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DI Sasha Dawson #2
The Woman in the Wood
Three years ago, Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank, star of reality show Laid in Essex!, was living the dream - but on the night of the party, everything changed. It was supposed to be an intimate weekend gathering, just a few close friends in a remote cottage in Wales. But after a night of heavy drinking in the village pub, a local girl was reported missing - and never seen again. Abs and his friends had been the last to see her alive.
No-one was ever charged, but the controversy destroyed Abs's career. So now, three years later, the celebrity who once captured the heart of millions is opening Southend's new branch of Quidstore.
But then one of Abs's mates is murdered.
Does someone know what really happened that night in Wales? DI Sasha Dawson and her team must race against the clock to find the killer before they strike again – but first she must discover what happened to Rhiannon Jenkins on the night she vanished.
Will the truth set Abs free? Or bury him?
A reality TV star becomes a suspect in an Essex murder case in the sharp, exciting and moving new thriller from M.K. Hill.
No-one was ever charged, but the controversy destroyed Abs's career. So now, three years later, the celebrity who once captured the heart of millions is opening Southend's new branch of Quidstore.
But then one of Abs's mates is murdered.
Does someone know what really happened that night in Wales? DI Sasha Dawson and her team must race against the clock to find the killer before they strike again – but first she must discover what happened to Rhiannon Jenkins on the night she vanished.
Will the truth set Abs free? Or bury him?
A reality TV star becomes a suspect in an Essex murder case in the sharp, exciting and moving new thriller from M.K. Hill.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2021
164 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 28, 2021
This is the 2nd book in the DI Sasha Dawson series by author M.K. Hill. This is a fast paced novel that makes an entertaining read. My second read from this author having already enjoyed the first book in the DI Ray Drake series and would certainly like to read more from him.
Danny Abbingdon had it all and was living life to the limits. handsome, famous girlfriend and a starring role on TV reality TV show, Laid in Essex. But everything was about to change. A party gets out of control and when a few days later a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead, Danny and his friends turn out to be the last people to see her alive. No charges are ever made but fingers are pointed and Danny’s career is over. Three years later new evidence is discovered by DI Sasha Dawson that could change Danny’s life once again but is it good or bad.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Head of Zeus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Danny Abbingdon had it all and was living life to the limits. handsome, famous girlfriend and a starring role on TV reality TV show, Laid in Essex. But everything was about to change. A party gets out of control and when a few days later a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead, Danny and his friends turn out to be the last people to see her alive. No charges are ever made but fingers are pointed and Danny’s career is over. Three years later new evidence is discovered by DI Sasha Dawson that could change Danny’s life once again but is it good or bad.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Head of Zeus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2021
The Woman in the Wood is the second instalment in the DI Sasha Dawson series, set in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Andrew "Deano" Dean is a deeply troubled guy who spends most of his time using alcohol to escape the reality of his past, especially the party he attended at a sequestered holiday cottage in Denbighshire, Wales three years ago with his three best mates Danny "Abs" Cruikshank, Tony Gardner and Jeremy "Jez" Weston. Deano thinks he is a murderer and he wants to go to the police and confess what he did, and where they could find the body, and finally, all these years later, he would face the consequences of his actions. His alcoholism causes him to pick fights with anyone who happens to be around at the time and his strapping six-foot plus stature and broad shoulders intimidated those around him. One evening he becomes rowdy and targets a woman who is with her boyfriend at the pub; this ends in him been thrown out by two burly bouncers. He is in Hockley, only two stops away from Southend but as he waits on the platform at the train station he notices he is being watched from the shadows. Desperate for a cigarette he is forced to ask if the creepy guy has any; the man reaches into his pocket and produces a spray bottle before he aims it at Deano’s face. He ends up in excruciating pain feeling like his face is on fire. In a futile attempt to escape the searing pain Deano leaps onto the tracks in front of the approaching train. Initially, the police believed the death to be a suicide but there were far too many suspicious aspects that it needed properly investigating.
Enter DI Sasha Dawson and her team from the Major Incident Team. It's soon confirmed that Deano's death was in fact murder but the team are unable to work out the motive behind it, and when Abs later finds out about the slaying it rocks him to the core. Danny is a former reality TV star, having had a starring role in a show called ”Laid in Essex!”, and he loved the fame, fortune and attention that came with it. He was also voted ‘Britain’s Sexiest Guy three years on the trot by readers of the Daily Star. But at the height of his career, he decides to take a trip to Wales. While Abs and his mates were staying in Denbighshire they were the last people to have seen nineteen-year-old Rhiannon Jenkins at The Red Lion pub near Llandrillo where they happened to be drinking at on the 4 May. She was never seen again and after being interviewed no charges were brought against Abs but his career did not survive the scandal given all the fingers pointing in his direction. Rhiannon’s body was never found and no-one has ever been charged in relation to the case. Now DI Dawson while investigating Deano’s murder renews police interest in Rhiannon’s cold case and has discovered some important evidence. Can Sasha solve the two cases before another person dies? This is a riveting and highly addictive procedural with some totally unexpected twists and red herrings throughout. An enthralling read told primarily from Abs and Sasha’s perspectives the narrative slips seamlessly between past and present. There's lots of action, drama and mystery and the writing was particularly absorbing allowing you to immerse yourself in the story. Highly recommended.
Enter DI Sasha Dawson and her team from the Major Incident Team. It's soon confirmed that Deano's death was in fact murder but the team are unable to work out the motive behind it, and when Abs later finds out about the slaying it rocks him to the core. Danny is a former reality TV star, having had a starring role in a show called ”Laid in Essex!”, and he loved the fame, fortune and attention that came with it. He was also voted ‘Britain’s Sexiest Guy three years on the trot by readers of the Daily Star. But at the height of his career, he decides to take a trip to Wales. While Abs and his mates were staying in Denbighshire they were the last people to have seen nineteen-year-old Rhiannon Jenkins at The Red Lion pub near Llandrillo where they happened to be drinking at on the 4 May. She was never seen again and after being interviewed no charges were brought against Abs but his career did not survive the scandal given all the fingers pointing in his direction. Rhiannon’s body was never found and no-one has ever been charged in relation to the case. Now DI Dawson while investigating Deano’s murder renews police interest in Rhiannon’s cold case and has discovered some important evidence. Can Sasha solve the two cases before another person dies? This is a riveting and highly addictive procedural with some totally unexpected twists and red herrings throughout. An enthralling read told primarily from Abs and Sasha’s perspectives the narrative slips seamlessly between past and present. There's lots of action, drama and mystery and the writing was particularly absorbing allowing you to immerse yourself in the story. Highly recommended.
February 28, 2021
This is the 2nd book in the DI Sasha Dawson series by author M.K. Hill. This is a fast paced novel that makes an entertaining read. My second read from this author having already enjoyed the first book in the DI Ray Drake series and would certainly like to read more from him.
Danny Abbingdon had it all and was living life to the limits. handsome, famous girlfriend and a starring role on TV reality TV show, Laid in Essex. But everything was about to change. A party gets out of control and when a few days later a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead, Danny and his friends turn out to be the last people to see her alive. No charges are ever made but fingers are pointed and Danny’s career is over. Three years later new evidence is discovered by DI Sasha Dawson that could change Danny’s life once again but is it good or bad.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Head of Zeus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Danny Abbingdon had it all and was living life to the limits. handsome, famous girlfriend and a starring role on TV reality TV show, Laid in Essex. But everything was about to change. A party gets out of control and when a few days later a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead, Danny and his friends turn out to be the last people to see her alive. No charges are ever made but fingers are pointed and Danny’s career is over. Three years later new evidence is discovered by DI Sasha Dawson that could change Danny’s life once again but is it good or bad.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Head of Zeus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy of The Woman in the Wood, the second novel to feature DI Sasha Dawson of the Essex Police.
When Andrew “Deano” Dean is murdered it reverberates with his friend Danny “Abs” Cruikshank. 3 years earlier on a weekend in Wales Abs, Deano, Tony and Jez were the last people to see Rhiannon Jenkins before she disappeared. No charges were brought but Abs lost his reality TV contract and the others their way. Now DI Sasha Dawson is renewing police interest in Rhiannon’s case while investigating Deano’s murder.
I enjoyed The Woman in the Wood which is an absorbing read with several unexpected twists. I have not read the previous novel in the series so I wasn’t sure what to expect and initially I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the format, but it soon grew on me and became quite absorbing. It is told mostly from Abs’ and Sasha’s points of view. Sasha’s narrative concentrates on the investigation while Abs’ switches between the present and the events of three years ago in Wales, gradually revealing over the course of the novel what happened. Normally I don’t like this concealment of secrets and the spinning out of the reveal but it works well here, adding to the mystery of who killed Deano and why. That has an interesting, if a touch unrealistic answer.
I found the writing clear and concise making it an easy read. I don’t always comment on the writer’s style but in this case I think it’s noteworthy.
I thought that Abs was a strong character in his depiction, not his actual character. I know less than nothing about reality television but the shallowness of his thought processes and the fleeting nature of his fame chime with my impression of the lifestyle. And yet, he’s lovely, a cheekie chappy with an innate need to please and be liked and he evolves slightly. Sasha Dawson is more of a cliché as the hard working detective with a troubled home life. Her troubles are more inventive than most but I felt they overshadowed my ability to get to know her.
The Woman in the Wood is a good read that I can recommend.
When Andrew “Deano” Dean is murdered it reverberates with his friend Danny “Abs” Cruikshank. 3 years earlier on a weekend in Wales Abs, Deano, Tony and Jez were the last people to see Rhiannon Jenkins before she disappeared. No charges were brought but Abs lost his reality TV contract and the others their way. Now DI Sasha Dawson is renewing police interest in Rhiannon’s case while investigating Deano’s murder.
I enjoyed The Woman in the Wood which is an absorbing read with several unexpected twists. I have not read the previous novel in the series so I wasn’t sure what to expect and initially I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the format, but it soon grew on me and became quite absorbing. It is told mostly from Abs’ and Sasha’s points of view. Sasha’s narrative concentrates on the investigation while Abs’ switches between the present and the events of three years ago in Wales, gradually revealing over the course of the novel what happened. Normally I don’t like this concealment of secrets and the spinning out of the reveal but it works well here, adding to the mystery of who killed Deano and why. That has an interesting, if a touch unrealistic answer.
I found the writing clear and concise making it an easy read. I don’t always comment on the writer’s style but in this case I think it’s noteworthy.
I thought that Abs was a strong character in his depiction, not his actual character. I know less than nothing about reality television but the shallowness of his thought processes and the fleeting nature of his fame chime with my impression of the lifestyle. And yet, he’s lovely, a cheekie chappy with an innate need to please and be liked and he evolves slightly. Sasha Dawson is more of a cliché as the hard working detective with a troubled home life. Her troubles are more inventive than most but I felt they overshadowed my ability to get to know her.
The Woman in the Wood is a good read that I can recommend.
February 26, 2021
I absolutely flew through The Woman in the Wood, I was instantly hooked. It is a fabulous whodunnit with great red herrings that I didn’t see through, and I genuinely didn’t put two & two together until the big reveal at the end. Really liked Sasha Dawson as a character too. Fabulous stuff!
This is the second Sasha Dawson book. I haven’t read the first and, although there were references to what happened in the first book, I don’t feel it ruined my enjoyment of the second book at all. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone too.
This is the second Sasha Dawson book. I haven’t read the first and, although there were references to what happened in the first book, I don’t feel it ruined my enjoyment of the second book at all. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone too.
August 18, 2023
Full review and more can be found on Bridging's Books - The Woman in the Wood by M. K. Hill Review
I actually picked this up very randomly, it was in an old red phone box converted into a library/book exchange in the middle of nowhere in Scotland and the blurb sounded interesting so we grabbed it. And I’m glad we did, as this was one of the most fun reads I’ve had in a while within this genre.
The story follows Danny Cruikshank or "Abs", an ex reality TV star who fell from grace after being with a group of friends who were mysteriously involved with a girl who went missing three years ago. When one of those friends dies in suspicious circumstances, it brings the group and the girl's disappearance back to the attention of the police, and the main character, DI Sasha Dawson.
I realised quite quickly that this is in fact the second book in the series, and whilst there were the occasional references to what I assume happened in the first, it never proved to be problematic and I think it can definitely be read as a standalone. If anything, it now makes me want to read the first and find out what happened.
Like with many of our reviews, we like to start with what didn’t work for us. I’m happy to say that this part isn’t very big.
One of the main things that stopped me from rating this higher is that I have kind of read this story many many times before. It has all the hallmarks of a classic British detective crime thriller. This isn’t necessarily bad, but if it had done something more unique, and still managed to hit all the positives I’ll talk about later, then I think I would have rated this higher. This might not be the case for you, but if you’ve read a lot of crime fiction then a lot of this will feel familiar.
My only other real point I’ll mention was difficult for me to add to this section as I was conflicted. But I’ll stick with it.
The main character, DI Sasha Dawson, was a mostly solid lead. The issue again is that nothing really stood out for me about her. She had to handle a range of sometimes interesting personal problems as well as a very demanding police career. Some of this I didn’t care about but it did help her feel like a complete person, rather than a simplistic plot device to move the story on. She sometimes came across as too busy to actually learn anything meaningful about, that might have been the whole point, but ultimately she worked fine as the lead. I might be missing a bit here from not having read the first book. (Sorry if that’s the case, I will read the rest of this series when I can!)
Now onto the good. Coming from a lukewarm character to a hot character. At least that’s how he sees himself. Abs is a kind of loveable but also kind of hateable person that goes through a realistic arc with a satisfying and grounded conclusion. He was such an interesting character because he’s ultimately incredibly shallow and self obsessed, being caught up in a wild show-business lifestyle that emphasises “clout” over just being a decent human being. But I ended up really liking him, he grew as a person as events unfolded and so did my sympathy for him. He felt genuine, vulnerable and despite being the type of person I would normally have very little interest in, I genuinely liked him. I think he might even be my favourite recent character from this genre of story.
There were also other strong supporting characters that ranged from frustrating siblings, to deep, conflicted friends and a decent line up of characters helping DI Sasha Dawson get to the bottom of the mystery.
In addition to this, the story was well written, with a fast pace and plenty going on. It was also a very easy read, the writing style was simple but effective with a strong voice and a flow that I don’t always see from smaller crime fiction authors. The plot was intricately designed with a couple of twists that I genuinely did not see coming. They were my favourite type of twist as well, the one that annoys you that you missed it. It was all there, right from the beginning in some aspects, but it was written in such a way that the big reveal - and then the even bigger reveal - was delivered perfectly.
Overall, this was a really solid crime thriller that was easy to read with some interesting characters and a brilliantly constructed plot. If you’re looking for an easy but highly enjoyable read then this should go right to the top of your To Be Read pile. I’m excited to read more of M. K. Hill and am honestly surprised that more people haven’t read/reviewed his books.
I actually picked this up very randomly, it was in an old red phone box converted into a library/book exchange in the middle of nowhere in Scotland and the blurb sounded interesting so we grabbed it. And I’m glad we did, as this was one of the most fun reads I’ve had in a while within this genre.
The story follows Danny Cruikshank or "Abs", an ex reality TV star who fell from grace after being with a group of friends who were mysteriously involved with a girl who went missing three years ago. When one of those friends dies in suspicious circumstances, it brings the group and the girl's disappearance back to the attention of the police, and the main character, DI Sasha Dawson.
I realised quite quickly that this is in fact the second book in the series, and whilst there were the occasional references to what I assume happened in the first, it never proved to be problematic and I think it can definitely be read as a standalone. If anything, it now makes me want to read the first and find out what happened.
Like with many of our reviews, we like to start with what didn’t work for us. I’m happy to say that this part isn’t very big.
One of the main things that stopped me from rating this higher is that I have kind of read this story many many times before. It has all the hallmarks of a classic British detective crime thriller. This isn’t necessarily bad, but if it had done something more unique, and still managed to hit all the positives I’ll talk about later, then I think I would have rated this higher. This might not be the case for you, but if you’ve read a lot of crime fiction then a lot of this will feel familiar.
My only other real point I’ll mention was difficult for me to add to this section as I was conflicted. But I’ll stick with it.
The main character, DI Sasha Dawson, was a mostly solid lead. The issue again is that nothing really stood out for me about her. She had to handle a range of sometimes interesting personal problems as well as a very demanding police career. Some of this I didn’t care about but it did help her feel like a complete person, rather than a simplistic plot device to move the story on. She sometimes came across as too busy to actually learn anything meaningful about, that might have been the whole point, but ultimately she worked fine as the lead. I might be missing a bit here from not having read the first book. (Sorry if that’s the case, I will read the rest of this series when I can!)
Now onto the good. Coming from a lukewarm character to a hot character. At least that’s how he sees himself. Abs is a kind of loveable but also kind of hateable person that goes through a realistic arc with a satisfying and grounded conclusion. He was such an interesting character because he’s ultimately incredibly shallow and self obsessed, being caught up in a wild show-business lifestyle that emphasises “clout” over just being a decent human being. But I ended up really liking him, he grew as a person as events unfolded and so did my sympathy for him. He felt genuine, vulnerable and despite being the type of person I would normally have very little interest in, I genuinely liked him. I think he might even be my favourite recent character from this genre of story.
There were also other strong supporting characters that ranged from frustrating siblings, to deep, conflicted friends and a decent line up of characters helping DI Sasha Dawson get to the bottom of the mystery.
In addition to this, the story was well written, with a fast pace and plenty going on. It was also a very easy read, the writing style was simple but effective with a strong voice and a flow that I don’t always see from smaller crime fiction authors. The plot was intricately designed with a couple of twists that I genuinely did not see coming. They were my favourite type of twist as well, the one that annoys you that you missed it. It was all there, right from the beginning in some aspects, but it was written in such a way that the big reveal - and then the even bigger reveal - was delivered perfectly.
Overall, this was a really solid crime thriller that was easy to read with some interesting characters and a brilliantly constructed plot. If you’re looking for an easy but highly enjoyable read then this should go right to the top of your To Be Read pile. I’m excited to read more of M. K. Hill and am honestly surprised that more people haven’t read/reviewed his books.
September 6, 2021
Thriller and crime readers can expect to fall in love with this series. Sadly, I missed the first DI Sasha Dawson book, (The Dark Place) but it has been added to my TBR. Be ready to be blown away when you reach for this brilliantly dark crime novel. You will not be able to drag yourself away.
Mark Hill tells a complex dark crime story filled with an unusual group of characters. He keeps up a fast pace throughout the book ensuring that there is not a single dull moment. I loved this dark tale. The author’s choice of characters added a lighter touch making The Woman in the Woods a well-rounded entertaining read. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into The Bad Place.
Three years ago, a young woman disappeared from Wales. Four guys visiting Wales at the time were questioned – but Rhiannon was never found – leaving her family without any closure.
When Deano is murdered, the other three become nervous, especially when Abs notices someone watching him. When Tony is also found murdered DI Sash Dawson and her team face a difficult investigation. Will Jez or Abs be next? Can Sasha find the killer before he strikes again? While dealing with a troubled teenager and a sister who insists on starting a relationship too close to Sasha’s work-life – things are not looking promising for Sasha.
The author did a marvellous job with the dialect used in the book. Being from the other side of the world, I loved how I found myself hearing the characters as they speak. This added to the story as well as the characters making for a wonderfully enjoyable read.
There is no denying that Abs – the reality TV start – played a big part in this story. My first reaction to this guy…. “What a Plonker!” From the beginning, he simply annoyed me. His “look at me” attitude and walking around with a chip on his shoulder because he used to be famous did not impress me at all. I found myself disliking him a little bit more every time he opened his mouth. Yet, as annoying, and self-absorbed as this character was – he managed to crawl into my heart by the end of the book. Maybe it was just the dumb-guy appeal, but he turned into a great character. The author could not possibly improve on his creation of this guy.
Jez was an unassuming dark horse. I could not understand how he ended up with Bethany. They did not seem to gel – they were so different.
As for Connie – Sasha’s sister – I have no idea how Sasha puts up with her. She is a miserably selfish person who does not care about anyone but herself. I found myself sympathising with Sasha for having to put up with her. Just goes to show you cannot pick your family.
Without giving anything away, I must ask. Am I the only one who saw Angel was up to no good with her extravagant gift of a night at a hotel to her parents? This part of the story had red flags jumping up all over the place and Sasha and Kevin were oblivious! I found myself wanting to scream at them as I read this.
I found myself completely engrossed in this story, giving the characters my opinion on situations as I was reading. That proves without a doubt that I loved this book and the characters. I am looking forward to spending more time with DI Sasha Dawson and her wacky family.
Thriller and crime fanatics can expect a dark twisty tale with a touch of humour thrown in. The Woman In The Woods is a brilliantly entertaining read that is guaranteed to leave you missing out on some sleep. I loved this book and cannot wait for more!
Mark Hill tells a complex dark crime story filled with an unusual group of characters. He keeps up a fast pace throughout the book ensuring that there is not a single dull moment. I loved this dark tale. The author’s choice of characters added a lighter touch making The Woman in the Woods a well-rounded entertaining read. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into The Bad Place.
Three years ago, a young woman disappeared from Wales. Four guys visiting Wales at the time were questioned – but Rhiannon was never found – leaving her family without any closure.
When Deano is murdered, the other three become nervous, especially when Abs notices someone watching him. When Tony is also found murdered DI Sash Dawson and her team face a difficult investigation. Will Jez or Abs be next? Can Sasha find the killer before he strikes again? While dealing with a troubled teenager and a sister who insists on starting a relationship too close to Sasha’s work-life – things are not looking promising for Sasha.
The author did a marvellous job with the dialect used in the book. Being from the other side of the world, I loved how I found myself hearing the characters as they speak. This added to the story as well as the characters making for a wonderfully enjoyable read.
There is no denying that Abs – the reality TV start – played a big part in this story. My first reaction to this guy…. “What a Plonker!” From the beginning, he simply annoyed me. His “look at me” attitude and walking around with a chip on his shoulder because he used to be famous did not impress me at all. I found myself disliking him a little bit more every time he opened his mouth. Yet, as annoying, and self-absorbed as this character was – he managed to crawl into my heart by the end of the book. Maybe it was just the dumb-guy appeal, but he turned into a great character. The author could not possibly improve on his creation of this guy.
Jez was an unassuming dark horse. I could not understand how he ended up with Bethany. They did not seem to gel – they were so different.
As for Connie – Sasha’s sister – I have no idea how Sasha puts up with her. She is a miserably selfish person who does not care about anyone but herself. I found myself sympathising with Sasha for having to put up with her. Just goes to show you cannot pick your family.
Without giving anything away, I must ask. Am I the only one who saw Angel was up to no good with her extravagant gift of a night at a hotel to her parents? This part of the story had red flags jumping up all over the place and Sasha and Kevin were oblivious! I found myself wanting to scream at them as I read this.
I found myself completely engrossed in this story, giving the characters my opinion on situations as I was reading. That proves without a doubt that I loved this book and the characters. I am looking forward to spending more time with DI Sasha Dawson and her wacky family.
Thriller and crime fanatics can expect a dark twisty tale with a touch of humour thrown in. The Woman In The Woods is a brilliantly entertaining read that is guaranteed to leave you missing out on some sleep. I loved this book and cannot wait for more!
September 8, 2021
I don’t watch reality TV, so have never understood the fame and adoration that seems to be handed on a plate to its stars. But I did have a soft spot for Abs, one of the main characters in this very entertaining novel. After becoming a suspect in the disappearance of a young woman he was dropped from a very successful reality TV show. He aches to be back in the limelight. Skint, no other skills apart from his charm and totally deluded about his relationship with his onscreen co-star Kelsey. But he soon discovers that his dream of success and a future with Kelsey fades into insignificance when faced with danger.
Sasha is the police officer who is investigating the death of Abs friend. Unlike her colleagues,in particular Lolly, she is unaware of who Abs is and doesn’t let his fame affect her investigation. I liked her a lot and appreciated the insight into her personal life. There are hints of a tragedy in her past that I wanted to know more about and I liked that there was nothing revealed that made the later reading of book one in the series unnecessary.
I found this novel to be very original. There is a lot of focus on the investigation which you would expect, but I liked Abs having such a prominent role. His way of coping with what was happening around him was quite refreshing. He felt fear, guilt and disappointment but he was still capable of turning on the charm.
Another two original aspects of this novel were the impact of not knowing what happened to a family member had on a relative’s judgement forcing them do something they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances and the way that the pressure on an overworked police department meant that often other cases suffered.
I did work out who was responsible for the crimes in this novel but I didn’t see everything. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Sasha is the police officer who is investigating the death of Abs friend. Unlike her colleagues,in particular Lolly, she is unaware of who Abs is and doesn’t let his fame affect her investigation. I liked her a lot and appreciated the insight into her personal life. There are hints of a tragedy in her past that I wanted to know more about and I liked that there was nothing revealed that made the later reading of book one in the series unnecessary.
I found this novel to be very original. There is a lot of focus on the investigation which you would expect, but I liked Abs having such a prominent role. His way of coping with what was happening around him was quite refreshing. He felt fear, guilt and disappointment but he was still capable of turning on the charm.
Another two original aspects of this novel were the impact of not knowing what happened to a family member had on a relative’s judgement forcing them do something they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances and the way that the pressure on an overworked police department meant that often other cases suffered.
I did work out who was responsible for the crimes in this novel but I didn’t see everything. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
September 15, 2021
A huge thank you to @annecater14 @markhillwriter and @hoz_books for my #gifted copy of this book for @randomthingstours
The Woman in the Wood is a suspenseful thriller following DI Sasha Dawson and Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank.
DI Dawson is on a new case, a man has been killed on the train tracks. At first she wonders of its a freak accident or suicide, but it turns out to be murder. Soon the victim is revealed to be Deano, who happens to be one of the suspects of a missing persons case 3 years before. The other suspect is Danny or know as Abs, a tv star known from 'Laid in Essexs!' Between DI Dawson and Abs- secrets, betrayals, lies and blood will soon be revealed. Will Abs get redemption or will he finally meet his end.
Oh this book was on fire from start to finish. The first chapter I was literally on the edge of my seat, shocked at the massive revelation, and jaw drapped thinking what the hell! From get go I wanted to know exactly what will happen. I couldn't stop reading, a chapter few past and I wanted more then boom, it was the end and I was shouting nooo as I didn't want it to end at all!
I love our DI Sasha! She's a mum of two, juggling a past and a DI, where a job demands her a lot. I liked her sass, her banter with her colleagues and I just like how she is as a mother and wife. Sasha sounds really quirky to me and I was devouring her parts in the book like it was chocolate.
Now Abs is one who irritated me to hell. He's selfish, vain, thinks the world revolves round him and tbh is quite a shitty friend. However his character certainly grows on you, and you just watch him go on a journey. His character had the biggest change, but I also like how he didn't lose certain touches.
The plot of this book is just so captivating. We have a murder, which turns into a possible serial killer. A missing woman from 3 years ago that never was solved and then a new abduction case where 3 women have gone missing. At first I was like why 3 different plots, but as you get into the story it all connects and links together. And that twist and ending! Wow!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn't realise this is a series, which considering it is, this is a good standalone too. Only reason I haven't given this a 5 stars as I got a bit irritated with certain parts of the book that I felt wasn't necessary for this story. We had a random fling, a romantic getaway and little things like that. I just personally felt it was unnecessary. I also predicted who dunnit quite a bit in the book which dissapointed me, but I certainly didn't guess the why.
Definitely a thriller author I want to read more and certainly will be picking the first book up, and hopefully keep reading Hills series.
The Woman in the Wood is a suspenseful thriller following DI Sasha Dawson and Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank.
DI Dawson is on a new case, a man has been killed on the train tracks. At first she wonders of its a freak accident or suicide, but it turns out to be murder. Soon the victim is revealed to be Deano, who happens to be one of the suspects of a missing persons case 3 years before. The other suspect is Danny or know as Abs, a tv star known from 'Laid in Essexs!' Between DI Dawson and Abs- secrets, betrayals, lies and blood will soon be revealed. Will Abs get redemption or will he finally meet his end.
Oh this book was on fire from start to finish. The first chapter I was literally on the edge of my seat, shocked at the massive revelation, and jaw drapped thinking what the hell! From get go I wanted to know exactly what will happen. I couldn't stop reading, a chapter few past and I wanted more then boom, it was the end and I was shouting nooo as I didn't want it to end at all!
I love our DI Sasha! She's a mum of two, juggling a past and a DI, where a job demands her a lot. I liked her sass, her banter with her colleagues and I just like how she is as a mother and wife. Sasha sounds really quirky to me and I was devouring her parts in the book like it was chocolate.
Now Abs is one who irritated me to hell. He's selfish, vain, thinks the world revolves round him and tbh is quite a shitty friend. However his character certainly grows on you, and you just watch him go on a journey. His character had the biggest change, but I also like how he didn't lose certain touches.
The plot of this book is just so captivating. We have a murder, which turns into a possible serial killer. A missing woman from 3 years ago that never was solved and then a new abduction case where 3 women have gone missing. At first I was like why 3 different plots, but as you get into the story it all connects and links together. And that twist and ending! Wow!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I didn't realise this is a series, which considering it is, this is a good standalone too. Only reason I haven't given this a 5 stars as I got a bit irritated with certain parts of the book that I felt wasn't necessary for this story. We had a random fling, a romantic getaway and little things like that. I just personally felt it was unnecessary. I also predicted who dunnit quite a bit in the book which dissapointed me, but I certainly didn't guess the why.
Definitely a thriller author I want to read more and certainly will be picking the first book up, and hopefully keep reading Hills series.
March 13, 2021
When an angry drunk is killed by a train, at first DI Sasha Dawson thinks it’ll be an open and shut case. It quickly turns out to be anything but, when it’s found that a cattle prod was used to drive the dead man to his death, along with acid being thrown in his eyes. Who would want to kill someone in such a brutal way? What did ‘Deano’ do to anyone?
Turns out that three years earlier, Deano was involved in something very ugly, along with three of his friends, one of those being reality TV star ‘Abs’ Cruikshank. A young girl went missing after a night out in a pub in rural Wales, the four men being the last to see her. Someone believes the four men did something to Rhiannon Jenkins. And someone wants to see them pay.
The story is told mostly from the viewpoints of Sasha, as the lead investigator, and Abs - who comes off shallow and self-obsessed, but is also a basically decent person desperate to get on in life doing the only thing he knows how to do - trying to figure out what’s going wrong before he turns into the next body Sasha has to investigate. Sasha was actually quite hard to get a handle on; this is the second book featuring her, and maybe in the first one she was given a bit more of a personality, but in this one she’s pretty much just ‘too busy, has white hair, drives a convertible’ and that’s really all I know about her. Abs was way more fascinating, despite his apparent shallowness. He thinks he knows the truth, but as the mystery unfolds, it slowly becomes clear that something a great deal darker is really going on.
The mystery here is intriguing, and I didn’t see the twist coming. While it didn’t come completely out of left field, all the players being on the board from early on, nothing was really telegraphed, so we had to figure it out along with Abs and Sasha.
I would have liked this better if I’d liked Sasha better, I think; she was a bit too much of a cipher, particularly in contrast with Abs’ out-there, gregarious personality. Overall, the story is good. I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Turns out that three years earlier, Deano was involved in something very ugly, along with three of his friends, one of those being reality TV star ‘Abs’ Cruikshank. A young girl went missing after a night out in a pub in rural Wales, the four men being the last to see her. Someone believes the four men did something to Rhiannon Jenkins. And someone wants to see them pay.
The story is told mostly from the viewpoints of Sasha, as the lead investigator, and Abs - who comes off shallow and self-obsessed, but is also a basically decent person desperate to get on in life doing the only thing he knows how to do - trying to figure out what’s going wrong before he turns into the next body Sasha has to investigate. Sasha was actually quite hard to get a handle on; this is the second book featuring her, and maybe in the first one she was given a bit more of a personality, but in this one she’s pretty much just ‘too busy, has white hair, drives a convertible’ and that’s really all I know about her. Abs was way more fascinating, despite his apparent shallowness. He thinks he knows the truth, but as the mystery unfolds, it slowly becomes clear that something a great deal darker is really going on.
The mystery here is intriguing, and I didn’t see the twist coming. While it didn’t come completely out of left field, all the players being on the board from early on, nothing was really telegraphed, so we had to figure it out along with Abs and Sasha.
I would have liked this better if I’d liked Sasha better, I think; she was a bit too much of a cipher, particularly in contrast with Abs’ out-there, gregarious personality. Overall, the story is good. I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
June 1, 2022
This is the second book in the Sasha Dawson series but don't worry if, like me, you haven't read the first. The writing is such that I felt from the off that I was with characters I knew. I'm not meaning that they're stereotypical, they just really came to life & had me hooked on the story. Sasha is a strong character, with something hinted at in her past - no doubt I'll find out more about that when I get a copy of "The Bad Place" - & I liked the camaraderie & banter between her & her team. The way she has to try & balance her work & home life came over well -not an easy task with a difficult teenager & an obnoxious sister to cope with!
Much of the story focuses on Danny Cruikshank aka "Abs", an ex-reality star who fell from grace after being interviewed, along with three of his friends, about a girl who went missing some three years previously. The sudden death of one of those friends brings the group & the girl's disappearance to the polices attention once more. Abs' struggles with his conscience over what happened the night the girl vanished & as he recalls events, the truth of what happened slowly emerges. I was surprised how endearing I found Abs. I don't watch so-called celebrity shows, follow them etc etc & I would've thought his vanity & need to be loved would irritate me but instead I found him rather vulnerable & felt quite sorry for him at times.
The writing style makes it an easy but engrossing read. It moves at a good pace throughout &, of course, there were one or two twists along the way - I audibly gasped at one point when I realised something about one of the characters & yet still felt moderately surprised when proved right! There aren't a lot of possibilities in the suspect pool but the story kept the doubt in my mind & things came to a satisfactory conclusion (that's not something I say often!)
Overall I enjoyed this & will be happy to read, not only the first in the series but further instalments.
*I received a free limited edition proof from Head of Zeus books & this review is my own*
Much of the story focuses on Danny Cruikshank aka "Abs", an ex-reality star who fell from grace after being interviewed, along with three of his friends, about a girl who went missing some three years previously. The sudden death of one of those friends brings the group & the girl's disappearance to the polices attention once more. Abs' struggles with his conscience over what happened the night the girl vanished & as he recalls events, the truth of what happened slowly emerges. I was surprised how endearing I found Abs. I don't watch so-called celebrity shows, follow them etc etc & I would've thought his vanity & need to be loved would irritate me but instead I found him rather vulnerable & felt quite sorry for him at times.
The writing style makes it an easy but engrossing read. It moves at a good pace throughout &, of course, there were one or two twists along the way - I audibly gasped at one point when I realised something about one of the characters & yet still felt moderately surprised when proved right! There aren't a lot of possibilities in the suspect pool but the story kept the doubt in my mind & things came to a satisfactory conclusion (that's not something I say often!)
Overall I enjoyed this & will be happy to read, not only the first in the series but further instalments.
*I received a free limited edition proof from Head of Zeus books & this review is my own*
September 14, 2021
Thrillers, and particularly police procedural, aren’t my go to genre, but this was a brilliant read.
I was gripped from the very first chapter when a drunken troublemaker meets an shocking and very sticky end.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of two characters; Sasha is our likeable detective, who I was rooting for from the start. The book mixes her professional and personal life to create a really well drawn character; Abs is a ‘nice’ guy and former reality star. Although, his role in the disappearance of a young girl three years before is kept murky and unclear until the end, it’s difficult not to like his charismatic personality, as we try to figure out just how much of a victim or criminal he is.
There’s plenty of twists which kept me guessing until the end and some thrilling action scenes along the way. It’s very dark in places but side characters, like Sasha’s sister Connie and Abs’ ex co star Kelz, provide some great comic relief.
This is the second book in the DI Sasha Dawson series but it can definitely be read as a standalone. There are a few mentions of things that must have happened previously but that didn’t detract from this story at all. I haven’t read the first book yet but I’m keen to go back and read that one too.
Overall, an exciting page turner with some engaging characters and a twisty plot.
I was gripped from the very first chapter when a drunken troublemaker meets an shocking and very sticky end.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of two characters; Sasha is our likeable detective, who I was rooting for from the start. The book mixes her professional and personal life to create a really well drawn character; Abs is a ‘nice’ guy and former reality star. Although, his role in the disappearance of a young girl three years before is kept murky and unclear until the end, it’s difficult not to like his charismatic personality, as we try to figure out just how much of a victim or criminal he is.
There’s plenty of twists which kept me guessing until the end and some thrilling action scenes along the way. It’s very dark in places but side characters, like Sasha’s sister Connie and Abs’ ex co star Kelz, provide some great comic relief.
This is the second book in the DI Sasha Dawson series but it can definitely be read as a standalone. There are a few mentions of things that must have happened previously but that didn’t detract from this story at all. I haven’t read the first book yet but I’m keen to go back and read that one too.
Overall, an exciting page turner with some engaging characters and a twisty plot.
April 8, 2022
This was an alright read. It was a quick paced read and I loved the characters, the storyline and the writing style. Was a bit predictable at times. Nothing shocking happened. No gruesome descriptions or incidents which I would've loved to have read. Would I read it again? Probably not.
August 18, 2024
good read, better then the first one in the series ‘the bad place’
And I think I will carry on with MK Hill especially after this story.
Not wowed though just a good read and a good satisfying but predictable twist at the end however was hooked and read it in three days
And I think I will carry on with MK Hill especially after this story.
Not wowed though just a good read and a good satisfying but predictable twist at the end however was hooked and read it in three days
January 11, 2023
Really enjoyed this book
February 7, 2021
Death by Train. What a way to open a book. But did he fall or wash he pushed? Well ... if you read the opening chapter to the book, you'll know the answers. lies somewhere horribly in between, but the reasons for the not quite straight forward demise of this books first victim is far more complex than Sasha Dawson and her team can imagine and more so than even the reader might realise. We know that he is guilty of something, his drunken ramblings leaving little doubt about that, but as for what. Well that is something that will slowly but surely be revealed over the course of the book, a story filled with a brilliant blend of tension, humour and surprises that I ate up.
This time around the author has tapped into a world that readers will easily recognise and either love or loathe. The wonderful world of reality TV and the concept of celebrity for a return of little talent. This is not the whole of the story, but it is something which definitely informs what happens and the course of the investigation as one of the victims friends is former reality TV star, 'Abs' Cruikshank, a man whose catchphrase is as pointless as his celebrity status. Or should that be 'former celebrity' status. There is defining moment in his life that derailed his career as a media darling and is set to blight his future too. It is thus which brings him front and centre in DI Dawson's investigation and right into the spotlight for readers. He's a seemingly vacuous character, but it would be unfair to say that this is all that defines him. For all his faults, and there are clearly many, it is apparent that he is someone only searching for acceptance and one bad decision, a very, very bad decision has cost him dearly. But he is someone who cares. About his friends and about doing the right thing. Albeit a tad too late.
I really enjoy getting to know Sasha DAwson and her team. She went through. the ringer last time around and it's fair to say that it's no plain sailing for her this time either, finding herself in a difficult and dangerous position as the investigation progresses. But I love her fierce determination and the dynamic between her and. her team is great, even if she does overstretch herself at times. We also get to see more of her familial situation and the scenes in which she tries to rekindle the romance in her marriage do elicit the odd smile too.
The are a few different storylines in this book that the author has carefully interwoven in a way which you won't initially see coming. The more we read, the more we understand the characters and the clearer the picture becomes. It draws us to a tense and a dramatic conclusion as the killer is revealed as well as a well hidden secret. Nothing is dealt with in a graphic way, but the implications are enough to get the skin itching. And then there is the ending. Fun, light and in keeping with the story, indicative of the nature of Abs, a man who can try and turn even the bleakest of times to a positive ending.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing where the author leads us next. If you enjoyed the first book, The Bad Place, then I am certain you will enjoy this too. Sasha Dawson and crew are a team who are rapidly growing on me and it's great to see such a positive, strong but believable female character front and centre at the helm of the series.
This time around the author has tapped into a world that readers will easily recognise and either love or loathe. The wonderful world of reality TV and the concept of celebrity for a return of little talent. This is not the whole of the story, but it is something which definitely informs what happens and the course of the investigation as one of the victims friends is former reality TV star, 'Abs' Cruikshank, a man whose catchphrase is as pointless as his celebrity status. Or should that be 'former celebrity' status. There is defining moment in his life that derailed his career as a media darling and is set to blight his future too. It is thus which brings him front and centre in DI Dawson's investigation and right into the spotlight for readers. He's a seemingly vacuous character, but it would be unfair to say that this is all that defines him. For all his faults, and there are clearly many, it is apparent that he is someone only searching for acceptance and one bad decision, a very, very bad decision has cost him dearly. But he is someone who cares. About his friends and about doing the right thing. Albeit a tad too late.
I really enjoy getting to know Sasha DAwson and her team. She went through. the ringer last time around and it's fair to say that it's no plain sailing for her this time either, finding herself in a difficult and dangerous position as the investigation progresses. But I love her fierce determination and the dynamic between her and. her team is great, even if she does overstretch herself at times. We also get to see more of her familial situation and the scenes in which she tries to rekindle the romance in her marriage do elicit the odd smile too.
The are a few different storylines in this book that the author has carefully interwoven in a way which you won't initially see coming. The more we read, the more we understand the characters and the clearer the picture becomes. It draws us to a tense and a dramatic conclusion as the killer is revealed as well as a well hidden secret. Nothing is dealt with in a graphic way, but the implications are enough to get the skin itching. And then there is the ending. Fun, light and in keeping with the story, indicative of the nature of Abs, a man who can try and turn even the bleakest of times to a positive ending.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing where the author leads us next. If you enjoyed the first book, The Bad Place, then I am certain you will enjoy this too. Sasha Dawson and crew are a team who are rapidly growing on me and it's great to see such a positive, strong but believable female character front and centre at the helm of the series.
September 9, 2021
I read the first Sasha Dawson thriller; The Bad Place, back in September 20219 and loved it. I've been looking forward to getting back to this series and can safely say that The Woman in the Wood is another excellently plotted, engrossing thriller by this very talented author.
Whilst this can be read as a stand alone story, there are some references made to Sasha's personal life and previous police investigations. However, this clever author incorporates enough information into the narrative and new readers really will not struggle at all.
The story opens with some pretty shocking scenes that pave the way for the remainder of the story. We join Deano; a loud, very drunk bloke with something of a chequered history as he is thrown out of a pub. Deano has travelled to the next town for a drink as he's barred from most of the drinking establishments in his home town too. He stumbles his way to the train station with the intention of going home. However, there's someone else waiting on the platform and things do not end well for Deano.
Detective Inspector Sasha Dawson and her team are called out to the scene. As events progress, it becomes clear that Deano was helped on his way, this is a murder case.
Three years ago, Deano and a bunch of his mates, including reality star Abs Cruikshank were questioned about a young woman who disappeared from a small Welsh village. The guys were holidaying nearby in a remote cottage and had been spotted talking to her earlier in the evening. Whilst none of them were charged; the long-term implications of being associated with the case has has far-reaching consequences. Abs is no longer 'the sexiest man on TV', no longer appears regularly on TV screens and the best gig that the can get is opening a burger bar on the sea front.
Oh my goodness! This is a story that totally grips the reader, it takes you down paths that you would never expect. More killings, attempted abductions and missing girls are what face Sasha and her loyal team as they race against time to try to prevent any more tragedy and to find out exactly what happened in Wales that night .... and how that incident relates to current affairs.
Sasha Dawson is an amazing character. She's a dedicated and loyal police officer who has a multitude of her own personal issues to deal with too, and in this story, her personal and professional life begin to overlap, causing embarrassment at times for her and her colleague.
I had no idea where the author was going with this one, and the ending was shocking but totally satisfying, whilst you may not notice during the reading, once you know, you will realise that he's left a few little clues along the way as to who really is responsible for what's been happening.
I loved the character of Abs! I'm sure there will be those who don't, he's a typical reality star, impressed by his own fame and milking it for everything he can. However, he's often funny, and underneath the bluster, he's a good guy who really just wants to be loved. Glimpses into his childhood history ensure the reader knows just what he's gone through to get where he is. He's a decent bloke, and stole the show for me.
I do hope that Sasha Dawson returns soon. She's a great character and MK Hill is a talented author who creates intriguing plots that really challenge the reader. Highly recommended by me.
Whilst this can be read as a stand alone story, there are some references made to Sasha's personal life and previous police investigations. However, this clever author incorporates enough information into the narrative and new readers really will not struggle at all.
The story opens with some pretty shocking scenes that pave the way for the remainder of the story. We join Deano; a loud, very drunk bloke with something of a chequered history as he is thrown out of a pub. Deano has travelled to the next town for a drink as he's barred from most of the drinking establishments in his home town too. He stumbles his way to the train station with the intention of going home. However, there's someone else waiting on the platform and things do not end well for Deano.
Detective Inspector Sasha Dawson and her team are called out to the scene. As events progress, it becomes clear that Deano was helped on his way, this is a murder case.
Three years ago, Deano and a bunch of his mates, including reality star Abs Cruikshank were questioned about a young woman who disappeared from a small Welsh village. The guys were holidaying nearby in a remote cottage and had been spotted talking to her earlier in the evening. Whilst none of them were charged; the long-term implications of being associated with the case has has far-reaching consequences. Abs is no longer 'the sexiest man on TV', no longer appears regularly on TV screens and the best gig that the can get is opening a burger bar on the sea front.
Oh my goodness! This is a story that totally grips the reader, it takes you down paths that you would never expect. More killings, attempted abductions and missing girls are what face Sasha and her loyal team as they race against time to try to prevent any more tragedy and to find out exactly what happened in Wales that night .... and how that incident relates to current affairs.
Sasha Dawson is an amazing character. She's a dedicated and loyal police officer who has a multitude of her own personal issues to deal with too, and in this story, her personal and professional life begin to overlap, causing embarrassment at times for her and her colleague.
I had no idea where the author was going with this one, and the ending was shocking but totally satisfying, whilst you may not notice during the reading, once you know, you will realise that he's left a few little clues along the way as to who really is responsible for what's been happening.
I loved the character of Abs! I'm sure there will be those who don't, he's a typical reality star, impressed by his own fame and milking it for everything he can. However, he's often funny, and underneath the bluster, he's a good guy who really just wants to be loved. Glimpses into his childhood history ensure the reader knows just what he's gone through to get where he is. He's a decent bloke, and stole the show for me.
I do hope that Sasha Dawson returns soon. She's a great character and MK Hill is a talented author who creates intriguing plots that really challenge the reader. Highly recommended by me.
September 22, 2021
Three years ago, nineteen year old Rhiannon Jenkins went missing. Witnesses last saw her with four men: reality star Danny "Abs" Cruikshank, Andrew "Deano" Dean, Jeremy "Jez" Weston, and Tony Gardner, who had been vacationing in Wales. And although no evidence of wrongdoing has ever been found, simply being associated with the story meant something of a downfall for Abs in particular.
Now, however, Deano is dead. And it doesn't look to be an accident either. Tony is convinced that he's being followed, which is enough for him to call a meeting with the other two. Could it be that someone knows what happened that night? But if so, why have they waited so long to exact their revenge?
Sasha Dawson is part of the team investigating Deano's death and it's clear from the start this is murder. The man was killed by a train, and completely drunk, true. But he also had acid in his eyes and burns consistent with a cattle prod. Which matches the train conductor's statement that he'd seen someone with a walking stick on the train platform.
But for Sasha, this case is more than just Deano's murder. It's uncovering what happened three years ago as well.
So let me start off by saying that although this is technically the second book in a series, you don't have to have read the first book in order to sink into this one. Which is perfect because I myself have not yet read the first book, The Bad Place.
That said, I so enjoyed this book by Hill that I abs (sorry, had to do it) will be seeking out book 1 and book 3 when it's released as well!
The book alternates between various points of view (starting with Deano's but mostly focusing on Sasha and Abs) and timelines so that the reader gets the full perspective of the present day investigation while also getting pieces of what happened three years ago. Although it is known from the outset that the men are guilty of something, the revelation of the exact what, why, is teased out as the story progresses.
I found myself truly unable to tear away from this one and I did not see the twist coming at all! This was a great mystery and I'm really looking forward to reading more from Hill.
Now, however, Deano is dead. And it doesn't look to be an accident either. Tony is convinced that he's being followed, which is enough for him to call a meeting with the other two. Could it be that someone knows what happened that night? But if so, why have they waited so long to exact their revenge?
Sasha Dawson is part of the team investigating Deano's death and it's clear from the start this is murder. The man was killed by a train, and completely drunk, true. But he also had acid in his eyes and burns consistent with a cattle prod. Which matches the train conductor's statement that he'd seen someone with a walking stick on the train platform.
But for Sasha, this case is more than just Deano's murder. It's uncovering what happened three years ago as well.
So let me start off by saying that although this is technically the second book in a series, you don't have to have read the first book in order to sink into this one. Which is perfect because I myself have not yet read the first book, The Bad Place.
That said, I so enjoyed this book by Hill that I abs (sorry, had to do it) will be seeking out book 1 and book 3 when it's released as well!
The book alternates between various points of view (starting with Deano's but mostly focusing on Sasha and Abs) and timelines so that the reader gets the full perspective of the present day investigation while also getting pieces of what happened three years ago. Although it is known from the outset that the men are guilty of something, the revelation of the exact what, why, is teased out as the story progresses.
I found myself truly unable to tear away from this one and I did not see the twist coming at all! This was a great mystery and I'm really looking forward to reading more from Hill.
March 10, 2021
The Woman in the Wood – A Good Police Procedural Thriller
This is the second book in the Sasha Dawson series, and once again MK Hill has written an engrossing story, that draws you in from the start. Dawson is the sort of detective inspector who has the respect and trust of her colleagues, and more importantly, the reader. Her character, while complicated, does not play to the usual stereo types of woman competing against all the odds to succeed, she is not even a defective detective.
Called to a murder scene at an Essex railway station, they discover the parts of Andrew ‘Deano’ Dean, the victim. Ordinarily it would have been dismissed as a suicide, but the distraught train driver saw him fighting with someone before he was killed. Once an autopsy has been completed, it becomes a lot clearer that this is murder and not suicide.
When they dig deeper into Deano they discover that he had been interviewed along with some friends about the disappearance of a girl in Wales. Amongst those who were interviewed was TV reality star Danny ‘Abs’ Cruikshank whose career had gone downhill since that investigation and was trying to work his way back to television.
Dawson who leads a team of officers, some of whom may watch too much reality tv, have this murder to investigate as well as the disappearance of a number of young women from around Essex. Two different crimes, but the team would investigate them both to the best of their abilities.
This book gives an interesting insight to the world which reality stars inhabit, how they have to keep reinventing themselves, and can never allow the truth to get out. How they will do anything to stay in the publics view, even if it puts themselves in danger, take too many risks anything just to be loved by the public.
This is a relatively pacey procedural thriller, with carefully scattered clues to who the killer is, and while there is no big twist at the end, there are a few surprises along the way.
An excellent read, not to taxing on the mind, but highly enjoyable.
This is the second book in the Sasha Dawson series, and once again MK Hill has written an engrossing story, that draws you in from the start. Dawson is the sort of detective inspector who has the respect and trust of her colleagues, and more importantly, the reader. Her character, while complicated, does not play to the usual stereo types of woman competing against all the odds to succeed, she is not even a defective detective.
Called to a murder scene at an Essex railway station, they discover the parts of Andrew ‘Deano’ Dean, the victim. Ordinarily it would have been dismissed as a suicide, but the distraught train driver saw him fighting with someone before he was killed. Once an autopsy has been completed, it becomes a lot clearer that this is murder and not suicide.
When they dig deeper into Deano they discover that he had been interviewed along with some friends about the disappearance of a girl in Wales. Amongst those who were interviewed was TV reality star Danny ‘Abs’ Cruikshank whose career had gone downhill since that investigation and was trying to work his way back to television.
Dawson who leads a team of officers, some of whom may watch too much reality tv, have this murder to investigate as well as the disappearance of a number of young women from around Essex. Two different crimes, but the team would investigate them both to the best of their abilities.
This book gives an interesting insight to the world which reality stars inhabit, how they have to keep reinventing themselves, and can never allow the truth to get out. How they will do anything to stay in the publics view, even if it puts themselves in danger, take too many risks anything just to be loved by the public.
This is a relatively pacey procedural thriller, with carefully scattered clues to who the killer is, and while there is no big twist at the end, there are a few surprises along the way.
An excellent read, not to taxing on the mind, but highly enjoyable.
March 7, 2025
This really isn't my bag at all - I just don't find the soap-style breaking up of the central mystery with the investigating officer's personal life, I don't really care. And on top of that, the mystery itself just had unlikable characters. The twist was as ridiculous as these books tend to be, but adequate enough, although I had guessed it before it happened. On the whole, a bit meh.
September 11, 2021
To be frank, it has been too long since first making the acquaintance of D.I Sasha Dawson and her team of detectives in 'The Bad Place'. Therefore I was delighted to be involved in the blogtour for her second time out of the blocks, investigating the unsolved disappearance of late teen, Rhiannon Jenkins, and its potential connection to the murder of a man, questioned about it, at length.
Starting with a nasty murder, dressed up to look like a drunken suicide, Sasha finds herself involved with mid-level celebrities, as the victim, Deano, was one of 4 men interviewed following Rhiannon's vanishing act, the others being Abs, a reality tv personality who is trying to raise his profile. The other 2 are Jez, Abs best friend, and Tony, Deano's best bud, who all play different roles in the group dynamic. Abs and Jez are bonded best friends from shared childhood trauma, Deano has then bought Tony into the circle and now, a drunken fall off a train platform indicates that someone has decided one of them are guilty. And they are all in the firing line.
On the cusp of getting back into the pages of papers and lifestyle mags, Abs does not need this association of having been one of the last people seen talking to the girl at a pub in North Wales, near his holiday cottage. As the layers of what actually happened the night Rhiannon went off in the woods, and never returned, are peeled back, you get a building of established characters such as Sasha's trouble making sister Connie, husband Kev, children Denny and Angel as well as Sasha's work team of boss, Vaughn, DC Lolly Chambers and Ajay de Vaz.
Sasha's voice is a welcome one, as a reader, you fall quickly in step with her personal and work life juggling act, this time, overlapping quite alarmingly thanks to Connie throwing herself at recently seperated Vaughn, leading to some hilariously awkward conversations and dinners! Sasha is such a real character, with an authentic, female voice, her muttered asides, truncated phone calls, multi tasking and closeness with husband Kev, all are so natural and relatable. This makes her problem solving ability at work so precise, she handles her team with aplomb, follows clues doggedly, with fearsome determination.
Rhiannon is just one of several girls of similar age, who have disappeared in similar circumstances, and Sasha's inquiries into that missing person investigation dovetails with her duty to protect these men who have been found guilty through association. The story looks beyond what could be a cheeky rip off of 'Love Island', Abs show is called 'Laid In Essex' , but there are serious underlying threads of what the public perceive, and expect of those in the public eye. Particularly because Abs is just a survivor of a broken childhood, simply looking for validation in the reflection of star struck eyes at the local shop, in nightclubs, and pubs. He is genuinely a sweet, clueless soul, trying to do the right thing yet tarred with a reputation for sexual shenanigans due to the nature of the show he stars in.
His fame seeking contrasts beautifully with Sasha's non nonsense policing, but, even she is not immune to his charms, and , as the book progresses, I genuinely felt sorry for him. He was being threatened ,possibly erroneously, for having been somewhere close to a vanishing girl, and it has clung to him, like scandal tends to do. Sasha's family relations might be fraught and awkward but she has people around her. Abs has a small coterie of friends, growing smaller by the page, and as the mystery progresses at a frantic pace, you begin to question who is after justice here, and why. What is the bigger picture? Pulling back, you can view this rich tapestry of characters who have been pulled into this investigation whether by intent or not, and it makes for an incredibly human read.
The dialogue is distinctive and written with a deftness of touch which helps you visualise the conversations, I have such a clear picture of Abs and his love, Queen of Reality TV Kelsey, in my head, that it really had me thinking about how, whether you watch reality tv or not, these larger than life characters inhabit spaces in your head. Rather like osmosis, you absorb these modern day cultural figures without really being aware that you have, and begin to wonder-are they a construct which has been demanded, or are they fulfilling a pre-destined role since the beginning of time? The joker, the faithless lover, the strong man, the envious lurker in the shadows....all of these characters exist but how much of them are authentically themselves is difficult to separate from the persona which editors and media sources portray them to be.
Perception, smoke and mirrors, all of which exist in this story to hide the truth, are cut away in swathes by Sasha and her team, with fierce determination. I absolutely loved this twisting narrative and trusted myself to the process of just opening the book, and being taken away. And I am so grateful to M.K Hill, Anne Cater and Head Of Zeus for a much needed respite from reality.
Starting with a nasty murder, dressed up to look like a drunken suicide, Sasha finds herself involved with mid-level celebrities, as the victim, Deano, was one of 4 men interviewed following Rhiannon's vanishing act, the others being Abs, a reality tv personality who is trying to raise his profile. The other 2 are Jez, Abs best friend, and Tony, Deano's best bud, who all play different roles in the group dynamic. Abs and Jez are bonded best friends from shared childhood trauma, Deano has then bought Tony into the circle and now, a drunken fall off a train platform indicates that someone has decided one of them are guilty. And they are all in the firing line.
On the cusp of getting back into the pages of papers and lifestyle mags, Abs does not need this association of having been one of the last people seen talking to the girl at a pub in North Wales, near his holiday cottage. As the layers of what actually happened the night Rhiannon went off in the woods, and never returned, are peeled back, you get a building of established characters such as Sasha's trouble making sister Connie, husband Kev, children Denny and Angel as well as Sasha's work team of boss, Vaughn, DC Lolly Chambers and Ajay de Vaz.
Sasha's voice is a welcome one, as a reader, you fall quickly in step with her personal and work life juggling act, this time, overlapping quite alarmingly thanks to Connie throwing herself at recently seperated Vaughn, leading to some hilariously awkward conversations and dinners! Sasha is such a real character, with an authentic, female voice, her muttered asides, truncated phone calls, multi tasking and closeness with husband Kev, all are so natural and relatable. This makes her problem solving ability at work so precise, she handles her team with aplomb, follows clues doggedly, with fearsome determination.
Rhiannon is just one of several girls of similar age, who have disappeared in similar circumstances, and Sasha's inquiries into that missing person investigation dovetails with her duty to protect these men who have been found guilty through association. The story looks beyond what could be a cheeky rip off of 'Love Island', Abs show is called 'Laid In Essex' , but there are serious underlying threads of what the public perceive, and expect of those in the public eye. Particularly because Abs is just a survivor of a broken childhood, simply looking for validation in the reflection of star struck eyes at the local shop, in nightclubs, and pubs. He is genuinely a sweet, clueless soul, trying to do the right thing yet tarred with a reputation for sexual shenanigans due to the nature of the show he stars in.
His fame seeking contrasts beautifully with Sasha's non nonsense policing, but, even she is not immune to his charms, and , as the book progresses, I genuinely felt sorry for him. He was being threatened ,possibly erroneously, for having been somewhere close to a vanishing girl, and it has clung to him, like scandal tends to do. Sasha's family relations might be fraught and awkward but she has people around her. Abs has a small coterie of friends, growing smaller by the page, and as the mystery progresses at a frantic pace, you begin to question who is after justice here, and why. What is the bigger picture? Pulling back, you can view this rich tapestry of characters who have been pulled into this investigation whether by intent or not, and it makes for an incredibly human read.
The dialogue is distinctive and written with a deftness of touch which helps you visualise the conversations, I have such a clear picture of Abs and his love, Queen of Reality TV Kelsey, in my head, that it really had me thinking about how, whether you watch reality tv or not, these larger than life characters inhabit spaces in your head. Rather like osmosis, you absorb these modern day cultural figures without really being aware that you have, and begin to wonder-are they a construct which has been demanded, or are they fulfilling a pre-destined role since the beginning of time? The joker, the faithless lover, the strong man, the envious lurker in the shadows....all of these characters exist but how much of them are authentically themselves is difficult to separate from the persona which editors and media sources portray them to be.
Perception, smoke and mirrors, all of which exist in this story to hide the truth, are cut away in swathes by Sasha and her team, with fierce determination. I absolutely loved this twisting narrative and trusted myself to the process of just opening the book, and being taken away. And I am so grateful to M.K Hill, Anne Cater and Head Of Zeus for a much needed respite from reality.
September 8, 2021
The Woman in the Wood is the second book featuring DI Sasha Dawson but the first I've read. It certainly didn't affect my enjoyment of the story, which can be read as a standalone but there are mentions of events in Sasha's recent past which will no doubt make more sense to returning readers. Obviously, it just means that I'll need to read the first novel now, so I'm not complaining!
The book opens with the aggressive, belligerent Deano being kicked out of a pub; it's fair to say that he is not a sympathetic character but it quickly becomes clear that he is tormented by something in his past. Unfortunately, he never has the opportunity to make things right because shortly after this he meets a very grisly death.
The nature of his demise means that it's not immediately evident to the investigating team whether the cause was a tragic accident or murder but the reader is ahead here and already knows what happened. Why it happened is the real mystery, particularly when a chance sighting suggests that former reality TV star, Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank may somehow be involved.
Abs was once the star of 'Laid in Essex' (which I think is actually a better title than it's real-life counterpart!) and is a wonderful character. The flashback scenes in the novel gradually reveal what caused his once glittering career to come to a sudden halt but although it's obvious that he still feels guilty about his part in what happened in Wales three years ago, it's difficult not to like him. Reality television shows and the celebrities they create have become part of our culture now and while the vacuousness of this form of entertainment and the image-obsessed stars created by it are cleverly parodied here, it's easy to see why Abs still remains popular with much of the public. There is a rather endearing neediness to him; he really wants to be loved, something Sasha quickly picks up on when she notices that he immediately compliments every person he meets.
While Abs is the larger-than-life figure destined to make a big impression on the book, it's Sasha who is arguably the pivotal character as the series is built around her and although I missed out on her introduction, I'm already invested in her and looking forward to following the series as it progresses. I loved the scenes set in her personal life which are a wonderful mix of humour and emotion. Most importantly, there's a realism to them, they are clearly a family who have been knocked about by traumatic recent experiences but are trying - and mostly succeeding - to find a way to work things out. It's not uncommon for police officers in crime fiction to have problems in their personal lives and considering the nature of their jobs, it's not surprising for authors to include some sort of family drama too but it's tempered here by the obvious love and affection they have for one another. There's a small subplot featuring Sasha's sister, Connie which had me cringing along with her and which is a perfect example of the warmth and humour in The Woman in the Wood.
It is still very definitely a crime novel though and the clever intertwining of various storylines allows for some red herrings. dramatic reveals and an escalation in tension towards the conclusion of the book. The exploration of guilt, loyalty and love amidst some very dark revelations is fascinating. There's not really any graphic violence but there is a sinister undercurrent which leaves readers in no doubt as to the horror of the crimes committed and it's definitely one of those books where you realise the clues were there all along when the awful truth finally comes to light.
Suspenseful, gripping and moving, with a finale that brought a smile to my face, I thoroughly enjoyed The Woman in the Wood and wholeheartedly recommend it.
The book opens with the aggressive, belligerent Deano being kicked out of a pub; it's fair to say that he is not a sympathetic character but it quickly becomes clear that he is tormented by something in his past. Unfortunately, he never has the opportunity to make things right because shortly after this he meets a very grisly death.
The nature of his demise means that it's not immediately evident to the investigating team whether the cause was a tragic accident or murder but the reader is ahead here and already knows what happened. Why it happened is the real mystery, particularly when a chance sighting suggests that former reality TV star, Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank may somehow be involved.
Abs was once the star of 'Laid in Essex' (which I think is actually a better title than it's real-life counterpart!) and is a wonderful character. The flashback scenes in the novel gradually reveal what caused his once glittering career to come to a sudden halt but although it's obvious that he still feels guilty about his part in what happened in Wales three years ago, it's difficult not to like him. Reality television shows and the celebrities they create have become part of our culture now and while the vacuousness of this form of entertainment and the image-obsessed stars created by it are cleverly parodied here, it's easy to see why Abs still remains popular with much of the public. There is a rather endearing neediness to him; he really wants to be loved, something Sasha quickly picks up on when she notices that he immediately compliments every person he meets.
While Abs is the larger-than-life figure destined to make a big impression on the book, it's Sasha who is arguably the pivotal character as the series is built around her and although I missed out on her introduction, I'm already invested in her and looking forward to following the series as it progresses. I loved the scenes set in her personal life which are a wonderful mix of humour and emotion. Most importantly, there's a realism to them, they are clearly a family who have been knocked about by traumatic recent experiences but are trying - and mostly succeeding - to find a way to work things out. It's not uncommon for police officers in crime fiction to have problems in their personal lives and considering the nature of their jobs, it's not surprising for authors to include some sort of family drama too but it's tempered here by the obvious love and affection they have for one another. There's a small subplot featuring Sasha's sister, Connie which had me cringing along with her and which is a perfect example of the warmth and humour in The Woman in the Wood.
It is still very definitely a crime novel though and the clever intertwining of various storylines allows for some red herrings. dramatic reveals and an escalation in tension towards the conclusion of the book. The exploration of guilt, loyalty and love amidst some very dark revelations is fascinating. There's not really any graphic violence but there is a sinister undercurrent which leaves readers in no doubt as to the horror of the crimes committed and it's definitely one of those books where you realise the clues were there all along when the awful truth finally comes to light.
Suspenseful, gripping and moving, with a finale that brought a smile to my face, I thoroughly enjoyed The Woman in the Wood and wholeheartedly recommend it.
September 16, 2021
'The Woman in the wood' by M.K.Hill is the second crime thriller to feature D.I Sasha Dawson and my first M.K. Hill book. I found this story a very intriguing one as the plot is base's around reality TV. I found this a refreshing theme, especially as reality TV is everywhere these days. It grabbed me anyway.
Laid in Essex is the show that M.K Hill has made the 'place to be' in the Book. It isn't that far removed from the shows we see. The main character is Abs, a former 'Laid in Essex' star. His success was almost instantaneous and he was riding high...until three years ago. Abs and three friends stayed in a remote cottage in Wales which ended up with a young woman going missing and he was seen as a suspect until the police found no evidence to go any further. His career obviously went downhill from there.
Alongside this reality TV plot we also see DI Dawson's almost chaotic family life. Her husband who is recovering from mental health issues, her daughters who are pushing all the boundaries and her sister who could really beat the fragile reality TV stars in selfishness. All this is quite the opposite of reality TV personas who are all too wrapped up in feeling like they need to be relevant and up to the minute.
Back on the Reality TV front, Abs is in turmoil when one of his friends who was with him in Wales is killed. He feels that because of the events in Wales someone is picking them all of one at once
Abs for me, was a very insecure, self centred young man. I wanted to slap him most of the time, so not a favourite character of mine. He did make me feel like he fitted the label of 'reality star' though.
M.K.Hill has really made his characters believable, even if they aren't on the nice side. D.I Dawson is a character I really warmed to, her chaotic family and having to unravel the mystery of who was killing men so violently as well. I wondered if she and her team would manage to solve it before Abs's fear of his life would become reality.
A gripping and addictive read that really had me curious as to what really happened in Wales and who was exacting revenge? The twists in the story made me even more impatient to reach the conclusion. All I will say is, it's worth it.
A book I read as a stand alone but I want to read the first book as well. This is a series I feel like I want to really know Sasha Dawson as I really like her.
Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Head of Zeus for the gifted copy of the book.
Laid in Essex is the show that M.K Hill has made the 'place to be' in the Book. It isn't that far removed from the shows we see. The main character is Abs, a former 'Laid in Essex' star. His success was almost instantaneous and he was riding high...until three years ago. Abs and three friends stayed in a remote cottage in Wales which ended up with a young woman going missing and he was seen as a suspect until the police found no evidence to go any further. His career obviously went downhill from there.
Alongside this reality TV plot we also see DI Dawson's almost chaotic family life. Her husband who is recovering from mental health issues, her daughters who are pushing all the boundaries and her sister who could really beat the fragile reality TV stars in selfishness. All this is quite the opposite of reality TV personas who are all too wrapped up in feeling like they need to be relevant and up to the minute.
Back on the Reality TV front, Abs is in turmoil when one of his friends who was with him in Wales is killed. He feels that because of the events in Wales someone is picking them all of one at once
Abs for me, was a very insecure, self centred young man. I wanted to slap him most of the time, so not a favourite character of mine. He did make me feel like he fitted the label of 'reality star' though.
M.K.Hill has really made his characters believable, even if they aren't on the nice side. D.I Dawson is a character I really warmed to, her chaotic family and having to unravel the mystery of who was killing men so violently as well. I wondered if she and her team would manage to solve it before Abs's fear of his life would become reality.
A gripping and addictive read that really had me curious as to what really happened in Wales and who was exacting revenge? The twists in the story made me even more impatient to reach the conclusion. All I will say is, it's worth it.
A book I read as a stand alone but I want to read the first book as well. This is a series I feel like I want to really know Sasha Dawson as I really like her.
Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Head of Zeus for the gifted copy of the book.
February 24, 2021
Andrew 'Deano' Dean, is a troubled man, drinking to forget what happened three years earlier at a holiday cottage in a remote part of Wales. Finally though, he is beginning to realise that, if he is to move forward, he has to go to the police and tell them what has been destroying his life since then.
Danny Cruikshank, a slightly washed up reality tv star, from the poetically named Laid in Essex!, know to everyone as 'Abs' was also at that cottage. At the height of his popularity when he went on the ill fated trip, things have been going downhill ever since and, when he hears from another friend about Deano's plans, he is desperate to find out what the police know and suspect about what happened.
When DI Sasha Dawson is called to a murder scene in an Essex village the condition of the victim is only the first shock coming her way in a case which seems to have no reason behind it. With her home life remaining as chaotic as ever, the last thing Sasha needs is her sister being even more irresponsible than usual when she is so busy. Connie however has ulterior motives Sasha can't begin to fathom and has no hesitation in involving anyone she thinks will prove useful.
This is the second of the Sasha Dawson novels and provides an interesting view of the world inhabited by reality tv stars, their fleetingly brief period of fame, and what happens when controversy changes everything. Alongside this is a storyline detailing the desperate need for revenge when a family feels they are the only ones looking for answers to a recent tragedy.
Although I enjoyed the storyline and was surprised by an ending I incorrectly assumed I had all worked out there were things which didn't ring true. The team Sasha controls was, for me, the weak link in this storyline. In particular a young detective constable who seems to have risen through the ranks without acquiring any of the confident bravado I would associate with other fictional characters of this rank. There were also family moments I was surprised Sasha agreed to but it is still a good read with a solution I didn't see coming.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is well worth getting, especially if you enjoyed the first book.
Danny Cruikshank, a slightly washed up reality tv star, from the poetically named Laid in Essex!, know to everyone as 'Abs' was also at that cottage. At the height of his popularity when he went on the ill fated trip, things have been going downhill ever since and, when he hears from another friend about Deano's plans, he is desperate to find out what the police know and suspect about what happened.
When DI Sasha Dawson is called to a murder scene in an Essex village the condition of the victim is only the first shock coming her way in a case which seems to have no reason behind it. With her home life remaining as chaotic as ever, the last thing Sasha needs is her sister being even more irresponsible than usual when she is so busy. Connie however has ulterior motives Sasha can't begin to fathom and has no hesitation in involving anyone she thinks will prove useful.
This is the second of the Sasha Dawson novels and provides an interesting view of the world inhabited by reality tv stars, their fleetingly brief period of fame, and what happens when controversy changes everything. Alongside this is a storyline detailing the desperate need for revenge when a family feels they are the only ones looking for answers to a recent tragedy.
Although I enjoyed the storyline and was surprised by an ending I incorrectly assumed I had all worked out there were things which didn't ring true. The team Sasha controls was, for me, the weak link in this storyline. In particular a young detective constable who seems to have risen through the ranks without acquiring any of the confident bravado I would associate with other fictional characters of this rank. There were also family moments I was surprised Sasha agreed to but it is still a good read with a solution I didn't see coming.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is well worth getting, especially if you enjoyed the first book.
February 16, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up.
I am getting to be a bit of a fan of this author having read and enjoyed both the series opener for this follow up and his other series featuring DI Ray Drake. There's obviously something about his style of writing that gels with me. Obviously you'll get the best from this book if you read The Bad Place first, and it's great so why not? But at a push you could read this stand alone as the main story is wholly self contained.
So there's this thing that happened three years ago when Danny "Abs" Cruikshank was having a weekend away in a remote cottage in Wales with three of his best buddies. A local girl went missing from a pub they were seen drinking at. It was at the height of his reality show stardom but on returning back to work found that his career did not survive the scandal of being questioned. There was always that question mark, heightened by the fact that the girl was never seen again no one was ever charged in relation to her disappearance.
Back in the present and the body of one of Abs' friends is found after being hit by a train. Initially thought suicide but soon ruled suspicious. Enter DI Sasha Dawson and her team to investigate. Fingers soon point to Abs and his remaining two friends and Sasha's interest in what happened three years since is piqued. Is someone targeting the friends? It then becomes a race against time to try and keep the others safe from harm, but with none of them telling the truth, can they get to the bottom of things in time?
Oh My! This hit the ground running, sucked me in completely throughout, spitting me out at the end completely satisfied. The plot is well crafted and executed and stars some rather larger than life characters, equally well drawn - both series and episode extras. It also goes along at a fair lick, not being spoiled by any added superfluous waffle or padding. It also kept me on my toes throughout with all the twists and turns along the way. I guessed a few thing right but mostly I was way off the mark so kudos to the author for that.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what is shaping up to be a good series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
I am getting to be a bit of a fan of this author having read and enjoyed both the series opener for this follow up and his other series featuring DI Ray Drake. There's obviously something about his style of writing that gels with me. Obviously you'll get the best from this book if you read The Bad Place first, and it's great so why not? But at a push you could read this stand alone as the main story is wholly self contained.
So there's this thing that happened three years ago when Danny "Abs" Cruikshank was having a weekend away in a remote cottage in Wales with three of his best buddies. A local girl went missing from a pub they were seen drinking at. It was at the height of his reality show stardom but on returning back to work found that his career did not survive the scandal of being questioned. There was always that question mark, heightened by the fact that the girl was never seen again no one was ever charged in relation to her disappearance.
Back in the present and the body of one of Abs' friends is found after being hit by a train. Initially thought suicide but soon ruled suspicious. Enter DI Sasha Dawson and her team to investigate. Fingers soon point to Abs and his remaining two friends and Sasha's interest in what happened three years since is piqued. Is someone targeting the friends? It then becomes a race against time to try and keep the others safe from harm, but with none of them telling the truth, can they get to the bottom of things in time?
Oh My! This hit the ground running, sucked me in completely throughout, spitting me out at the end completely satisfied. The plot is well crafted and executed and stars some rather larger than life characters, equally well drawn - both series and episode extras. It also goes along at a fair lick, not being spoiled by any added superfluous waffle or padding. It also kept me on my toes throughout with all the twists and turns along the way. I guessed a few thing right but mostly I was way off the mark so kudos to the author for that.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what is shaping up to be a good series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
March 1, 2021
I loved the first book in the DI Sasha Dawson series by M.K. Hill, and I couldn’t wait to read the next book in the series. M.K. Hill’s writing is very engaging, and this time round, in The Woman in the Wood, he delves into the scene of reality TV. Reality TV has seen a huge boom in popularity in recent years, with shows such as Love Island and The Only Way is Essex. It made for an intriguing backdrop to the story, and it gave the book a unique hook.
I have to admit that being from Essex, the name M.K. Hill gives the reality TV series in his book, Laid in Essex, did make me cringe a bit, but I can definitely imagine such a show existing. A former star of the show, Abs, is one of the central characters in the book. He has been in the limelight for several years now; people recognise him in the street and feel as though they know him, even though they haven’t met him before. M.K. Hill takes you into that world, especially as Abs tries to make a comeback.
Abs was a character who I didn’t really warm to. I thought he was quite obnoxious, particularly in the way how he revelled in his fame and how he tried to flirt with women, but that is part of who he is. He can’t talk to someone without a complimentary, cheesy chat-up line. He is haunted by what happened three years ago, when a young woman disappeared while he was in Wales, he was once labelled a suspect in the disappearance, but no evidence could be found against him. And when one of his friends who was with him at the time is killed, it sends him into a panic frenzy. He fears that because of what happened in Wales they are now being targeted.
M.K. Hill’s writing made this book a very addictive read. I really wanted to know what Abs and his friends were hiding about what happened three years earlier. I also wanted to know who was targeting them, and M.K. Hill throws in several twists, which will keep you turning the pages. The final chapters were very chilling as the truth was revealed.
You don’t need to have read The Bad Place to enjoy this book, but I would highly recommend that you do so. DI Sasha Dawson is a great character, and this is turning into an exciting, must-read crime series. I hope that there are going to be many more books in the series to come.
I have to admit that being from Essex, the name M.K. Hill gives the reality TV series in his book, Laid in Essex, did make me cringe a bit, but I can definitely imagine such a show existing. A former star of the show, Abs, is one of the central characters in the book. He has been in the limelight for several years now; people recognise him in the street and feel as though they know him, even though they haven’t met him before. M.K. Hill takes you into that world, especially as Abs tries to make a comeback.
Abs was a character who I didn’t really warm to. I thought he was quite obnoxious, particularly in the way how he revelled in his fame and how he tried to flirt with women, but that is part of who he is. He can’t talk to someone without a complimentary, cheesy chat-up line. He is haunted by what happened three years ago, when a young woman disappeared while he was in Wales, he was once labelled a suspect in the disappearance, but no evidence could be found against him. And when one of his friends who was with him at the time is killed, it sends him into a panic frenzy. He fears that because of what happened in Wales they are now being targeted.
M.K. Hill’s writing made this book a very addictive read. I really wanted to know what Abs and his friends were hiding about what happened three years earlier. I also wanted to know who was targeting them, and M.K. Hill throws in several twists, which will keep you turning the pages. The final chapters were very chilling as the truth was revealed.
You don’t need to have read The Bad Place to enjoy this book, but I would highly recommend that you do so. DI Sasha Dawson is a great character, and this is turning into an exciting, must-read crime series. I hope that there are going to be many more books in the series to come.
September 21, 2021
The Woman In The Woods is a fast paced, addictive read that I couldn’t put down. I managed to read half the book in one day as I was so enjoying it.
Firstly this isn’t a gritty crime read but a more character driven story which I thought made a nice change. It manages to be emotional in parts but also quite funny in places which I wasn’t expecting. The story is told from the pov of Sacha as she tries to solve the murder case and Abs as he tries to work through his guilt of what happened. There are also some interesting flashbacks from three years ago which helps tell the readers what actually happened.
The author has created some amazing characters who I enjoyed following throughout the book and who I’ve kept thinking about long after I’ve finished reading. I really liked that Sasha wasn’t the stereotypical police officer you normally find in crime books. She has a family (albeit a slightly broken one) and therefore a life outside work. She is a strong, capable women but she also has a soft side and is always happy to listen to her colleagues problems. I absolutely loved Abs and the other Laid in Essex cast members who were so true to life that I actually had Mark Wright in my head when I was picturing Abs! Their antics and opinions in the book often had me laughing out loud and I found myself warming to Abs as the book continued.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. The book had a great pace to it and there was always something happening to keep me reading. I often found myself trying to hide away in the kitchen so I could just read one more chapter. I did guess part of the ending but a huge twist towards the end took me completely by surprise which I absolutely loved. The author let’s the reader know what happened afterwards to each of the characters which I thought was a nice touch and helped clear up any loose ends to the story. The very last pages were brilliant and I closed the book with a huge smile on my face.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Head Of Zeus for my copy of this book.
Firstly this isn’t a gritty crime read but a more character driven story which I thought made a nice change. It manages to be emotional in parts but also quite funny in places which I wasn’t expecting. The story is told from the pov of Sacha as she tries to solve the murder case and Abs as he tries to work through his guilt of what happened. There are also some interesting flashbacks from three years ago which helps tell the readers what actually happened.
The author has created some amazing characters who I enjoyed following throughout the book and who I’ve kept thinking about long after I’ve finished reading. I really liked that Sasha wasn’t the stereotypical police officer you normally find in crime books. She has a family (albeit a slightly broken one) and therefore a life outside work. She is a strong, capable women but she also has a soft side and is always happy to listen to her colleagues problems. I absolutely loved Abs and the other Laid in Essex cast members who were so true to life that I actually had Mark Wright in my head when I was picturing Abs! Their antics and opinions in the book often had me laughing out loud and I found myself warming to Abs as the book continued.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. The book had a great pace to it and there was always something happening to keep me reading. I often found myself trying to hide away in the kitchen so I could just read one more chapter. I did guess part of the ending but a huge twist towards the end took me completely by surprise which I absolutely loved. The author let’s the reader know what happened afterwards to each of the characters which I thought was a nice touch and helped clear up any loose ends to the story. The very last pages were brilliant and I closed the book with a huge smile on my face.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Head Of Zeus for my copy of this book.
December 28, 2021
Sharp, tense and brilliantly paced, police procedural fans will not want to miss M K Hill’s latest novel, The Woman in the Wood.
Three years ago, Danny ‘Abs’ Cruikshank had been on top of the world. As the star of a reality TV show, the world had been Abs’ oyster. Money, success and popularity had come easily to Abs – until he had lost everything after a party in Wales. A girl had gone missing after the party and Abs and his friends had been the last people to see her alive. Abs’ career had never recovered and he had gone from tabloid darling to pariah in one fell swoop. However, little did Abs realise that this particular nightmare was far from over – in fact, it was only just beginning. One of his friends had been murdered and Abs’ name is once again on everybody’s lips and for all the wrong reasons!
DI Sasha Dawson and her team are up against it as they need to find the killer before it’s too late. With time not on their side, Sasha and her team have got a very tough job on their hands – especially when it becomes abundantly clear that the killer will strike again. As Sasha begins to look into the night of Rhiannon Jenkins’ disappearance, she begins to wonder whether her findings will end up absolving Abs – or whether they will confirm what most people suspect: that he is as guilty as sin.
Will Sasha get to the truth? Can Abs ever unshackle himself from the events of that night? Or will he continue to be haunted by past sins and ever present regrets?
The Woman in the Wood is top-notch crime fiction perfect for readers who enjoy the works of Peter Robinson and Mark Billingham. Twisty, terrifying and nerve-shredding, M K Hill’s The Woman in the Wood packs a punch and will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they find themselves completely gripped by this clever, absorbing and ingeniously plotted crime novel.
A fantastic crime thriller with an intelligent, flawed and complex detective at its heart, The Woman in the Wood is an enjoyable thriller from a very talented writer: M K Hill.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Three years ago, Danny ‘Abs’ Cruikshank had been on top of the world. As the star of a reality TV show, the world had been Abs’ oyster. Money, success and popularity had come easily to Abs – until he had lost everything after a party in Wales. A girl had gone missing after the party and Abs and his friends had been the last people to see her alive. Abs’ career had never recovered and he had gone from tabloid darling to pariah in one fell swoop. However, little did Abs realise that this particular nightmare was far from over – in fact, it was only just beginning. One of his friends had been murdered and Abs’ name is once again on everybody’s lips and for all the wrong reasons!
DI Sasha Dawson and her team are up against it as they need to find the killer before it’s too late. With time not on their side, Sasha and her team have got a very tough job on their hands – especially when it becomes abundantly clear that the killer will strike again. As Sasha begins to look into the night of Rhiannon Jenkins’ disappearance, she begins to wonder whether her findings will end up absolving Abs – or whether they will confirm what most people suspect: that he is as guilty as sin.
Will Sasha get to the truth? Can Abs ever unshackle himself from the events of that night? Or will he continue to be haunted by past sins and ever present regrets?
The Woman in the Wood is top-notch crime fiction perfect for readers who enjoy the works of Peter Robinson and Mark Billingham. Twisty, terrifying and nerve-shredding, M K Hill’s The Woman in the Wood packs a punch and will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they find themselves completely gripped by this clever, absorbing and ingeniously plotted crime novel.
A fantastic crime thriller with an intelligent, flawed and complex detective at its heart, The Woman in the Wood is an enjoyable thriller from a very talented writer: M K Hill.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2021
🌟B O O K R E V I E W🌟
‘The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death.’ Blaise Pascal
Many thanks to Head of Zeus and Mark Hill for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.
3 years ago Danny ‘ Abs’ Cruikshank, reality star was living the dream. The night of the party that changed everything - a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead. Abs and his friends are the last to see her alive. Abs’ career is destroyed as a consequence.
Now Abs friend is murdered and the old case is reopened - Will DI Sasha Dawson find the truth and set Abs free or bury him?
This was a highly entertaining, sharp, witty fast paced read.
It is written with some dry wit and humour poking some fun at ‘reality stars’. I loved the character of Abs and his sweet but dim naivety. His constant need for attention and maintaining his persona in case he gets ‘a call’ and his very white trainers 🤣 and his unwavering belief that he will get back with his ‘Kelz’ really made me smile - the comparisons with ‘real life’ TOWIE were fabulous. The realness of Sasha trying to juggle a full on job with family vying for her attention, an awful sister and a trying teenager whilst trying to avoid getting blown up was another highlight.
The plot moves quickly between events 3 years previously and the present building links between the 2 threads of the story. I liked the creeping building tension, you could see some things coming but not everything and that was very well done.
This is a fantastically gripping crime novel, a lot of fun to read and I finished it in one sitting- always a good sign. This would make a great TV series!
4.5🌟
‘The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death.’ Blaise Pascal
Many thanks to Head of Zeus and Mark Hill for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.
3 years ago Danny ‘ Abs’ Cruikshank, reality star was living the dream. The night of the party that changed everything - a local girl is reported missing, presumed dead. Abs and his friends are the last to see her alive. Abs’ career is destroyed as a consequence.
Now Abs friend is murdered and the old case is reopened - Will DI Sasha Dawson find the truth and set Abs free or bury him?
This was a highly entertaining, sharp, witty fast paced read.
It is written with some dry wit and humour poking some fun at ‘reality stars’. I loved the character of Abs and his sweet but dim naivety. His constant need for attention and maintaining his persona in case he gets ‘a call’ and his very white trainers 🤣 and his unwavering belief that he will get back with his ‘Kelz’ really made me smile - the comparisons with ‘real life’ TOWIE were fabulous. The realness of Sasha trying to juggle a full on job with family vying for her attention, an awful sister and a trying teenager whilst trying to avoid getting blown up was another highlight.
The plot moves quickly between events 3 years previously and the present building links between the 2 threads of the story. I liked the creeping building tension, you could see some things coming but not everything and that was very well done.
This is a fantastically gripping crime novel, a lot of fun to read and I finished it in one sitting- always a good sign. This would make a great TV series!
4.5🌟
September 4, 2021
🥀🥀BOOK TOUR REVIEW🥀🥀
The Woman In The Wood by @markhillwriter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⭐️s
- 2 September 2021 P
Thanks to @headofzeus for providing me with a #gifted copy of the book for my slot on @annecater14 @randomthingstours in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 2nd book in the authors DI Sasha Dawson series however I haven’t read the first but didn’t feel like I was missing pieces for this book to make sense.
On a weekend trip to Wales for a group of friends, one a reality tv star, a young woman goes missing. The group of friends fall into the crosshairs of suspicion but with no body found, no charges are brought and the friends try to get back to their normal lives.
Flash forward three years and one of the group of friends is found dead on train tracks in what, at first glance, appears to be a suicide…….. but soon it becomes clear that it was nothing of the sort.
This book is fast paced and draws you in from the outset. And the authors writing forces you to continue reading because just when you think your at a good point to pause, something happens that makes you think “oh I need to read the next bit first”
The dual points of view kept me interested throughout. Not going to lie, I thought I had the book pegged at several points and each time I was thwarted in my thinking! The book really does keep you guessing.
I don’t want to give anything away as this is such a good read but I definitely would like to read the first in the series and any subsequent books in this series from MK Hill!
#MKHill #TheWomanInTheWood #ReadAndReview #Review #BookReview #AmReading
The Woman In The Wood by @markhillwriter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⭐️s
- 2 September 2021 P
Thanks to @headofzeus for providing me with a #gifted copy of the book for my slot on @annecater14 @randomthingstours in exchange for an honest review.
This is the 2nd book in the authors DI Sasha Dawson series however I haven’t read the first but didn’t feel like I was missing pieces for this book to make sense.
On a weekend trip to Wales for a group of friends, one a reality tv star, a young woman goes missing. The group of friends fall into the crosshairs of suspicion but with no body found, no charges are brought and the friends try to get back to their normal lives.
Flash forward three years and one of the group of friends is found dead on train tracks in what, at first glance, appears to be a suicide…….. but soon it becomes clear that it was nothing of the sort.
This book is fast paced and draws you in from the outset. And the authors writing forces you to continue reading because just when you think your at a good point to pause, something happens that makes you think “oh I need to read the next bit first”
The dual points of view kept me interested throughout. Not going to lie, I thought I had the book pegged at several points and each time I was thwarted in my thinking! The book really does keep you guessing.
I don’t want to give anything away as this is such a good read but I definitely would like to read the first in the series and any subsequent books in this series from MK Hill!
#MKHill #TheWomanInTheWood #ReadAndReview #Review #BookReview #AmReading
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