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DCI Rachel King #1
Next Victim
A young man’s body is found burnt and tortured by a Manchester canal.
He was a journalism student who told his friends he was working on a big story. His death leads the police on a false trail.
Detective Rachel King investigates. She has a secret, the love of her life is a well-known villain. He has recently come back on the scene. But what does he really want?
A brutal serial killer with a taste for good-looking young blonde men.
A student who thinks she has a long-lost brother. But even her own father doesn’t believe her. She was involved with the first victim.
As the murders continue, can Rachel keep her family together and stop the killer?
He was a journalism student who told his friends he was working on a big story. His death leads the police on a false trail.
Detective Rachel King investigates. She has a secret, the love of her life is a well-known villain. He has recently come back on the scene. But what does he really want?
A brutal serial killer with a taste for good-looking young blonde men.
A student who thinks she has a long-lost brother. But even her own father doesn’t believe her. She was involved with the first victim.
As the murders continue, can Rachel keep her family together and stop the killer?
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
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January 14, 2019
DCI Rachel King #1
A young man's body has been found burnt and tortured by one of Manchester's canals. DCI Rachel King has two teenage daughters and is divorced. She is called to investigate the young man's murder. She also has a secret that she is hiding from her past that could badly affect her career.
This is the first book in a new series by Helen H. Durrant and if this first book is anything to go by, this is going to be a great series. The pace is good with lots of secrets and stuff going on to keep the reader interested. A well written and thought out police procedural.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Helen H. Durrant for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A young man's body has been found burnt and tortured by one of Manchester's canals. DCI Rachel King has two teenage daughters and is divorced. She is called to investigate the young man's murder. She also has a secret that she is hiding from her past that could badly affect her career.
This is the first book in a new series by Helen H. Durrant and if this first book is anything to go by, this is going to be a great series. The pace is good with lots of secrets and stuff going on to keep the reader interested. A well written and thought out police procedural.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Helen H. Durrant for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2019
Next Victim is the first book in a brilliant crime series by best-selling author, Helen Durrant. This novel features detective DCI Rachel King, a thirty-nine-year old divorced mother of two teenage daughters. Having enjoyed reading most of her novels, I look forward to starting a new series.
The novel is set in the Cheshire, ten miles outside Manchester.
A young man’s body is found burnt and tortured by a Manchester canal. DCI Rachel King, from the serious crime squad for east Manchester CID is assigned the case. Together, with her 3-person team including DS Elwyn Pryce, DC Amy Metcalfe and new to the team, DC Jonny Farrell. They all work together like a well-greased machine. Each had their own skills.
Rachel lives with her two teenage daughter, Meg and Mia, with her ex-husband, Alan living next door. What a setup?
But Rachel has a secret, the love of her life, Jed McAteer is a well-known villain. He has recently come back on the scene.
“She never really loved Alan. Jed McAteer had been the man she wanted. She had been smitten ever since her teens and had never got over it. As soon as she found out what he was, she dumped him. If she wanted to keep her sanity-and her job-Jed had to go.”
A killer-a serial killer with a taste for “young, smooth-skinned and blonde men” was on the loose.
As the murders continue, can Rachel keep her family together and stop the killer?
This is a well-written crime fiction novel, with engaging characters and a great start to a new series that shows much promise. Looking forward to book two!
Many thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for my digital copy.
The novel is set in the Cheshire, ten miles outside Manchester.
A young man’s body is found burnt and tortured by a Manchester canal. DCI Rachel King, from the serious crime squad for east Manchester CID is assigned the case. Together, with her 3-person team including DS Elwyn Pryce, DC Amy Metcalfe and new to the team, DC Jonny Farrell. They all work together like a well-greased machine. Each had their own skills.
Rachel lives with her two teenage daughter, Meg and Mia, with her ex-husband, Alan living next door. What a setup?
But Rachel has a secret, the love of her life, Jed McAteer is a well-known villain. He has recently come back on the scene.
“She never really loved Alan. Jed McAteer had been the man she wanted. She had been smitten ever since her teens and had never got over it. As soon as she found out what he was, she dumped him. If she wanted to keep her sanity-and her job-Jed had to go.”
A killer-a serial killer with a taste for “young, smooth-skinned and blonde men” was on the loose.
As the murders continue, can Rachel keep her family together and stop the killer?
This is a well-written crime fiction novel, with engaging characters and a great start to a new series that shows much promise. Looking forward to book two!
Many thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for my digital copy.
January 20, 2019
'Next Victim' is the start of a new crime series featuring Detective Rachel King by author Helen Durrant. I have read several books by this author from her other series with mixed results but this new character really does start with an excellent story.
Detective Rachel King lives in Cheshire with her two teenage daughters, Meg and Mia, next door to her ex husband Alan. She is an excellent detective but like many good characters not short of problems and personality flaws. Detective Rachel King has her own secrets with her past lover and perhaps still her true love been a local villain.
In this first book there is a killer on the loose who appears to have a liking for good looking blonde men. The first man murdered was tortured stabbed and then burnt. There is no obvious motive, little to go on and the only small lead they have is to Jed McAteer, a man deep into all that's bad but someone who Rachel is very fond of.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Rachel King lives in Cheshire with her two teenage daughters, Meg and Mia, next door to her ex husband Alan. She is an excellent detective but like many good characters not short of problems and personality flaws. Detective Rachel King has her own secrets with her past lover and perhaps still her true love been a local villain.
In this first book there is a killer on the loose who appears to have a liking for good looking blonde men. The first man murdered was tortured stabbed and then burnt. There is no obvious motive, little to go on and the only small lead they have is to Jed McAteer, a man deep into all that's bad but someone who Rachel is very fond of.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Joffe Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2019
NEXT VICTIM is the first in a new series that features Detective Rachel King. Rachel is an almost-forty mother of 2 teenagers and the next-door neighbor of her ex-husband. Rachel is diligent, and has the respect of most of her team.
Rachel is called to investigate when a burnt and tortured body is found by the local canal. But this is not the only body she will find in this condition. The victims are all similar in appearance ... young, good-looking, blond men.
Once identified, the first victim is found to be known to another student who believes she has a twin brother who disappeared along with her mother many years ago. Coincidence?
Rachel is also getting text messages from someone in her past ... a man she hasn't spoken to in years. No one knows her connection to this man .. and she wants it kept that way. But since he has dubious colleagues on the other side of the law, does he know something about these brutal murders?
I am a big fan of this author. Her crime fiction books are always well-written, action-packed, with characters that are unforgettable. I have never been disappointed in her story telling. I enjoy how Rachel's personal life is intertwined with her professional life. Her team are memorable, as well, finely defined. It's suspenseful that leads to a surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley / Books n All Promotions for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Rachel is called to investigate when a burnt and tortured body is found by the local canal. But this is not the only body she will find in this condition. The victims are all similar in appearance ... young, good-looking, blond men.
Once identified, the first victim is found to be known to another student who believes she has a twin brother who disappeared along with her mother many years ago. Coincidence?
Rachel is also getting text messages from someone in her past ... a man she hasn't spoken to in years. No one knows her connection to this man .. and she wants it kept that way. But since he has dubious colleagues on the other side of the law, does he know something about these brutal murders?
I am a big fan of this author. Her crime fiction books are always well-written, action-packed, with characters that are unforgettable. I have never been disappointed in her story telling. I enjoy how Rachel's personal life is intertwined with her professional life. Her team are memorable, as well, finely defined. It's suspenseful that leads to a surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Netgalley / Books n All Promotions for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 31, 2019
1 -2 stars. This one was most definitely not for me and was what I call a dot to dot police procedural. The characters were wooden, the plotting laboured and predictable. The central character of DCI Rachel King had an obsession with Jed McAteer who was described as a villain or a crime boss. Hardly conducive to your chosen career path. Oh boy, did she bang on about this until I wanted to scream. She was like a broken record - get over yourself woman. Some of the dialogue produced the eye rolling to which I’m prone if a book doesn’t grab me, to the point where I’m not sure why I ended even bothered to finish it. It was about as exciting as a bowl of tapioca and I have no idea where that simile came from, possibly reflecting on the awfulness of school dinners when ‘I were a lass’. I know other reviewers enjoyed this and so it’s a matter of personal taste - a bit like the tapioca. 🤣
May 17, 2019
A new series from Helen H Durrant and a cracking one at that. There's a lot going on in this but it's still easy enough to follow. I like the new DCI of this series, she's strong and intelligent but with questionable taste in men as she has in the past had a relationship with one of Manchester's crime barons. I'm intrigued as to how this will play out in future books.
The other detectives are interesting enough. The DS has split from his wife but seems to be dealing quite well and there are two young but eager DCs. No one on the team seems to have any detective characteristics which is a welcome change in crime drama.
It's fast flowing, the story takes place over just a week or so but there is a reason for the killers speed, revealed towards the end. I think his is shaping up to be a great new series.
The other detectives are interesting enough. The DS has split from his wife but seems to be dealing quite well and there are two young but eager DCs. No one on the team seems to have any detective characteristics which is a welcome change in crime drama.
It's fast flowing, the story takes place over just a week or so but there is a reason for the killers speed, revealed towards the end. I think his is shaping up to be a great new series.
January 17, 2019
Next Victim is the first novel in the new DCI Rachel King series by bestselling author Helen Durrant, based around the goings-on in the Greater Manchester Police Force. I often get over excited about beginning a brand spanking new series, but you never really know what you are going to get. Here, unfortunately, the balance between the plot and characters is all wrong. I know that the first book of a new series has to introduce the characters and let the reader learn about them then hopefully warm to them. In Next Victim, however, the real plot is overshadowed by Rachel's personal life and her indiscretions. There's certainly too much focus on her at the destruction of the story.
Rachel's secret boyfriend, who's kept from most peoples attention, is a notorious part of the criminal fraternity in the Manchester area and seems to be a very odd choice for a strong, astute and ambitious woman such as Rachel. This beggars belief but maybe it's true that you can't help who you fall in love with. As for Rachel as a character, I'm not sure whether she'll grow on me or not; the next instalment should put that to bed once and for all either way, so I will pick it up but primarily due to the promising writing that pulls you into the story as always with Ms Durrant. The pace is steady throughout and the conclusion offered up a big surprise and was cleverly done. I hope I gain more from book number two.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.
Rachel's secret boyfriend, who's kept from most peoples attention, is a notorious part of the criminal fraternity in the Manchester area and seems to be a very odd choice for a strong, astute and ambitious woman such as Rachel. This beggars belief but maybe it's true that you can't help who you fall in love with. As for Rachel as a character, I'm not sure whether she'll grow on me or not; the next instalment should put that to bed once and for all either way, so I will pick it up but primarily due to the promising writing that pulls you into the story as always with Ms Durrant. The pace is steady throughout and the conclusion offered up a big surprise and was cleverly done. I hope I gain more from book number two.
Many thanks to Joffe Books for an ARC.
September 1, 2022
*Chaotic*
**3.5***
This has all the makings of a promising crime series, but the lead character DCI Rachel King, like all of these books means she has a flaw. Someone she was involved with as students in their late teens was the love of her life. His name is Jed and is now a big time villain. There is also another secret she is desperately trying to keep under raps.
When the body of a young man is found, the team are shocked, the level of violence shows he was not only murdered, but was tortured and badly burned.
As the team starts to hunt down the Killer other bodies turn up. DCI Rachel king realises that the direction of this case is heading towards her villainous ex boyfriend? Are they being led in the right direction?
The killer has a specific type, young men with blonde hair. His victims are a trial run for his ultimate prize, his end game.
Due to Rachel struggling to keep her villain ex boyfriend Jed under wraps she becomes distracted and her colleague DS Elwyn Pryce knows her too well, especially when she spins him yarn after yarn to cover her secret. This just made her look incompetent and secretive and her personal life is about to collide into her case. At this point I was getting very cross yet, I was compelled to read on.
In a twist of fate Rachel ends up with her villain ex boyfriend in a race against time to save their most precious asset….
**3.5***
This has all the makings of a promising crime series, but the lead character DCI Rachel King, like all of these books means she has a flaw. Someone she was involved with as students in their late teens was the love of her life. His name is Jed and is now a big time villain. There is also another secret she is desperately trying to keep under raps.
When the body of a young man is found, the team are shocked, the level of violence shows he was not only murdered, but was tortured and badly burned.
As the team starts to hunt down the Killer other bodies turn up. DCI Rachel king realises that the direction of this case is heading towards her villainous ex boyfriend? Are they being led in the right direction?
The killer has a specific type, young men with blonde hair. His victims are a trial run for his ultimate prize, his end game.
Due to Rachel struggling to keep her villain ex boyfriend Jed under wraps she becomes distracted and her colleague DS Elwyn Pryce knows her too well, especially when she spins him yarn after yarn to cover her secret. This just made her look incompetent and secretive and her personal life is about to collide into her case. At this point I was getting very cross yet, I was compelled to read on.
In a twist of fate Rachel ends up with her villain ex boyfriend in a race against time to save their most precious asset….
January 16, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this arc.
This was a nice solid read for me. It is the first Rachel King story and I do hope there are more. Rachel is a DCI with the Manchester Police. She is also a gal with a lot of secrets.... some of which are sorta resolved with this story, although given her inability to be completely honest with anyone (about anything), I suspect those secrets will continue to rise up and haunt her again in the future. She is still a very engaging character even with her screwed up priorities. The supporting characters of her team are also intriguing and I definitely look forward to seeing more of them in the future. This was a fast paced and somewhat twisted procedural.
This was a nice solid read for me. It is the first Rachel King story and I do hope there are more. Rachel is a DCI with the Manchester Police. She is also a gal with a lot of secrets.... some of which are sorta resolved with this story, although given her inability to be completely honest with anyone (about anything), I suspect those secrets will continue to rise up and haunt her again in the future. She is still a very engaging character even with her screwed up priorities. The supporting characters of her team are also intriguing and I definitely look forward to seeing more of them in the future. This was a fast paced and somewhat twisted procedural.
June 20, 2020
I’m 50/50 on this new series.
The crime/plot is excellent but the protagonist DCI Rachel King is less enjoyable.
I will give Book #2 a go and see if the series improves.
The crime/plot is excellent but the protagonist DCI Rachel King is less enjoyable.
I will give Book #2 a go and see if the series improves.
January 9, 2021
This is the first in a new crime series , this is a new author for me. Following DCI Rachel King and her team in and around Manchester. This book covers the case of a burnt male body found in the canal, the story continues as they track a serial killer but also covers the ongoings in Rachel’s personal life and her interactions with a Manchester villain. Solid 4 ⭐️ from me & im keen to find out more so onto #2
January 29, 2019
Helen Durrant has done it again with this gripping and addictive police procedural!
So Next Victim is the first in a new series featuring Detective Rachel King, not to be confused with Helen Durrant’s other ‘Victim’ series featuring Matt Brindle, they are two very different detectives!
Rachel has a bit of a messy home life, with two teenage girls, an ex husband living next door and an ex who she still in love with, who is a gangster! Her only escape from the madness is work but this new case has her doubting whether she can still do her job properly, especially when the killer makes it personal and both her home and professional life collide.
Also throughout the book we hear from an unknown extremely disturbed killer, targetting young gay men, who is extremely creepy yet intriguing.
I have to be honest, I had an inkling from the beginning who the villain of the book would be but there were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on my toes and doubting whether I was right or not.
I’d recommend Next Victim to anyone who loves a police procedural with a main character who’s personal life is almost as complicated as the cases she investigates.
So Next Victim is the first in a new series featuring Detective Rachel King, not to be confused with Helen Durrant’s other ‘Victim’ series featuring Matt Brindle, they are two very different detectives!
Rachel has a bit of a messy home life, with two teenage girls, an ex husband living next door and an ex who she still in love with, who is a gangster! Her only escape from the madness is work but this new case has her doubting whether she can still do her job properly, especially when the killer makes it personal and both her home and professional life collide.
Also throughout the book we hear from an unknown extremely disturbed killer, targetting young gay men, who is extremely creepy yet intriguing.
I have to be honest, I had an inkling from the beginning who the villain of the book would be but there were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on my toes and doubting whether I was right or not.
I’d recommend Next Victim to anyone who loves a police procedural with a main character who’s personal life is almost as complicated as the cases she investigates.
January 16, 2019
3.5 stars
Next Victim by Helen H Durrant is the first in the Detective Rachel King series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books):
DCI Rachel King is with the serious crime squad for east Manchester. Her team consists of: DS Elwyn Pryce, her long-time colleague and friend; DC Jonny Farrell, the newest member of the team, and still a little green; and DC Amy Metcalfe, who shows potential, but is often careless, and would love to dig up dirt on her boss. Rachel went through a somewhat amicable divorce and her husband bought the house next door in order to help raise their two teenage daughters. Although Rachel knows she cannot have a relationship with Jed McAteer, due to his criminal background, it doesn’t mean she can ignore her first love. She just has to make sure no one finds out she even knows him.
My Synopsis:
When the tortured body of a gay man shows up in the canal, the trail leads to a nearby warehouse run by Paul Greyson. There is video showing the young man arguing with Greyson, even though he denies knowing him.
As the bodies pile up, the killer is leaving the police a false trail to follow. He has one target in mind, and the others are just practice, and fodder for the police.
Enter Jed McAteer, front and center, and Rachel fears he may be involved in this case. She also fears her secret may be exposed, and her career over.
Meanwhile, it turns out the girl down the street from Rachel knew the first victim, and was seen attacking him with a knife. She has some issues that Rachel plans to check out.
As if she isn’t having enough problems at work, her daughters are acting like 5 year olds. Mind you, she’s rarely home, and that could be the reason. But things are about to take a turn for the worse.
My Opinions:
For the first in the series, it shows promise. Of course this is not the only series by this author, so she has had some practice. However, this is the first of her books that I have read, and she’s now on my to-read list.
It was a fast-paced read, so it didn’t take long to finish. I liked getting the story from different perspectives, including that of the killer. I also liked most of the characters, and hope they are fleshed out a little more in future books. I am still not sure about Rachel. I think her parenting skills suck, and her secrets are harming everyone. For 39, in a responsible position, you’d think she should have it more together.
I did guess the killer and motive too soon, so was rather disappointed in that. I guess I expected more from this talented author.
There was an interesting appendix at the back of the book showing a list of British slang.
Overall, it was only an okay read, but it was intriguing enough that I really want to see what happens next.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Next Victim by Helen H Durrant is the first in the Detective Rachel King series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books):
DCI Rachel King is with the serious crime squad for east Manchester. Her team consists of: DS Elwyn Pryce, her long-time colleague and friend; DC Jonny Farrell, the newest member of the team, and still a little green; and DC Amy Metcalfe, who shows potential, but is often careless, and would love to dig up dirt on her boss. Rachel went through a somewhat amicable divorce and her husband bought the house next door in order to help raise their two teenage daughters. Although Rachel knows she cannot have a relationship with Jed McAteer, due to his criminal background, it doesn’t mean she can ignore her first love. She just has to make sure no one finds out she even knows him.
My Synopsis:
When the tortured body of a gay man shows up in the canal, the trail leads to a nearby warehouse run by Paul Greyson. There is video showing the young man arguing with Greyson, even though he denies knowing him.
As the bodies pile up, the killer is leaving the police a false trail to follow. He has one target in mind, and the others are just practice, and fodder for the police.
Enter Jed McAteer, front and center, and Rachel fears he may be involved in this case. She also fears her secret may be exposed, and her career over.
Meanwhile, it turns out the girl down the street from Rachel knew the first victim, and was seen attacking him with a knife. She has some issues that Rachel plans to check out.
As if she isn’t having enough problems at work, her daughters are acting like 5 year olds. Mind you, she’s rarely home, and that could be the reason. But things are about to take a turn for the worse.
My Opinions:
For the first in the series, it shows promise. Of course this is not the only series by this author, so she has had some practice. However, this is the first of her books that I have read, and she’s now on my to-read list.
It was a fast-paced read, so it didn’t take long to finish. I liked getting the story from different perspectives, including that of the killer. I also liked most of the characters, and hope they are fleshed out a little more in future books. I am still not sure about Rachel. I think her parenting skills suck, and her secrets are harming everyone. For 39, in a responsible position, you’d think she should have it more together.
I did guess the killer and motive too soon, so was rather disappointed in that. I guess I expected more from this talented author.
There was an interesting appendix at the back of the book showing a list of British slang.
Overall, it was only an okay read, but it was intriguing enough that I really want to see what happens next.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 15, 2019
4 stars
DCI Rachel King lives in a highly dysfunctional family. Her two teenage daughters bicker all the time and she lives next door to her ex-husband who wants to join their two houses. Oh boy… She also has an ex-boyfriend, who wants to get reacquainted, but he is a major crime boss and she knows she’d be in deep trouble at work if such a relationship came out. She loves him however. What to do?
She gets a call to a dead body. The young man has been horribly tortured and murdered. There is no identification on him but patients police work leads to his identity as a college student studying journalism. According to his friends, he was on to a big story and also doing a story about the homeless. He was living rough for the time being and also mooching off his friends for room and board.
As the investigation proceeds, Rachel’s team learns that a friend of one of Rachel’s daughter’s friend Alice was also involved with the dead man. Alice has suffered for years from a possible delusion that she is one of a set of twins, but her brother named Alfie and her mother disappeared when she was a small child. Her father flatly denies the existence of any Alfie.
There are several plot lines going on in this book at once. The reader must keep on turning pages to discover if Ms. Durrant can pull them all together. This is a well written and plotted book. It reads pretty quickly and smoothly. One event follows another in a logical manner. I have read many of Ms. Durrant’s novels and this one rates up there with the rest. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
DCI Rachel King lives in a highly dysfunctional family. Her two teenage daughters bicker all the time and she lives next door to her ex-husband who wants to join their two houses. Oh boy… She also has an ex-boyfriend, who wants to get reacquainted, but he is a major crime boss and she knows she’d be in deep trouble at work if such a relationship came out. She loves him however. What to do?
She gets a call to a dead body. The young man has been horribly tortured and murdered. There is no identification on him but patients police work leads to his identity as a college student studying journalism. According to his friends, he was on to a big story and also doing a story about the homeless. He was living rough for the time being and also mooching off his friends for room and board.
As the investigation proceeds, Rachel’s team learns that a friend of one of Rachel’s daughter’s friend Alice was also involved with the dead man. Alice has suffered for years from a possible delusion that she is one of a set of twins, but her brother named Alfie and her mother disappeared when she was a small child. Her father flatly denies the existence of any Alfie.
There are several plot lines going on in this book at once. The reader must keep on turning pages to discover if Ms. Durrant can pull them all together. This is a well written and plotted book. It reads pretty quickly and smoothly. One event follows another in a logical manner. I have read many of Ms. Durrant’s novels and this one rates up there with the rest. I am looking forward to the next in this series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
July 22, 2019
Rachel King is a DCI with the serious crime squad based in Ancoats. She commands a team for east Manchester CID and this is the first in a new crime thriller series.
A young gay man is found tortured to death in the canal. He was young, blonde and beautiful. When he's identified as Oliver Frodshom, some connections are made to a local hardware supplier and leads to questions about the nearby land. In addition, Oliver is known to a friend of Rachel's daughter. Alice Brough was angry with Oliver after a prank he played on her -- pretended to be her long lost twin brother, Alfie. Is Alice somehow responsible for Oliver's death? As Rachel King and her team investigate the associations indicated by forensics, another body is found and the two murders seem to be the work of a serial psychopath. The motive remains unclear and the detectives are convinced that the hardware supplier must be involved somehow -- until... But wait, there's even more -- it seems that Rachel King has a past lover, Jed McAteer, whose name is synonymous with local crime boss. Rachel's association with this man could ruin her career but it seems that his criminal history keeps coming up. And Jed knows Rachel's secret. Lots going on in this book, but NO SPOILERS.
I think I'm really going to enjoy this fast-paced series as the characters develop. Rachel King is a workaholic with little time for her teenaged daughters and her ex husband, Alan. Her relationship with Jed will definitely prove complicating and interesting since she's in the police and he's a villain. The other team members have been introduced and I'm looking forward to learning more about each of them as well. I'm luck to have the second book queued up to read next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
A young gay man is found tortured to death in the canal. He was young, blonde and beautiful. When he's identified as Oliver Frodshom, some connections are made to a local hardware supplier and leads to questions about the nearby land. In addition, Oliver is known to a friend of Rachel's daughter. Alice Brough was angry with Oliver after a prank he played on her -- pretended to be her long lost twin brother, Alfie. Is Alice somehow responsible for Oliver's death? As Rachel King and her team investigate the associations indicated by forensics, another body is found and the two murders seem to be the work of a serial psychopath. The motive remains unclear and the detectives are convinced that the hardware supplier must be involved somehow -- until... But wait, there's even more -- it seems that Rachel King has a past lover, Jed McAteer, whose name is synonymous with local crime boss. Rachel's association with this man could ruin her career but it seems that his criminal history keeps coming up. And Jed knows Rachel's secret. Lots going on in this book, but NO SPOILERS.
I think I'm really going to enjoy this fast-paced series as the characters develop. Rachel King is a workaholic with little time for her teenaged daughters and her ex husband, Alan. Her relationship with Jed will definitely prove complicating and interesting since she's in the police and he's a villain. The other team members have been introduced and I'm looking forward to learning more about each of them as well. I'm luck to have the second book queued up to read next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.
May 9, 2019
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I love this author’s writing style and have read everything that she has written to date and loved them all - she has a brilliant writing style and I find her books to be very addictive and she is one of my very favourite author’s for this genre!
I loved the plot line for this one. I thought it was well researched and well developed, I loved that this book is the start of a new series featuring DCI Rachel King, I thought that she was a very intriguing character and someone I am really interesting in getting to know more about and I am also really keen to see where the author takes her! I can’t wait to see how the series develops and I hope we get to read more about Rachel’s background and colleagues too.
The story was well paced and very enjoyable, I loved how the author brought the characters to life with a very engaging and twisty plot too.
It is five stars from me for this one, it is a well written book with a fabulous plot line, I really enjoyed it and it is definitely one that I will be very highly recommending!! Can’t wait to see what she releases next!!
I love this author’s writing style and have read everything that she has written to date and loved them all - she has a brilliant writing style and I find her books to be very addictive and she is one of my very favourite author’s for this genre!
I loved the plot line for this one. I thought it was well researched and well developed, I loved that this book is the start of a new series featuring DCI Rachel King, I thought that she was a very intriguing character and someone I am really interesting in getting to know more about and I am also really keen to see where the author takes her! I can’t wait to see how the series develops and I hope we get to read more about Rachel’s background and colleagues too.
The story was well paced and very enjoyable, I loved how the author brought the characters to life with a very engaging and twisty plot too.
It is five stars from me for this one, it is a well written book with a fabulous plot line, I really enjoyed it and it is definitely one that I will be very highly recommending!! Can’t wait to see what she releases next!!
July 17, 2019
Gobsmacked!
Rating System
5 Stars - This book is THE ONE. Loved it. Recommended it. I walked uphill both ways in a blizzard with a small child strapped in my back to buy it. I will leave it in my will to my favorite child.
Rating System
5 Stars - This book is THE ONE. Loved it. Recommended it. I walked uphill both ways in a blizzard with a small child strapped in my back to buy it. I will leave it in my will to my favorite child.
May 22, 2024
This was an engaging British crime thriller with a great plot and characters.
It's well-written and fast-paced with twists, turns and surprises.
King did seem a rather moody character but suits the role overall.
Recommended.
It's well-written and fast-paced with twists, turns and surprises.
King did seem a rather moody character but suits the role overall.
Recommended.
July 31, 2019
I bought this rather pedestrian police procedural, because I had heard of the author, and recently received the sequel, which has just been published, from NetGalley. It wasn’t bad, but there wasn’t really anything to distinguish it from all the other English crime thrillers featuring prickly female detectives, so I’m going to need a break before I move on to the next one.
DCI Rachel King has a tough job balancing her detective work with raising her selfish teenage daughters after the break-up of her marriage, all the while hiding her biggest secret - her past relationship with Manchester’s most notorious gangster. When a young gay student is horribly murdered, clues left by the killer suggest links to some polluted land that Rachel’s secret ex is rumoured to be interested in, but what is the connection to her daughter’s strange friend, obsessed with the twin brother only she remembers?
I wondered if this was the author’s first book, but discovered at the end that she has three other police series under her belt. Maybe that’s why this felt so formulaic, with every crime fiction trope included. The writing was unremarkable and the characters very two-dimensional, Rachel herself so obsessed with hiding her past, even when this puts both the investigation and her family at risk, that I found her pretty unlikeable. I guessed the identity of the killer early on, and the denouement was no surprise either.
I feel like I’m being harsh, and that’s because I read a LOT of mysteries, so have seen it all before, and am always looking for something original, clever or brilliantly written, whereas this wasn’t. This has plenty of positive reviews, and it was easy reading and not too drawn out. The series has potential, now that the main characters have been introduced, and so hopefully the next one will deliver something to wow me. 2.5 rounded, up for the avoidance of gratuitous violence, sex or swearing. Oh and as a bonus it counts towards my #ukcbcchallenge2019.
DCI Rachel King has a tough job balancing her detective work with raising her selfish teenage daughters after the break-up of her marriage, all the while hiding her biggest secret - her past relationship with Manchester’s most notorious gangster. When a young gay student is horribly murdered, clues left by the killer suggest links to some polluted land that Rachel’s secret ex is rumoured to be interested in, but what is the connection to her daughter’s strange friend, obsessed with the twin brother only she remembers?
I wondered if this was the author’s first book, but discovered at the end that she has three other police series under her belt. Maybe that’s why this felt so formulaic, with every crime fiction trope included. The writing was unremarkable and the characters very two-dimensional, Rachel herself so obsessed with hiding her past, even when this puts both the investigation and her family at risk, that I found her pretty unlikeable. I guessed the identity of the killer early on, and the denouement was no surprise either.
I feel like I’m being harsh, and that’s because I read a LOT of mysteries, so have seen it all before, and am always looking for something original, clever or brilliantly written, whereas this wasn’t. This has plenty of positive reviews, and it was easy reading and not too drawn out. The series has potential, now that the main characters have been introduced, and so hopefully the next one will deliver something to wow me. 2.5 rounded, up for the avoidance of gratuitous violence, sex or swearing. Oh and as a bonus it counts towards my #ukcbcchallenge2019.
January 14, 2019
First in a new series by the brilliant Helen Durrant
This is the first in a new series by Helen Durrant and I was very excited to read it.
The main character is DCI Rachel King. Mother of 2, with her ex husband living next door and an on off relationship with one of the bad guys this is a real roller coaster of a read with a lot of focus on Rachel's personal life which makes it different in a very good way.
Helen has expertly managed to develop a character via a case. As work becomes entangled with her family and emotions we learn a lot about Rachel, the person at the same time as following a case (or cases) with more twists, turns and false leads than a game of snakes and ladders.
A young man is murdered after being tortured for some time. There is no motive, no clues and no evidence. The team is struggling to find a way forward. The only small lead they have is to Jed, a man with fingers in the dark world of crime but for whom Rachel has very deep feelings.
As we join the team on a rocky journey through evilness and secrets we learn a little about the team Rachel manages. A mixed bag of detectives some loyal some not so it is a very realistic team who work well together despite the differences.
A brilliant book I couldn't put it down and I am looking forward to many more in this series.
5 golden stars from me
This is the first in a new series by Helen Durrant and I was very excited to read it.
The main character is DCI Rachel King. Mother of 2, with her ex husband living next door and an on off relationship with one of the bad guys this is a real roller coaster of a read with a lot of focus on Rachel's personal life which makes it different in a very good way.
Helen has expertly managed to develop a character via a case. As work becomes entangled with her family and emotions we learn a lot about Rachel, the person at the same time as following a case (or cases) with more twists, turns and false leads than a game of snakes and ladders.
A young man is murdered after being tortured for some time. There is no motive, no clues and no evidence. The team is struggling to find a way forward. The only small lead they have is to Jed, a man with fingers in the dark world of crime but for whom Rachel has very deep feelings.
As we join the team on a rocky journey through evilness and secrets we learn a little about the team Rachel manages. A mixed bag of detectives some loyal some not so it is a very realistic team who work well together despite the differences.
A brilliant book I couldn't put it down and I am looking forward to many more in this series.
5 golden stars from me
January 15, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for a review copy of Next Victim, the first novel to feature DCI Rachel King of GMP.
Rachel and the team investigate an incipient serial killer when the mutilated body of a young man is found in a canal near some waste ground. The investigation is hampered by Rachel’s secrets.
Next Victim is a solid read but it failed to capture or retain my attention for several reasons. The novel is told from two perspectives, that of Rachel and her team and that of the killer. I don’t like the switching from one voice to another as it tends to destroy my concentration but must admit that initially the voice of the killer is intriguing because it sticks to his actions and gives little hint of motive. I also like the connections between the characters which become apparent as the novel progresses. I think it is cleverly done.
I think the murder plot is fairly slim as it’s not really the focus of the novel. The author has preferred to concentrate on Rachel’s personal life and her secret former boyfriend, secret because he’s one of Manchester’s biggest criminals. I found the whole scenario extremely unlikely and her actions resulting from it unbefitting to the smart woman she must be to become a DCI. “Love of her life” doesn’t cut it for me to justify her actions over the years. As you can guess I found her annoying.
Next Victim is a solid read.
Rachel and the team investigate an incipient serial killer when the mutilated body of a young man is found in a canal near some waste ground. The investigation is hampered by Rachel’s secrets.
Next Victim is a solid read but it failed to capture or retain my attention for several reasons. The novel is told from two perspectives, that of Rachel and her team and that of the killer. I don’t like the switching from one voice to another as it tends to destroy my concentration but must admit that initially the voice of the killer is intriguing because it sticks to his actions and gives little hint of motive. I also like the connections between the characters which become apparent as the novel progresses. I think it is cleverly done.
I think the murder plot is fairly slim as it’s not really the focus of the novel. The author has preferred to concentrate on Rachel’s personal life and her secret former boyfriend, secret because he’s one of Manchester’s biggest criminals. I found the whole scenario extremely unlikely and her actions resulting from it unbefitting to the smart woman she must be to become a DCI. “Love of her life” doesn’t cut it for me to justify her actions over the years. As you can guess I found her annoying.
Next Victim is a solid read.
January 23, 2019
This is the first in a new series, and I was sucked right in from the start. There is definite room for some interesting character development, and this made an exciting start to a series. Tight, pacy writing and a good mix of sinister and dramatic. Looking forward to the next book!
January 24, 2019
At last, a detective who is also the single mum of two teenagers! I have been in those shoes, although I wasn't a detective, and Helen Durrant has here produced a crime story which weaves the difficulties Rachel King has in her personal life with the difficulties of trying to catch a sadistic murderer. Rachel has more problems because a boyfriend she had at university is now a major criminal in the Greater Manchester area and he keeps trying to contact her while she is investigating a case which could well lead to him. Thank you for waving the flag for working single mothers!
A young man's body is found in a run-down area of Manchester. He has been stabbed, tortured and burnt and it seems his killer isn't averse to repeating the experience. The victim is a very handsome young man who, despite being a a student, was living rough at the time of his murder. There are plenty of clues (too many in fact) and Rachel has to work her way through them while trying to keep close tabs on her daughters. She is also very worried that her relationship to Jed McAteer may be revealed which would kill her career.
I couldn't put this book down and the ending floored me because I certainly hadn't thought of it. This is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read the next one. I am already looking forward to learning more about all the characters in Rachel's team as they had to take a back seat in this story so that Rachel's character could be properly developed. A very strong 5 stars from me!
A young man's body is found in a run-down area of Manchester. He has been stabbed, tortured and burnt and it seems his killer isn't averse to repeating the experience. The victim is a very handsome young man who, despite being a a student, was living rough at the time of his murder. There are plenty of clues (too many in fact) and Rachel has to work her way through them while trying to keep close tabs on her daughters. She is also very worried that her relationship to Jed McAteer may be revealed which would kill her career.
I couldn't put this book down and the ending floored me because I certainly hadn't thought of it. This is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read the next one. I am already looking forward to learning more about all the characters in Rachel's team as they had to take a back seat in this story so that Rachel's character could be properly developed. A very strong 5 stars from me!
May 20, 2023
Really enjoyed it. Love Rachel King and can’t wait for the rest in the series.
January 12, 2024
Taut, fast paced and really well written crime fiction. It's a great introduction to a new series and I'll be reading more of DCI King's stories.
January 14, 2019
This book is Helen Durrant at her very best. We are introduced to DCI Rachel King who heads up a murder investigation that eventually turns out to be a series of murders.
Her two daughters Meg and Mia live with her most of the time, the rest is spent with her ex-husband who lives next door.
The burned and stabbed remains of a young man are found in the centre of Manchester. There are no clues as to his identity and no obvious motive. Rachel's eldest daughter is at Uni and has a close friend Alice. She is determined to find out what happened to her twin brother who disappeared alongside their mother. The victim, Oliver, decided to play a cruel practical joke and had the name Alfie tattooed on his foot. CCTV footage shows Oliver arguing with businessman Gregson.
McAteer, ruthless property developer and known hard man, was Rachel's, first love. Their relationship ended when she realised that it was to be her job or him. She knows that it can never come to light that she was involved with him, but staying away is increasingly difficult. He contacts her daughter Mia and takes her and a friend out bowling. It doesn't take him long to realise that she is his daughter.
Another body is found in a derelict building, again good looking and gay. What is the motive? Rumours about the land next to Gregson's business are circulating but the soil is contaminated from a dye works that have been demolished. If the area has been treated, then the land is very valuable. Does this have anything to do with the murders?
The characters are very well described and it is a thrilling storyline. All fans of Helen Durrant will not be disappointed. I felt that I could not leave this and kept going until the end.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Her two daughters Meg and Mia live with her most of the time, the rest is spent with her ex-husband who lives next door.
The burned and stabbed remains of a young man are found in the centre of Manchester. There are no clues as to his identity and no obvious motive. Rachel's eldest daughter is at Uni and has a close friend Alice. She is determined to find out what happened to her twin brother who disappeared alongside their mother. The victim, Oliver, decided to play a cruel practical joke and had the name Alfie tattooed on his foot. CCTV footage shows Oliver arguing with businessman Gregson.
McAteer, ruthless property developer and known hard man, was Rachel's, first love. Their relationship ended when she realised that it was to be her job or him. She knows that it can never come to light that she was involved with him, but staying away is increasingly difficult. He contacts her daughter Mia and takes her and a friend out bowling. It doesn't take him long to realise that she is his daughter.
Another body is found in a derelict building, again good looking and gay. What is the motive? Rumours about the land next to Gregson's business are circulating but the soil is contaminated from a dye works that have been demolished. If the area has been treated, then the land is very valuable. Does this have anything to do with the murders?
The characters are very well described and it is a thrilling storyline. All fans of Helen Durrant will not be disappointed. I felt that I could not leave this and kept going until the end.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
January 15, 2019
Next Victim by Helen H. Durant
Detective Rachel King #1
A serial killer is on the loose and DCI Rachel King is put in charge of finding the perpetrator. Brutal murders of young attractive blond men is taking place and finding out who and why is at the center of this book. Rachel is not a character I found easy to like. She puts work before marriage and children and though she cares about her teenage daughters her main focus is her job. Some of her secrets come out as the story unfolds but I still don’t understand her...maybe as the series progresses the reader will be let in more or she will become a warmer person. Her team is mentioned but not a great deal is said about them as individuals. Again...first book in a new series so more will unfold over time.
The mystery was well plotted but for some reason it did not grab me as some in the genre do and I am not sure why. I wrote down that I felt the story was being told to me rather than having the feeling I was immersed in the story and able to be in the shoes of Rachel...or any of the other characters in the book.
Did I enjoy this book? Kind of – it was okay and I did want to find out who and why
Would I read more in the series? I think so...to see if I can relate better to the characters than I did in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Detective Rachel King #1
A serial killer is on the loose and DCI Rachel King is put in charge of finding the perpetrator. Brutal murders of young attractive blond men is taking place and finding out who and why is at the center of this book. Rachel is not a character I found easy to like. She puts work before marriage and children and though she cares about her teenage daughters her main focus is her job. Some of her secrets come out as the story unfolds but I still don’t understand her...maybe as the series progresses the reader will be let in more or she will become a warmer person. Her team is mentioned but not a great deal is said about them as individuals. Again...first book in a new series so more will unfold over time.
The mystery was well plotted but for some reason it did not grab me as some in the genre do and I am not sure why. I wrote down that I felt the story was being told to me rather than having the feeling I was immersed in the story and able to be in the shoes of Rachel...or any of the other characters in the book.
Did I enjoy this book? Kind of – it was okay and I did want to find out who and why
Would I read more in the series? I think so...to see if I can relate better to the characters than I did in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
April 21, 2019
Wow, what a fantastic and exciting beginning to a new series featuring Detective Rachel King! I always love to read any crime series from the first book and this new series has definitely started with a bang.
Written by best-selling author Helen H. Durrant, this was a fast-paced crime thriller that had me hooked, even before I had swiped my e-reader to take me to the second page.
Helen H. Durrant has drawn a very deep and complex character in DCI Rachel King. She, fittingly, has a past that she doesn't want to be revealed and that she needs to keep buried, as it would put an end to her career. Meanwhile, a very vicious killer is wreaking havoc on her patch and running rings around the police. The killer doesn't want their victims dead but obliterated.
This was such a gripping crime thriller that had my heart racing at times and once I had started reading, I didn't want to put it down. I was enthralled right until the great reveal, which was shocking and totally unexpected.
"Next Victim" was such a brilliant read and I can't wait to see what treats will be in store when Book Two is released. This is a must read, very highly recommended and I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe books and the author, Helen H. Durrant for the free advanced copy. This is my honest and totally voluntary review.
Written by best-selling author Helen H. Durrant, this was a fast-paced crime thriller that had me hooked, even before I had swiped my e-reader to take me to the second page.
Helen H. Durrant has drawn a very deep and complex character in DCI Rachel King. She, fittingly, has a past that she doesn't want to be revealed and that she needs to keep buried, as it would put an end to her career. Meanwhile, a very vicious killer is wreaking havoc on her patch and running rings around the police. The killer doesn't want their victims dead but obliterated.
This was such a gripping crime thriller that had my heart racing at times and once I had started reading, I didn't want to put it down. I was enthralled right until the great reveal, which was shocking and totally unexpected.
"Next Victim" was such a brilliant read and I can't wait to see what treats will be in store when Book Two is released. This is a must read, very highly recommended and I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe books and the author, Helen H. Durrant for the free advanced copy. This is my honest and totally voluntary review.
January 24, 2019
Really enjoyed this Rachel King story, her ex husband has bought the house next door, wants to build and extension connecting the two and they have joint custody of their 2 teenage daughters. The love of Rachels life is a well known criminal, for her career she has tried to sever all ties but he’s recently been texting and calling her.
There are several strands to this story, Alice believes she has a twin brother but her father denies he ever existed and the first murder victim has made an enemy of Alice through his actions. As the story unfolds Rachel is caught between the professional and the personal as her ex’s name keeps coming up in the investigation.
A really fast paced exciting read and I look forward to hearing more of Rachel King and her team.
There are several strands to this story, Alice believes she has a twin brother but her father denies he ever existed and the first murder victim has made an enemy of Alice through his actions. As the story unfolds Rachel is caught between the professional and the personal as her ex’s name keeps coming up in the investigation.
A really fast paced exciting read and I look forward to hearing more of Rachel King and her team.
March 17, 2020
Disappointing. One of the most annoying characters I've come across. Rachel is self centered, exercises really poor judgment and seems to get away with it unscathed. I liked the other series written by Ms Durrant but not this one. I don't think I'll read the next
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