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DI Marnie Rome #4
Quieter Than Killing
It's winter, the nights are dark and freezing, and a series of seemingly random assaults is pulling DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake out onto streets of London. When Marnie's family home is ransacked, there are signs that the burglary can have only been committed by someone who knows her. Then a child goes missing, yet no-one has reported it. Suddenly, events seem connected, and it's personal.
Someone out there is playing games. It is time for both Marnie and Noah to face the truth about the creeping, chilling reaches of a troubled upbringing. Keeping quiet can be a means of survival, but the effects can be as terrible as killing.
Someone out there is playing games. It is time for both Marnie and Noah to face the truth about the creeping, chilling reaches of a troubled upbringing. Keeping quiet can be a means of survival, but the effects can be as terrible as killing.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2017
32 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Hilary
39 books583 followersSarah’s debut, Someone Else's Skin, won Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year and was a World Book Night selection. The Observer's Book of the Month ("superbly disturbing”) and a Richard & Judy Book Club bestseller, it was a Silver Falchion and Macavity Award finalist in the US. No Other Darkness, the second in the series was shortlisted for a Barry Award. Her DI Marnie Rome series continued with Tastes Like Fear (longlisted for Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year 2017) and Quieter Than Killing (Observer’s Thriller of the Month). Come and Find Me was published in 2018, with Never Be Broken to come in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
January 7, 2017
This is the 4th in the wonderful DI Marnie Rome and Noah Jake series set in London. Sarah Hilary's writing just gets better and better. Stephen Keele returns, we know from previous books that he is Marnie's foster brother and when he was fourteen, he murdered her parents. We observe the long term repercussions of child abuse. The running theme in this story is that of justice, and the nature of vigilantes. Marnie's boss, Tim Welland, is on leave and DCS Ferguson is drafted in from Manchester leading to inevitable friction between Marnie and her team over their independence. This dark, murky and compelling tale moves beween the run down council estates.
There have been a number of violent attacks which Marnie's team have been dealing with. All the victims have criminal records and there are no witnesses or clues. Marnie and Noah think they are a product of vigilantism. Whilst her team may not be wholly convinced, in the absence of any better leads, they run with this. Then a victim dies and it turns into a murder inquiry. In the meantime, Marnie's old family home is broken into and the tenants hospitalised. Evidence seems to suggest to Marnie that her foster brother, Stephen, is behind it. Marnie visits him in prison and has difficulties comprehending his accusations and allegations. In a story full of twists and danger, is Marnie right to believe that all these crimes are connected to her?
This is an intense, atmospheric and character driven series that continue to centre on important contemporary social issues. We have Marnie's tough family backstory and complicated relationship with her foster brother. Marnie's team are well drawn, particularly Noah, and are compelling characters. This is a novel I highly recommend to others who like gritty police procedurals. Many thanks to Headline for an ARC.
There have been a number of violent attacks which Marnie's team have been dealing with. All the victims have criminal records and there are no witnesses or clues. Marnie and Noah think they are a product of vigilantism. Whilst her team may not be wholly convinced, in the absence of any better leads, they run with this. Then a victim dies and it turns into a murder inquiry. In the meantime, Marnie's old family home is broken into and the tenants hospitalised. Evidence seems to suggest to Marnie that her foster brother, Stephen, is behind it. Marnie visits him in prison and has difficulties comprehending his accusations and allegations. In a story full of twists and danger, is Marnie right to believe that all these crimes are connected to her?
This is an intense, atmospheric and character driven series that continue to centre on important contemporary social issues. We have Marnie's tough family backstory and complicated relationship with her foster brother. Marnie's team are well drawn, particularly Noah, and are compelling characters. This is a novel I highly recommend to others who like gritty police procedurals. Many thanks to Headline for an ARC.
March 29, 2018
I've loved every single book in this series. DI Marnie Rome is one of my favourite crime characters of all time. I really enjoyed this book but surprisingly I found it a touch slow in some parts, I hadn't found that with the other three books which all got five stars from me. It's a minor quibble as overall this is another great book.
The plot has quite a number of key characters and side-players interwoven into it. DI Rome has got one heck of a puzzle to put together in this crime thriller. Tackling murder, abduction, deception, betrayal, forgiveness, vigilantism, gangs and violence. Phew! Not much is left out. I won't go into it too much as there would be too many spoilers.
I really liked some of the new characters in this one, even those on the dark side and as usual felt I could get to know many of them and engage with their story. I loved the way aspects of Marnie's past are still haunting her and anyone who has read the series will be equally as thrilled I am certain. Of course our regular characters we know and love are here too.
There were a few parts that I felt were drawn out and lacking in tautness, hence my 4 star rating. It's not put me off however as the book was a good read and I can't wait for book five. Sarah Hilary pulls off another awesome book and the slight cliffhanger has me hungry for more! When is book five out?
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All review opinions are entirely my own and this is an unbiased review.
The plot has quite a number of key characters and side-players interwoven into it. DI Rome has got one heck of a puzzle to put together in this crime thriller. Tackling murder, abduction, deception, betrayal, forgiveness, vigilantism, gangs and violence. Phew! Not much is left out. I won't go into it too much as there would be too many spoilers.
I really liked some of the new characters in this one, even those on the dark side and as usual felt I could get to know many of them and engage with their story. I loved the way aspects of Marnie's past are still haunting her and anyone who has read the series will be equally as thrilled I am certain. Of course our regular characters we know and love are here too.
There were a few parts that I felt were drawn out and lacking in tautness, hence my 4 star rating. It's not put me off however as the book was a good read and I can't wait for book five. Sarah Hilary pulls off another awesome book and the slight cliffhanger has me hungry for more! When is book five out?
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All review opinions are entirely my own and this is an unbiased review.
March 4, 2017
The fourth instalment of the DI Marnie Rome once again sees the supreme Sarah Hilary raise her game, not content to rest on her laurels but instead continually honing her craft to make her one of the most credible and convincing crime fiction authors on the market. Whilst a compelling team of detectives headed up by DI Marnie Rome and her sidekick DS Noah Jake are integral to her successful formula, a large part of her success is driven by just how conversant she is with the shifting landscape of crime in a major city. Hilary has the capacity to turn her readers blood cold and hollow them out, all the while enlightening, educating and retaining an eye for realistic characters.
Eight months on from the harrowing memories of Tastes Like Fear a series of brutal assaults on former perpetrators of violent crimes in central London falls to DI Marnie Rome's team to investigate. A third incident sees the matter escalate when it results in murder and suddenly the whole dynamic shifts as interest and speculation surrounding the events come into the media spotlight. The actions of the victims might be long forgotten by the masses of the general public, but someone is clearly holding a grudge, but just how is the perpetrator selecting his victims and what links the cases? DI Rome is heading up a fractious unit, all with their own theories as to what is driving the events. DS Ron Carling doesn't buy the vigilante argument, doubtful of a long held grudge being the motivation, whilst DC Colin Pitcher raises the possibility that the perpetrator could be someone working within the justice system and able to access confidential data. Three original victims, two sinister assaults with serious facial disfigurement and one murder and with no DNA, no CCTV, no witnesses and the victims loathe to talk of their humiliating ordeals DI Rome is facing one of her toughest battles yet, but matters are about to become a whole lot worse.
With DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake both contented in harmonious relationships and on stable emotional territory both of them are hit by threats to their sanity and safety. For DI Rome, the vandalism and beating dished out to the tenants renting her former family home forces her back to the scene of her parents massacre six years ago and the painful memories that she cannot bury. Marnie isn't convinced that the incident at Lancaster Road is simply one of the growing number of youth gang initiation rites, with valuables left untouched. Trident boss, DS Jack Kennedy, follows the links to a gang of boys on a north-east London estate and recovers a shoebox of personal belongings that Marnie was never able to find in the wake of her parents death. Could the incident therefore be something altogether more sinister; specifically could the murderer of her parents have instigated a burglary to order with a specific intent to drive a nail through Marnie's emotions? Nothing is beyond foster brother, Stephen Keele, and he craves Marnie's attention and acknowledgement like no other but as she faces him down she can see the new fear that his move to an adult prison has engendered. As it becomes clear that both the incident at Marnie's former home and the series of assaults are linked the case becomes even more sinister than it at first appeared.
With OCU Tim Welland stepping aside due to a return of his cancer another rock in Marnie's life is taken, bringing in the frosty and steely aggression of DCS Lorna Ferguson in his place. DS Noah Jake's headaches are once again in the form of younger errant brother, Sol, vowing to shake off his gang connections of the past. However, acting shiftily and ditching his mobile far too frequently, leave Noah on alert and concerned that Sol might be implicated in the case in hand. As Marnie and Noah face their own battles, it becomes harder to assess the links connecting the assaults and keeping emotions in check when things get too close to comfort proves harder than ever for the team.
