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Lakes Crime Thriller Trilogy #1
Dancing On The Grave
Book One in the Lakes crime thriller trilogy introducing CSI Grace McColl and DC Nick Weston
A sniper with a mission…
a young cop with nothing to lose…
a CSI with everything to prove…
a teenage girl with a terrifying obsession…
In one of the most beautiful corners of England something very ugly is about to take place.
There’s a killer on the loose in the Lake District hills, and the calm of an English summer is shattered.
For newly qualified crime-scene investigator, Grace McColl, it’s both the start of a nightmare and the chance to prove herself after a mistake that cost a life.
For Detective Nick Weston, recently transferred from London, it’s an opportunity to recover his nerve after a disastrous undercover operation that left him for dead.
And for a lonely, loveless teenage girl, Edith, it’s the start of a twisted fantasy—one she never dreamed might come true.
Formerly published as a standalone novel, DANCING ON THE GRAVE becomes Book One of the Lakes Thriller Trilogy. Book Two, BONES IN THE RIVER is also now published, and Book Three is a work in progress. All three stories can be read separately and all feature the same lead characters, CSI Grace McColl and Detective Nick Weston. One reviewer has described them as "intriguing alone and compelling together".
CSI Grace McColl. She is forty, amicably divorced from her husband, Max. Born in the Lakes, she was always a keen photographer, who trained as a crime scene investigator after her photographs were used to help a guilty man go free and he later caused a woman’s death. Grace still feels she has much to make amends for. She hides her emotions behind a calm façade that can make her sometimes appear cold. She lives in Orton village, with a Weimaraner called Tallie.
Detective Nick Weston. He is thirty-two, living with his partner, Lisa, a hairdresser, with whom he has a volatile relationship, and a young daughter, Sophie. Nick worked in Firearms in Manchester and then undercover for the Met in London. After he was compromised and almost beaten to death on an undercover op, Lisa persuaded him to transfer up to her native Cumbria, where he is considered an outsider among his colleagues. Nick is still coping with some of the mental and physical after-effects of his experiences.
A sniper with a mission…
a young cop with nothing to lose…
a CSI with everything to prove…
a teenage girl with a terrifying obsession…
In one of the most beautiful corners of England something very ugly is about to take place.
There’s a killer on the loose in the Lake District hills, and the calm of an English summer is shattered.
For newly qualified crime-scene investigator, Grace McColl, it’s both the start of a nightmare and the chance to prove herself after a mistake that cost a life.
For Detective Nick Weston, recently transferred from London, it’s an opportunity to recover his nerve after a disastrous undercover operation that left him for dead.
And for a lonely, loveless teenage girl, Edith, it’s the start of a twisted fantasy—one she never dreamed might come true.
Formerly published as a standalone novel, DANCING ON THE GRAVE becomes Book One of the Lakes Thriller Trilogy. Book Two, BONES IN THE RIVER is also now published, and Book Three is a work in progress. All three stories can be read separately and all feature the same lead characters, CSI Grace McColl and Detective Nick Weston. One reviewer has described them as "intriguing alone and compelling together".
CSI Grace McColl. She is forty, amicably divorced from her husband, Max. Born in the Lakes, she was always a keen photographer, who trained as a crime scene investigator after her photographs were used to help a guilty man go free and he later caused a woman’s death. Grace still feels she has much to make amends for. She hides her emotions behind a calm façade that can make her sometimes appear cold. She lives in Orton village, with a Weimaraner called Tallie.
Detective Nick Weston. He is thirty-two, living with his partner, Lisa, a hairdresser, with whom he has a volatile relationship, and a young daughter, Sophie. Nick worked in Firearms in Manchester and then undercover for the Met in London. After he was compromised and almost beaten to death on an undercover op, Lisa persuaded him to transfer up to her native Cumbria, where he is considered an outsider among his colleagues. Nick is still coping with some of the mental and physical after-effects of his experiences.
ebook
First published June 30, 2018
About the author
Zoë Sharp
64 books498 followersZoë Sharp spent most of her formative years living aboard a catamaran on the northwest coast of England. She opted out of mainstream education at the age of twelve and wrote her first novel at fifteen. She became a freelance photojournalist in 1988 and started writing her Charlie Fox crime thriller series after receiving death-threats in the course of her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 15, 2018
I worried I wouldn't like Dancing on the Grave much because it wasn't a Charlie Fox book. I think those worries disappeared by the second page.
Crime scene investigator Grace McColl and DC Nick Weston are both outsiders at the Cumbria Constabulary; both are called out to investigate the shooting of a VIP's dog after the dog went wild in a field of lambs. A sad ending for the dog; but a common enough result in farm country. Except both McColl and Weston think there is something more to be looked into when they realize the weapon used should not have been available for use. First time the outsiders meet, but definitely not a "meet cute."
They are stymied, shut down, or otherwise dismissed at every turn, but their doggedness pays off when someone starts shooting and killing people. Because of the distance involved the shots could only have been made by a highly trained sniper. Because of the damage to the bodies, the authorities are terrified of what comes next.
Because I now live outside the DC area, much about these the killings is reminiscent of the DC killings from back in 2002, the strongest resemblance being when the "junior" partner decides to outdo the master. This is not accidental. This is a terrific author trying to make sense of the incomprehensible.
McColl and Weston decide they will make great friends. Both have slightly messy personal lives that would preclude anything else, but both want to maintain the connection they formed without any attendant drama. I hope this is the first in a series to feature McColl and Weston.
Despite its subject matter, Dancing on the Grave was thought provoking, looking into issues of mental illness, child neglect and military neglect.
I read this book in one afternoon, refusing to leave the couch until I was finished. Who cares that dinner was late?
Crime scene investigator Grace McColl and DC Nick Weston are both outsiders at the Cumbria Constabulary; both are called out to investigate the shooting of a VIP's dog after the dog went wild in a field of lambs. A sad ending for the dog; but a common enough result in farm country. Except both McColl and Weston think there is something more to be looked into when they realize the weapon used should not have been available for use. First time the outsiders meet, but definitely not a "meet cute."
They are stymied, shut down, or otherwise dismissed at every turn, but their doggedness pays off when someone starts shooting and killing people. Because of the distance involved the shots could only have been made by a highly trained sniper. Because of the damage to the bodies, the authorities are terrified of what comes next.
Because I now live outside the DC area, much about these the killings is reminiscent of the DC killings from back in 2002, the strongest resemblance being when the "junior" partner decides to outdo the master. This is not accidental. This is a terrific author trying to make sense of the incomprehensible.
McColl and Weston decide they will make great friends. Both have slightly messy personal lives that would preclude anything else, but both want to maintain the connection they formed without any attendant drama. I hope this is the first in a series to feature McColl and Weston.
Despite its subject matter, Dancing on the Grave was thought provoking, looking into issues of mental illness, child neglect and military neglect.
I read this book in one afternoon, refusing to leave the couch until I was finished. Who cares that dinner was late?
July 24, 2018
First Sentence: It was a bad day to die…a perfect one to kill.
Newly-qualified crime scene investigator Grace McColl is trying to prove herself after making a disastrous mistake on a previous case. Detective Constable Nick Weston has just been transferred to the Lake District after nearly dying during an investigation in London. Neither of them can understand why they've been called out on a dog having been shot except for the presence of the wife of a local MEP (Member of the European Parliament). Upon examining the dog, it's clear the shooter wasn't the local farmer. But why is there a trained sniper in the area, and who was the real target?
It is difficult to say much about this book without giving away spoilers. My best recommendation is to read it cold without having looked at any information about the plot, impossible as that may be. And so…
An excellent opening is one which compels one to continue reading. Zoe Sharp has accomplished that goal in spades with her new standalone which is a remarkable combination of police procedural and psychological thriller.
The initial crime is unexpected, but through it we meet a number of important characters. The introductions to CSI Grace McColl, DC Nick Weston, Special Constable Jim Airey and his daughter Edith are very well done.
The dialogue is realistic. One can hear the characters voices—"'Do you honestly think I have so little to occupy my time that I would have called for a second opinion if I didn't think it was necessary?" 'What do you need me for.' 'Well, not for your sparkling wit and winning personality,' she murmured…". The imagery is equally good—"He nodded to the young bullocks occupying the neighboring field. Large chestnut-coloured animals who had gathered about fifteen yards away to watch the interlopers, blowing out noisy breaths as they shuffled their feet and nudged each other like big stupid kids on a dare."
Having one mystery solved early in the story is unusual, but really well done. The "who" is clear, but not the "why." Learning the "why" is what takes the plot down many a twisted road with characters different from those one has previously seen. Getting to know Grace by seeing her through Nick's eyes is nicely done. At the same time, one also learns about Nick and his situation. Sharp's characters are very real in that they all, some more than others, have baggage. Many are characters which will make one very uncomfortable, yet they make one continually curious as to how events will all fit together.
The detailed description of what literally happens when one fires a weapon becomes almost visual. It is certainly not something thought about by most people, and it's fascinating. Sharp not only places her characters in dicey situations but takes one along with them—"So here he was, trudging up a rough field in the dark, dressed head to foot in black from his watch-cap to his boots. Tucked inside his jacket were a slim jemmy and a lock-pick set, either of which would have earned him a trip to the cells if he was caught with them. Hell, he would have arrested himself."
This is the type of book where, if one must put it down, it stays in one's mind until it can be picked up again. However, it's really a book one wants to read uninterrupted. There are several different themes at play, beyond the murders, which are extremely well done. Sharp does a wonderful job of escalating the tension and suspense. Moreover, she creates within the reader emotions of both outrage and sympathy toward a single character and has created an ending filled with possibilities. Although written as a standalone, one really does want to know where these characters go next.
"Dancing on the Grave" is an excellent read which deals with the psychology of the characters as well as the forensics of the crimes. It is both suspenseful and disquieting, clearly demonstrating Sharp's true skill as a writer.
DANCING ON THE GRAVE (Pol Proc-CSI Grace McColl/DC Nick Weston-England-Contemp) - Ex
Sharp, Zoë – Standalone
ZACE, Ltd. – June 2018
Newly-qualified crime scene investigator Grace McColl is trying to prove herself after making a disastrous mistake on a previous case. Detective Constable Nick Weston has just been transferred to the Lake District after nearly dying during an investigation in London. Neither of them can understand why they've been called out on a dog having been shot except for the presence of the wife of a local MEP (Member of the European Parliament). Upon examining the dog, it's clear the shooter wasn't the local farmer. But why is there a trained sniper in the area, and who was the real target?
It is difficult to say much about this book without giving away spoilers. My best recommendation is to read it cold without having looked at any information about the plot, impossible as that may be. And so…
An excellent opening is one which compels one to continue reading. Zoe Sharp has accomplished that goal in spades with her new standalone which is a remarkable combination of police procedural and psychological thriller.
The initial crime is unexpected, but through it we meet a number of important characters. The introductions to CSI Grace McColl, DC Nick Weston, Special Constable Jim Airey and his daughter Edith are very well done.
The dialogue is realistic. One can hear the characters voices—"'Do you honestly think I have so little to occupy my time that I would have called for a second opinion if I didn't think it was necessary?" 'What do you need me for.' 'Well, not for your sparkling wit and winning personality,' she murmured…". The imagery is equally good—"He nodded to the young bullocks occupying the neighboring field. Large chestnut-coloured animals who had gathered about fifteen yards away to watch the interlopers, blowing out noisy breaths as they shuffled their feet and nudged each other like big stupid kids on a dare."
Having one mystery solved early in the story is unusual, but really well done. The "who" is clear, but not the "why." Learning the "why" is what takes the plot down many a twisted road with characters different from those one has previously seen. Getting to know Grace by seeing her through Nick's eyes is nicely done. At the same time, one also learns about Nick and his situation. Sharp's characters are very real in that they all, some more than others, have baggage. Many are characters which will make one very uncomfortable, yet they make one continually curious as to how events will all fit together.
The detailed description of what literally happens when one fires a weapon becomes almost visual. It is certainly not something thought about by most people, and it's fascinating. Sharp not only places her characters in dicey situations but takes one along with them—"So here he was, trudging up a rough field in the dark, dressed head to foot in black from his watch-cap to his boots. Tucked inside his jacket were a slim jemmy and a lock-pick set, either of which would have earned him a trip to the cells if he was caught with them. Hell, he would have arrested himself."
This is the type of book where, if one must put it down, it stays in one's mind until it can be picked up again. However, it's really a book one wants to read uninterrupted. There are several different themes at play, beyond the murders, which are extremely well done. Sharp does a wonderful job of escalating the tension and suspense. Moreover, she creates within the reader emotions of both outrage and sympathy toward a single character and has created an ending filled with possibilities. Although written as a standalone, one really does want to know where these characters go next.
"Dancing on the Grave" is an excellent read which deals with the psychology of the characters as well as the forensics of the crimes. It is both suspenseful and disquieting, clearly demonstrating Sharp's true skill as a writer.
DANCING ON THE GRAVE (Pol Proc-CSI Grace McColl/DC Nick Weston-England-Contemp) - Ex
Sharp, Zoë – Standalone
ZACE, Ltd. – June 2018
June 29, 2018
I am ashamed to say that this is the first book I have read by this author. (Hangs my head in shame) I will certainly be reading more though, having read and loved this one.
Admittedly I did worry at the beginning when the police are called out to a shooting which involved a dead dog. Obviously as an animal lover, I was horrified that anyone could shoot an animal but was it really a case for the police? It certainly had me intrigued though as to where the author was going to take the readers from that point on wards.
Well I didn't have to worry as what follows is a complex and enthralling read that had me on the edge of my seat. If anything, I love how the author plays with the reader. Giving them a false sense of security that you believe you are in for a tame crime story only to literally have the rug pulled from under you, leaving you breathless as to what is happening.
I really enjoyed the working relationship between Grace and Nick. It takes a while for the pair to warm to each other but they eventually get there. Grace is quite stand offish, I think in a relatively male dominated area, Grace has had to put up a front giving the wrong impression to people that she is a bit of an ice queen. She is strong in her beliefs and I enjoyed seeing her stand up to her peers. It certainly makes for some entertaining reading.
Nick was someone I instantly took to. Yes he has issues in his family life, which detective in a crime book doesn't? He is quite laid back compared to Grace yet eager to get the job done. The differences between the two make for some compelling reading.
For me though, the shining star that topped the whole story off is the character Edith. I can't say to much about her but her journey had me pounding through the pages to see what was going to happen next.
Dancing On The Grave is a dark, tense read that caught me off guard. The author takes us on an exhilarating ride full of twists and turns that had me clinging on to every word. Brilliant book and highly recommend it.
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Admittedly I did worry at the beginning when the police are called out to a shooting which involved a dead dog. Obviously as an animal lover, I was horrified that anyone could shoot an animal but was it really a case for the police? It certainly had me intrigued though as to where the author was going to take the readers from that point on wards.
Well I didn't have to worry as what follows is a complex and enthralling read that had me on the edge of my seat. If anything, I love how the author plays with the reader. Giving them a false sense of security that you believe you are in for a tame crime story only to literally have the rug pulled from under you, leaving you breathless as to what is happening.
I really enjoyed the working relationship between Grace and Nick. It takes a while for the pair to warm to each other but they eventually get there. Grace is quite stand offish, I think in a relatively male dominated area, Grace has had to put up a front giving the wrong impression to people that she is a bit of an ice queen. She is strong in her beliefs and I enjoyed seeing her stand up to her peers. It certainly makes for some entertaining reading.
Nick was someone I instantly took to. Yes he has issues in his family life, which detective in a crime book doesn't? He is quite laid back compared to Grace yet eager to get the job done. The differences between the two make for some compelling reading.
For me though, the shining star that topped the whole story off is the character Edith. I can't say to much about her but her journey had me pounding through the pages to see what was going to happen next.
Dancing On The Grave is a dark, tense read that caught me off guard. The author takes us on an exhilarating ride full of twists and turns that had me clinging on to every word. Brilliant book and highly recommend it.
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 20, 2026
4.5 ☆
These were bold, even potentially noble, words until one notes who uttered them. For another former soldier had observed that the first speaker was
Then there was Edth, an anorexic teen struggling with her grasp of reality and desperately desirous of recognition and notoriety.
In Dancing On The Grave, Zoë Sharp delivered a powerful psychological thriller. This is the kind of police procedural that could captivate my attention and make me ponder about the themes Sharp raised even days after I finished the novel.
This was death by his own design, a plan born of loyalty, sealed in blood, where a man's word, once given, was unbreakable.
These were bold, even potentially noble, words until one notes who uttered them. For another former soldier had observed that the first speaker was
someone at odds with whatever remained of his humanity, and perhaps in danger of losing his grip on it altogether.
Then there was Edth, an anorexic teen struggling with her grasp of reality and desperately desirous of recognition and notoriety.
You're never going to be famous, Edith, and you can wish for it all you want but it isn't going to happen. Things like that don't happen for people like us.
In Dancing On The Grave, Zoë Sharp delivered a powerful psychological thriller. This is the kind of police procedural that could captivate my attention and make me ponder about the themes Sharp raised even days after I finished the novel.
June 13, 2018
I was thrilled when Zoë Sharp, who is one of my favourite authors, asked if I would like to read an advance copy of her latest standalone. Well it's way past my bedtime, but I couldn't not finish it tonight, it's that good. I thought the name Grace McColl was familiar, and it turns out she featured in a brilliant short story, published several years ago, called Tell Me, which I will be rereading soon. This is set in the beautiful English Lake District, but was inspired by the Washington sniper case of 2002, according to the author's blog.
So, how to summarise without spoilers? A former army sniper, with vengeance on his mind, is shocked when the first bullet is fired by a skinny teenage girl. Desperately lonely Edith, only child of a dull ineffectual mother, and loutish gun-obsessed father, lives in a fantasy world inspired by old black & white spy movies, and longs for fame. When she meets the sniper, she believes she's found love at last, and, fearful that she will give him away otherwise, he lets her join him on his mission. Detective Nick Weston, who moved from London to Cumbria after an undercover operation went wrong, leaving him injured, only to have his partner walk out on him with their child, and Grace, junior CSI, meet at the first crime scene, and are drawn further into the case with each killing. The blurb mentions something about a mistake which cost a life, but this is not mentioned in the book, that I recall.
Right from the start, the tension here comes from not knowing who the next victim will be - which would be the very real fear of anyone living in an area with a sniper on the loose. There are appealing characters, and awful ones, but the irony is that, at least in the beginning, both Edith and Patrick's experiences merit sympathy, which turns to revulsion as they start murdering innocents.
I was reminded of the Aerosmith song "Janie's Got a Gun" (although there is no sexual abuse as a motive here, don't worry). I loved Grace as a heroine - cool, super-smart, and brave, but also kind. She has a history, but she's not damaged, which makes a nice change. She also has a great dog.
I really enjoyed all the forensic details which seem very well researched. Nick also makes an appealing grumpy hero, and I enjoyed the building attraction between them, without the plot becoming a romance story in any way. I definitely hope there will be more books about them in future, as there are several threads and characters that could be taken further.
I have only really ever driven through the Lake District once, but the evocative descriptions definitely made me want to go back one day, ideally not when a sniper's on the loose. I'm not sure I needed quite so many descriptions of all the guns, but given they are an essential part of the plot, can understand it.
I liked that we got to see the point of view of many different characters, and this gave the book a completely different feel to the Charlie Fox novels. The ending was cleverly done, especially the final twist.
Thanks again for the ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
So, how to summarise without spoilers? A former army sniper, with vengeance on his mind, is shocked when the first bullet is fired by a skinny teenage girl. Desperately lonely Edith, only child of a dull ineffectual mother, and loutish gun-obsessed father, lives in a fantasy world inspired by old black & white spy movies, and longs for fame. When she meets the sniper, she believes she's found love at last, and, fearful that she will give him away otherwise, he lets her join him on his mission. Detective Nick Weston, who moved from London to Cumbria after an undercover operation went wrong, leaving him injured, only to have his partner walk out on him with their child, and Grace, junior CSI, meet at the first crime scene, and are drawn further into the case with each killing. The blurb mentions something about a mistake which cost a life, but this is not mentioned in the book, that I recall.
Right from the start, the tension here comes from not knowing who the next victim will be - which would be the very real fear of anyone living in an area with a sniper on the loose. There are appealing characters, and awful ones, but the irony is that, at least in the beginning, both Edith and Patrick's experiences merit sympathy, which turns to revulsion as they start murdering innocents.
I was reminded of the Aerosmith song "Janie's Got a Gun" (although there is no sexual abuse as a motive here, don't worry). I loved Grace as a heroine - cool, super-smart, and brave, but also kind. She has a history, but she's not damaged, which makes a nice change. She also has a great dog.
I really enjoyed all the forensic details which seem very well researched. Nick also makes an appealing grumpy hero, and I enjoyed the building attraction between them, without the plot becoming a romance story in any way. I definitely hope there will be more books about them in future, as there are several threads and characters that could be taken further.
I have only really ever driven through the Lake District once, but the evocative descriptions definitely made me want to go back one day, ideally not when a sniper's on the loose. I'm not sure I needed quite so many descriptions of all the guns, but given they are an essential part of the plot, can understand it.
I liked that we got to see the point of view of many different characters, and this gave the book a completely different feel to the Charlie Fox novels. The ending was cleverly done, especially the final twist.
Thanks again for the ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2018
Ooooooh-eeeee! What an incredible treat it was to read this action-packed thriller! Set in Cumbria/the Lake District, the reader is taken on a whirlwind ride of retribution, fear, manipulation, vulnerability, conflict, truth, mental health issues, vengeance, lost souls and the search for the truth. I bloody LOVED it!
The opening… WOW … talk about taking no prisoners! But this is what you get when it comes to Zoe Sharp – sharp in name but also in writing! Told from various POV’s, this was a fast-paced plot with a wonderfully believable and engaging narrative, interesting characters and descriptions that have you right in the heart of the Lake District. Tension-filled, addictive and compelling – it is no wonder that I found myself a new series to follow! (I know the blurb on amazon describes it as a standalone … but OMFG…this NEEDS to be a series!
Character-wise I found myself totally invested in the majority of peeps we meet along the way! CSI Grace McColl – erm…LOVE her! Wary, determined, committed, intelligent, stubborn at times – despite her backstory, which we get a glimpse of, it was refreshing to see a non-cliched character that drew me in. Don’t get me wrong, I may be one of the few crime-fiction readers who loves a fantastically flawed/cliche character …but it wouldn’t work for Grace and I loved that the author made that revelation through this character’s voice.
DC Nick Weston – holy sexual-tension Batman! I adored the banter between Nick and Grace where the two verged on a bit of romance, but not in the “I don’t want to read about this sense”. It worked! And I want more! Something in this guys past has landed him in Cumbria and he is not very welcome by his police colleagues. The portrayal of him as an outsider was perfect and I felt the tension in the room each time he was around those who felt he did not belong. I think there is a lot more to this character and hope we get to find out more in future books. (There I go again with the hints…#makethisaseries)
Although there are so many more well-developed and interesting characters, the last one I will mention is Edith – for the rest, you’ll have to buy/read the book yourself! Edith has low self-esteem, which seems to grow in the presence of her not-so-great parents. A stroppy teen with something dangerous lurking beneath the surface. It was hard to know whether to feel sorry for her or whether to dislike her…I have to admit, I was torn – still am…but by GOD was she intriguing!
Would I recommend this book? Erm- hellooooo! My review should tell you the answer to that but in case I wasn’t clear …Hell FRIGGIN’ Yeah I do! An action-packed crime thriller, mixed with procedural that will have you racing through the pages – this taut, terrifying and superbly tantalising novel will have you desperate for more!
The opening… WOW … talk about taking no prisoners! But this is what you get when it comes to Zoe Sharp – sharp in name but also in writing! Told from various POV’s, this was a fast-paced plot with a wonderfully believable and engaging narrative, interesting characters and descriptions that have you right in the heart of the Lake District. Tension-filled, addictive and compelling – it is no wonder that I found myself a new series to follow! (I know the blurb on amazon describes it as a standalone … but OMFG…this NEEDS to be a series!
Character-wise I found myself totally invested in the majority of peeps we meet along the way! CSI Grace McColl – erm…LOVE her! Wary, determined, committed, intelligent, stubborn at times – despite her backstory, which we get a glimpse of, it was refreshing to see a non-cliched character that drew me in. Don’t get me wrong, I may be one of the few crime-fiction readers who loves a fantastically flawed/cliche character …but it wouldn’t work for Grace and I loved that the author made that revelation through this character’s voice.
DC Nick Weston – holy sexual-tension Batman! I adored the banter between Nick and Grace where the two verged on a bit of romance, but not in the “I don’t want to read about this sense”. It worked! And I want more! Something in this guys past has landed him in Cumbria and he is not very welcome by his police colleagues. The portrayal of him as an outsider was perfect and I felt the tension in the room each time he was around those who felt he did not belong. I think there is a lot more to this character and hope we get to find out more in future books. (There I go again with the hints…#makethisaseries)
Although there are so many more well-developed and interesting characters, the last one I will mention is Edith – for the rest, you’ll have to buy/read the book yourself! Edith has low self-esteem, which seems to grow in the presence of her not-so-great parents. A stroppy teen with something dangerous lurking beneath the surface. It was hard to know whether to feel sorry for her or whether to dislike her…I have to admit, I was torn – still am…but by GOD was she intriguing!
Would I recommend this book? Erm- hellooooo! My review should tell you the answer to that but in case I wasn’t clear …Hell FRIGGIN’ Yeah I do! An action-packed crime thriller, mixed with procedural that will have you racing through the pages – this taut, terrifying and superbly tantalising novel will have you desperate for more!
January 2, 2020
Really enjoyed this book on so many levels, so hoping that Zoe Sharp continues this series. Lots of characters to like and dislike (immensely).
From the Blurb: There's a killer on the loose in the Lake District, and the calm of an English summer is shattered. For newly qualified crime-scene investigator Grace McColl, it's both the start of a nightmare and the chance to prove herself after a mistake that cost a life. For detective constable Nick Weston, recently transferred from London, it's an opportunity to recover his nerve after a disastrous undercover operation that left him for dead. And for a lonely, loveless teenage girl, Edith, it's the start of a twisted fantasy - one she never dreamed might come true.
From the Blurb: There's a killer on the loose in the Lake District, and the calm of an English summer is shattered. For newly qualified crime-scene investigator Grace McColl, it's both the start of a nightmare and the chance to prove herself after a mistake that cost a life. For detective constable Nick Weston, recently transferred from London, it's an opportunity to recover his nerve after a disastrous undercover operation that left him for dead. And for a lonely, loveless teenage girl, Edith, it's the start of a twisted fantasy - one she never dreamed might come true.
August 23, 2018
This was a compelling thriller, with a few mini-mysteries embedded. I'm not usually a fan of multiple perspectives, but this author handled it deftly. The story takes place north of Manchester England up toward Scotland, and the English terms and quirks are evident, they didn't distract me. There were very few "normal" people, as most carried baggage or damaged souls. However, there was humor, sarcasm, and oblivious arrogance, which gave texture to the convoluted plot.
I didn't really like the distraction of the young woman, but she connected the various segments together, and really only weakened the ending.
I didn't really like the distraction of the young woman, but she connected the various segments together, and really only weakened the ending.
April 19, 2019
"Louie I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." The famous words Bogey spoke to Claude Rains in the final scene of Casablanca can be aptly applied to the protagonists DC Nick Weston and CSI Grace McColl in this well written English police thriller. Please Ms. Sharp May we have some more?
January 1, 2020
Loved this. Newly minted CSI Grace McColl and disgraced and disgruntled detective Nick Weston pair up to hunt down a killer with incredible sniper skills. I was riveted to this book (when I got the chance during holidays) from the start. I do hope this is the beginning of a series because I've already become quite attached to Grace and Nick. Secondary characters are well drawn and I do love a killer in plain site.
Great finish to my 2019 reads.
Great finish to my 2019 reads.
Want to Read
October 31, 2021Dnf.
June 21, 2020
ANOTHER GREAT FEMALE LEAD
I recently finished reading Dancing on the Grave by Zoe Sharp, one of my most favorite authors. (First of all, I know I’m behind the curve as Ms. Sharp has just released the second entry in the Weston Lakes Trilogy, Bones in the River. But it’s next on my to-read list.) I’ve come to love Sharp’s work for her outstanding portrayal of strong female characters. Her kick-ass Charlie Fox (of the outstanding Charlie Fox series, which stands at thirteen now!) is one of my favorites and I can think of no fictional character I’ve rather have for personal protection than this smart, strong, savvy British woman. In Dancing on the Grave, Sharp gives readers Grace McColl, another strong female protagonist, with her own secrets and checkered past as well as many strengths. As I read the novel, I could easily see the depth of the character and was hardly surprised when the author chose to expand the narrative arc to include other stories. In particular, two things stand out with this work as I read. First, the inciting incident is quite unusual, and a little risky. Rather than begin with a conventional murder, the story opens with the shooting of a dog, a pet of an influential citizen who demands police attention. Still, the author does a masterful job of using this event to spin a broader story about class, war, PTSD, and of course murder. Clearly, it was worth the risk.
The second piece that riveted my attention was the creation of Edith Airey, the sixteen-year-old waif that somehow gets entangled in the larger mystery and with the antagonist in the tale. Like many of Sharp’ fictional women, Edith is another strong female character, though not in a positive sense. The author showed remarkable insight into the mind of a troubled young woman whose conditions in life might lead her to be captivated by the allure of dangerous characters. Hats off to the crafting of a truly credible and sometimes creepy female character.
Of course, now I need to get the second book in the series, Bones in the River, if only to see what Zoe Sharp will have Grace deal with in this go round and I recommend other readers to do the same.
I recently finished reading Dancing on the Grave by Zoe Sharp, one of my most favorite authors. (First of all, I know I’m behind the curve as Ms. Sharp has just released the second entry in the Weston Lakes Trilogy, Bones in the River. But it’s next on my to-read list.) I’ve come to love Sharp’s work for her outstanding portrayal of strong female characters. Her kick-ass Charlie Fox (of the outstanding Charlie Fox series, which stands at thirteen now!) is one of my favorites and I can think of no fictional character I’ve rather have for personal protection than this smart, strong, savvy British woman. In Dancing on the Grave, Sharp gives readers Grace McColl, another strong female protagonist, with her own secrets and checkered past as well as many strengths. As I read the novel, I could easily see the depth of the character and was hardly surprised when the author chose to expand the narrative arc to include other stories. In particular, two things stand out with this work as I read. First, the inciting incident is quite unusual, and a little risky. Rather than begin with a conventional murder, the story opens with the shooting of a dog, a pet of an influential citizen who demands police attention. Still, the author does a masterful job of using this event to spin a broader story about class, war, PTSD, and of course murder. Clearly, it was worth the risk.
The second piece that riveted my attention was the creation of Edith Airey, the sixteen-year-old waif that somehow gets entangled in the larger mystery and with the antagonist in the tale. Like many of Sharp’ fictional women, Edith is another strong female character, though not in a positive sense. The author showed remarkable insight into the mind of a troubled young woman whose conditions in life might lead her to be captivated by the allure of dangerous characters. Hats off to the crafting of a truly credible and sometimes creepy female character.
Of course, now I need to get the second book in the series, Bones in the River, if only to see what Zoe Sharp will have Grace deal with in this go round and I recommend other readers to do the same.
July 23, 2018
Fans of Charlie Foxe will not be disappointed in this standalone thriller by Zoe Sharp. There's clever, diligent CSI Grace McColl to root for, and a cast of other finely-wrought characters wrapped inside a clever plot full of twists and turns. The Lake District setting is lovely, a real contrast to the darkness at the heart of this novel, and yet, despite all the carnage there's a sense of justice here, too. Overall a thrilling read!
August 8, 2018
Wow. Beautifully paced, lovely prose (descriptive without being flowery), compelling characters and a plot that reels you in. A great read!
July 22, 2019
A well-paced police procedural with some interesting characters and credible plot. I have never read any of Zoe Sharp's books before, but shall certainly look out for them.
July 3, 2018
Excellent standalone novel from Zoë Sharp, writer of the Charlie Fox series
I was quickly totally absorbed in the lives of all of the characters - all well rounded individuals. The storyline was new and exciting. The pace was perfect as the tension built up. I wish I cod read it for the first time all over again. I couldn't put it down!
Put simply, I loved it! 5 worthy stars!
I was quickly totally absorbed in the lives of all of the characters - all well rounded individuals. The storyline was new and exciting. The pace was perfect as the tension built up. I wish I cod read it for the first time all over again. I couldn't put it down!
Put simply, I loved it! 5 worthy stars!
August 3, 2018
In one of the most beautiful corners of England,
Something very ugly is about to take place…
A sniper with a mission…
a young cop with nothing to lose…
a CSI with everything to prove…
a teenage girl with a terrifying obsession…
If you have read any of my blog posts in the past, you will be aware that I am a fan of Zoe Sharp and a stalker of Charlie Fox the protagonist in her series. If you haven't made contact with Charlie, I strongly recommend you do so now.
And now I have been given an advance copy of Zoe's latest novel, a standalone called Dancing on the Grave.
"An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: 'Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.'" So says master storyteller, Stephen King.
And the opening line in Dancing on the Grave by Zoe Sharp certainly does this. Her opening line? It is a bad day to die...a perfect one to kill.
There's a sniper on the loose in this most peaceful part of England. A picturesque village where peace and friendship reign, well almost always.
There are the usual class factions and the associated disagreements and antagonisms. This is brought to the fore when a dog belonging to an army Major and close friend of Angela Inglis, the "Lady of the Manor" is shot, after killing several lambs belonging to a local farmer.
While this is not in itself, a case for police involvement, Detective Constable Nick Weston, and CSI Grace McColl are called to the scene and quickly determine that the shooter has used a long-range rifle, and as it is long-range they also agree that there is a trained sniper on the loose.
Grace McColl, young, intelligent and smart. Newly qualified as a CSI, able to hold her own in a man's world, is settled in her place in the Cumbria Constabulary arena, while Nick who is newly arrived from London after an undercover operation went wrong, is having a hard time settling in with his colleagues. He is also going through a hard time as his partner has moved out taking their child with her. And as the new face in the office, when sending him to the crime scene, his colleagues omit to mention that the victim has four legs and a tail - of course, he is expecting a murder scene.
These two meet and though it is not attraction, indeed they rub each other up the wrong way almost from the first meeting where she is cool and perhaps, detached while he is hung over and angry at the trick having been played upon him. However, they quickly form a close working relationship and come to recognise each other’s competence and particular abilities.
While these two are the main characters, the other characters are well written and totally believable. I'm sure we have all either known or have read of a man like Major Frederickson. So arrogant and sure of himself and his place in the world. Is he the sniper's target?
Angela Inglis, the MEP's wife, who feels she is most certainly a cut above the rest. She is particularly cruel to Edith who has been wrongly accused of theft and fired from her work in the house. Her husband is regularly in the news. So is she the target?
The Special Constable Jim Airey, to whom I took an instant dislike is a bull, a lout who throws his weight around and is dreadful to both his ineffectual wife and his daughter. No love from him for his family.
Edith, the daughter, really only wants to be loved, to be noticed and perhaps someday become famous.
The sniper is well drawn. Patrick Bardwell, an ex-army sniper with vengeance on his mind and somehow he and Edith form a pair, he as the shooter she as his spotter. She is convinced she has found love, at last. They create mayhem and fear as they continue the killings and murder of innocents.
And the minor characters, the young impressionable police constable, Danny Robertson; Nick's ex-boss Matthew Mercer, now a member of Counter Terrorism Command and a friend of Angela Inglis,; Richard Sibson Grace's boss. All are well described and thoroughly believable. Ian Hogg is immediately recognisable - a man who was ordained an army chaplain, injured in the Balkans and returned to take over the family farm after the death of his brother. It is on his farm that Bardwell has set up home.
Of course, there is much about the beautiful Lake District setting and we feel drawn to this lovely area. We are reminded of the killings in Dunblane, Hungerford, and Cumbria. Reminders that crime and violence can exist in the most peaceful of settings. The fear of a shooter in their midst is perhaps more paralysing in a peaceful rural area than in a busy metropolitan area/town. But who knows?
The tension mounts as we go through the book. Are the killers caught? Does Edith find real love and fame? The only way for you to find out how it ends is to read it yourself.
I strongly recommend this book and hope that Zoe will listen to all the pleas for this to be only the first in a new series.
I should also like to thank Zoe Sharp for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy - I loved it.
July 27, 2018
I loved Fox Hunter when I read it last year despite not having read any of the other books in Zoë Sharp's Charlie Fox series and so I was intrigued to read her latest standalone thriller, Dancing On The Grave. The book opens with a sniper about to take a shot; seconds later his intended victim has been killed - but he didn't pull the trigger. This quiet corner of England is about to be shattered by a murderous rampage but first Crime Scene Investigator, Grace McColl has been called to examine the scene of what at first appears to be a straightforward case when a German Shepherd Dog is shot after massacring a field of sheep. Farmers are well within their rights to shoot dogs which are worrying their animals but the owner of this flock claims it wasn't him and the evidence backs him up. Detective Constable Nick Weston is dispatched to the scene of the crime - and as the new face in the office, his colleagues omit to mention that the victim has four legs and a tail. This first meeting between Grace and Nick doesn't have an auspicious start; she is cool and detached, he is hungover and angry. However, the pair quickly grow to respect one another, they are both outsiders and though he relies on instinct while she prefers physical evidence, they are both determined characters with pasts which mean they have something to prove as others wait for them to slip up.
The clever plot is intricately woven with the narrative told from multiple points of view and each character brings something important to the proceedings, particularly the aforementioned McColl and Weston. Grace is methodical and resolute in a male dominated profession and Nick's integrity is never in doubt despite his traumatic past and current personal and professional problems. They becomes steadfast allies to one another and the sparks that fly between the two are almost palpable. The other most important characters are the sniper whose true target remains ambiguous for much of the book as he exacts a deadly revenge in the beautiful Lake District, and perhaps most poignantly Edith, who is hard to like but desperately needs to be loved. Some characters are easy to dislike; Nick's boss, Mercer is an arrogant case in point as is Grace's fellow CSI, the misogynistic Blenkinship, and Edith's father, Jim is a truly despicable individual who I desperately hoped would get his comeuppance. The sniper and Edith are both damaged by their pasts and though I was chilled to the bone by their inner voices as much as their actions, I felt some sympathy for them despite everything that happens.
Zoë Sharp considers some important themes as she examines the devastating impact of trauma on vulnerable individuals - how we can expect those who are trained to become ruthless killers to ever return to society and at a time when that society is perhaps more celebrity obsessed than ever, is it any wonder that those who are most dispossessed will do anything to feel loved? The atmospheric Lake District setting and the references to the mass killings in Hungerford, Dunblane and Cumbria is a poignant reminder that it's often been the small towns and communities which have suffered the paralysing fear of a shooter in their midst, their sense of peace violently shattered.
Dancing On The Grave is everything I'm looking for in an action thriller - the exhilarating pace is driven by the changing narrative perspectives with each voice clearly defined, the drama is compelling, characterisation superb and the perplexing mystery sits well alongside a thoughtful exploration into what drives people to commit such terrible acts. Zoë Sharp is now firmly on my list of must-read authors, I'd love it if this standalone becomes a series but I'll be devouring whatever she writes next.
The clever plot is intricately woven with the narrative told from multiple points of view and each character brings something important to the proceedings, particularly the aforementioned McColl and Weston. Grace is methodical and resolute in a male dominated profession and Nick's integrity is never in doubt despite his traumatic past and current personal and professional problems. They becomes steadfast allies to one another and the sparks that fly between the two are almost palpable. The other most important characters are the sniper whose true target remains ambiguous for much of the book as he exacts a deadly revenge in the beautiful Lake District, and perhaps most poignantly Edith, who is hard to like but desperately needs to be loved. Some characters are easy to dislike; Nick's boss, Mercer is an arrogant case in point as is Grace's fellow CSI, the misogynistic Blenkinship, and Edith's father, Jim is a truly despicable individual who I desperately hoped would get his comeuppance. The sniper and Edith are both damaged by their pasts and though I was chilled to the bone by their inner voices as much as their actions, I felt some sympathy for them despite everything that happens.
Zoë Sharp considers some important themes as she examines the devastating impact of trauma on vulnerable individuals - how we can expect those who are trained to become ruthless killers to ever return to society and at a time when that society is perhaps more celebrity obsessed than ever, is it any wonder that those who are most dispossessed will do anything to feel loved? The atmospheric Lake District setting and the references to the mass killings in Hungerford, Dunblane and Cumbria is a poignant reminder that it's often been the small towns and communities which have suffered the paralysing fear of a shooter in their midst, their sense of peace violently shattered.
Dancing On The Grave is everything I'm looking for in an action thriller - the exhilarating pace is driven by the changing narrative perspectives with each voice clearly defined, the drama is compelling, characterisation superb and the perplexing mystery sits well alongside a thoughtful exploration into what drives people to commit such terrible acts. Zoë Sharp is now firmly on my list of must-read authors, I'd love it if this standalone becomes a series but I'll be devouring whatever she writes next.
August 19, 2018
Actually 4.5 stars.
Obviously, I really liked this terrifically written book and would strongly recommend it and the writer Zoe Sharp whom I have never read before.
The plot deals with a sniper and with his effect on an otherwise idyllic Lake District town.
Two of the protagonist/narrative voices are a great combination of vulnerability and strength. They are DC Nick Weston and Forensic specialist Grace McColl. While this might read as a blurb for a romantic suspense novel, here it is beautifully underplayed and by no means drives the plot.
The distinctive voice is of Edith, a farm girl who seduces herself into fantasies of becoming a famous sniper while actually becoming the handmaiden of the actual sniper who himself is a damaged ex-soldier with a personal and what he sees as a heroic agenda.
As far as I can make out the title of the book Dancing on the Grave refers to Edith and the cruel fate life and she have brought upon herself and others.
Your appreciation of this book will lie with how you feel about Edith as an unreliable narrator. I found myself to be ambivalent and hence the 4.5 stars. Her self- narrative while being full of pathos leads to, as always, some questions about the plot and the reliability of the pathos itself.
Incidentally, was Agatha Christie the first novelist to employ the unreliable narrator? And by this I mean in any form of fiction.
I am normally not a fan of standalone novels since by the time you come to like the protagonists the tale is over and sadly you will never meet them again. But I am happy that I was induced to read this book and am also left with a feeling that we will meet Weston and McColl again. Meanwhile like me you can happily look forward to reading Sharp’s Charlie Parker novels.
Obviously, I really liked this terrifically written book and would strongly recommend it and the writer Zoe Sharp whom I have never read before.
The plot deals with a sniper and with his effect on an otherwise idyllic Lake District town.
Two of the protagonist/narrative voices are a great combination of vulnerability and strength. They are DC Nick Weston and Forensic specialist Grace McColl. While this might read as a blurb for a romantic suspense novel, here it is beautifully underplayed and by no means drives the plot.
The distinctive voice is of Edith, a farm girl who seduces herself into fantasies of becoming a famous sniper while actually becoming the handmaiden of the actual sniper who himself is a damaged ex-soldier with a personal and what he sees as a heroic agenda.
As far as I can make out the title of the book Dancing on the Grave refers to Edith and the cruel fate life and she have brought upon herself and others.
Your appreciation of this book will lie with how you feel about Edith as an unreliable narrator. I found myself to be ambivalent and hence the 4.5 stars. Her self- narrative while being full of pathos leads to, as always, some questions about the plot and the reliability of the pathos itself.
Incidentally, was Agatha Christie the first novelist to employ the unreliable narrator? And by this I mean in any form of fiction.
I am normally not a fan of standalone novels since by the time you come to like the protagonists the tale is over and sadly you will never meet them again. But I am happy that I was induced to read this book and am also left with a feeling that we will meet Weston and McColl again. Meanwhile like me you can happily look forward to reading Sharp’s Charlie Parker novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2018
Give this a go if you like Happy Valley/Last Tango in Halifax/Harlen Coben/Lee Child/murder mysteries.
I'll read anything by Zoe Sharp--her mysteries/procedurals usually have strong kickass female main characters, and I love that in a field that's swamped with the other gender. This is a standalone though, and I wasn't sure if I would love it since it didn't have my fav character Charlie Fox. Instead I got Grace, who is a quieter woman, but strong and determined to be an excellent forensic investigator in the Lake District of England. She's got a bit of a past (ex-husband, job switch, difficult coworkers) and is forced to work with DC Nick Weston on a baffling case. A dog ends up shot, and then the people connected to the dog start dropping like flies. Really, they do, since a sniper is responsible. Turns out that there is a military connection (yes--I love military conspiracy stuff), and Grace and Nick must figure it all out.
I even loved the fleshed out secondary characters of Edith, a troubled teenager, and Patrick, the troubled sniper. Both had some serious stuff going on in their heads, yet I felt like I connected with them. I wouldn't mind seeing either Nick or Grace in another title--I like them and their friendship/understanding of each other.
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC of this title!
I'll read anything by Zoe Sharp--her mysteries/procedurals usually have strong kickass female main characters, and I love that in a field that's swamped with the other gender. This is a standalone though, and I wasn't sure if I would love it since it didn't have my fav character Charlie Fox. Instead I got Grace, who is a quieter woman, but strong and determined to be an excellent forensic investigator in the Lake District of England. She's got a bit of a past (ex-husband, job switch, difficult coworkers) and is forced to work with DC Nick Weston on a baffling case. A dog ends up shot, and then the people connected to the dog start dropping like flies. Really, they do, since a sniper is responsible. Turns out that there is a military connection (yes--I love military conspiracy stuff), and Grace and Nick must figure it all out.
I even loved the fleshed out secondary characters of Edith, a troubled teenager, and Patrick, the troubled sniper. Both had some serious stuff going on in their heads, yet I felt like I connected with them. I wouldn't mind seeing either Nick or Grace in another title--I like them and their friendship/understanding of each other.
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC of this title!
January 11, 2019
Two new characters I’m keen to spend more time with.
The action takes place in Cumbria and the Lake District, a part of the country the author is obviously familiar with and the landscape is almost a character in its own right.
Grace McColl and Nick Weston are at the centre of this action packed novel. Both are good characters although Grace is the more engaging. She is an inexperienced CSI who has to prove herself to more experienced colleagues. Despite her obvious competence, courage and clear thinking she sometimes finds it an uphill task.
Nick is an outsider who is trying to put his career back on track after a traumatic experience while working undercover in The Met. As a Detective Constable he has little control over the investigations he is assigned and his first encounter with Grace is at an incident he believes beneath him. The fact she appears to be a better detective than him doesn’t help.
She sees an angry young man hiding something in his past. Despite the inauspicious start their working relationship improves and they develop a grudging respect for each other.
The story moves at a cracking pace and the two main characters are supported by an impressive cast all of whom felt fleshed out.
Altogether a very enjoyable read and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series. Highly recommended.
The action takes place in Cumbria and the Lake District, a part of the country the author is obviously familiar with and the landscape is almost a character in its own right.
Grace McColl and Nick Weston are at the centre of this action packed novel. Both are good characters although Grace is the more engaging. She is an inexperienced CSI who has to prove herself to more experienced colleagues. Despite her obvious competence, courage and clear thinking she sometimes finds it an uphill task.
Nick is an outsider who is trying to put his career back on track after a traumatic experience while working undercover in The Met. As a Detective Constable he has little control over the investigations he is assigned and his first encounter with Grace is at an incident he believes beneath him. The fact she appears to be a better detective than him doesn’t help.
She sees an angry young man hiding something in his past. Despite the inauspicious start their working relationship improves and they develop a grudging respect for each other.
The story moves at a cracking pace and the two main characters are supported by an impressive cast all of whom felt fleshed out.
Altogether a very enjoyable read and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series. Highly recommended.
July 2, 2019
Now, I must say I am a total Zoë Sharp fan. So much so that I imported the proper ë to give her the correct spelling of her name. And this is one of her newer books. I need to say that I absolutely love the Charlie Fox character and am on tenter hooks waiting for August when the new one will be released.
Now to this book. We are used to a brilliant opening sentence and Zoë Sharp didn't disappoint. However, the rest of the book felt like - well, I hesitate to say so - it felt like a garden variety novel set in rural Britain with the usual mix of country bumpkins, misogynist top brass in the police force, patronizing males, weak females, and women who "should be dressed in nice clothes" and men who have trouble accepting that they can be forensic scientists. The forensic scientist in the book is a woman and she is not a very believable character. It takes years and years to become one and her of "privileged upbringing and not having to work housewife" one day decided to divorce her husband and become one. Not that easy and thus not that believable. The story was rather confusing with a load of side people who I had trouble staying on top of. Till the end I struggled to figure out who did the shooting and am still not sure. So there. I, a total fan of Zoë Sharp, did not like this one much. And I am very sad to say so. Because I really wanted to love it as much as the others.
Now to this book. We are used to a brilliant opening sentence and Zoë Sharp didn't disappoint. However, the rest of the book felt like - well, I hesitate to say so - it felt like a garden variety novel set in rural Britain with the usual mix of country bumpkins, misogynist top brass in the police force, patronizing males, weak females, and women who "should be dressed in nice clothes" and men who have trouble accepting that they can be forensic scientists. The forensic scientist in the book is a woman and she is not a very believable character. It takes years and years to become one and her of "privileged upbringing and not having to work housewife" one day decided to divorce her husband and become one. Not that easy and thus not that believable. The story was rather confusing with a load of side people who I had trouble staying on top of. Till the end I struggled to figure out who did the shooting and am still not sure. So there. I, a total fan of Zoë Sharp, did not like this one much. And I am very sad to say so. Because I really wanted to love it as much as the others.
October 28, 2020
I was itching to get into this book again prior to the next in the series coming out.
Something made me check the library catalogue and fortunately it was available for download.
I am not normally an audiobook user, though Lewis Hancock is an excellent narrator - I was able to listen easily (generally I lose patience or find the narrator too much) - though the story and the way it was read was really delightful.
It meant I could access the book during lockdown and after virtually seeing Zoë read one of the chapters that was so atmospheric and descriptive, I was so grateful to have both an excellent story with excellent narration.
It had been a while since I read the book and to hear it read so well was simply a bonus.
I had forgotten the twists and turns and intriguing aspects of the story and to engage with it in a medium I usually avoid was a treat.
Something made me check the library catalogue and fortunately it was available for download.
I am not normally an audiobook user, though Lewis Hancock is an excellent narrator - I was able to listen easily (generally I lose patience or find the narrator too much) - though the story and the way it was read was really delightful.
It meant I could access the book during lockdown and after virtually seeing Zoë read one of the chapters that was so atmospheric and descriptive, I was so grateful to have both an excellent story with excellent narration.
It had been a while since I read the book and to hear it read so well was simply a bonus.
I had forgotten the twists and turns and intriguing aspects of the story and to engage with it in a medium I usually avoid was a treat.
March 25, 2019
Love Zoe Sharp And everything she writes. She always has such kickass heroines, even when that is mentally more than physically. This has a complex murder plot involving the police, the military and what used to be known as special branch (now counter terrorism!?), for reasons found out towards the end. I found the detailed forensic descriptions really interesting but I can’t tell you how happy I was to read about the protective bootees, gloves and overall - a real pet peeve of mine re CSI tv programme! I did think there were a number of loose ends outstanding when the book ended but I suppose that is real life. A gripping suspense novel with unsentimental descriptions of a variety of damaged people, which left me with very divided loyalties - in fact vintage Zoe Sharp.
September 5, 2025
An engaging and compelling police procedural thriller, with a complex, tension-fuelled plot and a relationship between the two main characters, both painstaking in their attention to detail during investigations, as well as being, to some extent, outsiders in their respective teams. The story felt well-researched and, for the most part, credible. Although I now know that the author has written a series of books featuring Charlie Fox, in addition to some standalone stories, I hadn't been aware of this when, as I live in Cumbria, I was drawn to this book because of its Lake District/Cumbria setting. I now want to know more about these characters and how their relationship will develop so am about to start reading 'Bones in the River', #2 in the series!
July 23, 2018
I've read all of the Charlie Fox series to date, and was excited that the author was writing a standalone novel. It does not disappoint. The setting, plot, characters, and dialogue are all believable, easy to visualize, and keep the reader turning pages. I had a hard time putting the novel down. Really liked the relationships established between the characters, Grace McColl and Nick Weston, and the other characters (trying not to give spoilers) and the depth these added to the story.
August 7, 2020
I'm a huge fan of Zoë Sharp, and love the Charlie Fox series. I started off really liking this one, but there were a few things that bothered me. The detective who is new to the local force and distrusted is a familiar scenario. He is able to call on his own CSI as and when required. The besotted teenager. And a number of possible identities for the killer, with similar motives and grievances.
Just didn't seem as well thought out as usual, I hope the second in the series will be better.
Just didn't seem as well thought out as usual, I hope the second in the series will be better.
July 3, 2024
Great Read
Zoe Sharp is a new author for me and this is the first book of hers I've read. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next in this series. As someone who lives in Cumbria, it was great to read about places nearby. The characters are strong and relatable; for all her appalling acts, even Edith deserved some empathy. The storyline is strong and the book is well worth reading.
Zoe Sharp is a new author for me and this is the first book of hers I've read. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next in this series. As someone who lives in Cumbria, it was great to read about places nearby. The characters are strong and relatable; for all her appalling acts, even Edith deserved some empathy. The storyline is strong and the book is well worth reading.
July 5, 2018
Good solid procedural
Enjoyed the telling of this story. Nice police procedural, told from all viewpoints of the main players. I would read further adventures of Nick and Grace but would like a little more of the urgency of not necessarily knowing it will turn out right in the end to be present in the telling.
Enjoyed the telling of this story. Nice police procedural, told from all viewpoints of the main players. I would read further adventures of Nick and Grace but would like a little more of the urgency of not necessarily knowing it will turn out right in the end to be present in the telling.
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