What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Mike Lockyer #4
The Night Stalker
The Night Stalker is a compelling crime thriller from Clare Donoghue. Dead Woman's Ditch. The site of a grisly two-hundred-year-old murder - and a recent hit and run. When a young woman's body is found at the macabre landmark in Somerset's Quantock Hills, DI Mike Lockyer and Sergeant Jane Bennett are called in to investigate. They find a community gripped by fear and superstition. The locals won't venture out at night - believing there's a man stalking the hills; a phantom cloaked in folklore and legend, keeping the sinister legacy of Dead Woman's Ditch alive. Confronted by a hostile CID team and a murder victim with close ties to their own squad, Lockyer and Bennett will have to accept what they can't see before they can find what's really there . . .
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2017
7 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Clare Donoghue
8 books131 followersAfter ten years in London, working for a City law firm, Clare Donoghue moved back to her home town in Somerset to undertake an MA in creative writing at Bath Spa University. She was long-listed for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2011. Never Look Back is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 8, 2017
Brilliant possibly my favourite one yet. Heady mix of myth and procedural, more intriguing and compelling antics from our dynamic duo and a really creepy mystery element with plenty of twists and turns.
I believe this is on offer for the month of September on Kindle - can easily be read as a standalone if the author is new to you and you fancy giving it a go.
Fuller review with feature on Liz Loves Books soon.
I believe this is on offer for the month of September on Kindle - can easily be read as a standalone if the author is new to you and you fancy giving it a go.
Fuller review with feature on Liz Loves Books soon.
July 14, 2017
The Night Stalker – More Twists Than a Rollercoaster
Clare Donoghue has continued to develop her excellent DI Lockyer series, and this the fourth in the series, is even better than the last, which I thought would be hard to beat. Clare Donoghue knows how to draw a reader in and keep them hooked all the way to the end, as she makes sure there are enough twists and turns to make you think you are on a rollercoaster ride. The DI Lockyer series is well researched, and Donoghue leaves no stone unturned in making sure her characters are believable and the actions are correct.
Mike Lockyer is called in to see his boss, when he is told he needs to drop everything that he is doing, all his cases need to be handed off as he is being lent to the Avon and Somerset Police to assist on a complex case. A case that had people ‘upstairs’ watching closely and they do not really trust the Inspector in charge of running the case, and he needs to run it surreptitiously so as not to upset the DI. He is also allowed to take one of his team with him, and he selects DS Jane Bennett, probably they only person that understands how he works.
When they get to Somerset and find that even after a few days evidence had not been sent to forensics Lockyer is wondering what he has walked in to. The CID team he is working are obviously hostile to the incomers from the Met, but to their own DI as well, something is wrong.
It does not help that the most recent death is that of a woman, who also happens to a twin brother Aaron, who is a police officer on his team in Lewisham, and more importantly dating his daughter Megan. It does not help that his sisters body was found in a burnt-out car at a macabre landmark in Somerset’s Quantock Hills.
To make matters worse the site was the scene of a grisly two hundred years before, and the local community are gripped by fear and superstition. Even more so as the locals believe there is a man stalking them at night looking for blood, does not make for an easy investigation.
Lockyer and Bennett have accepted that they cannot see everything, and they need to try and find what they cannot see, before they really find out what is happening on the Quantocks. It does not help when they are able to link a number of deaths prior to their current body to the same person, do they realise they are looking for a serial killer who will do anything to protect their identity.
With the ineptitude of the local DI, but the backing of local CID they realise there is an unknown dark force at work, setting off plenty of smoke screens, but can they get their killer? With plenty of twists and like a good poker play a few bluffs they solve the crimes eventually but not before others are put in the way of danger.
A truly wonderful and breathless thriller that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.
Clare Donoghue has continued to develop her excellent DI Lockyer series, and this the fourth in the series, is even better than the last, which I thought would be hard to beat. Clare Donoghue knows how to draw a reader in and keep them hooked all the way to the end, as she makes sure there are enough twists and turns to make you think you are on a rollercoaster ride. The DI Lockyer series is well researched, and Donoghue leaves no stone unturned in making sure her characters are believable and the actions are correct.
Mike Lockyer is called in to see his boss, when he is told he needs to drop everything that he is doing, all his cases need to be handed off as he is being lent to the Avon and Somerset Police to assist on a complex case. A case that had people ‘upstairs’ watching closely and they do not really trust the Inspector in charge of running the case, and he needs to run it surreptitiously so as not to upset the DI. He is also allowed to take one of his team with him, and he selects DS Jane Bennett, probably they only person that understands how he works.
When they get to Somerset and find that even after a few days evidence had not been sent to forensics Lockyer is wondering what he has walked in to. The CID team he is working are obviously hostile to the incomers from the Met, but to their own DI as well, something is wrong.
It does not help that the most recent death is that of a woman, who also happens to a twin brother Aaron, who is a police officer on his team in Lewisham, and more importantly dating his daughter Megan. It does not help that his sisters body was found in a burnt-out car at a macabre landmark in Somerset’s Quantock Hills.
To make matters worse the site was the scene of a grisly two hundred years before, and the local community are gripped by fear and superstition. Even more so as the locals believe there is a man stalking them at night looking for blood, does not make for an easy investigation.
Lockyer and Bennett have accepted that they cannot see everything, and they need to try and find what they cannot see, before they really find out what is happening on the Quantocks. It does not help when they are able to link a number of deaths prior to their current body to the same person, do they realise they are looking for a serial killer who will do anything to protect their identity.
With the ineptitude of the local DI, but the backing of local CID they realise there is an unknown dark force at work, setting off plenty of smoke screens, but can they get their killer? With plenty of twists and like a good poker play a few bluffs they solve the crimes eventually but not before others are put in the way of danger.
A truly wonderful and breathless thriller that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.
May 2, 2019
The weakest in the series so far. I've really enjoyed the DI Lockyer books but for some reason this one failed to engage me as much as previous books have.
The book centres around myths and legends in Somerset and have been tied into present day storytelling.
That all said I look forward to the next instalment.
The book centres around myths and legends in Somerset and have been tied into present day storytelling.
That all said I look forward to the next instalment.
January 3, 2018
Really excellent. My favourite of the series, I think. Frightening in places...
November 29, 2017
Claire Donoghue's crime novel starts well & there are some decent moments of tension. Unfortunately the plot meanders far too much. It's such a shame that although the characterisations are good the story doesn't do them justice.
January 1, 2020
Sort of 3 stars. More in some ways, but the total somehow this adds up to less than its combined potential or actual strengths.
Mostly this novel lacks a point of gravity.
Which of the police officers is central? Which of the victim/suspect cast holds it all together?
It’s all clearly related, and there’s no lack of drama, action, or tension.
And it’s the fourth in a series—I’m
as much a sucker for a series as anyone.
But it’s sort of all over the place and I didn’t find it a satisfying read.
Though I was tempted to think I must be in the wrong mood for the book, I see I was similarly disappointed with #3 in the series.
Mostly this novel lacks a point of gravity.
Which of the police officers is central? Which of the victim/suspect cast holds it all together?
It’s all clearly related, and there’s no lack of drama, action, or tension.
And it’s the fourth in a series—I’m
as much a sucker for a series as anyone.
But it’s sort of all over the place and I didn’t find it a satisfying read.
Though I was tempted to think I must be in the wrong mood for the book, I see I was similarly disappointed with #3 in the series.
April 21, 2020
3.5 - 3.75 stars
August 3, 2017
Vist the legend heavy locations in the novel! - Night stalker locations
This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. And in a very good way I hasten to add! A crime which remained tucked away in the annals of history but which is still wrapped around the throats and minds of people in the community now.
With a premise like that, I’d expected to like this book but in the hands of Clare Donoghue this becomes much more than the summary of its parts. It’s a crime novel ,a police procedural but not as we know it! Totally ramped up the tension and excitement for me, the chase scenes were totally creepy and tense, the idea that Stephen King’s Christine could be being played out...
The end result when it comes was nicely done - as twisty and turny as those Somerset country roads. I love a good legend and this was well crafted into a modern day police procedural with gritty urban cops with attitude.
Out on August 8th and I think this deserves to be on that TBR pile - either that or the cloaked stranger on the moors might come looking for you....
July 24, 2020
My introduction to this detective series and I think the most recent. It was classic crime with a detective duo investigating a deliberate hit and run accident, with a bit of old legend thrown into the mix. Will definitely seek out the other books
May 5, 2020
A young woman driving in a remote area is shunted by an unknown driver. Her burnt remains are found later welded into her car. London detectives Bennett and Lockyer are asked to go down to Somerset to help the force down there with the case. Once there they discover links close to home and a 200 year old crime impacting on current events. This was great with lots of twists and red herrings. It finished on a bit of a cliffhanger so not sure if this was the end or if there will be more of these characters.
August 12, 2024
I was a little worried reading this when I seen it was book 4 of a series but it works well as a standalone- a few callbacks to presumably previous plot points but nothing quite making me thing “I need to read the others first”.
Loved the style, easy (if grim) reading, likeable characters. I kept thinking I’d had the villain pinned but the multiple false finishes got me good!
Will continue the series when I can 👌
Loved the style, easy (if grim) reading, likeable characters. I kept thinking I’d had the villain pinned but the multiple false finishes got me good!
Will continue the series when I can 👌
September 18, 2022
Haunting
December 14, 2019
Perfect holiday reading . I'm sitting by the pool reading a detective mystery set in a cold winter
August 6, 2017
Dead Woman’s Ditch, Great Bear, Will’s Neck, Frog Combe.. this is Shervage Woods, the incredible atmospheric setting of this story. Imagine driving home through the winding hills, passing cattle grids, the weather cold with rain hammering down and snow falling all around. A small village where the land still lends itself to ghost tales and plenty of legends, the one with John Walford not even nearly forgotten.
Dead Woman’s Ditch is the place where a woman, Jane, was killed in 1798 by her husband John Walford. A decade old murder finds root in a present case when there’s a woman found dead at the same place and the local population goes on and on about a link between the deaths. Other than the place there’s nothing that binds them, Walford is long dead, and yet. DI Lockyer doesn’t believe in legends and superstitions but the deeper he digs, the more stories he hears and he has to wonder if there really is a connection.
DI Mike Lockyer and DS Jane Bennett are assigned to the case in Somerset because there’s a London connection. In reality though he has to take control of the investigation without the present DI Bill Townsend knowing so. It seems people higher up aren’t very convinced about his competence and Lockyer has to agree, 3 days in and the investigation still stands nowhere. Townsend is convinced the girl was killed in a hit and run at best, but Lockyer conducts the investigation like it should, leaving no stone unturned and he discovers way way more than he bargained for. At the same time there’s also the voice of Steph, a young girl who has the feeling she’s being followed and is scared of driving home at night. Nobody takes her fears seriously though so she’s left to buckle up and just get on with it. I had the strongest sense of foreboding and if I could have spurred the team on myself I seriously would have.
I had no idea how this story was going to play out for such a long time, I kept wrecking my brain who could be behind all of this. I thought I paid attention to detail and figured it all out by myself while they were still fumbling about. I was dead wrong. I can’t say anything anymore than that I fell from surprise into surprise into surprise. No typo, it’s exactly what I mean. The middle part of the novel was maybe a little bit of nothing really big happening at all but it all came rushing down in one spectacular cascade. The ending of this case was great! Now I know why I loved the first novel so much again too, such a great reveal.
This novel can be read as a standalone but I read novel 1 and now number 4 and I advise you to do the same so that you can place the personal lives of Lockyer and Bennett better.
Dead Woman’s Ditch is the place where a woman, Jane, was killed in 1798 by her husband John Walford. A decade old murder finds root in a present case when there’s a woman found dead at the same place and the local population goes on and on about a link between the deaths. Other than the place there’s nothing that binds them, Walford is long dead, and yet. DI Lockyer doesn’t believe in legends and superstitions but the deeper he digs, the more stories he hears and he has to wonder if there really is a connection.
DI Mike Lockyer and DS Jane Bennett are assigned to the case in Somerset because there’s a London connection. In reality though he has to take control of the investigation without the present DI Bill Townsend knowing so. It seems people higher up aren’t very convinced about his competence and Lockyer has to agree, 3 days in and the investigation still stands nowhere. Townsend is convinced the girl was killed in a hit and run at best, but Lockyer conducts the investigation like it should, leaving no stone unturned and he discovers way way more than he bargained for. At the same time there’s also the voice of Steph, a young girl who has the feeling she’s being followed and is scared of driving home at night. Nobody takes her fears seriously though so she’s left to buckle up and just get on with it. I had the strongest sense of foreboding and if I could have spurred the team on myself I seriously would have.
I had no idea how this story was going to play out for such a long time, I kept wrecking my brain who could be behind all of this. I thought I paid attention to detail and figured it all out by myself while they were still fumbling about. I was dead wrong. I can’t say anything anymore than that I fell from surprise into surprise into surprise. No typo, it’s exactly what I mean. The middle part of the novel was maybe a little bit of nothing really big happening at all but it all came rushing down in one spectacular cascade. The ending of this case was great! Now I know why I loved the first novel so much again too, such a great reveal.
This novel can be read as a standalone but I read novel 1 and now number 4 and I advise you to do the same so that you can place the personal lives of Lockyer and Bennett better.
August 9, 2017
Not having read any of Clare's books before I was intrigued to see what her writing was like. I am starting to read a few crime thrillers so thought I would give this one a go. The cover looks mysterious and the title of the book looks creepy how it is slightly distorted. I read this book within three days and couldn't put it down. I was captivated into the story the twists and turns made the story for me come to life, I was looking over my shoulder quite a bit. The descriptions were well written, it was certainly creepy but Clare is one to look out for in the future. A brilliantly written book.
August 22, 2017
I want to give this book more than 5 stars. The cover is just the best and sets the scene. I loved the characters and the pace which is moved and as for the setting..I found myself googling every five minutes looking for Dead Womans Ditch or Nether Stowey and Gibbet's Wurm. It helped add to the spookiness and the descriptions were so well detailed I felt I was there and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end. Absolutely my type of book. Fantastic read.
November 29, 2017
I was lucky enough to win this book in a competition.
I really enjoyed it with its twists and turns. I thought I knew who was doing the murders. Then I'd change my mind again.
But I certainly don't expect the out come. I won't give it away because that would be unfair.
I only read in bed just before going to sleep.
I found myself wanting to go to bed early just so I could read to find out what else was happening.
I really enjoyed it with its twists and turns. I thought I knew who was doing the murders. Then I'd change my mind again.
But I certainly don't expect the out come. I won't give it away because that would be unfair.
I only read in bed just before going to sleep.
I found myself wanting to go to bed early just so I could read to find out what else was happening.
January 31, 2018
This is the first I have read by this author but I will definitely be reading more. A stunningly clever crime thriller/police procedural. The characters are interesting to say the least, and there are a lot of them. There are so many twists and turns I would defy anyone to guess whodunnit till the end. Set in Somerset although this seems to be a one0off and the next book will see DI Lockyer and DS Bennet back in Lewisham.
October 17, 2018
I did not like this book.
Why?
1. it dragged on tooooooo long.
2. it was full of sexist concepts
3. all women behaved without an ounce of courage
4. the women were portrayed as stupid
5. the women were portrayed as weak and helpless
6. it was boring
7. the end felt like the author changed her mind a few times about the ending then decided to incorporate all ideas.
8. the speeds mentioned in the book that people drove on country lanes in thick snow are just not realistic.
Why?
1. it dragged on tooooooo long.
2. it was full of sexist concepts
3. all women behaved without an ounce of courage
4. the women were portrayed as stupid
5. the women were portrayed as weak and helpless
6. it was boring
7. the end felt like the author changed her mind a few times about the ending then decided to incorporate all ideas.
8. the speeds mentioned in the book that people drove on country lanes in thick snow are just not realistic.
April 24, 2019
I really liked the concept of this book but once again I lost interest towardsI the end. I don’t know why this happens with this author’s books. I think Lockyer gets on my nerves. The fact that neither him nor Jane could say he didn’t want to stay at Jane’s mother’s really irritated me. Man or mouse? Thought that was so stupid but I’m in a bad mood today. The emotional neglect of Jane’s son, Peter disturbs me too.
April 24, 2022
I was not familiar with this series. I got it in my Blind Dates Bookshop box and was worried that I would have needed to read the previous books but I did not! It is set in England in the countryside and tells the story of two detectives trying to figure out crimes and whether or not there is connections to a crime committed centuries before. There are a lot of good suspects to keep yourself guessing and I was happy with it.
November 22, 2022
Very disappointed with this. I have read all other books by Clare Donahue and enjoyed them but this fell far short of what I have come to expect of this author. Too much waffle about nothing that mattered or that was pertinent to the crime. I nearly stopped reading it quite a few times. I guessed both of the twists early on but lived in hope it might get better. No such luck. Won't be reading any more books by Clare Donahue.
September 5, 2017
Interesting characters and well written but gosh, SO convoluted! I have a problem with thrillers that rely on this tactic of changing directions and culprits all the time to have the surprise element. It ends up confusing and not making that much of sense.
It was my first from this author and it entertained me but I don't thing I'm going to read her others.
It was my first from this author and it entertained me but I don't thing I'm going to read her others.
December 19, 2017
I wasn’t sure when I started this book if it would be as good as previous books in the Lockyer and Bennett police series. I didn’t need to worry because by the end it all fell into place. The ending was very clever and you were also left to wonder whether Lockyer and Bennett would be working together again.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 14, 2023
Very weak. Childish writing. Obvious from the beginning who it was. Jane is a DS yet scared of the dark and her imagination is caught up in the silly superstitions supposedly rife amongst the locals. I live in the area and the locals are not out of a two Ronnie's sketch. Very weak meandering plot with unrealistic behaviour. Didn't develop the main characters.
So disappointing
So disappointing
June 13, 2025
Sadly the second mediocre book in a row that I’ve just read.
The title is a bit of a mystery as there is no real stalking. The storyline is mainly dialogue driven & incredibly slow. The characters are likeable enough.
Instead of thrilling twists it just felt like the author changed her mind about the ending as she went along, several times.
The title is a bit of a mystery as there is no real stalking. The storyline is mainly dialogue driven & incredibly slow. The characters are likeable enough.
Instead of thrilling twists it just felt like the author changed her mind about the ending as she went along, several times.
February 3, 2018
I found this to be an average book. Started well and it had the makings of a very good plot however in my opinion it just didn't deliver. Not the highest quality story and certainly a very drawn out and complicated ending. Three stars overall.
September 9, 2017
Never clicked that this was the 4th in the series but actually I still thoroughly enjoyed it! Wished I had read the other 3 but I will do!!
October 21, 2017
Another great book in this series. I love how they twist, turn and eventually tie you up in knots. Really hope there is more to come.
November 30, 2017
I can't help myself coming back to this series, as I do love a series, but again rather far fetched and a bit contrived.
That said, I like the characters and I'll read the next one!
That said, I like the characters and I'll read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews