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DCI Matilda Darke #2
Outside Looking In
The second book in Michael Wood’s darkly compelling new crime series featuring DCI Matilda Darke. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, Mark Billingham and Val McDermid.
When elderly George Rainsford goes to investigate a suspicious noise one night, the last thing he expects to find is a bloodbath. A man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end.
The pressure is on for investigating officer, DCI Matilda Darke: there’s a violent killer on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
When elderly George Rainsford goes to investigate a suspicious noise one night, the last thing he expects to find is a bloodbath. A man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end.
The pressure is on for investigating officer, DCI Matilda Darke: there’s a violent killer on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
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First published March 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
March 2, 2017
I am reading this DCI Matilda Darke series set in Sheffield backwards. I recently read the stunning third novel, and wanted to read the rest. This is very good, not quite in the league of A Room Full of Killers but still a brilliant book. Still traumatised by the death of her husband and a child abduction gone wrong, Matilda's past continues to haunt her as a new local reporter targets her, intending to make his name with his critical and pressuring articles. Upon hearing SOS continuously being beeped by a car horn, an elderly local man investigates and discovers a blood bath of a double shooting of a man and where a woman barely alive is in the car. The couple are Kevin Hardaker and Lois Craven, both married, just not to each other.
So begins a under resourced and twisted case for Matilda and her team. The spouses of the couple have watertight alibis and it turns out Lois has indulged in a number of extra marital affairs. There is also the apparently strange suicide of an old man from a high rise block of flats with Lois's blood on him. DI Christian Brady is heading an ongoing investigation of violent burglaries in the city. Matilda's team take some serious hits as she wonders if she is being stalked. A disgraced ex-cop has revenge on his mind for her as he believes she ruined his life. There are plenty of unexpected twists as it becomes apparent that the suicide, the burglaries and the double shooting are connected.
This is a fast paced police procedural that is beautifully written and well plotted. It is brimful of suspense and tension. The character of Matilda is vulnerable, strong and determined. And I really like her team. I will, of course, be reading the first book soon. A wonderful series that I highly recommend.
So begins a under resourced and twisted case for Matilda and her team. The spouses of the couple have watertight alibis and it turns out Lois has indulged in a number of extra marital affairs. There is also the apparently strange suicide of an old man from a high rise block of flats with Lois's blood on him. DI Christian Brady is heading an ongoing investigation of violent burglaries in the city. Matilda's team take some serious hits as she wonders if she is being stalked. A disgraced ex-cop has revenge on his mind for her as he believes she ruined his life. There are plenty of unexpected twists as it becomes apparent that the suicide, the burglaries and the double shooting are connected.
This is a fast paced police procedural that is beautifully written and well plotted. It is brimful of suspense and tension. The character of Matilda is vulnerable, strong and determined. And I really like her team. I will, of course, be reading the first book soon. A wonderful series that I highly recommend.
July 19, 2022
EXCERPT: Half hanging out of the car was the stricken body of a woman. Her face was a mess of sticky drying blood; her long hair was tangled and matted. She was naked from the waist down and was literally drenched in blood. One hand held onto her stomach where blood pumped out between her fingers. The other hand was rhythmically banging on the horn. She was half in, half out of the car, her body at an uncomfortable angle. She looked up and saw George through swollen eyes. She stopped the beeping and slumped to the ground. There was a brief smile on her face before her body gave up and she lost consciousness.
George dug the phone out of his coat pocket and dialled 999. He gave his location and tried to say what had happened but he couldn't find the words. After he ended the call he phoned his wife. He told her that she would soon see the flashing lights of the police but not to panic as everything was all right. It was the first time he had ever lied to his wife.
ABOUT 'OUTSIDE LOOKING IN': When elderly George Rainsford goes to investigate a suspicious noise one night, the last thing he expects to find is a bloodbath. A man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end.
The pressure is on for investigating officer, DCI Matilda Darke: there’s a violent killer on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
MY THOUGHTS: At one point in this tense thriller, DCI
Matilda Darke reflects that the investigation is like having “all the pieces of the jigsaw but…from different boxes”. And it is exactly like that. There is no obvious suspect. There are contenders, but none of them seem quite right. I, of course, suspected everyone but the right person.
I am really enjoying this series, dark - but with a little humour - compelling, and addictive (I'm bingeing), they are hard to put down.
Matilda Darke is a character with real depth. It is the first anniversary of her husband's death, and she is still mourning his loss. The problem is, along with the thoughts of her husband James, comes those of the botched Carl Meagan kidnapping case which happened the same day as James died. So Matilda isn't exactly in a great place, mentally, to start with. But she's a fighter, determined, and pragmatic. And she has a great team behind her.
Sian, who always has a drawer full of chocolatey snacks, is a favourite of mine along with Rory, and Adele, the Home Office Pathologist.
There are other things going on as Matilda and her team are struggling to solve this puzzling case. There's a string of violent burglaries; an elderly man jumps off the roof of his apartment building, but there are some puzzling aspects to his death; there's a journalist out to make a name for himself at Matilda's expense; a disgruntled ex-colleague intent on revenge; and Matilda thinks she is being followed.
Outside Looking In is a book about love, betrayal, tragedy, and revenge.
Although this is a series, each book is able to be read as a stand-alone as the author provides enough background information to do so. BUT, you will miss out on the development of the characters relationships and, I am sure that once you have read one book in this series, like me, you are going to want to read the lot.
Stephanie Beattie made an amazing job of narrating. I totally forgot that I was listening to one person. Her voice range, and intonation is excellent.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I: @michaelwoodbooks @onemorechapter
T: @MichaelHWood @OneMoreChapter
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #detectivefiction #mystery #policeprocedural #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.
DISCLOSURE: For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
George dug the phone out of his coat pocket and dialled 999. He gave his location and tried to say what had happened but he couldn't find the words. After he ended the call he phoned his wife. He told her that she would soon see the flashing lights of the police but not to panic as everything was all right. It was the first time he had ever lied to his wife.
ABOUT 'OUTSIDE LOOKING IN': When elderly George Rainsford goes to investigate a suspicious noise one night, the last thing he expects to find is a bloodbath. A man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end.
The pressure is on for investigating officer, DCI Matilda Darke: there’s a violent killer on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
MY THOUGHTS: At one point in this tense thriller, DCI
Matilda Darke reflects that the investigation is like having “all the pieces of the jigsaw but…from different boxes”. And it is exactly like that. There is no obvious suspect. There are contenders, but none of them seem quite right. I, of course, suspected everyone but the right person.
I am really enjoying this series, dark - but with a little humour - compelling, and addictive (I'm bingeing), they are hard to put down.
Matilda Darke is a character with real depth. It is the first anniversary of her husband's death, and she is still mourning his loss. The problem is, along with the thoughts of her husband James, comes those of the botched Carl Meagan kidnapping case which happened the same day as James died. So Matilda isn't exactly in a great place, mentally, to start with. But she's a fighter, determined, and pragmatic. And she has a great team behind her.
Sian, who always has a drawer full of chocolatey snacks, is a favourite of mine along with Rory, and Adele, the Home Office Pathologist.
There are other things going on as Matilda and her team are struggling to solve this puzzling case. There's a string of violent burglaries; an elderly man jumps off the roof of his apartment building, but there are some puzzling aspects to his death; there's a journalist out to make a name for himself at Matilda's expense; a disgruntled ex-colleague intent on revenge; and Matilda thinks she is being followed.
Outside Looking In is a book about love, betrayal, tragedy, and revenge.
Although this is a series, each book is able to be read as a stand-alone as the author provides enough background information to do so. BUT, you will miss out on the development of the characters relationships and, I am sure that once you have read one book in this series, like me, you are going to want to read the lot.
Stephanie Beattie made an amazing job of narrating. I totally forgot that I was listening to one person. Her voice range, and intonation is excellent.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
I: @michaelwoodbooks @onemorechapter
T: @MichaelHWood @OneMoreChapter
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #detectivefiction #mystery #policeprocedural #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.
DISCLOSURE: For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 23, 2017
Well, I can now say Michael Wood is definitely the real thing, a brilliant new British author in the thriller genre. I was very impressed with his debut novel, book #1 of the DCI Matilda Darke series titled For Unknown Reasons—an easy 5 star read. Even though I have sadly run out of stars, I must say book #2, Outside Looking In, is even better.