The continuing development in the lives of the central characters combine with some truly unsettling events and some audacious twists which Hilary navigates at a stroll. Quieter Than Killing is edge of the seat action driven by an ominous undercurrent of anger that tests the mettle of the indomitable DI Marnie Rome. The growing trust between Marnie and Noah has seen their partnership go from strength to strength, both comfortable with each other on a personal level and as a mentor and subordinate. The rapport that lets this duo engage in role-play scenarios and bounce theories off one another brings an added dimension and is a major attraction of any ongoing series. With the events of both Quieter Than Killing and predecessor, Tastes Like Fear, Sarah Hilary has shown her proficiency in the world of youth and gang crime where a street clan is often a replacement for a solid family unit. Not only does Hilary address this, but she also interprets its significance and how it comes to manifest itself, showing her versatility by making the territory accessible to her largely older and less au fait audience.
Quieter Than Killing leaves its readers high as a kite, without any need for narcotics! This fourth novel takes readers closer to Marnie and Noah than ever before and we learn plenty about both of their characters under pressure and that neither is prepared to settle for easy answers. Sensational and truly chilling, layered with myriad complexities, Sarah Hilary executes her plot to perfection. With tough questions leaving both lead characters in uncharted waters I cannot wait to see where Hilary will take an already sensational series! Every major series eventually reaches a juncture where it become opportune to make decisions over the pivotal storylines of the lead characters and Sarah Hilary has successfully navigated this hurdle and that surely bodes very well for the longevity of DI Rome and DS Jake. Bravo!
Eight months on from the harrowing memories of Tastes Like Fear a series of brutal assaults on former perpetrators of violent crimes in central London falls to DI Marnie Rome's team to investigate. A third incident sees the matter escalate when it results in murder and suddenly the whole dynamic shifts as interest and speculation surrounding the events come into the media spotlight. The actions of the victims might be long forgotten by the masses of the general public, but someone is clearly holding a grudge, but just how is the perpetrator selecting his victims and what links the cases? DI Rome is heading up a fractious unit, all with their own theories as to what is driving the events. DS Ron Carling doesn't buy the vigilante argument, doubtful of a long held grudge being the motivation, whilst DC Colin Pitcher raises the possibility that the perpetrator could be someone working within the justice system and able to access confidential data. Three original victims, two sinister assaults with serious facial disfigurement and one murder and with no DNA, no CCTV, no witnesses and the victims loathe to talk of their humiliating ordeals DI Rome is facing one of her toughest battles yet, but matters are about to become a whole lot worse.
With DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake both contented in harmonious relationships and on stable emotional territory both of them are hit by threats to their sanity and safety. For DI Rome, the vandalism and beating dished out to the tenants renting her former family home forces her back to the scene of her parents massacre six years ago and the painful memories that she cannot bury. Marnie isn't convinced that the incident at Lancaster Road is simply one of the growing number of youth gang initiation rites, with valuables left untouched. Trident boss, DS Jack Kennedy, follows the links to a gang of boys on a north-east London estate and recovers a shoebox of personal belongings that Marnie was never able to find in the wake of her parents death. Could the incident therefore be something altogether more sinister; specifically could the murderer of her parents have instigated a burglary to order with a specific intent to drive a nail through Marnie's emotions? Nothing is beyond foster brother, Stephen Keele, and he craves Marnie's attention and acknowledgement like no other but as she faces him down she can see the new fear that his move to an adult prison has engendered. As it becomes clear that both the incident at Marnie's former home and the series of assaults are linked the case becomes even more sinister than it at first appeared.
With OCU Tim Welland stepping aside due to a return of his cancer another rock in Marnie's life is taken, bringing in the frosty and steely aggression of DCS Lorna Ferguson in his place. DS Noah Jake's headaches are once again in the form of younger errant brother, Sol, vowing to shake off his gang connections of the past. However, acting shiftily and ditching his mobile far too frequently, leave Noah on alert and concerned that Sol might be implicated in the case in hand. As Marnie and Noah face their own battles, it becomes harder to assess the links connecting the assaults and keeping emotions in check when things get too close to comfort proves harder than ever for the team.
The continuing development in the lives of the central characters combine with some truly unsettling events and some audacious twists which Hilary navigates at a stroll. Quieter Than Killing is edge of the seat action driven by an ominous undercurrent of anger that tests the mettle of the indomitable DI Marnie Rome. The growing trust between Marnie and Noah has seen their partnership go from strength to strength, both comfortable with each other on a personal level and as a mentor and subordinate. The rapport that lets this duo engage in role-play scenarios and bounce theories off one another brings an added dimension and is a major attraction of any ongoing series. With the events of both Quieter Than Killing and predecessor, Tastes Like Fear, Sarah Hilary has shown her proficiency in the world of youth and gang crime where a street clan is often a replacement for a solid family unit. Not only does Hilary address this, but she also interprets its significance and how it comes to manifest itself, showing her versatility by making the territory accessible to her largely older and less au fait audience.
Quieter Than Killing leaves its readers high as a kite, without any need for narcotics! This fourth novel takes readers closer to Marnie and Noah than ever before and we learn plenty about both of their characters under pressure and that neither is prepared to settle for easy answers. Sensational and truly chilling, layered with myriad complexities, Sarah Hilary executes her plot to perfection. With tough questions leaving both lead characters in uncharted waters I cannot wait to see where Hilary will take an already sensational series! Every major series eventually reaches a juncture where it become opportune to make decisions over the pivotal storylines of the lead characters and Sarah Hilary has successfully navigated this hurdle and that surely bodes very well for the longevity of DI Rome and DS Jake. Bravo!
December 22, 2016
Her best yet!
Sarah Hilary is one of THE BEST modern British Crime writers and she deserves to be on the TBR of everyone and anyone who reads crime fiction. And if they don't, give them one of these books and they'll be converted.
Yet these reviews are getting difficult because once again, this author has upped her game. All the superlatives we employ each time are going to go stale from overuse and i've resorted to exclamation marks!! Since her writing is getting better, maybe Sarah can give me some tips...
But i'm not going to talk about the whole book here, except to say it's excellent. A given. Clever plot, great characters, big surprises. Etc etc.
The bit that has me in a complete frenzy is the deepening and increasingly revealing nature of Marnie's relationship with her foster brother, Stephen. Considering he was imprisoned for the brutal murder of her parents, I have a rather unhealthy fascination with him. Well, with them really. The connection between the two that feels like an elastic band being wound tighter and tighter. Sometime soon, something's gotta give. And I don't think it's too much to say that the teaser ending of this book is going to lead to one almighty twist. It's one of those moments that made me sit up in my chair and prepare myself for the turn of the page, only to be told I had to WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.... dammit, that's a cold move Sarah Hilary.
Anyway, read this book. Read all of them.
ARC via Netgalley.
Sarah Hilary is one of THE BEST modern British Crime writers and she deserves to be on the TBR of everyone and anyone who reads crime fiction. And if they don't, give them one of these books and they'll be converted.
Yet these reviews are getting difficult because once again, this author has upped her game. All the superlatives we employ each time are going to go stale from overuse and i've resorted to exclamation marks!! Since her writing is getting better, maybe Sarah can give me some tips...
But i'm not going to talk about the whole book here, except to say it's excellent. A given. Clever plot, great characters, big surprises. Etc etc.
The bit that has me in a complete frenzy is the deepening and increasingly revealing nature of Marnie's relationship with her foster brother, Stephen. Considering he was imprisoned for the brutal murder of her parents, I have a rather unhealthy fascination with him. Well, with them really. The connection between the two that feels like an elastic band being wound tighter and tighter. Sometime soon, something's gotta give. And I don't think it's too much to say that the teaser ending of this book is going to lead to one almighty twist. It's one of those moments that made me sit up in my chair and prepare myself for the turn of the page, only to be told I had to WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.... dammit, that's a cold move Sarah Hilary.
Anyway, read this book. Read all of them.
ARC via Netgalley.
July 22, 2017
It doesn't seem that long ago when I was first delving into Ms Hilary's first book of this series, Someone Else's Skin, and here we are at book four!!
A DI Marnie Rome book is always something of a treat and one that is always looked forward to. Quieter Than Killing is a story about revenge, vigilantism and family troubles. A ten year old boy is kidnapped and violent assaults are taking place culminating in murder. The cases appear to be linked to Marnie but 'how?' is the question. One of my favourite angles as I have mentioned in previous reviews is Marnie's relationship with her foster brother, Stephen. He is guilty of having murdered her parents and appears to really revel in Marnie's pain, anguish and torment. Unfortunately, Marnie is faced with her worst fears as she is forced to go back to the crime scene (her old home). Gut wrenching to say the least. Noah, Marnie's trusted sidekick is also drawn into the mix with his own family issues and it becomes clear that family, nurture is what's fundamental and at the heart of this tale.
Quieter Than Killing is another solid read from the pen of Ms Hilary, not quite up there for me as much as book three was -I totally loved that one - but nevertheless this will not disappoint; especially for fans of this really quite brilliant series. I'm very much one of them.
Can I just put in a request for more Stephen please, Ms Hilary, in case you're watching! :)
I highly recommend and my thanks go to those involved for my review copy. Very much appreciated.
A DI Marnie Rome book is always something of a treat and one that is always looked forward to. Quieter Than Killing is a story about revenge, vigilantism and family troubles. A ten year old boy is kidnapped and violent assaults are taking place culminating in murder. The cases appear to be linked to Marnie but 'how?' is the question. One of my favourite angles as I have mentioned in previous reviews is Marnie's relationship with her foster brother, Stephen. He is guilty of having murdered her parents and appears to really revel in Marnie's pain, anguish and torment. Unfortunately, Marnie is faced with her worst fears as she is forced to go back to the crime scene (her old home). Gut wrenching to say the least. Noah, Marnie's trusted sidekick is also drawn into the mix with his own family issues and it becomes clear that family, nurture is what's fundamental and at the heart of this tale.
Quieter Than Killing is another solid read from the pen of Ms Hilary, not quite up there for me as much as book three was -I totally loved that one - but nevertheless this will not disappoint; especially for fans of this really quite brilliant series. I'm very much one of them.
Can I just put in a request for more Stephen please, Ms Hilary, in case you're watching! :)
I highly recommend and my thanks go to those involved for my review copy. Very much appreciated.
December 13, 2016
First I just want to say, we are on Marnie Rome 4 already. How did that happen? I remember reading Someone Else’s Skin as one of my very first proof copies, meeting Marnie and Noah for the very first time and boy that was a read and a half and things have genuinely only gotten better from there.
Sarah Hilary has always written with a quiet, immersive intensity, when you talk about novels that are atmospheric she is really defining that definition – she pulls you back into Marnie’s world with each instalment seamlessly and it took me all of a chapter before I was hooked into it once more. Marnie has one of the best and most haunting back stories in crime fiction today and whilst each new case is ever intriguing, the strange and compelling relationship between Marnie and Stephen and the consequences and ripple effects of that fascinate me. Quieter than Killing rewarded me on that level hugely so for that reason I think this is my favourite one yet..
This instalment finds Marnie and Noah investigating a series of brutal attacks that may or may not be the work of a vigilante, there may be ties to Marnie’s past, both of our favourite characters are facing family issues and danger lurks. At which point I have to say to Ms Hilary – SOMETIMES YOU ARE SO MEAN TO POOR NOAH – stop it! Oh ok don��t stop it, I’m always a sucker for being emotionally traumatised by my reading material. A strong emotive core runs through the storytelling as ever, these are books that you literally feel your way through.
Descriptively chilling, completely addictive and with a set of characters and storylines that just dig deep into your subconscious and stay there, Sarah Hilary, with the Marnie Rome series, is without doubt one of the top UK Crime writers working today. In this readers honest opinion.
Look I’ve been really helpful too – reviewed nice and early so if you have not yet read Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness and Tastes Like Fear you can catch up in time for this – its like having a reading equivalent of BBCi Player. Or something.
Highly Highly Recommended. With a flourish.
Sarah Hilary has always written with a quiet, immersive intensity, when you talk about novels that are atmospheric she is really defining that definition – she pulls you back into Marnie’s world with each instalment seamlessly and it took me all of a chapter before I was hooked into it once more. Marnie has one of the best and most haunting back stories in crime fiction today and whilst each new case is ever intriguing, the strange and compelling relationship between Marnie and Stephen and the consequences and ripple effects of that fascinate me. Quieter than Killing rewarded me on that level hugely so for that reason I think this is my favourite one yet..
This instalment finds Marnie and Noah investigating a series of brutal attacks that may or may not be the work of a vigilante, there may be ties to Marnie’s past, both of our favourite characters are facing family issues and danger lurks. At which point I have to say to Ms Hilary – SOMETIMES YOU ARE SO MEAN TO POOR NOAH – stop it! Oh ok don��t stop it, I’m always a sucker for being emotionally traumatised by my reading material. A strong emotive core runs through the storytelling as ever, these are books that you literally feel your way through.
Descriptively chilling, completely addictive and with a set of characters and storylines that just dig deep into your subconscious and stay there, Sarah Hilary, with the Marnie Rome series, is without doubt one of the top UK Crime writers working today. In this readers honest opinion.
Look I’ve been really helpful too – reviewed nice and early so if you have not yet read Someone Else’s Skin, No Other Darkness and Tastes Like Fear you can catch up in time for this – its like having a reading equivalent of BBCi Player. Or something.
Highly Highly Recommended. With a flourish.
April 19, 2017
Well. Sarah Hilary has certainly hit the spot again with Quieter Than Killing, just brilliant!
Yes, once again I was feeling the same excitement and heightened anticipation when I finally got to sit down with this novel, and in no way was I disappointed. In Sarah's own unique style and skill, she has crafted out another stunning outing in this crime series with, DI Marnie Rome and DI Noah Jakes.
The storyline and plot are again verging on the unfamiliar side of crime that we rarely read about in crime novels. These crimes do occur, and frequently. With Sarah's thorough research and a natural writing ability, the story is portrayed perfectly with every character played out brilliantly and completely believable.
I've read all of Sarah's books, and I have to say, they have got better and better with each one. This is such a pure example of quality crime writing at the highest level. This is Sarah's best book so far in this series and has plenty of potentials to go on and on!
A must read!!
Yes, once again I was feeling the same excitement and heightened anticipation when I finally got to sit down with this novel, and in no way was I disappointed. In Sarah's own unique style and skill, she has crafted out another stunning outing in this crime series with, DI Marnie Rome and DI Noah Jakes.
The storyline and plot are again verging on the unfamiliar side of crime that we rarely read about in crime novels. These crimes do occur, and frequently. With Sarah's thorough research and a natural writing ability, the story is portrayed perfectly with every character played out brilliantly and completely believable.
I've read all of Sarah's books, and I have to say, they have got better and better with each one. This is such a pure example of quality crime writing at the highest level. This is Sarah's best book so far in this series and has plenty of potentials to go on and on!
A must read!!
April 12, 2017
I am a huge fan of this series which has gone from strength to strength and have read all 4 books. As generally, one book is released each year, you can imagine my excitement at the prospect of a new Marnie Rome story.
In my humble opinion, book #4, Quieter than Killing, is the best yet. Over the series, the main characters have been evolving, each with their own back story being developed to show the person behind the police ID badge. With each book, we learn a little more about their home life, their families, and the problems and stresses they bring by association. Aside from Marnie’s complicated issues, Noah is again having problems with his younger brother Sol. It seems that Sol is again in a big pile of trouble and unwittingly brings it to Noah’s door.
Brutal attacks have been taking place, seemingly at random, with one attack leading to a death. With suggestions that a vigilante may be responsible, Marnie and her team have their work cut out in finding who is behind them. Add into the mix a 10 year old missing boy who may or may not be connected to the attacks and at times events get a little too close to comfort for Marnie. Her back story is a tragic but also an intriguing one and now with book number 4, a little more is revealed as to the events of six years before. Her relationship with her foster brother Stephen Keele is under the spotlight again here as other people are manipulating her situation for their own ends. There is definitely more to come from the Marnie/Stephen angle and I’m intrigued to know what further revelations are afoot in the next book.
As usual the characterisations are spot on and totally believable. Marnie’s trusted superior Commander Welland is out of the picture for the time being and his place has been taken by DCS Rebecca Ferguson. There is clearly no love lost between the two women and although at times you could feel the hostility cutting through the atmosphere, there was also a grudging respect. I can’t see those two ever being friends but you can guarantee that Noah has Marnie’s back.
The pace never lets up here – the race against time to find the missing boy; finding those responsible for the attacks and trying to keep one step ahead. When one of her team is taken down, Marnie comes under even more pressure to find the culprits.
I hope Sarah Hilary never decides to give Noah a promotion which would take him away from Marnie. I love the way these two work together – over the series they have bonded and formed a genuine friendship and not just a working partnership. As well as familiar faces in the investigation team, a new character has been introduced – Harry Kennedy. I enjoyed his interaction with Marnie and it would be good to see him appear in a future story.
This is another cracking read from Sarah Hilary and there is now an impatient wait until book 5! If you are new to this series, you could jump straight in with this one without any loss of enjoyment – but why would you want to when the previous books are so good too.
In my humble opinion, book #4, Quieter than Killing, is the best yet. Over the series, the main characters have been evolving, each with their own back story being developed to show the person behind the police ID badge. With each book, we learn a little more about their home life, their families, and the problems and stresses they bring by association. Aside from Marnie’s complicated issues, Noah is again having problems with his younger brother Sol. It seems that Sol is again in a big pile of trouble and unwittingly brings it to Noah’s door.
Brutal attacks have been taking place, seemingly at random, with one attack leading to a death. With suggestions that a vigilante may be responsible, Marnie and her team have their work cut out in finding who is behind them. Add into the mix a 10 year old missing boy who may or may not be connected to the attacks and at times events get a little too close to comfort for Marnie. Her back story is a tragic but also an intriguing one and now with book number 4, a little more is revealed as to the events of six years before. Her relationship with her foster brother Stephen Keele is under the spotlight again here as other people are manipulating her situation for their own ends. There is definitely more to come from the Marnie/Stephen angle and I’m intrigued to know what further revelations are afoot in the next book.
As usual the characterisations are spot on and totally believable. Marnie’s trusted superior Commander Welland is out of the picture for the time being and his place has been taken by DCS Rebecca Ferguson. There is clearly no love lost between the two women and although at times you could feel the hostility cutting through the atmosphere, there was also a grudging respect. I can’t see those two ever being friends but you can guarantee that Noah has Marnie’s back.
The pace never lets up here – the race against time to find the missing boy; finding those responsible for the attacks and trying to keep one step ahead. When one of her team is taken down, Marnie comes under even more pressure to find the culprits.
I hope Sarah Hilary never decides to give Noah a promotion which would take him away from Marnie. I love the way these two work together – over the series they have bonded and formed a genuine friendship and not just a working partnership. As well as familiar faces in the investigation team, a new character has been introduced – Harry Kennedy. I enjoyed his interaction with Marnie and it would be good to see him appear in a future story.
This is another cracking read from Sarah Hilary and there is now an impatient wait until book 5! If you are new to this series, you could jump straight in with this one without any loss of enjoyment – but why would you want to when the previous books are so good too.
January 4, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline for an advance copy of Quieter Than Killing, the fourth London based police procedural to feature DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake.
Marnie and Jake are called out to a vicious assault and what they find seems to confirm their theory that there is a vigilante attacking people with criminal convictions for assault. In the meantime Marnie's house where her parents were killed has been burgled and her tenants violently assaulted. It takes a visit to her foster brother, incarcerated for the murder of her parents to see a link between the two cases.
Quieter Than Killing is an absorbing novel which I read in one sitting, unable to put it down. The plotting is intricate and masterful - none of it is outwith the bounds of possibility, especially taken as a whole and it paints a sickening picture of how childhood abuse can warp the personality and have long lasting if not permanent effects.
Marnie and Jake, along with the other members, make a great team. You get a real sense of the camaraderie and support they have for each other, like a family and it brings a warmth to the novel that the subject matter can't.
The recurrent theme of Marnie trying to understand why Stephen killed her parents crops up again. It is the only part of the novel that is not fresh as it takes one tiny step forward every novel and then re-hashes the same old ground. It's time to put it to bed and concentrate on what Ms Hilary does exceptionally well - difficult crime and it's investigation.
I think Quieter Than Killing is an excellent read, intelligent, warm and cleverly plotted and has already made it into my top ten reads of 2017 so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Marnie and Jake are called out to a vicious assault and what they find seems to confirm their theory that there is a vigilante attacking people with criminal convictions for assault. In the meantime Marnie's house where her parents were killed has been burgled and her tenants violently assaulted. It takes a visit to her foster brother, incarcerated for the murder of her parents to see a link between the two cases.
Quieter Than Killing is an absorbing novel which I read in one sitting, unable to put it down. The plotting is intricate and masterful - none of it is outwith the bounds of possibility, especially taken as a whole and it paints a sickening picture of how childhood abuse can warp the personality and have long lasting if not permanent effects.
Marnie and Jake, along with the other members, make a great team. You get a real sense of the camaraderie and support they have for each other, like a family and it brings a warmth to the novel that the subject matter can't.
The recurrent theme of Marnie trying to understand why Stephen killed her parents crops up again. It is the only part of the novel that is not fresh as it takes one tiny step forward every novel and then re-hashes the same old ground. It's time to put it to bed and concentrate on what Ms Hilary does exceptionally well - difficult crime and it's investigation.
I think Quieter Than Killing is an excellent read, intelligent, warm and cleverly plotted and has already made it into my top ten reads of 2017 so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
March 20, 2021
When you're in need of a good procedural, Sarah Hilary is where you want to look. Smart, original, and always thoughtful, I've really come to enjoy this series.
Marnie Rome is more wrapped up than usual in this one, as her foster-brother seems to be involved in an attack on the current tenant's of what was her family's home. It's not long before the mystery expands, though, as it tends to do, and things get all twisty again.
High points for this series include a police office protagonist actually capable of a personal relationship (the fractured home life trope is seriously tired, and too many authors don't even try to make it interesting), characters who can (again against all genre standards) communicate both personally and professionally, and some truly excellent writing. London, be it gray and raining or not, is described in a way that brings it to life for the reader.
Another really good book in a reliably excellent series.
Marnie Rome is more wrapped up than usual in this one, as her foster-brother seems to be involved in an attack on the current tenant's of what was her family's home. It's not long before the mystery expands, though, as it tends to do, and things get all twisty again.
High points for this series include a police office protagonist actually capable of a personal relationship (the fractured home life trope is seriously tired, and too many authors don't even try to make it interesting), characters who can (again against all genre standards) communicate both personally and professionally, and some truly excellent writing. London, be it gray and raining or not, is described in a way that brings it to life for the reader.
Another really good book in a reliably excellent series.
March 9, 2017
In nearly every early review I have seen of Quieter Than Killing, the reviewer has said how they believe that this is probably the best book in the series to date. That is quite a claim as if you have read any of the first three books you will know just how strong a series this is. From the award winning debut, Someone Else’s Skin, through to the latest book in the series, Tastes Like Fear, Sarah Hilary has created a wonderfully enduring and incredibly likeable heroine in Marnie Rome and her perfect partner in crime fighting Noah Jake, and her books have captivated me and many other readers alike. This one was no exception and yes, I’d say the plaudit of best one yet is thoroughly deserved.
Now I don’t want to give too much away about the story, but it is fair to say that at the end of Tastes Like Fear I was left with no doubt whatsoever that Marnie’s foster brother, Stephen, was set to cause her further upset. Not content with turning her life upside down when he was a teenager, he seems determined to now undermine everything she thought she knew about her past. And with her childhood home being burgled and echoes of their turbulent past coming to light through the case Marnie is currently working on, it seems that this time he may well succeed.
The live case Marnie is working on is a perplexing one. A series of attacks which makes victims of some less than sympathetic characters; the kinds of people that the police would perhaps rather be arresting than protecting. But when one of the attacks goes a step too far, and another of the early victims and a potential suspect go missing, there is a heightened sense of jeopardy and tension. From that point onward the pace, while not quite frenetic, never shows any hint of slowing. Throw in Marnie and Noah’s personal battles which are being waged and fought throughout and you have a real edge of your seat thriller on your hands.
The characterisations are as strong as always, with Hilary throwing in a lot of suspicion and misdirection. When you are dealing with violent victims of equally violent offenders, along with witnesses who suffer from somewhat of a credability issue, it is hard to know who to trust. With Marnie’s greatest ally Welland also away from the operation, she has to contend with a career driven new boss, one whom she doesn’t quite trust. This leaves Marnie feeling very much on her own at a time when she needs all the emotional support in the world. It adds another layer of conflict, one which makes things that little bit harder for the team and dare I say it, more fun for the reader.
There is another, initially unexplained thread throughout which can make for some uncomfortable reading at times; the abduction of a young boy. Told from his perspective, the scenes in which he appears are occasionally harrowing but not gratuitously so, and you can’t help but will this particular section to a speedy and safe conclusion. The plotting forces the reader to examine the implication of nurture, rather than nature, on the development of young minds. It is something which Hilary touches upon, whilst still allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. However I can’t help but wonder if this situation is another mirrored experience for Marnie; it has clear echoes of the past which could come back and haunt her at a later date.
The conclusion of the book is fast paced, the team narrowing in on the killer with potentially deadly results. Hilary builds the action with her usual skilled ease and Marnie is as level headed and fastidious as always, in spite of the battle which is being waged in her mind. And as the case forces Marnie to interact with another unit of officers, it seems as though it is not only her past which may be leaving her confused.
I really do love the characters of Marnie and Noah. Both have their issues; personal and professional conflicts which they need to conquer. Marnie is slowly coming closer to the truth over what happened in her family home, something she needs to know but is scared of truly understanding. And Noah has to make the hardest decision of his life in this book and I will be intrigued to see how that plays out. Speaking of Noah, I can’t help thinking that maybe he should consider a safer career. In flower arranging or anything working with something soft rather than baseball bats and kettle balls. Poor guy. That Sarah Hilary really does have a mean streak.
I think this book could potentially work as a standalone but do advise caution if not knowing everything drives you a bit nuts. While you get a little of the back story throughout, there is a lot which links to the previous books in this series and would be best served by having read them in order and it does avoid any spoilers if you are intending to read the others. And besides, with a series this good, why the heck wouldn’t you want to read them all?
A clear 5 star read for me. If you’ve loved any of the first three books then you really will love this.
Now I don’t want to give too much away about the story, but it is fair to say that at the end of Tastes Like Fear I was left with no doubt whatsoever that Marnie’s foster brother, Stephen, was set to cause her further upset. Not content with turning her life upside down when he was a teenager, he seems determined to now undermine everything she thought she knew about her past. And with her childhood home being burgled and echoes of their turbulent past coming to light through the case Marnie is currently working on, it seems that this time he may well succeed.
The live case Marnie is working on is a perplexing one. A series of attacks which makes victims of some less than sympathetic characters; the kinds of people that the police would perhaps rather be arresting than protecting. But when one of the attacks goes a step too far, and another of the early victims and a potential suspect go missing, there is a heightened sense of jeopardy and tension. From that point onward the pace, while not quite frenetic, never shows any hint of slowing. Throw in Marnie and Noah’s personal battles which are being waged and fought throughout and you have a real edge of your seat thriller on your hands.
The characterisations are as strong as always, with Hilary throwing in a lot of suspicion and misdirection. When you are dealing with violent victims of equally violent offenders, along with witnesses who suffer from somewhat of a credability issue, it is hard to know who to trust. With Marnie’s greatest ally Welland also away from the operation, she has to contend with a career driven new boss, one whom she doesn’t quite trust. This leaves Marnie feeling very much on her own at a time when she needs all the emotional support in the world. It adds another layer of conflict, one which makes things that little bit harder for the team and dare I say it, more fun for the reader.
There is another, initially unexplained thread throughout which can make for some uncomfortable reading at times; the abduction of a young boy. Told from his perspective, the scenes in which he appears are occasionally harrowing but not gratuitously so, and you can’t help but will this particular section to a speedy and safe conclusion. The plotting forces the reader to examine the implication of nurture, rather than nature, on the development of young minds. It is something which Hilary touches upon, whilst still allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions. However I can’t help but wonder if this situation is another mirrored experience for Marnie; it has clear echoes of the past which could come back and haunt her at a later date.
The conclusion of the book is fast paced, the team narrowing in on the killer with potentially deadly results. Hilary builds the action with her usual skilled ease and Marnie is as level headed and fastidious as always, in spite of the battle which is being waged in her mind. And as the case forces Marnie to interact with another unit of officers, it seems as though it is not only her past which may be leaving her confused.
I really do love the characters of Marnie and Noah. Both have their issues; personal and professional conflicts which they need to conquer. Marnie is slowly coming closer to the truth over what happened in her family home, something she needs to know but is scared of truly understanding. And Noah has to make the hardest decision of his life in this book and I will be intrigued to see how that plays out. Speaking of Noah, I can’t help thinking that maybe he should consider a safer career. In flower arranging or anything working with something soft rather than baseball bats and kettle balls. Poor guy. That Sarah Hilary really does have a mean streak.
I think this book could potentially work as a standalone but do advise caution if not knowing everything drives you a bit nuts. While you get a little of the back story throughout, there is a lot which links to the previous books in this series and would be best served by having read them in order and it does avoid any spoilers if you are intending to read the others. And besides, with a series this good, why the heck wouldn’t you want to read them all?
A clear 5 star read for me. If you’ve loved any of the first three books then you really will love this.
March 12, 2017
Bloody hell! Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, Sarah Hilary comes out with this fourth one and sucker punches me. Talk about raising your game!
From the very first chapter, I couldn't help but be totally engrossed. Stephen, Marnie's foster brother returns, and it's obvious he's not done playing games. Meanwhile, Noah is faced with some difficult decisions concerning his brother.
The case is a complicated one. Enthralling, yet also quite sad, touching as it does on a host of topics on the darker side of life including child abuse and gangs.
But it's not just the case that draws you in, it's the characters. Marnie's backstory is incredibly compelling but there's also Noah and his brother Sol. There's the relationship between Noah and his partner Dan, which I adore. There's Welland and Colin. They may be supporting cast but they're equally brilliant in characterisation. You can't help but be drawn to them with all their very realistic layers and it's such a treat to watch their characters develop.
I was so sucked into the story, I didn't even realise I'd reached the end of the book. Many have said this is the best one in the series yet, which is quite a claim since the previous three were brilliant. But I'm going to agree and say yes, it is. Wholeheartedly. The writing keeps getting better, the characters keep getting deeper. And I can't wait for book 5 which is set up perfectly at the end of this one. Highly recommend!
From the very first chapter, I couldn't help but be totally engrossed. Stephen, Marnie's foster brother returns, and it's obvious he's not done playing games. Meanwhile, Noah is faced with some difficult decisions concerning his brother.
The case is a complicated one. Enthralling, yet also quite sad, touching as it does on a host of topics on the darker side of life including child abuse and gangs.
But it's not just the case that draws you in, it's the characters. Marnie's backstory is incredibly compelling but there's also Noah and his brother Sol. There's the relationship between Noah and his partner Dan, which I adore. There's Welland and Colin. They may be supporting cast but they're equally brilliant in characterisation. You can't help but be drawn to them with all their very realistic layers and it's such a treat to watch their characters develop.
I was so sucked into the story, I didn't even realise I'd reached the end of the book. Many have said this is the best one in the series yet, which is quite a claim since the previous three were brilliant. But I'm going to agree and say yes, it is. Wholeheartedly. The writing keeps getting better, the characters keep getting deeper. And I can't wait for book 5 which is set up perfectly at the end of this one. Highly recommend!
December 27, 2016
This is the fourth book in Sarah Hilary's dark series featuring Marnie Rome and her team. This book sees Marnie and Noah dealing with a spate of violent attacks which appear to be carried out by a vigilante. Once again this book delves deeply into Marnie's past and has her facing some of her darker demons head on. A truly gripping page turner and I can't wait for book 5.
March 10, 2017
Having followed this series from the start, I was incredibly impatient to get cracking on Marnie Rome #4 as there is so much I still want to explore with Marnies character. Every books brings a different case for Marnie and DS Noah Jake but the backstories for these two characters are just as compelling and it’s been fabulous to find myself back in their world. So make sure you have nothing else in your life and settle back to immerse yourself in one of the most realistic and relevant crime thrillers you will ever read.
This time it looks that a series of unconnected crimes may not be as unrelated as first thought. They also seem to be developing into a case much closer to Marnie than she would like. Her foster brother is still locked up safely but that doesn’t seem to stop him being able to reach out with his poisonous tentacles of hatred and infect others with his evil intentions. Honestly, he made my skin crawl! The personal threads woven throughout made for difficult reading at times but Sarah Hilary writes a balanced viewpoint at all times. The narrative is hard hitting and intelligent at all times and the investigation procedure is well crafted from the groundwork upwards. It sometimes felt like one of this documentary series about real life police procedures due to the gritty real life problems that affected all the characters throughout – gangland violence, the involvement of social services but most of all the theme of parenting in the most difficult of these circumstances. The layers of Marnies story have been peeled back slowly since the first book she appeared in and her personality has developed, alongside that of Noah, to help further their efforts in solving the crimes that occur here. And there is plenty more mileage left in them both! So I’m now on countdown for Marnie Rome #5!
I am once again in awe of how on point Sarah Hilary is with her social observations. And let’s not forget her complex plotting, which I always fail to unravel. I can highly recommend this series but would probably advise starting at the very beginning to get the most out of Marnie, Noah and their backstories. I do hope that if this IS made into a tv series the producers get it right-if they do, it will be magnificent! And I look forward to seeing who they would cast as Marnie, as in my head she always looks a lot like Sarah Hilary herself!!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley.
This time it looks that a series of unconnected crimes may not be as unrelated as first thought. They also seem to be developing into a case much closer to Marnie than she would like. Her foster brother is still locked up safely but that doesn’t seem to stop him being able to reach out with his poisonous tentacles of hatred and infect others with his evil intentions. Honestly, he made my skin crawl! The personal threads woven throughout made for difficult reading at times but Sarah Hilary writes a balanced viewpoint at all times. The narrative is hard hitting and intelligent at all times and the investigation procedure is well crafted from the groundwork upwards. It sometimes felt like one of this documentary series about real life police procedures due to the gritty real life problems that affected all the characters throughout – gangland violence, the involvement of social services but most of all the theme of parenting in the most difficult of these circumstances. The layers of Marnies story have been peeled back slowly since the first book she appeared in and her personality has developed, alongside that of Noah, to help further their efforts in solving the crimes that occur here. And there is plenty more mileage left in them both! So I’m now on countdown for Marnie Rome #5!
I am once again in awe of how on point Sarah Hilary is with her social observations. And let’s not forget her complex plotting, which I always fail to unravel. I can highly recommend this series but would probably advise starting at the very beginning to get the most out of Marnie, Noah and their backstories. I do hope that if this IS made into a tv series the producers get it right-if they do, it will be magnificent! And I look forward to seeing who they would cast as Marnie, as in my head she always looks a lot like Sarah Hilary herself!!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley.
March 10, 2017
In Quieter than Killing the layers of Marnie's past are peeled back further to reveal more sinister and telling clues as to what really happened when Stephen murdered her parents all those years ago; his hold over her is becoming increasingly intense, the ties that bind them are about to get just a little tighter!
DS Noah Jake features heavily and not just in his role as DS, we are privy to more observations about his troubled relationship with his brother Sol and the impact of his actions on Noah and Dan. Reading this book just drew me even closer to Marnie and Noah and I feel like I'm part of their story, part of their lives reading book, it's a series that you can just crawl into and revel in its dark and twisty tunnels!
Fractured childhoods and dysfunctional family relationships are themes explored in this book and what is uncovered is going to leave you reeling!
Quieter than Killing had it all, it has the twists, the turns and the emotional gut punches I look for in a book, it has characters that I want to invest my time in and that just step off the page as you read such is their reality. This book just crawled right into my core and grabbed me! Honestly, this series just gets better and better - it's a literary drug and once you take your first hit then boy you are hooked!
DS Noah Jake features heavily and not just in his role as DS, we are privy to more observations about his troubled relationship with his brother Sol and the impact of his actions on Noah and Dan. Reading this book just drew me even closer to Marnie and Noah and I feel like I'm part of their story, part of their lives reading book, it's a series that you can just crawl into and revel in its dark and twisty tunnels!
Fractured childhoods and dysfunctional family relationships are themes explored in this book and what is uncovered is going to leave you reeling!
Quieter than Killing had it all, it has the twists, the turns and the emotional gut punches I look for in a book, it has characters that I want to invest my time in and that just step off the page as you read such is their reality. This book just crawled right into my core and grabbed me! Honestly, this series just gets better and better - it's a literary drug and once you take your first hit then boy you are hooked!
January 18, 2021
“Some people only came into focus when you stopped looking directly at them.”
These books just keeps getting better and better!
The dynamics between DI Rome and DS Jake makes them one of my favorite duos.
The way their characters grow and change with each installment; especially in this one where the crimes hit very, very close to home. Both DI Rome and DS Jake make very difficult decisions that prove to me their comfort zones are pushed and their horizons broaden.
These books just keeps getting better and better!
The dynamics between DI Rome and DS Jake makes them one of my favorite duos.
The way their characters grow and change with each installment; especially in this one where the crimes hit very, very close to home. Both DI Rome and DS Jake make very difficult decisions that prove to me their comfort zones are pushed and their horizons broaden.
February 17, 2019
In this one Marnie is revisiting the home where her 14 year old brother murdered his parents.
I loved book 1, book 2, struggled with book 3 but boy oh boy this one was great!
I loved book 1, book 2, struggled with book 3 but boy oh boy this one was great!
October 6, 2017
When you start reading a crime novel you don't expect the book to be overly emotional, but half way through Quieter Than Killing I found myself crying over what was happening in the book. I think this is down to Sarah Hilary making the reader care about her characters. She invests a lot of time in making sure the reader understands them, knows about their background and what makes them tick. Through doing this the reader feels like they know the characters quite intimately and therefore are more upset when events transpire against them. I found this book particularly poignant as two of the characters were children who were going through quite a hard time. It was very difficult to read about their experiences and stay emotionally detached, particularly as I was imagining them as my own children at times. I desperately wanted them to have a happy ending and kept reading to try to find out what was going to happen to them next.
The character development in the book is very well done. I think I changed my opinion a number of times on each one as the story developed. This was great at providing an eye opener at times as to how judgmental we can all be about certain members of society. I started off not liking DI Rome very much which is unusual for me as I am normally instantly a fan of strong female characters but she just seemed a little remote and cold to me at first, plus she annoyed me at times with how she was trying to solve the case which made her come across as being quite arrogant at times. However I soon came to like her drive and her thoroughness when it came to solving a case.
The case is quite a murky one from the beginning that builds and builds to an almost unbearable crescendo as we learn of all the different characters involved, what their connection and motivation is. At its peak my head did start to hurt a little as I struggled to stay on top of all the different suspects but then it all becomes clear before a major twist just afterwards sends the reader scrambling in yet another direction. I thought this was brilliantly done and it definitely kept me on my toes as i thought i had finally figured it all out before the rug was pulled out from under me again with a new revelation- well played Sarah Hilary! There was never a dull moment in the book as there always seemed to be something happening somewhere which really kept my interest and made the book very hard to put down. I found myself reading late into the night, even swapping to the kindle version so i could continue reading in the dark. The story is almost impulsive at times as the reader struggles to try to work out what is happening and who could be behind everything.
This is the fourth book in the DI Rome series but it is the first book of Sarah Hilary's that I have read but it won't be my last as i really enjoyed her style of writing and the human slant she puts in her writing.
Huge thanks to Katie Brown and Headline for providing me with a copy of the book and for letting me be on the blog tour.
The character development in the book is very well done. I think I changed my opinion a number of times on each one as the story developed. This was great at providing an eye opener at times as to how judgmental we can all be about certain members of society. I started off not liking DI Rome very much which is unusual for me as I am normally instantly a fan of strong female characters but she just seemed a little remote and cold to me at first, plus she annoyed me at times with how she was trying to solve the case which made her come across as being quite arrogant at times. However I soon came to like her drive and her thoroughness when it came to solving a case.
The case is quite a murky one from the beginning that builds and builds to an almost unbearable crescendo as we learn of all the different characters involved, what their connection and motivation is. At its peak my head did start to hurt a little as I struggled to stay on top of all the different suspects but then it all becomes clear before a major twist just afterwards sends the reader scrambling in yet another direction. I thought this was brilliantly done and it definitely kept me on my toes as i thought i had finally figured it all out before the rug was pulled out from under me again with a new revelation- well played Sarah Hilary! There was never a dull moment in the book as there always seemed to be something happening somewhere which really kept my interest and made the book very hard to put down. I found myself reading late into the night, even swapping to the kindle version so i could continue reading in the dark. The story is almost impulsive at times as the reader struggles to try to work out what is happening and who could be behind everything.
This is the fourth book in the DI Rome series but it is the first book of Sarah Hilary's that I have read but it won't be my last as i really enjoyed her style of writing and the human slant she puts in her writing.
Huge thanks to Katie Brown and Headline for providing me with a copy of the book and for letting me be on the blog tour.
February 19, 2017
Long awaited fourth installment in the DI Marnie Rome series, and this time the crimes are a lot starting to look a bit more personal. Both Marnie and partner DS Noah Jake, are forced to confront home truths and make decisions that they aren't entirely comfortable with, as well as having to reveal more about their private lives than ever before.
As a fan of the series, I loved learning more about both Marnie and Jake, and seeing how their stories develop. That being said there is plenty of back story for those of you who are new to the series, so it could be read as a standalone.
And of course the crimes and criminals in this book are brand new characters, so anyone can enjoy it. It's a set of assaults that are being investigated, the police are sure they are connected, but joining the dots and working out the whys and wherefores are slightly beyond them.
I loved seeing into the minds of the police as they worked to solve this and anything else the case threw up at them. There are plenty of plausible suspects, and I was intrigued to see just how it would be resolved.
I found Quieter Than Killing to be another good addition to this series, and I am already incredibly curious as to what DI Marnie Rome will have to deal with in the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
As a fan of the series, I loved learning more about both Marnie and Jake, and seeing how their stories develop. That being said there is plenty of back story for those of you who are new to the series, so it could be read as a standalone.
And of course the crimes and criminals in this book are brand new characters, so anyone can enjoy it. It's a set of assaults that are being investigated, the police are sure they are connected, but joining the dots and working out the whys and wherefores are slightly beyond them.
I loved seeing into the minds of the police as they worked to solve this and anything else the case threw up at them. There are plenty of plausible suspects, and I was intrigued to see just how it would be resolved.
I found Quieter Than Killing to be another good addition to this series, and I am already incredibly curious as to what DI Marnie Rome will have to deal with in the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 11, 2017
Quieter than killing by Sarah Hilary.
This was an absolutely fantastic read. I loved the story and the characters. DI Marnie Rome is on another case but this time it seems personal. Especially when her home is ransacked. Sign of a burglary that is committed by a child. Someone who knows all about Marnie. I was hooked from page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. I couldn't figure out who it was either. Definitely worth more than 5*. Thanks headline and netgalley.
This was an absolutely fantastic read. I loved the story and the characters. DI Marnie Rome is on another case but this time it seems personal. Especially when her home is ransacked. Sign of a burglary that is committed by a child. Someone who knows all about Marnie. I was hooked from page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. I couldn't figure out who it was either. Definitely worth more than 5*. Thanks headline and netgalley.
June 24, 2017
Marnie Rome has fast become one of my favourite detectives - right up there with Erika Foster and Helen Grace! This fourth book in the series was even more chilling than the others and as usual I found myself engrossed in the lives and actions of Marnie and Noah . Really well written with a good plot, I am devastated to learn book five isn't out until April 2018!
October 8, 2017
I didn't get into this one. And I an really upset that once again a publisher chooses the same bloggers to add their comments inside the cover. I wish publishers would give other bloggers a chance specially when they have been reviewing for a very long time.
January 3, 2018
This series is unmissable and Quieter than Killing, as with the other three novels, shows exactly why. Brilliant storytelling.
