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D.I. Isabel Blood #1
In Cold Blood
No secret can stay buried forever…
As the Whitworth family begin renovations on their new home, their plans are brought to an abrupt end when they discover a body buried in the back garden.
DI Isabel Blood and her team are called to investigate, but as she approaches Ecclesdale Drive, a feeling of unease settles in her gut.
The property cordoned off is number 23. The house she used to live in as a child…
The forensic team estimate that the body has been in the ground for up to forty years – coinciding with the time Isabel’s family lived in the house.
Isabel’s father vanished without a trace when she was fourteen years old. And with her mother remaining tight-lipped about her father’s disappearance, Isabel can’t escape the unnerving sense of dread that it’s his body, buried in the garden.
As the Whitworth family begin renovations on their new home, their plans are brought to an abrupt end when they discover a body buried in the back garden.
DI Isabel Blood and her team are called to investigate, but as she approaches Ecclesdale Drive, a feeling of unease settles in her gut.
The property cordoned off is number 23. The house she used to live in as a child…
The forensic team estimate that the body has been in the ground for up to forty years – coinciding with the time Isabel’s family lived in the house.
Isabel’s father vanished without a trace when she was fourteen years old. And with her mother remaining tight-lipped about her father’s disappearance, Isabel can’t escape the unnerving sense of dread that it’s his body, buried in the garden.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2020
180 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Jane Bettany
18 books136 followersI am the author of the DI Isabel Blood crime novels, set in the fictional Derbyshire town of Bainbridge, and the cosy crime series featuring amateur sleuth Violet Brewster, which is also set in Derbyshire.
My debut novel In Cold Blood (the first in the DI Isabel Blood series) won the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition, for women writers over the age of 40 who had written a novel with a protagonist in the same age range.
Before turning to novel writing, I had been writing short stories and non-fiction articles for over twenty years, many of which have appeared in women’s magazines, literary magazines, newspapers and online.
I live in Derby, UK and have an MA in Creative Writing.
My debut novel In Cold Blood (the first in the DI Isabel Blood series) won the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition, for women writers over the age of 40 who had written a novel with a protagonist in the same age range.
Before turning to novel writing, I had been writing short stories and non-fiction articles for over twenty years, many of which have appeared in women’s magazines, literary magazines, newspapers and online.
I live in Derby, UK and have an MA in Creative Writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
December 6, 2020
I think I have to file this one under....nicely done, but maybe too nice for me. 😈 This is a well-written police procedural/drama which is really more about DI Isabel Blood and her family than it is about law enforcement. A body is found in the garden of a house that DI Blood used to live in with her family, implicating old family ghosts. Though very ably written, the book is a little “cozier” than I prefer in my police thrillers. The action was somewhat slow and it also requires a bit of suspension of disbelief about police procedure. That said, if you like your mysteries cozier, with a little romance, and a little bit of family style drama, this is definitely a good choice. DI Blood and her family and colleagues are all very likable and Jane Bettany is a very good writer. An fine choice for a fan of procedural sand nicer protagonists, but maybe not so much if you’re like me and always kinda hoping they’re secretly evil.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jane Bettany and HQ for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley, Jane Bettany and HQ for the ARC!
September 7, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Detective Inspector Isabel Blood is called away from her daughter’s parent’s evening by her colleague as there has been a body found. Upon arriving at the address she is hit by the fact that it is the place where she grew up. DI Blood is alarmed when it turns out the body isn’t recently deceased but has been in the ground for between 30 and 45 years, which could make it around the same time she lived in the house.
Luckily for DI Blood, the pathologist’s time scale is narrowed down and she is relieved that the body was buried sometime in the 1980s after her family had moved out. However, the timescale coincides with a missing person report in which the occupier, female, was declared missing, but the body is that of a man. Could the two cases be related?
The police canvas the area but with little to go on and most people who knew the homeowner now deceased it looks like DI Blood and her team have their work cut out to find out who the body was, how they were killed, and why?
In Cold Blood is a gripping police procedural thriller that had me engrossed from the first page. DI Isabel Blood is a fabulous character. She is in her fifties has two grown-up children and a teenage daughter, plus a loving husband. Whilst the main plot of the book is about the body and finding the killer we also get to read about DI Bloods personal life and her life as a child herself when her dad walked out on the family and was never seen again, leading her to fear the worse when a male body is found at her old address.
The storyline had me intrigued, so much so that I read it in one day as I kept coming back to it once I had put the book down as I needed to know who the body was and who the murderer was. There were a few surprises along the way, although a major part of the plot I had worked out quite early on – the joys of reading lots of thrillers!!
For the main the book was superb, Di Bloods’ work/home life revolved around one another and came together perfectly. However, I wasn’t sure on why there was a small plotline featuring DI Blood’s daughter and one of her teachers as it added nothing to the book and did feel like it was there as a filler to make up a few pages, but overall everything else worked well together and the book came to a nice ending.
I do hope that this is the first in a series as I would love to read more from DI Blood. The way she looks at a case and works things out logically and her realistic attitude kept my interest and enjoyment the whole way through.
Detective Inspector Isabel Blood is called away from her daughter’s parent’s evening by her colleague as there has been a body found. Upon arriving at the address she is hit by the fact that it is the place where she grew up. DI Blood is alarmed when it turns out the body isn’t recently deceased but has been in the ground for between 30 and 45 years, which could make it around the same time she lived in the house.
Luckily for DI Blood, the pathologist’s time scale is narrowed down and she is relieved that the body was buried sometime in the 1980s after her family had moved out. However, the timescale coincides with a missing person report in which the occupier, female, was declared missing, but the body is that of a man. Could the two cases be related?
The police canvas the area but with little to go on and most people who knew the homeowner now deceased it looks like DI Blood and her team have their work cut out to find out who the body was, how they were killed, and why?
In Cold Blood is a gripping police procedural thriller that had me engrossed from the first page. DI Isabel Blood is a fabulous character. She is in her fifties has two grown-up children and a teenage daughter, plus a loving husband. Whilst the main plot of the book is about the body and finding the killer we also get to read about DI Bloods personal life and her life as a child herself when her dad walked out on the family and was never seen again, leading her to fear the worse when a male body is found at her old address.
The storyline had me intrigued, so much so that I read it in one day as I kept coming back to it once I had put the book down as I needed to know who the body was and who the murderer was. There were a few surprises along the way, although a major part of the plot I had worked out quite early on – the joys of reading lots of thrillers!!
For the main the book was superb, Di Bloods’ work/home life revolved around one another and came together perfectly. However, I wasn’t sure on why there was a small plotline featuring DI Blood’s daughter and one of her teachers as it added nothing to the book and did feel like it was there as a filler to make up a few pages, but overall everything else worked well together and the book came to a nice ending.
