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DCI Ryan Mysteries #5
High Force
FROM THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLAND
Hell has unleashed a demon – and he’s coming for you…
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan’s worst nightmare has just become a reality. Notorious serial killer The Hacker has escaped prison and kidnapped one of his best detectives from her own home. His brutality is the stuff of legend – Ryan lost his sister and nearly his own life bringing the man to justice first time around. Can Ryan do it again to save his friend?
There’s a nationwide manhunt underway but the trail has gone cold and fear spreads like a virus. Ryan and his team must find The Hacker before he takes another life – but are they too late?
The clock is ticking…
Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
“LJ Ross is the queen of Kindle” – Sunday Telegraph
“A literary phenomenon” – Evening Chronicle
Hell has unleashed a demon – and he’s coming for you…
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan’s worst nightmare has just become a reality. Notorious serial killer The Hacker has escaped prison and kidnapped one of his best detectives from her own home. His brutality is the stuff of legend – Ryan lost his sister and nearly his own life bringing the man to justice first time around. Can Ryan do it again to save his friend?
There’s a nationwide manhunt underway but the trail has gone cold and fear spreads like a virus. Ryan and his team must find The Hacker before he takes another life – but are they too late?
The clock is ticking…
Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
“LJ Ross is the queen of Kindle” – Sunday Telegraph
“A literary phenomenon” – Evening Chronicle
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2017
3701 people are currently reading
2126 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Ross
58 books3,302 followersLJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.
Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, a further eighteen of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.
Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.
The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category.
In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries.
Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.
If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:
https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com
Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, a further eighteen of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.
Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.
The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category.
In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries.
Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.
If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:
https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 690 reviews
October 4, 2021
4★
DCI Ryan is off again, after his nemesis, serial killer Keir Edwards, who brutally murdered Ryan’s sister in front of him and who has recently escaped from jail. Edwards has always picked brunettes in the past (we don’t know why), but this time, the story opens with our favourite redhead, DI Denise MacKenzie in the boot of his car, rumbling off to God-knows-where! Her poor beloved Det Sgt Frank Phillips is beside himself with worry.
We’ve come to know tall, handsome Ryan, his smart, studious brunette fiancée Anna, MacKenzie (in the boot), curmudgeonly Phillips and earnest young Det Constable Jack Lowerson from their previous escapades. It’s nice to see them all again.
I think Ross gives readers enough background to enjoy this as a stand-alone (plenty of police procedure and action), but of course it’s more fun if you’ve watched Anna thaw Maxwell Finlay-Ryan out a bit and seen Frank lift his tired old game when falling for the younger Denise.
Ryan (always called only Ryan – the reason actually explained late in this book), has been concentrating on protecting his own brunette, Anna, because Edwards is out for revenge after Ryan put him away.
The resourceful MacKenzie (Ross seems to favour surnames) finds herself in a deserted farmhouse, locked in a room. She tries to prepared for certain death whenever Edwards returns, but she has to sleep sometimes. She wakes one night, sensing him in the room.
“Just then, the clouds shifted outside and the moon’s watery light shone through the tiny window onto the tall, menacing figure standing over her. She could see that he had changed his clothes, and they were covered in blood.
She knew then that the beast had been sated.”
We see Edwards bait his hook to trap Ryan, and we follow Ryan as he finds clues and tries to avoid the traps he spots. Meanwhile, Ross can’t help reminding us about Ryan’s overwhelming appeal. He arrives at a crime scene and approaches the female sergeant who has begun questioning witnesses. Just to give you a sense of his 'superpowers':
“ ‘DS Thomas?’
She turned to him with tired brown eyes, which brightened immeasurably when she spotted who had arrived. Lowerson watched her reaction with long-suffering acceptance and thought that, if he didn’t like the man so much, he might resent being consigned to the role of Ryan’s ‘less attractive wingman’. Some of his colleagues had begun to call it the ‘Ryan Effect’, but the man himself seemed totally unaware of the impact he had on people, which was probably for the best.
‘Yes. And you’re DCI Ryan,’ she held out a hand and wished she’d had time to run a brush through her hair.”
See what I mean? He's a handsome bugger.
Good story, action, a bit of scary blood and gore, and a couple of reveals at the end that give us some more insight into both Edwards and Ryan.
The final struggle at High Force Waterfall is worthy of Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls . . . but I've said enough.
On to the next one, Ms Ross!
Thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
DCI Ryan is off again, after his nemesis, serial killer Keir Edwards, who brutally murdered Ryan’s sister in front of him and who has recently escaped from jail. Edwards has always picked brunettes in the past (we don’t know why), but this time, the story opens with our favourite redhead, DI Denise MacKenzie in the boot of his car, rumbling off to God-knows-where! Her poor beloved Det Sgt Frank Phillips is beside himself with worry.
We’ve come to know tall, handsome Ryan, his smart, studious brunette fiancée Anna, MacKenzie (in the boot), curmudgeonly Phillips and earnest young Det Constable Jack Lowerson from their previous escapades. It’s nice to see them all again.
I think Ross gives readers enough background to enjoy this as a stand-alone (plenty of police procedure and action), but of course it’s more fun if you’ve watched Anna thaw Maxwell Finlay-Ryan out a bit and seen Frank lift his tired old game when falling for the younger Denise.
Ryan (always called only Ryan – the reason actually explained late in this book), has been concentrating on protecting his own brunette, Anna, because Edwards is out for revenge after Ryan put him away.
The resourceful MacKenzie (Ross seems to favour surnames) finds herself in a deserted farmhouse, locked in a room. She tries to prepared for certain death whenever Edwards returns, but she has to sleep sometimes. She wakes one night, sensing him in the room.
“Just then, the clouds shifted outside and the moon’s watery light shone through the tiny window onto the tall, menacing figure standing over her. She could see that he had changed his clothes, and they were covered in blood.
She knew then that the beast had been sated.”
We see Edwards bait his hook to trap Ryan, and we follow Ryan as he finds clues and tries to avoid the traps he spots. Meanwhile, Ross can’t help reminding us about Ryan’s overwhelming appeal. He arrives at a crime scene and approaches the female sergeant who has begun questioning witnesses. Just to give you a sense of his 'superpowers':
“ ‘DS Thomas?’
She turned to him with tired brown eyes, which brightened immeasurably when she spotted who had arrived. Lowerson watched her reaction with long-suffering acceptance and thought that, if he didn’t like the man so much, he might resent being consigned to the role of Ryan’s ‘less attractive wingman’. Some of his colleagues had begun to call it the ‘Ryan Effect’, but the man himself seemed totally unaware of the impact he had on people, which was probably for the best.
‘Yes. And you’re DCI Ryan,’ she held out a hand and wished she’d had time to run a brush through her hair.”
See what I mean? He's a handsome bugger.
Good story, action, a bit of scary blood and gore, and a couple of reveals at the end that give us some more insight into both Edwards and Ryan.