March 11, 2017
Quieter than Killing starts with a chilling prologue; a young boy listens to the sound of a car being washed, carrots being chopped and a boy in a red bedroom surrounded by a girl’s possessions. This outwardly domestic scene has an unfathomable undercurrent that let me know from the first short sentence that the latest book in the DI Marnie Rome series, her fourth outing, was going to be a real treat.
So starts another brilliant outing for DI Marnie Rome and her partner DS Jake Noah in a race against time to work out what links what appears to be violent attacks on people who have previously been convicted of crimes as disparate as kidnapping and assault. Then the new perpetrator goes too far and one of their victims dies. Who is picking these latest victims and why won’t they reveal who is hurting them? With crimes that seem to take no account of age, sex or years since the original crime, finding the killer is going to need the sharpest of detectives. Meanwhile Marnie is left shaken when her parent’s former home is burgled and her tenants badly hurt at the same time and are in the hospital.
During earlier books in this series we’re aware of the crimes committed by Marnie’s foster brother Stephen and his mischief-making is still ongoing, as are Jake’s problems with his younger brother who has been embroiled in the local gangs. This mixture of police investigation with their personal problems is one of the aspects I really enjoy and the two worlds are becoming too close for comfort for both officers. The pair find themselves investigating the gangs and their increasingly young recruits. And then things seem to get personal and with Marnie’s boss, and chief protector and supporter, off work with a serious illness, Marnie has to learn to confront attacks both personal and professional without him at the same time she has to prove herself to the woman drafted in to lead the Murder Investigation Team.
The plotting as ever is exquisite with perfect pacing which takes us down more than one blind alley, each time the tension rises to a new height. This is the twistiest of the series yet, but the author keeps a handle on the strands so that at no time did I consider any revelation, one too many. It is refreshing to be able to relish a story without feeling as if everything is positioned just to confuse, but that these events are not only possible, but likely to happen.
Of course the most engaging of plots wouldn’t get far without great characters and whilst the two detectives are already well-defined, they show parts of their characters that haven’t been quite so obvious before and they are joined by a great supporting cast. To Sarah Hilary, it doesn’t matter if you are a goodie or a baddie, she will add layers to both surprise and delight.
So we have plot and characters and even better Sarah Hilary adds a brilliant turn of phrase to the trinity. For anyone who is under the misapprehension that crime writers can produce a great book without knowing their crime as it is all about the whodunit and less about the well-crafted phrase, all I can say is read this book and experience how great a read can be when all three come together.
So starts another brilliant outing for DI Marnie Rome and her partner DS Jake Noah in a race against time to work out what links what appears to be violent attacks on people who have previously been convicted of crimes as disparate as kidnapping and assault. Then the new perpetrator goes too far and one of their victims dies. Who is picking these latest victims and why won’t they reveal who is hurting them? With crimes that seem to take no account of age, sex or years since the original crime, finding the killer is going to need the sharpest of detectives. Meanwhile Marnie is left shaken when her parent’s former home is burgled and her tenants badly hurt at the same time and are in the hospital.
During earlier books in this series we’re aware of the crimes committed by Marnie’s foster brother Stephen and his mischief-making is still ongoing, as are Jake’s problems with his younger brother who has been embroiled in the local gangs. This mixture of police investigation with their personal problems is one of the aspects I really enjoy and the two worlds are becoming too close for comfort for both officers. The pair find themselves investigating the gangs and their increasingly young recruits. And then things seem to get personal and with Marnie’s boss, and chief protector and supporter, off work with a serious illness, Marnie has to learn to confront attacks both personal and professional without him at the same time she has to prove herself to the woman drafted in to lead the Murder Investigation Team.
The plotting as ever is exquisite with perfect pacing which takes us down more than one blind alley, each time the tension rises to a new height. This is the twistiest of the series yet, but the author keeps a handle on the strands so that at no time did I consider any revelation, one too many. It is refreshing to be able to relish a story without feeling as if everything is positioned just to confuse, but that these events are not only possible, but likely to happen.
Of course the most engaging of plots wouldn’t get far without great characters and whilst the two detectives are already well-defined, they show parts of their characters that haven’t been quite so obvious before and they are joined by a great supporting cast. To Sarah Hilary, it doesn’t matter if you are a goodie or a baddie, she will add layers to both surprise and delight.
So we have plot and characters and even better Sarah Hilary adds a brilliant turn of phrase to the trinity. For anyone who is under the misapprehension that crime writers can produce a great book without knowing their crime as it is all about the whodunit and less about the well-crafted phrase, all I can say is read this book and experience how great a read can be when all three come together.
March 7, 2017
I was looking forward to once again getting re-acquainted with DI Marnie Rome and her colleague Noah! One thing I will say is that I always really enjoy these books but have a feeling there is something 'missing'. I have come to the conclusion that Sarah Hilary has something planned and I think that is the reason I have that niggling feeling. These books are so enjoyable but I have now realised that what makes her books a little different to others is that nagging feeling. Did I miss something? What is going on? I actually think that this part of what draws me to return to the series as I still feel like as a reader we are only at the scratch the surface stage with these characters.
I always enjoy reading about Marnie as she has a seriously warped history between the death of her parents, her adopted brother Stephen and her strange detachment. I think that this is what makes me have that unsettling feeling. There is so much history and it seems Rome is surrounded by violence and it gives it that dark undertone that never goes away. In addition Noah her colleague is my absolute favourite. He and Marnie work well together but again with his own issues in his personal life it seems that neither of them have a straightforward home life. This book at first seemed a little jagged, and what I mean by that is there seemed to be so much going on. Marnie's family home is ransacked and that seems to be merely the tip of the iceberg. In addition there are a number of attacks going on in London, and to put the icing on the cake a child goes missing.
Something which I though was done exceptionally well was the narrative from Finn, I can't say any more for fear of spoilers but this really gave the book that dark edge and horrible sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. I found the start a little slower that I would have liked and I wondered at one point if I was keeping up correctly. With plot threads crossing as well as characters it finally started to unravel and make more sense. This is certainly a fast paced and complex book and I hugely enjoyed it, especially towards the last quarter. I think that this author has managed to produce a very dark series of books which I would highly recommend, however I think I will always have that sinking feeling while I almost wait for the worst to happen! I think this can certainly be read as a stand alone but think the build up and history of the series makes it that little bit more enjoyable.
I always enjoy reading about Marnie as she has a seriously warped history between the death of her parents, her adopted brother Stephen and her strange detachment. I think that this is what makes me have that unsettling feeling. There is so much history and it seems Rome is surrounded by violence and it gives it that dark undertone that never goes away. In addition Noah her colleague is my absolute favourite. He and Marnie work well together but again with his own issues in his personal life it seems that neither of them have a straightforward home life. This book at first seemed a little jagged, and what I mean by that is there seemed to be so much going on. Marnie's family home is ransacked and that seems to be merely the tip of the iceberg. In addition there are a number of attacks going on in London, and to put the icing on the cake a child goes missing.
Something which I though was done exceptionally well was the narrative from Finn, I can't say any more for fear of spoilers but this really gave the book that dark edge and horrible sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. I found the start a little slower that I would have liked and I wondered at one point if I was keeping up correctly. With plot threads crossing as well as characters it finally started to unravel and make more sense. This is certainly a fast paced and complex book and I hugely enjoyed it, especially towards the last quarter. I think that this author has managed to produce a very dark series of books which I would highly recommend, however I think I will always have that sinking feeling while I almost wait for the worst to happen! I think this can certainly be read as a stand alone but think the build up and history of the series makes it that little bit more enjoyable.
March 5, 2017
Visit the locations in the book my Booktrailtravel to London
I always look forward to the next Sarah Hilary. I know Im going to head straight to the kind of London I would never want to visit for real, but with Marnie her detective, I’m right there . I might even be a few steps ahead of her if it weren’t for the frightening and chilling situations she gets herself involved in.
What really works for me is the multilayered angle to the stories – Marnie must have one of the most interesting and compelling backstories in crime fiction. Marnie’s relationship with her foster brother, Stephen – the same brother who has been imprisoned for the brutal murder of her parents…like a car crash you know it’s going to be gory reading but I just couldn’t take my eyes of this.
This book is complex and busy but never hard to navigate – theres many key key players and secondary characters interwoven into this puzzle – deception, betrayal, vigilantism, violence and the haunting past.
There’s a lot more buried where that came from if you excuse the pun. This is a dark dark world Sarah Hilary places you in but it’s the literary equivalent of being kicked in the teeth and loving it. Even with all my teeth now gone, this book still has bite.
Quieter than Killing – a clever title and a ver clever cliff hanger…
I always look forward to the next Sarah Hilary. I know Im going to head straight to the kind of London I would never want to visit for real, but with Marnie her detective, I’m right there . I might even be a few steps ahead of her if it weren’t for the frightening and chilling situations she gets herself involved in.
What really works for me is the multilayered angle to the stories – Marnie must have one of the most interesting and compelling backstories in crime fiction. Marnie’s relationship with her foster brother, Stephen – the same brother who has been imprisoned for the brutal murder of her parents…like a car crash you know it’s going to be gory reading but I just couldn’t take my eyes of this.
