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DCI Sophie Allen #2
Deadly Crimes
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
Discover an intricately crafted mystery that will have you gripped from start to finish.
DEADLY CRIMES is the second in a new series of police detective thrillers featuring DCI Sophie Allen, head of the recently formed Violent Crime Unit in Dorset. An English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
Discover an intricately crafted mystery that will have you gripped from start to finish.
DEADLY CRIMES is the second in a new series of police detective thrillers featuring DCI Sophie Allen, head of the recently formed Violent Crime Unit in Dorset. An English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2013
794 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 26, 2023
EXCERPT: Poole Harbour, January 2012
The small cruise launch finally came to rest and dropped anchor. A dark figure waited on the rickety jetty that jutted out across the mudflats. A crewman threw a line across ad the boat was made secure. The figure stepped carefully onto the slippery deck.
'Quick,' he said.
He kept watch on the deck as the two crewmen went below. The younger of them returned almost at once. He led a group of six young women, their faces sickly in the dull light. They shuffled forward one by one across the gangway onto the slimy planking of the jetty. They made their way to the shore where a fourth man was waiting beside an old van. The two crewmen peered into the gloom, but nothing stirred.
The last young woman to reach the shore gasped when she saw the figure waiting at the van.
'Stefan,' she whispered.
ABOUT 'DEADLY CRIMES': A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
MY THOUGHTS: I have read several of the later books in this series and loved them, so when I came across Deadly Crimes sitting forgotten on my ARC shelf, I loaded it up and off I went.
Now I don't think the writing quality is quite as good as in the later books; some of the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, but I enjoyed the plot and the characters.
DCI Sophie Allen, head of the recently formed Violent Crime Unit in Dorset. An English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
These two have a great working partnership despite their very different personalities.
This is an interesting and mostly well-written story encompassing human trafficking and all the other crimes that go along with it: drugs; prostitution; and the cheapness of human life - the very antithesis of Sophie Allen's life where family is all important.
The main characters are definitely likeable, and the villains are villains, except for one or two who do have redeeming characteristics. I do love the denouement where justice is meted out before the legal system gets to one of the criminals.
While this isn't as strong as the later books, it is still interesting and can easily be read as a stand-alone. I'm glad I hadn't read this when I first got it, as I may have passed the rest of the series by and by doing so, missed out on some excellent reads.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#DeadlyCrimes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I write crime/mystery stories which are more than simple whodunnits, stories that probe below the surface. I want my readers to feel part of the world that I create in my books, to relate to my characters and to be catalysed into feeling an emotional response to the events that I describe. I’d better explain that I dislike gender stereotypes and the portrayal of women as victims. Be prepared to meet women engineers and scientists, along with men who are receptionists. Victims may be from any gender.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books for providing a digital ARC of Deadly Crimes (DCI Sophie Allen #2) by Michael Hambling for review. All opinions in this review are my own personal opinions.
The small cruise launch finally came to rest and dropped anchor. A dark figure waited on the rickety jetty that jutted out across the mudflats. A crewman threw a line across ad the boat was made secure. The figure stepped carefully onto the slippery deck.
'Quick,' he said.
He kept watch on the deck as the two crewmen went below. The younger of them returned almost at once. He led a group of six young women, their faces sickly in the dull light. They shuffled forward one by one across the gangway onto the slimy planking of the jetty. They made their way to the shore where a fourth man was waiting beside an old van. The two crewmen peered into the gloom, but nothing stirred.
The last young woman to reach the shore gasped when she saw the figure waiting at the van.
'Stefan,' she whispered.
ABOUT 'DEADLY CRIMES': A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
MY THOUGHTS: I have read several of the later books in this series and loved them, so when I came across Deadly Crimes sitting forgotten on my ARC shelf, I loaded it up and off I went.
Now I don't think the writing quality is quite as good as in the later books; some of the dialogue is stilted and unnatural, but I enjoyed the plot and the characters.
DCI Sophie Allen, head of the recently formed Violent Crime Unit in Dorset. An English county which includes a stunning section of the coastline, but whose beauty belies darkness beneath the surface.
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset’s acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She is 42 as the series starts, and lives with her husband and younger daughter in Wareham. Her elder daughter is studying in London. Sophie has a law degree and a master’s in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
DS Barry Marsh is based at Swanage police station. He's quiet, methodical and dedicated, the perfect foil for Sophie's hidden fragility.
These two have a great working partnership despite their very different personalities.
This is an interesting and mostly well-written story encompassing human trafficking and all the other crimes that go along with it: drugs; prostitution; and the cheapness of human life - the very antithesis of Sophie Allen's life where family is all important.
The main characters are definitely likeable, and the villains are villains, except for one or two who do have redeeming characteristics. I do love the denouement where justice is meted out before the legal system gets to one of the criminals.
While this isn't as strong as the later books, it is still interesting and can easily be read as a stand-alone. I'm glad I hadn't read this when I first got it, as I may have passed the rest of the series by and by doing so, missed out on some excellent reads.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#DeadlyCrimes #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I write crime/mystery stories which are more than simple whodunnits, stories that probe below the surface. I want my readers to feel part of the world that I create in my books, to relate to my characters and to be catalysed into feeling an emotional response to the events that I describe. I’d better explain that I dislike gender stereotypes and the portrayal of women as victims. Be prepared to meet women engineers and scientists, along with men who are receptionists. Victims may be from any gender.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books for providing a digital ARC of Deadly Crimes (DCI Sophie Allen #2) by Michael Hambling for review. All opinions in this review are my own personal opinions.
July 6, 2016
Detective Sophie Allen is investigating a human trafficking/prostitution ring run by a gang that's been active for some time. A young man's body is found on the roof of a famous landmark. His tongue is missing .. is this a message for others?
On the personal side of things, Sophie's father's body is found at the bottom of mine shaft. She never knew him, he was killed before he knew he was about to become a father. For all these years, she's resented the man she thought just bailed on her mother. Now she's coming to grips with newly found grandparents.
The mystery is what these two events have in common.
DCI Allen is brilliant at her job. She has a background in law and criminal psychology. She's strong and determined and wants justice for the victims and closure for their families. DS Barry Marsh is quietly dedicated and is the perfect partner for Sophie.
Although this is the second in this series, it does well as a stand-alone. As always I would recommend reading DARK CRIMES first.
The book is well-written, characters are likeable. There are tons of suspects to keep an eye on. I look forward to seeing more adventures for Sophie in the future.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
On the personal side of things, Sophie's father's body is found at the bottom of mine shaft. She never knew him, he was killed before he knew he was about to become a father. For all these years, she's resented the man she thought just bailed on her mother. Now she's coming to grips with newly found grandparents.
The mystery is what these two events have in common.
DCI Allen is brilliant at her job. She has a background in law and criminal psychology. She's strong and determined and wants justice for the victims and closure for their families. DS Barry Marsh is quietly dedicated and is the perfect partner for Sophie.
Although this is the second in this series, it does well as a stand-alone. As always I would recommend reading DARK CRIMES first.
The book is well-written, characters are likeable. There are tons of suspects to keep an eye on. I look forward to seeing more adventures for Sophie in the future.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
October 1, 2018
Detective Inspector Sophie Allen is head of the Violent Crime Unit in the English County of Dorset. In the second book of the series Sophie faces a tough challenge finding out who murdered the young man whose body was found on top of Agglestone, a local landmark with is tongue cut out. When a young woman is found to have escaped from human traffickers, they are able to tie the death to the ring, but finding them is another matter. We also find out more about Sophie's family when the body of her father is found and she meets her grandparents that she did not know.
This was an interesting and well written story, which I liked better than the first in this series. There are two crimes being investigated that have occurred two decades apart and throughout the story, it becomes apparent that they are linked. With bodies being discovered throughout the area, time is ticking before more young women may be killed. This is a police procedural with a flawed main character. Her past comes to a head in this story. We meet her family in this book and they are a rather staid bunch in my opinion. The villians in this book have great personalities, they are vicious people, yet are loved by others. The police that Sophie works with are all smart, yet sometimes stumble upon clues and information. I loved the interaction between Sophie and Barry, her Detective Sergeant, both are so different yet they seemingly have the perfect working partnership. Once again I listened to this book and I am not sure about this series. I have the next two ready to go on audio, so will go ahead and listen to them and see if this is a series I plan to continue with or not. I enjoyed the audio more this book as I had gotten used to the narrator.
