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Dania Gorska #2
Clearing The Dark
'Refreshing . . . I look forward to reading more' Alex Gray'First-rate' Sunday SportWhen it comes to murder, there's no such thing as a coincidence ...When DI Dania Gorska is called to investigate the shooting of a young man on a Dundee street, the nail hammered into his forehead suggests that local gangster, Archie McLellan has left his calling card. Clues point to his involvement in an illegal replica firearms venture, a scam that may include other members of the infamous McLellan family.The chance discovery of human remains buried in the grounds of Breek House, once owned by the McLellans, convinces Dania the two cases must be related. But who was the mysterious tenant of Breek House at the time the bodies were put into the ground? Identifying them is complicated as all the teeth have been removed - post mortem, to prevent identification? Or was the back room at Breek House used by the McLellans as a torture chamber?As Dania moves closer to discovering what went on at Breek House she disturbs dangerous secrets from the past which threaten the lives of those in the present... Praise for Hania Allen'A fresh new find for crime fans' Sunday Post'Nicely nasty in all the right places . . . The story rattles along until bringing the curtain down with an unnerving twist' Craig Robertson'Captivating characters and an intriguing plot. A great new find for crime fans' Lin Anderson'Pitch-perfect . . . a witty, tense crime novel written in a highly readable style' Russel D McLean
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2019
19 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Hania Allen
9 books36 followers Hania Allen was born in Liverpool of Polish refugees. She always wanted to go into space and came a fair way (but not far enough) in the Project Juno competition to find Britain's first astronaut. Her career in education culminated in information management at the University of St Andrews, a post she left to write full-time. When not writing, she plays the piano with her musically gifted godchildren, making up for in enthusiasm what she lacks in talent. Hania has lived in Scotland longer than anywhere else and loves the country and its people, despite the nine months of rain and three months of bad weather. She currently resides in a fishing village in Fife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 18, 2019
Hania Allen establishes her brilliant Scottish Crime series with a strong Polish flavour with this, the follow up to The Polish Detective, featuring the concert pianist and now newly promoted DI Dania Gorska of Dundee Police's Special Criminal Investigations Division. It begins with a Polish farmworker with a dog discovering two buried bodies in the grounds of Bleek House, a number that jumps to 4 bodies when the police use their own dog, Nelson. Dating the period in which the victims were murdered proves to be a real headache as indeed does identifying them, as the teeth have been removed and it looks as if they were tortured before being killed. What they do know is that bodies are recent cold cases, who met their demise in either the 1970s or the 1980s.
Dania and her team, including DS Honor Randall, find their workload and pressure increase when a young man, Brodie Boyle, is shot through the heart and a nail hammered through his head on a Dundee street. This MO echoes the well known killing style of notorious criminal gangster, Archie McLellan, but the police have to tread carefully where he is concerned, they are going to need rock solid evidence to bring him for questioning. In the meantime, Dania's journalist brother, Marek Gorski finds himself in the uncomfortable position of being unable to refuse Archie's 'request' that he turn private investigator and find a long missing hypnotherapist, Peter de Courcy. Marek keeps Dania in the dark as to what he is doing, even when it becomes clear that Archie is a person of interest in his sister's police cases. In the most twisted of investigations, Dania and her team are to be tested to their limits as the past brings dangers to the present.
Hania Allen has a wonderfully fluid writing style in this, her expertly well plotted addition to this series. She lends the narrative a strong authentic touch of our contemporary world with the unease engendered by the fears of what Brexit is likely to mean, particularly given there are major characters that are Polish. I do love the chief protagonist, Dania, although I am beginning to worry for those that have close contact with her, given the dangers of the cases that she gets landed with. There are some surprising twists in this riveting and compelling crime novel, where the two police cases emerge to have connections. A great read and a great series. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
Dania and her team, including DS Honor Randall, find their workload and pressure increase when a young man, Brodie Boyle, is shot through the heart and a nail hammered through his head on a Dundee street. This MO echoes the well known killing style of notorious criminal gangster, Archie McLellan, but the police have to tread carefully where he is concerned, they are going to need rock solid evidence to bring him for questioning. In the meantime, Dania's journalist brother, Marek Gorski finds himself in the uncomfortable position of being unable to refuse Archie's 'request' that he turn private investigator and find a long missing hypnotherapist, Peter de Courcy. Marek keeps Dania in the dark as to what he is doing, even when it becomes clear that Archie is a person of interest in his sister's police cases. In the most twisted of investigations, Dania and her team are to be tested to their limits as the past brings dangers to the present.
Hania Allen has a wonderfully fluid writing style in this, her expertly well plotted addition to this series. She lends the narrative a strong authentic touch of our contemporary world with the unease engendered by the fears of what Brexit is likely to mean, particularly given there are major characters that are Polish. I do love the chief protagonist, Dania, although I am beginning to worry for those that have close contact with her, given the dangers of the cases that she gets landed with. There are some surprising twists in this riveting and compelling crime novel, where the two police cases emerge to have connections. A great read and a great series. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
June 18, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a review copy of Clearing the Dark, the second novel based in Dundee to feature DI Dania Gorska.
Gorska is called out to Breek House where a dog has uncovered some human bones. A further search uncovers three more skeletons but before they can get going on this investigation a croupier is shot dead in broad daylight on the city streets. All clues point to local gangster Archie McLellan but proving it will be another matter. Unknown to Gorska her brother, Marek, takes a commission from McLellan to find a missing doctor.
I thoroughly enjoyed Clearing the Dark which is an absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns. It is told from the siblings’ points of view so alternates between Dania and Marek. As both investigations are interesting I didn’t find my attention waning or distracted by the switches, rather I found myself looking forward to updates on both fronts. Marek’s investigation, as befits a secondary plot, is more simplistic with developments falling easily into his lap although this doesn’t destroy the mystery. Dania’s investigation is much more complex with various subplots and diversions that add to the mystery. I liked the way it all came together in a cohesive solution. If I were to really nitpick none of it is particularly realistic but I, for one, didn’t care. It is well written with good pacing and held my attention throughout.
I like DI Dania Gorska. She is smart and caring with a liking for vodka, in other words normal. She is Polish and transferred to Dundee from the Met. I have read the previous novel but can’t remember why she is in the UK or why she moved so a wee refresher would have been good.
Clearing the Dark is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Gorska is called out to Breek House where a dog has uncovered some human bones. A further search uncovers three more skeletons but before they can get going on this investigation a croupier is shot dead in broad daylight on the city streets. All clues point to local gangster Archie McLellan but proving it will be another matter. Unknown to Gorska her brother, Marek, takes a commission from McLellan to find a missing doctor.
I thoroughly enjoyed Clearing the Dark which is an absorbing read with plenty of twists and turns. It is told from the siblings’ points of view so alternates between Dania and Marek. As both investigations are interesting I didn’t find my attention waning or distracted by the switches, rather I found myself looking forward to updates on both fronts. Marek’s investigation, as befits a secondary plot, is more simplistic with developments falling easily into his lap although this doesn’t destroy the mystery. Dania’s investigation is much more complex with various subplots and diversions that add to the mystery. I liked the way it all came together in a cohesive solution. If I were to really nitpick none of it is particularly realistic but I, for one, didn’t care. It is well written with good pacing and held my attention throughout.
I like DI Dania Gorska. She is smart and caring with a liking for vodka, in other words normal. She is Polish and transferred to Dundee from the Met. I have read the previous novel but can’t remember why she is in the UK or why she moved so a wee refresher would have been good.
Clearing the Dark is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 18, 2025
I enjoyed the story, including the twists. I’m not convinced that the Dundee street and place references were entirely necessary. Sometimes they seemed laboured but maybe you only notice that when you know the places.
October 17, 2022
The plot of this Scottish (Dundonian) police procedural was in the end pretty decent - a few interesting twists in the second half, for all that the opening couple of hundred pages dragged a little. Maybe it was the fact that this was the first book in the series that I'd read, but there was something slightly flat about the writing, a lack of spark and humour maybe, functional prose to introduce the Polish female detective and her investigative journalist brother, sometimes it felt a bit 'quirky Eastern European' for the sake of it, sometimes a touch formulaic as well. The denouement to the multiple strands which were cleverly linked, this was done in a manner I found strange - two or three characters interviewed by the police explaining all the things that would facilitate their being found guilty, which felt more like it was there to inform the reader than would actually happen. However, for all this, I certainly felt that I warmed to the story and though I'm not sure I'll seek out others in the series, I enjoyed the book overall despite a slow start.
Oh, and the cover. What the f*ck? Completely irrelevant to the plot.
Oh, and the cover. What the f*ck? Completely irrelevant to the plot.
February 26, 2020
Read for a forthcoming crime reading group.
Quite enjoyable police procedural set in Dundee and with a Polish detective. Both of these elements made the book more interesting for me. Overall though, I felt it lost momentum during the second half, and even the chilling final episode didn’t manage to bring it back for me.
I didn’t really understand why the interactions with Harry were in the book. Generally, character development takes a back seat here to the very interesting plot and investigation. The side plot of Marek and his journalistic investigation was also interesting. So I’m not sure there was a place here for romance or potential romance. Either develop it properly, or just leave it out. Just my opinion!
The most interesting character for me was Archie MacLennan.The narrative swings from “is he a bad guy” to “is he a good guy” with regularity and I liked the fact that his character was actually developed a little in order for us to be unsure about him. That was enough to keep me interested.
Quite enjoyable police procedural set in Dundee and with a Polish detective. Both of these elements made the book more interesting for me. Overall though, I felt it lost momentum during the second half, and even the chilling final episode didn’t manage to bring it back for me.
I didn’t really understand why the interactions with Harry were in the book. Generally, character development takes a back seat here to the very interesting plot and investigation. The side plot of Marek and his journalistic investigation was also interesting. So I’m not sure there was a place here for romance or potential romance. Either develop it properly, or just leave it out. Just my opinion!
The most interesting character for me was Archie MacLennan.The narrative swings from “is he a bad guy” to “is he a good guy” with regularity and I liked the fact that his character was actually developed a little in order for us to be unsure about him. That was enough to keep me interested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2019
A rather predictable plot with bits of unnecessary romance thrown in. Ehh!
My Rating - 2/5
My Rating - 2/5
January 11, 2019
Excellent follow-up
I have quickly become a fan of this author. I really hope this series continues, so i will keep a lookout.
I have quickly become a fan of this author. I really hope this series continues, so i will keep a lookout.
April 27, 2019
My blog: A Magical World of Words
Source: Thank you so much to Jonathan Ball SA for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read & reviewed this copy. All thoughts are my own.
This book is...strange. Strange as in I feel strange, because my feelings for this book are strange. I didn't love it, I didn't dislike it...I just feel it was mediocre? Even that seems too harsh.
The writing is good, but it is hard to read. It takes a while to get into the author's style and the rhythm of the sentences, which is often quite choppy and/or long-winded. Not a deal-breaker, but I wouldn't say it's a smooth read. My favourite aspect of the writing? The dialogue. It's great.
Another great thing about this novel is the setting. It takes place in Scotland, and I loved the atmosphere, the slang, and all the rich cultural touches. I love when a thriller is set somewhere "unconventional" - that is to say, not England or the US.
In terms of plot, it's boring. Not yawn-worthy boring, but definitely slow and more relaxed than most thrillers tend to be. When you're in that mood, it's perfect. But I wasn't. Thus, I was bored. The main positive of the plot, however, is how beautifully and cleverly the mystery ties up at the end. It's certainly a clever story.
The characters are interesting. While they're never totally fleshed out or vivid (maybe this could be because I never read the first book?) they are fascinating, especially Dania. I loved what I saw of her personality - especially how she loves music and playing the piano - and her relationship with her brother, Marek, is truly the best part of the book.
Source: Thank you so much to Jonathan Ball SA for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read & reviewed this copy. All thoughts are my own.
This book is...strange. Strange as in I feel strange, because my feelings for this book are strange. I didn't love it, I didn't dislike it...I just feel it was mediocre? Even that seems too harsh.
The writing is good, but it is hard to read. It takes a while to get into the author's style and the rhythm of the sentences, which is often quite choppy and/or long-winded. Not a deal-breaker, but I wouldn't say it's a smooth read. My favourite aspect of the writing? The dialogue. It's great.
Another great thing about this novel is the setting. It takes place in Scotland, and I loved the atmosphere, the slang, and all the rich cultural touches. I love when a thriller is set somewhere "unconventional" - that is to say, not England or the US.
In terms of plot, it's boring. Not yawn-worthy boring, but definitely slow and more relaxed than most thrillers tend to be. When you're in that mood, it's perfect. But I wasn't. Thus, I was bored. The main positive of the plot, however, is how beautifully and cleverly the mystery ties up at the end. It's certainly a clever story.
The characters are interesting. While they're never totally fleshed out or vivid (maybe this could be because I never read the first book?) they are fascinating, especially Dania. I loved what I saw of her personality - especially how she loves music and playing the piano - and her relationship with her brother, Marek, is truly the best part of the book.
January 16, 2020
The second of this series I've read, Clearing the Dark confirms that Hania Allen is an interesting writer but needs to work on character development and handling a convoluted plot. She uses a few cliched plot devices to get her plot going in this tale, and it's unclear whether Dania Gorska is more interested in food, hunky men or her brother even by the end of the book. Unsatisfying but better than some of the comfy books I've been reading to get through this awful summer of cold grey days.
July 7, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Polish Detective series, the first I have read - I have the first and will be going straight back to it to read it. I whizzed through this in a day! This was well written and well plotted, a real 'slow burning' thriller. The relationship between Dania and her brother Marek is great, and I really liked the immigrant/Polish slant to this police procedural set in Scotland. It feels very true to life with all the questions surrounding Brexit, and just how integrated the Poles are into life in Scotland, regardless of how long they've been there.
And that epilogue...! Phew.
My only issue is that I now have to wait impatiently until the next in the series, but I am really looking forward to it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.
And that epilogue...! Phew.
My only issue is that I now have to wait impatiently until the next in the series, but I am really looking forward to it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.
May 9, 2019
Ooh what a great follow up to The Polish Detective. The main characters are growing on me. Dania is a character who appears taller than life and good at everything . The concert pianist detective is flawless in her character. Her brother Marek is a little bit dangerous in his actions but all seems to be right with the way both of their lives interact together as siblings. Marek gets involved with the prime gangster Archie mclellan, without his DI sister knowing about it is a bit sceptical but it makes for a good story. I think I need a third book to fully convince me this will be a great series .
September 19, 2019
When a group of farm labourers find a skeleton buried in the grounds of a country estate, Detective Dania Gorska isn't sure if the remains are recent or not. When four skeletons are unearthed and dated to the 1970s she knows she has a crime on her hands. Meanwhile someone is selling guns in Dundee and a man is dead. Is the infamous 'Nailer' back to his old tricks?
I do like the spin placed on the standard police procedural here as Gorska is a Pole and this adds an extra layer of cultural sensitivity to the novels. Whilst the plots seem rather convoluted and unlinked they come together in a very satisfying way. Whilst this is a very conventional novel it is well-written and enjoyable.
I do like the spin placed on the standard police procedural here as Gorska is a Pole and this adds an extra layer of cultural sensitivity to the novels. Whilst the plots seem rather convoluted and unlinked they come together in a very satisfying way. Whilst this is a very conventional novel it is well-written and enjoyable.
January 20, 2019
Very good read. Read the first book to and that was an excellent read to.
Looking forward to the next book as I have really enjoyed reading these stories. Great reading and kept me in suspense
Looking forward to the next book as I have really enjoyed reading these stories. Great reading and kept me in suspense
January 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, I am not an avid reader. But I wanted to read more for my new year resolution. So started with this. I am aiming 1 book every 2 months (that would be amazing for me). I started less than 2 weeks ago and haven't been able to put it down since.
January 6, 2025
This edition is as good as the first and develops the characters of Dania and her brother while the supporting cast play their part in a satisfying story with a few stomach turning moments. Looking forward to the third book.
September 10, 2025
Book two in this series set in Dundee. Dania, the feisty piano playing Polish born detective is investigating the discovery of old bones and more recent murders which of course are linked.
I shall seek out, and look forward to, book three.
I shall seek out, and look forward to, book three.
February 18, 2019
DNF. Oh boy soooo boring. I waded through till page 115 but it just didn’t get any better. Boring boring plot boring boring characters boring!!
March 24, 2019
Another good crime thriller with DI Dania Gorska, Dundee's newest police officer. A quick read with lots of twists and turns, including another at the end!
September 24, 2019
Real hard work slow plodding plot hard to get into
Gave up on it
Gave up on it
March 28, 2021
Second book I have read and just as enjoyable as the first. Good depth of characters and as I know Dundee a wee trip down memory lane
September 13, 2023
Love this series and have the next one waiting!!!
January 21, 2024
Excellent second novel in the Polish Detective series. Loved the intricate twists & turns Hania produces. Well written story, great to see the characters progressing with each tale.
February 17, 2024
Good solid crime writing with enough twists to excite.
March 23, 2024
Gripping, murder mystery set in Scotland. Many twists and turns, a great read.
May 8, 2024
This in the second from this author and although there are places where it still feels like it needs a bit more refining. There is also a good, though slightly predictable twist at the end.
June 18, 2024
Loving this series. Definitely committed to continuing. Clever plot turns and love the characters of the gorska/Gorski twins
November 25, 2024
DNF @50%
March 16, 2023
well crafted,and look forward to next book.
July 11, 2019
This is book two in a very good Scottish crime series. A strong Polish flavour in this series and set in Dundee, the writing is authentic and fluid. Dania is investigating the discovery of human bones buried in the grounds of Breek House as well as the murder of a young man found shot in a Dundee street. Are the two cases connected? A few surprising twists and another good read in this series. I hope there is more to come. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
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April 6, 2019DNF ...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews