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DCI Cyril Bennett #1
Only The Dead
ONLY THE DEAD: the first part in an explosive new crime series
Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a man with a passion for manners and efficiency, as well as an eye for the ladies. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.
When the discovery of two infants’ bodies is made at a Teacher Training College, Bennett and Owen are given the case. Soon a number of suspects are identified.
At the same time, a killer is on the loose staging attacks using sulphur mustard.
Is there a link between the infants’ bodies and the sulphur mustard attacks?
Do the answers lie in the past or the present?
Bennett and Owen must work together to bring to justice a killer with revenge on his mind.
What the readers say:
"Beautifully written, this debut novel is a masterclass in tension. This is a perfect thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat." Betsy Reavley, Best-Selling Author
"totally riveting and... thought provoking" Sarah Hardy, ByTheLetterBookReviews
This book was previously published as Keen as Mustard. It is an explosive crime novel which will appeal to fans of Ian Rankin, Robert Bryndza, Mel Sherratt and Mark Billingham. Also available from the DCI Cyril Bennett Harrogate Crime Series: Book 2: Hell's Gate Coming Soon: Book 3: Flesh Evidence
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 5, 2018
This book was previously published as Keen as Mustard.
Only The Dead is the very first in a well-established series of six books to date. Featured is DCI Cyril Bennett and his partner DS David Owens. They say that opposites attract and that is very true in this case. Bennett is a ladies' man, polite, mannerly, and dresses well. Owens is younger, messier, but makes a great partner in his dedication to the job.
Bennett and Owens are called in to investigate when 2 bodies of infants are recovered at a teacher training college. After obtaining a list of students and instructors who were at the school when these babies died, they soon find more suspects than they know what to do with.
The two detectives also take on the investigation of random sulfur mustard attacks. Or are they random? Although Bennett and Owens work differently, they must work together to find this serial killer.
The story lines run side by side, so at times it feels a little disjointed. Not heavy on suspense, but there is a mysterious air. I really enjoyed the development of the characters. Both Bennett and Owens are rather unique and the way they relate to each other is fun to watch.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 5, 2022
Sooooo ..... after being locked out of my Kindle app I've decided to have a bit of a clean up in my various "Books Read" lists. First cabs off the rank are my DNF pile. If I DNF'd it and have absolutely NO intention of reading it again, I'm changing my rating to 1 🌟 and deleting it off my Kindle. Life is too short at my age for crappy books!!
Original Review:
This is a 2.5 star read.
This was a DNF at 36% for me. I just couldn't gel with the story and I think a big part of that was not feeling invested in the characters, and bored with the plot line. There is nothing wrong with the writing per se, just not my cup of tea.
Original Review:
This is a 2.5 star read.
This was a DNF at 36% for me. I just couldn't gel with the story and I think a big part of that was not feeling invested in the characters, and bored with the plot line. There is nothing wrong with the writing per se, just not my cup of tea.
November 21, 2016
Only The Dead is the first novel I have read by this author and also the first book in a new crime series.
Set in and around Yorkshire, it instantly appealed to me as it was good to read about places that not only have I heard about, but I know also.
Right from the start I could see that the author is very descriptive. Sometimes this can get in the way of a story as an author can spend to much time on details which then the story starts to get lost, this doesn’t happen though in Only The Dead, it actually adds to the story drawing the reader right into the heart of it.
I won’t go into to much detail of the story line itself but I did love finding out the link between the infants bodies and the attacks. The story line behind the attacks themselves I found totally riveting and in some ways quite thought provoking.
My only little niggle I have is that at times I found it confusing as to what time scale the story was set in. It is set in current times, but the way that a lot of the characters spoke reminded me of the era Agatha Christie’s novels are set as nearly every character was extremely well spoken. It just felt slightly all a bit posh for me in today’s world and I would have liked it to be a bit more rougher round the edges just to add that bit more grit, but this is just my opinion. Otherwise than that it is a good read with a strong and gripping story line and I certainly look forward to what other cases Bennett and Owen will be working on.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Set in and around Yorkshire, it instantly appealed to me as it was good to read about places that not only have I heard about, but I know also.
Right from the start I could see that the author is very descriptive. Sometimes this can get in the way of a story as an author can spend to much time on details which then the story starts to get lost, this doesn’t happen though in Only The Dead, it actually adds to the story drawing the reader right into the heart of it.
I won’t go into to much detail of the story line itself but I did love finding out the link between the infants bodies and the attacks. The story line behind the attacks themselves I found totally riveting and in some ways quite thought provoking.
My only little niggle I have is that at times I found it confusing as to what time scale the story was set in. It is set in current times, but the way that a lot of the characters spoke reminded me of the era Agatha Christie’s novels are set as nearly every character was extremely well spoken. It just felt slightly all a bit posh for me in today’s world and I would have liked it to be a bit more rougher round the edges just to add that bit more grit, but this is just my opinion. Otherwise than that it is a good read with a strong and gripping story line and I certainly look forward to what other cases Bennett and Owen will be working on.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
May 5, 2017
Only The Dead is the first instalment in a new, to me, crime series by Malcolm Hollingdrake. Currently there are 4 books and it's due to the reviews of the latest one, Game Point, that I felt compelled to check this series out. And of course, I had to start at the beginning!
Cyril Bennett is quite unlike any other DCI. He oozes charisma, dresses to kill (not literally), has a passion for manners and efficiency and likes the ladies. It makes a nice change from the cliché scruffy, grumpy ones with a drinking problem. His sidekick, David Owen, is naive but very keen. Somehow they make a great team and I warmed to both of them right from the start.
The team is working on two cases. Two infants' bodies are discovered on the grounds of a Teacher Training College. Meanwhile, someone is attacking individuals with sulphur mustard. All of this results in a complex and multi-layered plot that had me completely hooked.
I found Only The Dead to be highly original, combining a police investigation with historical events that inspire a killer set on revenge. I could almost sympathise with him, understanding where he was coming from. Which feels all sorts of weird but there you go.
At 260 pages, this was quite a quick read and I managed to get through it in one sitting. All in all, gripping and engrossing with a cast of characters I look forward to reading about again.
I do so love discovering a new series and I can't wait to read the next ones, which are patiently waiting on my kindle.
Cyril Bennett is quite unlike any other DCI. He oozes charisma, dresses to kill (not literally), has a passion for manners and efficiency and likes the ladies. It makes a nice change from the cliché scruffy, grumpy ones with a drinking problem. His sidekick, David Owen, is naive but very keen. Somehow they make a great team and I warmed to both of them right from the start.
The team is working on two cases. Two infants' bodies are discovered on the grounds of a Teacher Training College. Meanwhile, someone is attacking individuals with sulphur mustard. All of this results in a complex and multi-layered plot that had me completely hooked.
I found Only The Dead to be highly original, combining a police investigation with historical events that inspire a killer set on revenge. I could almost sympathise with him, understanding where he was coming from. Which feels all sorts of weird but there you go.
At 260 pages, this was quite a quick read and I managed to get through it in one sitting. All in all, gripping and engrossing with a cast of characters I look forward to reading about again.
I do so love discovering a new series and I can't wait to read the next ones, which are patiently waiting on my kindle.
November 25, 2016
There is something really exciting about starting a new series of books and getting to know the team of detectives and DCI Cyril Bennett and DS David Owen are no exception. Talk about opposites but it works beautifully. I am going to love finding out more about these two as the series unfolds.
I started reading and thought ‘Have I got the right book?’ poppy fields, France and fallen British soldiers that died in the war. But oh yes I certainly had and I soon came to the conclusion that I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of this bloke. I know that he was a nutter but to be honest I could see where he was coming from. Did I just say that? Damn that justice system that makes a mockery of punishment! I just loved how his logic kicked his conscience to play a role too, pure magic!
Now you have two detectives hard at work when wham, what a nightmare find! Two dead babies from years ago, our intrepid DCI and DS soon have an abundance of suspects due to todays technical advances and the story soon takes off at quite a pace in all directions.
This is a very intriguing story that you will want to carry on reading without stopping, with the main characters feeling like you have known them for years when you finish. Bring on number two please.
I wish to thank Bloodhound Books for an Arc of this novel. I have chosen to leave this review
I started reading and thought ‘Have I got the right book?’ poppy fields, France and fallen British soldiers that died in the war. But oh yes I certainly had and I soon came to the conclusion that I didn’t want to get on the wrong side of this bloke. I know that he was a nutter but to be honest I could see where he was coming from. Did I just say that? Damn that justice system that makes a mockery of punishment! I just loved how his logic kicked his conscience to play a role too, pure magic!
Now you have two detectives hard at work when wham, what a nightmare find! Two dead babies from years ago, our intrepid DCI and DS soon have an abundance of suspects due to todays technical advances and the story soon takes off at quite a pace in all directions.
This is a very intriguing story that you will want to carry on reading without stopping, with the main characters feeling like you have known them for years when you finish. Bring on number two please.
I wish to thank Bloodhound Books for an Arc of this novel. I have chosen to leave this review
April 14, 2017
This is a series that has been sitting on my kindle for far too long and wish that I had read them sooner. But after reading Only The Dead I went straight onto the next book in the series and have back to back. So I thought it would be easier to write one review for the first three books.
First of all I have to say…..those covers, wow I just love them. It was actually the covers that drew me to buy the books. And now that I have read them OMG what a series! With each book getting better and better and this shows throughout each book.
Set in Harrogate we meet DCI Bennett and DS Owen totally different to each other but they make a good likable team and we see their characters grow and learn more about them has the series.
Starting with Only The Dead the author’s writing is very descriptive and paints a beautiful picture,creating a steady paced following story. But by the second book the author has stepped up his game and gives us a gritty gripping story with graphic descriptions...Hell yes this series is definitely going places. Now Flesh Evidence is without a doubt my favourite of the three. Where I feel the author has found his writing style and written one gritty dark and twisted page turning read.
The author certainly knows how to write one intriguing plot that is very well researched, that will have the reader hooked from start to finish. These books do well well on there own but this is a series not to be missed. They are without a doubt a must read for all you crime fans.
First of all I have to say…..those covers, wow I just love them. It was actually the covers that drew me to buy the books. And now that I have read them OMG what a series! With each book getting better and better and this shows throughout each book.
Set in Harrogate we meet DCI Bennett and DS Owen totally different to each other but they make a good likable team and we see their characters grow and learn more about them has the series.
Starting with Only The Dead the author’s writing is very descriptive and paints a beautiful picture,creating a steady paced following story. But by the second book the author has stepped up his game and gives us a gritty gripping story with graphic descriptions...Hell yes this series is definitely going places. Now Flesh Evidence is without a doubt my favourite of the three. Where I feel the author has found his writing style and written one gritty dark and twisted page turning read.
The author certainly knows how to write one intriguing plot that is very well researched, that will have the reader hooked from start to finish. These books do well well on there own but this is a series not to be missed. They are without a doubt a must read for all you crime fans.
December 22, 2016
This is the first book in a new series by an author whose work I haven't read before. Having read the book description I was intrigued by the combination of two seemingly unrelated cases. Now, having read the book I'm very impressed with both the plot and quality of writing.
I really like DCI Cyril Bennett. Different in many ways to other DCIs created in this genre, and a thankfully also avoids many of the police force cliches that can be overdone. Cyril's work partner, David Owen, is a great side-kick for Cyril to have and their personalities combine really well.
Despite there being two investigations and different locations throughout the book, I always knew where I was and that was due to how well Malcolm linked everything together. The quality of writing was excellent and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series - which is already on my kindle!
I really like DCI Cyril Bennett. Different in many ways to other DCIs created in this genre, and a thankfully also avoids many of the police force cliches that can be overdone. Cyril's work partner, David Owen, is a great side-kick for Cyril to have and their personalities combine really well.
Despite there being two investigations and different locations throughout the book, I always knew where I was and that was due to how well Malcolm linked everything together. The quality of writing was excellent and I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series - which is already on my kindle!
September 19, 2017
DCI Cyril Bennett and his bagman DS David Owen of the Harrogate police are buckling down to solve the case of 2 young children found buried in college grounds probably in the 60s or 70s when a young man is attacked with mustard gas. Struggling with Bell's Palsy Bennett agrees to take on both cases despite his doctor's orders to take it easy.
Only the Dead is a bit of a mixed bag but a promising debut. The two plotlines run side by side as do the police and criminal perspectives so it makes for a choppy read. The plotlines are interesting but there is little suspense as the reader knows more than the police. Personally I'm not a big fan of this approach but it works well enough. The mustard gas attack plotline, although initially ingenious, becomes a bit laboured and repetitive as it goes on and did not hold my attention as much as the buried babies which widens out into something much more than is initially suggested. I was disappointed in the ending as there is a sickening crime the reader knows about which the police don't uncover, never mind solve. This is probably more realistic than everything tied up in a neat bow but it's fiction and all loose ends resolved makes for a more satisfying read.
Cyril Bennett is a good protagonist. He is smart both work wise and sartorially but can have a fine sense of humour when the mood takes him. He works well with Owen and their interaction seems natural and mature despite this being their first outing. I look forward to reading more.
Only the Dead is a good read which I can recommend. 3.5*
Only the Dead is a bit of a mixed bag but a promising debut. The two plotlines run side by side as do the police and criminal perspectives so it makes for a choppy read. The plotlines are interesting but there is little suspense as the reader knows more than the police. Personally I'm not a big fan of this approach but it works well enough. The mustard gas attack plotline, although initially ingenious, becomes a bit laboured and repetitive as it goes on and did not hold my attention as much as the buried babies which widens out into something much more than is initially suggested. I was disappointed in the ending as there is a sickening crime the reader knows about which the police don't uncover, never mind solve. This is probably more realistic than everything tied up in a neat bow but it's fiction and all loose ends resolved makes for a more satisfying read.
Cyril Bennett is a good protagonist. He is smart both work wise and sartorially but can have a fine sense of humour when the mood takes him. He works well with Owen and their interaction seems natural and mature despite this being their first outing. I look forward to reading more.
Only the Dead is a good read which I can recommend. 3.5*
January 25, 2018
A North Yorkshire DCI series I found through Kindle Unlimited whilst searching for something new and interesting for me to read. I look forward to starting the second in this series as it serves up a palatable complement of Harrogate characters to get better acquainted with.
Two very different investigations are undertaken initially by Bennett and his young male assistant, but as the crimes spread terror a larger team is assigned and works with success.
In the first case we have a dedicated and meticulous man of science with a plan to call care givers to account for their sins against the elderly and the other investigation is rooted in the horrendous sins of human trafficking.
Two very different investigations are undertaken initially by Bennett and his young male assistant, but as the crimes spread terror a larger team is assigned and works with success.
In the first case we have a dedicated and meticulous man of science with a plan to call care givers to account for their sins against the elderly and the other investigation is rooted in the horrendous sins of human trafficking.
December 14, 2017
Mustard gas, young children’s bodies buried years ago, a Doctor and his charming housekeeper – DCI Bennett faces a complex case in this exciting thriller!
| Introduction |
DCI Bennett Series #1
There are the poppies still, a token of remembrance for those who have fallen in the line of duty in WWI on Flanders’ fields. Until this day we honour our forefathers who fought for a free Europe, free of tyranny. What made the war more horrible was when the trenches were assaulted by an until then unknown and hidden enemy, the vicious mustard gas.
| Storyline |
What is the connection with Detective Chief Inspector Cyril Bennett of the Harrogate Police, who until recently was impeccably dressed, handsome and above all healthy? Malcolm Hollingdrake gives the reader no time to get acquainted but shows Cyril Bennett at his most vulnerable after his recent palsy, which paralysed the right half of his face. Still, he struggles on with the case on his desk: the bodies of two young children, buried in shallow graves many years ago, sometime in the seventies. ‘Impossible’ is not a word tolerated by Bennett, nor by his DS David Owen: both are determined to find those responsible and the parents of the little victims. The two infants share the same mother and after searching the old school records of Ripon College, Owen has found her: former student Mary Nixon, later to be married to the school’s Doctor Peter Flint. Reason enough to pay the Doctor a visit and when Bennett does, he is pleasantly surprised by the Doctor’s frankness as well as the charms of his housekeeper Janet.
The Doctor has no problem in telling Bennett about his life in Sierra Leone nor showing him the blood diamonds he received as a token of gratitude. Janet is equally frank when she invites Bennett to visit her in the summer in the Doctor’s establishment in the South of France “a small castle-style building, set in grounds with pool and garages and palm trees and a view towards the Mediterranean to die for.” Little does Bennett know that he has stumbled upon something much bigger than he could have dreamed of, a nightmare of chilling and appalling crimes with an international impact, involving young victims. Owen’s persistence in trying to find the parents of the young children, found in the graves, could with hindsight be a major breakthrough in finding those international criminals. However, both Bennett and his right hand DS Owen are yet totally unaware of the implications and far-reaching consequences of their investigations.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Young is obsessed with WWI and the sacrifices made by men. We, the readers, see him standing in a poppy covered field in Flanders, once the place where thousands of men risked their lives in the trenches. Did they see it coming, the invisible enemy the mustard gas first blinding them and then choking them to death? Millions of reminiscences are to be found in Flanders’ fields, the “1.45 billion shells fired during the senseless battles that had raged, harvesting the blood of youth.” It seems Lawrence is experiencing the pain and loss himself by paying tribute and honouring those men from long ago. But a growing suspicion is confirmed when the reader watches Lawrence harvesting those old shells, carefully securing the metal cylinders with the leftovers of the deadly poison. In his head, Lawrence hears whistles, the signal to send the soldiers over the trenches into the uncovered fields and unto the reach of the enemy’s firing arms. We experience a spine-chilling premonition of what Lawrence intends to do.
“They had no choice” is Lawrence’s saying and with ‘they’ he refers to the lost souls of WWI but also to the neglected elderly people living in nursing homes. Lawrence feels he has abandoned his mother in her hour of need as he discovered that she was abused in the nursing home. Her death weighs heavily on Lawrence’ conscience and for him, the anguish in his mother’s face just before she died was similar to the look of fear on the soldiers’ faces when they faced death. The image haunts Lawrence and that is why he is determined to seek revenge. As we watch him retrieve the poisonous gas from the cylinders, we can only shudder in horror and think of the people, about to suffer the same fate as those who died in WWI. Lawrence is so careful in eliminating every possible clue leading to him that it will be an enormous, if not an impossible job for the police, for DCI Bennett, his DS Owen and newly appointed DS Liz Graydon.
| My Thoughts |
This is Malcolm Hollingdrake‘s first crime novel featuring the enigmatic DCI Cyril Bennett and it is a captivating and thrilling read. I love how the author describes his main characters, especially the detective team under DCI Bennett, DS Owen and DS Graydon and I hope (no expect!) to hear much more of these three in the next books of the series. It’s also intriguing because there are more cases than the one and the ending is something of a cliff hanger… but you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/only-t...
| Introduction |
DCI Bennett Series #1
There are the poppies still, a token of remembrance for those who have fallen in the line of duty in WWI on Flanders’ fields. Until this day we honour our forefathers who fought for a free Europe, free of tyranny. What made the war more horrible was when the trenches were assaulted by an until then unknown and hidden enemy, the vicious mustard gas.
| Storyline |
What is the connection with Detective Chief Inspector Cyril Bennett of the Harrogate Police, who until recently was impeccably dressed, handsome and above all healthy? Malcolm Hollingdrake gives the reader no time to get acquainted but shows Cyril Bennett at his most vulnerable after his recent palsy, which paralysed the right half of his face. Still, he struggles on with the case on his desk: the bodies of two young children, buried in shallow graves many years ago, sometime in the seventies. ‘Impossible’ is not a word tolerated by Bennett, nor by his DS David Owen: both are determined to find those responsible and the parents of the little victims. The two infants share the same mother and after searching the old school records of Ripon College, Owen has found her: former student Mary Nixon, later to be married to the school’s Doctor Peter Flint. Reason enough to pay the Doctor a visit and when Bennett does, he is pleasantly surprised by the Doctor’s frankness as well as the charms of his housekeeper Janet.
The Doctor has no problem in telling Bennett about his life in Sierra Leone nor showing him the blood diamonds he received as a token of gratitude. Janet is equally frank when she invites Bennett to visit her in the summer in the Doctor’s establishment in the South of France “a small castle-style building, set in grounds with pool and garages and palm trees and a view towards the Mediterranean to die for.” Little does Bennett know that he has stumbled upon something much bigger than he could have dreamed of, a nightmare of chilling and appalling crimes with an international impact, involving young victims. Owen’s persistence in trying to find the parents of the young children, found in the graves, could with hindsight be a major breakthrough in finding those international criminals. However, both Bennett and his right hand DS Owen are yet totally unaware of the implications and far-reaching consequences of their investigations.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Young is obsessed with WWI and the sacrifices made by men. We, the readers, see him standing in a poppy covered field in Flanders, once the place where thousands of men risked their lives in the trenches. Did they see it coming, the invisible enemy the mustard gas first blinding them and then choking them to death? Millions of reminiscences are to be found in Flanders’ fields, the “1.45 billion shells fired during the senseless battles that had raged, harvesting the blood of youth.” It seems Lawrence is experiencing the pain and loss himself by paying tribute and honouring those men from long ago. But a growing suspicion is confirmed when the reader watches Lawrence harvesting those old shells, carefully securing the metal cylinders with the leftovers of the deadly poison. In his head, Lawrence hears whistles, the signal to send the soldiers over the trenches into the uncovered fields and unto the reach of the enemy’s firing arms. We experience a spine-chilling premonition of what Lawrence intends to do.
“They had no choice” is Lawrence’s saying and with ‘they’ he refers to the lost souls of WWI but also to the neglected elderly people living in nursing homes. Lawrence feels he has abandoned his mother in her hour of need as he discovered that she was abused in the nursing home. Her death weighs heavily on Lawrence’ conscience and for him, the anguish in his mother’s face just before she died was similar to the look of fear on the soldiers’ faces when they faced death. The image haunts Lawrence and that is why he is determined to seek revenge. As we watch him retrieve the poisonous gas from the cylinders, we can only shudder in horror and think of the people, about to suffer the same fate as those who died in WWI. Lawrence is so careful in eliminating every possible clue leading to him that it will be an enormous, if not an impossible job for the police, for DCI Bennett, his DS Owen and newly appointed DS Liz Graydon.
| My Thoughts |
This is Malcolm Hollingdrake‘s first crime novel featuring the enigmatic DCI Cyril Bennett and it is a captivating and thrilling read. I love how the author describes his main characters, especially the detective team under DCI Bennett, DS Owen and DS Graydon and I hope (no expect!) to hear much more of these three in the next books of the series. It’s also intriguing because there are more cases than the one and the ending is something of a cliff hanger… but you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out!
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/only-t...
March 25, 2018
What an introduction to a new crime series! I loved every single word that Malcolm Hollingdrake has carefully chosen in this first instalment of the DCI Bennett series. The writing is so descriptive that a picture is painted before your eyes as if you're watching it on screen, which DCI Bennett can't do as he doesn't have a television, or an 'Idiot's lantern' as he calls them.
It didn't take long for me to feel an affinity with DCI Cyril Bennett. He's a typical Northerner, who loves a pint of Black Sheep (my favourite beer), is thought of so highly by his colleagues that he has a humorous nickname and is getting on with his job despite suffering from an outbreak of Bell's Palsy, causing temporary paralysis to his face. Partnered with young and naïve DS David Owen, the pair investigate when two infant bodies are found. At the same time, a killer is targeting care workers by infecting them with sulphur mustard, harvested from bullets left behind during the First World War. Bennett has his hands full with both cases but I had no doubt that his good old-fashioned police work would reap rewards.
I read Only the Dead just before the awful events in Salisbury where nerve gas was used on a former Russian spy and his daughter. The real life events had little care for who would get infected by the toxin, whereas the perpetrator in the book was a killer with a conscience as he warned the targets to contain themselves to avoid innocent people being infected. Without delving too deeply, it also brought to light some of the conditions that our elderly population have to suffer in care homes. I know we only hear of bad stories, but I do hope that there are more good care homes out there than bad ones.
Although it's only a 254 page book, Only the Dead epitomises the saying 'quality over quantity' and, with not a word out of place, shows the rest of the field how a book should be written. I'm really looking forward to continuing the series with Hell's Gate.
It didn't take long for me to feel an affinity with DCI Cyril Bennett. He's a typical Northerner, who loves a pint of Black Sheep (my favourite beer), is thought of so highly by his colleagues that he has a humorous nickname and is getting on with his job despite suffering from an outbreak of Bell's Palsy, causing temporary paralysis to his face. Partnered with young and naïve DS David Owen, the pair investigate when two infant bodies are found. At the same time, a killer is targeting care workers by infecting them with sulphur mustard, harvested from bullets left behind during the First World War. Bennett has his hands full with both cases but I had no doubt that his good old-fashioned police work would reap rewards.
I read Only the Dead just before the awful events in Salisbury where nerve gas was used on a former Russian spy and his daughter. The real life events had little care for who would get infected by the toxin, whereas the perpetrator in the book was a killer with a conscience as he warned the targets to contain themselves to avoid innocent people being infected. Without delving too deeply, it also brought to light some of the conditions that our elderly population have to suffer in care homes. I know we only hear of bad stories, but I do hope that there are more good care homes out there than bad ones.
Although it's only a 254 page book, Only the Dead epitomises the saying 'quality over quantity' and, with not a word out of place, shows the rest of the field how a book should be written. I'm really looking forward to continuing the series with Hell's Gate.
August 23, 2017
Ugh
This could have been a much better book, but the two unrelated storylines were just too much. Throughout the book, in dialogue and in narrative sections, information was repeated far too often, as though the author doesn't trust the reader's ability to remember or infer what has been said or done.
My biggest problem, though, were grammatical errors. Commas used incorrectly, words misspelled, and exclamation points employed far too frequently really detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I understand that a few errors will occur, but there were so many that it felt as though I were reading a first draft rather than a manuscript ready for publication. I will not be reading a second book by thus author.
This could have been a much better book, but the two unrelated storylines were just too much. Throughout the book, in dialogue and in narrative sections, information was repeated far too often, as though the author doesn't trust the reader's ability to remember or infer what has been said or done.
My biggest problem, though, were grammatical errors. Commas used incorrectly, words misspelled, and exclamation points employed far too frequently really detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I understand that a few errors will occur, but there were so many that it felt as though I were reading a first draft rather than a manuscript ready for publication. I will not be reading a second book by thus author.
August 11, 2019
I couldn't understand very much in the first 3 chapters, not even who was who which was very confusing, but then things became clearer and I was drawn into the story. What an original way of attacking (murdering?) people for revenge! There are 2 different investigations going on at the same time, although the matching up at the end felt a little forced. Not a bad start though; I may read the sequel.
November 30, 2019
I got lost in this book (in a good way) from the very beginning. Lawrence Young, a scientist at his local hospital is very meticulous in his work ... but what does he get up to in his workshop? and who is the man in an old sepia photograph whom Lawrence is drawn to? With innocent people becoming assaulted with mustard gas and the skeletons of two young children being found at Ripon College, DCI Cyril Bennett and DS David Owen have more than enough to keep them busy. I was engrossed throughout and couldn’t wait to find out what was going on! Were the cases linked? - and who were behind the children’s murders? I liked the descriptive writing which I felt was needed to help give us, the reader, a better understanding of some parts and it was just enough; too much and my mind wanders and I get bored. Definitely not the case with this story. I didn’t know how one case would end, which was exciting, and the second case I felt sympathy for the perpetrator/s, even though the crimes committed were wrong. I highly recommend this book, it is cleverly written and well researched and I found some parts very interesting. I was happy with the ending which had a good unexpected twist. Always a plus in any fiction book for me, is a bit of humour, and I was pleased that I had some laugh-out-loud moments. Cyril is a believable character (they all are) and an all round lovely guy; I think that he and Owen work very well together. Revenge, greed, mystery, love and loss - this book has it all, and more ... and is a fabulous start to The Harrogate Crime Series; I can’t wait to read more. Thank you
September 6, 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author and what a book to start with!!! Brilliant storyline that had me gripped throughout. DCI Bennett and DS Owen make a great team, very likeable characters. Looking forward to reading the others in the series.
February 6, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you Bloodhound Books. Only The Dead is the first book I've read of this author and is the first in a detective series. This was very well written and I really enjoyed it. I could see this as a mini tv series. Looking forward to reading and reviewing the second in the series in the not to distant future :-)
August 6, 2019
This started with a great deal of detail and some wandering commas, but it didn’t take long to catch my attention. Still, it was quite hard to read – some timelines seemed confused and hard to follow. It could do with a bit of editing – there’s repetition and ‘internment’ does not mean the same thing as ‘interment’, and one doesn’t ‘reign in’ things, one ‘reins’ them in (horses, yes?). Nor, despite the efforts of Olympics commentators, does one ‘medal’, particularly when one means ‘interfere’. I liked the main character, the policeman, who was a bit different and it was interesting to see inside his head, having known a friend with the same condition. In the end quite an interesting plot, or two plots.
July 28, 2017
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This was the first book that I have read by this author and I had it on my Kindle for a while having treated myself a couple of months ago. I am so glad that I decided to start it as I thoroughly enjoyed it - the pace was great, I loved the length of the book, it was just what I needed to get me back in to reading after having my little girl and spending a fair amount of time going to and from hospital (all is fine with her now). In fact I enjoyed the writing style and characters so much that I started reading the second book in the series, Hell's Gate last night and have nearly finished! I gave this book 4 stars and its definitely one I'd recommend - it was a great introduction for me to this author!
This was the first book that I have read by this author and I had it on my Kindle for a while having treated myself a couple of months ago. I am so glad that I decided to start it as I thoroughly enjoyed it - the pace was great, I loved the length of the book, it was just what I needed to get me back in to reading after having my little girl and spending a fair amount of time going to and from hospital (all is fine with her now). In fact I enjoyed the writing style and characters so much that I started reading the second book in the series, Hell's Gate last night and have nearly finished! I gave this book 4 stars and its definitely one I'd recommend - it was a great introduction for me to this author!
June 20, 2019
An enjoyable thriller
Good characters and a nice writing style. A bit patchy at times, with two distinct and very different cases going on at the same time. While I appreciate this is probably realistic in a busy police force, and many books feature multiple crimes, in this instance the transition between the two occasionally felt a little jarring. But that's just my opinion. Overall I would say I enjoyed it and I'd encourage others to give it a try.
Good characters and a nice writing style. A bit patchy at times, with two distinct and very different cases going on at the same time. While I appreciate this is probably realistic in a busy police force, and many books feature multiple crimes, in this instance the transition between the two occasionally felt a little jarring. But that's just my opinion. Overall I would say I enjoyed it and I'd encourage others to give it a try.
July 13, 2019
My first read from this author and although it took me a while to get into it, it was well worth it. Effectively two stories in one with investigations from the same police force. Good characters and I'll certainly be reading more from this series.
October 15, 2018
Stupendous!
What a great book! I could not get enough of it. I could not close this book. I stayed up all night reading it.
What a great book! I could not get enough of it. I could not close this book. I stayed up all night reading it.
December 8, 2017
I’d stupidly read book 3 in this DCI Bennett series first, but have rectified my error and have now finished reading book 1, Only The Dead, which is set in Yorkshire. Its striking cover had been nagging me to read this book since the first time I saw it advertised. DCI Cyril Bennett, who is suffering from a spell of Bell’s Palsy, and his sidekick DS Owen, work on two cases in this book, so the reader must have their wits about them as the story swings from one case to the other. As a woman, I can multitask, so I could just about keep track of events in each case.
One case begins with a breakout of attacks on care home workers and deals with the emotive subject of abuse and neglect of vulnerable inmates in care homes. Literal whistle-blower Lawrence Young’s is busy seeking revenge for his mother’s death. The reader soon knows who the perpetrator of the attacks is, and how and why he’s committing these crimes. Lawrence’s modus operandi was particularly intriguing and unusual.
The second case for Bennett and Owen to solve kicks off when the skeletons of two infants, buried decades earlier, are unearthed at a teacher training college. Only The Dead wasn’t as gory or shocking as book three, but it was still disturbing and powerful enough to hold my attention. I slightly preferred book 3. At some point, I’ll hopefully get around to reading books 2, 4, and 5 in this worthwhile series. As the author seems to be prolific, by the time I’ve finished book 5, there’ll hopefully be books 6,7, 8, 9, and 10 waiting for me.
One case begins with a breakout of attacks on care home workers and deals with the emotive subject of abuse and neglect of vulnerable inmates in care homes. Literal whistle-blower Lawrence Young’s is busy seeking revenge for his mother’s death. The reader soon knows who the perpetrator of the attacks is, and how and why he’s committing these crimes. Lawrence’s modus operandi was particularly intriguing and unusual.
The second case for Bennett and Owen to solve kicks off when the skeletons of two infants, buried decades earlier, are unearthed at a teacher training college. Only The Dead wasn’t as gory or shocking as book three, but it was still disturbing and powerful enough to hold my attention. I slightly preferred book 3. At some point, I’ll hopefully get around to reading books 2, 4, and 5 in this worthwhile series. As the author seems to be prolific, by the time I’ve finished book 5, there’ll hopefully be books 6,7, 8, 9, and 10 waiting for me.
January 29, 2017
Hollingdrake's novel cleverly fuses some well-researched- and entirely fascinating- historical references and with equally-well represented modern-policing procedures, producing a tightly plotted and considered read.
An engaging story which manages to avoid the well-trod clichés in plot and character, I associate with 'crime' novels, Only The Dead has been a pleasant surprise in a genre I rarely read or connect with.
Hollingdrake's DCI Bennett is allowed to be a real person, rather than a box-ticking mannequin displaying all the usual detective characteristics. He has his foibles, his flaws, his prejudices and his ethics. I liked the lead character a lot, and sense much more development to come in future books.
The main antagonist, Lawrence, interested me greatly. With convincing motives and excellent methods, he made the book for me.
Hollingdrake utilises a third person, past tense narrative throughout, but has the talent to make he differing voices of his characters 'sound' unique despite being written in the same POV and tense. Not many writers have the skill for this.
My first read from Bloodhound Books.
Malcolm is a writer's writer. Unflashy, but technically competent, his writing style is precise and informative, but never fails to be engaging and entertaining; it perfectly suits the type of novel he has written in Only The Dead.
An engaging story which manages to avoid the well-trod clichés in plot and character, I associate with 'crime' novels, Only The Dead has been a pleasant surprise in a genre I rarely read or connect with.
Hollingdrake's DCI Bennett is allowed to be a real person, rather than a box-ticking mannequin displaying all the usual detective characteristics. He has his foibles, his flaws, his prejudices and his ethics. I liked the lead character a lot, and sense much more development to come in future books.
The main antagonist, Lawrence, interested me greatly. With convincing motives and excellent methods, he made the book for me.
Hollingdrake utilises a third person, past tense narrative throughout, but has the talent to make he differing voices of his characters 'sound' unique despite being written in the same POV and tense. Not many writers have the skill for this.
My first read from Bloodhound Books.
Malcolm is a writer's writer. Unflashy, but technically competent, his writing style is precise and informative, but never fails to be engaging and entertaining; it perfectly suits the type of novel he has written in Only The Dead.
November 26, 2016
Thank you Bloodhound books for an ARC of this book. This is book 1 of a new detective series about DCI Cyril Bennett and DS David Owen set in Harrogate Yorkshire. Both different in every way, but a great team together. Investigating 2 different cases, First two children's bodies turn up and someone using sulphur mustard to attack disgraced ex workers of a care home.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written, original and I liked the differences between the two detectives. Although they were both different in every way. The story about them working together worked really well. I can't wait to see how this series develops.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written, original and I liked the differences between the two detectives. Although they were both different in every way. The story about them working together worked really well. I can't wait to see how this series develops.
October 13, 2018
Only the dead by Malcolm Hollingdrake is a perfect thriller read.
Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a man with a passion for manners and efficiency, as well as an eye for the ladies. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.
This was an enjoyable read. Simply couldn’t put it down until I got to the last page. Really had me thinking. Great story and characters. Highly recommended. 5*.
Meet DCI Cyril Bennett, a man with a passion for manners and efficiency, as well as an eye for the ladies. His partner, DS David Owen, is naïve and untidy but keen. Together they make a formidable pair.
This was an enjoyable read. Simply couldn’t put it down until I got to the last page. Really had me thinking. Great story and characters. Highly recommended. 5*.
May 21, 2017
This is the first time I have read anything by this author but I can tell you now that it definitely won’t be the last. This really is a thought provoking and traumatic book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
DCI Bennett and DS Owen have two cases on their desks so to speak. The bodies of two children are unearthed and Bennett and Owen must get to the bottom of a case going back years. At the same time certain people are attacked with ‘Mustard Gas’ and the two detectives have to get to the bottom of who, where, how, why and when etc. At first it is unclear as to whether or not the cases are linked.
Now I don’t really want to go too much into the storyline as I don’t wish to spoil it for anyone. When I realized the motivation behind one of the crimes, there was a part of me that understood why the perpetrator was doing what he or she was doing and whilst, not condoning it I could not absolutely condemn the perpetrator. The only teaser regarding this book, I will give you is the fact that safeguarding vulnerable adults and children form a large part of the plot. (I used to work in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, which is why I faced such a moral dilemma about the perpetrator’s actions).
‘Only The Dead’ is really well written. The author really does capture your attention right from the beginning and he is very skilled in conveying a tense, terrifying and dramatic atmosphere that really does make you shudder. I felt as though I was right there with the officers investigating both cases and at times I did want to chip into the discussion with my own thoughts. I know it’s fiction but I have a vivid imagination and if a book grabs me then I tend to get far too involved.
The locations used in this book really did appeal to me as well. I live in the North East of England, so I recognized most of the places that featured in the book. At times I felt as though I was working for the North Yorkshire Tourist Board as every time I came across a familiar place name I said ‘I’ve been there, I know where it is’. It is so refreshing to see a book located in places outside of the usual London, Manchester and Birmingham scenarios. I really did get a sense of the layout and character of places such as Harrogate and Ripon. I need to go to Ripon to research my family tree so it will be nice to physically familiarize myself with that particular city.
Characterwise, I loved the characters of DCI Bennett and DS Owen. DCI Bennett is rather self conscious as he has been diagnosed as having Bells Palsy and when he drinks anything he tends to dribble and his affected eye is always open. Bennett does have an eye for the ladies but he isn’t altogether successful in that area of his life. Bennett works really well with Owen. In fact they seem like an old married couple at times. Owen is naïve but he is keen and does all he can to resolve a case. Bennett and Owen really get their teeth into both cases and they are like dogs with a bone in that they are not easily dissuaded from a particular course of action and they both have a determination to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. The villains of this book are suitably creepy and as I said before, they really do make you shudder. I liken the villains to a Jekyll and Hyde scenario in that they present one face in public but they show a different persona in private. The ease with which they can switch personalities is truly frightening.
In short I really LOVED this book and I would definitely recommend it to others. Malcolm Hollingdrake is now one of my favourite authors and I eagerly await his next book. I award this book 5* out of 5* but I would rate it higher if I could.
DCI Bennett and DS Owen have two cases on their desks so to speak. The bodies of two children are unearthed and Bennett and Owen must get to the bottom of a case going back years. At the same time certain people are attacked with ‘Mustard Gas’ and the two detectives have to get to the bottom of who, where, how, why and when etc. At first it is unclear as to whether or not the cases are linked.
Now I don’t really want to go too much into the storyline as I don’t wish to spoil it for anyone. When I realized the motivation behind one of the crimes, there was a part of me that understood why the perpetrator was doing what he or she was doing and whilst, not condoning it I could not absolutely condemn the perpetrator. The only teaser regarding this book, I will give you is the fact that safeguarding vulnerable adults and children form a large part of the plot. (I used to work in safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, which is why I faced such a moral dilemma about the perpetrator’s actions).
‘Only The Dead’ is really well written. The author really does capture your attention right from the beginning and he is very skilled in conveying a tense, terrifying and dramatic atmosphere that really does make you shudder. I felt as though I was right there with the officers investigating both cases and at times I did want to chip into the discussion with my own thoughts. I know it’s fiction but I have a vivid imagination and if a book grabs me then I tend to get far too involved.
The locations used in this book really did appeal to me as well. I live in the North East of England, so I recognized most of the places that featured in the book. At times I felt as though I was working for the North Yorkshire Tourist Board as every time I came across a familiar place name I said ‘I’ve been there, I know where it is’. It is so refreshing to see a book located in places outside of the usual London, Manchester and Birmingham scenarios. I really did get a sense of the layout and character of places such as Harrogate and Ripon. I need to go to Ripon to research my family tree so it will be nice to physically familiarize myself with that particular city.
Characterwise, I loved the characters of DCI Bennett and DS Owen. DCI Bennett is rather self conscious as he has been diagnosed as having Bells Palsy and when he drinks anything he tends to dribble and his affected eye is always open. Bennett does have an eye for the ladies but he isn’t altogether successful in that area of his life. Bennett works really well with Owen. In fact they seem like an old married couple at times. Owen is naïve but he is keen and does all he can to resolve a case. Bennett and Owen really get their teeth into both cases and they are like dogs with a bone in that they are not easily dissuaded from a particular course of action and they both have a determination to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. The villains of this book are suitably creepy and as I said before, they really do make you shudder. I liken the villains to a Jekyll and Hyde scenario in that they present one face in public but they show a different persona in private. The ease with which they can switch personalities is truly frightening.
In short I really LOVED this book and I would definitely recommend it to others. Malcolm Hollingdrake is now one of my favourite authors and I eagerly await his next book. I award this book 5* out of 5* but I would rate it higher if I could.
December 31, 2017
This got pushed on me by my local independent bookshop, but as it's set in Harrogate, which is where I live, that may not be a big surprise. It was sold to me as quite dark, and definitely not a cozy crime. There's some truth in that, it's certainly not cozy, but compared to the MacBrides and Hayders, it's not that dark.
Cyril Bennett is a flash DCI in charge of Harrogate CID. Following on from the discovery of a couple of old children’s skeletons, his investigation leads him to an old college, and an intriguing mystery. At the same time, there's a spate of attacks using the components of mustard gas shells. Despite his struggling with Bell's Palsy, and being on doctors orders to take it easy, Bennett takes both cases on.
Although not linked, the two cases are followed in parallel. The viewpoint used jumps from police to criminals, so there's no real mystery about who did it, we know the who and why, in fact even at the end we know more than the police do. While the ending is probably a fair reflection of real life, it's not as satisfying as a reader. Whether this will get picked up in later books, may be interesting. I get the funny feeling it won't happen though. There’s possibly a little too much descriptive in the book, I can see what he's trying to do, possibly just a little too much. It does though make up for the lack of actual action. This is a proper procedural. The characterisation is strong, and the characters are well written, especially Bennetts sidekick, Owen.
I'm sure I’ll be picking up the rest of the series.
Cyril Bennett is a flash DCI in charge of Harrogate CID. Following on from the discovery of a couple of old children’s skeletons, his investigation leads him to an old college, and an intriguing mystery. At the same time, there's a spate of attacks using the components of mustard gas shells. Despite his struggling with Bell's Palsy, and being on doctors orders to take it easy, Bennett takes both cases on.
Although not linked, the two cases are followed in parallel. The viewpoint used jumps from police to criminals, so there's no real mystery about who did it, we know the who and why, in fact even at the end we know more than the police do. While the ending is probably a fair reflection of real life, it's not as satisfying as a reader. Whether this will get picked up in later books, may be interesting. I get the funny feeling it won't happen though. There’s possibly a little too much descriptive in the book, I can see what he's trying to do, possibly just a little too much. It does though make up for the lack of actual action. This is a proper procedural. The characterisation is strong, and the characters are well written, especially Bennetts sidekick, Owen.
I'm sure I’ll be picking up the rest of the series.
December 20, 2019
I managed to finish this book, which normally will rate it at least 3 stars. However, in this case I only finished to see where everything was going. The book itself isn't very good.
The main investigator is just not likable. The author tries to play him as sympathetic because of his paralysis, but it doesn't work. He's just a overbearing prick. The other main investigator (Owen) is a walk-on. He's there to fill a position, but not have any character himself.
There are two plotlines running through this book and they never intersect, other than that the main investigators are working both cases. The book would have been much better if there was only 1 plot - regardless of which the author chose to follow. The doctor is one-dimensional, but so much more could have been done with him. His ending is anti-climactic. The dead bodies plot had some depth, but was never really explained. (Three of the characters make sense, but the book doesn't explain where the others got involved.) Again, the ending is very anti-climactic.
If you want a book that gets into you and makes you think, skip this. If you want one that is clear, skip this.
The main investigator is just not likable. The author tries to play him as sympathetic because of his paralysis, but it doesn't work. He's just a overbearing prick. The other main investigator (Owen) is a walk-on. He's there to fill a position, but not have any character himself.
There are two plotlines running through this book and they never intersect, other than that the main investigators are working both cases. The book would have been much better if there was only 1 plot - regardless of which the author chose to follow. The doctor is one-dimensional, but so much more could have been done with him. His ending is anti-climactic. The dead bodies plot had some depth, but was never really explained. (Three of the characters make sense, but the book doesn't explain where the others got involved.) Again, the ending is very anti-climactic.
If you want a book that gets into you and makes you think, skip this. If you want one that is clear, skip this.
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December 21, 2021I have had the pleasure of interviewing Malcolm and exchanging messages on social media and I have been looking forward to starting the series. I find that, through social media, I know that I am going to enjoy an author's book before I have even started reading and that is certainly the case with this author.
This book not only tells a great story but it also tells you more about the author. I see the author as being very calm, detailed, complex, intricate, informative, educational and interested in the character of people and this all is shown in the book, as well as the author's love for art and motor vehicles.
As you read the book you feel the surrounding environment like an extra character that brings the story to life and helps build the tension and suspense.
Do check out the series, you will not be disappointed.
This book not only tells a great story but it also tells you more about the author. I see the author as being very calm, detailed, complex, intricate, informative, educational and interested in the character of people and this all is shown in the book, as well as the author's love for art and motor vehicles.
As you read the book you feel the surrounding environment like an extra character that brings the story to life and helps build the tension and suspense.
Do check out the series, you will not be disappointed.
June 19, 2018
Neither gripping not unique..
The book description calls this gripping and unique, but sadly, it's neither.
There are two completely different storylines going on in this book, and neither of them are very believable. The detectives aren't really interesting or particularly likable. The villains aren't any better, and I really had to push to finish this.
I generally enjoy British detective fiction, but this one? Not so much.
Results: I don't believe that I'll be reading any more books featuring these detectives. They just felt like cardboard cutouts. The two storylines may have seemed like a good idea, but I feel like if the focus had just been on one that the book would have been better.
The book description calls this gripping and unique, but sadly, it's neither.
There are two completely different storylines going on in this book, and neither of them are very believable. The detectives aren't really interesting or particularly likable. The villains aren't any better, and I really had to push to finish this.
I generally enjoy British detective fiction, but this one? Not so much.
Results: I don't believe that I'll be reading any more books featuring these detectives. They just felt like cardboard cutouts. The two storylines may have seemed like a good idea, but I feel like if the focus had just been on one that the book would have been better.
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