This was an interesting and well written story, which I liked better than the first in this series. There are two crimes being investigated that have occurred two decades apart and throughout the story, it becomes apparent that they are linked. With bodies being discovered throughout the area, time is ticking before more young women may be killed. This is a police procedural with a flawed main character. Her past comes to a head in this story. We meet her family in this book and they are a rather staid bunch in my opinion. The villians in this book have great personalities, they are vicious people, yet are loved by others. The police that Sophie works with are all smart, yet sometimes stumble upon clues and information. I loved the interaction between Sophie and Barry, her Detective Sergeant, both are so different yet they seemingly have the perfect working partnership. Once again I listened to this book and I am not sure about this series. I have the next two ready to go on audio, so will go ahead and listen to them and see if this is a series I plan to continue with or not. I enjoyed the audio more this book as I had gotten used to the narrator.
January 2, 2018
This is rather a different brand of DCI, our Sophie Allen, so these books have interest in that element alone. There were some pretty bad characters in this book who had been getting away with trafficking women for some years and murdering some along the way without notice. The hunt begins in earnest when a body turns up on top of a stone landmark/ Sophie and her team are hot on their trail, just missing them at more than one location as Sophie takes one young Romanian girl who escaped back to her own home.
And then there are all the connections as a member of this gang turns out to be the one who murdered Sophie's father she had never known. Yup, a whole lot of very emotional stuff not usually found in police procedurals.
And then there are all the connections as a member of this gang turns out to be the one who murdered Sophie's father she had never known. Yup, a whole lot of very emotional stuff not usually found in police procedurals.
January 17, 2024
Well written story. I’m liking Sophie as an inspector, she’s a tough one. This just wasn’t my favorite trope to read about (human trafficking).
May 9, 2016
3.5 Stars
I've been having a love affair with British crime novels this past year and now I'm including Michael Hambling in the authors I've following. I haven't read the other books featuring DCI Sophie Allen, but Deadly Crimes worked well as a stand-alone.
There are two crime plots in this book, a 40 year old murder and a current time frame human trafficking case. DCI Sophie is in charge of the human trafficking case and for personal reasons is monitoring the 40 year old murder. The victim was her father she never met. As clues to the perpetrators are uncovered by her team, similar names start to come up in both cases. The plot of these two cases, how the police unraveled the clues and the criminals they have in common is really good.
There are a lot of characters is this book and there was a time or two were I thought I would need a cheat sheet to help sort through them. Most of them were well fleshed out, but some felt like they needed more development.
I think anyone who enjoys British mysteries and crime stories will enjoy this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Michael Hambling for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've been having a love affair with British crime novels this past year and now I'm including Michael Hambling in the authors I've following. I haven't read the other books featuring DCI Sophie Allen, but Deadly Crimes worked well as a stand-alone.
There are two crime plots in this book, a 40 year old murder and a current time frame human trafficking case. DCI Sophie is in charge of the human trafficking case and for personal reasons is monitoring the 40 year old murder. The victim was her father she never met. As clues to the perpetrators are uncovered by her team, similar names start to come up in both cases. The plot of these two cases, how the police unraveled the clues and the criminals they have in common is really good.
There are a lot of characters is this book and there was a time or two were I thought I would need a cheat sheet to help sort through them. Most of them were well fleshed out, but some felt like they needed more development.
I think anyone who enjoys British mysteries and crime stories will enjoy this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Michael Hambling for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2017
That was quite a dark book. A brutally murdered body found on top of a local landmark rock leads DCI Sophie Allen and her team into a dark web of human trafficking, torture, abuse and criminal pond scum.
At the same time an 'old' body recovered from a disused mine shaft causes Sophie great personal distress as the body turns out to be her father, who died before she was even born. The discovery causes Sophie to re-evaluate everything she though she knew about her background.
As she vows to uncover the circumstances of her father's death and investigates this as well as the human trafficking network it almost cripples her emotionally. The characters in this series have now really come to life. I really liked the ending. I thought I knew who the mysterious masked woman was but, now I'm not so sure.
At the same time an 'old' body recovered from a disused mine shaft causes Sophie great personal distress as the body turns out to be her father, who died before she was even born. The discovery causes Sophie to re-evaluate everything she though she knew about her background.
As she vows to uncover the circumstances of her father's death and investigates this as well as the human trafficking network it almost cripples her emotionally. The characters in this series have now really come to life. I really liked the ending. I thought I knew who the mysterious masked woman was but, now I'm not so sure.
May 15, 2021
2nd Book in the DCI Sophie Allen Series and Now I get Her .. A Really Good Story
February 12, 2023
Segunda de las novelas de la colección de la inspectora Sophie Allen.
En este caso se enfrentará a un caso de extorsión de mujeres traídas de Rumania a las que someten a prostitución y malos tratos. Además del caso que deberán resolver, se entremezclará una cuestión familiar oculta por el paso de muchos años.
Al igual que la primera una novela que se lee muy fácil y engancha nada más empezar!
En este caso se enfrentará a un caso de extorsión de mujeres traídas de Rumania a las que someten a prostitución y malos tratos. Además del caso que deberán resolver, se entremezclará una cuestión familiar oculta por el paso de muchos años.
Al igual que la primera una novela que se lee muy fácil y engancha nada más empezar!
April 25, 2016
Detective Sophie Allen and her partner DS Barry Marsh are investigating a human trafficking ring that’s being run by career criminals. Now a young man’s body has been found on a roof top and his tongue is missing and it appears he was involved in the human trafficing. Then Sophie’s father’s body is discovered and she has to rethink her ideas of who he was. She had always thought he had abandoned her and now it seems that may not be the case. This was a great read and I will read the other stories about this character. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
October 25, 2017
I'm definitely in a minority here. After reading many reviews, I'm still not convinced it's an amazing book, although I did find it easy to read and enjoyable.
My issues are the same as in book 1: the story is good, well crafted and delivered, but the writing feels choppy and too colloquial, simple.
There's two stories going on: The "mystery" part which starts with the body of a man lying on a local landmark and then we have Sophie's life history, which is based on another mystery and gives us a better insight into her character, which is something I do like in a book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My issues are the same as in book 1: the story is good, well crafted and delivered, but the writing feels choppy and too colloquial, simple.
There's two stories going on: The "mystery" part which starts with the body of a man lying on a local landmark and then we have Sophie's life history, which is based on another mystery and gives us a better insight into her character, which is something I do like in a book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2016
Didn't actually finish this book. The language was grim, the storyline is grim, and the writing just didn't make up for the grimness.
January 19, 2021
Loved this book and I could hardly put it down! I’m so looking forward to reading the rest of the series and what a bargain! The whole set of 8 books for 99p!!
July 28, 2025
Setting: Dorset, England; modern day.
This is the second book in a crime series featuring DCI Sophie Allen and set in Dorset.
When the body of a man, tortured and killed, is found displayed on a rock on isolated land outside Swanage, Sophie and her team begin a search of local farmhouses - which reveals a young woman who has been trafficked from Romania to work as a prostitute. As the young woman works with the police to find the traffickers and her friend, the gang move locations several times to try to avoid capture. Little does Sophie know that the gang has links to the father that she never knew....
This was another excellent crime story in this series - great setting, characters and storylines keep the reader entertained, and guessing as unexpected historical links are revealed. Glad that, having bought a couple of books in the series on Kindle early on, I then invested in a bargain box set of eight - so quite a few still to go! - 9/10.
This is the second book in a crime series featuring DCI Sophie Allen and set in Dorset.
When the body of a man, tortured and killed, is found displayed on a rock on isolated land outside Swanage, Sophie and her team begin a search of local farmhouses - which reveals a young woman who has been trafficked from Romania to work as a prostitute. As the young woman works with the police to find the traffickers and her friend, the gang move locations several times to try to avoid capture. Little does Sophie know that the gang has links to the father that she never knew....
This was another excellent crime story in this series - great setting, characters and storylines keep the reader entertained, and guessing as unexpected historical links are revealed. Glad that, having bought a couple of books in the series on Kindle early on, I then invested in a bargain box set of eight - so quite a few still to go! - 9/10.
January 29, 2026
Another thoroughly enjoyable novel
I couldn't put this book down and look forward to reading more of his work .I have recommended this author to my friends .
I couldn't put this book down and look forward to reading more of his work .I have recommended this author to my friends .
December 28, 2015
I was trudging my way through this, it seemed. I said after reading his first book that I hoped this one would be tidier but it isn't and in the end I'd had enough. It was boring me a little and there's nothing I can really put my finger on aside from the mistakes but I just wasn't looking forward to reopening it each time I did. I happened across one mistake too many and gave in but that was at 51% so I'd given it more than a fair crack by then. Even Sophie seemed a little too insipid in this story.
He missed out a lot of apostrophes again and when I hit vets practice it was the proverbial straw. In the prologue 1969 was mentioned yet later on we learn it was 1968. A rubbish mistake. ords were missing in some sentences (..held a Monday evening) yet peculiarly added in others (as the small group of left the room)...
Informed was used instead of uniformed, he used capitals weirdly yet again, I had no idea why Sophie was baffled by police being in a place at one point when she knew they were arriving by boat and she'd only just asked someone to speak to them. All in all it was too scrappy by half and I won't bother with anymore of this series.
He missed out a lot of apostrophes again and when I hit vets practice it was the proverbial straw. In the prologue 1969 was mentioned yet later on we learn it was 1968. A rubbish mistake. ords were missing in some sentences (..held a Monday evening) yet peculiarly added in others (as the small group of left the room)...
Informed was used instead of uniformed, he used capitals weirdly yet again, I had no idea why Sophie was baffled by police being in a place at one point when she knew they were arriving by boat and she'd only just asked someone to speak to them. All in all it was too scrappy by half and I won't bother with anymore of this series.
June 17, 2017
Detective Sophie Allen faces her toughest challenge in a gripping new mystery by best-selling author Michael Hambling
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
my rating: 5 stars
I loved it, loved everything about it, and will be picking up a copy when I can. loved the main the character, this had me hooked from the start of the book and had me pulled in to the ever end of it. with that said I would love to say thinks to NetGalley for give me a chance at founding a new series to get in to .
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father's body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
my rating: 5 stars
I loved it, loved everything about it, and will be picking up a copy when I can. loved the main the character, this had me hooked from the start of the book and had me pulled in to the ever end of it. with that said I would love to say thinks to NetGalley for give me a chance at founding a new series to get in to .
July 14, 2016
Another brilliant book. 2nd book of the Sophie Allen series and it just gets better and better.
I have really attached to Sophie. What a brilliant character.
This book is hard to read. Not because the book is bad cus it's not. It's hard to read cus this sort of thing happens in real life and sickens me that people can do this to women or men.
Trafficking is a big problem in some countries and then selling them on the street to even raping them themselves is beyond me. From rape to murder what could be worse.
I'm really loving this series and can't wait to read the next.
I have really attached to Sophie. What a brilliant character.
This book is hard to read. Not because the book is bad cus it's not. It's hard to read cus this sort of thing happens in real life and sickens me that people can do this to women or men.
Trafficking is a big problem in some countries and then selling them on the street to even raping them themselves is beyond me. From rape to murder what could be worse.
I'm really loving this series and can't wait to read the next.
October 27, 2017
Whilst I enjoyed the story, I actually had an issue with the characters, specifically the main one & her family. The cadence of the dialogue was really jarring and off putting, everything was just so formal. The main story was really interesting and the policing side of it was meticulous but I don't think I will be continuing with this series as I cannot seem to connect with the main character.
March 23, 2020
SPOILER ALERT
This is an excessively violent installment of this DCI Sophie Allen of the Violent Crrimes Unit series, involving the depraved and brutal trafficking of women. It begins with a gory scene of a murdered and mutilated body found on the top of an historical site, Agglestone Rock on Black Heath in Dorset. The man's tongue was cut out and his throat cut. Investigation leads to isolated Brookway Farm and Poole Harbour, suspicious and dangerous looking men and then the discovery of a naked young Romanian girl, Nadia hiding in the woods. She helps the police to develop a picture of girls who are brought from Romania to be used as prostitutes, being raped and introduced to drugs to soften them up for their intended use. Nadia then helps when they hit the pavement looking for Romanian girls on the street.
Another element of this story is the confession of the dying Billy Thompson, formerly affiliated with the gang, who reveals he killed a man years before and where the body can be found. He has also started the search for his half brother, Andy, through Andy's daughter Jennie. The body of Graham Howard is discovered and revealed as Sophie's father, whom she has hated all her life for having left her mother, Susan Carswell, at the age of sixteen. He was walking home when he literally ran into a burglary in progress and was shot. Throughout the story, Sophie struggles with self-hatred for having misjudged her father. It leads also to the discovery that she has grandparents, and her girls great grandparents, James and Florence Howard. The redeeming element of this story is the loving family and mother that Sophie has.
The gang that is running the girls is headed by Charlie and Hazel Duff (deceased), with Benjamin "Blossom" Sourlie, Barbu, Ricky Frimwell and others, and is only part of their criminal activity. The gang has become progressively more brutal since the death of Hazel. The police investigation consists of finding the names of the players, their movements, their boats and the involvement of Romanian nationals, complicated by the use of anagrams in shell company names.
It is relatively straightforward narrative with the police leading a complex and organized investigation with refreshingly competent and encouraging superiors.
This is an excessively violent installment of this DCI Sophie Allen of the Violent Crrimes Unit series, involving the depraved and brutal trafficking of women. It begins with a gory scene of a murdered and mutilated body found on the top of an historical site, Agglestone Rock on Black Heath in Dorset. The man's tongue was cut out and his throat cut. Investigation leads to isolated Brookway Farm and Poole Harbour, suspicious and dangerous looking men and then the discovery of a naked young Romanian girl, Nadia hiding in the woods. She helps the police to develop a picture of girls who are brought from Romania to be used as prostitutes, being raped and introduced to drugs to soften them up for their intended use. Nadia then helps when they hit the pavement looking for Romanian girls on the street.
Another element of this story is the confession of the dying Billy Thompson, formerly affiliated with the gang, who reveals he killed a man years before and where the body can be found. He has also started the search for his half brother, Andy, through Andy's daughter Jennie. The body of Graham Howard is discovered and revealed as Sophie's father, whom she has hated all her life for having left her mother, Susan Carswell, at the age of sixteen. He was walking home when he literally ran into a burglary in progress and was shot. Throughout the story, Sophie struggles with self-hatred for having misjudged her father. It leads also to the discovery that she has grandparents, and her girls great grandparents, James and Florence Howard. The redeeming element of this story is the loving family and mother that Sophie has.
The gang that is running the girls is headed by Charlie and Hazel Duff (deceased), with Benjamin "Blossom" Sourlie, Barbu, Ricky Frimwell and others, and is only part of their criminal activity. The gang has become progressively more brutal since the death of Hazel. The police investigation consists of finding the names of the players, their movements, their boats and the involvement of Romanian nationals, complicated by the use of anagrams in shell company names.
It is relatively straightforward narrative with the police leading a complex and organized investigation with refreshingly competent and encouraging superiors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2020
In the second book in the series, detective Sophie Allen investigates two crimes, separated by a gap of 40 years. The first concerns a man, brutally murdered and left at a local landmark. Is it an example to warn others? The links to human trafficking seem to suggest it is and Sophie’s soon on the trail of the gang.
The second murder is more personal, solving a 40 year old mystery. Or does it?
The two murders, and the impact on Sophie, make for a complex and draining investigation that twists and turns with every discovery she makes. There’s joy mixed in with the pain, but her search for the truth is relentless, leading to anxiety among those who know her best.
It’s an intricate plot that’s pulls you along, dragging you deeper into the personal lives of Sophie and those close to her, as you’re propelled towards a surprising but deftly handled climax that provides a solution but leaves a question or two unanswered.
Full marks to the author for weaving an enjoyable and entertaining web that delivers on every level. Sophie Allen become one of my favourite detectives in the space of two books and I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.
Description
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath.
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father’s body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
Discover an intricately crafted mystery that will have you gripped from start to finish.
The second murder is more personal, solving a 40 year old mystery. Or does it?
The two murders, and the impact on Sophie, make for a complex and draining investigation that twists and turns with every discovery she makes. There’s joy mixed in with the pain, but her search for the truth is relentless, leading to anxiety among those who know her best.
It’s an intricate plot that’s pulls you along, dragging you deeper into the personal lives of Sophie and those close to her, as you’re propelled towards a surprising but deftly handled climax that provides a solution but leaves a question or two unanswered.
Full marks to the author for weaving an enjoyable and entertaining web that delivers on every level. Sophie Allen become one of my favourite detectives in the space of two books and I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.
Description
A young man’s mutilated body is found on top of the Agglestone, a well-known local landmark on Studland Heath.
It seems that he was involved in a human trafficking and prostitution gang. But why is DCI Sophie Allen keeping something back from her team? Is it linked to the extraordinary discovery of her own father’s body at the bottom of a disused mineshaft, more than forty years after he disappeared?
Discover an intricately crafted mystery that will have you gripped from start to finish.
February 28, 2019
"Tense, grim thriller"
Down and dirty in Dorset. Not something I thought I would hear myself say. Sophie Allen is up to her neck in it once more, and the body count is impressive. Of course, some are past, some are present. and some touch closer to home. This is an excellent instalment in the series. It develops the Allen character from your basic female cop in a standard police procedural into a fully-fledged crime-buster you want to read about more and more. The crimes aren't pretty, but they ring true, sadly, with what's happening across the country these days. I know people questioned whether the countryside ever really matched the idyllic descriptions of a Miss Marple novel; but it's frightening to see how far we've fallen into the cess-pit. Books such as this can only help to highlight what needs to be done.
Down and dirty in Dorset. Not something I thought I would hear myself say. Sophie Allen is up to her neck in it once more, and the body count is impressive. Of course, some are past, some are present. and some touch closer to home. This is an excellent instalment in the series. It develops the Allen character from your basic female cop in a standard police procedural into a fully-fledged crime-buster you want to read about more and more. The crimes aren't pretty, but they ring true, sadly, with what's happening across the country these days. I know people questioned whether the countryside ever really matched the idyllic descriptions of a Miss Marple novel; but it's frightening to see how far we've fallen into the cess-pit. Books such as this can only help to highlight what needs to be done.
June 18, 2017
Another case solved for Detective Sophie
Well, just like the first book Dark Crimes, this also had a Phew! ending. A book that kept me reading in almost one sitting, with a break only for a nights sleep and breakfast.
A fast paced plot with plenty of action and this time also very personal to Sophie herself, with her past finally being revealed. She and her team once again get to the bottom of an investigation, this time involving murders that took place twenty odd years before, and the wide spread and evil crime of trafficking young women across Europe for really only one gain. Money, and lots if it.
A really great book which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it won't be long before I get onto number three.
Well, just like the first book Dark Crimes, this also had a Phew! ending. A book that kept me reading in almost one sitting, with a break only for a nights sleep and breakfast.
A fast paced plot with plenty of action and this time also very personal to Sophie herself, with her past finally being revealed. She and her team once again get to the bottom of an investigation, this time involving murders that took place twenty odd years before, and the wide spread and evil crime of trafficking young women across Europe for really only one gain. Money, and lots if it.
A really great book which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it won't be long before I get onto number three.
September 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, but I have to question how realistic it is. Maybe it's just because I live in the US and not rural England, but I have trouble imagining the amount of personnel that was dedicated to the one crime. On the other hand, it was really nice to see how much work is actually involved in tracking down the whole situation! Of course, the connectedness of all of the crimes is somewhat unrealistic, too, but then again – based in rural England, not in metropolitan US. But I truly enjoyed seeing everything that had to happen in order for arrests to happen and stick. Wonderful book!
October 23, 2021
Leaves food for thought!
Another well written part off the story about DCI Sophie Allen and her team. I real life there easy her family is getting incorporated into the series,, as well as her past. And while there is signs and talk of much violence throughout the book, its left to the readers imagination to see it, not to read it step by step. This was not a twisty turn plot, but much more thought out and methodical one. It keeps the readers interest (at least mine) and gave a pretty big surprise towards the end. I am enjoying this series.
Another well written part off the story about DCI Sophie Allen and her team. I real life there easy her family is getting incorporated into the series,, as well as her past. And while there is signs and talk of much violence throughout the book, its left to the readers imagination to see it, not to read it step by step. This was not a twisty turn plot, but much more thought out and methodical one. It keeps the readers interest (at least mine) and gave a pretty big surprise towards the end. I am enjoying this series.
November 24, 2021
This was an interesting and complex story with perhaps a few too many coincidences, but once started I didn’t put the book down until I had finished.
I found some of the early dialogue a bit disjointed, but this improved when the story got going. Also with this type of book, I find it quite interesting to get a glimpse of the criminals mind, but I don’t really want to dwell on their actions and especially the suffering of their victims. At times I thought there was a bit too much of the criminals.
I found some of the early dialogue a bit disjointed, but this improved when the story got going. Also with this type of book, I find it quite interesting to get a glimpse of the criminals mind, but I don’t really want to dwell on their actions and especially the suffering of their victims. At times I thought there was a bit too much of the criminals.
January 31, 2026
DCI Sophie Allen has been given a surprising news. Her Father's remains have been correctly identified and she now knows her feelings for him were completely wrong. Her mother and her start to approach his parents and announce the news and give them a newer news. They have a grandchild and she has kids. Alongside this Sophie has to deal with a mutilated body. Seemingly killed as a show and that means a sadistic killer.
This one is really good volume in the series. I thought the first one was good. This one gives the series an even better future.
This one is really good volume in the series. I thought the first one was good. This one gives the series an even better future.
May 29, 2018
Always enjoy Sophie Allen, her crew and her family. Her mother Susan is the least developed.
Good story in about 7 hours of listening. No padding just the story moving along.
A dead body on a high rock with its throat slit and tongue removed. So begins the investigation that leads to sex trafficing and resolution of the dead of Sophie's father.
The reader is left wondering if Sofie was the mysterious woman from the S&M parlor. I think she was.
Good story in about 7 hours of listening. No padding just the story moving along.
A dead body on a high rock with its throat slit and tongue removed. So begins the investigation that leads to sex trafficing and resolution of the dead of Sophie's father.
The reader is left wondering if Sofie was the mysterious woman from the S&M parlor. I think she was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2021
Deadly crimes
This is the second book in the series I have read. The first I read sometime ago and enjoyed and I am not sure why I left it so long to read this second book. This grabs you from page 1 and doesn’t let go. The plot has Sophie investigating a murder, trafficking but also picks up an historic investigation, which is very personal to Sophie. A 5 out of 5 from me. This book can be read as a stand-alone, you don’t need to read the first in the series, if you don’t want.
This is the second book in the series I have read. The first I read sometime ago and enjoyed and I am not sure why I left it so long to read this second book. This grabs you from page 1 and doesn’t let go. The plot has Sophie investigating a murder, trafficking but also picks up an historic investigation, which is very personal to Sophie. A 5 out of 5 from me. This book can be read as a stand-alone, you don’t need to read the first in the series, if you don’t want.
January 22, 2020
The subject matter for this story is a grim one. Human trafficking is a horrible reality of our modern world. I think the author did a good job of balancing reality with fiction and not making it so bad it would be impossible to read.
I liked the personal story of Sophie. It helped shape her character in my mind. It was so interesting and emotional to read. Great book.
I liked the personal story of Sophie. It helped shape her character in my mind. It was so interesting and emotional to read. Great book.
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