the true story of the assassination of Nazi General, Reinhard Heydrich, and ‘Ungentlemanly Warfare’. The latter features SOE agents, Harry Walsh and Emma Stirling and OSS agent, Sam Cooper.
My earlier novels, the David Blake books, have been optioned for TV by Harry Potter producer, David Barron. The Times newspaper voted 'The Drop' one of its Top Five Thrillers of the Year and 'The Damage' one of its Top Summer Reads. Both books broke into the top five Amazon Kindle chart.
I’m honoured to be the ghost writer of ‘Surviving Hell’ which tells the true story of former Para, Nick Dunn, one of the Chennai Six, who were wrongfully imprisoned in India for years, having committed no crime, and 'Surviving Hell', the autobiography of Princess Diana's former bodyguard, Lee Sansum.
On a far lighter note, I am also the writer behind ‘The Little Book Of Pintfulness’ a mindfulness spoof, which comprehensively proves that life is just better with beer. Please read responsibly.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, I led a series of different lives with a number of jobs, including barman, journalist, catering manager and marketing manager for a celebrity chef, as well as in a variety of sales and account management roles. I can confirm that writing books definitely beats working for a living.
I started writing many moons ago and was first published in the Newcastle United football fanzine, 'The Mag'. I then became a journalist and wrote for regional newspapers. I have also written for magazines and web sites and was once the English Premier League football correspondent for a Malaysian magazine. I've stopped all of that nonsense now, preferring to make up stuff instead and call myself an author.
I'm originally from Ferryhill in County Durham but, like most of the people I grew up with, I left the north east in search of work and never quite made it back. I am now settled in Hertfordshire with my lovely wife Alison and wonderful daughter Erin.
I'm still a long-suffering Newcastle United fan and can only assume that Mike Ashley is a punishment inflicted upon us for all of the crimes we committed in our past lives.
I am represented by the best Literary Agent in the UK, Phil Patterson at Marjacq. Catherine Pellegrino looks after my foreign rights there. If you are Brad Pitt and you wish to play David Blake in a movie then Leah Middleton takes care of Film and TV rights:
Marjacq Scripts Ltd
The Space
235 High Holborn
London WC1V 7LE
+44 (0) 20 7935 9499
F +44 (0) 20 7935 9115
enquiries@marjacq.com
A bit about me and my books. I am an author with Canelo, currently writing a series of William Shakespeare mysteries. The first is 'A Serpent In The Garden' which sees Will forced to look into the mysterious death of a lady in Elizabethan London. .
I am also the author of a series of books set in the north east of England, featuring journalists Tom Carney & Helen Norton with detective Ian Bradshaw, who all appear in ‘The Chosen Ones’, ‘The Search’, 'Behind Dead Eyes’ and ‘No Name Lane' and the standalones, 'Alice Teale Is Missing', 'Don't Let Him In' and The Inheritance'.
My WW2 historical novels include ‘Hunting the Hangman’, which tells the true story of the assassination of Nazi General, Reinhard Heydrich, and ‘Ungentlemanly Warfare’. The latter features SOE agents, Harry Walsh and Emma Stirling and OSS agent, Sam Cooper.
My earlier novels, the David Blake books, have been optioned for TV by Harry Potter producer, David Barron. The Times newspaper voted 'The Drop' one of its Top Five Thrillers of the Year and 'The Damage' one of its Top Summer Reads. Both books broke into the top five Amazon Kindle chart.
I’m honoured to be the ghost writer of ‘Surviving Hell’ which tells the true story of former Para, Nick Dunn, one of the Chennai Six, who were wrongfully imprisoned in India for years, having committed no crime, and 'Surviving Hell', the autobiography of Princess Diana's former bodyguard, Lee Sansum.
On a far lighter note, I am also the writer behind ‘The Little Book Of Pintfulness’ a mindfulness spoof, which comprehensively proves that life is just better with beer. Please read responsibly.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, I led a series of different lives with a number of jobs, including barman, journalist, catering manager and marketing manager for a celebrity chef, as well as in a variety of sales and account management roles. I can confirm that writing books definitely beats working for a living.
I started writing many moons ago and was first published in the Newcastle United football fanzine, 'The Mag'. I then became a journalist and wrote for regional newspapers. I have also written for magazines and web sites and was once the English Premier League football correspondent for a Malaysian magazine. I've stopped all of that nonsense now, preferring to make up stuff instead and call myself an author.
I'm originally from Ferryhill in County Durham but, like most of the people I grew up with, I left the north east in search of work and never quite made it back. I am now settled in Hertfordshire with my lovely wife Alison and wonderful daughter Erin.
I'm still a long-suffering Newcastle United fan and can only assume that Mike Ashley is a punishment inflicted upon us for all of the crimes we committed in our past lives.
I am represented by the best Literary Agent in the UK, Phil Patterson at Marjacq. Catherine Pellegrino looks after my foreign rights there. If you are Brad Pitt and you wish to play David Blake in a movie then Leah Middleton takes care of Film and TV rights:
Marjacq Scripts Ltd
The Space
235 High Holborn
London WC1V 7LE
+44 (0) 20 7935 9499
F +44 (0) 20 7935 9115
enquiries@marjacq.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
May 16, 2016
Behind Dead Eyes is the second book in a series that follows three main characters. It actually works really well as a stand alone but as I love No Name Lane, the first in the series, I highly recommend reading them both.
Helen, seemed more in the back ground in the first novel but she is very much at the front of things this time. Unfortunately uncovering stories and the truth seems to come at a price and even though she is trying to put a brave face on things, you can tell she also feels very vulnerable and scared.
Tom and Ian, I loved catching back up with. Their respect for each other seems to have grown and all three characters seem to be quite a force to be reckoned with.
The author has come up yet again with a great storyline that had me hooked from beginning to end. I love how it is all woven together and I had no clue as to who was behind the murder as well as the conspiracy. I was kept guessing until the author decided to reveal it to me.
This really is a great series that works so well. I love that it has three main characters that all have different careers which crime ties them all together. It opens up the series to endless exciting possibilities that make me eager to read more. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Jenny at Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Helen, seemed more in the back ground in the first novel but she is very much at the front of things this time. Unfortunately uncovering stories and the truth seems to come at a price and even though she is trying to put a brave face on things, you can tell she also feels very vulnerable and scared.
Tom and Ian, I loved catching back up with. Their respect for each other seems to have grown and all three characters seem to be quite a force to be reckoned with.
The author has come up yet again with a great storyline that had me hooked from beginning to end. I love how it is all woven together and I had no clue as to who was behind the murder as well as the conspiracy. I was kept guessing until the author decided to reveal it to me.
This really is a great series that works so well. I love that it has three main characters that all have different careers which crime ties them all together. It opens up the series to endless exciting possibilities that make me eager to read more. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Jenny at Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2016
Behind Dead Eyes is the superbly accomplished follow-up to No Name Lane featuring the disillusioned and out of favour cop, DC Ian Bradshaw forming an unlikely alliance with journalist turned true-crime writer, Tom Carney and junior crime reporter, Helen Norton. In the wake of the unofficial cooperation and knowledge pooling that was the focus of No Name Lane, Bradshaw has received a promotion and Helen Norton gained a prime position at a regional daily based in the north-east. For Carney, however, his fortunes have waxed and waned and after delivering a true-crime book telling the story of the investigation of the first collaboration his star has now fallen, leaving him as an unemployment former journalist and an author with his prime story behind him. With money tight, a mortgage to service and the associated repairs of owner-occupancy making light work of his minimal savings, Tom needs a job and after several letters from convicted murderer, Richard Bell, he agrees to look into the story surrounding his claims of a miscarriage of justice. Meanwhile, DS Bradshaw is on a trail of a corpse that remains tantalisingly beyond the grasp of his team identifying and investigating the disappearance of a former local politician's daughter. Helen is settling into life in her new flat and on the brink of uncovering a conspiracy between the power brokers that hold court in the passionate north-east of England. Needless to say, all three serve to benefit from pooling resources as they set about their individual challenges. Exceptionally well plotted, Howard Linskey keeps a firm hold on the three separate stories which comprise Behind Dead Eyes, ensuring they all knit together perfectly, never leaving any room for questions and tying up every loose end.
Set in 1995 in the north-east, Behind Dead Eyes has a wonderful feel of the spirit of a region in flux, capturing brilliantly the regeneration of the area and the difficult transition from the decline of heavy industries towards an economy more dependent on the services sector for employment and growth. Linskey conveys the feeling that this isn't always an easy road to follow and can lead to testy community relations, thanks largely to not suiting the aspirations of all parties involved. As well as capturing this emotion, Howard Linskey plants plenty of period references throughout, from not everyone having smartphones to photographs requiring development and historic news events of the times, meaning readers are never in doubt of the plausibility of the period setting of this novel. Linskey spins a tale of social exclusion, including the writing off of a whole group of vulnerable teenage girls at the mercy of the inadequate social services provided at the time. As Behind Dead Eyes evidences, discovering facts in the mid-nineties was more down to pounding the streets and much less computer based and the violence involved in the action always maintained credibility, keeping with the thug aggression and the brute force violence that was synonymous with the period. Howard Linskey captures perfectly how in the early nineties the power brokers who filled the role of councillors, booming business magnates and gangland bosses often hailed from the same area, born and bred from within a community fraught with old school ties.
Although there are several mentions to the exploits of No Name Lane in the early pages of this novel this does not prove a headache as all of the unlikely trio have seen a change in their situations and hence this does work as a standalone. What was different about the set-up of Behind Dead Eyes is that police knowledge of Tom Carney's involvement in the whole affair was encouraged, such as to the point that Carney was pressurised into taking on a case and opening a two-way cooperation to mutually beneficial effect. Whether this is plausible seems unlikely and as for allocating resources being unquestioningly allowed without justification, I was unconvinced. In the interest of good fiction I can overlook all of this, but clearly it does lead to questions about the future of this series if the individuals continue in their current roles, namely two journalists and one policeman. Unfortunately the most vapid of this trio is DS Ian Bradshaw, who never convinces as having the wherewithal to ever make a success of his job, most notably often being naive in how he approaches matters. The conclusion of Behind Dead Eyes left the feeling that the combined naivety and decision of the group to tackle things alone and without any advice from the higher police authorities was unwise and the death toll at the conclusion is telling.
Of the three separate investigations pursued, the least compelling is Tom Carney's mission to exonerate the life sentence handed down to convicted murderer Richard Bell. However I did think Linskey did an excellent job of depicting Bell as a man with many faults, and somewhat deserving of the egotistical psychopath label he was tarred with. For me, it always seemed to be clear where the particular plot thread would lead, whereas the other questions facing Bradshaw and Norton proved more intriguing. The subplots combine to rattle along well and there is plenty enough action to justify the 450 pages length.
Regardless of where this series goes from here, I can guarantee that I will read more of Howard Linskey. His adept plotting skills and ability to deliver a story which canters along, never flagging or giving the reader a chance to lose interest. The dialogue and tensions between the threesome as they work together and meet some unexpected obstacles prove hugely compelling, but the one factor that prevented this being a 5 star read is my inability to ignite any enthusiasm for the lead characters, who on the whole seems a bland lot, with little to mark them out as dynamic characters who make a series a must read. There is no question about Linskey's skill though, as his novel delivers everything but sadly just not characters that I can form a connection to, invest in or vie for.
Set in 1995 in the north-east, Behind Dead Eyes has a wonderful feel of the spirit of a region in flux, capturing brilliantly the regeneration of the area and the difficult transition from the decline of heavy industries towards an economy more dependent on the services sector for employment and growth. Linskey conveys the feeling that this isn't always an easy road to follow and can lead to testy community relations, thanks largely to not suiting the aspirations of all parties involved. As well as capturing this emotion, Howard Linskey plants plenty of period references throughout, from not everyone having smartphones to photographs requiring development and historic news events of the times, meaning readers are never in doubt of the plausibility of the period setting of this novel. Linskey spins a tale of social exclusion, including the writing off of a whole group of vulnerable teenage girls at the mercy of the inadequate social services provided at the time. As Behind Dead Eyes evidences, discovering facts in the mid-nineties was more down to pounding the streets and much less computer based and the violence involved in the action always maintained credibility, keeping with the thug aggression and the brute force violence that was synonymous with the period. Howard Linskey captures perfectly how in the early nineties the power brokers who filled the role of councillors, booming business magnates and gangland bosses often hailed from the same area, born and bred from within a community fraught with old school ties.
Although there are several mentions to the exploits of No Name Lane in the early pages of this novel this does not prove a headache as all of the unlikely trio have seen a change in their situations and hence this does work as a standalone. What was different about the set-up of Behind Dead Eyes is that police knowledge of Tom Carney's involvement in the whole affair was encouraged, such as to the point that Carney was pressurised into taking on a case and opening a two-way cooperation to mutually beneficial effect. Whether this is plausible seems unlikely and as for allocating resources being unquestioningly allowed without justification, I was unconvinced. In the interest of good fiction I can overlook all of this, but clearly it does lead to questions about the future of this series if the individuals continue in their current roles, namely two journalists and one policeman. Unfortunately the most vapid of this trio is DS Ian Bradshaw, who never convinces as having the wherewithal to ever make a success of his job, most notably often being naive in how he approaches matters. The conclusion of Behind Dead Eyes left the feeling that the combined naivety and decision of the group to tackle things alone and without any advice from the higher police authorities was unwise and the death toll at the conclusion is telling.
Of the three separate investigations pursued, the least compelling is Tom Carney's mission to exonerate the life sentence handed down to convicted murderer Richard Bell. However I did think Linskey did an excellent job of depicting Bell as a man with many faults, and somewhat deserving of the egotistical psychopath label he was tarred with. For me, it always seemed to be clear where the particular plot thread would lead, whereas the other questions facing Bradshaw and Norton proved more intriguing. The subplots combine to rattle along well and there is plenty enough action to justify the 450 pages length.
Regardless of where this series goes from here, I can guarantee that I will read more of Howard Linskey. His adept plotting skills and ability to deliver a story which canters along, never flagging or giving the reader a chance to lose interest. The dialogue and tensions between the threesome as they work together and meet some unexpected obstacles prove hugely compelling, but the one factor that prevented this being a 5 star read is my inability to ignite any enthusiasm for the lead characters, who on the whole seems a bland lot, with little to mark them out as dynamic characters who make a series a must read. There is no question about Linskey's skill though, as his novel delivers everything but sadly just not characters that I can form a connection to, invest in or vie for.
May 17, 2018
Very enjoyable read. Not an unputdownable, nevertheless, a good story. I was worried I hadn't read the 1st in the DC Ian Bradshaw series, but I needn't have been. It's written very well that you don't have to know about any of the characters backgrounds from the previous story. Not all authors are capable of that, so well done, Mr Linskey. The teenage girls in the home being used by taxi driving, kebab cooking, drug dealing men seems to be a common theme in the news. This doesn't delve too deep into that but lightly touches on something quite disturbing in the media over the last couple of years or so. I at no point guessed what had happened to the missing girl which came as quite an unexpected surprise. This is a very good detective crime story as they try to uncover the whereabouts of a missing girl from behind the dead eyes of another.
March 17, 2019
Not bad,has potential. Started well, then it derailed a bit.Despite the subject(s) matters, at times it reads like a cozy (not my genre).
June 29, 2016
A body is found with its identity extinguished in a shocking manner. Detective Ian Bradshaw will not be able to catch the killer if the victim can not be identified.
Does a missing young woman hold the key to unravel the answers?
Helen Norton is a Web Journalist about to uncover a massive conspiracy?
True crime writer Tom Carney receives letters from a convicted murderer who claims to be innocent.
What links the threads running through these crimes.
I would like to thank Net galley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author Howard Linskey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Does a missing young woman hold the key to unravel the answers?
Helen Norton is a Web Journalist about to uncover a massive conspiracy?
True crime writer Tom Carney receives letters from a convicted murderer who claims to be innocent.
What links the threads running through these crimes.
I would like to thank Net galley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author Howard Linskey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2016
I enjoyed the first book in this series (No Name Lane) and was looking forward to what came next for both Tom Carney and Helen Norton. As for Ian Bradshaw, well maybe not so much! When a body is found and is unrecognisable, Detective Ian Bradshaw is the copper working on the case. Ian Bradshaw is a character I am struggling with. He just doesn't have the oomph required for me to even remotely like him. He is just too ordinary and I still feel (even after this book) that he is just too unmemorable. Having said that he plays his part and as book one had introduced him to Tom they certainly have a history.
Tom, meanwhile is asked to reinvestigate the murder of Rebecca Holt and he ends up utilising his friend and journalist Helen Norton. Both Tom and Helen's work overlaps that of Ian Bradshaw's and before long they are working as a team to try and uncover what really happened to Rebecca. This story was a little slower off the mark than No Name Lane but after a few chapters I was into the story and characters and began to enjoy it.
The story certainly had numerous threads to keep the reader entertained and I certainly enjoyed the fact that the story seemingly uncovered more and more deceit as time went on. The writing was great as usual but I still feel like there is something missing with this series and I think it definately comes down to characters. Yes I know I keep banging on about it, but it's an important and key element for me and it's what I feel is missing.
What I would like to see in the next book is more of Ian Bradshaws real personality. STOP Being middle of the road and maybe let the reader see the real him. Tom and Helen make a great team and I think there is plenty more for those two which is certainly something that keeps you tuned into a series. Let's just hope that for the next outing Ian Bradshaw gets a boot up the backside and we get to see a bit more personality. That small niggle aside another solid read and I'll as always be looking forward to what Howie produces next.
Tom, meanwhile is asked to reinvestigate the murder of Rebecca Holt and he ends up utilising his friend and journalist Helen Norton. Both Tom and Helen's work overlaps that of Ian Bradshaw's and before long they are working as a team to try and uncover what really happened to Rebecca. This story was a little slower off the mark than No Name Lane but after a few chapters I was into the story and characters and began to enjoy it.
The story certainly had numerous threads to keep the reader entertained and I certainly enjoyed the fact that the story seemingly uncovered more and more deceit as time went on. The writing was great as usual but I still feel like there is something missing with this series and I think it definately comes down to characters. Yes I know I keep banging on about it, but it's an important and key element for me and it's what I feel is missing.
What I would like to see in the next book is more of Ian Bradshaws real personality. STOP Being middle of the road and maybe let the reader see the real him. Tom and Helen make a great team and I think there is plenty more for those two which is certainly something that keeps you tuned into a series. Let's just hope that for the next outing Ian Bradshaw gets a boot up the backside and we get to see a bit more personality. That small niggle aside another solid read and I'll as always be looking forward to what Howie produces next.
February 21, 2019
Another solidly entertaining crime/thriller from Linskey that goes into some dark places to just the right extent. Also fun to go back to the mid 90s for the setting.
May 20, 2016
This is the second book in this trilogy set in the North East of England during the nineties, the first being No Name Lane. It can be read as a standalone but you will definitely be missing out if you don’t read both!
This book just grabbed me right from the very first page and just didn’t let me go until I read that final “The End” and then I immediately wished I had my grubby little mitts on the third and final book as that one promises to be immense! I adored every moment of this twisty and clever murder mystery as Howard Linskey has an amazing way with words-a true storyteller! The relationship between the three main characters is so well thought out that I sometimes felt I was reading an actually true crime biography. This is a seriously brilliant crime drama that rises head and shoulders above the rest with its gritty realism but it also has a softness cutting through that showed a real emotion at times, the scenes between Tom and Helen especially.
I loved every page of Behind Dead Eyes. It is thrilling and gripping and showcases British crime writing at its very best. I will now be singing this author’s praises to the rooftops!
Many thanks to Jenny at Penguin UK for my review copy and this is my unbiased review.
This book just grabbed me right from the very first page and just didn’t let me go until I read that final “The End” and then I immediately wished I had my grubby little mitts on the third and final book as that one promises to be immense! I adored every moment of this twisty and clever murder mystery as Howard Linskey has an amazing way with words-a true storyteller! The relationship between the three main characters is so well thought out that I sometimes felt I was reading an actually true crime biography. This is a seriously brilliant crime drama that rises head and shoulders above the rest with its gritty realism but it also has a softness cutting through that showed a real emotion at times, the scenes between Tom and Helen especially.
I loved every page of Behind Dead Eyes. It is thrilling and gripping and showcases British crime writing at its very best. I will now be singing this author’s praises to the rooftops!
Many thanks to Jenny at Penguin UK for my review copy and this is my unbiased review.
February 29, 2016
Review to follow closer to publication date.
August 12, 2020
This the second in the series & the second I've read (having read book 3 - yes I'm reading out of order yet again!) & once again it's a very good read which follows a similar format. In this case Tom has been persuaded by a convicted murderer to look into his case as he proffesess his innocence, while Helen is on the trail of a local gangster whose involvement with city councillors is questionable. The daughter of another local councillor had gone missing nearly a year ago & DS Bradshaw is assigned to investigate her disappearance with the instruction to bring Tom in to assist - something Tom isn't initially keen to do.
The story is split well between the three characters with the separate investigations weaving together well.
As the story is set in 1995 things have to be discovered the long way round, there's no googling for info here, it's round to the library to look it up on papers or microfiche. There's a particular passage where Bradshaw has to put a request in writing that quite amused me!
It will come as no surprise that there are some connections between the three threads but the story manages to take some nice turns along the way. There's no big jaw dropping twists but even so some things might not pan out as you might expect them to. Overall a good read & one I can recommend.
The story is split well between the three characters with the separate investigations weaving together well.
As the story is set in 1995 things have to be discovered the long way round, there's no googling for info here, it's round to the library to look it up on papers or microfiche. There's a particular passage where Bradshaw has to put a request in writing that quite amused me!
It will come as no surprise that there are some connections between the three threads but the story manages to take some nice turns along the way. There's no big jaw dropping twists but even so some things might not pan out as you might expect them to. Overall a good read & one I can recommend.
July 20, 2023
Book two in the series, more about his cronies journalist turned true-crime writer, Tom Carney and junior crime reporter, Helen Norton than DC Ian Bradshaw who work together and pool their knowledge and skills to investigate the three intertwined investigations. Linskey does this well with a few twists in the plot. Good solid read.
Read
August 1, 2018Just not feeling this one at all. Got about 120 pages in and stopped caring. It might just be that I'm not in a crime-fiction-y mood!
June 23, 2016
I was reading this as a standalone book as I had not read the previous one and I can honestly say that did not take anything away from getting to know the characters. Tom Carney was a reporter although now he has no job and when a convicted murderer asks him to look into his case he decided to take a look, he knows he will need some police help and he turns to Det Ian Bradshaw who gets him cooperation of the police in return for him helping them looking for a missing councelors daughter. Helen Norton is a reporter and as she has teamed up with them before it seems they once again will be collaborating. Throw in identifying a burned body and death threats it makes for a great story and one that will have you gripped through the many layers and it's not until they are all peeled back that the everything makes sense. I loved the book and I am sure to read the first one in the series and look out for more from Howard Linskey. I thank NetGalley for the copy of the book in return for an honest review.
June 17, 2016
Told from the perspective of three different characters; Tom, a True Crime writer, Ian, a Detective Sergeant and Helen, an Investigative Journalist.
Together they are trying to solve 3 crimes; the identity of a burned female body, the disappearance of a young woman and the innocence or guilt of a man in prison for the murder of his lover.
The mysteries, as usual, have twists and turns, some you see coming and some you don't. The end leaves enough open for the next book in the series.
The author weaves the narrative well and the characters are explored enough for you to feel for them and get into their investigation.
I look forward to the next in the series and will keep my eyes open for the first in this series.
*Huge thanks to Howard Linskey, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review*
Together they are trying to solve 3 crimes; the identity of a burned female body, the disappearance of a young woman and the innocence or guilt of a man in prison for the murder of his lover.
The mysteries, as usual, have twists and turns, some you see coming and some you don't. The end leaves enough open for the next book in the series.
The author weaves the narrative well and the characters are explored enough for you to feel for them and get into their investigation.
I look forward to the next in the series and will keep my eyes open for the first in this series.
*Huge thanks to Howard Linskey, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review*
March 22, 2016
I read this book before the first in the series, and some references were made to previous cases etc. It did not spoil this book though as it involved new cases, and the characters were described well in this book that I felt I wasn't missing out. I will be reading the previous book though to see what happened to the three main characters before they met up again in this book.
A body is found that is unidentifiable, another young girl is missing, and a man behind bars claims he is innocent of murder. Detective Ian Bradshaw, Journalist Helen Norton and Crime-writer Tom Carney come together to solve the mystery of all the crimes and what ties them all together.
Recommended book and a solid 4 stars from me.
I received an ARC from the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
A body is found that is unidentifiable, another young girl is missing, and a man behind bars claims he is innocent of murder. Detective Ian Bradshaw, Journalist Helen Norton and Crime-writer Tom Carney come together to solve the mystery of all the crimes and what ties them all together.
Recommended book and a solid 4 stars from me.
I received an ARC from the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 3, 2018
An involving, slow-burning mystery which makes such good use of its 1990s' setting.
September 1, 2019
Really well done.
March 29, 2020
Quite a bit of time has passed since I read the first book and perhaps the same amount of time has passed between book 1 to the beginning of book 2. The trio has gone their separate ways and yet different line of enquiries brought them back together in this instalment.
A faceless unidentifiable body of a young girl was found some months ago and the police was still unable to determine her identity. An ex-councillor's daughter has disappeared at around the same time (no, it's not that easy!). A meeting of a councillor, a prominent businessman, and another businessman who is also known as the head of a gang. And to top it all off, a convicted murderer persisted that he is innocent and wished for Tom Carney to look into his case. A tough case load for Tom and his mates but they're up for it. Their search for justice, however, may not end up the way they'd like it to be...
The beginning was a tad complicated as there are numerous lines of mysteries plus with the 3 POVs (alternating even within chapters denoting by gaps between paragraphs), it took a bit of time to get used to. However, after a time, the story flows on seamlessly and the end ties everything up well.
A faceless unidentifiable body of a young girl was found some months ago and the police was still unable to determine her identity. An ex-councillor's daughter has disappeared at around the same time (no, it's not that easy!). A meeting of a councillor, a prominent businessman, and another businessman who is also known as the head of a gang. And to top it all off, a convicted murderer persisted that he is innocent and wished for Tom Carney to look into his case. A tough case load for Tom and his mates but they're up for it. Their search for justice, however, may not end up the way they'd like it to be...
The beginning was a tad complicated as there are numerous lines of mysteries plus with the 3 POVs (alternating even within chapters denoting by gaps between paragraphs), it took a bit of time to get used to. However, after a time, the story flows on seamlessly and the end ties everything up well.
August 12, 2018
I enjoyed this a lot. The Ian Bradshaw books are very well done indeed and hope for more to come. One due out I think. A man in jail for the murder of his lover approaches a journalist (Tom) in the hope of his leading an investigation to prove his innocence. In another story a councillor and former leader of the council enlists help to find his missing daughter. Well written and all pretty much believable the stories evolve and reach an excellent resolution although the main stories do not really intertwine. Great setting in the North-East again.
June 8, 2017
Behind dead eyes by Howard Linskey.
There is a burnt body of a girl. The police can't identify her as her fingers has been chopped off. Detective Ian Bradshaw can't catch the killer if no one can Id the victim. Somewhere out the is a missing young woman who may hold the answers.
This was a little slow to start with but then I couldn't put it down. I defiantly didn't see that coming. 4*. Netgalley and penguin uk- michael Joseph.
There is a burnt body of a girl. The police can't identify her as her fingers has been chopped off. Detective Ian Bradshaw can't catch the killer if no one can Id the victim. Somewhere out the is a missing young woman who may hold the answers.
This was a little slow to start with but then I couldn't put it down. I defiantly didn't see that coming. 4*. Netgalley and penguin uk- michael Joseph.
January 4, 2021
Slow to start but once the storyline got going it was a really good read. I liked the well rounded recurring characters in this series and the guilty parties seemed sadly all too real. Very grim read in parts but accurate when compared to real life events.
November 1, 2018
4.5 stars - more in my November Good Reads blog at https://www.sandiwallace.com/blog/ at the end of the month.
February 13, 2023
Loved this one
August 22, 2025
slow and an overly told story, it is a descent book with good characters but just too much
February 20, 2021
At this point it’s fair to say that Howard Linskey’s books are one of my coping mechanisms with Lockdown III. I found this slightly less compelling than the other 2 of his books I’ve read in the last month. The chapters are longer - some as long as TEN PAGES - and there are a few too many baddies. But who am I kidding, I was still gripped by the various criminal masterminds even if the body count escalated needlessly near the end.
May 27, 2016
I read this with my book club #Novel Ideas and found it an easy read for crime fiction fans. The story of two intertwined secret investigations involving reporters and police was an interesting setup for this kind of novel. I found the character of DCI Bradshaw to be the typical Alpha male within his Police role and Tom Carney was like reporters i have come across in other novels where he strays from the original stereotype, however these stereotypes were suitable for this plot. Helen Norton was my favourite character as, like myself, she is a strong independent character and I like that she is not scared by the gangsters or politicians when she is threatened. I feel undecided about the fact that the romance between Tom and Helen was left out of the storyline but on the other hand it is implied that something will come of their relationship, maybe something will happen in the next installment? The plot involved two very shocking crimes of which i felt really engaged, possibly think due to the style of writing. I did not find it overly descriptive in places but it was well written. Overall I enjoyed this as an easy read and would recommend.
June 6, 2017
When writing a book that’s crowded, not in a bad way as many will assume but in a good way where there’s always something going on, something interesting and eye opening and crucial to the plot, when writing this sort of book, you need to treat it with grace, delicacy and balance and that’s exactly what HOWARD LINSKEY did while working on behind dead eyes.
Let’s just say that i loved the book so very much and i enjoyed spending time in the company of its characters. It was my kind of a book.
It was not boring or mundane. It was well developed and well written. There’s a lot going on in the same time that I did fear I will abandon it because it’s too much work but I stuck with it till the end and I’m grateful that I did because the result was satisfying.
Throughout the book, i was curious, interested, skeptical and intrigued. I kept going back and forth with my mind to examine the clues, to work it out before the main characters did and to discover the truth.
Let’s just say that i loved the book so very much and i enjoyed spending time in the company of its characters. It was my kind of a book.
It was not boring or mundane. It was well developed and well written. There’s a lot going on in the same time that I did fear I will abandon it because it’s too much work but I stuck with it till the end and I’m grateful that I did because the result was satisfying.
Throughout the book, i was curious, interested, skeptical and intrigued. I kept going back and forth with my mind to examine the clues, to work it out before the main characters did and to discover the truth.
May 23, 2016
In such a crowded marketplace as crime fiction it's difficult to stand out: Linskey manages it through good, unobtrusive writing; an attractive trio of investigators; and an understated yet focused approach to plot.
Here we have a man in prison who claims to be innocent, a burned female body and a missing daughter, and to Linskey's credit he doesn't try to join the dots too neatly.
His social commentary is intelligent and telling, and the violence is both scary and yet also completely credible.
I've come to this book without reading the first entry in the series but on the basis of this have definitely added it to my TBR list. This may not be for you if you like the hyperdramatics of the genre, but if you prefer your crime cool, clever and with a social conscience then this might be a good choice.
Here we have a man in prison who claims to be innocent, a burned female body and a missing daughter, and to Linskey's credit he doesn't try to join the dots too neatly.
His social commentary is intelligent and telling, and the violence is both scary and yet also completely credible.
I've come to this book without reading the first entry in the series but on the basis of this have definitely added it to my TBR list. This may not be for you if you like the hyperdramatics of the genre, but if you prefer your crime cool, clever and with a social conscience then this might be a good choice.
July 26, 2016
Firstly I'd like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC book for free in return for an honest review.
Having read the first in this series of books No Name Lane I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read the second book. Set around the discovery of a young woman's body three main characters emerge quickly. Strongly written characters who you actually feel are talking directly to you makes this such an easy read. Blackmail, fraud and murder are in abundance while this story unfolds you think you've got it, then it all changes and you're back to square one again.
A great read for lovers of intrigue, it had me guessing right to the end.
Now for the next book please Howard Linskey
Having read the first in this series of books No Name Lane I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read the second book. Set around the discovery of a young woman's body three main characters emerge quickly. Strongly written characters who you actually feel are talking directly to you makes this such an easy read. Blackmail, fraud and murder are in abundance while this story unfolds you think you've got it, then it all changes and you're back to square one again.
A great read for lovers of intrigue, it had me guessing right to the end.
Now for the next book please Howard Linskey
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