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DCI Helen Lavery #3
A Deathly Silence
When the mutilated body of a police officer is found in a derelict factory, Hamptonshire force are shocked to the core. DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organized crime groups or a lone killer? As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined, and trusts no one. But Helen is facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2019
37 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Jane Isaac
45 books348 followersJane Isaac is married to a retired detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their dogs, Bollo and Digity.
Jane is author of three bestselling detective series: DCI Helen Lavery, DI Will Jackman (based in Stratford upon Avon), and DC Beth Chamberlain (a Family Liaison Officer). She also writes standalone suspense novels.
Her books have been nominated as best mystery in the 'eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards' and selected as 'Thriller of the Month' by E-thriller.com.
Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk where you can join her Readers' Club for information on new releases.
Jane is author of three bestselling detective series: DCI Helen Lavery, DI Will Jackman (based in Stratford upon Avon), and DC Beth Chamberlain (a Family Liaison Officer). She also writes standalone suspense novels.
Her books have been nominated as best mystery in the 'eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards' and selected as 'Thriller of the Month' by E-thriller.com.
Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk where you can join her Readers' Club for information on new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 9, 2020
4-5 stars
I’ve read several of Jane Isaac’s books and liked them all and this is no exception. This is the third DS Helen Lavery book but it can very easily be read as a stand-alone. Helen is a very likeable lead character as she juggles her job with her family life. She is widowed (husband was killed 10+ years ago) and she is raising her two boys with the help of her mother.
Two boys find a female body in a disused industrial building which proves to be PC Sinead O’Donnell whose husband Blane is also a police officer. Lavery and DI Pemberton and the team investigate the gruesome murder. Helen is well liked by her team, she’s very clear in her expectations and is a good leader as she is extremely competent with an analytical mind. I like the way that there is some friction between Helen and her immediate boss, Jenkins. He’s a very prickly pear and wants results yesterday. The rest of the team and very likeable especially Rosa Dark and are they are easy to picture. The book portrays the dogged nature of a police investigation extremely well.
The novel is very well written. It’s clear and concise - there are no unnecessary frills just good, solid storytelling. The plot unfolds really well and in a very natural, organic way. I felt sadness for the loss of a Sinead and sorrow that her young children will grow up without her but equally there are some big questions as it becomes clear she has been very guarded and secretive about her private life. It seems that no one really knew Sinead which I found intriguing. There is menace too as the boys who found the body are watched and then chased. As the story progresses the story becomes more twisty as there is another death and then when a suspect is revealed, it becomes quite creepy. Once the truth emerges that is a surprise which is a good thing as if the perpetrator is signposted with neon it spoils a book for me. I also like the occasional flashes of humour and how there is a mixture of investigation with Helen’s everyday life as I feel it makes it more real. I also like that the spectre of Chilli Franks (organised crime boss) from her previous investigation seems to hang over her, however, hopefully she can lay that to rest following the success of this.
Overall, a very good well written book with believable characters and a well crafted plot that kept you guessing.
I’ve read several of Jane Isaac’s books and liked them all and this is no exception. This is the third DS Helen Lavery book but it can very easily be read as a stand-alone. Helen is a very likeable lead character as she juggles her job with her family life. She is widowed (husband was killed 10+ years ago) and she is raising her two boys with the help of her mother.
Two boys find a female body in a disused industrial building which proves to be PC Sinead O’Donnell whose husband Blane is also a police officer. Lavery and DI Pemberton and the team investigate the gruesome murder. Helen is well liked by her team, she’s very clear in her expectations and is a good leader as she is extremely competent with an analytical mind. I like the way that there is some friction between Helen and her immediate boss, Jenkins. He’s a very prickly pear and wants results yesterday. The rest of the team and very likeable especially Rosa Dark and are they are easy to picture. The book portrays the dogged nature of a police investigation extremely well.
The novel is very well written. It’s clear and concise - there are no unnecessary frills just good, solid storytelling. The plot unfolds really well and in a very natural, organic way. I felt sadness for the loss of a Sinead and sorrow that her young children will grow up without her but equally there are some big questions as it becomes clear she has been very guarded and secretive about her private life. It seems that no one really knew Sinead which I found intriguing. There is menace too as the boys who found the body are watched and then chased. As the story progresses the story becomes more twisty as there is another death and then when a suspect is revealed, it becomes quite creepy. Once the truth emerges that is a surprise which is a good thing as if the perpetrator is signposted with neon it spoils a book for me. I also like the occasional flashes of humour and how there is a mixture of investigation with Helen’s everyday life as I feel it makes it more real. I also like that the spectre of Chilli Franks (organised crime boss) from her previous investigation seems to hang over her, however, hopefully she can lay that to rest following the success of this.
Overall, a very good well written book with believable characters and a well crafted plot that kept you guessing.
September 26, 2019
It’s been quite a while since I read a dedicated, full blown police procedural and having already read “Beneath the Ashes” the second in the DI Will Jackman, the other series by Jane Isaac, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.
“A Deathly Silence” is the third in the DCI Helen Lavery series and although part of a series, I didn’t have any issues reading it as a stand-alone. Though now I’ve read and took to the characters, I’d happily go back and read the first two.
If it’s a police procedural you’re looking to read you’d be hard pushed to read much better then Jane’s books as they have good, solid, likeable and very believable characters that you immediately endear to. What I liked best about this book, was the fact there was one main thread to the plot and you were able to follow it through without any complications or having to back track to try and understand what’s going on. No fillers or padding or unnecessary detail just a concise and clear plot.
Superbly written, I thought the empathy shown by the other officers after the brutal torture and murder of one of their own, very well covered and you could tell there has been an admirable amount of research carried out for the author to make everything feel authentic.
Classy, entertaining and a truly brilliant read, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of Jane Issac’s books and will certainly be reading more by her in the future.
An easy 5 stars!
“A Deathly Silence” is the third in the DCI Helen Lavery series and although part of a series, I didn’t have any issues reading it as a stand-alone. Though now I’ve read and took to the characters, I’d happily go back and read the first two.