What an ingenious plot. Golly, I put a lot of effort into trying to pull all the clues together and failed miserably. A man is violently killed and his female companion is left for dead. At the same time, a rash of nasty burglaries are happening around Sheffield; and oh, an 80 year old man jumps off the roof of his apartment, but wait! He has blood on him and it’s not his! How do all these events connect? Or do they? We get it all in this book—love, hate, betrayal, revenge, tragedy, PTSD and more. We are treated to twists, reverse twists, re-reverse bombshells. There is plenty of suspense and palpitation-inducing thrills. Even in the last 10% of the book the thrills and surprises continue. And that last line—wowzers! Let’s talk!
We are reunited with DCI Matilda Darke, struggling with grief and PTSD after the death of the love of her life and the botching of a previous kidnapping case (not a spoiler), both of which were first addressed in book #1. Also returning are members of her Murder Investigation Team, whose characters are continuing to develop nicely. I look forward to learning more about them in future novels. The team is understaffed and under-resourced and are working under tremendous stress.
This book was pure joy for me. At this writing there are under 300 ratings and less than 40 reviews on Goodreads and a paltry 7 reviews on amazon.com. This author is vastly underread. If you like Angela Marsons, Stacy Green, and Robert Bryndza, you will definitely like Michael Wood. I cannot recommend this series more highly. Of note, in my opinion, book #1 must be read before book #2, as there are some common threads. Yes, book #2 could be read as a standalone in regards to the central plot, but the reader is going to miss some important nuances and book #1 will actually be spoiled if book #2 is read first, so don’t do it.
I love the title; it fits the story perfectly.
Well done, Michael Wood. You have a lifetime fan in me. Now all you thriller enthusiasts trust me and give this author a go. You will be glad you did.
What an ingenious plot. Golly, I put a lot of effort into trying to pull all the clues together and failed miserably. A man is violently killed and his female companion is left for dead. At the same time, a rash of nasty burglaries are happening around Sheffield; and oh, an 80 year old man jumps off the roof of his apartment, but wait! He has blood on him and it’s not his! How do all these events connect? Or do they? We get it all in this book—love, hate, betrayal, revenge, tragedy, PTSD and more. We are treated to twists, reverse twists, re-reverse bombshells. There is plenty of suspense and palpitation-inducing thrills. Even in the last 10% of the book the thrills and surprises continue. And that last line—wowzers! Let’s talk!
We are reunited with DCI Matilda Darke, struggling with grief and PTSD after the death of the love of her life and the botching of a previous kidnapping case (not a spoiler), both of which were first addressed in book #1. Also returning are members of her Murder Investigation Team, whose characters are continuing to develop nicely. I look forward to learning more about them in future novels. The team is understaffed and under-resourced and are working under tremendous stress.
This book was pure joy for me. At this writing there are under 300 ratings and less than 40 reviews on Goodreads and a paltry 7 reviews on amazon.com. This author is vastly underread. If you like Angela Marsons, Stacy Green, and Robert Bryndza, you will definitely like Michael Wood. I cannot recommend this series more highly. Of note, in my opinion, book #1 must be read before book #2, as there are some common threads. Yes, book #2 could be read as a standalone in regards to the central plot, but the reader is going to miss some important nuances and book #1 will actually be spoiled if book #2 is read first, so don’t do it.
I love the title; it fits the story perfectly.
Well done, Michael Wood. You have a lifetime fan in me. Now all you thriller enthusiasts trust me and give this author a go. You will be glad you did.
November 27, 2018
4.5 stars
Michael Wood and DCI Matilda Darke are back again! Matilda is called to investigate when a man is found brutally murdered and his companion is clinging to life. Making this case even more interesting is that both victims, Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker, are married to other people. Their spouses are shocked and inform police they had no idea their spouse was having an affair. Both spouses have alibis and Darke and her team have very little to go on in terms of investigating the attack.
Plus, someone has been driving people off the street, an elderly man may have jumped off a roof (or was foul play involved?) and Matilda is still on the receiving end of negative journalism and the wrath of a mother whose son she was not able to save.
Matilda continues to be a likable character who is still dealing with the death of her husband, her quilt over not being able to save a child, and her growing library at home (what!?! is Matilda going to become a bookworm?). She is quirky, funny and tough. I can't help but root for her as takes charge and uses her wits, brains and pure determination to solve this case. Her team is also very likable and take the reader through this investigation with them.
This book had a few twists and turns which kept the pages turning and my interest piqued. I love this series but had not read this book and was happy to get caught up with the team. This book could easily work as a stand-alone novel, but since this is only book two, why not go back and start with the first book. Having read the other books in the series, I can say that the characters continue to develop over the course of this series. The relationships between them is strong and enjoyable to read.
This was a great book with a strong and great ending! Whew! what a shocker! I did not see that coming and it worked nicely. Very clever story-telling, with interesting characters and an intricate plot.
Michael Wood and DCI Matilda Darke are back again! Matilda is called to investigate when a man is found brutally murdered and his companion is clinging to life. Making this case even more interesting is that both victims, Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker, are married to other people. Their spouses are shocked and inform police they had no idea their spouse was having an affair. Both spouses have alibis and Darke and her team have very little to go on in terms of investigating the attack.
Plus, someone has been driving people off the street, an elderly man may have jumped off a roof (or was foul play involved?) and Matilda is still on the receiving end of negative journalism and the wrath of a mother whose son she was not able to save.
Matilda continues to be a likable character who is still dealing with the death of her husband, her quilt over not being able to save a child, and her growing library at home (what!?! is Matilda going to become a bookworm?). She is quirky, funny and tough. I can't help but root for her as takes charge and uses her wits, brains and pure determination to solve this case. Her team is also very likable and take the reader through this investigation with them.
This book had a few twists and turns which kept the pages turning and my interest piqued. I love this series but had not read this book and was happy to get caught up with the team. This book could easily work as a stand-alone novel, but since this is only book two, why not go back and start with the first book. Having read the other books in the series, I can say that the characters continue to develop over the course of this series. The relationships between them is strong and enjoyable to read.
This was a great book with a strong and great ending! Whew! what a shocker! I did not see that coming and it worked nicely. Very clever story-telling, with interesting characters and an intricate plot.
March 18, 2017
I have been behind in my reviews so I am doing something different for this one... I decided to give you a list of what people are saying about this book....
Praise for OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
‘At one point in this tense thriller, the endearing protagonist reflects that the investigation is like having “all the pieces of the jigsaw but…from different boxes”. Matilda Darke is right – and only in the final pages is the full picture revealed…’ Chris Simms
‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending. Recommended if you liked Happy Valley’ Mark Edwards
‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald
‘A compelling, addictive read, it’s hard to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke. She's strong character with real depth’ Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of THE GIRL IN THE ICE
Praise for FOR REASONS UNKNOWN:
‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward
‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page. I can’t wait for Michael Wood’s next one’ M.R. Hall
‘Gripping, sad and unexpected – this is a terrific debut. Wood writes with the confidence and flair of an old hand’ Alex Marwood
‘A strong debut with an intriguing mystery at its heart. The first thing that strikes me is how well he writes female characters. The novel is packed full of strong women’ Ben Cheetham
‘An appealing – and refreshingly human – lead character is swept along in this ingeniously plotted, fast paced debut’ Chris Simms
'This explosive novel is already making a bang – with reviewers comparing Michael’s work to that of his heroes Val McDermid and James Oswald' Sheffield Star
Praise for OUTSIDE LOOKING IN:
‘At one point in this tense thriller, the endearing protagonist reflects that the investigation is like having “all the pieces of the jigsaw but…from different boxes”. Matilda Darke is right – and only in the final pages is the full picture revealed…’ Chris Simms
‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending. Recommended if you liked Happy Valley’ Mark Edwards
‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald
‘A compelling, addictive read, it’s hard to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke. She's strong character with real depth’ Robert Bryndza, bestselling author of THE GIRL IN THE ICE
Praise for FOR REASONS UNKNOWN:
‘A beautifully written book with a dark heart and a secret that impacts on generations’ Sarah Ward
‘A skilfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off and will keep you guessing until the final page. I can’t wait for Michael Wood’s next one’ M.R. Hall
‘Gripping, sad and unexpected – this is a terrific debut. Wood writes with the confidence and flair of an old hand’ Alex Marwood
‘A strong debut with an intriguing mystery at its heart. The first thing that strikes me is how well he writes female characters. The novel is packed full of strong women’ Ben Cheetham
‘An appealing – and refreshingly human – lead character is swept along in this ingeniously plotted, fast paced debut’ Chris Simms
'This explosive novel is already making a bang – with reviewers comparing Michael’s work to that of his heroes Val McDermid and James Oswald' Sheffield Star
May 13, 2021
I am enjoying the Matilda Darke series and this is the 2nd installment.
The book starts with a bang, right away, as Matilda is called to investigate a brutal murder of a man with his companion barely clinging to life. As Matilda and crew try to imagine the why’s of this crime, things continue to mount and twist and turn. I honestly did not see the twists coming.
Matilda is a scarred heroine, but deeply likable. She’s surviving the death of her husband and in this book, the one year anniversary of his death is quickly approaching. She also is also juggling guilt and remorse, as a kidnapping case went horribly wrong and the case has deeply affected her. I am enjoying seeing Matilda grow as a character, juggling her duties and her guilt.
I wish I could immediately jump into the next book, but I’m going to space them out and truly enjoy the series.
So far, both books have been excellent, with interesting twists that I haven’t seen coming. And I’m glad Matilda is a multidimensional character that I want to root for in every book.
The book starts with a bang, right away, as Matilda is called to investigate a brutal murder of a man with his companion barely clinging to life. As Matilda and crew try to imagine the why’s of this crime, things continue to mount and twist and turn. I honestly did not see the twists coming.
Matilda is a scarred heroine, but deeply likable. She’s surviving the death of her husband and in this book, the one year anniversary of his death is quickly approaching. She also is also juggling guilt and remorse, as a kidnapping case went horribly wrong and the case has deeply affected her. I am enjoying seeing Matilda grow as a character, juggling her duties and her guilt.
I wish I could immediately jump into the next book, but I’m going to space them out and truly enjoy the series.
So far, both books have been excellent, with interesting twists that I haven’t seen coming. And I’m glad Matilda is a multidimensional character that I want to root for in every book.
September 28, 2023
Five plus rating love this author what a brilliant crime writer hooked from the start to the end, Matilda drake goes through alot solving the crime and dealing with her past,brilliant writing.the ending was keeping me on the edge of my seat.recommend to all who love crime books this is one of the best got the next book to read..
February 23, 2017
I have to say I was a tab bit hesitant to read the second book of Matilda Darke's series due to not totally obsessively loving the first book BUT this one definitely took a special place in my book heart ;).I have to say the books keep getting better! I have to say it has exceeded my expectations from the little bit of disappointment I had for the first novel.
First off, this cannot be a standalone novel... you have to start from book one in order to understand the entire storyline and connections with each character. The book starts off with a bang with an elderly couple that hears a constant honking SOS pattern from a vehicle in the night and wondering what is going on. The husband ventures into the woods and finds a vehicle stranded on the side of the road with a man shot to death and a woman badly beaten on the verge of her death. The case turns into Matilda Drake being assigned figuring out the man and woman including their family members from the accident have a lot of dirty secrets that come to play (no spoilers here!! :)
All of the characters from the first book are back in this novel just as sassy and funny as the first!! Matilda Darke's character I feel I connected with the most... I feel the heart ache for her knowing that she still is grieving from her husband's death and just can't move forward without letting her past affect herself and her cases as a detective.
Ooooo and my friends what a lovely little surprise that Michael Wood's even snuck in bringing our lovely ass of a character former DI Hales in this novel. (I think I loved this part the most....even though we truly found out what an evil and sinister character he is... and frankly wanted to kick him to the curb).... and I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to see more of him somehow in the third novel.... hmmm my interest is perked with this!
AND can I just say the final paragraph in the last chapter before the epilogue DAMN my mouth feel open!!! EKKKKK haha. No spoilers but in the epilogue it just kept me wanting more to find out what happened to THE other kidnapping case (you will understand once you have read the series).
Bah!!! I need to get my hands on the third novel for sure. I highly highly recommend diving into this series for all my mystery and thriller fans!!
Rating 5+ for moi :).
First off, this cannot be a standalone novel... you have to start from book one in order to understand the entire storyline and connections with each character. The book starts off with a bang with an elderly couple that hears a constant honking SOS pattern from a vehicle in the night and wondering what is going on. The husband ventures into the woods and finds a vehicle stranded on the side of the road with a man shot to death and a woman badly beaten on the verge of her death. The case turns into Matilda Drake being assigned figuring out the man and woman including their family members from the accident have a lot of dirty secrets that come to play (no spoilers here!! :)
All of the characters from the first book are back in this novel just as sassy and funny as the first!! Matilda Darke's character I feel I connected with the most... I feel the heart ache for her knowing that she still is grieving from her husband's death and just can't move forward without letting her past affect herself and her cases as a detective.
Ooooo and my friends what a lovely little surprise that Michael Wood's even snuck in bringing our lovely ass of a character former DI Hales in this novel. (I think I loved this part the most....even though we truly found out what an evil and sinister character he is... and frankly wanted to kick him to the curb).... and I have a sneaky feeling that we are going to see more of him somehow in the third novel.... hmmm my interest is perked with this!
AND can I just say the final paragraph in the last chapter before the epilogue DAMN my mouth feel open!!! EKKKKK haha. No spoilers but in the epilogue it just kept me wanting more to find out what happened to THE other kidnapping case (you will understand once you have read the series).
Bah!!! I need to get my hands on the third novel for sure. I highly highly recommend diving into this series for all my mystery and thriller fans!!
Rating 5+ for moi :).
February 28, 2017
Outside Looking In: What a wild, crazy ride this is! And I’m not just talking about the case that begins the night that an older gentleman leaves his bedroom to investigate the source of a car horn tooting out SOS in Morse code and discovers a horrendous scene. I’m also thinking of DCI Matilda Darke, who is still reeling from the death of her husband and also from brutal criticism regarding an unsolved kidnapping case. Not only that, but her squad is about to be decimated by budget cuts. Talk about a pressure cooker!
Michael Wood has done it again. He has written a compelling thriller with complex, flawed characters. Please don’t start with this book. There are references to his debut novel, For Reasons Unknown, and Outside Looking In continues the story of Matilda Darke and her recovery from recent losses and struggles in her personal and professional life.
George Rainsford finds a shocking scene near his home late one night. The body of a man, beaten and shot to death, lies on the ground. Inside the car, a battered woman has been left for dead. Police soon learn that the victims, Kevin Hardaker and Lois Craven, are both married, but not to each other. Alice Hardaker and Martin Craven swear they were unaware their spouses were involved with one another. That same night, an elderly man jumps or falls from an apartment building. Adele Kean, the pathologist and a close friend of Matilda’s, makes a startling pronouncement: he has someone else’s blood on his clothing. Are these two incidents related? Could an 80-year-old man possibly have something to do with Lois and Kevin’s affair? Or are these double murders that are related to a recent string of burglaries in the city?
Matilda is making small steps in her personal life following the death of her husband, but it’s coming up on the one-year anniversary, and she still grieves him and misses him dearly. To her credit, she no longer seeks comfort from a bottle of booze; instead, she actually admits that her psychotherapist is doing her some good. However, attacks in the media regarding the failure of police to recover a missing child – directed specifically at DCI Darke – are unrelenting and vicious. Will they become even more personal? This is just one more difficult challenge that Matilda doesn’t need in her life right now.
These factors and more all add up to a terrifically thrilling, even terrifying, at times, twisty- turny tale of a tryst between two-timers turned terribly topsy-turvy. As in wrong. Dead wrong. Can Matilda Darke sort it all out, or is she, as her mysterious detractor proclaims, incompetent? Mentally unbalanced?
This was a greatly engrossing story with mishaps and tragedies occurring one right after another. I’m afraid Matilda’s going to need a lot more therapy after this caper! Wood does an excellent job with DCI Darke. He exposes her fears, her grief, her determination, and her strength. To a lesser degree, he shows us some of Adele’s character, too, especially her loyalty as a friend to Matilda. There’s a little bit of detail about some of the murder investigation team members, and I hope we learn more of them in the next book. One of the things that I truly appreciate about DCI Darke is the way she praises and thanks her team and makes a point to show her concern for them. Even though she is suffering inside, she makes it a point to show kindness to those she works with. I hope she pulls together and is less of a mess in the next one. She deserves some happiness!
Don’t be caught on the outside looking in. Read Michael Wood. Highly recommended.
5 stars
Michael Wood has done it again. He has written a compelling thriller with complex, flawed characters. Please don’t start with this book. There are references to his debut novel, For Reasons Unknown, and Outside Looking In continues the story of Matilda Darke and her recovery from recent losses and struggles in her personal and professional life.
George Rainsford finds a shocking scene near his home late one night. The body of a man, beaten and shot to death, lies on the ground. Inside the car, a battered woman has been left for dead. Police soon learn that the victims, Kevin Hardaker and Lois Craven, are both married, but not to each other. Alice Hardaker and Martin Craven swear they were unaware their spouses were involved with one another. That same night, an elderly man jumps or falls from an apartment building. Adele Kean, the pathologist and a close friend of Matilda’s, makes a startling pronouncement: he has someone else’s blood on his clothing. Are these two incidents related? Could an 80-year-old man possibly have something to do with Lois and Kevin’s affair? Or are these double murders that are related to a recent string of burglaries in the city?
Matilda is making small steps in her personal life following the death of her husband, but it’s coming up on the one-year anniversary, and she still grieves him and misses him dearly. To her credit, she no longer seeks comfort from a bottle of booze; instead, she actually admits that her psychotherapist is doing her some good. However, attacks in the media regarding the failure of police to recover a missing child – directed specifically at DCI Darke – are unrelenting and vicious. Will they become even more personal? This is just one more difficult challenge that Matilda doesn’t need in her life right now.
These factors and more all add up to a terrifically thrilling, even terrifying, at times, twisty- turny tale of a tryst between two-timers turned terribly topsy-turvy. As in wrong. Dead wrong. Can Matilda Darke sort it all out, or is she, as her mysterious detractor proclaims, incompetent? Mentally unbalanced?
This was a greatly engrossing story with mishaps and tragedies occurring one right after another. I’m afraid Matilda’s going to need a lot more therapy after this caper! Wood does an excellent job with DCI Darke. He exposes her fears, her grief, her determination, and her strength. To a lesser degree, he shows us some of Adele’s character, too, especially her loyalty as a friend to Matilda. There’s a little bit of detail about some of the murder investigation team members, and I hope we learn more of them in the next book. One of the things that I truly appreciate about DCI Darke is the way she praises and thanks her team and makes a point to show her concern for them. Even though she is suffering inside, she makes it a point to show kindness to those she works with. I hope she pulls together and is less of a mess in the next one. She deserves some happiness!
Don’t be caught on the outside looking in. Read Michael Wood. Highly recommended.
5 stars
July 24, 2016
This is the second book in Michael Wood’s darkly, compelling crime series featuring DCI Matilda Darke. Ever since I read For Reasons Unknown, (which I absolutely loved by the way) I’ve been eagerly awaiting Outside Looking In. Now I don’t know about you but when I really love a book I’m always worried that the follow up book will be a bit of a let down, but I’m thrilled to report this book is just as good, if not better than the previous one. Outside Looking In delivers a chilling first chapter, I’m not going to say to much about the plot as its all in the book description but suffice to say “that first heart stopping Chapter”drew me in and kept me gripped until to the very last page. You could read Outside Looking In as a standalone, but I would recommend reading For Reasons Unknown first, just because it’s so darn good.
As DCI Matilda Darke investigates a man being killed, and a woman being brutally beaten and left for dead, it soon becomes clear to Matilda that she faces her most disturbing case yet, what follows is a well paced, dark, intriguing tale. Matilda Darke is fast becoming a favourite with me, as are her team, characterisation is spot on and natural sounding dialogue make the characters come alive. What I love about the main protagonist Matilda is that although she appears strong, determined and resourceful, she has a vulnerable side to her personality, she is struggling to cope with the death of her husband, and is haunted by a case she never solved, at times her mental health is questionable, but this is what makes Matilda a very credible and likeable character.
Outside Looking In is a very cleverly plotted crime thriller, there are so many threads to the investigation you can only wonder as the novel progresses how they are all going to tie together, but they do tie together in the most shocking way. Fraught with tension throughout, this was certainly “an edge of your seat” read. As the investigation reaches its dramatic conclusion I found my heart racing at the unexpected turn of events. Outside Looking In contains all the ingredients I look for in a crime thriller, a well devised plot, interesting characters, intrigue and a tale so well written it keeps me turning the pages, Michael Wood manages to cover every aspect wth aplomb. Shock, horror! I actually put off reading Peter James new book to read Inside Looking In, and I’m so glad I did, Michael Wood is certainly fast becoming one of my favourite British crime writers He writes with grit, enthusiasm and passion and manages to deliver on all fronts. I am not exaggerating when I say “I really can’t wait for next book in this must read series”.
As DCI Matilda Darke investigates a man being killed, and a woman being brutally beaten and left for dead, it soon becomes clear to Matilda that she faces her most disturbing case yet, what follows is a well paced, dark, intriguing tale. Matilda Darke is fast becoming a favourite with me, as are her team, characterisation is spot on and natural sounding dialogue make the characters come alive. What I love about the main protagonist Matilda is that although she appears strong, determined and resourceful, she has a vulnerable side to her personality, she is struggling to cope with the death of her husband, and is haunted by a case she never solved, at times her mental health is questionable, but this is what makes Matilda a very credible and likeable character.
Outside Looking In is a very cleverly plotted crime thriller, there are so many threads to the investigation you can only wonder as the novel progresses how they are all going to tie together, but they do tie together in the most shocking way. Fraught with tension throughout, this was certainly “an edge of your seat” read. As the investigation reaches its dramatic conclusion I found my heart racing at the unexpected turn of events. Outside Looking In contains all the ingredients I look for in a crime thriller, a well devised plot, interesting characters, intrigue and a tale so well written it keeps me turning the pages, Michael Wood manages to cover every aspect wth aplomb. Shock, horror! I actually put off reading Peter James new book to read Inside Looking In, and I’m so glad I did, Michael Wood is certainly fast becoming one of my favourite British crime writers He writes with grit, enthusiasm and passion and manages to deliver on all fronts. I am not exaggerating when I say “I really can’t wait for next book in this must read series”.
May 26, 2016
I have just finished this book and I have so many feelings!!!! I am in bereft because I've devoured this book in one day after months of anticipation!
Michael Wood is an exceptional crime writer. He gives nods to other crime writers in this book, without realising he gives the same pleasure to readers of his books!
Outside Looking In is a brilliantly written, thoroughly engaging read.
From the opening pages (of which I started immediately once I got the book at midnight!!!) to the very last line, I was completely hooked.
I experienced a range of emotions reading this book, and I wasn't expecting that at all!
The characters in Michael Wood's books are so well thought out. I love his style of writing, and Matilda Darke is a brilliantly flawed protagonist. It's not difficult to feel for her, to root for her and her team during the course of their investigations.
I'm always worried that after reading an authors debut that the follow up may not live up to its predecessor. With Outside Looking In, Michael Wood need not worry! A well plotted, thrilling and fast paced read, I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
FULL REVIEW (I know!!) to follow on July 8th!
Michael Wood is an exceptional crime writer. He gives nods to other crime writers in this book, without realising he gives the same pleasure to readers of his books!
Outside Looking In is a brilliantly written, thoroughly engaging read.
From the opening pages (of which I started immediately once I got the book at midnight!!!) to the very last line, I was completely hooked.
I experienced a range of emotions reading this book, and I wasn't expecting that at all!
The characters in Michael Wood's books are so well thought out. I love his style of writing, and Matilda Darke is a brilliantly flawed protagonist. It's not difficult to feel for her, to root for her and her team during the course of their investigations.
I'm always worried that after reading an authors debut that the follow up may not live up to its predecessor. With Outside Looking In, Michael Wood need not worry! A well plotted, thrilling and fast paced read, I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
FULL REVIEW (I know!!) to follow on July 8th!
June 12, 2022
Matilda Darke is back in this second book and jumps right into a brutal murder and a mysterious man dressed all in black terrorizing the neighborhood.
I really liked how some details fell in line with the first book. One of her old cases with a failed attempt to save a young boy from his kidnappers still haunts her. You kind of get the feeling that this whole series of books will eventually come back to this case.
I love the writing style and the plot lines. Each one is unique in their own way.
I really liked how some details fell in line with the first book. One of her old cases with a failed attempt to save a young boy from his kidnappers still haunts her. You kind of get the feeling that this whole series of books will eventually come back to this case.
I love the writing style and the plot lines. Each one is unique in their own way.
April 4, 2017
Dear Reader,
This was a fantastic,deeply compelling page turner that magically took me out of the 'book funk' I've been in recently.
Matilda Darke makes a welcome comeback in this,the second book in the series, and is faced with one of the toughest cases so far in her career.
With the absence of clues,enemies and leads,Matilda and her team struggle to find out who killed Kevin Hardaker,viciously attacked his girlfriend,Lois Craven and their motives for such delinquent behaviour.
Fate seems to be throwing all its toys out of the pram at Matilda as she faces the imminent disbandment of the MIT, two of her officers become the victims of serious assaults and she notices a mysterious BMW that seems to be constantly on her tail.......
Who's threatening her,who holds a grudge against her and how is she and her team ever going to expose the person responsible for the death/assault of Kevin and Lois, inherently 'good' people?
I must admit to loving this beautifully crafted story,the carefully chosen words that immediately draw the reader in,enticing and bewitching them until story's end.
Matilda and her team are written in such a highly descriptive and evocative manner,that they leap from the page as if magically transformed into 3-D characters.
I feel like I know each member of her team,would love to join them for a cuppa and a chat,or preferably be invited to join Matilda and Adele for some Carbanade de Flammande!!!
This is the second book that I've read by this author. I've already bought the third in the series and can't wait to find out what will befall Matilda,Rory,Sian and the others!
Highly recommended to all crime lovers!
This was a fantastic,deeply compelling page turner that magically took me out of the 'book funk' I've been in recently.
Matilda Darke makes a welcome comeback in this,the second book in the series, and is faced with one of the toughest cases so far in her career.
With the absence of clues,enemies and leads,Matilda and her team struggle to find out who killed Kevin Hardaker,viciously attacked his girlfriend,Lois Craven and their motives for such delinquent behaviour.
Fate seems to be throwing all its toys out of the pram at Matilda as she faces the imminent disbandment of the MIT, two of her officers become the victims of serious assaults and she notices a mysterious BMW that seems to be constantly on her tail.......
Who's threatening her,who holds a grudge against her and how is she and her team ever going to expose the person responsible for the death/assault of Kevin and Lois, inherently 'good' people?
I must admit to loving this beautifully crafted story,the carefully chosen words that immediately draw the reader in,enticing and bewitching them until story's end.
Matilda and her team are written in such a highly descriptive and evocative manner,that they leap from the page as if magically transformed into 3-D characters.
I feel like I know each member of her team,would love to join them for a cuppa and a chat,or preferably be invited to join Matilda and Adele for some Carbanade de Flammande!!!
This is the second book that I've read by this author. I've already bought the third in the series and can't wait to find out what will befall Matilda,Rory,Sian and the others!
Highly recommended to all crime lovers!
April 22, 2025
loving this series!
December 14, 2019
This is the 2nd book in the DCI Matilda Darke series by author Michael Wood.
Having come down with the DCI Matilda Darke obsession I have continued with book two which was everything the previous book offered. Good plot, great characters and so well written.
The murdered body of Kevin Hardaker and a brutally beaten Lois Craven are discovered by a local man George Rainsford. The couple are both married and appear to be in an affair. Their spouses both have alibis for the attack and there are no obvious suspects.
The plots are very well thought out but what makes this series so good are the characters. Interesting, real and they come with flaws.
Another excellent read.
Having come down with the DCI Matilda Darke obsession I have continued with book two which was everything the previous book offered. Good plot, great characters and so well written.
The murdered body of Kevin Hardaker and a brutally beaten Lois Craven are discovered by a local man George Rainsford. The couple are both married and appear to be in an affair. Their spouses both have alibis for the attack and there are no obvious suspects.
The plots are very well thought out but what makes this series so good are the characters. Interesting, real and they come with flaws.
Another excellent read.
June 22, 2016
I have been desperate to get my hands on this book to read and review ever since I finished For Reasons Unknown back in January. I recommended that book to everyone I know and they all loved it too! So I made sure that Outside Looking In was preordered ready to magically appear on my Kindle on publication day. But would it live up to my expectations after loving the first book in the series so much? Well I am happy to say that not only did it live up to those expectations, it exceeded them!
I will start by saying please do read For Reasons Unknown first. This one could possibly be read as a standalone but I strongly recommend it isn’t! This sequel contains spoilers to that first book and you will get so much more from this one if you have more background information about Matilda and her previous cases. The opening chapter here really is a bit of a shocker and sets the pace for a fabulously suspenseful police investigation. A couple getting ready for bed hear a car horn being bleeped constantly, eventually working out that it is signalling an SOS. The husband goes to investigate further and discovers a disturbing crime scene with one man dead and a woman shot and badly beaten. DCI Matilda Drake is brought in with her MIT team to find their attacker and begins to uncover the secrets hidden by the couple, who were married but not to each other.
What I love about these books is that Matilda is a woman that we shouldn’t really like, she’s a mess emotionally and her career is hanging by a thread still. But there is a vulnerability about her and a rawness to her grief that just pulls you in. She constantly breaks the rules putting others safety above her own. I love her relationship with Adele still but I also found all the characters to be well written and realistic. Once again Sian was there with her snack drawer (no Tunnocks teacakes this time though disappointingly!) to keep them all going and its little touches like this that make me feel so at home in Michael Woods books and in their dark and gritty Sheffield setting.
I really can’t recommend this book highly enough. The series just keeps getting better and I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment now! But when will we be discovering more about THAT kidnapping case? I have a feeling that there is so much more to come there. I just want to finish by observing that throughout this book Michael Wood gives a nod towards some of my very favourite crime writers but he can certainly add himself to that list now as well!
I will start by saying please do read For Reasons Unknown first. This one could possibly be read as a standalone but I strongly recommend it isn’t! This sequel contains spoilers to that first book and you will get so much more from this one if you have more background information about Matilda and her previous cases. The opening chapter here really is a bit of a shocker and sets the pace for a fabulously suspenseful police investigation. A couple getting ready for bed hear a car horn being bleeped constantly, eventually working out that it is signalling an SOS. The husband goes to investigate further and discovers a disturbing crime scene with one man dead and a woman shot and badly beaten. DCI Matilda Drake is brought in with her MIT team to find their attacker and begins to uncover the secrets hidden by the couple, who were married but not to each other.
What I love about these books is that Matilda is a woman that we shouldn’t really like, she’s a mess emotionally and her career is hanging by a thread still. But there is a vulnerability about her and a rawness to her grief that just pulls you in. She constantly breaks the rules putting others safety above her own. I love her relationship with Adele still but I also found all the characters to be well written and realistic. Once again Sian was there with her snack drawer (no Tunnocks teacakes this time though disappointingly!) to keep them all going and its little touches like this that make me feel so at home in Michael Woods books and in their dark and gritty Sheffield setting.
I really can’t recommend this book highly enough. The series just keeps getting better and I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment now! But when will we be discovering more about THAT kidnapping case? I have a feeling that there is so much more to come there. I just want to finish by observing that throughout this book Michael Wood gives a nod towards some of my very favourite crime writers but he can certainly add himself to that list now as well!
July 1, 2016
I read and very much enjoyed the first book in the series For Reasons Unknown but with this, the second in the Matilda Darke series, the writing has gone up several notches. Michael Wood is clearly an extremely talented crime writer and definitely one to look out for.
Our introduction to DCI Matilda Darke in book 1 was to an emotionally broken woman, grieving for her husband and finding it difficult to function without alcohol and pills. Matilda still has her demons to face but she is slowly improving; the events of this story are set a couple of months after the end of book 1. I really do like Matilda as a character. She acts on gut instinct and is not afraid to go against the rules if needs be; with her it’s a case of ‘act first, explain later’.
It doesn’t help that coinciding with the first anniversary of her husband’s death, is the first anniversary of the disappearance of a young boy, Carl Meagan. His family hold Matilda responsible and someone is making sure she doesn’t forget that. An ambitious young local reporter is also on her back, intent on making life very difficult for her.
There is no gentle introduction to this story. The action begins straight away with a brutal murder and vicious attack in a quiet suburban lane late at night. There is no obvious motive for the attack however Matilda and her Murder Investigation Team are under pressure to provide a fast resolution especially as alongside the murder, the CID team are investigating a stream of vicious burglaries. The public need reassurance that they are safe and with the press on their back, the perpetrators need to be caught and quickly. However this is not so easy with budget cuts taking place from which even the MIT are not immune.
I’m not going to suggest that you can read this as a standalone. I would strongly advise that you read For Reasons Unknown first. Mainly, because events are mentioned here which could spoil book 1 for you if you intend to read it but also you would get so much more out of the story, especially with Matilda’s background. Book 1 alludes to a previous case of Matilda’s causing her to take time out and this story expands on that.
Outside Looking In is a much darker and disturbing read involving some brutal crimes and if you like your crime thrillers dark and twisted then this definitely the book for you. Many of the same friends and colleagues around Matilda feature, along with some new ones but there is something reassuring in meeting again with familiar characters. As you would expect in a quality crime thriller, the story twists and turns all the way through.
Outside Looking In grabs you from the first page and is such an addictive read – I didn’t want to put it down and read it at every opportunity. With believable dialogue and expertly drawn characters, some of whom will make you shudder, this was a 5* read for me and another series that I will just have to follow. Well done Mr Wood. You’ve nailed it!
Our introduction to DCI Matilda Darke in book 1 was to an emotionally broken woman, grieving for her husband and finding it difficult to function without alcohol and pills. Matilda still has her demons to face but she is slowly improving; the events of this story are set a couple of months after the end of book 1. I really do like Matilda as a character. She acts on gut instinct and is not afraid to go against the rules if needs be; with her it’s a case of ‘act first, explain later’.
It doesn’t help that coinciding with the first anniversary of her husband’s death, is the first anniversary of the disappearance of a young boy, Carl Meagan. His family hold Matilda responsible and someone is making sure she doesn’t forget that. An ambitious young local reporter is also on her back, intent on making life very difficult for her.
There is no gentle introduction to this story. The action begins straight away with a brutal murder and vicious attack in a quiet suburban lane late at night. There is no obvious motive for the attack however Matilda and her Murder Investigation Team are under pressure to provide a fast resolution especially as alongside the murder, the CID team are investigating a stream of vicious burglaries. The public need reassurance that they are safe and with the press on their back, the perpetrators need to be caught and quickly. However this is not so easy with budget cuts taking place from which even the MIT are not immune.
I’m not going to suggest that you can read this as a standalone. I would strongly advise that you read For Reasons Unknown first. Mainly, because events are mentioned here which could spoil book 1 for you if you intend to read it but also you would get so much more out of the story, especially with Matilda’s background. Book 1 alludes to a previous case of Matilda’s causing her to take time out and this story expands on that.
Outside Looking In is a much darker and disturbing read involving some brutal crimes and if you like your crime thrillers dark and twisted then this definitely the book for you. Many of the same friends and colleagues around Matilda feature, along with some new ones but there is something reassuring in meeting again with familiar characters. As you would expect in a quality crime thriller, the story twists and turns all the way through.
Outside Looking In grabs you from the first page and is such an addictive read – I didn’t want to put it down and read it at every opportunity. With believable dialogue and expertly drawn characters, some of whom will make you shudder, this was a 5* read for me and another series that I will just have to follow. Well done Mr Wood. You’ve nailed it!
June 8, 2025
Outside Looking In is a second book in DCI Matilda Darke series and it's a brilliant brilliant book. Dark and compelling, superbly written, the story is gripping and with enough surprises to make it an unputdownable read. Loved it!
June 15, 2022
At times a proper page turner and it worked well on an airplane. Writing this review a week after reading, though, I realise my memory of it really fading already.
Some odd pieces of narrative or dialog has gotten by the editor and may throw you quite a bit when reading, but the overall story works well as a few hours’ entertainment. I have no idea how it can have so high average rating here, but I’d be ok to pick up more in the series in the future.
Some odd pieces of narrative or dialog has gotten by the editor and may throw you quite a bit when reading, but the overall story works well as a few hours’ entertainment. I have no idea how it can have so high average rating here, but I’d be ok to pick up more in the series in the future.
June 20, 2016
For Reasons Unknown which is the first book in the series as well as the authors debut novel, totally blew me away. It was in my top ten reads of 2015, so I’m sure you can imagine how ecstatic I was when publishing day came about and I got my hands on the second novel.
Matilda and her team have quite a shocking case to investigate but that’s not the only thing Matilda has to deal with. Unfortunately for her someone in the press seems to have it in for her and it is making her working life as well as her personal one, pretty much hellish to say the least.
I really think readers would benefit from reading the first book in the series before reading this one, solely because a character from the first book comes up in this novel and to understand the relationship between Matilda and them, it would certainly be better to have read For Reasons Unkown first.
The attack carried out on Kevin and Lois, truly is an horrific one and I think its hard for the family and the police to understand why someone would carry out such an horrendous act.
I really felt bad for both of the families that not only had to deal with the effects of the crime but also the fact that their loved ones had been having an affair. I just didn’t know how someone could cope with that sort of news. Matilda and the other officers on the case are obviously desperate to find out who attacked both victims as you can see that emotionally is is affecting them also.
My heart really went out to Matilda, she still isn’t over the death of her much loved husband and she is still beating herself up over a case of a missing boy as it still hasn’t been solved, of which the family hold Matilda fully responsible for. What with the press as well as nuisance phone calls she is receiving she really has it full on at the moment and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of her getting a break. She has her good friend Adele though as well as some good colleagues that work beside her, which to be honest is a good thing as I think she would find it even harder to cope with if she didn’t at least have them.
Outside Looking In is the amazing follow up to what was already a brilliant novel. I didn’t know if the author could create another belter of a read, but yet again he has not only delivered, but smashed what ever bar he set on the last novel. I seriously was not expecting some of the twists that occurred and I am sure I may have dribbled as my mouth was open that many times from my jaw dropping. The Matilda Darke series is an absolute must read for any crime fans and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Matilda and her team have quite a shocking case to investigate but that’s not the only thing Matilda has to deal with. Unfortunately for her someone in the press seems to have it in for her and it is making her working life as well as her personal one, pretty much hellish to say the least.
I really think readers would benefit from reading the first book in the series before reading this one, solely because a character from the first book comes up in this novel and to understand the relationship between Matilda and them, it would certainly be better to have read For Reasons Unkown first.
The attack carried out on Kevin and Lois, truly is an horrific one and I think its hard for the family and the police to understand why someone would carry out such an horrendous act.
I really felt bad for both of the families that not only had to deal with the effects of the crime but also the fact that their loved ones had been having an affair. I just didn’t know how someone could cope with that sort of news. Matilda and the other officers on the case are obviously desperate to find out who attacked both victims as you can see that emotionally is is affecting them also.
My heart really went out to Matilda, she still isn’t over the death of her much loved husband and she is still beating herself up over a case of a missing boy as it still hasn’t been solved, of which the family hold Matilda fully responsible for. What with the press as well as nuisance phone calls she is receiving she really has it full on at the moment and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of her getting a break. She has her good friend Adele though as well as some good colleagues that work beside her, which to be honest is a good thing as I think she would find it even harder to cope with if she didn’t at least have them.
Outside Looking In is the amazing follow up to what was already a brilliant novel. I didn’t know if the author could create another belter of a read, but yet again he has not only delivered, but smashed what ever bar he set on the last novel. I seriously was not expecting some of the twists that occurred and I am sure I may have dribbled as my mouth was open that many times from my jaw dropping. The Matilda Darke series is an absolute must read for any crime fans and can’t recommend it highly enough.
September 14, 2016
This was a great follow up to For Reason Unknown. A car horn rhythmically blaring forces an elderly man out of his home to investigate. He finds a couple brutally attacked. The man is dead and the woman is almost dead. DCI Matilda Darke, that wonderful character we met in the first book, is assigned the case.
But it is not smooth sailing for her. The case is hard to crack, a new journalist is giving her a really hard time and questioning her competency, she thinks she is being followed and she is getting crank calls. There are red herrings and some lovely twists. Another excellent book from Michael Wood. I'm also thinking that future books may have more about the kidnapping of Carl that, along with the death of her husband, started Matilda's unravelling in the first episode. He may well turn out to be pivotal to the ongoing narrative. We'll see.
But it is not smooth sailing for her. The case is hard to crack, a new journalist is giving her a really hard time and questioning her competency, she thinks she is being followed and she is getting crank calls. There are red herrings and some lovely twists. Another excellent book from Michael Wood. I'm also thinking that future books may have more about the kidnapping of Carl that, along with the death of her husband, started Matilda's unravelling in the first episode. He may well turn out to be pivotal to the ongoing narrative. We'll see.
May 25, 2018
Not a bad read, but there were instances that were just a bit unbelievable, shame on you Mr. Wood. I like to think that the head of a detective unit/squad would be more alert to her surroundings instead of having selective "tinglies" - DCI Darke is a broken, damaged, and fragile woman, this is drilled into the read endlessly - this is getting a bit tiresome, time to move on Mr. Wood!
The actual storyline is a good one, fast-paced with twists and turns, the odd red herring tossed in make this a page turner at times!
3.5 stars and a thumbs up
The actual storyline is a good one, fast-paced with twists and turns, the odd red herring tossed in make this a page turner at times!
3.5 stars and a thumbs up
February 13, 2017
I wanted to read this book last year, when it was published, but for some reason it slipped through my net. Now, as the author is about to publish book 3 in his fabulous DCI Matilda Darke series, I really wanted to catch up, and finally got round to reading it. And you know what? I could just kick myself for not reading it before. This book is just
fan-freakin'-tastic!!
'Outside Looking In' can be read as a standalone, but I would still highly recommend readers to start the series in order, from 'For Reasons Unknown' (which is another brilliant book and one of my top reads of 2015), because in this book there are references to a case dealt with in the first one.
I loved the way the author begins this book, drawing the reader into the story right from the first page. An elderly man goes out in the night to investigate the continuous and rhytmic sound of a car horn. The sound leads him to a dark alley where he stumbles upon a scene of utter horror. The bloody, battered body of a man is lying on the ground, and a woman covered in blood, is lying half outside the car desperately pressing the horn for help. It's obvious that this couple has been subjected to a vicious attack. What happened here? Who are these people? Who did this to them? And why?
The woman is rushed to hospital and DCI Matilda Darke and her team are called in to investigate. But with no suspects, no leads and no evidence, this will be a very hard nut to crack. Everyone seems to be hiding something, but someone knows what happened and is lying... but who?
Michael Wood is an extraordinary, talented writer. His writing is excellent and all characters are brought vividly to life through very realistic dialogue. I love his books, his writing style and his main character, Matilda Darke. A year after losing her husband, Matilda is still in mourning and struggling to cope with life and work. Apart from that she's continuously attacked by the press for failing to return an abducted young boy to his parents following a botched ransom drop. And if that wasn't enough, someone is out to get her... But who and why? Will she succeed in solving this case and prove her worth in the police again?
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a very absorbing, dark and twisted read that hooked me in from the start. The plot is thick, well-thought out and full of twists and turns, keeping the reader engrossed throughout. Whenever I had some time to read a few chapters I always found it hard to put my kindle back down. I desperately wanted to know who did this to these people and why. The author keeps the suspense levels high at all times, making this a very fast-paced read. The ending was totally heart-pounding and breathtaking.
This is another fabulous addition to the series and I can't recommend it highly enough. Well done Mr Wood!! Now on to book 3 - 'A Room Full of Killers'.
'Outside Looking In' can be read as a standalone, but I would still highly recommend readers to start the series in order, from 'For Reasons Unknown' (which is another brilliant book and one of my top reads of 2015), because in this book there are references to a case dealt with in the first one.
I loved the way the author begins this book, drawing the reader into the story right from the first page. An elderly man goes out in the night to investigate the continuous and rhytmic sound of a car horn. The sound leads him to a dark alley where he stumbles upon a scene of utter horror. The bloody, battered body of a man is lying on the ground, and a woman covered in blood, is lying half outside the car desperately pressing the horn for help. It's obvious that this couple has been subjected to a vicious attack. What happened here? Who are these people? Who did this to them? And why?
The woman is rushed to hospital and DCI Matilda Darke and her team are called in to investigate. But with no suspects, no leads and no evidence, this will be a very hard nut to crack. Everyone seems to be hiding something, but someone knows what happened and is lying... but who?
Michael Wood is an extraordinary, talented writer. His writing is excellent and all characters are brought vividly to life through very realistic dialogue. I love his books, his writing style and his main character, Matilda Darke. A year after losing her husband, Matilda is still in mourning and struggling to cope with life and work. Apart from that she's continuously attacked by the press for failing to return an abducted young boy to his parents following a botched ransom drop. And if that wasn't enough, someone is out to get her... But who and why? Will she succeed in solving this case and prove her worth in the police again?
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a very absorbing, dark and twisted read that hooked me in from the start. The plot is thick, well-thought out and full of twists and turns, keeping the reader engrossed throughout. Whenever I had some time to read a few chapters I always found it hard to put my kindle back down. I desperately wanted to know who did this to these people and why. The author keeps the suspense levels high at all times, making this a very fast-paced read. The ending was totally heart-pounding and breathtaking.
This is another fabulous addition to the series and I can't recommend it highly enough. Well done Mr Wood!! Now on to book 3 - 'A Room Full of Killers'.
October 22, 2023
Outside Looking In had one heck of a start! A man had been beaten and killed, and his female companion beaten, raped, shot, and left for dead!!
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the previous one, For Reasons Unknown. On the positive side, I liked getting to know DCI Matilda Darke's friends, family, and co-workers better.
On the negative side, although Matilda seemed to be dealing with the loss of her husband a wee bit better at the start of the book, soon it was back to her lack of ability to cope, which was repeated many times in the rest of the book. I get it. Losing one's loved ones is excruciating. But how many times can that be covered in two books? (Apparently, MANY.)
Then there are the references to popping anti-depressants and achieving immediate mood boosts from them, which is not at all how anti-depressants work.
Having written all of that, I do have the third book in the series A Room Full of Killers downloaded so I'm giving the series one more try!
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the previous one, For Reasons Unknown. On the positive side, I liked getting to know DCI Matilda Darke's friends, family, and co-workers better.
On the negative side, although Matilda seemed to be dealing with the loss of her husband a wee bit better at the start of the book, soon it was back to her lack of ability to cope, which was repeated many times in the rest of the book. I get it. Losing one's loved ones is excruciating. But how many times can that be covered in two books? (Apparently, MANY.)
Then there are the references to popping anti-depressants and achieving immediate mood boosts from them, which is not at all how anti-depressants work.
Having written all of that, I do have the third book in the series A Room Full of Killers downloaded so I'm giving the series one more try!
February 28, 2020
I haven't enjoyed this, and I was glad to finish it. I'd completely forgotten how much I dislike Matilda Darke and how completely unsuited she is to her job. I'm sure she wouldn't last five minutes in a real Police Force - or at least I hope not!
I have to admit the plot is a good one, and this kept me going to the end, despite a few tenuous twists.
The author tends to get bogged down with Matilda's private life, her lack of ability to cope with bereavement and a previous case (hence my earlier comment) and general weakness of character, all of which are revisited on countless occasions. I lost patience with her!
Two and a half stars, because of the plot, not the characters.
Would I read it again? No, and I probably won't pursue the rest of the series. A disappointing read.
I have to admit the plot is a good one, and this kept me going to the end, despite a few tenuous twists.
The author tends to get bogged down with Matilda's private life, her lack of ability to cope with bereavement and a previous case (hence my earlier comment) and general weakness of character, all of which are revisited on countless occasions. I lost patience with her!
Two and a half stars, because of the plot, not the characters.
Would I read it again? No, and I probably won't pursue the rest of the series. A disappointing read.
July 7, 2016
I was so excited when my pre order of this book passed through the ether and landed on my kindle– there were many EEEKS and OMFG’s expelled from my lips (sorry Michael I am over 40 and use OMG a lot! ha ha ha — but in my defense…I actually say Oh My God and not O-M-G in public). After reading For Reasons Unknown I had eagerly been waiting for the return of the awesomeness that is DCI Matilda Darke. And #bookjunkies…it was well worth the friggin wait! I always worry that Book 2 in the series will not have the same impact as Book 1 — my fears were unfounded as Michael Wood has completely shown that not only can he write (and bloody hell– he CAN write) but his books seem to get better each time!
Set in South Yorkshire, I knew from the start this book was destined for greatness! The reader is immediately drawn in by George Rainsford’s discovery and the questions started to scream out of my mind at a mile a minute! Who are the victims? Why was one killed and the other left for dead? Did she know the killer? Is there more than one killer? You should see my notebook — full of questions — now that is exactly what I love –if I am not asking questions, then something is wrong!
Various themes are revealed throughout the pages and include: betrayal, loss, vulnerability, mental health, justice and revenge. All of these allow the reader to understand the “why” of the various story-lines and the motivation of the killer(s) for when the big reveal is …well…revealed of course!
I love the writing style of this author as well. The character’s voices pop into my head and are distinct to the nature of the individual that is speaking from the page. I always know when DCI Matilda Darke is getting worked up and hear myself naming the Prime Ministers as a panic attack grips her. The prose itself pulls at your emotions in all the right places and there was many a time I found myself biting my nails and holding my breath — the suspense was killing me!
Characters are the one thing that will keep me reading a book. If they are dull or two-dimensional — I quickly lose interest. Fortunately Michael Wood has that rare gift that allows the reader to visualise their own view of the characters and this sets him apart of a lot of the other authors I have come across. The choice of third person POV was perfect for how the plot was seamlessly delivered whilst tying in events from For Reasons Unknown.
DCI Darke returns a few months on from the last case and we see a (more) sober, determined yet still vulnerable woman. I adored that her character was further developed in this book and that we got to see a great sense of humour creeping into her day-to-day activities. It worked well and endeared me to her even more. There is also an inner strength that shines through at exactly the times it is needed– but the doubt in herself still holds her back before she takes any leap of faith.
We also see the return of a character or two from Book 1 and very intriguing story-lines ensue. Without giving away any spoilers, I was on the edge of my seat and questioning WTF was going on! Well played Mr Wood! *tips hat* Both characters left a bad taste in my mouth at the end of book 1 and their return left me with mixed feelings. In fact, there were no characters who I did not enjoy — whether good or bad- as the author brings them all to life in that magical way it is hard not to feel something about each and every one of them.
So there you have it #bookjunkies! Another phenomenal book from an extremely talented author. I enjoyed this book so much, I have made it my July choice for #BookOfTheMonth. In case I have not made myself clear enough — this is a must read peeps — so what are you waiting for?
Set in South Yorkshire, I knew from the start this book was destined for greatness! The reader is immediately drawn in by George Rainsford’s discovery and the questions started to scream out of my mind at a mile a minute! Who are the victims? Why was one killed and the other left for dead? Did she know the killer? Is there more than one killer? You should see my notebook — full of questions — now that is exactly what I love –if I am not asking questions, then something is wrong!
Various themes are revealed throughout the pages and include: betrayal, loss, vulnerability, mental health, justice and revenge. All of these allow the reader to understand the “why” of the various story-lines and the motivation of the killer(s) for when the big reveal is …well…revealed of course!
I love the writing style of this author as well. The character’s voices pop into my head and are distinct to the nature of the individual that is speaking from the page. I always know when DCI Matilda Darke is getting worked up and hear myself naming the Prime Ministers as a panic attack grips her. The prose itself pulls at your emotions in all the right places and there was many a time I found myself biting my nails and holding my breath — the suspense was killing me!
Characters are the one thing that will keep me reading a book. If they are dull or two-dimensional — I quickly lose interest. Fortunately Michael Wood has that rare gift that allows the reader to visualise their own view of the characters and this sets him apart of a lot of the other authors I have come across. The choice of third person POV was perfect for how the plot was seamlessly delivered whilst tying in events from For Reasons Unknown.
DCI Darke returns a few months on from the last case and we see a (more) sober, determined yet still vulnerable woman. I adored that her character was further developed in this book and that we got to see a great sense of humour creeping into her day-to-day activities. It worked well and endeared me to her even more. There is also an inner strength that shines through at exactly the times it is needed– but the doubt in herself still holds her back before she takes any leap of faith.
We also see the return of a character or two from Book 1 and very intriguing story-lines ensue. Without giving away any spoilers, I was on the edge of my seat and questioning WTF was going on! Well played Mr Wood! *tips hat* Both characters left a bad taste in my mouth at the end of book 1 and their return left me with mixed feelings. In fact, there were no characters who I did not enjoy — whether good or bad- as the author brings them all to life in that magical way it is hard not to feel something about each and every one of them.
So there you have it #bookjunkies! Another phenomenal book from an extremely talented author. I enjoyed this book so much, I have made it my July choice for #BookOfTheMonth. In case I have not made myself clear enough — this is a must read peeps — so what are you waiting for?
March 20, 2017
Am shocked at the good reviews from this book. Sometimes I thought it could have been a 3 star book, but sometimes 1 star, I Settled on 2. Disjointed plot, often boring
June 14, 2016
After reading For Reasons Unknown I couldn't wait to get my hands on Michael Wood's second novel in the DCI Matilda Darke series and I sure as hell wasn't disappointed. I absolutely loved it and devoured it one one day. What a gripping page turner!
The story starts off where we meet George and Mary Rainsford they hear a car beeping outside and George goes out to investigate he didn't expect to find a man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. OMG what a start to the story the author certainly knows how to draw the reader in and keep their attention.
The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end. DCI Matilda Darke and her team lead the investigation to hunt down a violent killer that's on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
The author takes you on an emotional roller coaster every page you turn in this story. Making you feel sorry for the characters and sensitive subject matters between the families. I totally love the authors style of writing making this story an easy read. And sensitivity is show throughout the writing. Leaving me hanging with anticipation to continue reading on to the next chapter.
I certainly advise readers to with the first book For Reasons Unknown to give a understanding of characters in both stories.
DCI Matilda Darke is a series not to be missed and it a must read for all crime fans. And you have you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns.I highly recommend giving it a well deserved 5 stars. I cant wait until the third story is out now.
The story starts off where we meet George and Mary Rainsford they hear a car beeping outside and George goes out to investigate he didn't expect to find a man has been killed and a woman brutally beaten, left for dead. OMG what a start to the story the author certainly knows how to draw the reader in and keep their attention.
The victims are Lois Craven and Kevin Hardaker – both married, but not to each other. Their spouses swear they knew nothing of the affair and, besides, they both have alibis for the attack. With nothing else to link the victims, the investigation hits a dead end. DCI Matilda Darke and her team lead the investigation to hunt down a violent killer that's on the loose, and it looks like her team members are the new targets. With no leads and no suspects, it’s going to take all Matilda’s wits to catch him, before he strikes again.
The author takes you on an emotional roller coaster every page you turn in this story. Making you feel sorry for the characters and sensitive subject matters between the families. I totally love the authors style of writing making this story an easy read. And sensitivity is show throughout the writing. Leaving me hanging with anticipation to continue reading on to the next chapter.
I certainly advise readers to with the first book For Reasons Unknown to give a understanding of characters in both stories.
DCI Matilda Darke is a series not to be missed and it a must read for all crime fans. And you have you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns.I highly recommend giving it a well deserved 5 stars. I cant wait until the third story is out now.
April 9, 2021
I read the first book in this series and gave it a score of 2 because the plot of the crime was excellent. Sadly the book was ruined by the fact that about 50% of it was about Matilda either crying over her dead husband, having a mental breakdown over an unsolved case or listing prime ministers. BUT as I said the plot of the crime was great so I thought I would read this, the second in the series, as by now Matilda should surely have pulled herself together. No I was wrong, not only has she not pulled herself together she has not resigned from the force. This time though there is not a great plot running through the book. There is a crime, a couple having an affair are attacked in their car, one killed one beaten, that would have been an interesting plot on its own. However, for some reason, totally unrelated to anything else, the neighbour turns out to be a battered wife, was this just to fill a page or two? Someone from her past breaks into her house to scare her(?) Or so that Matilda could have another chapter to express her anxiety and mutter a few more prime ministers. Constant references to events from the first book which would make no sense if you haven't read that book (I really hate that). The book ends with Matilda being threatened by a mother of a boy who disappeared in a case we know nothing about but which she apparently failed to solve. That case wasn't in the first book either, just one of the causes of her angst. And no, it doesn't encourage me to buy the third book in hopes of finding out about it.
July 20, 2016
Michael , Michael, Michael!!
You have done it again
What a great book; full of twists and surprises.
I love Matilda and all her gang.
I could not turn the pages fast enough.
Looking forward to a third book in the series. Hopefully ????
You have done it again
What a great book; full of twists and surprises.
I love Matilda and all her gang.
I could not turn the pages fast enough.
Looking forward to a third book in the series. Hopefully ????
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