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DS Coupland #7
When Darkness Falls
The body of a teenage girl is found two days after being reported missing. A discussion with the pathologist reveals that another girl was found in similar circumstances only her murder never made it into the press. When DS Kevin Coupland looks into the earlier case he finds out-dated views and social stereotyping have thwarted the investigation from the beginning.
Along with Acting DS Chris Ashcroft he lifts the lid on a world where victims are defined by their postcode, where certain crimes are written off as a ‘lifestyle.’ Yet beneath a layer of public indifference lies a world far darker than Coupland thought possible.
Just when Coupland thinks he’s getting closer to the perpetrators a child goes missing, blowing everything he thought he’d discovered out of the water.
The darkness keeps getting deeper…
Along with Acting DS Chris Ashcroft he lifts the lid on a world where victims are defined by their postcode, where certain crimes are written off as a ‘lifestyle.’ Yet beneath a layer of public indifference lies a world far darker than Coupland thought possible.
Just when Coupland thinks he’s getting closer to the perpetrators a child goes missing, blowing everything he thought he’d discovered out of the water.
The darkness keeps getting deeper…
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2020
40 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Emma Salisbury
28 books77 followersJoffe Books Prize 2024 Finalist. I write gritty, crime fiction that focuses on the 'why'dunnit as well as the 'who'. I worked for a housing association supporting socially excluded men and ex-offenders, which provided me with a lot of inspiration. Fans of BBC series Happy Valley should try both my Coupland and Ashcroft detective series for their unflinching realism and pace.
ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!
Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.
Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland. You can find out more on my website www.emmasalisbury.com and I can be found on Linktr.ee/Emma Salisbury
ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!
Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.
Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland. You can find out more on my website www.emmasalisbury.com and I can be found on Linktr.ee/Emma Salisbury
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 9, 2020
DS Coupland is definitely one of my favourite fictional detectives!
Although it’s not the main focus of the book, it was interesting to read about how the world of policing had been changed by coronavirus earlier in the year. Coupland muses on how their work was no longer dealing with drunks falling out of the pub and into fights, but instead there was an increase in domestic violence with people confined to their houses. There was also the increased challenge of witnesses and the police identifying suspects with everyone now wearing masks and looking like they’re off to rob a bank! The main investigation in this book is the murder of a teenage girl, Carly. When investigating her death, Coupland discovers that it bears many similarities to a previous murder and begins to look into a possible connection. Before long, he uncovers links to other crimes, ones which pose a serious threat to the young people of Salford.
This is a dark story and some of it makes for uncomfortable reading, delving as it does into the murky world of sex offenders and abuse. This isn’t because anything is described in graphic detail, but rather because it’s disturbing to realise that the kind of things which happen in the book do actually happen in real life.
I do enjoy that although DS Coupland is the lead character, we also get chapters from the points of view of several of the other characters. I also appreciate the insights into Coupland’s home life, particularly his tender relationship with his grandson ‘Tonto’, where we see the softer side to this tough detective.
When Darkness Falls is a gripping read, with plenty going on to hold your attention. There were some particularly tense chapters towards the end of the book as various investigations come together. With another child in danger, I was willing Coupland to catch the culprit in time, fairly confident that he would but also so anxious that he might not. This latest outing for DS Coupland does not disappoint and is sure to be enjoyed by fans of the series.
Although it’s not the main focus of the book, it was interesting to read about how the world of policing had been changed by coronavirus earlier in the year. Coupland muses on how their work was no longer dealing with drunks falling out of the pub and into fights, but instead there was an increase in domestic violence with people confined to their houses. There was also the increased challenge of witnesses and the police identifying suspects with everyone now wearing masks and looking like they’re off to rob a bank! The main investigation in this book is the murder of a teenage girl, Carly. When investigating her death, Coupland discovers that it bears many similarities to a previous murder and begins to look into a possible connection. Before long, he uncovers links to other crimes, ones which pose a serious threat to the young people of Salford.
This is a dark story and some of it makes for uncomfortable reading, delving as it does into the murky world of sex offenders and abuse. This isn’t because anything is described in graphic detail, but rather because it’s disturbing to realise that the kind of things which happen in the book do actually happen in real life.
I do enjoy that although DS Coupland is the lead character, we also get chapters from the points of view of several of the other characters. I also appreciate the insights into Coupland’s home life, particularly his tender relationship with his grandson ‘Tonto’, where we see the softer side to this tough detective.
When Darkness Falls is a gripping read, with plenty going on to hold your attention. There were some particularly tense chapters towards the end of the book as various investigations come together. With another child in danger, I was willing Coupland to catch the culprit in time, fairly confident that he would but also so anxious that he might not. This latest outing for DS Coupland does not disappoint and is sure to be enjoyed by fans of the series.
August 29, 2023
I’ve read all 9 of these books. They are set in Salford, Greater Manchester & I love that I can picture the actual places in my mind as I read.
I jumped back into the series here after reading the first 6 books a couple of years ago. It took a couple of chapters to remember where I was up to, then the story flew. It would work as a stand-alone but is better to read them all in my opinion. (Kindle unlimited). Roll on book 10!
I jumped back into the series here after reading the first 6 books a couple of years ago. It took a couple of chapters to remember where I was up to, then the story flew. It would work as a stand-alone but is better to read them all in my opinion. (Kindle unlimited). Roll on book 10!
July 30, 2021
This is the seventh book in a series and I have not read any of the others.....a mistake. The writing was sound and the plot believable but I've missed some of the character development from previous books and this made it harder to relate to. I also found the plot more suited to a TV series than a novel, but that is my opinion.
January 10, 2021
another page turner from Emma - her writing has an easy real narrative to it and she keeps the the procedural side of it real as are her characters. Highly recommended. In the end it turns out that...... well for that I am afraid you must read it yourself - enjoy
February 20, 2021
Brilliant read
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it will not be the last. Absolutely brilliant. Loved the characters of Coupland and Ashcroft. Without doubt the best book I’ve read in a long time.
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it will not be the last. Absolutely brilliant. Loved the characters of Coupland and Ashcroft. Without doubt the best book I’ve read in a long time.
December 8, 2020
#LoveCoupland
Gripping Thrilling and Heartbreaking all rolled into one amazing read.Emma Salisbury another fantastic case for my favourite Detective and team.
Gripping Thrilling and Heartbreaking all rolled into one amazing read.Emma Salisbury another fantastic case for my favourite Detective and team.
December 28, 2020
Another great Coupland story, really enjoyed it
May 3, 2025
Fantastic, coupland is a great character, love his attitude and humour, the book had so many twists ,I love reading about my home city .thank you for a great read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews