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Detective Beth Young #1
Death in the Lakes
A tenacious young detective with scars both physical and emotional, Beth Young will stop at nothing in her fight for justice for the innocent. Death in the Lakes is the first book in the series. Set in the Lake District, it is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, LJ Ross, and Peter James.
Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District.
The entire police force is on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn’t think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.
As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, Beth knows she’s in a race against time.
But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?
Detective Beth Young has just joined the Cumbrian major crimes team when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached – at a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District.
The entire police force is on red alert. But Beth begins to feel she’s the only one who can follow the disturbing clues left by the twisted killer. Because she doesn’t think like everyone else. To Beth, crimes are puzzles she can solve. Even if real life is a little harder.
As more bodies are discovered in derelict stately homes across the Lake District, Beth knows she’s in a race against time.
But the killer is looking for another victim to add to his collection… Will Beth be able to save her? Or will he get there first?
344 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2018
109 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 16, 2018
A Dark & Twisted Thriller
The Silent Dead/Death in the Lakes is the first book in Detective Beth Young series and a solid police procedural. As a young detective, Detective Beth Young is transferred to the major crimes team and her very first case involves a brutal killing & a body posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached. As more bodies are discovered in derelict homes across the Lake District, Beth knows there is a deranged serial killer on loose. Will Beth be able to stop the killings?
Though it’s a start of a new series, the book doesn’t waste too much time in introductions. The story starts with a bang and the action is fast paced throughout. For a serial killer mystery, the case is intriguing as neither the victims are easily identifiable nor is the motive clear. There are no prime suspects and the investigation keeps hitting a dead end. It’s upto Beth to use her intellect to find a way forward each time. The story is dark & has a lot of gore. The murders and post mortems are especially gory and not for the weak hearted.
The story is narrated from Beth’s POV but we also have a mystery narrator who identity is not fully clear till the end. Not much of Beth’s past career is revealed in this book (maybe in the next book). Beth Young as a cop is intriguing; Motivated by the desire to bring every criminal to justice and fuelled by her own tragedy, she is a strong and unbreakable. Her conflicts and partnerships with her colleagues are well written. The short chapters told from two different POVs not only keep the story moving at a rapid pace but It also gives an insight into a deranged mind and his disturbing thoughts. The mystery was not predictable and it will keep you guessing as the clues are hard to come by. Overall, the plot was solid but I felt it needed a few more tense moments. The investigation part especially felt pretty linear without any major twists and turns.
Overall, It’s a solid start to a new series from the author. It would interesting to see how the series moves forward. If you enjoy a dark & disturbing thriller or even a good police procedural, then you will enjoy this book.
Many Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Graham Smith for the ARC.
The Silent Dead/Death in the Lakes is the first book in Detective Beth Young series and a solid police procedural. As a young detective, Detective Beth Young is transferred to the major crimes team and her very first case involves a brutal killing & a body posed in a ritualistic manner – arms spread and graceful wings attached. As more bodies are discovered in derelict homes across the Lake District, Beth knows there is a deranged serial killer on loose. Will Beth be able to stop the killings?
Though it’s a start of a new series, the book doesn’t waste too much time in introductions. The story starts with a bang and the action is fast paced throughout. For a serial killer mystery, the case is intriguing as neither the victims are easily identifiable nor is the motive clear. There are no prime suspects and the investigation keeps hitting a dead end. It’s upto Beth to use her intellect to find a way forward each time. The story is dark & has a lot of gore. The murders and post mortems are especially gory and not for the weak hearted.
The story is narrated from Beth’s POV but we also have a mystery narrator who identity is not fully clear till the end. Not much of Beth’s past career is revealed in this book (maybe in the next book). Beth Young as a cop is intriguing; Motivated by the desire to bring every criminal to justice and fuelled by her own tragedy, she is a strong and unbreakable. Her conflicts and partnerships with her colleagues are well written. The short chapters told from two different POVs not only keep the story moving at a rapid pace but It also gives an insight into a deranged mind and his disturbing thoughts. The mystery was not predictable and it will keep you guessing as the clues are hard to come by. Overall, the plot was solid but I felt it needed a few more tense moments. The investigation part especially felt pretty linear without any major twists and turns.
Overall, It’s a solid start to a new series from the author. It would interesting to see how the series moves forward. If you enjoy a dark & disturbing thriller or even a good police procedural, then you will enjoy this book.
Many Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Graham Smith for the ARC.
December 9, 2018
this was one twisted, dark and disturbing start to a new police procedural series!
This is the first book in a new series, featuring young newbie detective Beth Young.... The mystery was twisted, sick, and sadistic... what compels a man to stage a body with a burnt mouth and wings attached to their back? Yes, actual wings! Makes you wonder what goes on in the mind of this brilliant author, Graham Smith....
The story is told primarily from the point of view of Beth... however, we also get some creepy insight from another undisclosed character... this gruesome prime appeared to have no pattern, the victims appeared to be chosen at random.... The detectives were baffled as was I, but Beth seem to have an unusual way of puzzling crimes out...
I really like the fact that Beth was a brand new eager detective, she was not yet disheartened... however, I’m not sure that the team would have given her as much respect and responsibility as they did in this book, although it would be nice... Additionally I really had a hard time connecting two Beth... we really got very little of her backstory both personal and professional... we really didn’t get a look into her personal life at all, but there is room for that in future books and this does leave her with lots of room for growth... A solid start to a brand new series...
Recommend to anybody who is a fan of this author, this genre, or sick sadistic crimes!
*** Big thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
This is the first book in a new series, featuring young newbie detective Beth Young.... The mystery was twisted, sick, and sadistic... what compels a man to stage a body with a burnt mouth and wings attached to their back? Yes, actual wings! Makes you wonder what goes on in the mind of this brilliant author, Graham Smith....
The story is told primarily from the point of view of Beth... however, we also get some creepy insight from another undisclosed character... this gruesome prime appeared to have no pattern, the victims appeared to be chosen at random.... The detectives were baffled as was I, but Beth seem to have an unusual way of puzzling crimes out...
I really like the fact that Beth was a brand new eager detective, she was not yet disheartened... however, I’m not sure that the team would have given her as much respect and responsibility as they did in this book, although it would be nice... Additionally I really had a hard time connecting two Beth... we really got very little of her backstory both personal and professional... we really didn’t get a look into her personal life at all, but there is room for that in future books and this does leave her with lots of room for growth... A solid start to a brand new series...
Recommend to anybody who is a fan of this author, this genre, or sick sadistic crimes!
*** Big thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
June 23, 2019
Fantastic
I am almost at a loss for words, that will do this justice. I am rapidly becoming a big fan of Mr. Smiths work. I loved the Jake Boulder story I read last year and having now read the first 2 in DC Beth Young series, he can't go wrong.
Unusually for me I read the 2nd book first, but don't think it detracted anything from this.
It is an unusual pov reading from a lowly DC perspective, but it really works and she won't be a DC for long. The serial killer in this book has an "interesting and unusual " way of dispatching their victims that makes for some very dark and gory scenes. Chris Carter, would be proud. The story is told by more than one other persons perspective, this definitely adds to the tension and intrigue as to who, what and why. I won't elaborate, don't want to spoil it.
On to book 3 now, can't wait.
I am almost at a loss for words, that will do this justice. I am rapidly becoming a big fan of Mr. Smiths work. I loved the Jake Boulder story I read last year and having now read the first 2 in DC Beth Young series, he can't go wrong.
Unusually for me I read the 2nd book first, but don't think it detracted anything from this.
It is an unusual pov reading from a lowly DC perspective, but it really works and she won't be a DC for long. The serial killer in this book has an "interesting and unusual " way of dispatching their victims that makes for some very dark and gory scenes. Chris Carter, would be proud. The story is told by more than one other persons perspective, this definitely adds to the tension and intrigue as to who, what and why. I won't elaborate, don't want to spoil it.
On to book 3 now, can't wait.
December 4, 2018
Over the past few years I’ve become a fan of Smith’s, there is something about his writing style and overall originality that appeals to me, so when I heard he was releasing a new book that would also be the beginning of a new series, I just knew I had to read it!
I spoke of the authors originality earlier, let me expand on that now. Beth is a very new police officer and I found this so interesting, I don’t think I’ve read another police procedural where the protagonist is so early in their career. She was also extremely fascinating, I feel like there is so much to learn about her as a character and I’m eager to see what will be revealed in the next book. Then there is the case itself, talk about bizarre and creepy! The killer is not only displaying his victims in an odd manner he’s also attaching wings to their backs, and there also seems to be no rhyme or reason for the victims he chooses. Some are male, some are female and none seem to have any connection to each other. It was a highly unusual premise and one that kept me engaged.
There was something dark and twisted about this one, there are some gory scenes and heart pounding moments, especially in the end. A very solid start to a new series from an author I know I can trust to deliver a great crime read!
The Silent Dead in three words: Unusual, Twisted and Menacing.
I spoke of the authors originality earlier, let me expand on that now. Beth is a very new police officer and I found this so interesting, I don’t think I’ve read another police procedural where the protagonist is so early in their career. She was also extremely fascinating, I feel like there is so much to learn about her as a character and I’m eager to see what will be revealed in the next book. Then there is the case itself, talk about bizarre and creepy! The killer is not only displaying his victims in an odd manner he’s also attaching wings to their backs, and there also seems to be no rhyme or reason for the victims he chooses. Some are male, some are female and none seem to have any connection to each other. It was a highly unusual premise and one that kept me engaged.
There was something dark and twisted about this one, there are some gory scenes and heart pounding moments, especially in the end. A very solid start to a new series from an author I know I can trust to deliver a great crime read!
The Silent Dead in three words: Unusual, Twisted and Menacing.
November 30, 2018
The Silent Dead, the first novel in a new police procedural series featuring DC Beth Young and set in Cumbria, is highly original, deeply interesting and immersive right from the first couple of pages. The unique storyline really drew me in and was what attracted me to the book initially. I enjoyed the writing and the pace, however, I had correctly guessed the killer very early on which led to me getting a little bored over the rest of the novel as there were no more surprises and tension was at a minimum. Although I liked Beth as a character I did find her difficult to understand as no background was given of her previous employment before joining the Cumbrian Force Major Incident Team (FMIT) and her fitting in right away with many of her colleagues readily confiding in her seemed highly improbable and unrealistic to me.
The premise was a sound one but unfortunately, it was lacking in terms of execution. This makes me sad to say as the concept was so, so good. If you enjoy dark, disturbing and brutal crime fiction then this may be a perfect fit for you. I hope in the second book we get to know much more about Beth and see her character develop and evolve over the passage of time. I also hope the perpetrator is as twisted and intriguing as he was here.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
The premise was a sound one but unfortunately, it was lacking in terms of execution. This makes me sad to say as the concept was so, so good. If you enjoy dark, disturbing and brutal crime fiction then this may be a perfect fit for you. I hope in the second book we get to know much more about Beth and see her character develop and evolve over the passage of time. I also hope the perpetrator is as twisted and intriguing as he was here.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
December 1, 2018
For some reason I just could not get into this book. It felt slow and drawn out and I could not connect with any of the characters. I thought maybe it was because I was tired on the first day I started it so I put it down and picked it back up the next day and still just could not get into it.
A man is kidnapping people to be his angels and he is the dragon master. He led a bad childhood with a monster of a mother which you do know from the beginning so it is not a spoiler. Even though I love police procedurals and psychological thrillers, there was just something lacking here and can't quite figure out what it was.
A man is kidnapping people to be his angels and he is the dragon master. He led a bad childhood with a monster of a mother which you do know from the beginning so it is not a spoiler. Even though I love police procedurals and psychological thrillers, there was just something lacking here and can't quite figure out what it was.
December 5, 2018
Some of you may be familiar with Graham Smith’s other brilliant series featuring Jake Boulder. If you’re not, please go forth and fix the error of your ways or I may just have to stop talking to you 😉. Now though, Graham Smith has decided to walk a different path with a new crime police procedural.
The Silent Dead introduces us to Beth Young, who has just recently started working at the Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT). Beth is indeed young, determined and ambitious. Spurred on by the scars she carries herself, her main focus is justice for the victims and their families whose lives have been changed forever because of a crime.
When the body of a man is found in a derelict mansion, Beth and the rest of the FMIT team face an uphill battle. Who is the victim? Why was his body left in this particular place? What did he do that could possibly warrant such an incredibly gruesome death? Like seriously! This is one of those times where I curse my vivid imagination! Anyway, it becomes clear quite early on that the killer has a plan and they won’t stop until their mission is completed.
The investigation is an utterly frustrating one, a feeling I very much shared with the team. I wasn’t able to connect the dots at all and was left to think I was missing vital clues somewhere. But Beth has an uncanny way of thinking slightly out of the box, which is pretty admirable. Despite that, I didn’t really like her all that much, although I can’t quite put my finger on the why. That said though, I really enjoyed following a character at the start of their career as opposed to an experienced and often disillusioned DI.
The Silent Dead has a great plot and crisp writing, as I’ve come to expect from Graham Smith. Tense and compelling, it creates the perfect foundation for a brand-new series and is an exciting and brilliant first instalment. Beth has a rather different background than most of the detectives we tend to meet in this genre and it will be interesting to see how that develops. If at all. I can’t wait to see where Graham Smith takes Beth and this series next.
The Silent Dead introduces us to Beth Young, who has just recently started working at the Force Major Investigation Team (FMIT). Beth is indeed young, determined and ambitious. Spurred on by the scars she carries herself, her main focus is justice for the victims and their families whose lives have been changed forever because of a crime.
When the body of a man is found in a derelict mansion, Beth and the rest of the FMIT team face an uphill battle. Who is the victim? Why was his body left in this particular place? What did he do that could possibly warrant such an incredibly gruesome death? Like seriously! This is one of those times where I curse my vivid imagination! Anyway, it becomes clear quite early on that the killer has a plan and they won’t stop until their mission is completed.
The investigation is an utterly frustrating one, a feeling I very much shared with the team. I wasn’t able to connect the dots at all and was left to think I was missing vital clues somewhere. But Beth has an uncanny way of thinking slightly out of the box, which is pretty admirable. Despite that, I didn’t really like her all that much, although I can’t quite put my finger on the why. That said though, I really enjoyed following a character at the start of their career as opposed to an experienced and often disillusioned DI.
The Silent Dead has a great plot and crisp writing, as I’ve come to expect from Graham Smith. Tense and compelling, it creates the perfect foundation for a brand-new series and is an exciting and brilliant first instalment. Beth has a rather different background than most of the detectives we tend to meet in this genre and it will be interesting to see how that develops. If at all. I can’t wait to see where Graham Smith takes Beth and this series next.
October 18, 2018
The Darling Dead is the first book in the Detective Beth Young series. The author isn't new to writing books in a crime series already having two other great ones under his belt. This is his first one though with a leading female protagonist and as with all of the authors books, it has been done with care and great skill.
Beth is the rookie of the crime team but apart from a few teething problems at the start, she certainly earns her place to be part of it. She has her own demons to battle but is made of stern stuff and I enjoyed seeing how the rest of the team start to appreciate having her around.
The murders are extremely twisted and have to say I was absolutely gripped as we see the killer choosing their victims. It sure does get the adrenaline pumping making me want to scream and shout to the characters to tell them to watch out.
The Darling Dead is a sophisticated and gripping read that will send your heart racing. This is an author who knows exactly what a crime fan expects from a book and he delivers every time. A thrilling and twisted read and no better way to kick off a brand new crime series.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Beth is the rookie of the crime team but apart from a few teething problems at the start, she certainly earns her place to be part of it. She has her own demons to battle but is made of stern stuff and I enjoyed seeing how the rest of the team start to appreciate having her around.
The murders are extremely twisted and have to say I was absolutely gripped as we see the killer choosing their victims. It sure does get the adrenaline pumping making me want to scream and shout to the characters to tell them to watch out.
The Darling Dead is a sophisticated and gripping read that will send your heart racing. This is an author who knows exactly what a crime fan expects from a book and he delivers every time. A thrilling and twisted read and no better way to kick off a brand new crime series.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
December 25, 2018
Originally titled The Darling Dead, this is the first in a new series about a new Detective Constable called Beth Young, set in England’s Lake District, by an author who is new to me. With so many police procedural series out there, you need a point of difference, and this has two: instead of a seasoned middle aged detective, we have a young woman at the start of her career, and instead of the omnipresent emotional scars, Beth’s are physical, her damaged face the result of an injury that left her determined to seek justice for others.
In her first week on the Force Major Investigation Team, DC Young and her boss, the fierce DI O’Dowd, land the case of a body found in the cellar of a disintegrating stately home, whose bizarre staging suggests that this is not the first victim. As more “tributes” are found, the team are under pressure from above, and the media, to catch the “Dragon Master”, before he kills again, but what links the different victims and who will be next?
In some ways a classic serial killer thriller, this is certainly not for the squeamish, as the villain uses one of the most horrific methods I have ever read about to murder his victims, and there is also an incredibly gory autopsy scene. I liked the way Beth is shown to be smart but not infallible, and how the other team members, each struggling with their own problems, come to accept and respect her out of the box thinking.
The writing is brilliant, with some excellent turns of phrase and descriptions of people and places. In hindsight I think the killer was revealed a little early, although the obfuscation by introducing another stalker confused me just enough for it to still be a surprise. I like this traditional third person past narration with multiple POVs as it doesn’t distract from the plot. I also enjoyed the relationship between Beth and her DI.
My main criticism is with the title and the cover image - I think the publisher has missed an opportunity to make this really stand out by not featuring a dragon or fire motif on the cover, instead of the pleasant but bland blue lake scene, and the book would also benefit from a more dramatic name. While I’m sick of the shadowed or back view figure seen on so many covers nowadays, a winged figure against a backdrop of fire could look brilliant.
Still, I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more of Beth’s adventures. 4.5 rounded up for effective writing and an original heroine.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. The Silent Dead is available now.
In her first week on the Force Major Investigation Team, DC Young and her boss, the fierce DI O’Dowd, land the case of a body found in the cellar of a disintegrating stately home, whose bizarre staging suggests that this is not the first victim. As more “tributes” are found, the team are under pressure from above, and the media, to catch the “Dragon Master”, before he kills again, but what links the different victims and who will be next?
In some ways a classic serial killer thriller, this is certainly not for the squeamish, as the villain uses one of the most horrific methods I have ever read about to murder his victims, and there is also an incredibly gory autopsy scene. I liked the way Beth is shown to be smart but not infallible, and how the other team members, each struggling with their own problems, come to accept and respect her out of the box thinking.
The writing is brilliant, with some excellent turns of phrase and descriptions of people and places. In hindsight I think the killer was revealed a little early, although the obfuscation by introducing another stalker confused me just enough for it to still be a surprise. I like this traditional third person past narration with multiple POVs as it doesn’t distract from the plot. I also enjoyed the relationship between Beth and her DI.
My main criticism is with the title and the cover image - I think the publisher has missed an opportunity to make this really stand out by not featuring a dragon or fire motif on the cover, instead of the pleasant but bland blue lake scene, and the book would also benefit from a more dramatic name. While I’m sick of the shadowed or back view figure seen on so many covers nowadays, a winged figure against a backdrop of fire could look brilliant.
Still, I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more of Beth’s adventures. 4.5 rounded up for effective writing and an original heroine.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. The Silent Dead is available now.
December 3, 2018
The Silent Dead is the first book in a new crime police procedure series, written by Graham Smith, and what a fantastic start to the series it turned out to be. From the opening chapter where a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner in a crumbling castle in the hills of the Lake District the author draws you in with an atmospheric setting and a crime scene that is gristly to say the least. This book felt much darker and far more sinister than some crime thrillers I’ve read recently and personally that’s the way I like them. Graham Smith has written a crime thriller that has it all, red herrings misdirection, mystery, and bundles of suspense.
A new crime series always has to put some emphasis on the team, how else are you going to get to know them? Like any regular team, there is friction and disharmony, but when the chips are down or in this case when the team is caught up in a frantic search to catch a killer they pull together, and I’m interested to see how there characters will evolve over the series. I especially found Beth Young an intriguing character, she’s the youngest member of the team so she finds herself constantly trying to prove to her superiors she’s a valuable and worthy addition to the team.
It never fails to amaze me how authors come up with such ingenious methods of killing off their victims, and Graham Smith has created some very dark and macabre scenes, what a twisted mind this author must have, his methods and vivid description are enough to make the most hardened crime thriller lover have nightmares, me included! And a word of warning perhaps read the autopsy scenes on a empty stomach, there fascinating in there own right but very gory to say the least.
The short chapters told from two unknown voices add tension to the overall read, the author gives a chilling insight into the Killers thoughts and motives, you get a sense of how disturbed the killer actually is as he experiments and refines his methods of killing with each victim he takes, spine chilling to say the least! The Silent Dead is a brilliant start to this new series it’s well written, with a gory, fast paced plot. I for one would buy the next book in the series without hesitation.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
A new crime series always has to put some emphasis on the team, how else are you going to get to know them? Like any regular team, there is friction and disharmony, but when the chips are down or in this case when the team is caught up in a frantic search to catch a killer they pull together, and I’m interested to see how there characters will evolve over the series. I especially found Beth Young an intriguing character, she’s the youngest member of the team so she finds herself constantly trying to prove to her superiors she’s a valuable and worthy addition to the team.
It never fails to amaze me how authors come up with such ingenious methods of killing off their victims, and Graham Smith has created some very dark and macabre scenes, what a twisted mind this author must have, his methods and vivid description are enough to make the most hardened crime thriller lover have nightmares, me included! And a word of warning perhaps read the autopsy scenes on a empty stomach, there fascinating in there own right but very gory to say the least.
The short chapters told from two unknown voices add tension to the overall read, the author gives a chilling insight into the Killers thoughts and motives, you get a sense of how disturbed the killer actually is as he experiments and refines his methods of killing with each victim he takes, spine chilling to say the least! The Silent Dead is a brilliant start to this new series it’s well written, with a gory, fast paced plot. I for one would buy the next book in the series without hesitation.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
November 30, 2018
DC Beth Young has only been with the Force Major Investigation Team for a week before she got her first murder case. This is not just some ordinary run of the mill killing. The body of a man was found in a derelict building with a burned mouth and wings on his back. Beth believes this killing is the beginning of something much much bigger and much more sinister than anyone realizes. A killer is on the loose, one that Beth believes is just getting started. When the body count starts to rise and the FMIT is no closer to catching the killer, Beth is left trying to decipher the clues before anyone else turned up dead. But now, Beth has captured the attention of the killer. Will Beth be able to stop him before she becomes the next victim?
The Silent Dead is the first book in the Detective Beth Young series and it starts out with a bang as you are thrust right smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Beth is the youngest detective on the FMIT and she sees clues and has a knack for picking up things others may have missed. But, not everyone on the team is happy with her being on the FMIT which makes Beth’s job just a little bit harder. She wants to be accepted as an integral member of the team, but in order to do so, she needs to keep her head in the game while making sure she does not screw up and become the butt of any more office jokes.
Beth is one tough cookie though. She is scarred both on the inside and outside and she does not cower easily. I love a female protagonist that can hold her own especially in a field primarily dominated by men. But, Beth does have some issues for me. At times, I wished she would have spoken up more, bu then again as the newest member of the team I can see how she did not want to muddy the waters. Beth is very smart and thinks out of the box. She looks at things as if they were a puzzle as she slowly puts together the pieces. I found her to be a great asset to the team. We do learn some of her backstory which I am sure will be further explained in later books in the series. I am really looking forward to learning more about Beth.
The plot of the story is pretty original. It is quite gory though, which I absolutely loved. The narrative is primarily told through Beth’s eyes, but we do get chapters dedicated to the killer where we get to learn more about him as well. I love when an author takes the time to include a killers thought and actions as it makes the book even more sinister. Graham Smith has penned an imaginative story centered around our killer and this is where the book really shined for me. This killer is completely deranged. The things he does is utterly shocking and made me squirm quite a few times.
While I loved the story, I did have a few issues with the overly descriptive text and felt that a few things could have been left out, but in no way did it take away from my enjoyment as a whole. I will definitely be continuing on with this series as Smith is a brilliant writer and holds nothing back and brings new meaning to the creep factor. I just love a story that can make me go “oh ewww,” while secretly enjoying every minute of it.
The Silent Dead is a riveting and intoxicating police procedural that takes the creep factor and kicks it up a notch. If you love a thriller/police procedural with just the right amount of gore and mystery then you will love The Silent Dead. I highly recommend you pick yourself up a copy and immerse yourself into the mind of madness.
The Silent Dead is the first book in the Detective Beth Young series and it starts out with a bang as you are thrust right smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation. Beth is the youngest detective on the FMIT and she sees clues and has a knack for picking up things others may have missed. But, not everyone on the team is happy with her being on the FMIT which makes Beth’s job just a little bit harder. She wants to be accepted as an integral member of the team, but in order to do so, she needs to keep her head in the game while making sure she does not screw up and become the butt of any more office jokes.
Beth is one tough cookie though. She is scarred both on the inside and outside and she does not cower easily. I love a female protagonist that can hold her own especially in a field primarily dominated by men. But, Beth does have some issues for me. At times, I wished she would have spoken up more, bu then again as the newest member of the team I can see how she did not want to muddy the waters. Beth is very smart and thinks out of the box. She looks at things as if they were a puzzle as she slowly puts together the pieces. I found her to be a great asset to the team. We do learn some of her backstory which I am sure will be further explained in later books in the series. I am really looking forward to learning more about Beth.
The plot of the story is pretty original. It is quite gory though, which I absolutely loved. The narrative is primarily told through Beth’s eyes, but we do get chapters dedicated to the killer where we get to learn more about him as well. I love when an author takes the time to include a killers thought and actions as it makes the book even more sinister. Graham Smith has penned an imaginative story centered around our killer and this is where the book really shined for me. This killer is completely deranged. The things he does is utterly shocking and made me squirm quite a few times.
While I loved the story, I did have a few issues with the overly descriptive text and felt that a few things could have been left out, but in no way did it take away from my enjoyment as a whole. I will definitely be continuing on with this series as Smith is a brilliant writer and holds nothing back and brings new meaning to the creep factor. I just love a story that can make me go “oh ewww,” while secretly enjoying every minute of it.
The Silent Dead is a riveting and intoxicating police procedural that takes the creep factor and kicks it up a notch. If you love a thriller/police procedural with just the right amount of gore and mystery then you will love The Silent Dead. I highly recommend you pick yourself up a copy and immerse yourself into the mind of madness.
Read
November 28, 2018Who can tame the Dragon Master?
"Whatever demons were haunting this killer needed to be contained, preferably by a lengthy confinement at Her Magesty's pleasure."
The first victim was found in a cellar. DC Beth Young, newly assigned to the Force Major Investigation Team in Cumbria, is horrified by what she sees -- wings glued to the dead man's back and a scorched mouth. Under the direction of DI Zoe Dowd along with DS Thompson and DC Unthank, this team begins an intense investigation even as the body count goes up. With few clues left behind by the forensically aware killer, all are aware that they have a diabolical mastermind intent on a mission. The manhunt is extensive with the FMIT running down every possible lead in hopes of bringing the psychopath to justice. NO SPOILERS.
What a great start to a new series! I love crime thrillers with all the grisly details, great police work and unique characters. This case was quite absorbing and there was lots of action along with the description of the tedious nature of chasing down every possible angle. Putting the jigsaw puzzle together is something that DC Beth Young excels at. She is very relatable and has a great backstory and I can't wait to see how she grows in her job as the series continues. I was quite pleased that there was no romantic angle in the story! The team is forming strong bonds and are becoming multi-dimensional as well. I enjoyed the quality writing, especially as the author has quite a humorous turn of phrase at times. Since the reader also reads the point of view of the killer, the motivations behind the psychopathology become known to us long before the FMIT piece it all together. This author was previously unknown to me but I definitely will be most eager to read the second book in this series and have no doubts I will devour it as quickly as I did this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
"Whatever demons were haunting this killer needed to be contained, preferably by a lengthy confinement at Her Magesty's pleasure."
The first victim was found in a cellar. DC Beth Young, newly assigned to the Force Major Investigation Team in Cumbria, is horrified by what she sees -- wings glued to the dead man's back and a scorched mouth. Under the direction of DI Zoe Dowd along with DS Thompson and DC Unthank, this team begins an intense investigation even as the body count goes up. With few clues left behind by the forensically aware killer, all are aware that they have a diabolical mastermind intent on a mission. The manhunt is extensive with the FMIT running down every possible lead in hopes of bringing the psychopath to justice. NO SPOILERS.
What a great start to a new series! I love crime thrillers with all the grisly details, great police work and unique characters. This case was quite absorbing and there was lots of action along with the description of the tedious nature of chasing down every possible angle. Putting the jigsaw puzzle together is something that DC Beth Young excels at. She is very relatable and has a great backstory and I can't wait to see how she grows in her job as the series continues. I was quite pleased that there was no romantic angle in the story! The team is forming strong bonds and are becoming multi-dimensional as well. I enjoyed the quality writing, especially as the author has quite a humorous turn of phrase at times. Since the reader also reads the point of view of the killer, the motivations behind the psychopathology become known to us long before the FMIT piece it all together. This author was previously unknown to me but I definitely will be most eager to read the second book in this series and have no doubts I will devour it as quickly as I did this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
March 21, 2019
So I am sharing my day with some fantastic bloggers so make sure you check out their reviews too! I also have a bit of confession, I had plans to have this book finished over the weekend, but it was my daughters brithday and then she got poorly and I was shattered and fell asleep with the kindle in my hand by 7pm! All my plans for a relaxing evening went out the window! I am near the end so this will be a mini review for now, my apologies to the Graham and Noelle.
So I have been “shouted” shall I say from a fellow blogger (Eva, she is going to disown me soon ahem!) that I have not read Graham’s other series of Jack Boulder, so this a complete introduction to the author and the series. Wow!!! This man can write (obviously), the words flowed and I was hooked from the opening scenes.
The main voice of the book is DC Beth Young, however through the short snappy chapters, there are two unknown chilling male voices. One the women find as a creep looking for his angels, and one where the women want to through themselves at him, but both so sinister.
We have a gruesome start and it is not how everyone pictures their wedding day! Finding a body, a murdered man, and then we meet the team. Beth is an intelligent and observant woman, trying to find her place in her new team of FMIT. Her boss DI Zoe O’Dowd (fab name by the way!), is basically a ball breaker and it was refreshing to see two women lead the way. You have DS Thompon and DC Unthank both with their flaws, however, this team works. The way Beth’s brain works, how she sees things and interprets them was fascinating to see her thought process. I love police procedural books as I have said before, I love seeing the “behind the scenes” and how the team works together, working the clues.
Time is of the essence in this book as I was racing to find out what was going on, trying to figure out who these unknown voices were, but at the same time a little nervous to discover who it is! Peeking out behind the cushions and listening to the sounds in the house, is how much this had me on edge at times!
As I said this is the first book in the series, and wham bam it starts us on an intense rollercoaster of a journey and it awesome! I can not wait for the next book! I also look forward to meeting Jack too.
So I have been “shouted” shall I say from a fellow blogger (Eva, she is going to disown me soon ahem!) that I have not read Graham’s other series of Jack Boulder, so this a complete introduction to the author and the series. Wow!!! This man can write (obviously), the words flowed and I was hooked from the opening scenes.
The main voice of the book is DC Beth Young, however through the short snappy chapters, there are two unknown chilling male voices. One the women find as a creep looking for his angels, and one where the women want to through themselves at him, but both so sinister.
We have a gruesome start and it is not how everyone pictures their wedding day! Finding a body, a murdered man, and then we meet the team. Beth is an intelligent and observant woman, trying to find her place in her new team of FMIT. Her boss DI Zoe O’Dowd (fab name by the way!), is basically a ball breaker and it was refreshing to see two women lead the way. You have DS Thompon and DC Unthank both with their flaws, however, this team works. The way Beth’s brain works, how she sees things and interprets them was fascinating to see her thought process. I love police procedural books as I have said before, I love seeing the “behind the scenes” and how the team works together, working the clues.
Time is of the essence in this book as I was racing to find out what was going on, trying to figure out who these unknown voices were, but at the same time a little nervous to discover who it is! Peeking out behind the cushions and listening to the sounds in the house, is how much this had me on edge at times!
As I said this is the first book in the series, and wham bam it starts us on an intense rollercoaster of a journey and it awesome! I can not wait for the next book! I also look forward to meeting Jack too.
October 6, 2018
Chilling, atmospheric and addictive reading! This new series introducing DC Beth Young is fantastic! I can't wait to see what the author does next with Beth and the team! Set in the Lake District, the sense of place has the reader drawn in - I may not look at Cumbria in the same way again! 😱😜
I was lucky enough to beta read this novel and can say that readers are in for a real treat with this series!
I was lucky enough to beta read this novel and can say that readers are in for a real treat with this series!
October 22, 2018
A disturbing police procedural/thriller set in England's picturesque Lake District, detailing the police investigation into a series of horrific murders.
The story opens with the main character, Detective Constable Beth Young, who is in her early 20's, joining Cumbria's major crimes team. Her first job comes when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner. This gruesome discovery is soon followed by a string of other murders with more bodies discovered in derelict stately homes throughout the Lake District
Although the youngest member of the team, Beth believes she’s the only one who can decipher the clues left by the killer. Readers will need a strong stomach when they read details of these murders and the autopsies which follow, as the author outlines these and the rest of the police investigation in exhaustive detail. We learn that each victim was drugged before having bird wings carefully attached to their shoulder blades, before their mouths, throats and lungs were blasted and almost burned to cinders.
We learn something of Beth's background, especially the facial injuries following her being glassed in a pub fight when she was younger. Beth still seeks the man who caused her injuries. She seems to be on the defensive most of the time, partly because of these physical scars, but also because she is the least experienced of the police squad. Her impulsiveness leads to stern reprimands and she finds herself having to rein in her wildest theories. First, she is wary and almost dismissive of her 3 closest colleagues, but, gradually, Beth becomes almost like a social worker in helping each with their personal problems - even those of her feisty boss, the wonderfully nicknamed Dowdy O' Dowd.
Every few chapters, there are pages devoted to the thoughts and actions of two men who seem to play some part in the kidnapping and murders of the various victims. At times I found the narrative to be long-winded and it slowed the action, but the pace of the story picks up and thunders towards a thrilling climax. This is the first in a series which will feature DC Beth Young - a determined and courageous young policewoman whose investigative skills owe much to her solving of puzzles and crosswords in her off duty time.
The story opens with the main character, Detective Constable Beth Young, who is in her early 20's, joining Cumbria's major crimes team. Her first job comes when a body is found posed in a ritualistic manner. This gruesome discovery is soon followed by a string of other murders with more bodies discovered in derelict stately homes throughout the Lake District
Although the youngest member of the team, Beth believes she’s the only one who can decipher the clues left by the killer. Readers will need a strong stomach when they read details of these murders and the autopsies which follow, as the author outlines these and the rest of the police investigation in exhaustive detail. We learn that each victim was drugged before having bird wings carefully attached to their shoulder blades, before their mouths, throats and lungs were blasted and almost burned to cinders.
We learn something of Beth's background, especially the facial injuries following her being glassed in a pub fight when she was younger. Beth still seeks the man who caused her injuries. She seems to be on the defensive most of the time, partly because of these physical scars, but also because she is the least experienced of the police squad. Her impulsiveness leads to stern reprimands and she finds herself having to rein in her wildest theories. First, she is wary and almost dismissive of her 3 closest colleagues, but, gradually, Beth becomes almost like a social worker in helping each with their personal problems - even those of her feisty boss, the wonderfully nicknamed Dowdy O' Dowd.
Every few chapters, there are pages devoted to the thoughts and actions of two men who seem to play some part in the kidnapping and murders of the various victims. At times I found the narrative to be long-winded and it slowed the action, but the pace of the story picks up and thunders towards a thrilling climax. This is the first in a series which will feature DC Beth Young - a determined and courageous young policewoman whose investigative skills owe much to her solving of puzzles and crosswords in her off duty time.
December 3, 2018
First in a new series featuring DC Beth Young, a female detective joining Cumbria’s FMIT (Force Major Incident Team) The Silent Dead follows Beth and her team in their race against time to catch a brutal and disturbed killer before he strikes again.
Beth is an interesting character; a model in her teens, her passion for justice drove her to join the police, but she was still in her training period when an off-duty incident saw her left with deep facial scars, ‘ruining’ her beauty. For Beth, beauty was never something she cared about, though, and it didn’t stop her drive and ambition. Tapped for FMIT because of her puzzle-solving skills and ability to think laterally, she’s desperate to fit in. When a major case breaks in her first week, Beth dives right in, determined to prove herself.
Beth’s fear of failure is a very relatable one and it made her a character who was easy to sympathize with, but I did feel there was a bit too much ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ us her lateral thinking and ability to solve puzzles. Everything she worked out could have been done by any competent police detective tasked with the jobs she was given; I didn’t think there was anything particularly intuitive about what she did.
The crimes were gruesome and sinister, and I thoroughly enjoyed working out who the killer was; the author does throw in some red herrings along the way but as we’re given a glimpse into the killer’s mind, I worked it out well before Beth did and was waiting with bated breath for her to catch up.
An enjoyable read, but still, lacking a little in the ‘showing’ department for me. Four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Beth is an interesting character; a model in her teens, her passion for justice drove her to join the police, but she was still in her training period when an off-duty incident saw her left with deep facial scars, ‘ruining’ her beauty. For Beth, beauty was never something she cared about, though, and it didn’t stop her drive and ambition. Tapped for FMIT because of her puzzle-solving skills and ability to think laterally, she’s desperate to fit in. When a major case breaks in her first week, Beth dives right in, determined to prove herself.
Beth’s fear of failure is a very relatable one and it made her a character who was easy to sympathize with, but I did feel there was a bit too much ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ us her lateral thinking and ability to solve puzzles. Everything she worked out could have been done by any competent police detective tasked with the jobs she was given; I didn’t think there was anything particularly intuitive about what she did.
The crimes were gruesome and sinister, and I thoroughly enjoyed working out who the killer was; the author does throw in some red herrings along the way but as we’re given a glimpse into the killer’s mind, I worked it out well before Beth did and was waiting with bated breath for her to catch up.
An enjoyable read, but still, lacking a little in the ‘showing’ department for me. Four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
November 30, 2018
Ohh I really enjoyed this book so much, the plot was exceptionally good, very gruesome and totally addictive...I just could not guess at all as to the perpetrator was which for someone like me who reads a lot of thrillers makes a book really stand out. The characters were well rounded and interesting and I particularly liked O’Dowd and of course Beth and I am thrilled that this is the start of a new series, The writing was excellent and so Mr Smith please hurry up with the next book as I can’t wait. So if you want a fabulous read then I highly recommend this one I loved it. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read the ARC so I could give my honest opinion.
August 22, 2019
Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
Originally titled The Darling Dead this will be my first Graham Smith book and first read of 2019 and what a good read it was.
We follow Detective Constable Beth Young in her first week with the Force Major Investigation Team based in Cumbria in the Lake District.
I wont give any spoilers away here but the story zips along at a fantastic pace.
The book is well written and all the main Characters are well fleshed out you really get to know them so some very good world building.
The killer is well thought out and we really get a good insight to why he has taking this path the lake District is well described and you feel as if you were there.
For a new series its a very strong start and look forward to the next book.
Well worth your time and money.
Originally titled The Darling Dead this will be my first Graham Smith book and first read of 2019 and what a good read it was.
We follow Detective Constable Beth Young in her first week with the Force Major Investigation Team based in Cumbria in the Lake District.
I wont give any spoilers away here but the story zips along at a fantastic pace.
The book is well written and all the main Characters are well fleshed out you really get to know them so some very good world building.
The killer is well thought out and we really get a good insight to why he has taking this path the lake District is well described and you feel as if you were there.
For a new series its a very strong start and look forward to the next book.
Well worth your time and money.
November 18, 2018
Ohh I really enjoyed this book so much, the plot was exceptionally good, very gruesome and totally addictive...I just could not guess at all as to the perpetrator was which for someone like me who reads a lot of thrillers makes a book really stand out. The characters were well rounded and interesting and I particularly liked O’Dowd and of course Beth and I am thrilled that this is the start of a new series, The writing was excellent and so Mr Smith please hurry up with the next book as I can’t wait. So if you want a fabulous read then I highly recommend this one I loved it. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a chance to read the ARC so I could give my honest opinion.
February 1, 2019
Truly wonderful kept saying eh what all the way through it due to thinking it was one person then the other then back to the first without actually knowing who they were. Gripped all the way through
December 25, 2018
The first book in a new series is always a bit of a challenge. You have to get to know all the recurring characters and you have to concentrate on the story.
The main character here is DC Beth Young. What stood out was that she was so young and new to the team but she was also the most mature and clever of the group. It felt a bit strange to me. The way she acted was superb and would have suited the title of DI better.
But nevertheless, I really enjoyed the book. I love psychological thrillers, but I also like police procedurals. I am fascinated by the way the story unravels and the work needed to complete the puzzle and to finally put the culprit behind bars. It's not a fast paced story, but little by little the steady stream changes into a rapid one.
I am looking forward to getting to know Young Beth a lot better and I hope she will become a DI soon, leading her own team.
It's always a joy to see that more and more female detectives become leading ladies. 4 stars.
Thank you, Graham Smith, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
The main character here is DC Beth Young. What stood out was that she was so young and new to the team but she was also the most mature and clever of the group. It felt a bit strange to me. The way she acted was superb and would have suited the title of DI better.
But nevertheless, I really enjoyed the book. I love psychological thrillers, but I also like police procedurals. I am fascinated by the way the story unravels and the work needed to complete the puzzle and to finally put the culprit behind bars. It's not a fast paced story, but little by little the steady stream changes into a rapid one.
I am looking forward to getting to know Young Beth a lot better and I hope she will become a DI soon, leading her own team.
It's always a joy to see that more and more female detectives become leading ladies. 4 stars.
Thank you, Graham Smith, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
October 28, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Darling Dead, the first novel to feature DC Beth Young of the Cumbrian Police.
When a body is discovered, burned and adorned with bird’s wings, the Cumbrian FMIT (Force Major Incident Team) know they have a problem which only gets worse as more bodies are found. For new start and lateral thinker, Beth Young, it is a steep learning curve.
The Darling Dead has an interesting premise but the execution didn’t hold my attention and I didn’t hear its siren call when I put it down. It is mostly told from Beth and the investigation’s point of view but there are two other unnamed voices, designed, I think, to muddy the waters and initially it works as it is difficult to differentiate between them. It wasn’t long, however, before I had the killer identified and as the motive was not kept secret the novel becomes more about waiting for the police to catch up and stop the spree. Personally I feel it would have been a much more interesting read if the author had stuck to Beth’s narrative alone as it would have provided more twists and tension. I didn’t find the psychology of the other voices particularly strong or convincing.
It’s a bit of a cliché that Beth, as the new recruit to a team of experienced detectives, seems to be the only one capable of making the intuitive leaps and links required to progress the case. Much is made of her love of puzzles and her dedication to justice for the victims but still ...
I found the writing style not to my taste either, full of over explanation which detracts from the momentum.
The Darling Dead is a solid read which simply didn’t capture my attention or fire my imagination.
When a body is discovered, burned and adorned with bird’s wings, the Cumbrian FMIT (Force Major Incident Team) know they have a problem which only gets worse as more bodies are found. For new start and lateral thinker, Beth Young, it is a steep learning curve.
The Darling Dead has an interesting premise but the execution didn’t hold my attention and I didn’t hear its siren call when I put it down. It is mostly told from Beth and the investigation’s point of view but there are two other unnamed voices, designed, I think, to muddy the waters and initially it works as it is difficult to differentiate between them. It wasn’t long, however, before I had the killer identified and as the motive was not kept secret the novel becomes more about waiting for the police to catch up and stop the spree. Personally I feel it would have been a much more interesting read if the author had stuck to Beth’s narrative alone as it would have provided more twists and tension. I didn’t find the psychology of the other voices particularly strong or convincing.
It’s a bit of a cliché that Beth, as the new recruit to a team of experienced detectives, seems to be the only one capable of making the intuitive leaps and links required to progress the case. Much is made of her love of puzzles and her dedication to justice for the victims but still ...
I found the writing style not to my taste either, full of over explanation which detracts from the momentum.
The Darling Dead is a solid read which simply didn’t capture my attention or fire my imagination.
February 16, 2019
GNa The Silent Dead, working title The Darling Dead, is an excellent British police procedural novel. Set in the Lake District and small English towns bordering Scotland, our intrepid DC Beth Young has just transferred from CID to the elite FMIT or Force Major Investigation Team. Beth has been an interesting part of Graham Smith's prior characters and in this one he refines her personality and lets her grow.
Beth's immediate supervisor in FMIT is DI Zoe O'Dowd and together they make a good team. Beth's first case, appearing during her first week with FMIT, is a naked dead man postured in the basement of a derelict manor house, Arthuret Hall, standing between Longtown and Brampton. In his mid-40's, this victim has had his scapulas exposed and scraped clean and bird wings have been glued to the bone, and the mouth and tongue have been burned.
Beth and O'Dowd have only just caught their breath on this crime when more bodies are found in the basement of another abandoned and ramshackled manor house, Carleton Hall, each bearing the same alteration to the bone in their shoulder blades and actual bird wings glued to the bone, the mouth and tongue severely burned.
We have occasional input from the culprit, 'the man with the false name', as the story unfolds but though they better define this man, they don't help much with the mystery. And it is a mystery solved tidily by Beth and O'Dowd, but hidden until very late in the book.
I enjoyed the characters and the smoothly escalating tension in The Silent Dead very much, and can happily recommend it to friends and family.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Graham Smith, and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 30, 2018
Bookouture
NOt available at B&N
Beth's immediate supervisor in FMIT is DI Zoe O'Dowd and together they make a good team. Beth's first case, appearing during her first week with FMIT, is a naked dead man postured in the basement of a derelict manor house, Arthuret Hall, standing between Longtown and Brampton. In his mid-40's, this victim has had his scapulas exposed and scraped clean and bird wings have been glued to the bone, and the mouth and tongue have been burned.
Beth and O'Dowd have only just caught their breath on this crime when more bodies are found in the basement of another abandoned and ramshackled manor house, Carleton Hall, each bearing the same alteration to the bone in their shoulder blades and actual bird wings glued to the bone, the mouth and tongue severely burned.
We have occasional input from the culprit, 'the man with the false name', as the story unfolds but though they better define this man, they don't help much with the mystery. And it is a mystery solved tidily by Beth and O'Dowd, but hidden until very late in the book.
I enjoyed the characters and the smoothly escalating tension in The Silent Dead very much, and can happily recommend it to friends and family.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Graham Smith, and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date Nov 30, 2018
Bookouture
NOt available at B&N
May 4, 2019
Admittedly, I only listened to two and a half hours of the audiobook, but couldn’t get interested in it at all. The main character began to annoy me, for some unknown reason, and the tone of the writing I found occasionally pedantic.
I read detective novels for pure enjoyment. I don’t need lessons in police procedures and crime statistics.
I read detective novels for pure enjoyment. I don’t need lessons in police procedures and crime statistics.
December 28, 2018
Not so very long ago, I read Graham’s series featuring DI Harry Evans and I really, really enjoyed it. When I heard that he was not only due to release a new book but that it would be the first book in a new series, I just knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. Before I even started reading, I just knew that I would thoroughly enjoy ‘The Silent Dead’. I was not to be disappointed either because I totally flipping well loved ‘The Silent Dead’ but more about that in a bit.
In Detective Constable Beth Young, Cumbria Police has one of the brightest and most promising female detectives I have come across in a very long time. Beth is a dedicated police officer and she seems to have a keen gut instinct or ‘copper’s nose’ as some might call it. She is given the opportunity to join a high profile team and she is determined that she is going to make a success of it. However, she gets off to a bit of a bumpy start but I knew that once she found her feet and felt a bit more sure of herself, she would be a huge asset to the team. There are a couple of people who rub her up the wrong way but she tries not to let it show. I couldn’t help but take to Beth from the first moment I met her. She’s feisty, kind, patient, tough, strong, determined, compassionate, tactful and the kind of person that you would want fighting your corner. She’s ready with a cup of tea and a shoulder to cry on should you need it and if ever you need something or help then Beth would be one of the first to come to your aid. If I had one teeny criticism of her (it is only teensy) it would be the fact that she doesn’t speak up for herself to start with but I was sure that as time went on and she found her feet in the team, Beth would grow in confidence and she would feel more able to speak up for herself. Beth has a lot to learn but she also has a lot to offer the team.
Oh my giddy aunt, I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind when I started to read the book. The author has a canny writing style, which grabs your attention from the beginning and he reels you in much as a fisherman would do with a catch. Before you realise what is happening, you are hooked on the story and you can’t stop reading. That’s what happened to me anyway. For me ‘The Silent Dead’ is simply unputdownable. I couldn’t bear to be parted from the book because I was so hooked on the story, the investigation and the characters. I tried to ration how much I read in one stint but that attempt was futile because I couldn��t stop reading. The pages turned over with increasing speed and at one point the pages were a blur as I desperately raced to the finish.
‘The Silent Dead’ is one very well written book. The author describes the investigation so vividly and realistically that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself. I even found myself interacting with the book and I would randomly throw in the odd comment and opinion on how to progress the investigation as if the characters could hear me. Get me I watch all the Law & Order franchises and I think I know it all. Ha ha.
Reading ‘The Silent Dead’ is much like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. There were also several unexpected moments that felt like a punch to the gut and left me stunned.
In short, I absolutely loved ‘The Silent Dead’. DC Beth Young has to be one of my favourite lead female detectives of all time. I can’t wait to read more in this series. I would definitely recommend this series to other readers. I thought that the DI Harry Evans series was good but in my opinion, the DC Beth Young series is even better. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
In Detective Constable Beth Young, Cumbria Police has one of the brightest and most promising female detectives I have come across in a very long time. Beth is a dedicated police officer and she seems to have a keen gut instinct or ‘copper’s nose’ as some might call it. She is given the opportunity to join a high profile team and she is determined that she is going to make a success of it. However, she gets off to a bit of a bumpy start but I knew that once she found her feet and felt a bit more sure of herself, she would be a huge asset to the team. There are a couple of people who rub her up the wrong way but she tries not to let it show. I couldn’t help but take to Beth from the first moment I met her. She’s feisty, kind, patient, tough, strong, determined, compassionate, tactful and the kind of person that you would want fighting your corner. She’s ready with a cup of tea and a shoulder to cry on should you need it and if ever you need something or help then Beth would be one of the first to come to your aid. If I had one teeny criticism of her (it is only teensy) it would be the fact that she doesn’t speak up for herself to start with but I was sure that as time went on and she found her feet in the team, Beth would grow in confidence and she would feel more able to speak up for herself. Beth has a lot to learn but she also has a lot to offer the team.
Oh my giddy aunt, I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind when I started to read the book. The author has a canny writing style, which grabs your attention from the beginning and he reels you in much as a fisherman would do with a catch. Before you realise what is happening, you are hooked on the story and you can’t stop reading. That’s what happened to me anyway. For me ‘The Silent Dead’ is simply unputdownable. I couldn’t bear to be parted from the book because I was so hooked on the story, the investigation and the characters. I tried to ration how much I read in one stint but that attempt was futile because I couldn��t stop reading. The pages turned over with increasing speed and at one point the pages were a blur as I desperately raced to the finish.
‘The Silent Dead’ is one very well written book. The author describes the investigation so vividly and realistically that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself. I even found myself interacting with the book and I would randomly throw in the odd comment and opinion on how to progress the investigation as if the characters could hear me. Get me I watch all the Law & Order franchises and I think I know it all. Ha ha.
Reading ‘The Silent Dead’ is much like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. There were also several unexpected moments that felt like a punch to the gut and left me stunned.
In short, I absolutely loved ‘The Silent Dead’. DC Beth Young has to be one of my favourite lead female detectives of all time. I can’t wait to read more in this series. I would definitely recommend this series to other readers. I thought that the DI Harry Evans series was good but in my opinion, the DC Beth Young series is even better. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 28, 2018
Graham Smith is a force to be reckoned with. When I learned he was working on a new series, I was quite excited. I had discovered his writing through the Jake Boulder books and greatly enjoyed them. A new project meant getting to know Graham Smith better.
DC Beth Young is new to the major crime team. Scarred unlike any other police officer, she has this little thing that makes her different. Her mind is wired in a way that explores crimes like puzzles and she sees things even seasoned detectives could miss. Actually, her behavior and train of thoughts could easily be those of a DI! Now, she’s is no super hero and from the start, she gets the treatment newbies have to endure to prove they belong to the top team of the police force. This balance is what makes Beth an easy character to appreciate. She’s not cocky, but she’s not a tiny innocent lamb either.
While being a woman officer is more common now than it was years ago, Beth still has a lot to do to find her place in the team. I liked the fact Graham Smith chose to let us follow a new member instead of throwing us into a world already set with personalities and dynamics fixed and ready to roll. It was refreshing to get to know everyone, from the big boss to her colleagues, through cracks coming from personal lives as well as the case they’re working on and the new eyes of a woman who may be new but is also kind and observant.
I was eager to see what the author would come up with in terms of plot. I have devoured the fast-paced Boulder series and I know he weaves intricate webs but police procedurals are made of a different skin. Graham Smith took up the challenge and this new series has everything I like in my favourite genre! The sometimes gruesome (for my fragile heart) descriptions of the dead bodies had a big impact on me, and the details put into the killer’s rituals had me so repulsively intrigued!!! I just wanted to dissect every piece of information and find my way into the culprit’s mind. Well, Beth had similar goals! The investigation was twice as intense as we both played the game, although Beth is much smarter than I am. There was a rush to find who was behind the murders, but as real life wants it, the case takes time, effort, and lots of paperwork. I loved the awful feeling coming from the urgency to protect civilians and find answers and the realistic pace used by the team to solve this massive bloody puzzle.
Cleverly scattered among the case’s days are chapters from two unnamed men related to the occurring events. They made me uncomfortable, they puzzled me, they left me feeling unsettled. Talk about an evil killer and a race against time. They sent shivers down my spine and made my blood pressure rocket!
As always, characterization is another of Graham Smith’s strong suits. Some moments took me by surprise, but I think they were essential to show Beth’s human side, as well as to remind us that having spent many years in the force doesn’t make you a cold monster, and that the shell police officers often have to use to protect themselves from the horrors they see is not as hard as they seem.
Death in the Lakes is the gripping start of a new series and I am dying to meet DC Beth Young again!
December 2, 2018
Don’t you just love it when a favourite author creates a brand sparkly new series for your reading pleasure? Since I’ve discovered Graham Smith’s writing with the brilliant Harry Evans, he’s gone on to create the fantastic Jake Boulder and now the tenacious Beth Young!!
The Silent Dead kicks off with a horrifying discovery on what should be Emily Welton’s happiest day of her life, her wedding day! And what follows leads into a dark and twisted crime thriller from Mr Smith.
I feared for all the characters once I’d read the post mortem of the first victim. I won’t spoil the shock factor for you but this is a truly unique MO which I don’t think I’ll read about ever again!!
I adore Beth, she’s eager and open to thinking outside the box so to speak. She’s a spunky new DC who is keen to impress those around her. The team around her aren’t perfect but that makes them human. I had images in my head of Unthank, Thompson and O’Dowd as they progressed through the investigation.
I love the rapport between Beth and Hewson. There is a mutual respect for each other’s thoughts and skills. Hewson soon cottoned on to Beth’s thirst to learn and explore less-than-normal avenues. I can’t wait to see this relationship develop especially given the animosity yet quiet respect between Hewson and DI O’Dowd putting Beth squarely in the position of piggy in the middle.
“He was more than just a twisted killer, he thought he was better than everyone else”
Now our killer….he is one sick individual. It’s amazing what thought patterns go through people’s heads and with this particular individual, Mr Smith has created a despicable individual with a warped taste for murder.
As with all Mr Smith’s books, I was kidnapped into the world he’d created, captivated by the investigation that faced Beth and the team. I flew through the pages on my kindle, desperate to know who was committing these horrific crimes.
I normally hate it when people say that an author’s new book is their best yet but this time I genuinely believe Mr Smith has written his darkest, most chilling crime thriller to date. I can’t recommend this book highly enough if you love your crime fiction!
The Silent Dead kicks off with a horrifying discovery on what should be Emily Welton’s happiest day of her life, her wedding day! And what follows leads into a dark and twisted crime thriller from Mr Smith.
I feared for all the characters once I’d read the post mortem of the first victim. I won’t spoil the shock factor for you but this is a truly unique MO which I don’t think I’ll read about ever again!!
I adore Beth, she’s eager and open to thinking outside the box so to speak. She’s a spunky new DC who is keen to impress those around her. The team around her aren’t perfect but that makes them human. I had images in my head of Unthank, Thompson and O’Dowd as they progressed through the investigation.
I love the rapport between Beth and Hewson. There is a mutual respect for each other’s thoughts and skills. Hewson soon cottoned on to Beth’s thirst to learn and explore less-than-normal avenues. I can’t wait to see this relationship develop especially given the animosity yet quiet respect between Hewson and DI O’Dowd putting Beth squarely in the position of piggy in the middle.
“He was more than just a twisted killer, he thought he was better than everyone else”
Now our killer….he is one sick individual. It’s amazing what thought patterns go through people’s heads and with this particular individual, Mr Smith has created a despicable individual with a warped taste for murder.
As with all Mr Smith’s books, I was kidnapped into the world he’d created, captivated by the investigation that faced Beth and the team. I flew through the pages on my kindle, desperate to know who was committing these horrific crimes.
I normally hate it when people say that an author’s new book is their best yet but this time I genuinely believe Mr Smith has written his darkest, most chilling crime thriller to date. I can’t recommend this book highly enough if you love your crime fiction!
December 4, 2018
CONTAINS VIOLENT AND GRAPHIC SCENES.
DC Beth Young has just been transferred to the prestigious FMIT unit, clever and ambitious she especially wants to impress her boss DI Zoe O’Dowd and prove that’s she meant to be there.
A body turns up at a manor house with a pair of wings attached killed in a way that even the experienced officers have never seen before.
More bodies turn up and it’s a race against time to unravel the mystery before the brutal killer claims another victim.
So this is actually my first Graham Smith novel, he’s been on my radar for a while, I even own a couple of his earlier novels that I’ve yet to read (yes, I know I have a problem!). I have also been told that this is first novel featuring a female lead character which I felt was a nice bonus!
This is a solid police procedural with plenty of red herrings, realistic characters and brutal murder. The murders themselves were unusual too, having victims with wings attached to the their backs was definitely a new one for me!
Beth is a forthright and intelligent character. A former model who ended up getting glassed in the face when she was younger but instead of that setting her back, she forged ahead to the career that she really wanted to become a police officer. She also has a problem with her mouth not being quite as quick as her brain, with a tendency to spit out words in no particular order, which happens to me occasionally!
While we get inside the characters head, Beth’s especially, her introspection tended to get a little rambly and threatened to lose my attention. Also and this is just me being picky I didn’t really appreciate the slightly lazy Liverpudlian stereotype of one or the minor characters,.i.e. we’re all troublemakers who put the word like after every sentence.
Overall The Silent Dead is a puzzling yet gruesome mystery with an interesting cast of characters that will keep you guessing until the end.
DC Beth Young has just been transferred to the prestigious FMIT unit, clever and ambitious she especially wants to impress her boss DI Zoe O’Dowd and prove that’s she meant to be there.
A body turns up at a manor house with a pair of wings attached killed in a way that even the experienced officers have never seen before.
More bodies turn up and it’s a race against time to unravel the mystery before the brutal killer claims another victim.
So this is actually my first Graham Smith novel, he’s been on my radar for a while, I even own a couple of his earlier novels that I’ve yet to read (yes, I know I have a problem!). I have also been told that this is first novel featuring a female lead character which I felt was a nice bonus!
This is a solid police procedural with plenty of red herrings, realistic characters and brutal murder. The murders themselves were unusual too, having victims with wings attached to the their backs was definitely a new one for me!
Beth is a forthright and intelligent character. A former model who ended up getting glassed in the face when she was younger but instead of that setting her back, she forged ahead to the career that she really wanted to become a police officer. She also has a problem with her mouth not being quite as quick as her brain, with a tendency to spit out words in no particular order, which happens to me occasionally!
While we get inside the characters head, Beth’s especially, her introspection tended to get a little rambly and threatened to lose my attention. Also and this is just me being picky I didn’t really appreciate the slightly lazy Liverpudlian stereotype of one or the minor characters,.i.e. we’re all troublemakers who put the word like after every sentence.
Overall The Silent Dead is a puzzling yet gruesome mystery with an interesting cast of characters that will keep you guessing until the end.
December 3, 2018
DC Beth Young has just joined the major crimes squad when a body is found but posed in a ritualistic fashion. Beth has been selected to join this team for her ability to think 'outside the box' and see connections that may not be obvious. However this crime is going to be one that is really going to test her.
As more bodies are found posed in the same sort of fashion but the killer seems to be escalating.
Parts of the story are told from the perspective of someone whose appreciation of young women is creepily categorised into his 'angels' Bearing in mind the way the bodies are styled, this sends out warning signals.There is also another 'voice' telling of horrific child abuse- is this the same voice?
I really liked Beth & the other characters on the team were interesting. I'm pleased that this is the start of a new series as it was a really good read & I'm looking forward to more.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
As more bodies are found posed in the same sort of fashion but the killer seems to be escalating.
Parts of the story are told from the perspective of someone whose appreciation of young women is creepily categorised into his 'angels' Bearing in mind the way the bodies are styled, this sends out warning signals.There is also another 'voice' telling of horrific child abuse- is this the same voice?
I really liked Beth & the other characters on the team were interesting. I'm pleased that this is the start of a new series as it was a really good read & I'm looking forward to more.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
December 1, 2018
This is the first of Graham Smith’s books that I’ve read, and I really enjoyed it.
Beth is new to the team and finds it hard to fit in at first. Her boss is firm but fair and Beth soon learns not to take things too seriously.
Her first job is the discovery of a body in a cellar in an old building, but nothing can prepare her for the way the body has been left.
All the team are shocked and realise they’ve got a really twisted killer on their hands.
More bodies are soon discovered and they’ve all been tortured and had wings attached to their backs.
Beth and the team have a race against time to find the killer, but soon one of their lives are in danger.
This is a gripping read and the final few chapters will have you racing through the pages to see how it ends.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Beth is new to the team and finds it hard to fit in at first. Her boss is firm but fair and Beth soon learns not to take things too seriously.
Her first job is the discovery of a body in a cellar in an old building, but nothing can prepare her for the way the body has been left.
All the team are shocked and realise they’ve got a really twisted killer on their hands.
More bodies are soon discovered and they’ve all been tortured and had wings attached to their backs.
Beth and the team have a race against time to find the killer, but soon one of their lives are in danger.
This is a gripping read and the final few chapters will have you racing through the pages to see how it ends.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
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