I do hope that this is the first in a series as I would love to read more from DI Blood. The way she looks at a case and works things out logically and her realistic attitude kept my interest and enjoyment the whole way through.
March 31, 2022
IN COLD BLOOD is a cozy mystery and generally I find cozy mysteries boring, which is why I don’t read many. But I needed a break from the intense crime series I have been reading, and Kindle recently priced this one low. So I bought it. If I didn’t like it, I could always have stopped reading after a couple of chapters, without much loss.
I was pleasantly surprised. First by the writing level, which was excellent. And it was a first novel too, the winner of the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition — for women writers over the age of 40 who have never written a novel and have a protagonist in the same age range.
The protagonist is DI Isabel Blood, a woman in her fifties with two grown-up children and one teenage daughter, said daughter being an unplanned late-in-life baby who curtailed any career ambitions Isabel had hoped might occur once her planned-for children had reached adulthood. Now Isabel no longer desires to climb higher than her DI status, but she still wants to perform well and solve her cases. Isabel is unlike most police inspectors in the crime genre — she is happily married and doesn’t drink heavily. She does have some unresolved family problems stemming from her childhood, and these are interwoven with the case she sets out to solve.
The case involves a male skeleton buried for over 30 years. This timescale coincides with a woman who was reported missing and has never been located, and so Isabel assumes that the mystery of the missing woman is somehow related to the unidentified skeleton. There are several unexpected twists and turns until the skeleton is identified, but once this occurs, at about the book’s 65% mark, I said to myself that I know who the killer is, and thus thought that, like most cozy mysteries, I would be bored from there on. But I was wrong, because Isabel soon identified the same person that I did as the logical killer, but there was the problem of proving it, and so there were a few more unexpected turns before the case is closed.
While solving the mystery, Isabel also uncovers information about her own unhappy childhood, and so, as well as being a police procedural, it is also a character study, subtly and well-woven alongside the police investigation. Not only was Isabel a well-drawn, three dimensional individual, but all the lesser characters were well-developed as well.
As I said at the beginning, this was a very well-written novel. The pacing was good — not too slow, although definitely not an edge-of-your-seat action read. I finished it in a day because I was intrigued by all the unfolding revelations. I’m definitely considering paying a bit more for the next instalment, to see if the author can maintain another captivating storyline.
I was pleasantly surprised. First by the writing level, which was excellent. And it was a first novel too, the winner of the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition — for women writers over the age of 40 who have never written a novel and have a protagonist in the same age range.
The protagonist is DI Isabel Blood, a woman in her fifties with two grown-up children and one teenage daughter, said daughter being an unplanned late-in-life baby who curtailed any career ambitions Isabel had hoped might occur once her planned-for children had reached adulthood. Now Isabel no longer desires to climb higher than her DI status, but she still wants to perform well and solve her cases. Isabel is unlike most police inspectors in the crime genre — she is happily married and doesn’t drink heavily. She does have some unresolved family problems stemming from her childhood, and these are interwoven with the case she sets out to solve.
The case involves a male skeleton buried for over 30 years. This timescale coincides with a woman who was reported missing and has never been located, and so Isabel assumes that the mystery of the missing woman is somehow related to the unidentified skeleton. There are several unexpected twists and turns until the skeleton is identified, but once this occurs, at about the book’s 65% mark, I said to myself that I know who the killer is, and thus thought that, like most cozy mysteries, I would be bored from there on. But I was wrong, because Isabel soon identified the same person that I did as the logical killer, but there was the problem of proving it, and so there were a few more unexpected turns before the case is closed.
While solving the mystery, Isabel also uncovers information about her own unhappy childhood, and so, as well as being a police procedural, it is also a character study, subtly and well-woven alongside the police investigation. Not only was Isabel a well-drawn, three dimensional individual, but all the lesser characters were well-developed as well.
As I said at the beginning, this was a very well-written novel. The pacing was good — not too slow, although definitely not an edge-of-your-seat action read. I finished it in a day because I was intrigued by all the unfolding revelations. I’m definitely considering paying a bit more for the next instalment, to see if the author can maintain another captivating storyline.
February 23, 2025
Setting: Derbyshire, England; modern day.
This is the first book in a crime series featuring Detective Inspector Isabel Blood.
A young couple have just purchased a house at auction and are undertaking renovations to improve the property before selling it on for a profit. As part of these improvements, the couple are building an extension at the rear of the property but, as foundations are being excavated, they discover the skeletal remains of a human body. When Isabel is asked to attend the scene, she is shocked to discover that the address is where she lived with her parents when she was a child - and from which her father went missing some 40 years before when Isabel was 14, never to be heard from again!
Against this background, Isabel must direct her team in the investigation but at the same time wondering if the body is that of her missing father - in which case she would be unable to lead the enquiries....
This was an great debut crime novel with excellent characters and a twisty storyline, made even better for me by being based in an area with which I am very familiar. I will certainly be looking out for more from this series - 9/10.
This is the first book in a crime series featuring Detective Inspector Isabel Blood.
A young couple have just purchased a house at auction and are undertaking renovations to improve the property before selling it on for a profit. As part of these improvements, the couple are building an extension at the rear of the property but, as foundations are being excavated, they discover the skeletal remains of a human body. When Isabel is asked to attend the scene, she is shocked to discover that the address is where she lived with her parents when she was a child - and from which her father went missing some 40 years before when Isabel was 14, never to be heard from again!
Against this background, Isabel must direct her team in the investigation but at the same time wondering if the body is that of her missing father - in which case she would be unable to lead the enquiries....
This was an great debut crime novel with excellent characters and a twisty storyline, made even better for me by being based in an area with which I am very familiar. I will certainly be looking out for more from this series - 9/10.
February 11, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading In Cold Blood by Jane Bettany (not to be confused with Truman Capote's classic non-fiction novel of the same name), a character-driven police procedural / mystery in the more traditional mould.
D.I. Isabel Blood is an intuitive and competent detective, based in the (fictional) town of Bainbridge, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom.
Siblings Amy and Paul Whitworth are in the process of renovating their first investment property, purchased with the proceeds of their late father's estate. When digging foundations for a new patio, Paul uncovers skeletal human remains.
In the midst of a troubling parent-teacher interview with her husband, Bainbridge D.I. Isabel Blood receives a phone call summoning her to the crime scene. But this proves to be no run-of-the-mill murder investigation for D.I. Blood - the house where the discovery has been made is her own childhood home...
Further complicating matters, and actually requiring her to take a step back from the investigation (which occurs all too rarely in crime fiction when such situations arise!), is the fact that her own father went missing from the home over forty years ago, never to be heard of again.
From this wonderfully fraught premise, the novel unfolds as Blood's team begin sifting through the home's history and attempt to identify the skeleton.
In Cold Blood doesn't sit in the dark, twisty thriller end of the genre - while by no means a "cosy mystery", it's more of a character drama, which brought to my mind the late P.D. James's style of writing (which I love). In the course of solving the historical mystery, the central character goes through her own catharsis, gradually uncovering and coming to terms with her family's hazy and rather complicated past.
The supporting characters are well-developed and three-dimensional, from Isabel's stickybeak erstwhile neighbour to her small team of detectives and her family at home. Jane Bettany's depiction and understanding of relationships between characters makes this a fascinating read, over and above the main crime investigation plot.
I found the pacing of the narrative appropriate to the style of the book, and realistic in the context of a modern team investigating an apparent historical crime. It's certainly not an edge-of-your seat action read, but enthralling in a more subtle way that rewards a thoughtful reader.
In Cold Blood was a great read, and I hope that we'll see more of D.I. Isabel Blood in future titles. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy character-based mysteries, complex plots and slow-burn narratives.
My thanks to the author, Jane Bettany, publisher HQ Digital (an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers UK) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
D.I. Isabel Blood is an intuitive and competent detective, based in the (fictional) town of Bainbridge, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom.
Siblings Amy and Paul Whitworth are in the process of renovating their first investment property, purchased with the proceeds of their late father's estate. When digging foundations for a new patio, Paul uncovers skeletal human remains.
In the midst of a troubling parent-teacher interview with her husband, Bainbridge D.I. Isabel Blood receives a phone call summoning her to the crime scene. But this proves to be no run-of-the-mill murder investigation for D.I. Blood - the house where the discovery has been made is her own childhood home...
Further complicating matters, and actually requiring her to take a step back from the investigation (which occurs all too rarely in crime fiction when such situations arise!), is the fact that her own father went missing from the home over forty years ago, never to be heard of again.
From this wonderfully fraught premise, the novel unfolds as Blood's team begin sifting through the home's history and attempt to identify the skeleton.
In Cold Blood doesn't sit in the dark, twisty thriller end of the genre - while by no means a "cosy mystery", it's more of a character drama, which brought to my mind the late P.D. James's style of writing (which I love). In the course of solving the historical mystery, the central character goes through her own catharsis, gradually uncovering and coming to terms with her family's hazy and rather complicated past.
The supporting characters are well-developed and three-dimensional, from Isabel's stickybeak erstwhile neighbour to her small team of detectives and her family at home. Jane Bettany's depiction and understanding of relationships between characters makes this a fascinating read, over and above the main crime investigation plot.
I found the pacing of the narrative appropriate to the style of the book, and realistic in the context of a modern team investigating an apparent historical crime. It's certainly not an edge-of-your seat action read, but enthralling in a more subtle way that rewards a thoughtful reader.
In Cold Blood was a great read, and I hope that we'll see more of D.I. Isabel Blood in future titles. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy character-based mysteries, complex plots and slow-burn narratives.
My thanks to the author, Jane Bettany, publisher HQ Digital (an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers UK) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
May 1, 2022
This novel was a very pleasant surprise. It is a 'whodunit' and cold case murder investigation which is slow to give up its secrets. We don't even know WHO the murdered man is until about forty percent of the way through the book.
Isabel Blood was a well-developed character who is struggling to maintain her work-life balance. She has personal baggage, but tries valiantly to keep her own troubles separate from her workplace. I really enjoyed her police team, and the characters were very vivid in my mind. They all worked well together and had a good rapport.
Cold cases always interest me. Crime investigation has progressed so much over the years that using modern methods to solve historical crimes makes for interesting reading.
This is an old-fashioned mystery novel, though it is set in the present day. Some readers have said it is a 'cozy' mystery, but I would disagree. It had far more heft than a cozy, yet it maintained its Vera-like charm . This was a gripping police procedural, with an interesting, well crafted plot and likable characters. Kudos to Jane Bettany for writing such an engrossing and polished debut novel. Her writing style was clear and enjoyable to read.
"In Cold Blood" was an excellent introduction to a new fictional detective. I have purchased the second and third titles in the D.I. Blood series and they are loaded and waiting for me on my Kindle. Surely that is endorsement enough?
Isabel Blood was a well-developed character who is struggling to maintain her work-life balance. She has personal baggage, but tries valiantly to keep her own troubles separate from her workplace. I really enjoyed her police team, and the characters were very vivid in my mind. They all worked well together and had a good rapport.
Cold cases always interest me. Crime investigation has progressed so much over the years that using modern methods to solve historical crimes makes for interesting reading.
This is an old-fashioned mystery novel, though it is set in the present day. Some readers have said it is a 'cozy' mystery, but I would disagree. It had far more heft than a cozy, yet it maintained its Vera-like charm . This was a gripping police procedural, with an interesting, well crafted plot and likable characters. Kudos to Jane Bettany for writing such an engrossing and polished debut novel. Her writing style was clear and enjoyable to read.
"In Cold Blood" was an excellent introduction to a new fictional detective. I have purchased the second and third titles in the D.I. Blood series and they are loaded and waiting for me on my Kindle. Surely that is endorsement enough?
January 6, 2025
This solid police procedural/drama is Book #1 in the author's DI Isabel Blood series.
A dead body is discovered in the backyard during a home renovation.
Whose body?
And who buried the body?
This is my second DI Isabel Blood book and I enjoyed Book #3 more than Book #1.
WHY?
There was TMI about DI Isabel Blood's absent father in this book.
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Helen Keeley.
Jane Bettany is a gifted author and I look forward to listening to more titles in this series.
3.5 stars.
November 4, 2020
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great start to this series!
A brother and sister use their inheritance to purchase a home. They intend to make improvements for a profit - until they start digging the foundation for the kitchen add on. A skeleton is found.
Isabel is called to the scene- to discover it's the house she lived until the age of 14, when her father abandoned her mother. But did her father really leave?
Excellent start to a new series. Love the characters- I want to know about them all. I love Isabel's strength, family and her attitude.
Highly recommend.
Great start to this series!
A brother and sister use their inheritance to purchase a home. They intend to make improvements for a profit - until they start digging the foundation for the kitchen add on. A skeleton is found.
Isabel is called to the scene- to discover it's the house she lived until the age of 14, when her father abandoned her mother. But did her father really leave?
Excellent start to a new series. Love the characters- I want to know about them all. I love Isabel's strength, family and her attitude.
Highly recommend.
September 5, 2020
In Cold Blood is set in the fictional Derbyshire town of Bainbridge and the novel’s main protagonist is Detective Inspector (DI) Isabel Blood (56), wife of Nathan, an illustrator and designer, and mother to Kate, a primary school teacher in Matlock, Bailey, who’s currently travelling with his girlfriend, and Ellie (14).
Amy and Paul Whitworth have recently purchased a 1960s house to renovate and sell. While digging out the foundations for a large extension, Paul is horrified to find a human skeleton at the bottom of the trench that he made. Although tempted to keep quiet and pretend they didn’t find the bones, the pair phone the police and tell them of their discovery.
DI Isabel Blood is attending a parents’ evening for daughter Ellie when she’s told about the body and has to rush off to the crime scene. She’s shocked to discover that the location is 23 Ecclesdale Drive, which is the house where she used to live with her mother and father, until he upped and left suddenly when she was only 14 years old.
When the crime scene investigator, Raveen Talwar, tells them that the body is of a male and it has been in the ground for 20 to 40 years, Isabel is concerned that it may be her missing father, Donald, as he hasn’t been in touch with her since he disappeared.
As the police make enquiries about previous residents of the house and talk to the current and past neighbours, we discover there’s a lot more to the murder than meets the eye and that a previous missing persons case was not investigate thoroughly enough. Investigating a historical crime brings its own problems and the team are limited by the availability of technology at that time and by the fact that several people connected with the victim are now long dead. It’s definitely not going to be straightforward case to solve and they’re going to need some lucky breakthroughs!
Isabel Blood is a great character and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She’s rather dedicated to her job – as most police officers are – often to the detriment of her husband and her youngest daughter but she’s also likeable, fair and very thorough, sharp-witted and shrewd at work. She’s never got over the abandonment by her father and it has affected her whole life and her relationship with her mother, Barbara, who now lives in Spain and has been keeping her own secrets.
Detective Sergeant (DS) Dan Fairfax (33) makes a good sidekick for Isabel and I’m curious to learn more about Detective Constable (DS) Zoe Piper (29), who seems to work far too hard and doesn’t have much of a home or social life.
I’m a great fan of police procedural novels and this was an excellent read! The case was a fascinating one and the story was cleverly plotted and well written and unfolded at a satisfying pace, keeping me intrigued with numerous twists and turns and some rather surprising revelations! There were several culprits, with various motives, and I must have suspected everyone at some point or another.
In Cold Blood was an engaging read with some good old-fashioned police work. I really hope this is the start of a new series as I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling and entertaining book and can’t wait to find out which case DI Isabel Blood investigates next!
Amy and Paul Whitworth have recently purchased a 1960s house to renovate and sell. While digging out the foundations for a large extension, Paul is horrified to find a human skeleton at the bottom of the trench that he made. Although tempted to keep quiet and pretend they didn’t find the bones, the pair phone the police and tell them of their discovery.
DI Isabel Blood is attending a parents’ evening for daughter Ellie when she’s told about the body and has to rush off to the crime scene. She’s shocked to discover that the location is 23 Ecclesdale Drive, which is the house where she used to live with her mother and father, until he upped and left suddenly when she was only 14 years old.
When the crime scene investigator, Raveen Talwar, tells them that the body is of a male and it has been in the ground for 20 to 40 years, Isabel is concerned that it may be her missing father, Donald, as he hasn’t been in touch with her since he disappeared.
As the police make enquiries about previous residents of the house and talk to the current and past neighbours, we discover there’s a lot more to the murder than meets the eye and that a previous missing persons case was not investigate thoroughly enough. Investigating a historical crime brings its own problems and the team are limited by the availability of technology at that time and by the fact that several people connected with the victim are now long dead. It’s definitely not going to be straightforward case to solve and they’re going to need some lucky breakthroughs!
Isabel Blood is a great character and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She’s rather dedicated to her job – as most police officers are – often to the detriment of her husband and her youngest daughter but she’s also likeable, fair and very thorough, sharp-witted and shrewd at work. She’s never got over the abandonment by her father and it has affected her whole life and her relationship with her mother, Barbara, who now lives in Spain and has been keeping her own secrets.
Detective Sergeant (DS) Dan Fairfax (33) makes a good sidekick for Isabel and I’m curious to learn more about Detective Constable (DS) Zoe Piper (29), who seems to work far too hard and doesn’t have much of a home or social life.
I’m a great fan of police procedural novels and this was an excellent read! The case was a fascinating one and the story was cleverly plotted and well written and unfolded at a satisfying pace, keeping me intrigued with numerous twists and turns and some rather surprising revelations! There were several culprits, with various motives, and I must have suspected everyone at some point or another.
In Cold Blood was an engaging read with some good old-fashioned police work. I really hope this is the start of a new series as I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling and entertaining book and can’t wait to find out which case DI Isabel Blood investigates next!
August 25, 2020
As a debut novel, In Cold Blood is a flawless example of its genre. With a steady pace, an interesting murder mystery and an in-depth investigation, it doesn’t fall short on any of its standout qualities. I read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
When a book is the first in a series, you usually find the same issues creeping up. There’s either too much of something or not enough of something else. Mostly, there’s not enough time spent on getting to know the main character to make you want to read more about them, or there are too many names mentioned that you can’t get to grips with the story properly. But there’s none of that with this book. In Cold Blood has the perfect balance of story, mystery, and development, and you come away knowing enough about every single character.
It’s a really easy book to enjoy. The detective story itself reads like an episode of Vera, which I mean as a huge compliment. The author is obviously a fan, too, as they even mention her at one point which made me smile. The promotion for this book alone says that it’s for fans of Ann Cleeves, and you can see why. Isabel is likeable, committed to the job, and uniquely funny, and the mystery is complex but easy to follow.
It follows a similar pattern to others in its genre in that it makes you question every character, and you don’t know how it all links together until the very end so you are constantly kept on your toes. But what it does best is that it links together Isabel’s own story with the case she is working on, meaning that both are giving the attention they deserve to allow us to feel connected to everything that’s going on.
I wouldn’t say that it’s a gripping or a shocking read, which is the only reason that I haven’t rated this a five-star book as I really couldn’t find any fault with it, but it is interesting, engaging, and enjoyable to see unfold. Bettany has obviously done her research and looks at the police procedural side of the investigation from all angles. I also like the use of the odd northern phrase and occasional mention of an accent as it shows that she pays attention to details.
Most of all, the book deals with its central theme brilliantly. I won’t say what that theme/issue is as it would spoil some of the revelations, but I really like how it was used to add more mystery, but also to tackle a few stereotypes and prejudices along the way.
In Cold Blood is a quality first instalment and will certainly remain one of my favourite reads of this year. I will be looking out for the next DI Isabel Blood book without a doubt, and already look forward to seeing what mystery she has to solve next.
Thankyou to NetGalley for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When a book is the first in a series, you usually find the same issues creeping up. There’s either too much of something or not enough of something else. Mostly, there’s not enough time spent on getting to know the main character to make you want to read more about them, or there are too many names mentioned that you can’t get to grips with the story properly. But there’s none of that with this book. In Cold Blood has the perfect balance of story, mystery, and development, and you come away knowing enough about every single character.
It’s a really easy book to enjoy. The detective story itself reads like an episode of Vera, which I mean as a huge compliment. The author is obviously a fan, too, as they even mention her at one point which made me smile. The promotion for this book alone says that it’s for fans of Ann Cleeves, and you can see why. Isabel is likeable, committed to the job, and uniquely funny, and the mystery is complex but easy to follow.
It follows a similar pattern to others in its genre in that it makes you question every character, and you don’t know how it all links together until the very end so you are constantly kept on your toes. But what it does best is that it links together Isabel’s own story with the case she is working on, meaning that both are giving the attention they deserve to allow us to feel connected to everything that’s going on.
I wouldn’t say that it’s a gripping or a shocking read, which is the only reason that I haven’t rated this a five-star book as I really couldn’t find any fault with it, but it is interesting, engaging, and enjoyable to see unfold. Bettany has obviously done her research and looks at the police procedural side of the investigation from all angles. I also like the use of the odd northern phrase and occasional mention of an accent as it shows that she pays attention to details.
Most of all, the book deals with its central theme brilliantly. I won’t say what that theme/issue is as it would spoil some of the revelations, but I really like how it was used to add more mystery, but also to tackle a few stereotypes and prejudices along the way.
In Cold Blood is a quality first instalment and will certainly remain one of my favourite reads of this year. I will be looking out for the next DI Isabel Blood book without a doubt, and already look forward to seeing what mystery she has to solve next.
Thankyou to NetGalley for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of In Cold Blood, the first novel to feature DI Isabel Blood of the Derbyshire Police.
A skeleton is discovered in the back garden of a house under renovation. CSI estimate that it has been there for 20-40 years and that brings a dread to DI Isabel Blood because she used to live there in that time frame and her father disappeared from there, never to be heard from again.
I thoroughly enjoyed In Cold Blood which is a procedural with some interesting and unusual plot developments. It held my attention from start to finish, no mean feat given my current malaise, and I read it in one sitting. It is told mainly from Isabel’s point of view with no word from the perpetrator. I loved this as it means I could guess along with her and get fully immersed in her personal dramas as well. Some of my guessing went better than others. I also enjoyed the methodical and rather relentless build up to a solution. I’m not sure what I mean by this but my overall impression is of a clean and clear plot and while there are the distractions in Isabel’s domestic life the novel is very task oriented, find the killer. It is a very assured debut and I will be looking out for any sequel.
I like Isabel who is in her late 50s and is still trying to juggle motherhood due to a late baby and a demanding career. As an incidental I was impressed by the simple fact that she and her detectives too time off for pressing and not so pressing family matters which seems a lot more realistic than the usual nothing gets in the way of a case. She still, however, has to walk that tightrope from time to time. She seems sensible and level headed but devastating personal news puts this to the test.
In Cold Blood is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
A skeleton is discovered in the back garden of a house under renovation. CSI estimate that it has been there for 20-40 years and that brings a dread to DI Isabel Blood because she used to live there in that time frame and her father disappeared from there, never to be heard from again.
I thoroughly enjoyed In Cold Blood which is a procedural with some interesting and unusual plot developments. It held my attention from start to finish, no mean feat given my current malaise, and I read it in one sitting. It is told mainly from Isabel’s point of view with no word from the perpetrator. I loved this as it means I could guess along with her and get fully immersed in her personal dramas as well. Some of my guessing went better than others. I also enjoyed the methodical and rather relentless build up to a solution. I’m not sure what I mean by this but my overall impression is of a clean and clear plot and while there are the distractions in Isabel’s domestic life the novel is very task oriented, find the killer. It is a very assured debut and I will be looking out for any sequel.
I like Isabel who is in her late 50s and is still trying to juggle motherhood due to a late baby and a demanding career. As an incidental I was impressed by the simple fact that she and her detectives too time off for pressing and not so pressing family matters which seems a lot more realistic than the usual nothing gets in the way of a case. She still, however, has to walk that tightrope from time to time. She seems sensible and level headed but devastating personal news puts this to the test.
In Cold Blood is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 27, 2021
This is the first book in the D.I. Isabel Blood series.
>>The story begins when Amy and Paul Whitworthb who are siblings begin renovating their new house in Derbyshire town of Bainbridge in order to sell it when they discover a body that has been buried in the back garden. After this incident, we are introduced to the protagonist of this story- Isabel Blood who is a crime investigator. She got shocked when she came to know that the crime took place at 23 Ecclesdale Drive because she used to live there with her parents until she left the house when she was about fourteen years old. Her father left the house and never came home.
>>While investigating, the crime scene investigator told Isabel that the body is that of a male and the crime has been committed 30-40 years back. Isabel was dumbstruck because she used to live in that house during that time frame. After which, a lot of questions start arising in her mind. She started thinking that the body could be of his father who went missing.
I wish I could give this book all the stars… I loved the plot and how the characters were written. I felt that the storyline was never broken throughout the book, and the suspense kept flowing strongly.
>>I love reading thrillers with female protagonists and that is why I picked the book in the first place. Another reason for picking this book was the blurb. To be honest, the story was even more chilling as compared to the blurb.
I really loved the character of Isabel and her mother who have emerged as strong characters after what happened in their lives.
Can't wait for her next book in the series.
>>The story begins when Amy and Paul Whitworthb who are siblings begin renovating their new house in Derbyshire town of Bainbridge in order to sell it when they discover a body that has been buried in the back garden. After this incident, we are introduced to the protagonist of this story- Isabel Blood who is a crime investigator. She got shocked when she came to know that the crime took place at 23 Ecclesdale Drive because she used to live there with her parents until she left the house when she was about fourteen years old. Her father left the house and never came home.
>>While investigating, the crime scene investigator told Isabel that the body is that of a male and the crime has been committed 30-40 years back. Isabel was dumbstruck because she used to live in that house during that time frame. After which, a lot of questions start arising in her mind. She started thinking that the body could be of his father who went missing.
I wish I could give this book all the stars… I loved the plot and how the characters were written. I felt that the storyline was never broken throughout the book, and the suspense kept flowing strongly.
>>I love reading thrillers with female protagonists and that is why I picked the book in the first place. Another reason for picking this book was the blurb. To be honest, the story was even more chilling as compared to the blurb.
I really loved the character of Isabel and her mother who have emerged as strong characters after what happened in their lives.
Can't wait for her next book in the series.
September 4, 2020
If you’re looking for a cosy crime novel that is packed with suspense, then this is the book for you. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel with how well crafted the story is and how it maintains intrigue throughout.
When a skeleton is found in a back garden, the police are called in to investigate. The last thing that DI Isabel Blood expects is to arrive at the house she lived in as a child. When the body is estimated to have been in the ground for anywhere up to 40 years, she begins to find out her family have secrets of the their own. Especially as her dad left in that time period and was never heard from again…
The story is set in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, both locations being very close to my heart having grown up in Derbyshire. It felt real to me as someone who has lived in this area for the majority of my life with a perfect description of the area.
It’s a great police procedural with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. The characters feel realistic and it was refreshing to read a book with an older female protagonist as the lead police investigator. She’s married, has a family of her own, and is finding out plenty of her own family’s secrets along the way to find the killer.
There are so many secrets to uncover, this is a crime fiction book you won’t want to miss. A fantastic debut novel that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When a skeleton is found in a back garden, the police are called in to investigate. The last thing that DI Isabel Blood expects is to arrive at the house she lived in as a child. When the body is estimated to have been in the ground for anywhere up to 40 years, she begins to find out her family have secrets of the their own. Especially as her dad left in that time period and was never heard from again…
The story is set in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, both locations being very close to my heart having grown up in Derbyshire. It felt real to me as someone who has lived in this area for the majority of my life with a perfect description of the area.
It’s a great police procedural with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. The characters feel realistic and it was refreshing to read a book with an older female protagonist as the lead police investigator. She’s married, has a family of her own, and is finding out plenty of her own family’s secrets along the way to find the killer.
There are so many secrets to uncover, this is a crime fiction book you won’t want to miss. A fantastic debut novel that I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 5, 2020
In Cold Blood is a police procedural with a family drama element,
DI Isabel Blood is married, has a teenage daughter who is being a teenager!
Isabel gets a call, a body has been found when a houses new owners are digging in the garden….Isabel knows the house well as it was her childhood home. She finds the remains had been there many years…..she has a horrible sense of dread, as her father had disappeared when she was young and living in that house. Is it his body?
Well, this is a solid police procedural with great, likeable characters and a family drama at its heart. So much happening in the story to keep you engrossed from start to finish.
Thank you to Sian at HQ Stories for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of In Cold Blood. This is my honest and unbiased review.
DI Isabel Blood is married, has a teenage daughter who is being a teenager!
Isabel gets a call, a body has been found when a houses new owners are digging in the garden….Isabel knows the house well as it was her childhood home. She finds the remains had been there many years…..she has a horrible sense of dread, as her father had disappeared when she was young and living in that house. Is it his body?
Well, this is a solid police procedural with great, likeable characters and a family drama at its heart. So much happening in the story to keep you engrossed from start to finish.
Thank you to Sian at HQ Stories for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of In Cold Blood. This is my honest and unbiased review.
August 25, 2020
This is the first book i read by this author and won't surely be the last as it was a gripping and entertaining read.
I liked the solid mystery, the well thought characters and the plot that kept me hooked.
Can't wait to read the next instalment, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the solid mystery, the well thought characters and the plot that kept me hooked.
Can't wait to read the next instalment, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
July 3, 2022
Definitely had me hooked. Bones found during a reno, and the detective lived there for a bit growing up. No problem for most, but her father went missing when she was a teen. Could the bones be him? Lots of twists and turns I didn’t expect. The only issue I had was, it’s set in the UK, but she had them drive 85 mph one time. They do km there. I was a bit lost on the initials used for the detectives or their rankings as it’s different in the states, but not enough to take me out of the investigation.
October 19, 2021
Police procedural with a woman protagonist. There's a lot of backstory about DI Isabel Blood and her family, which made the story more interesting.
September 15, 2020
I loved this book, and am glad to have picked up on it via Twitter. Jane Bettany won the HQ and Gransnet prize for women writers over 40 whose book has a protagonist in the same age group - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/be...
It's easy to see why: DI Isobel Blood is a great protagonist who represents our age-group well, without making a Thing of it. The passing incidents in her life are just normal things that happen to middle-aged women, and it's shocking just how refreshing this is in the Year of our Lord 2020 in the most popular genre - crime - in which according to statistics women form the main reader population.
Another thing that really appealed to me was the main storyline's roots in the past. While all the action happens today (even including references to Brexit, that's how Now this is), the murder took place in 1986 and the age of the victim means that Blood and her team have to go right back to the 1930s and 1940s to find out the whole story. This is all really well handled, with the detectives (and us readers) finding out piece by piece as they figure out the right questions to ask, and of whom.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but given the press coverage of a certain other novelist's transphobic plotline in their recent book, it was also refreshing to see how Bettany handled the introduction of a trans character to her plot. Being trans is a normal part of this character's life, and they are depicted as a whole person with a life that includes (of course) but goes beyond their gender identity. Almost everyone they know is unaware they are trans, and, of course, that's as it should be. Post-transition, general acquaintances have no need to question someone's gender at birth, and this character just fits in and is accepted as a woman, living a typical woman's life. More of this kind of thing and less of the crazed psychopathic-men-dressing-as-women-to-kill-women, please: JKR take note.
Finally, another favourite thing about this novel is the believability not just of its characters but of the motivations of the murderer. I grew up in a small town, and, trust me, although I'm not aware of people who actually killed for this reason, there were plenty who would have liked to had they not been afraid of the police!
In fact the only reason I'm giving this four stars and not five is because so much of the detail is explained in the final pages. It was possible to work out whodunnit, and why, but because of the murder's being set in the 1980s and the death of some potential witnesses in the intervening years, Bettany had to rely on the murderer to fill in some of the gaps of her tale. I could see why that was necessary, but it just tipped the book from being a perfect (5 star) read to *almost* perfect for my personal tastes. I'd give it a 4.5 if I could, and will be looking out for future books by this author. LOVE DI Blood.
It's easy to see why: DI Isobel Blood is a great protagonist who represents our age-group well, without making a Thing of it. The passing incidents in her life are just normal things that happen to middle-aged women, and it's shocking just how refreshing this is in the Year of our Lord 2020 in the most popular genre - crime - in which according to statistics women form the main reader population.
Another thing that really appealed to me was the main storyline's roots in the past. While all the action happens today (even including references to Brexit, that's how Now this is), the murder took place in 1986 and the age of the victim means that Blood and her team have to go right back to the 1930s and 1940s to find out the whole story. This is all really well handled, with the detectives (and us readers) finding out piece by piece as they figure out the right questions to ask, and of whom.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but given the press coverage of a certain other novelist's transphobic plotline in their recent book, it was also refreshing to see how Bettany handled the introduction of a trans character to her plot. Being trans is a normal part of this character's life, and they are depicted as a whole person with a life that includes (of course) but goes beyond their gender identity. Almost everyone they know is unaware they are trans, and, of course, that's as it should be. Post-transition, general acquaintances have no need to question someone's gender at birth, and this character just fits in and is accepted as a woman, living a typical woman's life. More of this kind of thing and less of the crazed psychopathic-men-dressing-as-women-to-kill-women, please: JKR take note.
Finally, another favourite thing about this novel is the believability not just of its characters but of the motivations of the murderer. I grew up in a small town, and, trust me, although I'm not aware of people who actually killed for this reason, there were plenty who would have liked to had they not been afraid of the police!
In fact the only reason I'm giving this four stars and not five is because so much of the detail is explained in the final pages. It was possible to work out whodunnit, and why, but because of the murder's being set in the 1980s and the death of some potential witnesses in the intervening years, Bettany had to rely on the murderer to fill in some of the gaps of her tale. I could see why that was necessary, but it just tipped the book from being a perfect (5 star) read to *almost* perfect for my personal tastes. I'd give it a 4.5 if I could, and will be looking out for future books by this author. LOVE DI Blood.
September 7, 2020
Wow - I can't believe this is a debut novel and I'll admit right now that I also can't wait to read more in this series! It is a superb read - highly recommend you get yourself a copy if you enjoy police procedural, murder, mystery or family drama - this has the lot in a fantastic, well paced read!
When the Whitworth twins start renovating the property they recently bought at auction, they are shocked to discover skeletal human remains. However, they're probably not quite as shocked as DI Isabel Blood, the investigating officer called to the scene, as the property is her childhood home, the place where she lived until her father left them when she was fourteen. When the forensic team suggest the body could have been buried when she lived there, Isabel is concerned this could be possibly be her father . . . .
There is more than one mystery to be solved in this great police procedural - as well as discovering whose body has been found and what happened to them, Isabel also needs to discover just what happened to her father and why. This story is packed with intrigue, family dramas, historic events and is set in an area I know well! Whilst the main location is fictional, there are other places named that I know well as they are relatively local to me.
The characters are well developed and easy to relate to, each with their own backgrounds which are skilfully shared through the story. The heroine is married with a family of her own and juggling her job and home life is an intricate part of the story, including so many aspects which are part of normal life making them all seem even more believable. The story is brilliantly paced, keeping you turning the pages and guessing as more evidence is uncovered. It is a fascinating read and one that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. Congratulations to the author on writing such a superb debut novel - I can't wait to read more by her in future.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the copy of this book which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
When the Whitworth twins start renovating the property they recently bought at auction, they are shocked to discover skeletal human remains. However, they're probably not quite as shocked as DI Isabel Blood, the investigating officer called to the scene, as the property is her childhood home, the place where she lived until her father left them when she was fourteen. When the forensic team suggest the body could have been buried when she lived there, Isabel is concerned this could be possibly be her father . . . .
There is more than one mystery to be solved in this great police procedural - as well as discovering whose body has been found and what happened to them, Isabel also needs to discover just what happened to her father and why. This story is packed with intrigue, family dramas, historic events and is set in an area I know well! Whilst the main location is fictional, there are other places named that I know well as they are relatively local to me.
The characters are well developed and easy to relate to, each with their own backgrounds which are skilfully shared through the story. The heroine is married with a family of her own and juggling her job and home life is an intricate part of the story, including so many aspects which are part of normal life making them all seem even more believable. The story is brilliantly paced, keeping you turning the pages and guessing as more evidence is uncovered. It is a fascinating read and one that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. Congratulations to the author on writing such a superb debut novel - I can't wait to read more by her in future.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the copy of this book which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 6, 2020
I was specting that DI Isabel Blood at her 56 years old would be some sort of these new kind od UFC (unlikeable female character) but she is not. And She is amazing.
At the very beginning the twins Amy and Paul Whitworth are renovating an old property from the sixties when they found human remains (a skeleton) buried in the backyard. At first they decide not to do anything but finally, the called the police. The drama begins whit the fact that the detective live in her teens in that house and her father went missing. Could the body in the garden be him?
Spoilers ahead….
It is not him. So she can be involved in the investigation.
End of sopilers.
After that the thriller is truly gripping. The pace is fast and is like a cool procedural british show. Slowly I’m getting used to the DI, DS titles instead of detective, or police man so used by the americans in their thrillers.
It has a lot of plot twists and I can say I was very addictive. Once you start it you kept going until find out who? Where? When? How? It happen. And There is paper work after the big break trhu!
I really recommend it for fans of the thrillers and I hope there will be more adventures from DI Isabel Blood.
At the very beginning the twins Amy and Paul Whitworth are renovating an old property from the sixties when they found human remains (a skeleton) buried in the backyard. At first they decide not to do anything but finally, the called the police. The drama begins whit the fact that the detective live in her teens in that house and her father went missing. Could the body in the garden be him?
Spoilers ahead….
It is not him. So she can be involved in the investigation.
End of sopilers.
After that the thriller is truly gripping. The pace is fast and is like a cool procedural british show. Slowly I’m getting used to the DI, DS titles instead of detective, or police man so used by the americans in their thrillers.
It has a lot of plot twists and I can say I was very addictive. Once you start it you kept going until find out who? Where? When? How? It happen. And There is paper work after the big break trhu!
I really recommend it for fans of the thrillers and I hope there will be more adventures from DI Isabel Blood.
September 20, 2020
Too much of a safe Sunday detective read for me :( no grit, not dark, too simple to see who committed the murder, I didn't like the back & forth & the going around in circles to get to the end.
January 1, 2021
In Cold Blood is a mystery with quite a bit of social commentary on the route between the discovery of a skeleton buried in someone's back yard and the ultimate apprehension of the perpetrator(s). If you have issues with the pronouns people apply to themselves, you should move along.
For everyone else: DI Isabel Blood (nice name for a detective) and her team are called to the site where a skeleton has been unearthed by a brother and sister rehabbing a house in which she used to live. DI Blood has some anxious moments where she considers if the bones could belong to her long-missing dad, and the teeniest thought that her mother may be a murderer.
Fortunately, that turns out not to be the case, but it raises another question: whose body is in this shallow grave, and what, if anything, do all the neighbors remember about the woman who lived there?
Most have no idea about Celia, the woman who lived in the house, what she did, or who she was. The next door neighbor and her autistic son are about the best witnesses, but they also track down Celia's niece, who was in Australia during the timeline reconstructed by DI Blood and the forensics team.
The investigation continues, with some lines of inquiries trailing off into nothing, which is not very exciting when it happens, but it's realistic.
This is a debut novel, but doesn't read like one. - the story is well told, and the twisting, winding road to the truth and the perp is an interesting one.
Solid four of five stars.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the review copy.
For everyone else: DI Isabel Blood (nice name for a detective) and her team are called to the site where a skeleton has been unearthed by a brother and sister rehabbing a house in which she used to live. DI Blood has some anxious moments where she considers if the bones could belong to her long-missing dad, and the teeniest thought that her mother may be a murderer.
Fortunately, that turns out not to be the case, but it raises another question: whose body is in this shallow grave, and what, if anything, do all the neighbors remember about the woman who lived there?
Most have no idea about Celia, the woman who lived in the house, what she did, or who she was. The next door neighbor and her autistic son are about the best witnesses, but they also track down Celia's niece, who was in Australia during the timeline reconstructed by DI Blood and the forensics team.
The investigation continues, with some lines of inquiries trailing off into nothing, which is not very exciting when it happens, but it's realistic.
This is a debut novel, but doesn't read like one. - the story is well told, and the twisting, winding road to the truth and the perp is an interesting one.
Solid four of five stars.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the review copy.
September 4, 2020
This is a fabulous debut crime novel. Its well-crafted plot has engaging and relatable characters and an authentic urban setting. Isabel Blood is a time-served police detective who juggles family and work life with the help of a supportive partner and professional colleagues. She is believable and easy to empathise, essential characteristics for the lead detective in a police procedural.
The East Midland's setting in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is familiar to me, as I lived there for many years. The author conveys it's idiosyncracies thorough dialogue and description so well.
The plot has depth and unexpected twists that keep the reader absorbed and guessing. The ending is suspenseful and concludes the case satisfactorily. Hopefully, there will be more books in this series with its realistic team dynamic, and likeable lead detective.
I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The East Midland's setting in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is familiar to me, as I lived there for many years. The author conveys it's idiosyncracies thorough dialogue and description so well.
The plot has depth and unexpected twists that keep the reader absorbed and guessing. The ending is suspenseful and concludes the case satisfactorily. Hopefully, there will be more books in this series with its realistic team dynamic, and likeable lead detective.
I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 26, 2020
This book had me guessing all the way through!! I like the way we got to know about the person who had died and also the home/personal life of DI Bloods. A crime suspense story that gave that little bit extra - a deeper insight into the lives of the 2 main characters.
Thanks #netgalley #HQpublishing #janebettany
Publish Date - 20th August 2020
Book description - As the Whitworth family begin renovations on their new home, their plans are brought to an abrupt end when they discover a body buried in the back garden.
DI Isabel Blood and her team are called to investigate, but as she approaches Ecclesdale Drive, a feeling of unease settles in her gut.
The property cordoned off is number 23. The house she used to live in as a child…
The forensic team estimate that the body has been in the ground for up to forty years – coinciding with the time Isabel’s family lived in the house.
Thanks #netgalley #HQpublishing #janebettany
Publish Date - 20th August 2020
Book description - As the Whitworth family begin renovations on their new home, their plans are brought to an abrupt end when they discover a body buried in the back garden.
DI Isabel Blood and her team are called to investigate, but as she approaches Ecclesdale Drive, a feeling of unease settles in her gut.
The property cordoned off is number 23. The house she used to live in as a child…
The forensic team estimate that the body has been in the ground for up to forty years – coinciding with the time Isabel’s family lived in the house.
September 16, 2020
In Cold Blood is a police procedural with a family drama element,
DI Isabel Blood is married, has a teenage daughter who is being a teenager!
Isabel gets a call, a body has been found when a houses new owners are digging in the garden….Isabel knows the house well as it was her childhood home. She finds the remains had been there many years…..she has a horrible sense of dread, as her father had disappeared when she was young and living in that house. Is it his body?
Well, this is a solid police procedural with great, likeable characters and a family drama at its heart. So much happening in the story to keep you engrossed from start to finish.
Thank you to The publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of In Cold Blood. This is my honest and unbiased review.
DI Isabel Blood is married, has a teenage daughter who is being a teenager!
Isabel gets a call, a body has been found when a houses new owners are digging in the garden….Isabel knows the house well as it was her childhood home. She finds the remains had been there many years…..she has a horrible sense of dread, as her father had disappeared when she was young and living in that house. Is it his body?
Well, this is a solid police procedural with great, likeable characters and a family drama at its heart. So much happening in the story to keep you engrossed from start to finish.
Thank you to The publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of In Cold Blood. This is my honest and unbiased review.
October 25, 2020
In Cold Blood is an intriguing police investigation thriller that got my attention at the beginning of the novel. The main character DI Isabel Blood is likable and easy to relate to. The story is centered around a heartwarming family drama.
The main plot is about a skeleton being discovered in the garden during renovations. It was estimated that it has been there 20 to 30 years ago. This causes anxiety to DI Isabel Blood because she used to live in this house as a child and her father had mysteriously disappeared during this time.
The storyline is well written and kept my attention throughout most of the book, there are several suspects and various motives. There is quite a bit happening in the story, which keeps you engaged and returning for more.
Summary: Engaging and intriguing story, with many twists and turns.
The main plot is about a skeleton being discovered in the garden during renovations. It was estimated that it has been there 20 to 30 years ago. This causes anxiety to DI Isabel Blood because she used to live in this house as a child and her father had mysteriously disappeared during this time.
The storyline is well written and kept my attention throughout most of the book, there are several suspects and various motives. There is quite a bit happening in the story, which keeps you engaged and returning for more.
Summary: Engaging and intriguing story, with many twists and turns.
August 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, kept me enthralled and had very interesting characters. DI Isabel Blood is called to investigate the remains of a body found in a garden. the property was the house she grew up in and the body has been there for a number of years. Can this be her father who disappeared when she was a child? I would recommend this book and author and I hope there is another book to follow. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
May 26, 2025
I was cleaning up this weekend and wanted a good audiobook to clean to and this popped up and I clicked immediately thinking it's the Truman capote one 🙃
After 4 mentions of new technology I realized that this is a different one HOWEVER I was too invested in the characters and story line and honestly I loved it
It's nothing mind-blowing but it had all things I love in a mystery story to create a perfect mix. And of course it helps that the narrator did an amazing job.
After 4 mentions of new technology I realized that this is a different one HOWEVER I was too invested in the characters and story line and honestly I loved it
It's nothing mind-blowing but it had all things I love in a mystery story to create a perfect mix. And of course it helps that the narrator did an amazing job.
March 31, 2022
This is a superb crime debut. The plot was full of twists and surprises to keep the pages turning. I was totally hooked and read it in one day. I found some of it really touching and poignant.
DI Blood is a great character and I can't wait to read more about her and her team.
Will happily recommend this book.
DI Blood is a great character and I can't wait to read more about her and her team.
Will happily recommend this book.
November 4, 2020
A very good read, I couldn’t put it down.
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