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DCI Matilda Darke #4
The Hangman’s Hold
Your life is in his hands.
In the gripping new serial killer thriller from Michael Wood, Matilda Darke faces a vicious killer pursuing his own brand of lethal justice. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Helen Fields.
There’s a killer in your house.
The Hangman waits in the darkness.
He knows your darkest secrets.
He’ll make you pay for all the crimes you have tried desperately to forget.
And he is closer than you think.
DCI Matilda Darke is running out of time. Fear is spreading throughout the city. As the body count rises, Matilda is targeted and her most trusted colleagues fall under suspicion. But can she keep those closest to her from harm? Or is it already too late?
In the gripping new serial killer thriller from Michael Wood, Matilda Darke faces a vicious killer pursuing his own brand of lethal justice. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Helen Fields.
There’s a killer in your house.
The Hangman waits in the darkness.
He knows your darkest secrets.
He’ll make you pay for all the crimes you have tried desperately to forget.
And he is closer than you think.
DCI Matilda Darke is running out of time. Fear is spreading throughout the city. As the body count rises, Matilda is targeted and her most trusted colleagues fall under suspicion. But can she keep those closest to her from harm? Or is it already too late?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2018
419 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
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August 8, 2018
Matilda Darke and her team have a new killer on their hands. A killer who seems to know how and where to locate his victims. He's smart, he's patient and lies in wait at the victim’s home waiting to serve as their executioner. You see, he feels that his victims have not paid enough for their crimes. He is a vigilante who has sentenced those he feels have not paid enough by death by hanging. This killer leaves no forensic evidence behind. and further taunts the police by contacting DCI Matilda Darke and a local journalist, Danny Hansen, who is more than eager to write about the murders using the information given to him by the vigilante.
Matilda is deeply drawn into the case as her best friend, Adele, had just gone on a date with the first victim of the Vigilante killer. Adele had a lovely time on her date and was shocked to learn that the man she had dinner with was a criminal who was found murdered in his home after their date. As the body count rises, Matilda struggles not only with solving the case but with a growing attraction to the expert hired to help provide a profile of the killer.
This book does have a lot of characters ranging from the many victims and their family members to new members on Matilda's team. I found it easy to keep track of them and did not feel that they bogged down the story. I found this to be very realistic. With any investigation, the police are going to need to speak to many people, so this rang very true and felt authentic.
When the profiler mentions that the killer may be someone that Matilda knows, the tension mounts. I liked how the detectives were torn with looking at their fellow officers with doubt and distrust. I like how they want to trust and believe in each other. They need to, they are each other's backup and trusting each other may make the difference between life and death.
I also liked the character development of Matilda as she struggles with feeling attracted to someone since the death of her husband and her inner turmoil over what that might mean. Her struggles over moving on and perhaps dating again.
Another thing I appreciated about this book was how it showed the dangers of vigilante justice. How people can get caught up in seeing people "get what they deserve". How quickly people will react especially in a group with the group mentality of "get him" I am specifically talking about a scene in the book where a crowd of people attack someone they are told is a killer who is in fact not a killer but they choose to believe a stranger and attack and beat without giving any second thought. What happens when you are wrong? What happens if innocent people get hurt? What gives someone the right to act as judge, jury and executioner?
This book also examines public opinion and how people can turn on those in their lives just for being associated with a criminal. A relative may be a heinous criminal but that does not make you one but now you have become a pariah when your connection to someone becomes known. This book shows the sad and heartbreaking ways, people treat others and the impact such treatment can have on an individual’s life.
I thought this book was a nice addition to the series, but it did lack a little bit of the page turning appeal of the previous books. There was just that little bit of magic missing that the previous books had. Usually while reading this series I-am-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-in-a-I-can't-put-this-book-down mode. While this book started and ended very strong, it did lag a little in the middle. I teetered between a 3.5 and 4-star rating but pushed my rating up to a 4 as I appreciate how Michael Wood tackled so many subjects - vigilante justice, judging others, police brotherhood, friendship, moving on after the loss of a loved one, friendship, etc.
Plus, the last couple of sentences in the book!!!!! I can’t wait for the next book in the series, again the last sentences........WHAT!?!
Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Matilda is deeply drawn into the case as her best friend, Adele, had just gone on a date with the first victim of the Vigilante killer. Adele had a lovely time on her date and was shocked to learn that the man she had dinner with was a criminal who was found murdered in his home after their date. As the body count rises, Matilda struggles not only with solving the case but with a growing attraction to the expert hired to help provide a profile of the killer.
This book does have a lot of characters ranging from the many victims and their family members to new members on Matilda's team. I found it easy to keep track of them and did not feel that they bogged down the story. I found this to be very realistic. With any investigation, the police are going to need to speak to many people, so this rang very true and felt authentic.
When the profiler mentions that the killer may be someone that Matilda knows, the tension mounts. I liked how the detectives were torn with looking at their fellow officers with doubt and distrust. I like how they want to trust and believe in each other. They need to, they are each other's backup and trusting each other may make the difference between life and death.
I also liked the character development of Matilda as she struggles with feeling attracted to someone since the death of her husband and her inner turmoil over what that might mean. Her struggles over moving on and perhaps dating again.
Another thing I appreciated about this book was how it showed the dangers of vigilante justice. How people can get caught up in seeing people "get what they deserve". How quickly people will react especially in a group with the group mentality of "get him" I am specifically talking about a scene in the book where a crowd of people attack someone they are told is a killer who is in fact not a killer but they choose to believe a stranger and attack and beat without giving any second thought. What happens when you are wrong? What happens if innocent people get hurt? What gives someone the right to act as judge, jury and executioner?
This book also examines public opinion and how people can turn on those in their lives just for being associated with a criminal. A relative may be a heinous criminal but that does not make you one but now you have become a pariah when your connection to someone becomes known. This book shows the sad and heartbreaking ways, people treat others and the impact such treatment can have on an individual’s life.
I thought this book was a nice addition to the series, but it did lack a little bit of the page turning appeal of the previous books. There was just that little bit of magic missing that the previous books had. Usually while reading this series I-am-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-in-a-I-can't-put-this-book-down mode. While this book started and ended very strong, it did lag a little in the middle. I teetered between a 3.5 and 4-star rating but pushed my rating up to a 4 as I appreciate how Michael Wood tackled so many subjects - vigilante justice, judging others, police brotherhood, friendship, moving on after the loss of a loved one, friendship, etc.
Plus, the last couple of sentences in the book!!!!! I can’t wait for the next book in the series, again the last sentences........WHAT!?!
Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
August 1, 2018
Michael Wood continues this scintillating crime series featuring DCI Matilda Darke, a woman plagued by the grief of losing her soul mate and husband, James, and the never ending guilt for her errors in the past concerning the Carl Meagan case. Set in Sheffield, Matilda and her South Yorkshire Police team are to be tested to their limits by a serial killer operating as a vigilante in the city. The killer is several steps ahead of the police, leaving no trace at the crime scenes, whilst publicising his actions by communicating directly with local media, and it does not take long before he is making national news. Matilda's fragile mental health is at risk from several quarters, not just with the fact that the serial killer is taking a special interest in her and communicating directly with her. It all begins with Adele Kean, Matilda's best friend, going on a internet dating site, which results in her first date with Brian Appleby, a man she is taken with and looking forward to seeing again.
After returning from the date, Brian Appleby is confronted by an intruder who hangs him, using a proper hangman's noose, in his home. It transpires that Appleby has a hidden history, listed on the sex offender's register having served a prison sentence, supposedly being monitored by the police. He had not longed moved to Sheffield, so how did the killer have this information when the local police did not? Adele is a confused mess, knowing she really liked Brian, yet horrified by his past. Matilda struggles to adjust to the new members of her police team and is put under severe pressure by the intense media focus on the case. The young and inexperienced local crime reporter on The Star, Danny Hansen, is highly ambitious and making the most of the serial killer's connection with him to earn several front page exclusives, but fear, stress and pressure make him a nervous wreck as he wonders whether the killer will come for him. As further vigilante murders take place, the psychological profiler's ideas leads Matilda to suspect that the killer is someone far closer than she could have imagined.
When I finished this, I felt this was a 4 star read, but as I thought deeper, I found that I was seriously impressed with how Michael Wood explored the issues and repercussions surrounding the issue of vigilantism which moved this novel to 5 stars. I thought Wood explores and exposes the inability of people to allow offenders to have a fresh start and a real future with real skill through the characters we have got to know well. These issues even infect Matilda's team with people less willing to put in the determined effort to find the killer, there is a sneaking feeling that the victims got exactly what they deserved in a world where judicial justice is perceived as no justice at all, even when the victim is deemed to have paid for their crimes. The police team are merely an echo chamber for the outside world and the court of public opinion. However, the horrendous ramifications of this support of vigilantism is highlighted in the narrative in several ways, including the unacceptable behaviour of the public with a police officer.
Matilda is an unusual central character, she is endowed with more than her share of frailties and some may perhaps see her as too human, and with insufficient mental strength to cut an efficient path through her cases. For me, it is this very humanity and flaws that make this series, it also gives a more realistic balance by giving a greater focus on teamwork, which is how cases are usually cracked. A fantastic series by an author who has grown in stature with every new additional novel. Just brilliant! Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an ARC.
After returning from the date, Brian Appleby is confronted by an intruder who hangs him, using a proper hangman's noose, in his home. It transpires that Appleby has a hidden history, listed on the sex offender's register having served a prison sentence, supposedly being monitored by the police. He had not longed moved to Sheffield, so how did the killer have this information when the local police did not? Adele is a confused mess, knowing she really liked Brian, yet horrified by his past. Matilda struggles to adjust to the new members of her police team and is put under severe pressure by the intense media focus on the case. The young and inexperienced local crime reporter on The Star, Danny Hansen, is highly ambitious and making the most of the serial killer's connection with him to earn several front page exclusives, but fear, stress and pressure make him a nervous wreck as he wonders whether the killer will come for him. As further vigilante murders take place, the psychological profiler's ideas leads Matilda to suspect that the killer is someone far closer than she could have imagined.
When I finished this, I felt this was a 4 star read, but as I thought deeper, I found that I was seriously impressed with how Michael Wood explored the issues and repercussions surrounding the issue of vigilantism which moved this novel to 5 stars. I thought Wood explores and exposes the inability of people to allow offenders to have a fresh start and a real future with real skill through the characters we have got to know well. These issues even infect Matilda's team with people less willing to put in the determined effort to find the killer, there is a sneaking feeling that the victims got exactly what they deserved in a world where judicial justice is perceived as no justice at all, even when the victim is deemed to have paid for their crimes. The police team are merely an echo chamber for the outside world and the court of public opinion. However, the horrendous ramifications of this support of vigilantism is highlighted in the narrative in several ways, including the unacceptable behaviour of the public with a police officer.
Matilda is an unusual central character, she is endowed with more than her share of frailties and some may perhaps see her as too human, and with insufficient mental strength to cut an efficient path through her cases. For me, it is this very humanity and flaws that make this series, it also gives a more realistic balance by giving a greater focus on teamwork, which is how cases are usually cracked. A fantastic series by an author who has grown in stature with every new additional novel. Just brilliant! Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an ARC.
January 9, 2019
This was another fantastic book from Michael wood.this book was so intense did not know the killer was so many different people it could of been,felt for Matilda drake in this one surprised she didn't have a breakdown getting the blame for not finding Carl in her past,a murderer on the loose hanging people who done crimes in the past and knows Matilda and comes after her.but who?after losing her husband she has friend she can trust as some of her work colleagues great ending looking forward to reading his short stories and many more books.Highly recommend this series.
June 14, 2022
A new killer has emerged and has a special way of killing his victims. Matilda fears the killer could be closer to them than anticipated and forced to start looking closer at her colleagues.
This 4th book gives us a fast paced mystery thriller. Another closer look into the teams lives gives us a lot more insights. I loved that last little line in the book and knew my suspicions were true. Loved it!
This 4th book gives us a fast paced mystery thriller. Another closer look into the teams lives gives us a lot more insights. I loved that last little line in the book and knew my suspicions were true. Loved it!
August 4, 2018
Let me start off by saying what a HUGE fan I have been of the Matilda Darke series. I loved the previous three books!
I struggled with rating this one due to loving the first three books in this series but unfortunately this one was a tad disappointing compared to Wood's previous books.
First off, there was a huge mix of characters in this one and wow what a hot mess they all were. I think the author could have taken out a HUGE chunk of this book and it would have been a lot better. Oh my goodness did I feel like it dragged on... too many descriptions/unnecessary extra fillings to the book. This definitely could have been a 5 star read for me but it was way too long!
Additionally, the typical scene of the detective being hunted down by the serial killer was play by play here. Ugh... major disappointment. And... what I didn't particularly enjoy... you pretty much "knew" who the killer was early on. Author gave too many details/clues that gave you a snap shot of who it was but not necessarily why yet.
Overall, I will definitely continue to check more out from this author. But, this one just didn't do it for me :(.
3 stars for me on this one.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Impluse and Killer Reads for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my thoughts.
Publication date: 8/24/18
Published to GR: 8/3/18
I struggled with rating this one due to loving the first three books in this series but unfortunately this one was a tad disappointing compared to Wood's previous books.
First off, there was a huge mix of characters in this one and wow what a hot mess they all were. I think the author could have taken out a HUGE chunk of this book and it would have been a lot better. Oh my goodness did I feel like it dragged on... too many descriptions/unnecessary extra fillings to the book. This definitely could have been a 5 star read for me but it was way too long!
Additionally, the typical scene of the detective being hunted down by the serial killer was play by play here. Ugh... major disappointment. And... what I didn't particularly enjoy... you pretty much "knew" who the killer was early on. Author gave too many details/clues that gave you a snap shot of who it was but not necessarily why yet.
Overall, I will definitely continue to check more out from this author. But, this one just didn't do it for me :(.
3 stars for me on this one.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Impluse and Killer Reads for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my thoughts.
Publication date: 8/24/18
Published to GR: 8/3/18
August 10, 2018
Someone in Sheffield has designated himself judge, jury, and executioner. As Michael Wood’s fourth Matilda Darke thriller, The Hangman’s Hold, begins, we see her friend, Adele Kean, having a first date with a man whom she’s met online.
Eventually, we see a man dead in his home, dangling with a hangman’s noose around his neck. Adele, a pathologist, knows this is not suicide; the man has been murdered.
This scene is repeated several times throughout the book. The victims seem to have only one thing in common: all have been guilty of killing someone, either intentionally or through negligence. Some have seen prison time; others have not. DCI Matilda Darke, her superior officer Valerie Masterson, and the team of investigating constables come to the conclusion that they are looking for a vigilante. How do they find him?
It’s bad enough that it becomes evident that they are looking for a serial killer. What makes matters worse is that someone is leaking details to the press. A young reporter, Danny Hanson, is eager to make a name for himself, and someone is anxious to help him. Apparently, too, someone is making things personal for Matilda – taunting her perhaps?
There are so very many possibilities in this story, so many red herrings. Matilda seemed clueless and at her wits end. The killer left no forensic evidence behind. The police had no idea when or where he would strike next. Who is he? He could be anyone. Could he even be one of them? With suspicions and mistrust running high, it is easy to panic and make mistakes. At this stage, any error could be tragic, even fatal.
Michael Wood does a good job building tension and weaving old, unforgotten scenarios into his plot. Ben Hale and Carl Meagan are two terrible tragedies that will forever haunt Matilda. She is still a bloody, freaking mess at times over these events, plus the death of her husband. She still struggles. We do see her slowly beginning to move on, and frankly, it’s about time. Adele, her steady, faithful friend, has battles of her own this time around, so they lean on each other. It’s a good portrayal of female friendship.
I do wish the author would develop some of the secondary recurring characters more. And while he dangled potential villains all through the book and had the killer hiding in plain sight, I felt a bit deceived by the revelation, as it wasn’t someone really obvious – which was actually the point, I guess.
Woods, of course, makes his point about vigilantism. Just because someone has done something wrong – a deed that society considers to be illegal, immoral, even evil – that should not give any person the right to take matters into his own hands, whether or not the wrongdoer has served a sentence or not. That’s what the courts are for.
While not making any excuses for his killer, he does give Matilda a few things to think about as a person in authority as well. These are things she has already questioned, as we see in other places throughout the book. Matilda Darke may have be of the more insecure, damaged protagonists I’ve read in the past few years, yet she’s really grown on me. I’m looking forward to seeing how she progresses in future books. This isn’t the best of the series, but it’s definitely worth reading. The next one promises to be a hum-dinger, at least if the final sentences of The Hangman’s Hold are an indication of what’s to come!
My thanks to NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, and the author for this ARC version of The Hangman’s Hold.
Eventually, we see a man dead in his home, dangling with a hangman’s noose around his neck. Adele, a pathologist, knows this is not suicide; the man has been murdered.
This scene is repeated several times throughout the book. The victims seem to have only one thing in common: all have been guilty of killing someone, either intentionally or through negligence. Some have seen prison time; others have not. DCI Matilda Darke, her superior officer Valerie Masterson, and the team of investigating constables come to the conclusion that they are looking for a vigilante. How do they find him?
It’s bad enough that it becomes evident that they are looking for a serial killer. What makes matters worse is that someone is leaking details to the press. A young reporter, Danny Hanson, is eager to make a name for himself, and someone is anxious to help him. Apparently, too, someone is making things personal for Matilda – taunting her perhaps?
There are so very many possibilities in this story, so many red herrings. Matilda seemed clueless and at her wits end. The killer left no forensic evidence behind. The police had no idea when or where he would strike next. Who is he? He could be anyone. Could he even be one of them? With suspicions and mistrust running high, it is easy to panic and make mistakes. At this stage, any error could be tragic, even fatal.
Michael Wood does a good job building tension and weaving old, unforgotten scenarios into his plot. Ben Hale and Carl Meagan are two terrible tragedies that will forever haunt Matilda. She is still a bloody, freaking mess at times over these events, plus the death of her husband. She still struggles. We do see her slowly beginning to move on, and frankly, it’s about time. Adele, her steady, faithful friend, has battles of her own this time around, so they lean on each other. It’s a good portrayal of female friendship.
I do wish the author would develop some of the secondary recurring characters more. And while he dangled potential villains all through the book and had the killer hiding in plain sight, I felt a bit deceived by the revelation, as it wasn’t someone really obvious – which was actually the point, I guess.
Woods, of course, makes his point about vigilantism. Just because someone has done something wrong – a deed that society considers to be illegal, immoral, even evil – that should not give any person the right to take matters into his own hands, whether or not the wrongdoer has served a sentence or not. That’s what the courts are for.
While not making any excuses for his killer, he does give Matilda a few things to think about as a person in authority as well. These are things she has already questioned, as we see in other places throughout the book. Matilda Darke may have be of the more insecure, damaged protagonists I’ve read in the past few years, yet she’s really grown on me. I’m looking forward to seeing how she progresses in future books. This isn’t the best of the series, but it’s definitely worth reading. The next one promises to be a hum-dinger, at least if the final sentences of The Hangman’s Hold are an indication of what’s to come!
My thanks to NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads, and the author for this ARC version of The Hangman’s Hold.
September 18, 2018
I read last year A ROOM FULL OF KILLERS, book three in the DCI Matilda Darke Series. And I loved it and I have since then been looking forward to reading the next book. So, I was thrilled when I finally got a copy of THE HANGMAN'S HOLD. I have yet read the first two books, but I hope to remedy that one day.
THE HANGMAN'S HOLD is a thrilling new book, where Matilda and her team has to catch a murderer that is going after people that have previously done something criminal. The case will become very personal for Matilda when she discovers that a close friend knows one of the victims. Matilda has to face the fact that the killer is out to set a score, but who is this person? How do you catch a killer that does seem to be one step ahead all the time and doesn't leave a trace? It will be a hard case to solve.
I'm a latecomer to this series, but one thing I like about the books (that I have read) is how easy it is to get to know the characters. It's been a while since I read A ROOM FULL OF KILLERS and it's not always easy to remember all the characters and past events when you read a lot of books. However, I did feel that the more I read in this book, the more I started to remember. It helps a lot that the characters are so fleshed out and likable.
As for the case. It's a tricky one. Sometimes you have a lot of suspects, but in this case, did it feel like the police had a hard time finding out the identity of the killer. It was a bit of an "oh" moment for me when I started to realize where the story was going when it came to the identity of the killer. I love moments like that.
THE HANGMAN'S HOLD can be read as a stand-alone, however, the risk is that you will feel the need to get the previous books and marathon read them...
THE HANGMAN'S HOLD is a thrilling new book, where Matilda and her team has to catch a murderer that is going after people that have previously done something criminal. The case will become very personal for Matilda when she discovers that a close friend knows one of the victims. Matilda has to face the fact that the killer is out to set a score, but who is this person? How do you catch a killer that does seem to be one step ahead all the time and doesn't leave a trace? It will be a hard case to solve.
I'm a latecomer to this series, but one thing I like about the books (that I have read) is how easy it is to get to know the characters. It's been a while since I read A ROOM FULL OF KILLERS and it's not always easy to remember all the characters and past events when you read a lot of books. However, I did feel that the more I read in this book, the more I started to remember. It helps a lot that the characters are so fleshed out and likable.
As for the case. It's a tricky one. Sometimes you have a lot of suspects, but in this case, did it feel like the police had a hard time finding out the identity of the killer. It was a bit of an "oh" moment for me when I started to realize where the story was going when it came to the identity of the killer. I love moments like that.
THE HANGMAN'S HOLD can be read as a stand-alone, however, the risk is that you will feel the need to get the previous books and marathon read them...
September 3, 2018
EXCERPT: 'Chris?' she called out to the dark, silent house. 'Chris, are you home?'
She kicked off her expensive but painful shoes and sighed with relief. She headed for the kitchen when a dull thud from the living room caused her to stop in her tracks. There was someone in her house. If Chris was home, he would have made himself known by now.
She turned and studied the door. Her eyes were locked on the handle, as if waiting for it to be pushed down from the other side. She grabbed it, and opened the door carefully.
Adele opened it wide enough to put her arm through and flick on the living room light. The yellow glow made her squint. She listened intently but couldn't hear anything from the other side of the door. She pushed it fully open and froze in horror.
'Who the bloody hell are you?' she asked.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Your life is in his hands.
In the gripping new serial killer thriller from Michael Wood, Matilda Darke faces a vicious killer pursuing his own brand of lethal justice. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Helen Fields.
There’s a killer in your house.
The Hangman waits in the darkness.
He knows your darkest secrets.
He’ll make you pay for all the crimes you have tried desperately to forget.
And he is closer than you think.
DCI Matilda Darke is running out of time. Fear is spreading throughout the city. As the body count rises, Matilda is targeted and her most trusted colleagues fall under suspicion. But can she keep those closest to her from harm? Or is it already too late?
MY THOUGHTS: I have picked up this series on book #4, which has in no way diminished my enjoyment. The Hangman’s Hold can easily be read as a stand-alone, as plenty of background is supplied where needed.
How refreshing to have a lead female police officer who is not an alcoholic, into kinky sex practices, or generally screwed up. Don't get me wrong, she has issues. Her husband, James, has died and she is bereft. She also has an unsolved case that haunts her. She battles with both these things. But she has a good friend, and good relationships with her older team members. She is strong in some areas, yet vulnerable in others. An interesting character whose loyalties are tested in this book.
The plot moves at a good pace. There are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. My suspicions veered from one character to another. There are plenty of surprises, and a few jaw-dropping OMG! moments. This is a series I am going to read more of.
😍😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: Before he became an author, Michael Wood used to serve as a journalist and a proofreader. Wood resides in Sheffield, Yorkshire. For Unknown Reasons was Michael Wood’s debut novel, which was published in the year 2015. HarperCollins published the second installment, Outside Looking In in the 2016.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Hangman’s Hold by Michael Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com. https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She kicked off her expensive but painful shoes and sighed with relief. She headed for the kitchen when a dull thud from the living room caused her to stop in her tracks. There was someone in her house. If Chris was home, he would have made himself known by now.
She turned and studied the door. Her eyes were locked on the handle, as if waiting for it to be pushed down from the other side. She grabbed it, and opened the door carefully.
Adele opened it wide enough to put her arm through and flick on the living room light. The yellow glow made her squint. She listened intently but couldn't hear anything from the other side of the door. She pushed it fully open and froze in horror.
'Who the bloody hell are you?' she asked.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Your life is in his hands.
In the gripping new serial killer thriller from Michael Wood, Matilda Darke faces a vicious killer pursuing his own brand of lethal justice. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Helen Fields.
There’s a killer in your house.
The Hangman waits in the darkness.
He knows your darkest secrets.
He’ll make you pay for all the crimes you have tried desperately to forget.
And he is closer than you think.
DCI Matilda Darke is running out of time. Fear is spreading throughout the city. As the body count rises, Matilda is targeted and her most trusted colleagues fall under suspicion. But can she keep those closest to her from harm? Or is it already too late?
MY THOUGHTS: I have picked up this series on book #4, which has in no way diminished my enjoyment. The Hangman’s Hold can easily be read as a stand-alone, as plenty of background is supplied where needed.
How refreshing to have a lead female police officer who is not an alcoholic, into kinky sex practices, or generally screwed up. Don't get me wrong, she has issues. Her husband, James, has died and she is bereft. She also has an unsolved case that haunts her. She battles with both these things. But she has a good friend, and good relationships with her older team members. She is strong in some areas, yet vulnerable in others. An interesting character whose loyalties are tested in this book.
The plot moves at a good pace. There are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. My suspicions veered from one character to another. There are plenty of surprises, and a few jaw-dropping OMG! moments. This is a series I am going to read more of.
😍😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: Before he became an author, Michael Wood used to serve as a journalist and a proofreader. Wood resides in Sheffield, Yorkshire. For Unknown Reasons was Michael Wood’s debut novel, which was published in the year 2015. HarperCollins published the second installment, Outside Looking In in the 2016.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Hangman’s Hold by Michael Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com. https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 23, 2018
'The Hangman's Hold' is the fourth book in Michael Wood's highly acclaimed DCI Matilda Darke series set in the city of Sheffield. Each book in this series outdoes the last, and the overall standard just continues to get higher and higher. This one is no exception. Having read the previous installments, I would say that it is almost imperative to read them in chronological order as there is a lot of talk about past cases and references to past happenings in relation to the characters. It may well be rather perplexing otherwise.
Here, our delightful serial killer is a devious and dangerous man who expertly locates his victims and doles out his version of justice by hanging them in their own homes for crimes from their past that he believes they've not sufficiently paid for. He tells them he's their executioner but really he's more like judge, jury and executioner. He's highly intelligent and leaves no forensic evidence making him difficult to catch. How many more times will he be able to kill before they discover his identity?
Man, the premise here is spectacular, it took me literally a second of reading the synopsis before I went ahead to grab a copy! I adore thrillers such as this, those that aren't apprehensive about challenging our mindset, morals and that expertly blur the line between what is and isn't acceptable. Here, Wood not only creates an exhilarating and enthralling crime read, but tackles many deeper topics, the main one being vigilantism. You certainly get the feeling that Matilda Darke and her team aren't in any rush to find this guy. I know others got the exact same impression as I did on this topic. Could it be because they believe that the victims deserved to be punished or is the lack of desire to solve the case down to the fact that the killer so expertly walks in the shadows?
This is perfectly constructed, with flowing prose, and lots of unexpected surprises. I come across scintillating blurbs all the time, but what is different here is that Wood executes the story well. The pace starts off fairly steady with not a great deal going on, but boy do you get the shock of your life when the pace lifts, and the action becomes non-stop. I appreciated each one of the characters, most of them were likeable and affable people which worked really well against the ungodly deeds of the killer. This is devious and dark and we all know my favourite thrillers are those that are gritty. This was, to use an ol' reviewer trope we all know and love, unputdownable! I cannot wait for the next book, and will be keeping an eye out for it.
Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Here, our delightful serial killer is a devious and dangerous man who expertly locates his victims and doles out his version of justice by hanging them in their own homes for crimes from their past that he believes they've not sufficiently paid for. He tells them he's their executioner but really he's more like judge, jury and executioner. He's highly intelligent and leaves no forensic evidence making him difficult to catch. How many more times will he be able to kill before they discover his identity?
Man, the premise here is spectacular, it took me literally a second of reading the synopsis before I went ahead to grab a copy! I adore thrillers such as this, those that aren't apprehensive about challenging our mindset, morals and that expertly blur the line between what is and isn't acceptable. Here, Wood not only creates an exhilarating and enthralling crime read, but tackles many deeper topics, the main one being vigilantism. You certainly get the feeling that Matilda Darke and her team aren't in any rush to find this guy. I know others got the exact same impression as I did on this topic. Could it be because they believe that the victims deserved to be punished or is the lack of desire to solve the case down to the fact that the killer so expertly walks in the shadows?
This is perfectly constructed, with flowing prose, and lots of unexpected surprises. I come across scintillating blurbs all the time, but what is different here is that Wood executes the story well. The pace starts off fairly steady with not a great deal going on, but boy do you get the shock of your life when the pace lifts, and the action becomes non-stop. I appreciated each one of the characters, most of them were likeable and affable people which worked really well against the ungodly deeds of the killer. This is devious and dark and we all know my favourite thrillers are those that are gritty. This was, to use an ol' reviewer trope we all know and love, unputdownable! I cannot wait for the next book, and will be keeping an eye out for it.
Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
December 14, 2019
This is the 4th book in the DCI Matilda Darke series by author Michael Wood.
A killer is on the loose. The killer seems to have inside knowledge and is set on serving his own justice on people he deems have not paid enough for their crimes. He is a vigilante who is sentencing the victims to hanging. Leaving no evidence behind he is testing DCI Matilda Darke and her team to the limits.
Another well written plot, perfectly paced and the characters just get better and better.
A killer is on the loose. The killer seems to have inside knowledge and is set on serving his own justice on people he deems have not paid enough for their crimes. He is a vigilante who is sentencing the victims to hanging. Leaving no evidence behind he is testing DCI Matilda Darke and her team to the limits.
Another well written plot, perfectly paced and the characters just get better and better.
October 22, 2020
A good example of why most people can’t write as the opposite gender.
Wood, male author, created his female main character, Matilda, to be the most wishy washy, worthless investigator around.
A typical day at work for Matilda: cries about husband (dead for two years), gets coffee, eats sweets, thinks about her shortcomings, boss tells her she is failing, she gets mad at someone and cries again leaving work early.
Also every one of her employees is dating another employee. Why is this even allowed?
How does she ever solve any murders?
She knows almost immediately that the killer is a police officer, but never investigates any of the police officers or searches computers to see who looked up the cases the vigilante used. Instead she interviews the victims families for weeks.
She knows that the killer is a member of her team but doesn’t investigate them, follow them, search their browsing history or anything. She just invites some of them to a empty room and cries about her shortcomings, telling them the killer is among them🙄 which is not only a stupid plan, but she had no proof that the killer was in the room when she gave up all of her information.
She also knew that the last victim had gotten scared when he went to see the police and after the first victims meeting with the police, they went missing. She knew they BOTH talked to police officers, but also never investigated this angle until someone handed her the answer.
Also -spoiler—-
Steve being the killer? We never even get to know Steve. He was just some random 2D character. After the giant sections on George and Danny I was expecting a better reveal. I honesty just got Steve and Scott confused in the last scene when they were fighting because both of their characters were so meaningless to the story.
So Matilda never solved this crime. Although she tried her damndest to drink a lot of coffee and cry as much as humanly possible.
Wood, male author, created his female main character, Matilda, to be the most wishy washy, worthless investigator around.
A typical day at work for Matilda: cries about husband (dead for two years), gets coffee, eats sweets, thinks about her shortcomings, boss tells her she is failing, she gets mad at someone and cries again leaving work early.
Also every one of her employees is dating another employee. Why is this even allowed?
How does she ever solve any murders?
She knows almost immediately that the killer is a police officer, but never investigates any of the police officers or searches computers to see who looked up the cases the vigilante used. Instead she interviews the victims families for weeks.
She knows that the killer is a member of her team but doesn’t investigate them, follow them, search their browsing history or anything. She just invites some of them to a empty room and cries about her shortcomings, telling them the killer is among them🙄 which is not only a stupid plan, but she had no proof that the killer was in the room when she gave up all of her information.
She also knew that the last victim had gotten scared when he went to see the police and after the first victims meeting with the police, they went missing. She knew they BOTH talked to police officers, but also never investigated this angle until someone handed her the answer.
Also -spoiler—-
Steve being the killer? We never even get to know Steve. He was just some random 2D character. After the giant sections on George and Danny I was expecting a better reveal. I honesty just got Steve and Scott confused in the last scene when they were fighting because both of their characters were so meaningless to the story.
So Matilda never solved this crime. Although she tried her damndest to drink a lot of coffee and cry as much as humanly possible.
September 10, 2018
OMG what a book The Hangman’s Hold turned out to be, this is one of my all time favourite crime procedure series, so I knew I was in for a thrilling read but Michael Wood has taken this brilliant series to a whole new level. It’s a shocker, brutal, dark and fabulously twisted in the best possible way. It’s not often when I finish a book I’m lost for words but I must admit I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and then re-read the last few chapters just to process what I was reading. Michael Wood is a gifted story teller and deserves high praise indeed as this is definitely the best book in the series so far. Although this book could easily be read as a standalone I would urge you to start at the beginning just because you are missing out on a “must read” series.
Matilda Darke is one of my favourite fictional Detectives the author has incorporated traits into her character that make her relatable to readers, as a Detective she’s confident, resourceful and determined but you also have a woman who is still grieving for her husband alongside the guilt she feels about a crime she was unable to solve, which makes her character vulnerable but at the same time far more likeable. Just as you think the author is going to bring some happiness into Matilda’s life things go down hill rapidly. Matilda is targeted by the serial killer and things take a creepy and sinister turn, one that will make her question the loyalty of her own team.
A vigilante turned serial killer isn’t an original plot but Michael Wood puts his own unique spin on the subject and has written a story that’s gripping, fast paced with some real shockers hidden within the pages. Now normally this type of serial killer would make me question the rights and wrongs of what they were doing, but not this one, he seems to relish what he’s doing (no spoiler here as the sex of the killer is in the book description), and there’s definitely more behind his motives but to what my lips are tightly sealed. There are few scenes that some may find upsetting but they are paramount to the plot and aren’t to explicit.
The Hangman’s Hold is rife with tension, the author throws in plenty of red herrings to misdirect the reader and thus maintaining the suspense to the heart stopping conclusion. I definitely can’t wait for the next book in the series after Michael Wood left a clue to the subject of the next book. In my humble opinion The Hangman’s Hold is a dark and engrossing tale that any crime thriller will enjoy. Highly recommended.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
Matilda Darke is one of my favourite fictional Detectives the author has incorporated traits into her character that make her relatable to readers, as a Detective she’s confident, resourceful and determined but you also have a woman who is still grieving for her husband alongside the guilt she feels about a crime she was unable to solve, which makes her character vulnerable but at the same time far more likeable. Just as you think the author is going to bring some happiness into Matilda’s life things go down hill rapidly. Matilda is targeted by the serial killer and things take a creepy and sinister turn, one that will make her question the loyalty of her own team.
A vigilante turned serial killer isn’t an original plot but Michael Wood puts his own unique spin on the subject and has written a story that’s gripping, fast paced with some real shockers hidden within the pages. Now normally this type of serial killer would make me question the rights and wrongs of what they were doing, but not this one, he seems to relish what he’s doing (no spoiler here as the sex of the killer is in the book description), and there’s definitely more behind his motives but to what my lips are tightly sealed. There are few scenes that some may find upsetting but they are paramount to the plot and aren’t to explicit.
The Hangman’s Hold is rife with tension, the author throws in plenty of red herrings to misdirect the reader and thus maintaining the suspense to the heart stopping conclusion. I definitely can’t wait for the next book in the series after Michael Wood left a clue to the subject of the next book. In my humble opinion The Hangman’s Hold is a dark and engrossing tale that any crime thriller will enjoy. Highly recommended.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
July 25, 2018
The Hangman's Hold is the fourth book in the DCI Matilda Darke series. What a series it is to. Whilst the author does give enough back ground, I would still insist that people read the others in the series as they really are at the top of their genre and I literally can not get enough of them.
As usual the author had me from the very first few pages. I was well and truly held prisoner not being able to go anywhere even if I wanted to as I was so enthralled by what I was reading. This has everything I would expect from a crime thriller and so much more.
The murders are horrific. Not that the author goes into any great detail, just the thought of what was happening had me putting my hands to my neck and sending shivers down my spine. Even though I was horrified at what was happening, obviously being a true crime junkie, I had to keep going absorbing every little detail, leaving me desperate for more.
I love Matilda and the relationship she has with her team and her good friend Adele. It makes the case that they are working on feel that bit more personal and you find yourself really caring for these characters.
The pace is just electrifying. You can feel the build of tension mounting throughout so much so that my heart was racing. This really is a spell binding read that I couldn't get enough of having to shut out the real world so I could get to the end to see if Matilda and her team get their villain. This is pure adrenaline fuelled crime writing at it's best.
The Hangman's Hold has to be one of the most thrilling and gripping reads that I've read this year. An absolute nail biter of a read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Killer Reads for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
As usual the author had me from the very first few pages. I was well and truly held prisoner not being able to go anywhere even if I wanted to as I was so enthralled by what I was reading. This has everything I would expect from a crime thriller and so much more.
The murders are horrific. Not that the author goes into any great detail, just the thought of what was happening had me putting my hands to my neck and sending shivers down my spine. Even though I was horrified at what was happening, obviously being a true crime junkie, I had to keep going absorbing every little detail, leaving me desperate for more.
I love Matilda and the relationship she has with her team and her good friend Adele. It makes the case that they are working on feel that bit more personal and you find yourself really caring for these characters.
The pace is just electrifying. You can feel the build of tension mounting throughout so much so that my heart was racing. This really is a spell binding read that I couldn't get enough of having to shut out the real world so I could get to the end to see if Matilda and her team get their villain. This is pure adrenaline fuelled crime writing at it's best.
The Hangman's Hold has to be one of the most thrilling and gripping reads that I've read this year. An absolute nail biter of a read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Killer Reads for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
July 16, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Impulse for this arc.
I had seen good reviews for this book on Goodreads and was excited to receive and read it.
I don't understand all the good reviews. Granted, I've not read the three previous books in this series, but what a mess of characters! The story was okay, I did finish the book..... But it seemed like Matilda -- main protagonist and every member of her police team spent more time breaking down/ falling apart/ having hysterics/ going catatonic when they weren't busy drinking, getting coffee and snarfing up chocolate Going from blubbering mess to blubbering mess and then going through it all over again and again really stretched this book at least 60% longer than it needed to be. What an ineffective team! And then Matilda gets promoted! I'm just glad I don't have to depend on the Sheffield Police.
I had seen good reviews for this book on Goodreads and was excited to receive and read it.
I don't understand all the good reviews. Granted, I've not read the three previous books in this series, but what a mess of characters! The story was okay, I did finish the book..... But it seemed like Matilda -- main protagonist and every member of her police team spent more time breaking down/ falling apart/ having hysterics/ going catatonic when they weren't busy drinking, getting coffee and snarfing up chocolate Going from blubbering mess to blubbering mess and then going through it all over again and again really stretched this book at least 60% longer than it needed to be. What an ineffective team! And then Matilda gets promoted! I'm just glad I don't have to depend on the Sheffield Police.
August 25, 2018
You’re all reading this series, right? If not, you should be! It’s one of the best ones out there and it deserves a lot more attention than it’s getting!
The Hangman’s Hold is the fourth instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke series, a series which is going from strength to strength and I have no qualms whatsoever in saying this is the best one yet. Quite frankly, I didn’t expect that because the previous book, A Room Full of Killers was so utterly mind-blowing that I didn’t think Michael Wood could top that. I apologise for underestimating you, sir.
So, we meet the Hangman. He’s a vigilante serial killer with an ax to grind and the race is on to catch him from selecting another victim. The victims have been chosen for a reason and are hanged by the neck to pay for crimes they’ve committed in the past. This is where I found myself in the very strange position of almost sympathising with the killer’s reasoning. Because really, does the punishment always fit the crime? I think not.
Busy as the killer may be, they do also find the time to taunt Matilda along the way. This causes Matilda to think they’re quite close and just like her, I couldn’t at all figure out who to trust anymore on this team I’ve grown so fond of. A team that’s struggling to sink their teeth into the investigation due to a fierce case of victim apathy and yet, again, I could sympathise with that as well as it’s all too easy to imagine. I also thoroughly enjoyed how the focus shifted away from the case and delved into the impact the crimes have on family members who are left to deal with the aftermath.
It took me a while to figure out who the hangman was as Michael Wood deftly led me in the wrong direction. This is one gripping and tense story and I was hooked from the first page to the last. On top of that, this fantastic addition to the series ends on a massive cliffhanger that is sure to have readers coming back for more! I know I am!
The Hangman’s Hold is the fourth instalment in the DCI Matilda Darke series, a series which is going from strength to strength and I have no qualms whatsoever in saying this is the best one yet. Quite frankly, I didn’t expect that because the previous book, A Room Full of Killers was so utterly mind-blowing that I didn’t think Michael Wood could top that. I apologise for underestimating you, sir.
So, we meet the Hangman. He’s a vigilante serial killer with an ax to grind and the race is on to catch him from selecting another victim. The victims have been chosen for a reason and are hanged by the neck to pay for crimes they’ve committed in the past. This is where I found myself in the very strange position of almost sympathising with the killer’s reasoning. Because really, does the punishment always fit the crime? I think not.
Busy as the killer may be, they do also find the time to taunt Matilda along the way. This causes Matilda to think they’re quite close and just like her, I couldn’t at all figure out who to trust anymore on this team I’ve grown so fond of. A team that’s struggling to sink their teeth into the investigation due to a fierce case of victim apathy and yet, again, I could sympathise with that as well as it’s all too easy to imagine. I also thoroughly enjoyed how the focus shifted away from the case and delved into the impact the crimes have on family members who are left to deal with the aftermath.
It took me a while to figure out who the hangman was as Michael Wood deftly led me in the wrong direction. This is one gripping and tense story and I was hooked from the first page to the last. On top of that, this fantastic addition to the series ends on a massive cliffhanger that is sure to have readers coming back for more! I know I am!
August 7, 2019
3.5 stars
January 9, 2019
This is the fourth book in the really good Matilda Darke series. However, this for me is the weakest so far.
There is a hangman on the loose. A serial killer is taking it upon themselves to mete out their own kind of justice. Finding out what crimes have been committed no matter how historically and dealing with it in their own violent way.
DCI Darke is under tremendous pressure as the body count rises. It becomes clear that this killer is going to prove difficult to stop. Darke is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her husband and again the loss manifests itself during this investigation. The Hangman's Hold is a good read but after being totally dazzled by A Room Full Of Killers, which was an outstanding read, this one couldn't quite get there.
That said nothing would deter me from continuing on with this series. Wood is a seriously good writer and has created a brilliant character in DCI Darke. The way she is dealing with her loss as well as returning to work is totally immersive whilst of course being helped along with her best friend only adds to us fighting Darke's corner.
If you haven't discovered this series yet then you're missing out!! Download book one get ready to whoop for Matila!
Highly recommend.
There is a hangman on the loose. A serial killer is taking it upon themselves to mete out their own kind of justice. Finding out what crimes have been committed no matter how historically and dealing with it in their own violent way.
DCI Darke is under tremendous pressure as the body count rises. It becomes clear that this killer is going to prove difficult to stop. Darke is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her husband and again the loss manifests itself during this investigation. The Hangman's Hold is a good read but after being totally dazzled by A Room Full Of Killers, which was an outstanding read, this one couldn't quite get there.
That said nothing would deter me from continuing on with this series. Wood is a seriously good writer and has created a brilliant character in DCI Darke. The way she is dealing with her loss as well as returning to work is totally immersive whilst of course being helped along with her best friend only adds to us fighting Darke's corner.
If you haven't discovered this series yet then you're missing out!! Download book one get ready to whoop for Matila!
Highly recommend.
July 4, 2022
Rapidly becoming a new favourite, number 4 in the DCI Matilada Darke at Sheffield police-series only downside was the contrived ending. The story was suspenseful and the resolution satisfying though, so all in all a good read.
July 14, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an advance copy of The Hangman's Hold, the fourth novel to feature DCI Matilda Darke of the Sheffield police.
When Brian Appleby is found hanged in his living room Matilda and the team are stumped until they realise that Appleby is a convicted paedophile. Further killings confirm that they are hunting a clever vigilante who leaves no clues and is fixating on Matilda.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Hangman's Hold which is an engrossing read with an intriguing premise, when is a crime paid for? Mr Wood manages to cover all sides of the argument from the rights and wrongs of vigilantism to the grief and suffering of the relatives. He draws no conclusions but I really like the way he shows that there is no correct answer, just a mess of suffering. The novel centres partly on Matilda's investigation and, at times, it is a frustrating read because there are no clues and it goes round in reactive circles. I even guessed the killer's identity about halfway through and long before the team. The other part centres on the killer's contact with Matilda and young journalist, Danny Hanson. Their sense of fear and tension is palpable and much more interesting than the investigation.
Matilda is very much at the heart of the novel. A widow, she still grieves for her husband and this grief colours her life and personality. Her team is very loyal to her but she seems to collect enemies effortlessly, not through anything she does but simply by being a successful woman. I find it strange and unpalatable but I've been out of the workplace for so long it might well be a reality faced by women every day.
The Hangman's Hold is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Brian Appleby is found hanged in his living room Matilda and the team are stumped until they realise that Appleby is a convicted paedophile. Further killings confirm that they are hunting a clever vigilante who leaves no clues and is fixating on Matilda.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Hangman's Hold which is an engrossing read with an intriguing premise, when is a crime paid for? Mr Wood manages to cover all sides of the argument from the rights and wrongs of vigilantism to the grief and suffering of the relatives. He draws no conclusions but I really like the way he shows that there is no correct answer, just a mess of suffering. The novel centres partly on Matilda's investigation and, at times, it is a frustrating read because there are no clues and it goes round in reactive circles. I even guessed the killer's identity about halfway through and long before the team. The other part centres on the killer's contact with Matilda and young journalist, Danny Hanson. Their sense of fear and tension is palpable and much more interesting than the investigation.
Matilda is very much at the heart of the novel. A widow, she still grieves for her husband and this grief colours her life and personality. Her team is very loyal to her but she seems to collect enemies effortlessly, not through anything she does but simply by being a successful woman. I find it strange and unpalatable but I've been out of the workplace for so long it might well be a reality faced by women every day.
The Hangman's Hold is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
November 3, 2018
Review to follow!
August 14, 2021
I HAVE HAD IT
Why would a writer put, at the center of a series of crime novels, a mentally ill, completely incompetent and dangerous wreck? A detective OBSESSED with her husband’s death after “only” eight years of marriage. And, is it because he killed himself? Because he was murdered? Nope. He, after a long, painful illness, died of CANCER. So, LOTS of “notice”. Lots of time to process his impending absence and to gain perspective and to fulfill his wish that she “get on with her life”. Does she? No, she does not. Is she at least grateful that her, apparently, perfect husband is now free of the agony he’d lived with for the last two years of his life? Nope. ALL she feels is PARALYSING loneliness, deeply depressive GUILT (?), and a strong desire to die and be “reunited with him” (who believes in that kind of crap anymore?). She is also COMPLETELY OBSESSED with a kidnapped boy (CARL. CARL. CARL.) whom she in no way endangered, and in no way inspired the kidnappers to give up on the Quarter Of A Million Pound ransom money and either take the child and run away (huh?) or kill him. The husband, JAMES JAMES JAMES, ultimately dying and CARL CARL CARL being dead or missing, with no further ransom attempts from the idiotic kidnappers (?) and no further investigation by the police to FIND THE CHILD AND HIS KIDNAPPERS! Instead, the DSI of the Murder Unit chooses to be, not only COMPLETELY INCAPACITATED, but SUICIDAL. To the point where she takes ridiculous risks at work, endangering, injuring, or getting her colleagues KILLED one after the other. She’s also fat, yet NEVER EATS. She manages to mess up every investigation, which is not helped by her torturous “sleep” every night which ALWAYS lasts only TWO HOURS. When not having one of her multiple-times-per-day panic attacks, she’s completely comatose. She’s weak, seriously ill, unruly, she hates herself, and selfishly, narcissistically BLAMES HERSELF for EVERYTHING bad that happens or has ever happened to EVERYONE and ANYONE, regardless of whether or not she was involved in their misfortune. In fact, whether or not she even KNEW THEM. Had ever HEARD OF THEM. Because, you see, and this is my ultimate point; EVERYTHING IS ALL ABOUT HER. HER sadness. HER lack of confidence. HER bottomless GUILT. HER being there instead of there, having said “yes”, having said “no”, having said “sandwich”. Add to that the visual picture of her endlessly thrown at us (PLEASE STOP) of an unkempt, homeless, untreated psychopathic DSI BAG LADY with stringy, filthy hair. No make up. Disheveled clothes. Huge bags under her darting eyes. Her cases, all about serial killers, who kill four, five, six people before being FINALLY being caught, usually due to nothing she has contributed. THEN, when a seriously insane ex-colleague (whom she feels GUILTY ABOUT, even though he tried to kill his wife, murder a suspect AND MURDER HER (something which she did not even report), kills himself in her beloved, special, built-from-the-ground-up-by-JAMES house, does she DEAL with it? ACCEPT that this was a final attempt by a deranged, dangerous, pathetic madman to ruin her life? Does she say to herself; “I shall not let this ridiculous crazy person WIN! He shall NOT succeed in his pathetic attempt at securing a groundless revenge”? Nope. SHE SELLS THE HOUSE! Why? Because she could “never be in that house again without seeing that man’s dead body”. In other words, she allows the deluded, murderous scumbag to WIN! TO DRIVE HER OUT OF HER BELOVED HOME! AARRGGHH! And, why? Because SHE is a psychotic nut-bag! She NEVER “gets over” ANYTHING. She is the definition of “Pathetic”. And, SHE IS NEVER FIRED, despite endless dressing-downs by her obviously incompetent boss. And, THIS is who the author decides to build a SERIES OF NOVELS around? HE must be insane! Well, as mentioned, I’M DONE! Shame, because the author is an otherwise decent writer, and the cases, while ineptly handled by the DSI, are interesting (though the Murder Unit NEVER has any clues, evidence or suspects — until the last few pages. Just chapter after chapter after chapter of NOTHING. I guess I just kept hoping that, after FOUR BOOKS, the author would “fix” his main character. At least to SOME degree. NOPE! So, one last word. BYE!
Why would a writer put, at the center of a series of crime novels, a mentally ill, completely incompetent and dangerous wreck? A detective OBSESSED with her husband’s death after “only” eight years of marriage. And, is it because he killed himself? Because he was murdered? Nope. He, after a long, painful illness, died of CANCER. So, LOTS of “notice”. Lots of time to process his impending absence and to gain perspective and to fulfill his wish that she “get on with her life”. Does she? No, she does not. Is she at least grateful that her, apparently, perfect husband is now free of the agony he’d lived with for the last two years of his life? Nope. ALL she feels is PARALYSING loneliness, deeply depressive GUILT (?), and a strong desire to die and be “reunited with him” (who believes in that kind of crap anymore?). She is also COMPLETELY OBSESSED with a kidnapped boy (CARL. CARL. CARL.) whom she in no way endangered, and in no way inspired the kidnappers to give up on the Quarter Of A Million Pound ransom money and either take the child and run away (huh?) or kill him. The husband, JAMES JAMES JAMES, ultimately dying and CARL CARL CARL being dead or missing, with no further ransom attempts from the idiotic kidnappers (?) and no further investigation by the police to FIND THE CHILD AND HIS KIDNAPPERS! Instead, the DSI of the Murder Unit chooses to be, not only COMPLETELY INCAPACITATED, but SUICIDAL. To the point where she takes ridiculous risks at work, endangering, injuring, or getting her colleagues KILLED one after the other. She’s also fat, yet NEVER EATS. She manages to mess up every investigation, which is not helped by her torturous “sleep” every night which ALWAYS lasts only TWO HOURS. When not having one of her multiple-times-per-day panic attacks, she’s completely comatose. She’s weak, seriously ill, unruly, she hates herself, and selfishly, narcissistically BLAMES HERSELF for EVERYTHING bad that happens or has ever happened to EVERYONE and ANYONE, regardless of whether or not she was involved in their misfortune. In fact, whether or not she even KNEW THEM. Had ever HEARD OF THEM. Because, you see, and this is my ultimate point; EVERYTHING IS ALL ABOUT HER. HER sadness. HER lack of confidence. HER bottomless GUILT. HER being there instead of there, having said “yes”, having said “no”, having said “sandwich”. Add to that the visual picture of her endlessly thrown at us (PLEASE STOP) of an unkempt, homeless, untreated psychopathic DSI BAG LADY with stringy, filthy hair. No make up. Disheveled clothes. Huge bags under her darting eyes. Her cases, all about serial killers, who kill four, five, six people before being FINALLY being caught, usually due to nothing she has contributed. THEN, when a seriously insane ex-colleague (whom she feels GUILTY ABOUT, even though he tried to kill his wife, murder a suspect AND MURDER HER (something which she did not even report), kills himself in her beloved, special, built-from-the-ground-up-by-JAMES house, does she DEAL with it? ACCEPT that this was a final attempt by a deranged, dangerous, pathetic madman to ruin her life? Does she say to herself; “I shall not let this ridiculous crazy person WIN! He shall NOT succeed in his pathetic attempt at securing a groundless revenge”? Nope. SHE SELLS THE HOUSE! Why? Because she could “never be in that house again without seeing that man’s dead body”. In other words, she allows the deluded, murderous scumbag to WIN! TO DRIVE HER OUT OF HER BELOVED HOME! AARRGGHH! And, why? Because SHE is a psychotic nut-bag! She NEVER “gets over” ANYTHING. She is the definition of “Pathetic”. And, SHE IS NEVER FIRED, despite endless dressing-downs by her obviously incompetent boss. And, THIS is who the author decides to build a SERIES OF NOVELS around? HE must be insane! Well, as mentioned, I’M DONE! Shame, because the author is an otherwise decent writer, and the cases, while ineptly handled by the DSI, are interesting (though the Murder Unit NEVER has any clues, evidence or suspects — until the last few pages. Just chapter after chapter after chapter of NOTHING. I guess I just kept hoping that, after FOUR BOOKS, the author would “fix” his main character. At least to SOME degree. NOPE! So, one last word. BYE!
April 21, 2020
DCI Matilda Darke is in pursuit of a vigilante serial killer that seems to have inside knowledge. Matilda and her team are pushed to their limits trying to catch the killer who is always a step ahead and might be someone far closer than they could have imagined.
The Hangman's Hold is the fourth book in Michael Wood's DCI Matilda Dark series
Interesting characters and solid police work that doesn’t stop until the very end with plenty of twists and turns along the way that are sure to keep the pages turning made it another entertaining read in this solid series.
I would like to thank Harper Impulse and Killer Reads & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The Hangman's Hold is the fourth book in Michael Wood's DCI Matilda Dark series
Interesting characters and solid police work that doesn’t stop until the very end with plenty of twists and turns along the way that are sure to keep the pages turning made it another entertaining read in this solid series.
I would like to thank Harper Impulse and Killer Reads & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
December 11, 2021
This is an example of what I've been railing about in this series. Nothing really gets solved. No police investigation. Nothing remarkable about Darke at all. As the criminal psychologist says, this guy will be caught due to his own error or if he turned himself in. Even with the only clue facing them it takes you like more than 50 pages to have the team even begin looking at it. Geez. Blunders after blunders. That cost lives. Sad. But you ask why am I reading about this again? I guess you can say sometimes the most annoying thing can become familiar and comfortable. Geez I better find a new DCI to follow or I might be back here with book 5 again.
March 3, 2021
I say the same thing every single time I finish reading one of Michael's great books.......too many mistakes let them down. I've bleated about this in my prior three reviews of this cracking series and there are still way too many. The first one was a freebie but I've paid for the following three so I keep hoping to see an improvement and I'm STILL left disappointed.
It wouldn't be such an irritant if he didn't tell us HE'S a proofreader himself !!! So how do so many errors get through into the published article ??
I must say that with plenty of other authors I give them 2 chances and then no longer bother buying their stuff. However, against my better judgement really, (as it wears ME down, too, having to keep moaning and whining in my reviews for him) I still want to stick with him and Matilda and her team. I like them a great deal and his stories are always terrific. It's just pretty sad I can't just "score" on the story alone, but for me presentation matters too much.
I loved the wowser of an ending on this one......a highly unexpected one as well. Plus I personally doubted one of Matilda's team and later on felt bad for doing so. There were some funny remarks peppered throughout as usual and I still greatly enjoy keeping up with what's going on with her colleagues' personal lives, hers too. I'm pleased, too, that she is keeping Jonathan's collection up-to-date. There's a pretty high death-rate in this instalment as well !
My first complaint is those American spellings yet again. However, he's not the only English writer to do this, however much it grates. There are WAY too many misplaced apostrophes and this is basic stuff that he really should've grasped by now. I sit there highlighting them, muttering under my breath and if he was nearby he'd get it beaten into him !! Hehehe.....in particular he kept writing sex offender's register. We all know there is more than one single offender so it should always be offenders' and the same with girl's night. There's more than one girl so girls' is applicable there.
Then, all of a sudden at 25% in on my Kindle he stopped using paragraph breaks for a big portion of the book and this made for tricky reading, trust me. Again, basic stuff that should have been tidied up. I wrote a big old ouch as well when he wrote past and not passed and we also had swotted and not swatted.
I'll continue to look forward to reading more of this tremendous series and I'll continue to whinge about mistakes if I see them but I really, really hope I can finally give Mr Wood his deserved 5* someday soon !!
It wouldn't be such an irritant if he didn't tell us HE'S a proofreader himself !!! So how do so many errors get through into the published article ??
I must say that with plenty of other authors I give them 2 chances and then no longer bother buying their stuff. However, against my better judgement really, (as it wears ME down, too, having to keep moaning and whining in my reviews for him) I still want to stick with him and Matilda and her team. I like them a great deal and his stories are always terrific. It's just pretty sad I can't just "score" on the story alone, but for me presentation matters too much.
I loved the wowser of an ending on this one......a highly unexpected one as well. Plus I personally doubted one of Matilda's team and later on felt bad for doing so. There were some funny remarks peppered throughout as usual and I still greatly enjoy keeping up with what's going on with her colleagues' personal lives, hers too. I'm pleased, too, that she is keeping Jonathan's collection up-to-date. There's a pretty high death-rate in this instalment as well !
My first complaint is those American spellings yet again. However, he's not the only English writer to do this, however much it grates. There are WAY too many misplaced apostrophes and this is basic stuff that he really should've grasped by now. I sit there highlighting them, muttering under my breath and if he was nearby he'd get it beaten into him !! Hehehe.....in particular he kept writing sex offender's register. We all know there is more than one single offender so it should always be offenders' and the same with girl's night. There's more than one girl so girls' is applicable there.
Then, all of a sudden at 25% in on my Kindle he stopped using paragraph breaks for a big portion of the book and this made for tricky reading, trust me. Again, basic stuff that should have been tidied up. I wrote a big old ouch as well when he wrote past and not passed and we also had swotted and not swatted.
I'll continue to look forward to reading more of this tremendous series and I'll continue to whinge about mistakes if I see them but I really, really hope I can finally give Mr Wood his deserved 5* someday soon !!
July 6, 2018
By the time chapter one ended, I simply didn’t want to stop reading.
I loved this book.
Our killer kept me on my toes, guessing this person and that, but never guessing who they really were!
I won’t tell you the reason behind everything, of course. I’ll simply say that it had me looking at my own behavior and interactions a little more carefully.
Expect some gruesome and creepy crimes, some heartbreaking scenes, and a cat-and-mouse chase to the end that will leave you breathless.
I’ll happily read the author again (and again and again and again).
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
I loved this book.
Our killer kept me on my toes, guessing this person and that, but never guessing who they really were!
I won’t tell you the reason behind everything, of course. I’ll simply say that it had me looking at my own behavior and interactions a little more carefully.
Expect some gruesome and creepy crimes, some heartbreaking scenes, and a cat-and-mouse chase to the end that will leave you breathless.
I’ll happily read the author again (and again and again and again).
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
August 28, 2018
THE HANGMAN'S HOLD (DCI Matilda Darke #4)
By Michael Wood
This was my first time reading Michael Wood and it was engrossing and a page turner. This is #4 in the series and I'm not quite sure if they should be read in order or not. There were description's of previous cases so I will come back and update my review after I read them. Matilda Darke is a likable character as she has vulnerabilities and flaws that make her seem all the more human. The setting takes place in Sheffield where the people are growing terrified as victim's of a serial killer who is very cunning and sophisticated can be anyone.
Matilda's medical examiner goes out on a date and she enjoys his company but doesn't know that he has a secret past. The man's name is Brian and he is targeted by the murderer for a criminal past. The victim's start to pile up and it is evident that a serial killer is zeroing in and choosing his victim's because of a crime that has been committed. I was wondering at first how the serial killer knew who to target because not all the crimes were public knowledge.
One of the many themes explored by Michael Wood's is vigilantism and I am thinking about how dangerous it can be when people think they need to take matters into their own hands to make him/her pay. What happen's if the person attacked was innocent? What if the information being fed to a crowd that attack and beat someone is wrong? Who has the right to be judge, jury and executioner? Who can justify committing a crime against an individual just because the crowd thinks they have to make them pay. Mr. Wood's never gives a right or wrong reason. He lets the reader ponder these questions.
There are also the heartbreaking ramifications of the families that are left to suffer from being guilty of no more than being related to a criminal. The serial killer does not leave behind any forensic evidence and he hangs his victim's by the neck. This was very creepy as he would wait in the dark or be waiting in someone's living room. His victim's have all been committed a crime and some gone to prison, but the serial killer thinks they haven't paid enough for their crimes.
The serial killer contacts Matilda Darke and taunts her into leading us to not know who to trust. Her boss tells her not to reply. He is so bold to contact a reporter whose ambitions lead him to disclose information to the public. This dark tale was gripping and captivating and has me wanting to go back and read the previous three to the series. Highly recommended to all reader's who love trying to solve the crime of a police procedural.
Thank you to Net Galley, Michael Wood and Killer Reads Publishing for providing me with my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
By Michael Wood
This was my first time reading Michael Wood and it was engrossing and a page turner. This is #4 in the series and I'm not quite sure if they should be read in order or not. There were description's of previous cases so I will come back and update my review after I read them. Matilda Darke is a likable character as she has vulnerabilities and flaws that make her seem all the more human. The setting takes place in Sheffield where the people are growing terrified as victim's of a serial killer who is very cunning and sophisticated can be anyone.
Matilda's medical examiner goes out on a date and she enjoys his company but doesn't know that he has a secret past. The man's name is Brian and he is targeted by the murderer for a criminal past. The victim's start to pile up and it is evident that a serial killer is zeroing in and choosing his victim's because of a crime that has been committed. I was wondering at first how the serial killer knew who to target because not all the crimes were public knowledge.
One of the many themes explored by Michael Wood's is vigilantism and I am thinking about how dangerous it can be when people think they need to take matters into their own hands to make him/her pay. What happen's if the person attacked was innocent? What if the information being fed to a crowd that attack and beat someone is wrong? Who has the right to be judge, jury and executioner? Who can justify committing a crime against an individual just because the crowd thinks they have to make them pay. Mr. Wood's never gives a right or wrong reason. He lets the reader ponder these questions.
There are also the heartbreaking ramifications of the families that are left to suffer from being guilty of no more than being related to a criminal. The serial killer does not leave behind any forensic evidence and he hangs his victim's by the neck. This was very creepy as he would wait in the dark or be waiting in someone's living room. His victim's have all been committed a crime and some gone to prison, but the serial killer thinks they haven't paid enough for their crimes.
The serial killer contacts Matilda Darke and taunts her into leading us to not know who to trust. Her boss tells her not to reply. He is so bold to contact a reporter whose ambitions lead him to disclose information to the public. This dark tale was gripping and captivating and has me wanting to go back and read the previous three to the series. Highly recommended to all reader's who love trying to solve the crime of a police procedural.
Thank you to Net Galley, Michael Wood and Killer Reads Publishing for providing me with my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 5, 2018
I have followed Matilda Darkes journey from book one and I have to say that this is one of the few police procedural series that has become a MUST READ for me! And book 4 felt like coming home as I settled back into Matilda’s home and work life.
The premise of The Hangman’s Hold is a rather topical and controversial one. A vigilante serial killer is dishing out their own form of punishment to those who have already paid for their crimes but apparently that wasn’t enough! For these unlucky convicted criminals are about to have The Hangman invade their homes to make them pay the ultimate price. And it’s Matilda’s job to work quickly and find out why, and who The Hangman is, before any more murders can occur.
Poor old Matilda never seems to get a break! If you’ve followed the series from the start then you will already understand the personal tragedy that has affected her although I do think you can read The Hangman’s Hold as a standalone and still get a feel for her personality. The crimes here are deeply affecting even though it can be hard to feel any sympathy for the victims due to the crimes that they have committed. But Matilda also seems to be a target for this disturbed individual and so she must act fast to stay one step ahead. There were twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting here, some of which do need an understanding of previous books, plus an ending that had me nearly throwing my copy at the wall!! Not in anger but more of a “You can’t leave it there!” It wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger but more of a tempting teaser to keep us hooked until we meet Matilda again. Which is very soon hopefully!!
Michael Wood definitely knows how to write an involving and gripping crime drama. His characters are growing and evolving with each book so that their personal stories are just as important to the narrative as the crimes that need to be solved. This all adds up to a brilliantly compulsive series that I highly recommend especially if you love a strong female protagonist in your crime thrillers.
But one final thought from me-Sian’s snack draw!! I’m thinking she needs to add some Double Deckers or even some Peanut Butter KitKats for the next book? Just putting it out there!!
Highly recommended by me!
The premise of The Hangman’s Hold is a rather topical and controversial one. A vigilante serial killer is dishing out their own form of punishment to those who have already paid for their crimes but apparently that wasn’t enough! For these unlucky convicted criminals are about to have The Hangman invade their homes to make them pay the ultimate price. And it’s Matilda’s job to work quickly and find out why, and who The Hangman is, before any more murders can occur.
Poor old Matilda never seems to get a break! If you’ve followed the series from the start then you will already understand the personal tragedy that has affected her although I do think you can read The Hangman’s Hold as a standalone and still get a feel for her personality. The crimes here are deeply affecting even though it can be hard to feel any sympathy for the victims due to the crimes that they have committed. But Matilda also seems to be a target for this disturbed individual and so she must act fast to stay one step ahead. There were twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting here, some of which do need an understanding of previous books, plus an ending that had me nearly throwing my copy at the wall!! Not in anger but more of a “You can’t leave it there!” It wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger but more of a tempting teaser to keep us hooked until we meet Matilda again. Which is very soon hopefully!!
Michael Wood definitely knows how to write an involving and gripping crime drama. His characters are growing and evolving with each book so that their personal stories are just as important to the narrative as the crimes that need to be solved. This all adds up to a brilliantly compulsive series that I highly recommend especially if you love a strong female protagonist in your crime thrillers.
But one final thought from me-Sian’s snack draw!! I’m thinking she needs to add some Double Deckers or even some Peanut Butter KitKats for the next book? Just putting it out there!!
Highly recommended by me!
September 12, 2018
When a serial killer is targeting ex-criminals vigilante style, the general public and some members of the police force aren’t in a hurry to catch him. I’m talking about the crimes a lot of people say they should be hung for, well the killer feels the same.
I do love a book that lets me into the mind of a killer and whoa this is a man that enjoys his justice. His research is to be admired, his skill at killing perfection and he leaves no clues behind. But it isn’t just his victims that suffer. These people have paid their dues, as the courts stated and now they have moved on, made a new life and have families themselves. What is left behind is raw and brutal stories in the news papers exposing their seedy pasts again and as they are dead it moves to the next generation to face the hate.
DCI Matilda Darke heads the investigation team to catch this killer, who is playing a game of phoning her and a young local reporter baiting them both. She fears that it may be someone she knows but doesn’t know who. DCI Darke isn’t feeling comfortable with the changes in the department as it isn’t as close knit as before. There is still the core team with new police officers on the fringe that she feels she knows little about.
The case becomes very personal for Matilda as she has too dig round her own past encounters something that will have life changing consequences for her. There are two sides to her. The confident DCI but there is also the woman who crumbles a little more with her fair share of personal knocks. A woman who has trouble letting go of the past and moving on.
This is an intense story with an abundance of characters that are connected to each murder, so very easy to follow. An absolute cracking end and set up for number 5. Superb!
I received an e-copy of this book from the author which I have reviewed honestly
I do love a book that lets me into the mind of a killer and whoa this is a man that enjoys his justice. His research is to be admired, his skill at killing perfection and he leaves no clues behind. But it isn’t just his victims that suffer. These people have paid their dues, as the courts stated and now they have moved on, made a new life and have families themselves. What is left behind is raw and brutal stories in the news papers exposing their seedy pasts again and as they are dead it moves to the next generation to face the hate.
DCI Matilda Darke heads the investigation team to catch this killer, who is playing a game of phoning her and a young local reporter baiting them both. She fears that it may be someone she knows but doesn’t know who. DCI Darke isn’t feeling comfortable with the changes in the department as it isn’t as close knit as before. There is still the core team with new police officers on the fringe that she feels she knows little about.
The case becomes very personal for Matilda as she has too dig round her own past encounters something that will have life changing consequences for her. There are two sides to her. The confident DCI but there is also the woman who crumbles a little more with her fair share of personal knocks. A woman who has trouble letting go of the past and moving on.
This is an intense story with an abundance of characters that are connected to each murder, so very easy to follow. An absolute cracking end and set up for number 5. Superb!
I received an e-copy of this book from the author which I have reviewed honestly
September 20, 2018
Darke by name, dark by nature.
I don’t know where to start with The Hangman’s Hold. This is a case quite close to home for Matilda with her bestie’s new beau found hung only a short time after their first date. As readers, we know what is going on but we don’t know who or why. And the darkness continues from there. What I didn’t expect was for this case to consume me as a reader!
I do love Matilda Darke. She has such a dead pan sense of humour. Her relationship with Adele is pitched perfectly. The girlie nights of wine, chocolate and TV.
This is an unflinching portrayal of vigilantism. Michael Wood made me question whether the justice system does get it right all the time or is what the court dishes out as punishment what is deserved.
Michael Wood’s writing is captivating. I was totally engrossed in the story, I know bits of Sheffield so could picture the story unfolding before my eyes. I had a handful of suspects which I kept jumping between. The subtleties of the red herrings and clues are sublime. My kindle battery died as the story started to climax. Rather than wait for it to charge, I read on my phone which I don’t normally do during the day. As I read the closing chapters, my hand was against my mouth. Mr Wood has written a heart pumping finale!
If you haven’t met Matilda Darke before, you so should! Yes there are references to the previous investigations but they are just references. You don’t need to have read all the previous novels to enjoy The Hangman’s Hold.
I don’t know where to start with The Hangman’s Hold. This is a case quite close to home for Matilda with her bestie’s new beau found hung only a short time after their first date. As readers, we know what is going on but we don’t know who or why. And the darkness continues from there. What I didn’t expect was for this case to consume me as a reader!
I do love Matilda Darke. She has such a dead pan sense of humour. Her relationship with Adele is pitched perfectly. The girlie nights of wine, chocolate and TV.
This is an unflinching portrayal of vigilantism. Michael Wood made me question whether the justice system does get it right all the time or is what the court dishes out as punishment what is deserved.
Michael Wood’s writing is captivating. I was totally engrossed in the story, I know bits of Sheffield so could picture the story unfolding before my eyes. I had a handful of suspects which I kept jumping between. The subtleties of the red herrings and clues are sublime. My kindle battery died as the story started to climax. Rather than wait for it to charge, I read on my phone which I don’t normally do during the day. As I read the closing chapters, my hand was against my mouth. Mr Wood has written a heart pumping finale!
If you haven’t met Matilda Darke before, you so should! Yes there are references to the previous investigations but they are just references. You don’t need to have read all the previous novels to enjoy The Hangman’s Hold.
October 6, 2018
It was almost perfect - 4.5 stars. This is such a good series!
Police are called to a scene where a man is found hanging from the ceiling in his home. Initially thought to be suicide, the cause of death is soon changed to murder. The man had molested three young teenagers many years ago and had done his time and been released from prison. Clearly someone thought he hadn't paid enough. Soon another man is found hanging in similar circumstances. His crime - a hit and run death of an eight year old child when he was very young. He was sent away for 11 years and was now married with children.
It seems the Sheffield constabulary has a vigilante killer on their hands. This killer knows what he's doing and leaves no clues behind. With a hostile press and no suspects and her world spinning out of control, could this all be too much for DCI Matilda drake?
Darke is pushed to her absolute limits and even beyond as tragedy piles onto tragedy in this dark tale where there are no winners. Her team rallies around her and we learn what makes them tick. They are a really close knit group and it is such a shame that this particular killer tried to tear all that apart.
Police are called to a scene where a man is found hanging from the ceiling in his home. Initially thought to be suicide, the cause of death is soon changed to murder. The man had molested three young teenagers many years ago and had done his time and been released from prison. Clearly someone thought he hadn't paid enough. Soon another man is found hanging in similar circumstances. His crime - a hit and run death of an eight year old child when he was very young. He was sent away for 11 years and was now married with children.
It seems the Sheffield constabulary has a vigilante killer on their hands. This killer knows what he's doing and leaves no clues behind. With a hostile press and no suspects and her world spinning out of control, could this all be too much for DCI Matilda drake?
Darke is pushed to her absolute limits and even beyond as tragedy piles onto tragedy in this dark tale where there are no winners. Her team rallies around her and we learn what makes them tick. They are a really close knit group and it is such a shame that this particular killer tried to tear all that apart.
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