If it’s a police procedural you’re looking to read you’d be hard pushed to read much better then Jane’s books as they have good, solid, likeable and very believable characters that you immediately endear to. What I liked best about this book, was the fact there was one main thread to the plot and you were able to follow it through without any complications or having to back track to try and understand what’s going on. No fillers or padding or unnecessary detail just a concise and clear plot.
Superbly written, I thought the empathy shown by the other officers after the brutal torture and murder of one of their own, very well covered and you could tell there has been an admirable amount of research carried out for the author to make everything feel authentic.
Classy, entertaining and a truly brilliant read, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of Jane Issac’s books and will certainly be reading more by her in the future.
An easy 5 stars!
October 15, 2019
I have read and enjoyed many Jane Isaac books but this is the first in the Helen Lavery series for me. I definitely think that this can be read as a stand alone but will be going back to read the previous books to learn more about Helen. I really enjoyed this police procedural and the main characters.
2 teenagers find the body of a woman in an abandoned factory and run for their lives. Not ;long after the body is found and the police are called. It turns out that the woman is a police officer and her body has been mutilated. DCI Helen Lavery is called back from injury leave to lead the case with her team. From all reports the victim Sinead was very well liked and a loving family woman. Who would want her dead? As the investigation progresses Helen discovers that there was more to the woman than most people knew. But then more people connected with Sinead are killed in an attempt to hide the secrets.
Helen is a great character. She is a single mother of 2 boys after her husband died. She is bringing them up with the help of her mother. She is a clear and meticulous worker and well liked by most of her peers.
Thanks to Jane Isaac and TBC on Facebook for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
2 teenagers find the body of a woman in an abandoned factory and run for their lives. Not ;long after the body is found and the police are called. It turns out that the woman is a police officer and her body has been mutilated. DCI Helen Lavery is called back from injury leave to lead the case with her team. From all reports the victim Sinead was very well liked and a loving family woman. Who would want her dead? As the investigation progresses Helen discovers that there was more to the woman than most people knew. But then more people connected with Sinead are killed in an attempt to hide the secrets.
Helen is a great character. She is a single mother of 2 boys after her husband died. She is bringing them up with the help of her mother. She is a clear and meticulous worker and well liked by most of her peers.
Thanks to Jane Isaac and TBC on Facebook for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
October 16, 2019
A DEATHLY SILENCE is the third novel in the DCI Helen Lavery Series, an excellent crime thriller/ police procedural by Jane Isaac. I feel this novel can be read as a stand-alone, but you will enjoy this novel so much, you will be reaching for the previous two books in the series, to follow up more on the characters. I am as much to blame as I have her previous two novels to read…but it won’t be for long.
The novels in the DCI Helen Lavery Series include:
An Unfamiliar Murder (Book 1)
The Truth Will Out (Book 2)
A Deathly Silence (Book3)
Two boys, Phy and Connor played hooky on the last day of school, and were sneaking around a deserted industrial factory and ventured inside. Inside they discovered a mutilated corpse, a woman propped up against the radiator. Time to run…and keep their mouths shut! They hadn’t done anything wrong except trespass.
DCI Helen Lavery had just returned to work after eight weeks following an injury on duty. She was happy to return to work and her team at the Homicide and Major Incident Squad. She is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other, as SIO on the case.
The victim is a police officer, PC Sinead O’Donnell. She was supposed to be on a yoga retreat and left early in the morning, her husband in the care of their two young children…never to return.
Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force?
Helen’s mantra was:
“Assume nothing. Believe nobody. Challenge everything.”
Time is running out and Helen must tap on all of her experience to find a twisted killer that lies closer than she thinks. She can trust no one, but must rely on her skill set to trap this killer.
An excellent crime thriller/police procedural with believable engaging characters that will appeal to a wide audience.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
The novels in the DCI Helen Lavery Series include:
An Unfamiliar Murder (Book 1)
The Truth Will Out (Book 2)
A Deathly Silence (Book3)
Two boys, Phy and Connor played hooky on the last day of school, and were sneaking around a deserted industrial factory and ventured inside. Inside they discovered a mutilated corpse, a woman propped up against the radiator. Time to run…and keep their mouths shut! They hadn’t done anything wrong except trespass.
DCI Helen Lavery had just returned to work after eight weeks following an injury on duty. She was happy to return to work and her team at the Homicide and Major Incident Squad. She is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other, as SIO on the case.
The victim is a police officer, PC Sinead O’Donnell. She was supposed to be on a yoga retreat and left early in the morning, her husband in the care of their two young children…never to return.
Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force?
Helen’s mantra was:
“Assume nothing. Believe nobody. Challenge everything.”
Time is running out and Helen must tap on all of her experience to find a twisted killer that lies closer than she thinks. She can trust no one, but must rely on her skill set to trap this killer.
An excellent crime thriller/police procedural with believable engaging characters that will appeal to a wide audience.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
October 15, 2019
Two young boys play a little hooky and wind up exploring an abandoned factory. They find plenty to explore...especially when they go upstairs. What they see there will give them nightmares for a very long time.
DCI Helen Lavery has been on leave for the injuries she received on her last case. When returning to work, she's immediately called to investigate the finding of a woman's body. From what she can see, the woman has been bound, tortured, and then bled out from the wound on her neck.
The entire police department is shocked when the woman is identified as one of her their own. Was this random? A criminal she had helped put away? Someone targeting the police force as a whole?
As the intense investigation continues, another female officer is taken and Helen finds that the truth is much closer than anyone could have imagined.
This is an action packed police procedural with plenty of suspects to follow. The characters are finely defined and credible. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. As always, I recommend starting at the very beginning to pick up those nuggets that make this a stand out series.
Many thanks to the author / Legend Press / THE Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 21, 2019
I can quite easily see A Deathly Silence being made into a film.
Two boys break into a disused factory, and stumble across a dead woman.
For eight weeks DCI Helen Levery was signed off, due to an injury she suffered while on duty, but now DCI Helen Levery is back to work and to take charge of a woman found in a derelict factory.
DCI Helen Levery discoverers that the dead woman is a cop, who had injuries of tortutre and a cut throat. She was a cop, a mother a wife. Was this an organised crime groups or a lone killer that killed a woman police officer ?
Be prepared for an art work of twists. A Deathly Silence is a fabulous page turning book that's part of the DCI Helen Levery commercial crime thriller by Jane Isacc, who has an extensive backlist of novels, for everyone.
Two boys break into a disused factory, and stumble across a dead woman.
For eight weeks DCI Helen Levery was signed off, due to an injury she suffered while on duty, but now DCI Helen Levery is back to work and to take charge of a woman found in a derelict factory.
DCI Helen Levery discoverers that the dead woman is a cop, who had injuries of tortutre and a cut throat. She was a cop, a mother a wife. Was this an organised crime groups or a lone killer that killed a woman police officer ?
Be prepared for an art work of twists. A Deathly Silence is a fabulous page turning book that's part of the DCI Helen Levery commercial crime thriller by Jane Isacc, who has an extensive backlist of novels, for everyone.
September 18, 2019
DCI Helen Lavery was simply fabulous!! And I loved the way Jane Isaac wrote this police procedural, with a delicate hand, grasping the minute details so that not a single clue passed through, giving me the opportunity to play detective.
Tortured and mutilated body of a police officer was found in an abandoned factory and DCI Helen Lavery was called to investigate.
"The eeriness caught my eye, the stillness my throat
All I could do is to read on swift yet slow"
Such was the power of author Jane Isaac's words where I was caught by the story from the very first page. I thought it would be a routine police procedural, but what I didn't know was how much I would enjoy it and lose myself in the scenes of investigation. In fact, I spent the afternoon trying to help Helen to chase down the perp. I wish the author would give me a assistant'S badge.
I was quite enamored by Helen; I couldn't stop looking at the way she conducted her investigation. She was a born leader, proving to be capable and strong yet dealing with a stern hand. She painstakingly collected evidence and listened to everyone in the team. Though shortstaffed, she valued everyone on her team. As you could see, I was a big fan of her.
This was book 2 in the series, yet worked beautifully as a standalone. I have to commend the author for her writing as she didn't alienate me while reading the book. She allowed to know and love her characters. Not many police procedural series do that.
A swift pace with an eye to detail, a team with a great leader, a delightfully twisted story with an unexpected reveal, and a new series with a fabulous author. All of them captured me completely into their web, letting me go only to write this review.
What more could I say that I hadn't already said. Just that - I LOVED IT!!
Tortured and mutilated body of a police officer was found in an abandoned factory and DCI Helen Lavery was called to investigate.
"The eeriness caught my eye, the stillness my throat
All I could do is to read on swift yet slow"
Such was the power of author Jane Isaac's words where I was caught by the story from the very first page. I thought it would be a routine police procedural, but what I didn't know was how much I would enjoy it and lose myself in the scenes of investigation. In fact, I spent the afternoon trying to help Helen to chase down the perp. I wish the author would give me a assistant'S badge.
I was quite enamored by Helen; I couldn't stop looking at the way she conducted her investigation. She was a born leader, proving to be capable and strong yet dealing with a stern hand. She painstakingly collected evidence and listened to everyone in the team. Though shortstaffed, she valued everyone on her team. As you could see, I was a big fan of her.
This was book 2 in the series, yet worked beautifully as a standalone. I have to commend the author for her writing as she didn't alienate me while reading the book. She allowed to know and love her characters. Not many police procedural series do that.
A swift pace with an eye to detail, a team with a great leader, a delightfully twisted story with an unexpected reveal, and a new series with a fabulous author. All of them captured me completely into their web, letting me go only to write this review.
What more could I say that I hadn't already said. Just that - I LOVED IT!!
November 4, 2019
This is book 3 in the DCI Helen Lambert series. I didn't realise this before I started reading. However, it is easily read as a standalone novel. We are given enough of her backstory for us to know her character but aren't swamped with references to previous books.
We are thrown into a mystery straight away. Two mischievous teens are trespassing in a derelict factory. When they stumble across a mutilated body of a woman. Frightened they flee the building and vow not to speak of what they saw. But, things aren't that simple and their discovery and running away is soon to be unraveled.
Helen Lavery is returning to work after an absence of leave due to injury from a past case. (Remind me to read the other two books to find out what happened) if she thought she was going to have it easy on her first day back, then she was very much mistaken. Because, the body of the woman in the building is one of her own police officers. Is the killer targeting police? Could this be a vendetta? Obviously, I'm not going to tell you. But, Helen Lavery is the woman to solve this case.
I liked how the case was developed and the findings, evidence and workings out were plotted to perfection. We get to see the inner workings of the detectives train of thought. This leaves us the reader desperate for more clues as we piece together the case.
Isaac sure knows how to keep the reader in suspense, and keeps the pace of the action going. I enjoyed the relationships between Helen and her colleagues. The fear coming through as they wonder if they are the next targets.
The plot of the story and the overall development was captivating and we'll thought out.
Thank you to @Legend_Press @JaneIsaacAuthor and Lucy for my gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of the blog tour.
If you like the works of Gillian Flynn, B.A Paris and Sophie Hannah the Jane Isaac is another author to add to your list.
We are thrown into a mystery straight away. Two mischievous teens are trespassing in a derelict factory. When they stumble across a mutilated body of a woman. Frightened they flee the building and vow not to speak of what they saw. But, things aren't that simple and their discovery and running away is soon to be unraveled.
Helen Lavery is returning to work after an absence of leave due to injury from a past case. (Remind me to read the other two books to find out what happened) if she thought she was going to have it easy on her first day back, then she was very much mistaken. Because, the body of the woman in the building is one of her own police officers. Is the killer targeting police? Could this be a vendetta? Obviously, I'm not going to tell you. But, Helen Lavery is the woman to solve this case.
I liked how the case was developed and the findings, evidence and workings out were plotted to perfection. We get to see the inner workings of the detectives train of thought. This leaves us the reader desperate for more clues as we piece together the case.
Isaac sure knows how to keep the reader in suspense, and keeps the pace of the action going. I enjoyed the relationships between Helen and her colleagues. The fear coming through as they wonder if they are the next targets.
The plot of the story and the overall development was captivating and we'll thought out.
Thank you to @Legend_Press @JaneIsaacAuthor and Lucy for my gifted copy and allowing me to be a part of the blog tour.
If you like the works of Gillian Flynn, B.A Paris and Sophie Hannah the Jane Isaac is another author to add to your list.
July 3, 2019
Such a smart, classy and satisfying read. Isaac really is the queen of the police procedural. When I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this, I was super excited. And it didn't disappoint. DCI Helen Lavery is back and this case is even more gruesome - and close to home. Isaac patiently drip-feeds the story - her biggest talent - and the pay-off is that you really care, so the twist is doubly shocking. Totally recommend for your summer read. Loved it.
October 14, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Legend Press for the eARC.
DCI Helen Lavery is back at work after sick leave due to injuries sustained following her last case. She's now SIO on the new case of the horrific torture and killing of a female officer. Her body was found by 2 boys who ran away in shock, but not before being caught on CCTV. A dog walker alerted the police. Helen and her team are desperate to find the killer of one of their own, and it will prove to be an arduous task.
I really like Helen and her team and was quite shocked when the perpetrator was finally revealed. The book is so well written (Jane Isaac is terrific, you always know you're in for an excellent read with any of her books!) and, as usual, unputdownable. Highly recommended!
DCI Helen Lavery is back at work after sick leave due to injuries sustained following her last case. She's now SIO on the new case of the horrific torture and killing of a female officer. Her body was found by 2 boys who ran away in shock, but not before being caught on CCTV. A dog walker alerted the police. Helen and her team are desperate to find the killer of one of their own, and it will prove to be an arduous task.
I really like Helen and her team and was quite shocked when the perpetrator was finally revealed. The book is so well written (Jane Isaac is terrific, you always know you're in for an excellent read with any of her books!) and, as usual, unputdownable. Highly recommended!
October 17, 2019
This book was a solid police procedural which I enjoyed.
Helen is a police officer and a widow raising two kids with the help of her mother. She has just come back from injury leave and is thrust straight into a case of murder - one of their own. What makes it worse is that the slain officer's husband is also a cop.
Lots of twists and turns in this book. There was no reason, on the surface, for Sinead to be targeted. She was well liked, a good mother, a good wife, a good cop. And yet, there is that burner phone that very few knew about and why was this well-liked woman tortured?
4.5 stars from me.
Helen is a police officer and a widow raising two kids with the help of her mother. She has just come back from injury leave and is thrust straight into a case of murder - one of their own. What makes it worse is that the slain officer's husband is also a cop.
Lots of twists and turns in this book. There was no reason, on the surface, for Sinead to be targeted. She was well liked, a good mother, a good wife, a good cop. And yet, there is that burner phone that very few knew about and why was this well-liked woman tortured?
4.5 stars from me.
October 5, 2019
A Deathly Silence is a riveting detective mystery that follows DCI Helen Lavery on another compelling case. The body of a police officer is found in a dilapidated factory and the Hamptonshire police force are shocked to learn that one of their own has been murdered. DCI Helen Lavery is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other and faced with the questions: is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? As the story progresses, Helen discovers the truth lies closer than she could have imagined and is faced with a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden.
I really enjoyed this story. If you get a "thrill" from reading detective/crime thrillers, I would absolutely recommend reading A Deathly Silence. While I figured out where the story was going about mid-way, I still enjoyed the process and the unraveling of clues. I definitely plan to go back and read Jane Isaac's other detective books. 5 out of 5 stars!!
I really enjoyed this story. If you get a "thrill" from reading detective/crime thrillers, I would absolutely recommend reading A Deathly Silence. While I figured out where the story was going about mid-way, I still enjoyed the process and the unraveling of clues. I definitely plan to go back and read Jane Isaac's other detective books. 5 out of 5 stars!!
October 15, 2019
A Deathly Silence is the third book in the DCI Helen Lavery series but works fine as a standalone.
Two schoolboys, Rhys and Connor, are having fun exploring a deserted factory on an industrial estate, until they discover the mutilated body of a woman, propped up against a radiator. The body turns out to be a police officer, PC Sinead O’Donnell from the local Hamptonshire force, and she has been tortured and brutally murdered.
DCI Helen Lavery is assigned the case but she’s only recently returned to work after being injured while on duty. She has to try and work out what’s going on, while trying to protect her officers, battling with her own demons from the past and hoping the killer doesn’t strike again.
In this well-plotted and compelling book, which was intense and action packed, I was drawn into DCI Lavery’s world as she delved into the backgrounds of Sinead and her husband, Blane, and quizzed witnesses and suspects. I became immersed in the case and enjoyed trying to figure out the clues and evidence alongside Lavery and the other detectives.
I love a good police procedural and this was a really well-written one with fine attention to detail, as well as great tension and pace. There were certainly some good shocks and surprises thrown in and the ending left me breathless and anxious as I frantically turned the pages to see how everything would be resolved.
This is the first book of Jane Isaac’s that I’ve read but I’ll definitely be purchasing some of her others, especially the ones in this series. I really enjoyed her writing.
Two schoolboys, Rhys and Connor, are having fun exploring a deserted factory on an industrial estate, until they discover the mutilated body of a woman, propped up against a radiator. The body turns out to be a police officer, PC Sinead O’Donnell from the local Hamptonshire force, and she has been tortured and brutally murdered.
DCI Helen Lavery is assigned the case but she’s only recently returned to work after being injured while on duty. She has to try and work out what’s going on, while trying to protect her officers, battling with her own demons from the past and hoping the killer doesn’t strike again.
In this well-plotted and compelling book, which was intense and action packed, I was drawn into DCI Lavery’s world as she delved into the backgrounds of Sinead and her husband, Blane, and quizzed witnesses and suspects. I became immersed in the case and enjoyed trying to figure out the clues and evidence alongside Lavery and the other detectives.
I love a good police procedural and this was a really well-written one with fine attention to detail, as well as great tension and pace. There were certainly some good shocks and surprises thrown in and the ending left me breathless and anxious as I frantically turned the pages to see how everything would be resolved.
This is the first book of Jane Isaac’s that I’ve read but I’ll definitely be purchasing some of her others, especially the ones in this series. I really enjoyed her writing.
September 22, 2019
When a police officer’s dead body is found, DCI Helen Lavery is on the case. The officer had been tortured and as the investigation proceeds, she is found to have been harboring some secrets.
This is the third in the Helen Lavery series, but the first one I have read. It is a solid police procedural that keeps you focused and guessing. I liked it.
Helen is a strong, confident female character. I’ve read too many authors with female leads who have flaws in the their personality make up. Yes, she is dealing with raising her two sons after her husband was killed and has just returned to work after being injured, but she is an emotionally mature individual and I look forward to reading more in this series.
This is the third in the Helen Lavery series, but the first one I have read. It is a solid police procedural that keeps you focused and guessing. I liked it.
Helen is a strong, confident female character. I’ve read too many authors with female leads who have flaws in the their personality make up. Yes, she is dealing with raising her two sons after her husband was killed and has just returned to work after being injured, but she is an emotionally mature individual and I look forward to reading more in this series.
May 28, 2021
This book was so thrilling I honestly have just it. I’ve been reading all day and I couldn’t believe the ending, Janes books get better and better, and I just love Helen and her family. It gripped me from the start. I did receive it a nan ARC from Netgalley and started to read a few days ago, but decided to buy the others and read them first. I’m off now to read about another new detective of Janes, but I’m hoping she’ll write another with Helen. My thanks to Jane and Netgalley for the ARC.
January 24, 2020
A cracking good mystery.
A Deathly Silence is book three in a series where I've not read books one or two. I rarely do that, because there's often backstory that either doesn't make its way into a later book cleanly (i.e., the author does big infodumps) or the later books cannot be read as a standalone (i.e., it's just a continuation of a cliffhanger in the previous book).
I'm quite happy to say that this can be read as a standalone, and Jane Isaac has a deft hand at including enough information from previous happenings to let us know what went on before and how that shapes the current book.
DCI Helene Lavery, currently on leave to recover from incidents in the previous book, where she was injured and a fellow officer killed, is called back early to work a case. A young woman - and a police officer, at that - is found murdered in an empty factory/warehouse, tortured before a fatal slit of the throat.
Questions abound: why her? Why here? Who had access?
There are a lot of people in this book. If you're not good at keeping track, it might be helpful to jot a couple of notes here and there. Those include: two boys, playing in the factory, who found the body but didn't report it. Their mothers - and in the case of one boy, his sister as well, plus their father (who is in prison, and who is named but never appears in the book). A next door neighbor who recently went through cancer treatment and who exchanged a lot of texts with the victim, as well as her husband. The victim's husband, also a police officer. His ex-girlfriend. The victim's friend who is possibly more than a friend, and her brother. An ex-con with sadistic, sexually driven tendencies. Plus all the assorted officers in homicide, management, medical examiner and technician, and the crew who monitors the organized crime outfits.
The story is great. There isn't a lot I can give specifics on, for spoilery reasons, and that's one of the reasons the story is quite a good read. There is a great combination of action and thinking/conversation, and the clues (bar one that only makes an appearance at the end) are spun out, gathered by the reader as the police work the crime and the associated crimes that arise after it.
The only thing I'd have to nitpick about would be some curious sentence constructions, where a sentence rings a bit oddly because it should have been part of the sentence before it. Instead, it's a bit of a dangler, completing the thought of the sentence previous to it. But that and the clue at the end are very, very minor things: the former because the thought still comes across, and the latter because we know by that point toward the end (or way earlier, in my case) who the killer is.
Overall: five stars, not a rating I use often.
Now I'm off to get the first two in the series.
A Deathly Silence is book three in a series where I've not read books one or two. I rarely do that, because there's often backstory that either doesn't make its way into a later book cleanly (i.e., the author does big infodumps) or the later books cannot be read as a standalone (i.e., it's just a continuation of a cliffhanger in the previous book).
I'm quite happy to say that this can be read as a standalone, and Jane Isaac has a deft hand at including enough information from previous happenings to let us know what went on before and how that shapes the current book.
DCI Helene Lavery, currently on leave to recover from incidents in the previous book, where she was injured and a fellow officer killed, is called back early to work a case. A young woman - and a police officer, at that - is found murdered in an empty factory/warehouse, tortured before a fatal slit of the throat.
Questions abound: why her? Why here? Who had access?
There are a lot of people in this book. If you're not good at keeping track, it might be helpful to jot a couple of notes here and there. Those include: two boys, playing in the factory, who found the body but didn't report it. Their mothers - and in the case of one boy, his sister as well, plus their father (who is in prison, and who is named but never appears in the book). A next door neighbor who recently went through cancer treatment and who exchanged a lot of texts with the victim, as well as her husband. The victim's husband, also a police officer. His ex-girlfriend. The victim's friend who is possibly more than a friend, and her brother. An ex-con with sadistic, sexually driven tendencies. Plus all the assorted officers in homicide, management, medical examiner and technician, and the crew who monitors the organized crime outfits.
The story is great. There isn't a lot I can give specifics on, for spoilery reasons, and that's one of the reasons the story is quite a good read. There is a great combination of action and thinking/conversation, and the clues (bar one that only makes an appearance at the end) are spun out, gathered by the reader as the police work the crime and the associated crimes that arise after it.
The only thing I'd have to nitpick about would be some curious sentence constructions, where a sentence rings a bit oddly because it should have been part of the sentence before it. Instead, it's a bit of a dangler, completing the thought of the sentence previous to it. But that and the clue at the end are very, very minor things: the former because the thought still comes across, and the latter because we know by that point toward the end (or way earlier, in my case) who the killer is.
Overall: five stars, not a rating I use often.
Now I'm off to get the first two in the series.
December 24, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Deathly Silence is the third book in the DCI Helen Lavery series by Jane Isaac. Released 15th Oct 2019 by Legend Press, it's 288 pages and available in ebook format. This is a well written modern procedural and although the third in the series, I read it as a standalone and had no problems following the characters or keeping the plot straight in my mind. I fully intend to go and pick up the previous 2 books in the series as soon as I can.
The author is an adept writer. The pacing, dialogue, plotting, and entire story arc are precisely controlled and well paced and presented. I found the plot engaging and twisty with a surprising and satisfying denouement. This is a solidly entertaining and enjoyable read especially for fans of modern British procedurals. The language is PG rated, nothing too graphic or over the top. The slang and spelling are British (torch, lift, flat, etc), but nothing out of the ordinary or unintelligible in context. There is a fair bit of brutal description of previously occurring torture, including a murder of a police officer, used in context and having happened previous to the narrative.
The plot revolves around a single main plot thread with a very few supporting subplot elements, so it's a satisfying book to sit and read without being distracted by a story which is all over the place.I was impressed with how realistic the investigation seemed, and how believable the internal politics were, with different departments making the process of murder investigation more difficult than it needed to be because of bureaucracy.
Well written and satisfying. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Deathly Silence is the third book in the DCI Helen Lavery series by Jane Isaac. Released 15th Oct 2019 by Legend Press, it's 288 pages and available in ebook format. This is a well written modern procedural and although the third in the series, I read it as a standalone and had no problems following the characters or keeping the plot straight in my mind. I fully intend to go and pick up the previous 2 books in the series as soon as I can.
The author is an adept writer. The pacing, dialogue, plotting, and entire story arc are precisely controlled and well paced and presented. I found the plot engaging and twisty with a surprising and satisfying denouement. This is a solidly entertaining and enjoyable read especially for fans of modern British procedurals. The language is PG rated, nothing too graphic or over the top. The slang and spelling are British (torch, lift, flat, etc), but nothing out of the ordinary or unintelligible in context. There is a fair bit of brutal description of previously occurring torture, including a murder of a police officer, used in context and having happened previous to the narrative.
The plot revolves around a single main plot thread with a very few supporting subplot elements, so it's a satisfying book to sit and read without being distracted by a story which is all over the place.I was impressed with how realistic the investigation seemed, and how believable the internal politics were, with different departments making the process of murder investigation more difficult than it needed to be because of bureaucracy.
Well written and satisfying. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 19, 2019
When the mutilated body of a police officer is found in a derelict factory, Hamptonshire force are shocked to the core.
DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organised crime groups or a lone killer?
As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined, and trusts no one.
But Helen is facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out...
This is the third in the DCI Helen Lavery series and follows the murder of a police officer, murder is always terrible but when it's one of your own it hurts just that little bit more and Helen and the team are determined to bring Sinead's killer to justice, but nothing is ever that clear cut and they face a lot of stumbling blocks along the way.
I've loved all of Jane Isaac's books and when I heard she was releasing another one in this series I was looking forward to reading it, then I realised I had book two on my kindle and hadn't yet read it, so last week I read The Truth Will Out, to make sure I understood the history of the characters and to refresh my memory of who they were and I'm so glad I did, book two was brilliant and A Deathly Silence is even better. This author knows how to draw her readers in, right from the beginning there is action and this continues throughout the book, keeping us, the readers, engaged in the story and yelling for more. This one is gory where it needs to be and the twist, when it comes, is spot on. If you love a great police procedural then you need to read this, it's fantastic. It can be read as a standalone but I suggest you read the whole series.
I'd like to thank Legend Press and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon UK & US on publication day.
DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organised crime groups or a lone killer?
As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined, and trusts no one.
But Helen is facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out...
This is the third in the DCI Helen Lavery series and follows the murder of a police officer, murder is always terrible but when it's one of your own it hurts just that little bit more and Helen and the team are determined to bring Sinead's killer to justice, but nothing is ever that clear cut and they face a lot of stumbling blocks along the way.
I've loved all of Jane Isaac's books and when I heard she was releasing another one in this series I was looking forward to reading it, then I realised I had book two on my kindle and hadn't yet read it, so last week I read The Truth Will Out, to make sure I understood the history of the characters and to refresh my memory of who they were and I'm so glad I did, book two was brilliant and A Deathly Silence is even better. This author knows how to draw her readers in, right from the beginning there is action and this continues throughout the book, keeping us, the readers, engaged in the story and yelling for more. This one is gory where it needs to be and the twist, when it comes, is spot on. If you love a great police procedural then you need to read this, it's fantastic. It can be read as a standalone but I suggest you read the whole series.
I'd like to thank Legend Press and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon UK & US on publication day.
October 13, 2019
5 Stars from me
Jane Isaac has a lovely writing style, she is among the group of authors whose books I pick up without hesitation for I know that I am guaranteed an exciting tale with comfortable and well rounded characters.
DCI Helen Lavery is fast becoming a favourite of mine and I might just adopt her mantra for myself:
“Assume nothing. Believe nobody. Challenge everything.”
In A Deathly Silence Helen is just returning from an absence - I loved the opening scenes with her in the hotel ordering a bottle of wine, SO real and total sucked me straight into her life - and finds herself plunged deep into a major investigation as a fellow officer has been found murdered.
Not only has she been murdered but also quite brutally tortured and yet the victim seemed to live quite a blameless life - liked by fellow officers and respected by criminals for her fairness - and she leaves behind two young children and a grieving partner for whom Helen is determined to find justice.
There are many lines of enquiry and we follow Helen has she determinedly set off to work through them all. The book has a great pace and I could easily have devoured it in one rainy day-into evening sitting, however I made sure to spread it over a couple of days! This is police procedural at it's best and I can easily visualise it becoming a TV series much like Tennison.
I would heartily recommend #ADeathlySilence and indeed any of Jane's books to any fans of crime thrillers and police procedurals and I look forward to reading more.
#ADeathlySilence @JaneIsaacAuthor @Legend_Press
Jane Isaac has a lovely writing style, she is among the group of authors whose books I pick up without hesitation for I know that I am guaranteed an exciting tale with comfortable and well rounded characters.
DCI Helen Lavery is fast becoming a favourite of mine and I might just adopt her mantra for myself:
“Assume nothing. Believe nobody. Challenge everything.”
In A Deathly Silence Helen is just returning from an absence - I loved the opening scenes with her in the hotel ordering a bottle of wine, SO real and total sucked me straight into her life - and finds herself plunged deep into a major investigation as a fellow officer has been found murdered.
Not only has she been murdered but also quite brutally tortured and yet the victim seemed to live quite a blameless life - liked by fellow officers and respected by criminals for her fairness - and she leaves behind two young children and a grieving partner for whom Helen is determined to find justice.
There are many lines of enquiry and we follow Helen has she determinedly set off to work through them all. The book has a great pace and I could easily have devoured it in one rainy day-into evening sitting, however I made sure to spread it over a couple of days! This is police procedural at it's best and I can easily visualise it becoming a TV series much like Tennison.
I would heartily recommend #ADeathlySilence and indeed any of Jane's books to any fans of crime thrillers and police procedurals and I look forward to reading more.
#ADeathlySilence @JaneIsaacAuthor @Legend_Press
October 16, 2019
When two very young mischievous boys break into an old abandoned factory building they come across a dead, mutilated women and quickly ran away, but just happened to be spotted by a man walking his dog. When the police are called in they find it is one of their own that was killed in such a horrible way. DCI Helen Lavery back from an injury has charge of this case and is told to get it solved quickly. Who hated the victim so much that they killed her like that. With dealing with a grieving husband, also a police officer and the very young children who are now motherless, DCI Helen has a lot on her plate. And then there is another murder, the dead womans best friend. But why? We are taken on a fantastic roller coaster ride with twists and turns and clues and lots of threads that finally get pulled into a fantastic ending! This is the third book in the series and is just as thrilling and page turning as the other two and can be read as a stand-alone. Once you begin this thriller, you just can't put it down. I can't wait for the next book to see what Helen and her investigators solve next. And we must not forget that there is a little romance in the book as well. A fast paced page turner you can't put down once you begin! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
September 29, 2019
Gruesome, complicated and twisted. What more can you ask for?
I was in my element reading this book, it started with a gruesome corpse which is right up my street!
The investigation that unfolded was complex and with little evidence, the murderer was clever but is he/she too clever?
A grieving husband who works for the police, his wife, also a police lady found dead, two mourning children and a very private life. When a police officer is murdered there is no time to waste!
As the body count mounted, all in different manners but with a tenious connection it was down to Helen and her team to find out what was going on.
Jane Isaac has written this book with intelligence and insight, it kept my attention and had me trying to figure out who did what when from an early stage. Some great plot twists and curve balls thrown in for good measure, which has resulted in a fantastic murder investigation.
I will look forward to the next one, crack on with the writing Jane I can't wait too long!
I was in my element reading this book, it started with a gruesome corpse which is right up my street!
The investigation that unfolded was complex and with little evidence, the murderer was clever but is he/she too clever?
A grieving husband who works for the police, his wife, also a police lady found dead, two mourning children and a very private life. When a police officer is murdered there is no time to waste!
As the body count mounted, all in different manners but with a tenious connection it was down to Helen and her team to find out what was going on.
Jane Isaac has written this book with intelligence and insight, it kept my attention and had me trying to figure out who did what when from an early stage. Some great plot twists and curve balls thrown in for good measure, which has resulted in a fantastic murder investigation.
I will look forward to the next one, crack on with the writing Jane I can't wait too long!
October 26, 2019
A Deathly Silence by Jane Issac Published by @legendpress.
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WHAT A BOOK!!!!!!
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DCI Helen Lavery returns to work after being off on sick leave and is immediately put in charge of a case where a police woman Sinead O’Donnell has been both tortured and brutally murdered. But who would do such a thing. Are there any connections to previous cases Helen has worked on - a revenge attack or just a random attack.
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Here is a face paced read- right from the very first page you are instantly propelled into the discovery of a body.
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I felt as though I was a fly on the wall and a part of this investigation. The writing is fast paced and style of writing is simple yet effective,dynamic and straight forward.
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Once I started it I just continued into the wee hours until I finished the book. I needed to know what was happening and how it ended.
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It’s just an amazing read. Some detective books take a while to get going but with this one there is no messing about which I loved.
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A must read. Throughly enjoyed it. Thank you to @legendpress for gifting me this book. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
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WHAT A BOOK!!!!!!
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DCI Helen Lavery returns to work after being off on sick leave and is immediately put in charge of a case where a police woman Sinead O’Donnell has been both tortured and brutally murdered. But who would do such a thing. Are there any connections to previous cases Helen has worked on - a revenge attack or just a random attack.
.
.
Here is a face paced read- right from the very first page you are instantly propelled into the discovery of a body.
.
.
I felt as though I was a fly on the wall and a part of this investigation. The writing is fast paced and style of writing is simple yet effective,dynamic and straight forward.
.
.
Once I started it I just continued into the wee hours until I finished the book. I needed to know what was happening and how it ended.
.
.
It’s just an amazing read. Some detective books take a while to get going but with this one there is no messing about which I loved.
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A must read. Throughly enjoyed it. Thank you to @legendpress for gifting me this book. I’m looking forward to more books from this author.
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September 22, 2019
Gripping from page one with the discovery of a body by two young boys in a disused factory, the victim being a police officer Sinead makes the enquiry all the more emotive for her colleagues. Helen is the DCI leading the team after only just returning from sick leave she's thrown right in. It appears there are lots of dead ends in the investigation but Helen doesn't leave any stone unturned. She leads her team well and I liked getting to know her more as well as Penderton and Dark. With more people who knew Sinead being found dead can they find the killer before he takes any more lives. A traumatic ending to the case ensured I was gripped right until the last page. I look forward to reading more of Helen and her team
October 15, 2019
Jane Isaac has written a taunt book, rife with secrets and suspense. An excellent, fast paced police procedural that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Lavery is recovering from an injury that she received on duty when she is called back early from medical leave to work a horrific case. A police woman, one of their own, has been tortured, killed and found in an abandoned building. Does it have something to do with one of her former cases, or is it more personal? DCI Helen and her team have almost nothing to go on and the pressure to solve the murder quickly is coming from all levels. I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley and the publisher Legend Press and I voluntarily read this book. The review and comments are my own opinion.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Lavery is recovering from an injury that she received on duty when she is called back early from medical leave to work a horrific case. A police woman, one of their own, has been tortured, killed and found in an abandoned building. Does it have something to do with one of her former cases, or is it more personal? DCI Helen and her team have almost nothing to go on and the pressure to solve the murder quickly is coming from all levels. I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley and the publisher Legend Press and I voluntarily read this book. The review and comments are my own opinion.
October 18, 2019
This was an incredibly dark but really good crime thriller!
I could definitely tell that this book was part of a series ( I've not read the others) but it doesn't have any effect on being able to read and understand what is happening in this book.
I really liked the writing style and the characters. Helen was definitely an interesting character and I would be interested in reading the books previous in this series to find out more about her
I think the pace was really good. There was lots of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
I thought the ending was a little disappointing and predictable but apart from that I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a dark triggering book though, so I wouldn't recommend to the faint hearted
TW: Gore, blood, graphic suicide and graphic murder
I could definitely tell that this book was part of a series ( I've not read the others) but it doesn't have any effect on being able to read and understand what is happening in this book.
I really liked the writing style and the characters. Helen was definitely an interesting character and I would be interested in reading the books previous in this series to find out more about her
I think the pace was really good. There was lots of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
I thought the ending was a little disappointing and predictable but apart from that I really enjoyed this book. Definitely a dark triggering book though, so I wouldn't recommend to the faint hearted
TW: Gore, blood, graphic suicide and graphic murder
October 2, 2019
It was only when I set about writing this review that I realised I had read the book without ever reading the blurb. I’ve read all of Jane Isaac’s other books so had confidence I’d like this one and it didn’t disappoint. I do love a series where you are familiar with the characters and it feels like you have ‘stepped into an old pair of comfortable slippers’. That’s not to say this is a cosy read as there are a few surprises, or should that be shocks, along the way. An off duty police officer has been brutally killed and DCI Helen Lavery is back to work and on the case. This may well be my favourite Jane Isaac book so far and a first class example of this genre.
November 1, 2019
A Deadly Silence by Jane Issac.
DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organised crime groups or a lone killer?
As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined, and trusts no one.
But Helen is facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out...
A fantastic read with some great characters. Loved Helen. Had a feeling who the killer was. Hope there is more to come. 5*.
DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organised crime groups or a lone killer?
As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined, and trusts no one.
But Helen is facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out...
A fantastic read with some great characters. Loved Helen. Had a feeling who the killer was. Hope there is more to come. 5*.
October 7, 2019
A Deathly Silence is a gripping, thrilling and emotional read that I simply could not put down. This story about a young policewoman who is brutally murdered, a mother to two young children, really got under my skin. I had to find out why she had been killed and who had killed her.
Leading the investigation is DCI Helen Lavery, who has recently come back from leave following a traumatic case. From the moment I met Helen, I liked her. A working mum, a detective who is trying to keep her personal and professional lives separate, as she is trying to protect her two teenage boys from the gritty realities of a murder investigation. I liked her for her rawness, for her vulnerability and the fact that she wasn't afraid to show this side of her character. As we follow Helen through her thought processes and proceedures, we see the investigation through her eyes and the determination she has to catch the killer.
This is a story about a brutal murder told with a pace that doesn't let up. There are so many cliff hangers, red herrings and twists and turns that I had no clue as to who the murderer was. There is also so much attention to police proceedure in this book, that the investigation felt authentic and shockingly real. Combine this with characters who fully engage the mind and soul and you have one cracking read.
A Deathly Silence is an unsetllling, dark and emotional read. It's full of characters that you can't help but care about, a story that holds your attention from the very beginning and an ending that both shocked and unsettled me. It's a fabulous read and a story that will haunt me for a very long time.
Leading the investigation is DCI Helen Lavery, who has recently come back from leave following a traumatic case. From the moment I met Helen, I liked her. A working mum, a detective who is trying to keep her personal and professional lives separate, as she is trying to protect her two teenage boys from the gritty realities of a murder investigation. I liked her for her rawness, for her vulnerability and the fact that she wasn't afraid to show this side of her character. As we follow Helen through her thought processes and proceedures, we see the investigation through her eyes and the determination she has to catch the killer.
This is a story about a brutal murder told with a pace that doesn't let up. There are so many cliff hangers, red herrings and twists and turns that I had no clue as to who the murderer was. There is also so much attention to police proceedure in this book, that the investigation felt authentic and shockingly real. Combine this with characters who fully engage the mind and soul and you have one cracking read.
A Deathly Silence is an unsetllling, dark and emotional read. It's full of characters that you can't help but care about, a story that holds your attention from the very beginning and an ending that both shocked and unsettled me. It's a fabulous read and a story that will haunt me for a very long time.
October 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book - although it was a slow starter for me. I think it's easily read as a standalone but I may have felt more invested in the main character from the start, DCI Helen Lavery, if I had a chance to read the others first. I'm definitely going to go back and work through them though! However once the book got going I was quite hooked to try and find out 'who did it' and their motives. Jane Isaac weaves a good path to the end - never quite giving enough away and throwing enough surprises in to keep you on your toes. The ending also had potential for the next book in the series - a few hints at what Lavery might come up against next. This was a firm four stars for me! Blurb in the comments.
July 31, 2021
Another terrific read from the pen (laptop?) of an author who knows her stuff!
DCI Helen Lavery is returning to work in a gently manner after a period of injury leave – or so she thinks. When the body of a serving Police Officer is found badly mutilated in an abandoned warehouse she is suddenly plunged right back into the heart of her job. All the stops are pulled out to discover who would do this to one of their own and they need to find out quickly if they are all in danger.
What a book! This one has everything going for it and shows just how difficult a murder enquiry can be. With twists and turns, I struggled to try and work out who the perpetrator was and was totally shocked when it was finally revealed! A cracking thriller, completely captivating and certainly worth 4.5*.
DCI Helen Lavery is returning to work in a gently manner after a period of injury leave – or so she thinks. When the body of a serving Police Officer is found badly mutilated in an abandoned warehouse she is suddenly plunged right back into the heart of her job. All the stops are pulled out to discover who would do this to one of their own and they need to find out quickly if they are all in danger.
What a book! This one has everything going for it and shows just how difficult a murder enquiry can be. With twists and turns, I struggled to try and work out who the perpetrator was and was totally shocked when it was finally revealed! A cracking thriller, completely captivating and certainly worth 4.5*.
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