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D.I. Graves #1
The Demons Beneath
When a bloody corpse is discovered in a North London park, Detective Inspector Daniel Graves is the man tasked with finding the killer. With no clues and no suspects it seems like a dead end. Then another body turns up and this time it looks like it could be his fault. Has his investigation caused the murderer to strike again? Is he dealing with a serial killer?
As case one gets ever more complicated, a report comes in of another suspicious death but this is nothing like any other Graves has dealt with. All involved are convinced that something supernatural is to blame. A demon. Daniel is no believer but could he be wrong?
With two cases on his shoulders and the truth behind each beyond his grasp, Graves must race against time before both killers, human or otherwise, strike again.
As case one gets ever more complicated, a report comes in of another suspicious death but this is nothing like any other Graves has dealt with. All involved are convinced that something supernatural is to blame. A demon. Daniel is no believer but could he be wrong?
With two cases on his shoulders and the truth behind each beyond his grasp, Graves must race against time before both killers, human or otherwise, strike again.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2017
35 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 2, 2019
HOLY FRICKING MOLY!!!!
The End!
That is my review!! You have to read this book!! It is bloody epic! We have two stories running together throughout, one is killing people off who are linked with Glint an infamous tattooist. The second one sent chills up and down my spine, I mean Demons are real right!!
I loved meeting Graves and Charlie, I mean when someone is described as Henry Cavill, hello I am there! And when the main character is not Mr H.C but someone who is insecure about the way he looks next to his partner, well straightaway I was after this man. Graves is perfect, he is flawed, he cries, he is insecure, what is not to love because he is also pretty badass in my eyes. Charlie is the joker of the two but also fab support to Graves, he is the relief in the dark times. Then Amelia pulled in to throws of the investigation just slotted in perfectly. One thing I did love is that even though this is book one it felt established, the team already seem to be really gelled with each other and I felt like I had met them before.
I know that we had two murders to solve and they were running at the same time!!!!! All I wanted to do was to read about the haunted house! I could have easily read about that all day! But woe it is not the main element of the story like I said we have 2 murders to solve.
I really could not figure the ending of either plot, the tattooist killer I figured out near the end but the demon plot! Jesus I did not see that coming and it was dark, twisty and kind of heartbreaking but above all, bloody fantastic!!!!! And then that ending, I need a sit down after that book!! Talk about setting me up completely for the second book, gah what are you trying to do to me!!!
There is so much to say about this book! The two stories, the characters, the writing, I had chills reading in the daytime but Mr Jackson-Smart had my attention straight away. He held it for every page and now he is an author I will be keeping an eye out for without fail and this book has shot straight into my list for one of my top books of the year without fail.
I can gush about this book all day, it twists what you think you know on its head. It leads you down a garden path and when you think you might reach the door there is a sharp turn down that path to lead you elsewhere….generally somewhere dark and menacing! This is a page-turner for sure, it plays on your fears, it makes you want to be a detective and solve the puzzles in front of you and it makes you want to keep reading to make sure everyone survives the demon.
The End!
That is my review!! You have to read this book!! It is bloody epic! We have two stories running together throughout, one is killing people off who are linked with Glint an infamous tattooist. The second one sent chills up and down my spine, I mean Demons are real right!!
I loved meeting Graves and Charlie, I mean when someone is described as Henry Cavill, hello I am there! And when the main character is not Mr H.C but someone who is insecure about the way he looks next to his partner, well straightaway I was after this man. Graves is perfect, he is flawed, he cries, he is insecure, what is not to love because he is also pretty badass in my eyes. Charlie is the joker of the two but also fab support to Graves, he is the relief in the dark times. Then Amelia pulled in to throws of the investigation just slotted in perfectly. One thing I did love is that even though this is book one it felt established, the team already seem to be really gelled with each other and I felt like I had met them before.
I know that we had two murders to solve and they were running at the same time!!!!! All I wanted to do was to read about the haunted house! I could have easily read about that all day! But woe it is not the main element of the story like I said we have 2 murders to solve.
I really could not figure the ending of either plot, the tattooist killer I figured out near the end but the demon plot! Jesus I did not see that coming and it was dark, twisty and kind of heartbreaking but above all, bloody fantastic!!!!! And then that ending, I need a sit down after that book!! Talk about setting me up completely for the second book, gah what are you trying to do to me!!!
There is so much to say about this book! The two stories, the characters, the writing, I had chills reading in the daytime but Mr Jackson-Smart had my attention straight away. He held it for every page and now he is an author I will be keeping an eye out for without fail and this book has shot straight into my list for one of my top books of the year without fail.
I can gush about this book all day, it twists what you think you know on its head. It leads you down a garden path and when you think you might reach the door there is a sharp turn down that path to lead you elsewhere….generally somewhere dark and menacing! This is a page-turner for sure, it plays on your fears, it makes you want to be a detective and solve the puzzles in front of you and it makes you want to keep reading to make sure everyone survives the demon.
June 26, 2019
✨✨✨ REVIEW ✨✨ ✨
.
.
5🌟
.
.
D.I Graves is a seriously busy man 🕵️ a body is found in a park, with a gaping wound in his stomach 🔪 whilst piecing together what little evidence they have on this case; another body is called in. And this one may be the result of a demon 😈 but even in Graves's words "He firmly believed that the supernatural was folklore and stories dreamt up by people desperate to find explanations for things they could not or would not understand"
.
.
"With two cases on his shoulders and the truth behind each beyond his grasp, Graves must race against time before both killers...strike again."
.
.
This book was a true testament of an 'edge of your seat' thriller 😯 with two cases to solve there was plenty of action and suspense to cram into this 300 page thriller. To be fair, I'm sure two books could easily be made of this one, as there was plenty of content and substance to both cases.