The final struggle at High Force Waterfall is worthy of Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls . . . but I've said enough.
On to the next one, Ms Ross!
Thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
February 3, 2025
This incredible crime mystery is the 5th volume of the amazing "DCI Ryan" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll fins a phrase by Sun Tzu, and its meaning will play an important part in this mystery.
The historical background is the High Force waterfall and its conservation surroundings, and these picturesque features will be the heart of the matter concerning this captivating tale.
This book opens with a prologue set at the end of March 2016, while the main story will start at the begin of April 2016, and its a continuation of its predecessor "Angel", but now the desperate search is for DI Denise MacKenzie and her abductor Keir Edwards, aka "The Hacker", and during the investigations by DCI Ryan and his team a new character will come to the fore and that's the psychological profiler, Dr Alexander Gregory, a figure who will be featuring in the author's new forthcoming series.
Keir Edwards has eluded DCI Ryan and his team, with DI Denise MacKenzie as his captive, but before he'll finish with the DI and hopefully DCI Ryan too, he's in need for another killing of a young girl, but will later on settle a score too with a notorious gangland figure, but eventually DCI Ryan in association with his fiancée Anna, the suspended DS Frank Phillips and DC Jack Lowerson will find some home truths about Keir Edwards and his hiding place, before a final showdown with the inevitable outcome as a result will conclude this eventful manhunt.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling action-packed crime mystery, with a superb storyline and a fabulous constructed plot and result in the end, and all this is brought to us in a most compelling fashion by the author.
Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Fantastic Forceful Ending"!
At the beginning of the book you'll fins a phrase by Sun Tzu, and its meaning will play an important part in this mystery.
The historical background is the High Force waterfall and its conservation surroundings, and these picturesque features will be the heart of the matter concerning this captivating tale.
This book opens with a prologue set at the end of March 2016, while the main story will start at the begin of April 2016, and its a continuation of its predecessor "Angel", but now the desperate search is for DI Denise MacKenzie and her abductor Keir Edwards, aka "The Hacker", and during the investigations by DCI Ryan and his team a new character will come to the fore and that's the psychological profiler, Dr Alexander Gregory, a figure who will be featuring in the author's new forthcoming series.
Keir Edwards has eluded DCI Ryan and his team, with DI Denise MacKenzie as his captive, but before he'll finish with the DI and hopefully DCI Ryan too, he's in need for another killing of a young girl, but will later on settle a score too with a notorious gangland figure, but eventually DCI Ryan in association with his fiancée Anna, the suspended DS Frank Phillips and DC Jack Lowerson will find some home truths about Keir Edwards and his hiding place, before a final showdown with the inevitable outcome as a result will conclude this eventful manhunt.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling action-packed crime mystery, with a superb storyline and a fabulous constructed plot and result in the end, and all this is brought to us in a most compelling fashion by the author.
Very much recommended, for this is an excellent addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Fantastic Forceful Ending"!
November 21, 2018
Wow
There are not enough superlatives to do justice to this book.
If the series ended here, I would not feel cheated, but knowing there are at least another 5 books published at this point. I know there is still a lot of fantastic stories to come.
There is further development in the relationships and more background detail on DCI Ryan.
Going to take a break from the series, but I will be back.
There are not enough superlatives to do justice to this book.
If the series ended here, I would not feel cheated, but knowing there are at least another 5 books published at this point. I know there is still a lot of fantastic stories to come.
There is further development in the relationships and more background detail on DCI Ryan.
Going to take a break from the series, but I will be back.
February 6, 2017
If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I’ve read and loved the DCI Ryan series, so I was thrilled when Louise said I could read an ARC of High Force. I had been eagerly awaiting book 5 since I closed the last page of Angel to be honest so it was a real treat to be able to get back into the series.
High Force picks up immediately after Angel finishes. I had told myself I’ll just read the first few pages and then I’ll come back to it… I had it finished the following day, it was UNPUTDOWNABLE. When you read series, if you enjoy them, you find yourself becoming invested in the characters. Well I do anyway, and the DCI Ryan series is no different. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened.
The Hacker is back, and this time it’s personal. After his escape from prison he is gunning for Ryan. To make things even worse, he has kidnapped one of Ryan’s detectives. What follows is possibly the most tense and action-packed installment in the series so far. I say so far because there has to be more!!!
I don’t like doing plot summaries, as well you all know by now. What I will say though, is that High Force is definitely my favourite of all the DCI Ryan books, by a mile. It has an excellent plot, a twisted antagonist and a superb cast of characters. If you haven’t picked up these books by now, what are you waiting for?!
Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
High Force picks up immediately after Angel finishes. I had told myself I’ll just read the first few pages and then I’ll come back to it… I had it finished the following day, it was UNPUTDOWNABLE. When you read series, if you enjoy them, you find yourself becoming invested in the characters. Well I do anyway, and the DCI Ryan series is no different. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened.
The Hacker is back, and this time it’s personal. After his escape from prison he is gunning for Ryan. To make things even worse, he has kidnapped one of Ryan’s detectives. What follows is possibly the most tense and action-packed installment in the series so far. I say so far because there has to be more!!!
I don’t like doing plot summaries, as well you all know by now. What I will say though, is that High Force is definitely my favourite of all the DCI Ryan books, by a mile. It has an excellent plot, a twisted antagonist and a superb cast of characters. If you haven’t picked up these books by now, what are you waiting for?!
Highly, HIGHLY recommended!
November 14, 2021
Exceptional narrating with wonderful inflections and accents only add to what is already a superb read. If I could give this Audible book 10 stars I would!
May 2, 2019
5 Words: Crime, family, murder, games, superiority.
This book picked up right where Angel left off.
In the last book there was a definite shift of focus towards Henderson and I was glad to see that continue. She is a fiercely strong character.
Unlike the previous books, High Force was much more thriller than mystery. Coming in to the story the reader already knows whodunnit and there's only the question of why to keep wondering about. But this is fast paced and gripping, and I did not want to put it down. I couldn't help but race to the end.
It is obvious as you read that the author knows the region. Living in the North East myself, I love the familiar landscape described within the passages. I love how I can recognise where the author is describing, I can plot everything out in my head.
I quite liked the ambiguous ending, it was almost like a whodunnit in itself.
I feel like this book wrapped everything up, tied up all the loose ends. It almost feels like a proper ending, and if the series were to end here I'd be happy with the ending (but definitely unhappy at no more DCI Ryan). If it were the end of Ryan's story, I'd love to see the story continue on with Fiona Henderson, because she definitely deserves a story (or 10) of her own.
This book picked up right where Angel left off.
In the last book there was a definite shift of focus towards Henderson and I was glad to see that continue. She is a fiercely strong character.
Unlike the previous books, High Force was much more thriller than mystery. Coming in to the story the reader already knows whodunnit and there's only the question of why to keep wondering about. But this is fast paced and gripping, and I did not want to put it down. I couldn't help but race to the end.
It is obvious as you read that the author knows the region. Living in the North East myself, I love the familiar landscape described within the passages. I love how I can recognise where the author is describing, I can plot everything out in my head.
I quite liked the ambiguous ending, it was almost like a whodunnit in itself.
I feel like this book wrapped everything up, tied up all the loose ends. It almost feels like a proper ending, and if the series were to end here I'd be happy with the ending (but definitely unhappy at no more DCI Ryan). If it were the end of Ryan's story, I'd love to see the story continue on with Fiona Henderson, because she definitely deserves a story (or 10) of her own.
August 28, 2019
I really enjoyed the fifth novel in this series, I think L.J.Ross has improved quite a bit since her first novel. The characters come very much to life ( though Ryan still strikes me as a bit too good to be true ! ) The Hacker returns, and McKenzie’s life is on the line.. plenty of action, tension and strong women !
April 7, 2021
This was fun! Not in the best way, but still fun!
I mean, I enjoyed how they were all running to save MacKenzie! It was high adrenaline!
And I also enojoyed how The Hacker ended, even if I didn't fully understand who was to fire the final shot!
I also think that The Hacker will come again in some future books, since it was not clearly said that he died!
I mean, I enjoyed how they were all running to save MacKenzie! It was high adrenaline!
And I also enojoyed how The Hacker ended, even if I didn't fully understand who was to fire the final shot!
I also think that The Hacker will come again in some future books, since it was not clearly said that he died!
October 23, 2020
Tai jau penktoji serijos dalis apie detektyvą inspektorių Rajeną! Ši serija yra viena mano mėgstamiausių! Autorė pateikia įdomias, su ritualinėmis žmogžudystėmis susijusias istorijas bei tęsia istorijas per kelias serijos dalis! Ši - penktoji, ne išimtis. Tai ketvirtosios dalies "Angelas" tęsinys.
Tačiau šįkart istorija visiškai kitokia. Nėra nei ritualinių žmogžudysčių, nei daug romantikos, nei pakankamai ramaus ir lėto knygos tempo. Čia visiškai pilna įtampos, greičio ir šiurpumų istorija! Istorija įtraukė nuo pirmųjų puslapių ir tikrai buvo sunku jos neskaityti. Kai vyko svarbaus ir žiauraus žudiko, pabėgusio iš kalėjimo, gaudynės, kaip galima veikti kažką kito, jei ne skaityti??
Knygų serijos man patinka labiau dėl to, nes puikiai pripranti prie veikėjų, jauties lyg juos pažinotum ir tada dvigubai labiau su jais išgyveni įvairius momentus! Autorės L. J. Ross veikėjai žavūs, savotiški, bet juos visus daugiau ar mažiau mėgstu.Taigi, nors ši dalis kitokia, nei prieš tai buvusios, man ji labai patiko! Autorė puikiai pateikė įtampos ir gaudynių atmosferą!
Jeigu skaitote šią seriją, tai esu beveik tikra, kad pabaigus "Angelą" iš karto norėsite čiupti šią dalį! Ir žinoma, aš labiausiai rekomenduoju šią seriją skaityti nuo pirmos dalies. Tačiau šią dalį galite skaityti ir kaip atskirą knygą, nes autorė pateikia nemažai priešistorės, todėl neturėtumėte jaustis lyg kažko nežinotumėte!
July 17, 2023
Wow wow wow. Penktoji Rajeno serijos dalis gerai paturbinta buvo. Įtraukė tikras veiksmo sūkurys ir neleido atsikvėpti iki pat paskutinio puslapio.
Kirvis - Rajeno baisiausias košmaras, per kurį detektyvas prarado savo seserį. Pravardė ne iš piršto laužta, nes serijinis žudikas garsėja savo ypatingu žiaurumu. Ir atsitik tu man taip, kad jis sugeba ne tik visus apgudrauti, pabėgti iš kalėjimo ir lyg to būtų maža, dar pagrobia vieną geriausių detektyvių. Taip sakant medžioklė prasideda.
Tik kuris kurį medžioja? Ar pavyks Rajenui išgelbėti savo draugę? O gal jau per vėlu?
Man labai patinka ši serija. Žmogžudystės, paslaptys, įtampa, viskas papildyta romantikos ir humoro prieskoniu. Veiksmas vyksta įspūdingame Nortumbrijos kraštovaizdyje, po kurį visai norėtųsi ir pačiam paklajoti. Žinoma, tik tada, kai jau visi blogiukai bus sugaudyti.🤭 Žodžiu man labai labai patiko, ši dalis buvo tikra bomba.
Kirvis - Rajeno baisiausias košmaras, per kurį detektyvas prarado savo seserį. Pravardė ne iš piršto laužta, nes serijinis žudikas garsėja savo ypatingu žiaurumu. Ir atsitik tu man taip, kad jis sugeba ne tik visus apgudrauti, pabėgti iš kalėjimo ir lyg to būtų maža, dar pagrobia vieną geriausių detektyvių. Taip sakant medžioklė prasideda.
Tik kuris kurį medžioja? Ar pavyks Rajenui išgelbėti savo draugę? O gal jau per vėlu?
Man labai patinka ši serija. Žmogžudystės, paslaptys, įtampa, viskas papildyta romantikos ir humoro prieskoniu. Veiksmas vyksta įspūdingame Nortumbrijos kraštovaizdyje, po kurį visai norėtųsi ir pačiam paklajoti. Žinoma, tik tada, kai jau visi blogiukai bus sugaudyti.🤭 Žodžiu man labai labai patiko, ši dalis buvo tikra bomba.
May 8, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
I've recently read so many brilliant crime novels that this one pales a little in comparison. Another day, another series of reads, and it may have rated higher. The chauvinism in Ryan's manners and approach to life is what I am finding more difficult to read.
I'm unsure whether or not I'll continue the series as the TBR list is steadily exceeding the years I've left to read them all!
I've recently read so many brilliant crime novels that this one pales a little in comparison. Another day, another series of reads, and it may have rated higher. The chauvinism in Ryan's manners and approach to life is what I am finding more difficult to read.
I'm unsure whether or not I'll continue the series as the TBR list is steadily exceeding the years I've left to read them all!
May 27, 2021
Man išties labai patiko 5-toji serijos dalis,įdomi ir tikrai įtraukianti.🤗👍
February 6, 2017
The DCI Ryan series of books by LJ Ross is absolutely one of my favourite. I read, enjoyed and above all LOVED each and every one of them. So, I was ecstatic when the author announced the publication of her fifth instalment, 'High Force'. Now that I've read it, I find myself gobsmacked again and wondering how this author manages to write such brilliant, entertaining books time and time again.
'High Force' can be read as a standalone, but since the story picks up exactly where the previous book has left us, I would recommend reading 'Angel' first (which btw is just fantastic and one of my top reads of 2016).
"It feels like she's dead already."