This book is complex and busy but never hard to navigate – theres many key key players and secondary characters interwoven into this puzzle – deception, betrayal, vigilantism, violence and the haunting past.
There’s a lot more buried where that came from if you excuse the pun. This is a dark dark world Sarah Hilary places you in but it’s the literary equivalent of being kicked in the teeth and loving it. Even with all my teeth now gone, this book still has bite.
Quieter than Killing – a clever title and a ver clever cliff hanger…
January 3, 2017
Full review to follow shortly. This is a fantastic book and this series just gets better and better.
March 19, 2017
A new DI Marnie Rome novel is always something to savour. This is the fourth in a remarkable series and Sarah Hilary just keeps getting better. Erudite writing with a very complex plot.
A vigilante is at loose on the streets. A child is in danger. Sometimes staying silent is the only way to survive...
DI Marnie Rome and her bagman DS Noah Jake are once again treading the mean streets of London investigating a series of vigilante assaults, that are terrifying in their horrific nature. The attacks seem random. There are victims - and victims of victims, enough to make your head spin. And suddenly it becomes personal for Marnie when her family home is ransacked, the tenants savagely beaten and there are signs that the burglary (is that what it was?) can only have been committed by someone who knows her.
When a child goes missing Marnie is horrified to learn that no one has reported it and it becomes evident that the young boy is the son of a man currently incarcerated at Her Majesty’s pleasure. Does her step-brother Stephen have anything to do with this? Past events are brought into the chilling present, where street gangs are rife. And where does Noah’s brother Sol fit into this? What is Sol so scared of?
There are pages of brutality that are hard to read. The treatment meted out to the kidnapped child is harrowing. And how are all these events linked?
This is dark, compelling and emotionally intense. There are passages that I read over several times for the sheer quality of the writing:
” ‘Detective Inspector Marnie Rome’. He liked the round sound of the words, like pebbles, like those from the beach where his dad carried him down to the sea. He whispered the pebbles to the room, ‘Detective Inspector Marnie Rome’, and stared at the light under the door until the yellow line came back. When it opened——“
Set aside time for these 400+ pages because, once started, you will not want to put it down. And I wonder how soon it will be before we read about a newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Marnie Rome? It might be just speculation on my part; I will just have to wait and see….
A vigilante is at loose on the streets. A child is in danger. Sometimes staying silent is the only way to survive...
DI Marnie Rome and her bagman DS Noah Jake are once again treading the mean streets of London investigating a series of vigilante assaults, that are terrifying in their horrific nature. The attacks seem random. There are victims - and victims of victims, enough to make your head spin. And suddenly it becomes personal for Marnie when her family home is ransacked, the tenants savagely beaten and there are signs that the burglary (is that what it was?) can only have been committed by someone who knows her.
When a child goes missing Marnie is horrified to learn that no one has reported it and it becomes evident that the young boy is the son of a man currently incarcerated at Her Majesty’s pleasure. Does her step-brother Stephen have anything to do with this? Past events are brought into the chilling present, where street gangs are rife. And where does Noah’s brother Sol fit into this? What is Sol so scared of?
There are pages of brutality that are hard to read. The treatment meted out to the kidnapped child is harrowing. And how are all these events linked?
This is dark, compelling and emotionally intense. There are passages that I read over several times for the sheer quality of the writing:
” ‘Detective Inspector Marnie Rome’. He liked the round sound of the words, like pebbles, like those from the beach where his dad carried him down to the sea. He whispered the pebbles to the room, ‘Detective Inspector Marnie Rome’, and stared at the light under the door until the yellow line came back. When it opened——“
Set aside time for these 400+ pages because, once started, you will not want to put it down. And I wonder how soon it will be before we read about a newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Marnie Rome? It might be just speculation on my part; I will just have to wait and see….
February 7, 2017
I'm probably best described as an old fashioned reader of crime and I love character driven stories where the protagonist is a 24 hour meticulous cop with a deeply flawed self. I can think of no better examples of this than John Rebus; Ian Rankin's truer than life drink sodden Scottish detective. Another fine example is Michael Connelly's creation Hieronymus Bosch, the son of a prostitute brutally murdered, secluded in his penthouse overlooking the city of Angels, a city portrayed by the author in prosaic and very realistic manner. He is a driven loner separated from his wife, rebuilding his relationship with his daughter. The point here is that I, as a lover of crime, need to understand the foibles and eccentricities of the main character for the story to have any heart or sincerity. This just does not happen in Quieter than Killing.
DI Marnie Rome and her assistant DS Noah Jake are investigating a series of random attacks on the streets of a very wintry and cold London. Those who are the subject of the attacks all have one thing in common, they have just been released following a period of imprisonment for similar acts of violence. So who is carrying out these new attacks, is it some sort of vigilante seeking revenge and retribution? In addition Marnie's family home has been ransacked, is there a connection between the two events? Is her foster brother Stephen involved? even though he is incarcerated for the murder of her parents.
I have real problems with the plotline here finding it very odd and very confusing in the telling. The action is certainly fast and the characters, situations and events as they occur full of exuberance and vigour, but lacking any real credibility. I think it is vital in all good detective stories to really try to understand the main characters, what makes them the people they are. What drives them to this 24 hour obsession they have with their job. Dedication on this level must undoubtedly lead to the unravelling of close partner relations and possibly the introduction of alcohol dependency. Yet we never get to see the other side of Marnie she has a very dedicated partner Ed but the author never explores this relationship in any real detail. I need Marnie to be more human I want her to display character flaws that each and every one of us is genetically predisposed to....unless of course she is a robot! We therefore have a story without any real soul or heart ( possibly excluding the character of Zoe Marshall social worker with a good and emerging part) that is full of constant action but never seems to take the time to explore the personalities on display in any great depth.
Yes I am old fashioned in my choice of detective story but I am open to change, sadly however Sarah Hilary's DI Marnie Rome will not be the instigator of that change. A special thank you to the publisher Headline who supplied me with a gratis copy to read and review which unfortunately was flawed with typing errors. It does not make for easy reading when the name of the author and the book title are displayed randomly throughout the story in large print. This is not an uncommon occurrence and more time care and patience should be spent by publishers in the marketing and presentation of the kindle/mobi edition.
DI Marnie Rome and her assistant DS Noah Jake are investigating a series of random attacks on the streets of a very wintry and cold London. Those who are the subject of the attacks all have one thing in common, they have just been released following a period of imprisonment for similar acts of violence. So who is carrying out these new attacks, is it some sort of vigilante seeking revenge and retribution? In addition Marnie's family home has been ransacked, is there a connection between the two events? Is her foster brother Stephen involved? even though he is incarcerated for the murder of her parents.
I have real problems with the plotline here finding it very odd and very confusing in the telling. The action is certainly fast and the characters, situations and events as they occur full of exuberance and vigour, but lacking any real credibility. I think it is vital in all good detective stories to really try to understand the main characters, what makes them the people they are. What drives them to this 24 hour obsession they have with their job. Dedication on this level must undoubtedly lead to the unravelling of close partner relations and possibly the introduction of alcohol dependency. Yet we never get to see the other side of Marnie she has a very dedicated partner Ed but the author never explores this relationship in any real detail. I need Marnie to be more human I want her to display character flaws that each and every one of us is genetically predisposed to....unless of course she is a robot! We therefore have a story without any real soul or heart ( possibly excluding the character of Zoe Marshall social worker with a good and emerging part) that is full of constant action but never seems to take the time to explore the personalities on display in any great depth.
Yes I am old fashioned in my choice of detective story but I am open to change, sadly however Sarah Hilary's DI Marnie Rome will not be the instigator of that change. A special thank you to the publisher Headline who supplied me with a gratis copy to read and review which unfortunately was flawed with typing errors. It does not make for easy reading when the name of the author and the book title are displayed randomly throughout the story in large print. This is not an uncommon occurrence and more time care and patience should be spent by publishers in the marketing and presentation of the kindle/mobi edition.
February 25, 2017
Another great book in the Marnie Rome series.
Once again I loved the special relationship between Marnie and Noah and getting to know more about their private lives. In this book we find Noah having to deal with more than just his problems at work.
Marnie is trying to cope with revisiting her childhood home where her half-brother Stephen murdered her parents at the age of 14.
I highly recommend this police procedural, and although it is a series, there are enough references to previous books to be able to read it as a standalone. I can’t wait for book 5 and hope it is soon after the tease at the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for providing a copy of this wonderful book and this is my honest review.
Once again I loved the special relationship between Marnie and Noah and getting to know more about their private lives. In this book we find Noah having to deal with more than just his problems at work.
Marnie is trying to cope with revisiting her childhood home where her half-brother Stephen murdered her parents at the age of 14.
I highly recommend this police procedural, and although it is a series, there are enough references to previous books to be able to read it as a standalone. I can’t wait for book 5 and hope it is soon after the tease at the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for providing a copy of this wonderful book and this is my honest review.
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