.
.
Daniel Graves is a well rounded, likeable character. His partnership with D.I Charlie Palmer and Sergeant Amelia Harding are a perfect mix of humour in between the serious murders that are happening. I like how we were drip fed pieces of Daniels background story, it gave us more of an understanding of his character and how he came to be where he is.
.
.
The writing in this book was superb, it built up tension and kept the reader engrossed. "What would she do if there was actually something in there? She was by herself. Her screams would go unheard. She could be left dead on the floor only to be discovered by her little brother and sister hours later in a sticky puddle of her own blood, her heart wrenched out of her chest by something with fangs and claws like kitchen knives."
.
.
I would highly recommend this book if your after a thrill ride of a read which packs a punch 👍🏻 and the ending 😮😮 well I only hope the next D.I Graves thriller gets to grips with what he's found.
.
.
5🌟
.
.
D.I Graves is a seriously busy man 🕵️ a body is found in a park, with a gaping wound in his stomach 🔪 whilst piecing together what little evidence they have on this case; another body is called in. And this one may be the result of a demon 😈 but even in Graves's words "He firmly believed that the supernatural was folklore and stories dreamt up by people desperate to find explanations for things they could not or would not understand"
.
.
"With two cases on his shoulders and the truth behind each beyond his grasp, Graves must race against time before both killers...strike again."
.
.
This book was a true testament of an 'edge of your seat' thriller 😯 with two cases to solve there was plenty of action and suspense to cram into this 300 page thriller. To be fair, I'm sure two books could easily be made of this one, as there was plenty of content and substance to both cases.
.
.
Daniel Graves is a well rounded, likeable character. His partnership with D.I Charlie Palmer and Sergeant Amelia Harding are a perfect mix of humour in between the serious murders that are happening. I like how we were drip fed pieces of Daniels background story, it gave us more of an understanding of his character and how he came to be where he is.
.
.
The writing in this book was superb, it built up tension and kept the reader engrossed. "What would she do if there was actually something in there? She was by herself. Her screams would go unheard. She could be left dead on the floor only to be discovered by her little brother and sister hours later in a sticky puddle of her own blood, her heart wrenched out of her chest by something with fangs and claws like kitchen knives."
.
.
I would highly recommend this book if your after a thrill ride of a read which packs a punch 👍🏻 and the ending 😮😮 well I only hope the next D.I Graves thriller gets to grips with what he's found.
July 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this book; adding an element of the supernatural makes it a thriller with a difference. DI Daniel Graves has just moved from Derbyshire to London and boy, has he been thrown in at the deep end; he has two murder cases to investigate, one being linked to the tattoo industry and the other appears to be death by demon. I do love a bit of unexplained spookiness so I did prefer the demon case over the tattoo one, but I think it made it quite true to life for a detective to be investigating more than one case at a time.
The tattoo case is intriguing but the demon case had me completely riveted; I think you could even make a blockbuster film out of that storyline alone. Of course the police are looking for a traditional earthly explanation for the death of a person who hired a demonologist to rid their house of the ungodly presence. Whatever the cause of death, what you can't dispute is the strange goings on in the house that set the tragic chain of events in motion. I would have liked to investigate this a little further but there's so much going on in the book to capture my attention that it really was an afterthought that I felt the demon story had been left hanging a little.
There are tasty little snippets into Graves' backstory which explain why he became a policeman. It gives us a good foundation on which I expect his character will grow throughout the series. I found it a really intriguing characteristic that he's squeamish when he sees a mutilated body - how on earth will he manage to cope in the homicide department?
I always give a book extra marks when it causes me to head off to google something. In this case it was the 'Enfield haunting' - I had never even heard of it. Of course I would have only been a child when the actual events took place between 1977 and 1979 but there had been a TV show made about it in 2015 which I haven't seen but now definitely want to.
I just want to say one more thing about the book where I thought that WD Jackson-Smart very cleverly summed up the rise of social media and trolling. The demonologist turns on her iPad 'Where human beings were just as terrifying as the demons they exorcised'. Maybe think about it for a second before posting something that would hurt others; you don't want to be in league with a demon after all.
The Demons Beneath is a cracking start to a series; it's fast-paced, intriguing and unique and I can't read to read more DI Graves' investigations.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The tattoo case is intriguing but the demon case had me completely riveted; I think you could even make a blockbuster film out of that storyline alone. Of course the police are looking for a traditional earthly explanation for the death of a person who hired a demonologist to rid their house of the ungodly presence. Whatever the cause of death, what you can't dispute is the strange goings on in the house that set the tragic chain of events in motion. I would have liked to investigate this a little further but there's so much going on in the book to capture my attention that it really was an afterthought that I felt the demon story had been left hanging a little.
There are tasty little snippets into Graves' backstory which explain why he became a policeman. It gives us a good foundation on which I expect his character will grow throughout the series. I found it a really intriguing characteristic that he's squeamish when he sees a mutilated body - how on earth will he manage to cope in the homicide department?
I always give a book extra marks when it causes me to head off to google something. In this case it was the 'Enfield haunting' - I had never even heard of it. Of course I would have only been a child when the actual events took place between 1977 and 1979 but there had been a TV show made about it in 2015 which I haven't seen but now definitely want to.
I just want to say one more thing about the book where I thought that WD Jackson-Smart very cleverly summed up the rise of social media and trolling. The demonologist turns on her iPad 'Where human beings were just as terrifying as the demons they exorcised'. Maybe think about it for a second before posting something that would hurt others; you don't want to be in league with a demon after all.
The Demons Beneath is a cracking start to a series; it's fast-paced, intriguing and unique and I can't read to read more DI Graves' investigations.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
June 29, 2019
Now I am going to admit that the author of The Demons Beneath is not one I had ever come across before, nor is the premise of the book one I would normally consider to have on my reading list, but sometimes it does you good to challenge what you would normally read and throw something in to the mix, after all how else do you discover a new series that you enjoy??
DI Daniel Graves is having a really busy time. Already investigating a murder that he doesn’t seem to be able to find a motive for, he is then called in to investigate a suspicious death where the family is convinced it is the work of a demon that has been haunting their house and terrorising their children. I was with the DI in his scepticism over the existence of demons but when he starts hearing and seeing things even he is not so sure.
The author has created a great team of detectives that seem to gel well even though this is the first book. Quite often it takes a little while for the characters to form but they really do seem to be established as though they have been part of a longer standing series. Graves doubts his abilities having only just recently moved from a rural setting to that of busy London so is not really used to the brutal murders he is now witnessing but his respect and friendship with DI Charlie Palmer gets him through some of the worst moments. His mini crush on one of his sergeants just showed his human side, even though he knew he would never act on it. In fact he came to respect her and value her friendship over the course of the investigations.
With the two investigations going on at the same time I kept looking for something that linked them together other than the obvious of the Detectives investigating them… and to find out if there was a link or if I was driving myself nuts for nothing then you will have to read for yourself as I am not going to give up that spoiler.
The whole book is very well written and fast paced, with the demon elements certainly convincing the reader that there is something not right in the house. As the cases are solved the motives and culprits revealed were not what I expected and the ending of the book had me reaching for book two straight away as I couldn’t wait to see what happens next.
DI Daniel Graves is having a really busy time. Already investigating a murder that he doesn’t seem to be able to find a motive for, he is then called in to investigate a suspicious death where the family is convinced it is the work of a demon that has been haunting their house and terrorising their children. I was with the DI in his scepticism over the existence of demons but when he starts hearing and seeing things even he is not so sure.
The author has created a great team of detectives that seem to gel well even though this is the first book. Quite often it takes a little while for the characters to form but they really do seem to be established as though they have been part of a longer standing series. Graves doubts his abilities having only just recently moved from a rural setting to that of busy London so is not really used to the brutal murders he is now witnessing but his respect and friendship with DI Charlie Palmer gets him through some of the worst moments. His mini crush on one of his sergeants just showed his human side, even though he knew he would never act on it. In fact he came to respect her and value her friendship over the course of the investigations.
With the two investigations going on at the same time I kept looking for something that linked them together other than the obvious of the Detectives investigating them… and to find out if there was a link or if I was driving myself nuts for nothing then you will have to read for yourself as I am not going to give up that spoiler.
The whole book is very well written and fast paced, with the demon elements certainly convincing the reader that there is something not right in the house. As the cases are solved the motives and culprits revealed were not what I expected and the ending of the book had me reaching for book two straight away as I couldn’t wait to see what happens next.
May 12, 2019
D.I. Graves is having a busy week. Not only is he working on a murder case, he also gets another case thrown at him. This second case is not as straight-forward as the first one seems to be. There's a casualty and the culprit... is a demon. But demons don't exist, it must be a scam? Right?! Poor D.I. Graves is a bit at a loss, to be honest, and so was I. We meet the family with the demonic infestation first and let me tell you, you do not want to read those scenes when you're home alone and it's getting dark outside! I know because I did and it gave me the heebie-jeebies! But throughout the novel I never really knew what was real and what was not. Were the family members experiencing some kind of shared psychosis or was there really a demon? When the truth comes out, it's more evil than any of the theories I had in mind.
This is an action-packed thriller with horror elements, a quick, easy and absorbing read with an enjoyable main character. Although both cases are neatly wrapped up at the end, this book ends with the kind of cliffhanger that had me scurrying for the second book in the series.
I was gifted this book by Panther Publishing because I'm on the blog tour for the second book, and they wanted to make both books available to me in case I'm one of those people who needs to read series in the correct order, which I totally am, so many thanks!
This is an action-packed thriller with horror elements, a quick, easy and absorbing read with an enjoyable main character. Although both cases are neatly wrapped up at the end, this book ends with the kind of cliffhanger that had me scurrying for the second book in the series.
I was gifted this book by Panther Publishing because I'm on the blog tour for the second book, and they wanted to make both books available to me in case I'm one of those people who needs to read series in the correct order, which I totally am, so many thanks!
April 21, 2019
The guys over at Panther Publishing asked via Instagram if anyone would like to read and review a book called ‘From Inside The House’ – of course, I said yes and the book was emailed over to me to read on my Kindle. However, that is Book Two of the DI Graves series so they very kindly also sent me Book One.
My review for the blog tour on ‘From Inside The House’ isn’t due to go live until 9th July so in the meantime, here is my full review for ‘The Demons Beneath’.
Detective Inspector Daniel Graves has two cases to work on. Both are gruesome murders. One, has given no clues whatsoever and they’re picking tiny pieces together to try and form a case. The other, well, the other appears to be death by Demon. Whilst Graves doesn’t believe in the supernatural, the more they look into it, the more it seems like Demons are involved.
To read more visit my blog - https://booklovelife.blog/2019/04/21/...
Thanks x
My review for the blog tour on ‘From Inside The House’ isn’t due to go live until 9th July so in the meantime, here is my full review for ‘The Demons Beneath’.
Detective Inspector Daniel Graves has two cases to work on. Both are gruesome murders. One, has given no clues whatsoever and they’re picking tiny pieces together to try and form a case. The other, well, the other appears to be death by Demon. Whilst Graves doesn’t believe in the supernatural, the more they look into it, the more it seems like Demons are involved.
To read more visit my blog - https://booklovelife.blog/2019/04/21/...
Thanks x
September 21, 2019
With the cover and the title hinting at something that was unseen by the human eye, how could I not want to read it. The book was a police procedural, but quite an unusual one as the the way the murder victims were ripped apart, it hinted at something supernatural.
The team of brilliant detectives had me quiet giddy with anticipation as there was something calming and thorough about them. DI Daniel Graves was called to investigate the murder of a man in the park. Meanwhile, a family across town was convinced that a demon resided in their home. They called the demonologists, and someone died. Daniel and his team investigated
My first book by author WD Jackson-Smart, I was blown away by the writing. It was swift paced and kept a bowstring hold on the tension. At no point did the author let go of his control of the prose. And the aura of the demon, oh man! What can I say? It was so brilliantly done that I was like a kid following the Pied Piper of Hamelin, into the unknown void.
The suspense and the absolutely craving need to know the murderer made me feel as if I was being pulled by the demon beneath the kindle screen. And the end!! It was shocking and so far left that I couldn't even have imagined it. And there I thought I was a brilliant detective. A mini cliffhanger just perked me up to read book 2.
The team of brilliant detectives had me quiet giddy with anticipation as there was something calming and thorough about them. DI Daniel Graves was called to investigate the murder of a man in the park. Meanwhile, a family across town was convinced that a demon resided in their home. They called the demonologists, and someone died. Daniel and his team investigated
My first book by author WD Jackson-Smart, I was blown away by the writing. It was swift paced and kept a bowstring hold on the tension. At no point did the author let go of his control of the prose. And the aura of the demon, oh man! What can I say? It was so brilliantly done that I was like a kid following the Pied Piper of Hamelin, into the unknown void.
The suspense and the absolutely craving need to know the murderer made me feel as if I was being pulled by the demon beneath the kindle screen. And the end!! It was shocking and so far left that I couldn't even have imagined it. And there I thought I was a brilliant detective. A mini cliffhanger just perked me up to read book 2.
July 7, 2019
After agreeing to take part in the upcoming book tour for From Inside The House, the newest release from author W.D Jackson-Smart, I thought I'd better read book 1 from the D.I Graves series in order to familiarise myself with the characters and Panther Publishing were kind enough to send it to me.
I wasn't sure what to expect from The Demons Beneath, I'd never heard of the author but the premise definitely intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a shot and I'm glad I did ask I thought it was fab!
At first the MC D.I Daniel Graves kinda annoyed me, crippled by self doubt, constantly questioning his actions and terminally jealous of his stronger, good looking partner, I thought he was a bit of an unconvincing lead/hero but then as I read on, I realised that all those things he was feeling just made him more realistic and relatable and it was partly that which compelled me to pick the book up at every opportunity as well as the great storyline. I liked that we found out hints of Daniel's past life and I'm definitely interested in finding out more!
I really liked the secondary characters of Charlie and Amelia, they were perfect additions to Daniel's team and I'm looking forward to seeing where this next book takes them.
I wasn't sure what to expect from The Demons Beneath, I'd never heard of the author but the premise definitely intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a shot and I'm glad I did ask I thought it was fab!
At first the MC D.I Daniel Graves kinda annoyed me, crippled by self doubt, constantly questioning his actions and terminally jealous of his stronger, good looking partner, I thought he was a bit of an unconvincing lead/hero but then as I read on, I realised that all those things he was feeling just made him more realistic and relatable and it was partly that which compelled me to pick the book up at every opportunity as well as the great storyline. I liked that we found out hints of Daniel's past life and I'm definitely interested in finding out more!
I really liked the secondary characters of Charlie and Amelia, they were perfect additions to Daniel's team and I'm looking forward to seeing where this next book takes them.
September 27, 2019
DI Daniel Graves is not having a good time of it! First he’s assigned a baffling case of a tortured body found in a park, then he gets called to an address when the family think that a demon has killed someone. Will he be able to crack both cases?
The Demons Beneath is gripping and spooky police procedural that really shakes things up, blurring the lines between police procedural and horror. I love it when an author does this to create a really exciting and entertaining read.
DI Daniel Graves is an engaging character. He’s a solid hard working copper, who’s just transferred from the sleepy town of Buxton in Derbyshire to the mean streets of London. As the novel progress we get to learn a little more about his history and his insecurities, making him feel like a real fully rounded character. His partner Charlie was a bit of a mystery, good looking, funny but we don’t get to find out as much about him as Graves, which I hope to see as this series goes along.
I also thought it wasn’t too graphic, so if like me you enjoy something scary but without too much violence, I’d definitely recommend this book for you.
Now this is probably a minor thing to a lot of people but I really don’t like Americanisms in British set novels which unfortunately this novel had scattered throughout.
There is a little, I’m not going to say cliffhanger, more of an open ending, which has made me very excited for the next book.
The Demons Beneath is suspenseful and thrilling read that I just couldn’t get enough of!
The Demons Beneath is gripping and spooky police procedural that really shakes things up, blurring the lines between police procedural and horror. I love it when an author does this to create a really exciting and entertaining read.
DI Daniel Graves is an engaging character. He’s a solid hard working copper, who’s just transferred from the sleepy town of Buxton in Derbyshire to the mean streets of London. As the novel progress we get to learn a little more about his history and his insecurities, making him feel like a real fully rounded character. His partner Charlie was a bit of a mystery, good looking, funny but we don’t get to find out as much about him as Graves, which I hope to see as this series goes along.
I also thought it wasn’t too graphic, so if like me you enjoy something scary but without too much violence, I’d definitely recommend this book for you.
Now this is probably a minor thing to a lot of people but I really don’t like Americanisms in British set novels which unfortunately this novel had scattered throughout.
There is a little, I’m not going to say cliffhanger, more of an open ending, which has made me very excited for the next book.
The Demons Beneath is suspenseful and thrilling read that I just couldn’t get enough of!
September 24, 2019
Easily one of the cleverest books that I have read in a long time, this one kept me guessing from beginning to end. At first, it seemed as if there were multiple stories that would run concurrently (not unlike a police serial where they investigate multiple cases). But then the stories diverged in a very interesting manner (no spoilers), and that’s when the tension ratcheted up. It had me turning pages deep into the night, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kick Fiction Reviews. This book was written based on a complimentary, digital ARC of the book.
December 12, 2019
What do you get when a horror writer decides to mix it up and write a crime thriller? Answer = You get The Demons Beneath! And what a cracking read it was as well!
Inspector Daniel Graves (love the surname – very horror-esque sounding!) is still getting used to his new life in London. He is recently transferred from Derbyshire and is not only trying to find his feet in the city but, also with the level and type of crimes. He has two cases land on his desk, one is for a body that has just been discovered. The other is for an exorcism that has gone wrong and the demon being exorcised is supposedly the killer!
With two very different cases, Daniel and his team are stumped. they are constantly looking for a lead or lucky break. there is little evidence to go on and the leads are thin. The team are a great mix and they each bring their own style and personality to the investigation. Pressure from their superiors doesn’t make tasks any easier and this creates a sense of “time is of the essence” to the book and cases.
The author does a cracking job with the storyline and the characters. the mix of the two cases are contrasting even though both are being dealt with as murder. The demonology aspect that has been woven into the second of the two cases adds a suspense and chilling eeriness to the story and adds a great twist. The first case balances out the creepiness of the second, as it appears to be a more straightforward.
This is my first time reading anything by this author, and my first impressions are very good. being as this the first book in a series I am looking forward to reading more. My only niggle for the book is Daniel Graves repetitiveness when it comes to women that have caught his eye, yes I understand they have but I didn’t need reminding of it to the extent I did. as I said it is only a little niggle and it didn’t put me off reading the book.
The author has successfully created a wonderful twist on a genre I read quite a lot. I really like the infusion of horror and suspense into the crime thriller style of the investigation. It has a real spooky eerie feeling to the read. I thought it was quite well-paced and quite happily read this in a couple of days. I am looking forward to getting to know Graves and his team in the future book.
A wonderful crime thriller/ police procedural read that has a good twist and is a little bit different and one I would recommend.
Inspector Daniel Graves (love the surname – very horror-esque sounding!) is still getting used to his new life in London. He is recently transferred from Derbyshire and is not only trying to find his feet in the city but, also with the level and type of crimes. He has two cases land on his desk, one is for a body that has just been discovered. The other is for an exorcism that has gone wrong and the demon being exorcised is supposedly the killer!
With two very different cases, Daniel and his team are stumped. they are constantly looking for a lead or lucky break. there is little evidence to go on and the leads are thin. The team are a great mix and they each bring their own style and personality to the investigation. Pressure from their superiors doesn’t make tasks any easier and this creates a sense of “time is of the essence” to the book and cases.
The author does a cracking job with the storyline and the characters. the mix of the two cases are contrasting even though both are being dealt with as murder. The demonology aspect that has been woven into the second of the two cases adds a suspense and chilling eeriness to the story and adds a great twist. The first case balances out the creepiness of the second, as it appears to be a more straightforward.
This is my first time reading anything by this author, and my first impressions are very good. being as this the first book in a series I am looking forward to reading more. My only niggle for the book is Daniel Graves repetitiveness when it comes to women that have caught his eye, yes I understand they have but I didn’t need reminding of it to the extent I did. as I said it is only a little niggle and it didn’t put me off reading the book.
The author has successfully created a wonderful twist on a genre I read quite a lot. I really like the infusion of horror and suspense into the crime thriller style of the investigation. It has a real spooky eerie feeling to the read. I thought it was quite well-paced and quite happily read this in a couple of days. I am looking forward to getting to know Graves and his team in the future book.
A wonderful crime thriller/ police procedural read that has a good twist and is a little bit different and one I would recommend.
October 4, 2020
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
D.I Daniel Graves is in the middle of investigating a series of murders that may or may not be the work of serial killer when he is called in on a very different kind of case. An exorcism of a demon that has gone wrong and claimed the life of a husband and father. Quickly Graves finds himself drawn into the supernatural world as he tries to keep a cool head and discover the truth. After all, demons aren’t real. Are they?
I really enjoyed reading the first novel in the D.I Graves series. Both investigations were very different from each other, running concurrently and contrasting nicely. There were plenty of twists to both cases and I couldn’t see the endings coming for either of them. I did prefer the supernatural investigation and I liked how Graves kept a level head throughout his investigations. His approach was calm and logical despite the evidence that he was presented with. As his investigations continued you also got some insight into his background, why he became a policeman and some information his personal life. He is a likeable main character with some insecurities and flaws which make him all the more interesting and I look forward to learning more about him throughout the series.
The novel itself was well-paced. Everything flowed well and there wasn’t any moment of lag. There was a good balance between routine investigation and action. This is a solid first instalment and I look forward to reading further books in the series.
D.I Daniel Graves is in the middle of investigating a series of murders that may or may not be the work of serial killer when he is called in on a very different kind of case. An exorcism of a demon that has gone wrong and claimed the life of a husband and father. Quickly Graves finds himself drawn into the supernatural world as he tries to keep a cool head and discover the truth. After all, demons aren’t real. Are they?
I really enjoyed reading the first novel in the D.I Graves series. Both investigations were very different from each other, running concurrently and contrasting nicely. There were plenty of twists to both cases and I couldn’t see the endings coming for either of them. I did prefer the supernatural investigation and I liked how Graves kept a level head throughout his investigations. His approach was calm and logical despite the evidence that he was presented with. As his investigations continued you also got some insight into his background, why he became a policeman and some information his personal life. He is a likeable main character with some insecurities and flaws which make him all the more interesting and I look forward to learning more about him throughout the series.
The novel itself was well-paced. Everything flowed well and there wasn’t any moment of lag. There was a good balance between routine investigation and action. This is a solid first instalment and I look forward to reading further books in the series.
July 5, 2022
Thank you Bloodhound Books for the ARC and a welcome introduction to the new 'kid' on the block - DI Graves. A really likeable character who has a good supporting team of characters who are all interesting in their own right. All the characters are presented realistically.
This is not a short book but you don't notice it , as you eat up the pages hoping that the demons beneath stay beneath and the murders facing the police are solved. It is really well-paced and well-written making it an easy read. Suspenseful and it kept me guessing as to how it was all going to be resolved.
A good thriller for those who like police procedures mixed with elements of the supernatural; an intriguing and different combination.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
This is not a short book but you don't notice it , as you eat up the pages hoping that the demons beneath stay beneath and the murders facing the police are solved. It is really well-paced and well-written making it an easy read. Suspenseful and it kept me guessing as to how it was all going to be resolved.
A good thriller for those who like police procedures mixed with elements of the supernatural; an intriguing and different combination.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
June 30, 2022
This was a good but a bit of a creepy read. There are 2 threads that Daniel Graves has to investigate. One is the killing of people linked to the tattoo artist Glint and the other involves possible supernatural forces which results in the death of a man in front of his family.
The story flowed really well and I enjoyed it. I found the supernatural parts quite creepy and wasn't really for me but that is just me and the only reason I gave it 3 stars rather than 4. I liked the characters in the team and there was a nice teaser at the end that has me intrigued. I look forward to seeing what the next book entails.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
The story flowed really well and I enjoyed it. I found the supernatural parts quite creepy and wasn't really for me but that is just me and the only reason I gave it 3 stars rather than 4. I liked the characters in the team and there was a nice teaser at the end that has me intrigued. I look forward to seeing what the next book entails.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
July 7, 2022
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
Are demons real? That is what we examine while a death that occurred during an exorcism is investigated.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.
The dialog was well-written and some of it gave me chills.
This book had me saying "One more chapter" until I finished it in almost one sitting.
I definitely want to read more!
Are demons real? That is what we examine while a death that occurred during an exorcism is investigated.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.
The dialog was well-written and some of it gave me chills.
This book had me saying "One more chapter" until I finished it in almost one sitting.
I definitely want to read more!
June 30, 2022
D.I.Graves really had his work cut out for him in trying to solve these two cases! One Demonic and the other Tattoo related and yet following each set of twists and turns for both cases was made easy by the superb writing.
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series after the way this one ended!
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series after the way this one ended!
October 1, 2019
Thanks to Emma for my place on the blog tour and the author for a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Wow wow wow. This book was such a surprise. Blew me literally off my feet. It’s such an exhilarating ride when you come across an author you haven’t even heard of that is knocking it clean out of the park. The writing, the storytelling, clever twists and turns, and an explosive ending. Do you want to immerse yourself into a genuinely accurate but a rollercoaster ride of emotions and fear, buckle up this will leave you aching for more. Good news, the author will be releasing more in the series…YAY!
Everyone needs to read this book. Holy freaking shit! Cannot praise it enough. I loved how the story was actually two combined. Let’s face it, in real life policing D.I’s wouldn’t just be focussing on one case, but several. This brought an element of realism that I didn’t know I was missing in crime fiction. Both stories had me hooked, but I did find myself hugely immersed in the Demonic force element that had been intricately weaved into the plotline. I love all things supernatural, so I was totally here for it. The author completely nailed the genuine fear and human emotion that the family was succumbed to. Jackson-Smart weaved a web of evil and good and showed to his readers that anyone will do anything when fear and wanting to protect your family are involved. The other case was just as fascinating. Multiple murders, an apparent serial killer, mystery of missing money and dead-end leads had me slurping up this story like a starving woman. Immense.
D.I. Graves was perfect. A country bumpkin who has transferred to London, fearful of dead bodies, isn’t into gore and he feels completely out of place. Come on, a D.I. on the homicide squad in London? That isn’t usually a formula for success. He’s a bit of a loner, opting to keep to himself rather than truly making London his home. A traumatic event has shaped not only his career but how he deal with people and events as a whole. He’s a wounded character and I hope that this gets addressed in further books. Don’t count him out for second though, he’s pretty badass and I definitely wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him! When he gets that bit between his teeth, nothing will stop him solving a crime. His partner, Charlie, is the good looking one, the funny man but he keeps Graves going. He is a pillar of strength and he won’t let Graves give up. As a team they are unstoppable and the unscrupulous had better watch out! They are definitely the ying and yang to each other. Their interaction with each other is both hilarious and heart-warming. By god does Jackson-Smart know how to write characters. The end game for both cases were a mystery to me. I just couldn’t figure them out! On the one hand I thought I knew how the tattoo murders were going to swing, then it seemed ruled out and then it swung round to me thinking yeah that’s it. No, my amateurish brain needed to sit the hell down. Clever writing throughout. The author help my raptured attention from the very first page until the last. Just with this one book the author has become one of my “authors to watch.” A vivid page turner, one you won’t be able to put down. A story that will stay with you long past the last page. I love my crime thrillers dark and depraved and this has it in spades.
Wow wow wow. This book was such a surprise. Blew me literally off my feet. It’s such an exhilarating ride when you come across an author you haven’t even heard of that is knocking it clean out of the park. The writing, the storytelling, clever twists and turns, and an explosive ending. Do you want to immerse yourself into a genuinely accurate but a rollercoaster ride of emotions and fear, buckle up this will leave you aching for more. Good news, the author will be releasing more in the series…YAY!
Everyone needs to read this book. Holy freaking shit! Cannot praise it enough. I loved how the story was actually two combined. Let’s face it, in real life policing D.I’s wouldn’t just be focussing on one case, but several. This brought an element of realism that I didn’t know I was missing in crime fiction. Both stories had me hooked, but I did find myself hugely immersed in the Demonic force element that had been intricately weaved into the plotline. I love all things supernatural, so I was totally here for it. The author completely nailed the genuine fear and human emotion that the family was succumbed to. Jackson-Smart weaved a web of evil and good and showed to his readers that anyone will do anything when fear and wanting to protect your family are involved. The other case was just as fascinating. Multiple murders, an apparent serial killer, mystery of missing money and dead-end leads had me slurping up this story like a starving woman. Immense.
D.I. Graves was perfect. A country bumpkin who has transferred to London, fearful of dead bodies, isn’t into gore and he feels completely out of place. Come on, a D.I. on the homicide squad in London? That isn’t usually a formula for success. He’s a bit of a loner, opting to keep to himself rather than truly making London his home. A traumatic event has shaped not only his career but how he deal with people and events as a whole. He’s a wounded character and I hope that this gets addressed in further books. Don’t count him out for second though, he’s pretty badass and I definitely wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him! When he gets that bit between his teeth, nothing will stop him solving a crime. His partner, Charlie, is the good looking one, the funny man but he keeps Graves going. He is a pillar of strength and he won’t let Graves give up. As a team they are unstoppable and the unscrupulous had better watch out! They are definitely the ying and yang to each other. Their interaction with each other is both hilarious and heart-warming. By god does Jackson-Smart know how to write characters. The end game for both cases were a mystery to me. I just couldn’t figure them out! On the one hand I thought I knew how the tattoo murders were going to swing, then it seemed ruled out and then it swung round to me thinking yeah that’s it. No, my amateurish brain needed to sit the hell down. Clever writing throughout. The author help my raptured attention from the very first page until the last. Just with this one book the author has become one of my “authors to watch.” A vivid page turner, one you won’t be able to put down. A story that will stay with you long past the last page. I love my crime thrillers dark and depraved and this has it in spades.
July 5, 2022
Disclaimer: I received the ebook free from Bloodhound Books for an honest review.
A new detective inspector in town, finding his feet, when two cases come in at once. One involves the murder of a mechanic and the other is about a family dealing with some kind of supernatural presence in their house.
I liked the police characters and their interactions and am glad to see it will have a sequel. Following the investigations kept me interested. There is a baddie who is a nasty piece of work which is always good. A spooky element and a creepy shadowy character.
Both investigations get resolved but I thought there would be a connection between the two by the end. The only connection seems to be the police detective working both cases.
Well written and kept me entertained for a few days. An easy read and will probably read the sequel.
A new detective inspector in town, finding his feet, when two cases come in at once. One involves the murder of a mechanic and the other is about a family dealing with some kind of supernatural presence in their house.
I liked the police characters and their interactions and am glad to see it will have a sequel. Following the investigations kept me interested. There is a baddie who is a nasty piece of work which is always good. A spooky element and a creepy shadowy character.
Both investigations get resolved but I thought there would be a connection between the two by the end. The only connection seems to be the police detective working both cases.
Well written and kept me entertained for a few days. An easy read and will probably read the sequel.
June 22, 2022
"The Demons Beneath" is my first from an author I've never heard of and so glad I had the opportunity to read it, it's a fantastic read!!.
D.I Daniel Graves is investigating a series of murders that may or may not be the work of a serial killer when he's called to investigate another death which might involve something supernatural.
He's in partnership with D.I Charlie Palmer, the rapport they have is sublime and really added to the story. We're also fed details about Charlie's past which adds to the story perfectly. The ending was totally unexpected which left me open-mouthed, literally!!.
A fast-moving thriller with edge-of-your-seat situations. The writing was excellent, I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.
I believe the series is been re-released with different covers, can't wait for the next book.
Many thanks to the bloodhound ARC Facebook Group for the opportunity to review it.
D.I Daniel Graves is investigating a series of murders that may or may not be the work of a serial killer when he's called to investigate another death which might involve something supernatural.
He's in partnership with D.I Charlie Palmer, the rapport they have is sublime and really added to the story. We're also fed details about Charlie's past which adds to the story perfectly. The ending was totally unexpected which left me open-mouthed, literally!!.
A fast-moving thriller with edge-of-your-seat situations. The writing was excellent, I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.
I believe the series is been re-released with different covers, can't wait for the next book.
Many thanks to the bloodhound ARC Facebook Group for the opportunity to review it.
June 29, 2022
4 1/2 stars
October 19, 2019
Now anyone who knows me will tell you I have zero belief in the supernatural etc and I’m not easily scared by things that go bump in the night but this plot had me terrified in places.
There are two main plots to this novel. DI Graves and his partner Charlie are investigating two murders. One is from a body found in the park and all leads seem to link to an infamous character in the tattooing world. The second was apparently committed by a demon! The events of each murder unfold alternately in each chapter and although I thoroughly enjoyed them both I found myself racing through the tattoo murders to get back to the demon story. Both plots were equally thrilling but the demon murders had me holding my breath until a very unexpected and mind blowing conclusion.
The character combination of Charlie and Graves works perfectly. Graves is more serious and sensitive whilst Charlie is the joker but has a lot to learn about diplomacy. When they work together it’s a formidable combination.
Overall this novel has something for everyone. A terrifying supernatural mystery and a good old fashioned crime plot.
There are two main plots to this novel. DI Graves and his partner Charlie are investigating two murders. One is from a body found in the park and all leads seem to link to an infamous character in the tattooing world. The second was apparently committed by a demon! The events of each murder unfold alternately in each chapter and although I thoroughly enjoyed them both I found myself racing through the tattoo murders to get back to the demon story. Both plots were equally thrilling but the demon murders had me holding my breath until a very unexpected and mind blowing conclusion.
The character combination of Charlie and Graves works perfectly. Graves is more serious and sensitive whilst Charlie is the joker but has a lot to learn about diplomacy. When they work together it’s a formidable combination.
Overall this novel has something for everyone. A terrifying supernatural mystery and a good old fashioned crime plot.
May 5, 2021
Killers and demons.
Brilliant read, now starting book 2 in the
DI Greaves series
Hope there as good.
Keeping my fingers crossed and a crucifix near.lol.
Brilliant read, now starting book 2 in the
DI Greaves series
Hope there as good.
Keeping my fingers crossed and a crucifix near.lol.
June 23, 2022
A creepy, murder mystery. The first half of the book felt like a Graham Masterton novel. A demon terrorising a family, a spate of murders. For me, the book didn’t quite live up to its early promise. It provided lots of convenient twists and turns, but it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat. Thank you Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
June 22, 2022
Demons & murders - I was expecting dark demons but it was actually tame , haunting house with family and a few murders thrown in
This story had a good flow to it, characters where good , maybe more humour or interaction with each other but other otherwise I enjoyed this book &
would happily read other books from author
This story had a good flow to it, characters where good , maybe more humour or interaction with each other but other otherwise I enjoyed this book &
would happily read other books from author
June 22, 2022
An excellent start to what promises to be a exciting series. Not a run of the mill detective story, some serious unsettling twists and turns and an unforeseen ending. Looking forward to seeing how the characters develop as the series continues.
June 23, 2022
Started intense and stayed with quite a bit of action and mystery. Read like 2 stories in one so you didn't get bored with a drawn out singular plot, but it all tied nicely together. Can't wait for the next book.
June 21, 2022
A murder investigator having problems seeing dead bodies. Hilarious, I felt sorry for the guy who is a very likeable police officer. Chasing a murderer or a demon? Read it and find out, you won’t regret it.
Thanks Bloodhound Books for the opportunity.
Thanks Bloodhound Books for the opportunity.
June 21, 2022
Had me hooked from the first page. Murder mystery meets the supernatural . Book perfection .
October 5, 2019
ntroducing D.I. Daniel Graves, W.D. Jackson-Smart brings a new and exciting detective and series to the crime fiction table, in this police procedural entwined in the dark and demonic...
Dealing with not 1, but 2 cases, DI graves and his partner Charlie are busy chaps, on the hunt for a serial killer and also a demon?....
I raced through the first 30 frightening % whilst led in bed in the dark... this prompted a tweet to the publisher and author, the atmospheric feel, the descriptive writing of the demon are bang on! I'm not an easy scare and honestly I wasnt but I 100% appreciate how good this writing is and lesser hardened horror fiends than me should definitely have a pillow to hide behind and the lights on whilst reading this one!
This tale is full of tension and atmosphere. Dark and Macabre this is supernatura thriller writing at its very best.
A story that barrels along, with the two strings running, the author excellently wraps up his tale, and the demon element is fantastic.
With characters that I liked, and a great story which is different from many of the current crop being published these days, I was highly impressed with this and am going to be following DI Graves with close interest.
A Highly recommended read!
4
Dealing with not 1, but 2 cases, DI graves and his partner Charlie are busy chaps, on the hunt for a serial killer and also a demon?....
I raced through the first 30 frightening % whilst led in bed in the dark... this prompted a tweet to the publisher and author, the atmospheric feel, the descriptive writing of the demon are bang on! I'm not an easy scare and honestly I wasnt but I 100% appreciate how good this writing is and lesser hardened horror fiends than me should definitely have a pillow to hide behind and the lights on whilst reading this one!
This tale is full of tension and atmosphere. Dark and Macabre this is supernatura thriller writing at its very best.
A story that barrels along, with the two strings running, the author excellently wraps up his tale, and the demon element is fantastic.
With characters that I liked, and a great story which is different from many of the current crop being published these days, I was highly impressed with this and am going to be following DI Graves with close interest.
A Highly recommended read!
4
September 30, 2019
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This is the first book in the fantastic DI Graves series, I had actually read the second book before this one and I really want to see how the series continues now, I think it is excellent and certainly one to watch for me.
I thought that the plot was excellent, it is well researched and a really ell crafted novel that had me hooked from the outset. The author has a brilliant style of writing and it worked really well with this storyline. I liked the mix of horror that is also thrown in to the mix, and for me that makes it stand out from a very heavily populated genre.
I really enjoyed getting to know DI Daniel Graves and his team, he is an excellent character and I am really intrigued and want to find out more about his background too and what motivates and drives him.
It is 5 stars from me for this one it is an excellent start to a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish – very highly recommended!!
This is the first book in the fantastic DI Graves series, I had actually read the second book before this one and I really want to see how the series continues now, I think it is excellent and certainly one to watch for me.
I thought that the plot was excellent, it is well researched and a really ell crafted novel that had me hooked from the outset. The author has a brilliant style of writing and it worked really well with this storyline. I liked the mix of horror that is also thrown in to the mix, and for me that makes it stand out from a very heavily populated genre.
I really enjoyed getting to know DI Daniel Graves and his team, he is an excellent character and I am really intrigued and want to find out more about his background too and what motivates and drives him.
It is 5 stars from me for this one it is an excellent start to a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish – very highly recommended!!
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