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Detective Annie Delamere #1
Small Mercies
A killer is sending a message – but for who?
DI Annie Delamere and her colleague DS Zoe Everett are off duty and enjoying a walk on the Peak District’s vast moorlands when they stumble across a mutilated corpse. The victim is unclothed and his tattoos indicate an affinity with the occult.
While Annie is put in charge of the case her long-term partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is confronted by a group of far right extremists. Rather than back down Sheena chooses to stand her ground – and almost pays for it with her life.
As more bodies are found, Annie is under pressure to prove her worth. But with one eye on her personal affairs can she catch a murderer and still keep her loved ones safe? And are the killings the work of a deranged mind – or a cover for something even more chilling?
Don’t miss this first novel in compelling new detective series that fans of Stephen Booth and Ann Cleeves will love.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2020
254 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 19, 2020
SMALL MERCIES by Alex Walters is first book in the Detective Annie Delamere British crime / police procedural and is set in England. Detective Inspector Annie Delamere and a co-worker, Detective Sergeant Zoe Everett are walking on some remote moorlands when they find a mutilated corpse. Annie is put in charge of the case. Soon, two other story lines are introduced; one involving Annie’s partner, MP Sheena Pearson, and another involving a fringe journalist and researcher.
The plot is complex, but I felt like it was somewhat slow and I had to trudge through some mud before the pace picked up in the last 30 percent of the book. While the main characters were individuals you could root for, they didn’t have as much depth as I expected and the secondary characters definitely needed more depth. Perhaps this will improve in book two of the series. However, the stakes were high and that kept me interested in what was going to happen next and the ending is very dramatic. A lot of themes ran through this novel including ritualistic murders, cults, coercion, politics and much more.
Overall, this was an interesting read that was slow-paced and it was not a page-turner until near the end. I want to read book two before I make any decisions about reading more of this series.
The plot is complex, but I felt like it was somewhat slow and I had to trudge through some mud before the pace picked up in the last 30 percent of the book. While the main characters were individuals you could root for, they didn’t have as much depth as I expected and the secondary characters definitely needed more depth. Perhaps this will improve in book two of the series. However, the stakes were high and that kept me interested in what was going to happen next and the ending is very dramatic. A lot of themes ran through this novel including ritualistic murders, cults, coercion, politics and much more.
Overall, this was an interesting read that was slow-paced and it was not a page-turner until near the end. I want to read book two before I make any decisions about reading more of this series.
September 16, 2020
While enjoying an off-duty day, DI Annie Delamere and her colleague, DS Zoe Everett while doing a bit of hiking, comes across a man's corpse. He's naked with no identification found, but he's covered in tattoos.
Annie's long term life partner, MP Sheena Pearson, confronts a group of extremists and almost loses her life to a bullet.
A second man's body is found in much the same condition as the first ... no clothes, no identification, covered in tattoos.
Three cases ...all important ... all need to be solved ...pronto before any more lives are lost.
This intricate plot weaves all the unrelated threads together that leads to a surprising, unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn and the blend of their professional lives along with their personal lives give them more substance. There's plenty of action with lots of suspects to follow. This is the first in a compelling new detective series.
Many thanks to the author / Canelo / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Annie's long term life partner, MP Sheena Pearson, confronts a group of extremists and almost loses her life to a bullet.
A second man's body is found in much the same condition as the first ... no clothes, no identification, covered in tattoos.
Three cases ...all important ... all need to be solved ...pronto before any more lives are lost.
This intricate plot weaves all the unrelated threads together that leads to a surprising, unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn and the blend of their professional lives along with their personal lives give them more substance. There's plenty of action with lots of suspects to follow. This is the first in a compelling new detective series.
Many thanks to the author / Canelo / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 11, 2020
Small Mercies is the first instalment in the Detective Inspector Annie Delamere series set in Derbyshire and is a promising start to this set of books. Whilst out hiking in the Peak District, Annie and colleague Detective Superintendent Zoe Everett discover a mutilated, naked corpse of a young man. On closer inspector of the body, they find he has a number of what can only be described as occultist or satanist tattoos and his throat has been brutally slashed from ear to ear. A short time later another body shows up with much in common with the first. Then things go from bad to worse when Annie learns that her long-term partner, MP Sheena Pearson, has been shot and injured whilst confronting right-wing extremists.
This is a ripped from the headlines topical tale and reminded me of the awful killing of British Labour MP Jo Cox who was assassinated by a right-wing agitator in 2016. The investigation is an intense one and the police procedural elements were done well. It's rather complex and convoluted with the plot moving between the different strands of the plot regularly and it's both nicely written and plotted. It is penned in a linear fashion with one event logically following on from another and although the pace is fairly pedestrian compared to what I'm used to I enjoyed it due to the interesting subject matter. Overall, this is a compelling, quick and easy read perfect for a spot of escapism. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
This is a ripped from the headlines topical tale and reminded me of the awful killing of British Labour MP Jo Cox who was assassinated by a right-wing agitator in 2016. The investigation is an intense one and the police procedural elements were done well. It's rather complex and convoluted with the plot moving between the different strands of the plot regularly and it's both nicely written and plotted. It is penned in a linear fashion with one event logically following on from another and although the pace is fairly pedestrian compared to what I'm used to I enjoyed it due to the interesting subject matter. Overall, this is a compelling, quick and easy read perfect for a spot of escapism. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
May 4, 2020
This British crime novel was a solid, enjoyable read. It took a little while for me to get into it, but once I was into it I read through it pretty quickly. It is told mainly from the perspective of a female police detective and then somewhat through her female partner (a politician), her female partner on the force, and a male writer who is trying to get an inside look into "the dark arts." A ritualistic murder starts off the story, which then winds around all the other characters and more.
One thing I particularly liked about the book is that there is not gratuitous violence. This very much reminded me of a story I'd watch on a British crime show, and maybe an older fashioned one (some that I watch these days are pretty hard core). I really don't care to read details about things like gore or torture, and appreciated that the book is plot-driven and character-driven (with also quite a lot of dialog), not seeing the need to go into excruciating details on the murders the way so many others do. It's a fairly PG book in general -- no sex and no cussing that I can think of either. I don't mind either way, but for those who are looking for a detective story without a hard R rating, this will be a good fit.
This is apparently the first in a new series by the author, who has done other series about other police detectives. I'd happily read more in the series, and may check out some of his other works.
I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
One thing I particularly liked about the book is that there is not gratuitous violence. This very much reminded me of a story I'd watch on a British crime show, and maybe an older fashioned one (some that I watch these days are pretty hard core). I really don't care to read details about things like gore or torture, and appreciated that the book is plot-driven and character-driven (with also quite a lot of dialog), not seeing the need to go into excruciating details on the murders the way so many others do. It's a fairly PG book in general -- no sex and no cussing that I can think of either. I don't mind either way, but for those who are looking for a detective story without a hard R rating, this will be a good fit.
This is apparently the first in a new series by the author, who has done other series about other police detectives. I'd happily read more in the series, and may check out some of his other works.
I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
May 17, 2020
This story takes place in the Peak District part of Derbyshire, the oldest of Britain’s national parks. It’s a particularly beautiful part of England that unfortunately, I haven’t visited myself. But don’t be mistaken by the name, this is not a mountain range, but a country of steep hills and high moors. (Please correct me if I’m wrong)
On a free weekend, DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett take a hike in the Peak District and almost stumble over a murder victim: a naked white male ‘spreadeagled on a prehistoric stone cairn’ with his throat cut from ear to ear and ritual incisions on his torso. It looks almost as if it’s some sort of ritual sacrifice. Not much later a second victim is found on an ever remoter area of the moors.
Annie’s partner is a labour MP (the leftist party of Britain) and is shot at during a right-wing protest, and once again when she leaves the hospital. Take into account that this is England and that shooting incidents (even at politicians) are luckily still rare but not unknown. Obviously, Annie can’t be involved in this investigation and has to leave it to Andy Dwyer. Things even escalate to the extent that the women have to leave their home.
Annie’s mother is an ex-police chief with right-wing sympathies who’s getting involved in the media. She wants to make a local politics show and make the pilot about a controversial extreme right figure ‘the bulldog’, whose supporters are the suspects for the shootings.
Meanwhile, there’s also a storyline about wannabe journalist, Clive Bamford, who wants to write a book about the so-called ‘left-hand-path’ religions as Satanists and other occult groups. He makes contact with a self-appointed guru who appears helpful but only spouts a lot of words (‘grasping corporeality, dispelling illusion, and testing boundaries’) without any real substance. How this fits in with the rest of the narrative remains unclear for a long time. But it must have some relevance, of course.
And there’s also the story of DS Zoe Everett, who’s acting unlike herself at the crime scenes. I had a good idea of what’s up with her but was proved wrong in the end.
I was surprised to find out that this was only the first book in the series because right from the start of the book you feel that there are ease and familiarity between the main protagonists that can only stem from a prior long term acquaintance (fictional characters or not). This doesn’t intervene with the narrative of the cases in this book but it made a realistic impression. The characters don’t just appear out of nothing but have a life prior to the events in the book.
The story is well constructed and interesting, with likeable characters and logical progression of the investigations. It’s a good solid narrative. I can’t find anything wrong with it, but somehow it tastes a bit bland. (That might be just me having read too many of this kind of books, I admit).
I thank Netgalley and Canelo for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
On a free weekend, DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett take a hike in the Peak District and almost stumble over a murder victim: a naked white male ‘spreadeagled on a prehistoric stone cairn’ with his throat cut from ear to ear and ritual incisions on his torso. It looks almost as if it’s some sort of ritual sacrifice. Not much later a second victim is found on an ever remoter area of the moors.
Annie’s partner is a labour MP (the leftist party of Britain) and is shot at during a right-wing protest, and once again when she leaves the hospital. Take into account that this is England and that shooting incidents (even at politicians) are luckily still rare but not unknown. Obviously, Annie can’t be involved in this investigation and has to leave it to Andy Dwyer. Things even escalate to the extent that the women have to leave their home.
Annie’s mother is an ex-police chief with right-wing sympathies who’s getting involved in the media. She wants to make a local politics show and make the pilot about a controversial extreme right figure ‘the bulldog’, whose supporters are the suspects for the shootings.
Meanwhile, there’s also a storyline about wannabe journalist, Clive Bamford, who wants to write a book about the so-called ‘left-hand-path’ religions as Satanists and other occult groups. He makes contact with a self-appointed guru who appears helpful but only spouts a lot of words (‘grasping corporeality, dispelling illusion, and testing boundaries’) without any real substance. How this fits in with the rest of the narrative remains unclear for a long time. But it must have some relevance, of course.
And there’s also the story of DS Zoe Everett, who’s acting unlike herself at the crime scenes. I had a good idea of what’s up with her but was proved wrong in the end.
I was surprised to find out that this was only the first book in the series because right from the start of the book you feel that there are ease and familiarity between the main protagonists that can only stem from a prior long term acquaintance (fictional characters or not). This doesn’t intervene with the narrative of the cases in this book but it made a realistic impression. The characters don’t just appear out of nothing but have a life prior to the events in the book.
The story is well constructed and interesting, with likeable characters and logical progression of the investigations. It’s a good solid narrative. I can’t find anything wrong with it, but somehow it tastes a bit bland. (That might be just me having read too many of this kind of books, I admit).
I thank Netgalley and Canelo for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 3, 2022
DNF at chapter 9. This was very slow to begin, nothing happened until chapter 4, by then I had lost interest.
May 22, 2020
An excellent start for a new series, an engrossing and entertaining story that kept me hooked.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last because I liked the plot and the characters.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but after a couple of chapters you are hooked and I couldn't put it down.
I liked the well thought cast of characters and the vivid descriptions of the setting that made me wish to be there.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I recommend it.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last because I liked the plot and the characters.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but after a couple of chapters you are hooked and I couldn't put it down.
I liked the well thought cast of characters and the vivid descriptions of the setting that made me wish to be there.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I recommend it.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
June 27, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and the first in a series. I was actually quite disappointed with this book as when I read the blurb it sounded just up my street but it wasn’t until I’d read 70% of the book that the plot really got started, once it had got going I really enjoyed it but found the first 70% really hard going and not interesting at all .
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
August 4, 2020
A new series for me from an author I've enjoyed before. The lead character is very jagged, defensive and uncomfortable, which means it takes a little time to settle in, but as there's a very odd corpse found in the first few pages, the reader is willing to cut her some slack. I particularly liked Burbage and Wharton who play a minor but amusing part, and the book as a whole was very satisfying - less of a whodunnit and more of a how and why.
March 6, 2021
"Didn't live up to the hype"
The headline says it all. Although the writing quality is evident, I didn't find the characters drew me in to the overtly political and quasi-religious diatribe associated with the plot. As for the in-you-face celebration of how good this book was by the publisher - I couldn't see it. I prefer to make up my own mind and let others see the results in verified purchase reviews.
The headline says it all. Although the writing quality is evident, I didn't find the characters drew me in to the overtly political and quasi-religious diatribe associated with the plot. As for the in-you-face celebration of how good this book was by the publisher - I couldn't see it. I prefer to make up my own mind and let others see the results in verified purchase reviews.
May 13, 2020
Ritualistic killings, conspiracy theorists, threatened politicians, racist thugs, cults, troubled police officers ... What more could you want in a crime novel? Well in my opinion you couldn't really ask for much more in Small Mercies, the first in a new series by Alex Walters author of the very successful DI Alec Mckay series set in Scotland's Black Isles and the Marie Donovan series set in Manchester.
Small Mercies kicks off with DI Annie Delamare and her colleague Zoe Everett find a body on the moors whilst off duty. This is swiftly followed by an attack on Anni's partner, a local labour MP. The pace is fast with plenty to keep you wondering exactly where this investigation is going to lead. Walters drops in a few red herrings along the way which make the twists even more effective.
I found the Derbyshire setting to be very evocative as, being from Yorkshire, I could really sense the emotions evoked by the settings.
Walters nailed the young drug dealer characters dialogue and expressions and I loved the dialogue between Anni and her boss.
This was a solid first novel in a series and I look forward to reading the next installment.
4 * from me
Small Mercies kicks off with DI Annie Delamare and her colleague Zoe Everett find a body on the moors whilst off duty. This is swiftly followed by an attack on Anni's partner, a local labour MP. The pace is fast with plenty to keep you wondering exactly where this investigation is going to lead. Walters drops in a few red herrings along the way which make the twists even more effective.
I found the Derbyshire setting to be very evocative as, being from Yorkshire, I could really sense the emotions evoked by the settings.
Walters nailed the young drug dealer characters dialogue and expressions and I loved the dialogue between Anni and her boss.
This was a solid first novel in a series and I look forward to reading the next installment.
4 * from me
March 7, 2022
Small Mercies is the first book in the Detective Annie Delamere series, the first book I have read by this author.
I could definitely see the parallels with the Vera novels by Anne Cleeves, down to the rapport between police colleagues.
The relationship between Annie and Sheena didn’t feel all that important to the plot or character development. It read like it had been shoehorned in to fit a diversity box. Even always referring to her as “Sheena Pearson” didn’t give any hint of warm or an actual relationship between the two.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me and I won’t be reading any other books in the series. It just didn’t ring true, dialogue that was too formal, relationships that weren’t written well and a slightly predictable outcome.
I could definitely see the parallels with the Vera novels by Anne Cleeves, down to the rapport between police colleagues.
The relationship between Annie and Sheena didn’t feel all that important to the plot or character development. It read like it had been shoehorned in to fit a diversity box. Even always referring to her as “Sheena Pearson” didn’t give any hint of warm or an actual relationship between the two.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me and I won’t be reading any other books in the series. It just didn’t ring true, dialogue that was too formal, relationships that weren’t written well and a slightly predictable outcome.
April 5, 2022
I had a hard time getting through the book and stopped reading about half way through, mainly because I couldn’t relate to the characters. They never felt real to me.
May 30, 2021
This is the first book in a new series by Alex Walters. It's a great read. I would recommend this book to anyone whole loves crime books.
April 21, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of Small Mercies, the first novel to feature DI Annie Delamere of the Derbyshire Police.
When Annie is out hiking with her friend DS Zoe Everett they find a nude, mutilated body. She is put in charge of the case and while busy with identifying the body her partner, MP Sheena Pearson is shot when confronting right wing agitators.
I quite liked Small Mercies which is a competent police procedural with a high octane finale. The novel is told from various points of view so it is initially a bit confusing trying to work out where all the characters fit in. By the end it is all clear but all the switching about didn’t really hold my attention. In fact, I found it quite boring until all the action at the end which I found gripping, if not overly plausible. The plot is fairly plodding as Annie struggles to get traction in what becomes a multiple murder enquiry and consists of interviews with friends and relatives of the one person they can identify. There is no spark to this which is a shame as the manner of death suggests there should be.
The novel has its moments, an exciting denouement, a good plot premise and the odd dash of humour in the dialogue but the journey is rather slow for my taste. I think part of this is due to the flat characterisation. There is an unexplained reaction from Zoe to the investigation but otherwise they just jog along doing the necessary.
Small Mercies is a solid read.
When Annie is out hiking with her friend DS Zoe Everett they find a nude, mutilated body. She is put in charge of the case and while busy with identifying the body her partner, MP Sheena Pearson is shot when confronting right wing agitators.
I quite liked Small Mercies which is a competent police procedural with a high octane finale. The novel is told from various points of view so it is initially a bit confusing trying to work out where all the characters fit in. By the end it is all clear but all the switching about didn’t really hold my attention. In fact, I found it quite boring until all the action at the end which I found gripping, if not overly plausible. The plot is fairly plodding as Annie struggles to get traction in what becomes a multiple murder enquiry and consists of interviews with friends and relatives of the one person they can identify. There is no spark to this which is a shame as the manner of death suggests there should be.
The novel has its moments, an exciting denouement, a good plot premise and the odd dash of humour in the dialogue but the journey is rather slow for my taste. I think part of this is due to the flat characterisation. There is an unexplained reaction from Zoe to the investigation but otherwise they just jog along doing the necessary.
Small Mercies is a solid read.
March 14, 2021
A disappointment
Addictive was only to be found amongst the pushers that the book characterised. Gripping only in the form of holding the book while not falling asleep. I found this book tediously long winded, very predictable and greatly disappointing.
Addictive was only to be found amongst the pushers that the book characterised. Gripping only in the form of holding the book while not falling asleep. I found this book tediously long winded, very predictable and greatly disappointing.
April 3, 2020
844 kb
3 and 1 / 2 stars
DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett are out for a hike on the moors when they come across a young man who was murdered and mutilated. Annie and Zoe catch the case and set out to discover who committed the murder.
So begins an interesting tale of murder and mayhem as Annie and Zoe investigate the case. Also going on at the same time is a parallel investigation into attempts on Annie's partner, MP Sheena Pearson's, life.
This is a rather convoluted tale. We have several plots working at the same time. In one, a man who styles himself a journalist and researcher begins to look into a self-styled religious group on the far right side of politics. Another is the attacks on Sheena and finally, of course, are the murder(s). It is well written and plotted. The events logically follow one another. The book is a fast read and easy to understand. Some of the characters were a little difficult to understand. Perhaps they were too shallow. It's almost as if the author was trying to put too much into too little a space. All in all, I liked the book and will certainly look into reading the next in this series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review.
3 and 1 / 2 stars
DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett are out for a hike on the moors when they come across a young man who was murdered and mutilated. Annie and Zoe catch the case and set out to discover who committed the murder.
So begins an interesting tale of murder and mayhem as Annie and Zoe investigate the case. Also going on at the same time is a parallel investigation into attempts on Annie's partner, MP Sheena Pearson's, life.
This is a rather convoluted tale. We have several plots working at the same time. In one, a man who styles himself a journalist and researcher begins to look into a self-styled religious group on the far right side of politics. Another is the attacks on Sheena and finally, of course, are the murder(s). It is well written and plotted. The events logically follow one another. The book is a fast read and easy to understand. Some of the characters were a little difficult to understand. Perhaps they were too shallow. It's almost as if the author was trying to put too much into too little a space. All in all, I liked the book and will certainly look into reading the next in this series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Canelo for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review.
June 3, 2023
This was a good police detective story where brutal and seemingly ritualistic murders are committed.
It was rather slow to get going and, in my opinion, was predictable, though there were a couple of twists.
Well-written with reasonably believable characters, if not totally gripping.
Worth a look, however.
It was rather slow to get going and, in my opinion, was predictable, though there were a couple of twists.
Well-written with reasonably believable characters, if not totally gripping.
Worth a look, however.
May 22, 2020
This is the first in a new series by Alex Walters and it didn’t disappoint. Featuring DI Annie Delamere this is a heady combination of ritualistic murder, cults, drugs, threats against an MP and conspiracy theories.
The novel opens with Delamere and her police colleague Zoe Everett finding a body on the Peak District moors. It is clear from the marks on the body that it was no straight forward murder; some form of ritual had been involved. Shortly afterwards, Delamere’s partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is shot while she tries to engage with a group of right wing protestors demonstrating outside her constituency office. Whilst she is not badly hurt after a second attack as she is leaving hospital, it is clear that she is in danger. When a second body is found in Annie’s garden it begins to look like the incidents are linked in some way.
There is an additional storyline about a rather deluded would-be journalist, Clive Bamford, who wants to write a book about dodgy religions with a leaning to the occult/satanism. He soon finds himself caught up with a very doubtful set of individuals. How this subplot fits with the larger plot slowly becomes clear.
This is an excellent police procedural with realistic narrative, pacy action and interesting characters. There are a few nice twists and turns and the Peak District setting is very well described. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
The novel opens with Delamere and her police colleague Zoe Everett finding a body on the Peak District moors. It is clear from the marks on the body that it was no straight forward murder; some form of ritual had been involved. Shortly afterwards, Delamere’s partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is shot while she tries to engage with a group of right wing protestors demonstrating outside her constituency office. Whilst she is not badly hurt after a second attack as she is leaving hospital, it is clear that she is in danger. When a second body is found in Annie’s garden it begins to look like the incidents are linked in some way.
There is an additional storyline about a rather deluded would-be journalist, Clive Bamford, who wants to write a book about dodgy religions with a leaning to the occult/satanism. He soon finds himself caught up with a very doubtful set of individuals. How this subplot fits with the larger plot slowly becomes clear.
This is an excellent police procedural with realistic narrative, pacy action and interesting characters. There are a few nice twists and turns and the Peak District setting is very well described. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
May 31, 2020
DI Annie and her partner Zoe are off duty and on a walk in the desolate moor highlands. The last thing they expected to find was a mutilated body with indications from the markings that it is indicative that the person belonged to a cult.
At the same time Annie and her partner Sheena an MP are facing personal threats culminating in shots being fired at Sheena and then an attack on her whilst leaving the hospital. Further investigations reveal cameras in trees around their home and all this facing an unknown enemy who has not indicated upto now what he wants.
When not just one but two other bodies turn up with the same markings, the detectives know that they are linked but other than being from the same area, known small time drug dealers and general bad boys there is no reason why they should be involved in any cult. When the dots start adding up into a pattern Annie and Zoe realize that they are facing someone much bigger than they previously imagined and it is going to take a lot of resources and hard slog to get anyone convicted and first arrested.
The story is similar to the killing of a British MP and the investigation and police work would be interesting for those who like following police procedures. Told in almost two separate tales, with the overlap only happening towards the end even I the reader could not see where it was going.
A good take on a mystery detective story.
At the same time Annie and her partner Sheena an MP are facing personal threats culminating in shots being fired at Sheena and then an attack on her whilst leaving the hospital. Further investigations reveal cameras in trees around their home and all this facing an unknown enemy who has not indicated upto now what he wants.
When not just one but two other bodies turn up with the same markings, the detectives know that they are linked but other than being from the same area, known small time drug dealers and general bad boys there is no reason why they should be involved in any cult. When the dots start adding up into a pattern Annie and Zoe realize that they are facing someone much bigger than they previously imagined and it is going to take a lot of resources and hard slog to get anyone convicted and first arrested.
The story is similar to the killing of a British MP and the investigation and police work would be interesting for those who like following police procedures. Told in almost two separate tales, with the overlap only happening towards the end even I the reader could not see where it was going.
A good take on a mystery detective story.
August 30, 2022
Detectives Annie and Zoe go for a walk in the peak district and they, or rather a couple of leathery bikers, find a young man naked and spread eagled across a rock with his throat cut. He won't be the first either. Two others follow in quick succession, they all knew each other and were teenagers, or just out of their teens, who went to school together and each rented smart apartments near to each other which they couldn't afford, am beginning to see something coming down the line here. Also Annie's partner is Sheena Pearson who is the local very vocal MP and is shot at, narrowly missing her head, when she leaves a meeting. She is also shot at the next day when she leaves the hospital too. She's either a very unlucky woman or she has a real problem.
A complicated plot follows, which involves a farmer, an estate agent's who manage lettings, the three murdered lads, threats to the MP, a group of people who want to form a discussion group on conspiracy theories, a redheaded woman, a racist bloke now out of prison and a charismatic leader of a cult.
I won't give away the ending but a couple of those are baddies, very bad baddies. It was a good story but it took some unravelling and maybe I was reading it too late in the evening to follow all the threads, but it was readable!
A complicated plot follows, which involves a farmer, an estate agent's who manage lettings, the three murdered lads, threats to the MP, a group of people who want to form a discussion group on conspiracy theories, a redheaded woman, a racist bloke now out of prison and a charismatic leader of a cult.
I won't give away the ending but a couple of those are baddies, very bad baddies. It was a good story but it took some unravelling and maybe I was reading it too late in the evening to follow all the threads, but it was readable!
December 17, 2020
There is not much I can elaborate on this series. I picked the second up because I already had the first pending and I thought I would better appreciate a series than an individual book.
Firstly, I was wrong in the assessment. Each of these books can be read as a standalone in any order. There are references, but for the most part, they can be ignored.
In the first book, the characters are introduced to us mid-vacation when they stumble onto a body. The case itself is a mystery only till the halfway point, for after that, the readers are also shown a parallel narrative where things are unfolding. There are secret groups, threatening attempts and a few twists thrown in which made the book a quick and easy read. The characters are pretty distinct in their behaviour, and I moved on to the sequel fairly quickly.
Both books in the series thus far are decent police procedurals in which I was moderately invested. They are quick reads, written in a way that keeps the pace constant and the storyline moving. I am not sure if I would pick up the next, although I still think we are missing something when it comes to our lead’s partner.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, and the review is entirely based only on my own reading experience.
Firstly, I was wrong in the assessment. Each of these books can be read as a standalone in any order. There are references, but for the most part, they can be ignored.
In the first book, the characters are introduced to us mid-vacation when they stumble onto a body. The case itself is a mystery only till the halfway point, for after that, the readers are also shown a parallel narrative where things are unfolding. There are secret groups, threatening attempts and a few twists thrown in which made the book a quick and easy read. The characters are pretty distinct in their behaviour, and I moved on to the sequel fairly quickly.
Both books in the series thus far are decent police procedurals in which I was moderately invested. They are quick reads, written in a way that keeps the pace constant and the storyline moving. I am not sure if I would pick up the next, although I still think we are missing something when it comes to our lead’s partner.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, and the review is entirely based only on my own reading experience.
April 8, 2021
I am pleased to say that Alex Walters has done it again. He has successfully introduced us to yet another new detective series – this time one where the main character is a female police officer, something that is totally different to his other series. It was good to see a woman in charge of the investigation, although I do feel that Annie Delamere is someone who doesn’t come across as quite the strong lead character as his previous detectives. On the other hand, Zoe Everett seems to be quite capable of taking the lead and looking after herself and the rest of the team. This story was an intricate and, in places, extraordinarily complex plot with a lot of passages that were really hard to understand. However, I get the impression that was deliberate as the other characters involved found it hard to grasp and the whole idea was to bamboozle everyone. This was something which was actually extremely clever and kept the reader guessing all the way through to the very end, where we had the usual tense and exciting finish.
This is a good start to a new series and I am looking forward to reading the future adventures of Annie Delamere and her team, as she makes a great addition to the Alex Walters’ detective stories.
This is a good start to a new series and I am looking forward to reading the future adventures of Annie Delamere and her team, as she makes a great addition to the Alex Walters’ detective stories.
April 10, 2020
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I like British and Norwegian police procedurals, and this book fitted in that genre quite handily. It starts with friends out for a hike, when a body is found. The twist is that the two women on that hike are police officers, DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Pearson. However, being first on the scene doesn’t help in the solving of the mystery.
In addition to that investigation, Annie’s partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is wounded by a gunshot as the police break up a protest outside her office. Even though Annie is not involved in that investigation, she is distracted by her attempts to keep her partner safe.
There is also a secondary storyline, as A conspiracy theorist, Clive, is invited to write a book about a cult. As he meets with the leader, he finds it difficult to understand what they are all about.
Eventually, the storylines meet up (as expected) with a dramatic conclusion, where the ‘good girls’ (in this case) win out. The book is well-written, with the usual investigative storyline, that brings the characters to life in a thrilling way.
I like British and Norwegian police procedurals, and this book fitted in that genre quite handily. It starts with friends out for a hike, when a body is found. The twist is that the two women on that hike are police officers, DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Pearson. However, being first on the scene doesn’t help in the solving of the mystery.
In addition to that investigation, Annie’s partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is wounded by a gunshot as the police break up a protest outside her office. Even though Annie is not involved in that investigation, she is distracted by her attempts to keep her partner safe.
There is also a secondary storyline, as A conspiracy theorist, Clive, is invited to write a book about a cult. As he meets with the leader, he finds it difficult to understand what they are all about.
Eventually, the storylines meet up (as expected) with a dramatic conclusion, where the ‘good girls’ (in this case) win out. The book is well-written, with the usual investigative storyline, that brings the characters to life in a thrilling way.
August 2, 2023
DI Annie Delamere and her colleague, DS Zoe Everett, are out walking in the Peak District when they come across the body of a young man who has been ritualistically murdered.
A second victim is soon discovered near a farm. The nature of the killings leads Annie to think there will be more victims and, sure enough, a third body turns up, this time a little too close to home.
Sheena Pearson, Annie's partner, is targeted twice by a gunman but survives; however, the incidents leave her and Annie shaken. Due to Sheena's high profile as the local MP, extra security measures are taken but these may not be sufficient.
There is also a storyline involving a bizarre and slightly sinister religious movement that gradually reveals its links to the other investigations, building to a dramatic denouement.
I enjoyed this story, which was fast-paced and kept the tension throughout, with good character development and realistic procedural elements.
Alex Walters has created several memorable detective characters and Annie Delamere looks set to be another. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3 in this series - book 4 was read first.
A second victim is soon discovered near a farm. The nature of the killings leads Annie to think there will be more victims and, sure enough, a third body turns up, this time a little too close to home.
Sheena Pearson, Annie's partner, is targeted twice by a gunman but survives; however, the incidents leave her and Annie shaken. Due to Sheena's high profile as the local MP, extra security measures are taken but these may not be sufficient.
There is also a storyline involving a bizarre and slightly sinister religious movement that gradually reveals its links to the other investigations, building to a dramatic denouement.
I enjoyed this story, which was fast-paced and kept the tension throughout, with good character development and realistic procedural elements.
Alex Walters has created several memorable detective characters and Annie Delamere looks set to be another. I look forward to reading books 2 and 3 in this series - book 4 was read first.
April 22, 2021
To start with the positives I felt like the book at times developed good suspense and tension, mainly towards the end. I did find it was a quick read and again towards the end the pace was good. I liked the use of a split narrative which at times worked well.
Unfortunately this for me is where the positives end. I found the plot very complex and disjointed. In fact by the end I was having to go back and check the previous discoveries discussed, and I’m certain in one case it was incorrect/different which didn’t help my confusion.
I found the book very far fetched to a point that it was so unbelievable and politically muddled. I spent a long time trying to unravel the book midway through but once I did I had worked out the ‘twist’. While the last 100 or so pages were where most of the plot was it took a long time to get up to that point.
Unfortunately this book was not for me and I didn’t enjoy it so won’t necessarily be going out my way to recommend it but again this is only my opinion. I have read some very good reviews from people for this book and the authors other work.
Unfortunately this for me is where the positives end. I found the plot very complex and disjointed. In fact by the end I was having to go back and check the previous discoveries discussed, and I’m certain in one case it was incorrect/different which didn’t help my confusion.
I found the book very far fetched to a point that it was so unbelievable and politically muddled. I spent a long time trying to unravel the book midway through but once I did I had worked out the ‘twist’. While the last 100 or so pages were where most of the plot was it took a long time to get up to that point.
Unfortunately this book was not for me and I didn’t enjoy it so won’t necessarily be going out my way to recommend it but again this is only my opinion. I have read some very good reviews from people for this book and the authors other work.
July 2, 2025
DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett are walking together on their rest day, when they find the naked body of a man on Beeley Moor in the Derbyshire Peak District. Oh dear, what a way to spend a day off, they can’t turn a blind eye to this crime, so phone calls are made and they are on the trail to find the killer.
I enjoyed reading Small Mercies and consider it a GOOD 4 star read. I liked how real locations were used plus the feel of Derbyshire and the local language eg numpty or numpties. The story was told from three sides, the police, the bad guys plus people caught in the crossfire. I liked the realism involved and how current day threats following the killing of Jo Cox, the Labour MP back in June 2016 was used. I liked how everything came together towards the end. Progress was steady and the story held my attention. Small Mercies is not a top of the league crime thriller but it will not disappoint either.
I enjoyed reading Small Mercies and consider it a GOOD 4 star read. I liked how real locations were used plus the feel of Derbyshire and the local language eg numpty or numpties. The story was told from three sides, the police, the bad guys plus people caught in the crossfire. I liked the realism involved and how current day threats following the killing of Jo Cox, the Labour MP back in June 2016 was used. I liked how everything came together towards the end. Progress was steady and the story held my attention. Small Mercies is not a top of the league crime thriller but it will not disappoint either.
April 8, 2023
From the Goodreads Blurb: DI Annie Delamere and her colleague DS Zoe Everett are off duty and enjoying a walk on the Peak District’s vast moorlands when they stumble across a mutilated corpse. The victim is unclothed and his tattoos indicate an affinity with the occult. While Annie is put in charge of the case her long-term partner, MP Sheena Pearson, is confronted by a group of far right extremists. Rather than back down Sheena chooses to stand her ground – and almost pays for it with her life.
All three of the central actors are strong characters. The plot is well constructed, and the action moves along nicely.
We will check out other books in the series.
This was book #16 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List and book #18 on our own 2023 Read-alouds List
All three of the central actors are strong characters. The plot is well constructed, and the action moves along nicely.
We will check out other books in the series.
This was book #16 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List and book #18 on our own 2023 Read-alouds List
April 10, 2021
I was bored to death and just kept skimming through chapters to get to the end. The only person I felt any emotional attachment to was Clive, who was hoodwinked by a snake-oil salesman cum spiritual enlightenment guru and betrayed by his so-called friend. After three mutilated bodies are discovered in and around the moors of the Peat District, the police try to discover the identities of the dead young men; this takes almost 3/4 of the book. The big cockup at the end—where the “cult leader” tries to kill an MP—is the only suspenseful chapter in the book. The whole book is just too foolish for words
April 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC.
DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett find the horribly mutilated body of a naked young male while on a pleasure hike in the Peak District. More bodies with the same MO follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters of the two policewomen, who work very hard to find the perpetrator(s). The intense investigation comes to a thrilling end, although I found the revelations a little over the top. Maybe I'm naive, but I found the revelations about the group, and their motives, unrealistic. Therefore my rating is 4 stars rather than 5.
DI Annie Delamere and DS Zoe Everett find the horribly mutilated body of a naked young male while on a pleasure hike in the Peak District. More bodies with the same MO follow.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters of the two policewomen, who work very hard to find the perpetrator(s). The intense investigation comes to a thrilling end, although I found the revelations a little over the top. Maybe I'm naive, but I found the revelations about the group, and their motives, unrealistic. Therefore my rating is 4 stars rather than 5.
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