The vicious serial killer known as The Hacker has been mentioned to some extent in all books in the series, but in High Force he's given central stage - he's on the loose and as bloodthirsty as ever. He's just kidnapped DI Denise MacKenzie from her home. Knowing that her life is in grave danger, Ryan and his team members, especially Phillips, are desperate to find and save her from the monster's clutches. The Hacker is hell bent on exacting vengeance on Ryan, but not before pushing him to his limit and shedding more innocent blood. The clock is ticking... will they make it on time to apprehend The Hacker and save Denise?
Thanks to the author's superb writing and excellent characterisation, this suspenseful book kept me on edge at all times. The murder scenes are quite gruesome and require a strong stomach. The author did a great job in portraying and building Denise's distress and hopelessness and the team's anguish and desperation in locating her before it's too late.
Balancing evil and darkness in this book are the author's vivid beautiful scenery descriptions which made me feel as if I were there, travelling through the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, with its lush green valleys and wooded dells. I actually had to google and learn more about the beautiful areas described such as High Force waterfall which I had never heard of!
At the end, following a breathtaking finale, the author leaves the reader with one or two questions in mind. Hmmm... will I find the answers in the next book? I'm dying with curiosity...
Needless to say I highly recommend this book and the whole series. They're all gripping, suspenseful, well-written books.
With thanks to the author for a review copy of this fab book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.
'High Force' can be read as a standalone, but since the story picks up exactly where the previous book has left us, I would recommend reading 'Angel' first (which btw is just fantastic and one of my top reads of 2016).
"It feels like she's dead already."
The vicious serial killer known as The Hacker has been mentioned to some extent in all books in the series, but in High Force he's given central stage - he's on the loose and as bloodthirsty as ever. He's just kidnapped DI Denise MacKenzie from her home. Knowing that her life is in grave danger, Ryan and his team members, especially Phillips, are desperate to find and save her from the monster's clutches. The Hacker is hell bent on exacting vengeance on Ryan, but not before pushing him to his limit and shedding more innocent blood. The clock is ticking... will they make it on time to apprehend The Hacker and save Denise?
Thanks to the author's superb writing and excellent characterisation, this suspenseful book kept me on edge at all times. The murder scenes are quite gruesome and require a strong stomach. The author did a great job in portraying and building Denise's distress and hopelessness and the team's anguish and desperation in locating her before it's too late.
Balancing evil and darkness in this book are the author's vivid beautiful scenery descriptions which made me feel as if I were there, travelling through the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, with its lush green valleys and wooded dells. I actually had to google and learn more about the beautiful areas described such as High Force waterfall which I had never heard of!
At the end, following a breathtaking finale, the author leaves the reader with one or two questions in mind. Hmmm... will I find the answers in the next book? I'm dying with curiosity...
Needless to say I highly recommend this book and the whole series. They're all gripping, suspenseful, well-written books.
With thanks to the author for a review copy of this fab book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.
October 5, 2023
Penktoji Rajeno serijos dalis - ketvirtosios "Angelo" istorijos tęsinys. Iš kalėjimo pabėgęs serijinis žudikas, policijos ir žiniasklaidos pramintas Kirviu, pagrobia vieną iš Rajeno kolegų. Paieškos stringa, su kiekviena valanda mažėja tikimybė, kad pagrobtoji liks gyva. Baisiausia tai, kad visi puikiai žino, ko galima tikėtis iš žiaurumu pagarsėjusio žudiko..
Ketvirtoji dalis pasibaigė įspūdingai, todėl nieko keisto, kad ir "Didžioji galia" užkabino nuo pirmų puslapių. Netrukdė tai, kad nusikaltėlis jau žinomas - įtampai ir susidomėjimui palaikyti, užteko jaudulio dėl pagrobtosios gyvybės.
Smagu, kad ir neskaičiusiems "Ligoninės" (serijos priešistorės), autorė atskleidė daug detalių apie praeities įvykius, supažindino su Rajeno ir Kirvio praeitimi.
Norėjosi tik įspūdingesnės pabaigos. Žinant, kad susitiko du vienas kito verti priešininkai, paskutiniuose puslapiuose tikėjausi tikro sprogimo 💣
Bet kokiu atveju, serija tikrai nebloga - faina komanda, įspūdingos Anglijos vietovės ir gerai susuktos bylos.
Nekantrauju susipažinti su šeštąja istorija!
Ketvirtoji dalis pasibaigė įspūdingai, todėl nieko keisto, kad ir "Didžioji galia" užkabino nuo pirmų puslapių. Netrukdė tai, kad nusikaltėlis jau žinomas - įtampai ir susidomėjimui palaikyti, užteko jaudulio dėl pagrobtosios gyvybės.
Smagu, kad ir neskaičiusiems "Ligoninės" (serijos priešistorės), autorė atskleidė daug detalių apie praeities įvykius, supažindino su Rajeno ir Kirvio praeitimi.
Norėjosi tik įspūdingesnės pabaigos. Žinant, kad susitiko du vienas kito verti priešininkai, paskutiniuose puslapiuose tikėjausi tikro sprogimo 💣
Bet kokiu atveju, serija tikrai nebloga - faina komanda, įspūdingos Anglijos vietovės ir gerai susuktos bylos.
Nekantrauju susipažinti su šeštąja istorija!
January 10, 2020
Whoa that was just full on. I saw somewhere that these books were described as 'cosies' and/or romance. I don't do cosy or romantic. Yes there is a bit of romance as in many other thrillers but its not that much a part of the story. And there was nothing,, absolutely nothing cosy about this book. It was horrific.
Keir Edwards aka The Hacker - the man who killed Ryan's sister escaped from custody after faking a medical emergency. He is on the run, he is on a rampage, and he wants revenge. And he is very, very dangerous. When Ryan hears of the escape he thinks Edwards is coming for Anna. But he actually grabs someone else who must fight tooth and nail if they are to stand a chance of surviving. This was sooo tense, I had to take little breathers occasionally. The pace was relentless and, well, I can't say too much more without spoilers. There was blood, lots of blood...
It was the most harrowing book in the series so far. I guess I'll continue.
Keir Edwards aka The Hacker - the man who killed Ryan's sister escaped from custody after faking a medical emergency. He is on the run, he is on a rampage, and he wants revenge. And he is very, very dangerous. When Ryan hears of the escape he thinks Edwards is coming for Anna. But he actually grabs someone else who must fight tooth and nail if they are to stand a chance of surviving. This was sooo tense, I had to take little breathers occasionally. The pace was relentless and, well, I can't say too much more without spoilers. There was blood, lots of blood...
It was the most harrowing book in the series so far. I guess I'll continue.
October 31, 2020
Šįmet atradau malonumą skaityti serijines knygas ir L.J. Ross inspektoriaus Rajeno serja yra viena mylimiausių. Taigi nekeista, kodėl tik pasirdžius bibliotekoje penktajai daliai, ją parsinešiau skaityti. O dar kai ketvirtoji dalis pasibaigė taip, kad buvo be galo smalsu sužinoti, kaip ten viskas vyko toliau.
Pagrobiama Rajeno kolegė, o iš kalėjimo pasprukęs serijinis žudikas. Taip, tokia pradžia žada daug veiksmo ir daug, siužeto posūkių. Vėlgi žavusis inspektorius Rajenas su visa komanda imasi tyrimo iš esmės. Labai patiko, kad ir Rajeno sužadėtinė Ana buvo ne paskutinėje vietoje tyrimo metu.
Vis dėl to, man tai mažiausiai patikusi serijos dalis. Kodėl? Kadangi jau nuo pat pirmų puslapių žinojau, kas tas blogiukas. Man labiausiai patinka skaityti, kaip po truputėlį narpliojamas nusikaltimas ir paaiškėja, kas tas blogiukas. Šį kartą buvo labiau trileris, o ne detektyvas.
Vis dėl to rašytoja išgelbėjo romaną - pateikė tam tikros įdomios informacijos, paslapčių ir praeities. Ir romanas man tikrai patiko. Skaityti nebuvo nuobodu, o jei ir bandydavo nuobodulys atkeliauti, laiku būdavo koks siužeto vingis.
L.J. Ross detektyvai pasižymi dinamišku veiksmu ir labai patraukliais veikėjais. Tiek inspektorius Rajenas, tikras anglų aristokratas, tiek visa komanda greitai pamėgiama. ČIa įdomi ir meilės linija, tiksliau jos kelios. Na, o toliau nekantaujų skaityti "Kregsaido dvarą", šeštąją serijos dalį.
Pagrobiama Rajeno kolegė, o iš kalėjimo pasprukęs serijinis žudikas. Taip, tokia pradžia žada daug veiksmo ir daug, siužeto posūkių. Vėlgi žavusis inspektorius Rajenas su visa komanda imasi tyrimo iš esmės. Labai patiko, kad ir Rajeno sužadėtinė Ana buvo ne paskutinėje vietoje tyrimo metu.
Vis dėl to, man tai mažiausiai patikusi serijos dalis. Kodėl? Kadangi jau nuo pat pirmų puslapių žinojau, kas tas blogiukas. Man labiausiai patinka skaityti, kaip po truputėlį narpliojamas nusikaltimas ir paaiškėja, kas tas blogiukas. Šį kartą buvo labiau trileris, o ne detektyvas.
Vis dėl to rašytoja išgelbėjo romaną - pateikė tam tikros įdomios informacijos, paslapčių ir praeities. Ir romanas man tikrai patiko. Skaityti nebuvo nuobodu, o jei ir bandydavo nuobodulys atkeliauti, laiku būdavo koks siužeto vingis.
L.J. Ross detektyvai pasižymi dinamišku veiksmu ir labai patraukliais veikėjais. Tiek inspektorius Rajenas, tikras anglų aristokratas, tiek visa komanda greitai pamėgiama. ČIa įdomi ir meilės linija, tiksliau jos kelios. Na, o toliau nekantaujų skaityti "Kregsaido dvarą", šeštąją serijos dalį.
March 24, 2018
Another well written installment of the DCI Ryan series, I found this equally interesting and hard to enjoy. This was darker than the previous books since a major secondary character (sorry, I couldn't resist using that oxymoron) is at the mercy of a crazy killer's whims. Seeing Phillips suffering and in anguish for the duration of the book was heart wrenching. But as much as this was difficult to read, it was also very satisfying. Anna kicked butt in this book. Seeing her take an active, albeit unofficial and unsanctioned, role in the investigation was great. I love that she wasn't just a simpering miss, languishing at home without her heroic fiance. The romance, while understated, was still sweet, sincere, and mature. I loved how the MCs loved and took care of one another and am looking forward to reading the next book of the series.
January 27, 2023
A highly addictive series!
February 6, 2017
This is fast becoming such a favourite series of mine that I couldn’t wait to read this fifth addition, especially as I only read the 4th book Angel a couple of weeks ago. And as Angel left me with such a craving for more, High Force was hardly on my kindle when it shot to the top of my TBR folder!
So The Hacker is back on the loose and this time he is taking no prisoners, well actually, the main problem here is that he is!!! He has kidnapped DI Denise MacKenzie and the team are up against the clock to try and save her-if she’s still alive. Denise has been a favourite character of mine so it definitely raised my adrenaline levels having her put in such a scary and dangerous position but while we see her strength of character developing, we see Frank start to fall apart. Will the decisions he makes have fatal consequences? And if so, who for?
I found the plotting here scarily fast and the thrill of solving the case more enjoyable than usual as well. We discover more about Keir Edwards at the same time as the team do so there were a couple of times when I was terrified for Anna! She fitted the bill of The Hackers favourite prey plus what a way to further destroy Ryan if she did become the next victim! My heart was in my mouth on more than one occasion!
I have so much admiration for Louise Ross as she has kept this series fresh and intriguing whilst stopping it from becoming repetitive. Her plot twists still shock me as do the unique and graphically described crime scenes. The countryside settings are so picture perfect, it’s such a beautiful area of the country, that it really contrasts with the evil hidden away from DCI Ryan in the picturesque towns and villages. And I’m sure other fans of the series will agree that looking forward to the locations used by this author is just as important as the characters and the crimes they have to solve.
A fine addition to the series and a huge thanks to L.J Ross for providing my review copy of High Force.
So The Hacker is back on the loose and this time he is taking no prisoners, well actually, the main problem here is that he is!!! He has kidnapped DI Denise MacKenzie and the team are up against the clock to try and save her-if she’s still alive. Denise has been a favourite character of mine so it definitely raised my adrenaline levels having her put in such a scary and dangerous position but while we see her strength of character developing, we see Frank start to fall apart. Will the decisions he makes have fatal consequences? And if so, who for?
I found the plotting here scarily fast and the thrill of solving the case more enjoyable than usual as well. We discover more about Keir Edwards at the same time as the team do so there were a couple of times when I was terrified for Anna! She fitted the bill of The Hackers favourite prey plus what a way to further destroy Ryan if she did become the next victim! My heart was in my mouth on more than one occasion!
I have so much admiration for Louise Ross as she has kept this series fresh and intriguing whilst stopping it from becoming repetitive. Her plot twists still shock me as do the unique and graphically described crime scenes. The countryside settings are so picture perfect, it’s such a beautiful area of the country, that it really contrasts with the evil hidden away from DCI Ryan in the picturesque towns and villages. And I’m sure other fans of the series will agree that looking forward to the locations used by this author is just as important as the characters and the crimes they have to solve.
A fine addition to the series and a huge thanks to L.J Ross for providing my review copy of High Force.
April 1, 2017
This, the fifth in the Ryan series is full of surprises and is the best to date.
The whole of the North East's police force are on the lookout for Keir Edwards, aka the Hacker He escaped from the roof of his prison, via helicopter. Who organised and paid for it?
Once Ryan's hears that his nemesis has escaped, his nightmare begins. He was responsible for the death of his sister so it is very personal. As soon as the news breaks, it becomes obvious that one of their own is missing. DI Denise McKenzie, much-admired colleague and the love of DS Frank Phillip's life.
It doesn't take Denise long to work out what is happening and who he is. She worked in the prison undercover for a while and was called Ruth. Her relationship and job has now made her a prime target for Edwards.
Edwards is supremely confident which is why he can move about without drawing attention to himself. He cruises in a bar on a Student's Night and 15-year-old Beth Finnegan was his next victim. The race was on.
Ryan and his team worked through the night to establish how he had escaped and who was helping him. His solicitor? She was already suspended from work on other charges.
Frank decides to investigate on his own and pounds down the doors of a business owned my one of the Moffa businessmen. He feels that they may know more than they are letting on.
Two more murders.
By frantically digging through Edward's past, they find he changed his name at aged 16. Why and who paid for him to go to boarding school.
It all starts to make sense.
All the main characters are brilliant as ever and the evil from Edwards is well executed.
This fast paced plot keeps you gripped until the end. I loved it.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Booklover Catlady for this opportunity.
The whole of the North East's police force are on the lookout for Keir Edwards, aka the Hacker He escaped from the roof of his prison, via helicopter. Who organised and paid for it?
Once Ryan's hears that his nemesis has escaped, his nightmare begins. He was responsible for the death of his sister so it is very personal. As soon as the news breaks, it becomes obvious that one of their own is missing. DI Denise McKenzie, much-admired colleague and the love of DS Frank Phillip's life.
It doesn't take Denise long to work out what is happening and who he is. She worked in the prison undercover for a while and was called Ruth. Her relationship and job has now made her a prime target for Edwards.
Edwards is supremely confident which is why he can move about without drawing attention to himself. He cruises in a bar on a Student's Night and 15-year-old Beth Finnegan was his next victim. The race was on.
Ryan and his team worked through the night to establish how he had escaped and who was helping him. His solicitor? She was already suspended from work on other charges.
Frank decides to investigate on his own and pounds down the doors of a business owned my one of the Moffa businessmen. He feels that they may know more than they are letting on.
Two more murders.
By frantically digging through Edward's past, they find he changed his name at aged 16. Why and who paid for him to go to boarding school.
It all starts to make sense.
All the main characters are brilliant as ever and the evil from Edwards is well executed.
This fast paced plot keeps you gripped until the end. I loved it.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to Booklover Catlady for this opportunity.
February 6, 2017
Wow! What a thrilling read this was.
The DCI Ryan series is one very much of mystery but this book definitely had more of a darker edge to it. I was well and truly gripped.
What a story line. The Hacker is a truly sick and twisted individual and I was desperate for Ryan and his team to catch him and put a stop to atrocious killings he was performing. The fact that he had taken one of the police’s own made it even more urgent.
My heart went out to poor Denise who was being held in the Hackers clutches. You could very much feel the fear and emotions that she was gong through. The way that the Hacker tries to break her down was horrible to read and I was willing all my strength to her to try and stay strong.
Poor Ryan just never seems to have an easy time of it. The Hacker escaping brings back a lot of memories that he would rather forget about and the fact that he is trying to play with Ryan and mess with his mind also is making it harder for Ryan to keep a clear head.
Even though I have enjoyed all the books in this series, I have to say that High Force for me is the best one so far. I loved the added darkness and edge to this one and it really does make for an edge of your seat read. The speed at which the story picks up towards the end was just breath taking as I literally was holding my breath to see how it was all going to end. All I will say the is the whole climax was worthy of a standing ovation. Brilliant!
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The DCI Ryan series is one very much of mystery but this book definitely had more of a darker edge to it. I was well and truly gripped.
What a story line. The Hacker is a truly sick and twisted individual and I was desperate for Ryan and his team to catch him and put a stop to atrocious killings he was performing. The fact that he had taken one of the police’s own made it even more urgent.
My heart went out to poor Denise who was being held in the Hackers clutches. You could very much feel the fear and emotions that she was gong through. The way that the Hacker tries to break her down was horrible to read and I was willing all my strength to her to try and stay strong.
Poor Ryan just never seems to have an easy time of it. The Hacker escaping brings back a lot of memories that he would rather forget about and the fact that he is trying to play with Ryan and mess with his mind also is making it harder for Ryan to keep a clear head.
Even though I have enjoyed all the books in this series, I have to say that High Force for me is the best one so far. I loved the added darkness and edge to this one and it really does make for an edge of your seat read. The speed at which the story picks up towards the end was just breath taking as I literally was holding my breath to see how it was all going to end. All I will say the is the whole climax was worthy of a standing ovation. Brilliant!
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 19, 2021
Tai jau penktoji knyga, kurioje yra pasakojama apie inspektoriaus Rajeno gyvenimą. Patinka man ši serija savo lengvu turiniu bei įtraukiančiu siužetu.
Rajenui buvo sunku net ir įsivaizduoti, jog baisiausias jo visų laikų košmaras gali virsti realybe. Iš kalėjimo pabėgo serijinis žudikas, visų vadinimas Kirviu. Jis nepasikuklino ir pagrobė Rajeno kolegę. Rajenas yra pasiryžęs susigrąžinti brangią savo bičiulę, bet kokia kaina. Kartą Kirvis jau atėmė vieną jam brangų žmogų. Inspektorius neleis, jog tai nutiktų dar kartą.
Jau žinau ko maždaug galima tikėtis iš šios serijos knygų, nes tai jau penktoji knyga, kuriose sutinkame inspektorių Rajeną. Pati šios istorijos pradžia mane labai suintrigavo, bet skaitant toliau, mano susidomėjimas vis blėso. Knygos vidurys man buvo gana nuobodokas. Kūrinio atomazga šiek tiek pataisė padėtį. Tad šį kartą ši knyga mane truputį nuvylė. Tikiuosi, jog autorė dar neišsikvėpė ir "Kreksaido dvaras" labiau nustebins. Kol kas "Didžioji galia" man patiko mažiausiai.
Rajenui buvo sunku net ir įsivaizduoti, jog baisiausias jo visų laikų košmaras gali virsti realybe. Iš kalėjimo pabėgo serijinis žudikas, visų vadinimas Kirviu. Jis nepasikuklino ir pagrobė Rajeno kolegę. Rajenas yra pasiryžęs susigrąžinti brangią savo bičiulę, bet kokia kaina. Kartą Kirvis jau atėmė vieną jam brangų žmogų. Inspektorius neleis, jog tai nutiktų dar kartą.
Jau žinau ko maždaug galima tikėtis iš šios serijos knygų, nes tai jau penktoji knyga, kuriose sutinkame inspektorių Rajeną. Pati šios istorijos pradžia mane labai suintrigavo, bet skaitant toliau, mano susidomėjimas vis blėso. Knygos vidurys man buvo gana nuobodokas. Kūrinio atomazga šiek tiek pataisė padėtį. Tad šį kartą ši knyga mane truputį nuvylė. Tikiuosi, jog autorė dar neišsikvėpė ir "Kreksaido dvaras" labiau nustebins. Kol kas "Didžioji galia" man patiko mažiausiai.
June 25, 2023
#perskaičiau
L.J.Ross "Didžioji galia"
Vos užvertusi ketvirtąją serijos knygą suskubau skaityti sekančią serijos dalį, nes intriga palikta knygoje "Angelas" tiesiog neleido nei minutei atsipalaiduoti, turėjau sužinoti kas nutiks toliau.
"Baisiausias detektyvo vyresniojo inspektoriaus Rajeno košmaras ką tik tapo tikrove. Žiaurumu pagarsėjęs serijinis žudikas pravarde Kirvis pabėgo iš kalėjimo ir pagrobė vieną geriausių jo skyriaus detektyvių. Apie bėglio nuožmumą sklando legendos - pirmąjį kartą mėgindamas įvykdyti žmogžudžiui teisingumą Rajenas prarado savo seserį ir vos nežuvo pats. Ar šįkart detektyvui pavyks išgelbėti draugę?"
Tiek įtampos ir taip įdomiai pasakojama serijinio žudiko medžioklė, kad nemeluosiu sakydama, kad knygą" suvalgiau, kaip desertą".
Jau tapau ištikima šios serijos skaitytoja ir kartais norisi šią seriją vadinti labiau" moterišku detektyvu" 🤭 Kodėl? Nes joje ne tik įdomūs nusikaltimai, tačiau ir labai smagi bei šilta knygos veikėjų romantinė linija,kuri tarsi sušvelnina knygas, tačiau jokiu būdu nepaverčia banaliu romanu. Autorė labai puikiai išlaiko intriguojančią detektyvinę knygos pusę, kai tuo pačiu metu pasakoja ir romantinius veikėjų gyvenimo aspektus. Tad absoliučiai visada pradėjusi skaityti Ross knygą žinau, kad bus labai įdomu, taip nutiko ir šį kartą 👌
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
L.J.Ross "Didžioji galia"
Vos užvertusi ketvirtąją serijos knygą suskubau skaityti sekančią serijos dalį, nes intriga palikta knygoje "Angelas" tiesiog neleido nei minutei atsipalaiduoti, turėjau sužinoti kas nutiks toliau.
"Baisiausias detektyvo vyresniojo inspektoriaus Rajeno košmaras ką tik tapo tikrove. Žiaurumu pagarsėjęs serijinis žudikas pravarde Kirvis pabėgo iš kalėjimo ir pagrobė vieną geriausių jo skyriaus detektyvių. Apie bėglio nuožmumą sklando legendos - pirmąjį kartą mėgindamas įvykdyti žmogžudžiui teisingumą Rajenas prarado savo seserį ir vos nežuvo pats. Ar šįkart detektyvui pavyks išgelbėti draugę?"
Tiek įtampos ir taip įdomiai pasakojama serijinio žudiko medžioklė, kad nemeluosiu sakydama, kad knygą" suvalgiau, kaip desertą".
Jau tapau ištikima šios serijos skaitytoja ir kartais norisi šią seriją vadinti labiau" moterišku detektyvu" 🤭 Kodėl? Nes joje ne tik įdomūs nusikaltimai, tačiau ir labai smagi bei šilta knygos veikėjų romantinė linija,kuri tarsi sušvelnina knygas, tačiau jokiu būdu nepaverčia banaliu romanu. Autorė labai puikiai išlaiko intriguojančią detektyvinę knygos pusę, kai tuo pačiu metu pasakoja ir romantinius veikėjų gyvenimo aspektus. Tad absoliučiai visada pradėjusi skaityti Ross knygą žinau, kad bus labai įdomu, taip nutiko ir šį kartą 👌
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
August 29, 2019
High Force is large waterfall in Northumbria. There is a smaller one which I believe is called Low Force, and they are a natural beauty spot in the Northumbrian countryside. As a staunch southerner, and proud Bristolian, I am really very keen to move to Northumbria and walk these hills and dales. I may take myself off on holiday (alone) to visit one day.
Anyway, we left DCI Maxwell Finlay-Ryan at the end of Angel, having solved the case of the murdered women but with DI Denise MacKenzie having been kidnapped by The Hacker, AKA Kier Edwards, one time doctor, killer, madman.
High Force starts a week later. Phillips, love of MacKenzie's life, is going a bit mad. He's gone to his old boxing gym, and Ryan finds him there, early one morning. He's knocked most people out and he's going at the next when Ryan rocks up, puts on his gloves and smacks him one. Phillips accepts that he isn't helping anyone like this, and allows Ryan to take him back to the office.
They set up a new operation and they get cracking on trying to work out what has happened to Mack, where is she. Edwards is keeping her locked away in a little old cottage on the hillside and he drops in and out, when he's not in the city killing women. He sets fire to Anna's cottage (and the writing here is brilliant because it really reads like she's there, there are two scenes taking place at the same time and you think she's in her bathroom with him downstairs, it's really quite scary) and swaggers about the city pretending to Ryan.
But Ryan works it all out. He works out where MacKenzie is and he goes to get her.
MacKenzie however is not a woman to be trifled with and she gets out on her own, knocking Edwards out in the meantime. She legs it into the woods, badly injured but refusing to go down.
There's an epic battle between Edwards and Ryan right at the top of the waterfall. One falls... Phillips holds MacKenzie in his arms and all is right with the world.
I promptly spent my last fiver on Cragside (book 6) because who needs to eat?
5 stars. Obvs.
Anyway, we left DCI Maxwell Finlay-Ryan at the end of Angel, having solved the case of the murdered women but with DI Denise MacKenzie having been kidnapped by The Hacker, AKA Kier Edwards, one time doctor, killer, madman.
High Force starts a week later. Phillips, love of MacKenzie's life, is going a bit mad. He's gone to his old boxing gym, and Ryan finds him there, early one morning. He's knocked most people out and he's going at the next when Ryan rocks up, puts on his gloves and smacks him one. Phillips accepts that he isn't helping anyone like this, and allows Ryan to take him back to the office.
They set up a new operation and they get cracking on trying to work out what has happened to Mack, where is she. Edwards is keeping her locked away in a little old cottage on the hillside and he drops in and out, when he's not in the city killing women. He sets fire to Anna's cottage (and the writing here is brilliant because it really reads like she's there, there are two scenes taking place at the same time and you think she's in her bathroom with him downstairs, it's really quite scary) and swaggers about the city pretending to Ryan.
But Ryan works it all out. He works out where MacKenzie is and he goes to get her.
MacKenzie however is not a woman to be trifled with and she gets out on her own, knocking Edwards out in the meantime. She legs it into the woods, badly injured but refusing to go down.
There's an epic battle between Edwards and Ryan right at the top of the waterfall. One falls... Phillips holds MacKenzie in his arms and all is right with the world.
I promptly spent my last fiver on Cragside (book 6) because who needs to eat?
5 stars. Obvs.
March 24, 2022
Another great outing in DCI Ryan series. Fast paced, gritty, engaging with a great cast of characters. Love those books!
April 7, 2017
Awesome!
So, 5th book in the series and they just get better and better but I hated it because book 4 was a cliffhanger and I read it 9/2/16 and had to wait all this time to read the next. That wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t read 50 or 60 books in between then and now. That’s why I hate cliffhangers and I wouldn’t have read book 4 if I’d known it was one.
However, I’m glad I did read this. It was awesome. Although, Keir is just so sick and what he does to people is beyond gruesome. And I doubt it has to be described in such detail. Poor MacKenzie was his prisoner through the whole book and he just loved to play with her. He didn’t rape her or anything like that but every time you turned around he reminded her he could kill her any time he wanted to. And once he let her escape, only to be watching her from the roof with a rifle aimed at her. He loved his mind games.
Here’s my only problem with the book: A word was found on Beth’s palm that said “Invictus.” When Lowerson asks what it meant the BOOK said “unvanquished,” but the READER said “I remain.” And that happened 3 times. Then when “Maneo” was written in with the entrails of 2 victims in was READ as “unvanquished” but the BOOK said “I remain.” The whole thing was crazy and needs to be fixed.
As with every book I loved the secondary characters: Anna, Lowerson, Phillips, and MacKenzie. They were all terrific.
WOW! What an ending! I loved it! With 3 guns aimed you just don't know who it was that pulled the trigger, or if that all did at once. Spectacular ending.
There was no sex in this book but the romantic feelings between Ryan and Anna was so sweet. And the F-bomb was used 2 times.
As to the narrator: Jonathan Keeble was wonderful. His voices from book to book are exactly the same, Ryan’s was sexy as hell and Phillips’s was gruff and raspy and Lowerson sounded as young as he was supposed to and Keir Edwards sounded as crazy as he was supposed to be. And he read with great emotion, too. And the women sounded just as they should.
So, 5th book in the series and they just get better and better but I hated it because book 4 was a cliffhanger and I read it 9/2/16 and had to wait all this time to read the next. That wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t read 50 or 60 books in between then and now. That’s why I hate cliffhangers and I wouldn’t have read book 4 if I’d known it was one.
However, I’m glad I did read this. It was awesome. Although, Keir is just so sick and what he does to people is beyond gruesome. And I doubt it has to be described in such detail. Poor MacKenzie was his prisoner through the whole book and he just loved to play with her. He didn’t rape her or anything like that but every time you turned around he reminded her he could kill her any time he wanted to. And once he let her escape, only to be watching her from the roof with a rifle aimed at her. He loved his mind games.
Here’s my only problem with the book: A word was found on Beth’s palm that said “Invictus.” When Lowerson asks what it meant the BOOK said “unvanquished,” but the READER said “I remain.” And that happened 3 times. Then when “Maneo” was written in with the entrails of 2 victims in was READ as “unvanquished” but the BOOK said “I remain.” The whole thing was crazy and needs to be fixed.
As with every book I loved the secondary characters: Anna, Lowerson, Phillips, and MacKenzie. They were all terrific.
WOW! What an ending! I loved it! With 3 guns aimed you just don't know who it was that pulled the trigger, or if that all did at once. Spectacular ending.
There was no sex in this book but the romantic feelings between Ryan and Anna was so sweet. And the F-bomb was used 2 times.
As to the narrator: Jonathan Keeble was wonderful. His voices from book to book are exactly the same, Ryan’s was sexy as hell and Phillips’s was gruff and raspy and Lowerson sounded as young as he was supposed to and Keir Edwards sounded as crazy as he was supposed to be. And he read with great emotion, too. And the women sounded just as they should.
February 7, 2017
Erm.....WOW!! This book is that fantastic I am actually lost for words, talk about blown away!!
This is the fifth book in the Ryan Mysteries series. And most of you know that I am a big fan so can you imagine my excitement when I got the chance to read this. Well I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
Did I mention that Angel finished on one hell of a cliffhanger?! Well High Force picks up right where Angel finished. With one electrifying start the hacker is back. After escaping prison and kidnapping one of DCI Ryan's best detectives. Ryan's worst nightmare has just become reality.
Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, It does just that! High Force is shockingly brilliant and without a doubt the best one in the series. But then L.J Ross steps it up a notch and becomes more darker and twisted with some gruesome scenes. OMG I love it.
There is something about the authors style of writing that I find totally captivating. Set in the North East with stunning descriptions of the area making me feel like I am there. A Visit to High Force water fall is definitely on my bucket list.
This story is very fast paced and with out a doubt a page turner giving me a book hangover. I cannot recommend it enough, 5 massive well deserved stars from me.
Thank you to LJ Ross for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fifth book in the Ryan Mysteries series. And most of you know that I am a big fan so can you imagine my excitement when I got the chance to read this. Well I couldn't wait to get stuck in.
Did I mention that Angel finished on one hell of a cliffhanger?! Well High Force picks up right where Angel finished. With one electrifying start the hacker is back. After escaping prison and kidnapping one of DCI Ryan's best detectives. Ryan's worst nightmare has just become reality.
Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, It does just that! High Force is shockingly brilliant and without a doubt the best one in the series. But then L.J Ross steps it up a notch and becomes more darker and twisted with some gruesome scenes. OMG I love it.
There is something about the authors style of writing that I find totally captivating. Set in the North East with stunning descriptions of the area making me feel like I am there. A Visit to High Force water fall is definitely on my bucket list.
This story is very fast paced and with out a doubt a page turner giving me a book hangover. I cannot recommend it enough, 5 massive well deserved stars from me.
Thank you to LJ Ross for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
‘The Hacker’ has escaped from the maximum security prison where DCI Ryan and the British Judicial System put him! High Force, a DCI Ryan Mystery #5, by LJ Ross main focus is Ryan’s ‘worst nightmare’. The way ‘The Hacker’ escapes wowed me as I had never heard of an escape ‘that’ way before. Ryan’s immediate thoughts are for Anna, his fianceé, as she is Keir Edwards’, ‘The Hacker’, premiere type to destroy. Plus, Edwards wants to totally decimate Ryan. Will there be a direct confrontation, Ryan versus Edwards? As the reader is eneveloped by the story, certain events and their results are definitely a surprise! At least they were for me, a very big, totally unthought of jolt! “The clock is ticking...” A phenomenal mystery! Highly recommended!
March 27, 2024
I could not put this book down. Another fantastic book in the series. coming from the north east, i get lost in the actual places, because I know them all so well. Brilliant. Ending a tiny bit far fetched but otherwise worthy of full stars 👍🏼
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