The Web They Wove Not all killers are who they first seem..
The mutilated body of a young female is found in a popular recreation ground in Leeds city centre. D I Andrew 'Ziggy' Thornes and his team are at once assigned to close the case as soon as possible.
With little to no forensic evidence left at the scene, Ziggy struggles to pull the strands of the case together. When a second body turns up in the same place, under the pressure from higher up and increased scrutiny from the media, Ziggy must drive the case to a rapid conclusion as fear spreads through the city.
Realising that the victims have been held captive prior to their gruesome deaths, Ziggy delves deeper and relentlessly chases down every lead.
When the investigation leads him dangerously close to home, will time run out before the tangled web of evil destroy's everything Ziggy holds dear?
Catherine Yaffe is a bestselling British crime author whose gripping thrillers have topped the Amazon charts multiple times. Her work is known for its psychological depth, twisty plots, and unforgettable characters—particularly strong, complex women like Dr Evelyn Shaw.
When she's not plotting fictional murders, she’s passionate about supporting new writers. She runs a local writing group dedicated to helping unpublished authors develop their stories, and delivers workshops on crime writing, storytelling, and overcoming creative blocks.
A regular speaker at festivals including CrimeFest, Bay Tales, and Bloody Scotland, she also gives talks to libraries and community groups like the Women’s Institute, where she shares her journey through writing, illness, and resilience. Each year, she co-hosts Murder in the Rhubarb Triangle in partnership with Wakefield Library, a lively crime event that attracts over 200 visitors.
Her stories often draw on her own experiences bringing authenticity and emotional grit to her work. When she’s not writing or speaking, she can usually be found with a strong cup of tea, plotting her next murder.
When the body of a young woman is found in a local park, DI Ziggy Thornes and his team are sent to investigate. Under pressure from his boss to solve the case quickly, Ziggy must work with almost zero forensic evidence and no witnesses. When a second woman’s body is found a week later, the urgency to catch the killer only increases. Ziggy fears if they don’t make an arrest soon that there will be another victim — and he might be right. Just as his team starts to close in on a suspect, a third woman goes missing. This time, it’s someone Ziggy knows.
Compulsively readable, “The Web They Wove” by Catherine Jaffe comes at you like a freight train, gaining momentum as it rolls down the track. Starting off at a slower pace as the first body is found and the key characters are introduced, the story picks up quickly when the second young woman goes missing and — along with it– the suspense. Before you know it, you’ve blown through five chapters without realizing you’ve finished one.
Even though there’s a good number of characters in the book, all of them are well-developed and vivid. You get to know the ‘good guys’ quickly, and they’re all likeable. But it’s Ziggy, as the main character, who stands out. He’s an intelligent and determined man who’s dedicated to his job and getting justice for victims. Yet, he’s way more than that. His relationships with other characters bring out his personality and make him compelling and affable. Hopefully, he appears in more books in the series. He’s that remarkable of a character.
I love novels about serial killers, and “The Web They Wove” is no exception. However, in other books, I usually find myself slightly sympathetic to the murderer for one reason or another. That wasn’t the case this time. Although the identity of the killer isn’t confirmed until toward the end, the threat of him striking again hangs over the pages like an omen. As frightening as he is creepy, his presence in different scenes and chapters made my muscles tense up and my heart race.
“The Web They Wove” is full of twists and turns to shock you, but it’s the end that will put your jaw on the floor. If you’re like me, you’ll audibly cry out, “nooo” as you read the last page, then go back and read it again because… whoa! Although “The Web They Wove” is the second book in the series, it can be read (and enjoyed) without feeling like you’ve missed a single beat.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Catherine Yaffe for the ARC and allowing me to participate in this blog tour.
Wow what a read!!! I loved this even more than her previous book.. if that’s at all possible.
Ziggy- DI Andrew Thornes and his team have a race on their hands when a mutilated body turns up.
I love how we get inside the killers thoughts.
If your looking for a well written crime thriller then I highly recommend this gem. Now after that ending I’m really hoping we don’t have to wait too long for more.
A woman’s body has been found on parkland, seemingly dragged along a path and strangled to death. DI Andrew “Ziggy” Thornes, DS Nick Wilkinson, DS Sadie Bates and DC Angela Dove form the tight knit team from West Yorkshire Police in Leeds who are heading up the murder investigation. Identified as Susannah Leibniz, enquiries reveal she was probably incarcerated for some time then dragged to the dumpsite ad killed. She was supposed to have been in Germany but it looks like she didn’t go or came back again, although not to the home he shared with her loving grandparents. We get contributions from the killer throughout the story, someone with clear “mother” issues. After Susannah’s death (not his first rodeo although the first time back in the saddle for a while) he already has eyes on the next victim and a woman goes missing. Despite long hours by all the detectives, very little shows up by way of clues except a link to a vintage silk scarf and the pressure is on from his boss, the ambitious DCS Whitmore, for Ziggy to solve these cases quickly or hand them over to an outside murder squad. DJ Scott, Rachel’s new boyfriend, is reacting very edgily around Ziggy and the news reports featuring Susannah. What does he have to hide apart from his adulterous behaviour? As a second woman is found dead, and with still little to go on, the investigation veers very close to home for one of the team. Can they just find that one small piece of evidence that will blow the whole investigation wide open as they race to save another life and stop a bizarre killer? This is a very good strong solid police procedural with team of likeable detectives who all bring different valuable skills to the mix. It has a well told clever plot and an extremely satisfying ending to keep the reader engaged throughout whilst, one step ahead of the police, getting to hear the killer’s side of the story at the same time. Left on such a chilling cliff-hanger, I cannot wait to read the third “Tangled Web" book, When We Deceive. Highly recommended. 5*
Fast-Paced Story Gripping You With An Atmosphere Of Tension And Suspense. What a surprise as I was gripped from the beginning and the characters drew you in as you follow their life’s. Book two The Wb They Wove is a Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. The book focuses not only on the brutal kidnappings and murders of young women but also on DI Andrew Thorne “Ziggy” and his Major Investigations team, Yorkshire PD who all work long hours and do not leave until they can close their cases. This one is no exception as a serial killer is not only on the loose, but he also knows his victims. The author does an excellent job in allowing the reader to truly grasp his conflict and the plot focuses on kidnapping and murders and is a great suspense and action book that adds so much to the story. It is a fast-paced story filled with page turning action. I found this book is an amazing story that reads like true crime with fantastic characters and a plot that is believable, gripping you with an atmosphere of tension and suspense as you turn each page. I promise you will not want to put this book down nor will you want to finish it. Catherine Yaffe is a truly exceptional author. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I received an advance review copy for free from Catherine Yaffe and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was given a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers on the condition that I review it. This is my first book from them and wow, what a page turner. I read the whole book in one day. It’s a crime thriller with strong characterization, especially Ziggy, the leading police investigator. It Would make a perfect 4 part tv series or movie.
Without giving away any spoilers the book ended with a twist, leaving me crying out for another book in the series. A perfect wet Sunday read.
I have a little confession to make. Yes yet another one. Although I have the first book in the ‘Tangled Web’ series called ‘The Lie She Told’ on my ever increasing ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read it yet. What a mistake to make as the saying goes. After having read and loved ‘The Web They Wove’ as much as I did, I am rather cross at myself for leaving it this long to realise just how fantastic an author Catherine Yaffe is. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Web They Wove’ but more about that in a bit. Within the first five minutes of starting to read ‘The Web They Wove’, I knew that I was onto a winner! I knew that there was no chance of being able to do anything else until I finished reading the very last word on the very last page. I just couldn’t put the book down. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. The crime intrigued me and I had to know how the story ended. I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough and I soon got to the end of ‘The Web They Wove’. I found ‘The Web They Wove’ to be a gripping read, which certainly kept me guessing and it also kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. ‘The Web They Wove’ is extremely well written. The author has one of those writing styles that immediately grabs the reader’s attention and draws them into what proves to be a compelling story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Just when you thought that you could take a minute to gather your thoughts and take a breather then off the action would go again. Reading ‘The Web They Wove’ felt like being on a scary and rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Catherine’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Web They Wove’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Catherine’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
4.5/5 I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only for my honest review.
Deputy Inspector Andrew "Ziggy" Thornes of Yorkshire PD works long hours and doesn't leave until the case is closed. His dedication to the department has cost him two marriages and precious time away from his son. But for Ziggy and his second in command, DS Sadie Bates, and the rest of their team, the safety of others weighs heavy on his shoulder.
When a young woman is found dead on Woodhouse Moor, all signs point to murder. When another woman goes missing shortly after the first murder, Ziggy and his team quickly realize they could be dealing with a serial offender. The police are racing the clock to find the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
This book is a police procedural thriller that chilled me to the final page. The author has done her research. Yaffe provides an insight into the chain of command hierarchy to evidence processing. Ziggy and Sadie work tirelessly to follow the clues that lead them to their suspect.
I enjoyed this book so much I read it in less than two days. There are enough characters to keep the story exciting but not overwhelm and confuse the reader. I read this story like an episode of Law & Order or Criminal Minds. The clues are hidden right between the lines as you follow Ziggy and the team through the case.
I knocked .5 off the rating because this book could use some extra editing. The author is British, and the story is set in Yorkshire. Some of the terms and sentence structure don't flow as an American reader. I've read other British authors whose more formal writing doesn't sound like a casual conversation.
DI Andrew 'Ziggy' Thornes is called in to investigate the murder of a young woman. Shortly afterwards, her friend disappears too. Are the cases connected and Ziggy is concerned that he has a connection with the chief suspect... The Web They Wove is a dramatic police thriller that had me hooked. This is only the second novel by this author and I have not read the first, yet Catherine Yaffe writes with confidence and passion. Ziggy is a great lead character and a dedicated cop. His second marriage has failed and he is struggling to keep things amicable with his ex wife as he repeatedly cancels visits to their son so he can focus on the case. He has good friendships with his colleagues but issues with his superior officer. His general likeability makes the reader warm to him and will him on to success in catching the killer. The book is written from mulitple third person narratives with the majority being the police developments of the case. There are also disturbing chapters from the viewpoint of the victims and the killer which increase the tension. We are giving insider knowledge of characters' experiences and emotions so we can understand their motives and actions. I enjoyed the rapport and respect between the members of the police team, as well as the solid police procedural elements of the investigation. The forensic descriptions are made more emotive as we have seen the terror that led to the death. There are plenty of twists and the plot moves quickly (plus I couldn't put it down!) The Web They Wove is an enjoyable serial killer and police thriller and I look forward to more books by this author in the future I'll be catching up on the debut novel too!)
Well wow! And I mean, wow. This book comes at you guns blazing. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for a police procedural / serial killer combo and did this book just fulfil all that I needed it to, and more!
The prologue grabs you by the shoulders and sucks you right in to a murder scene before you’ve had a chance to sip that tea / coffee beside you. Then it races off on an evocative, gritty and suspenseful journey while Ziggy and his team try to find this cruel and seriously unhinged killer. I was so invested in Ziggy’s need to find the killer; I became the ultimate opportunistic reader - boiling the kettle (quick chapter), putting away laundry (go on, sure), never has my toddler refusing her nap and to ultimately fall asleep on my knee been so welcomed 😂 It was punchy and pacey and I relished Catherine’s writing. Her characterisation is incredibly skilled; I felt like I had known Ziggy and his team (who are very likeable, by the way) for years.
If you like a pacey serial killer thriller with a skilfully detailed police procedural plot, then this is the one for you! Of course, I couldn’t not mention the ending. Be prepared, is all I will say. Not many books bolt me out of my seat, but if the third book could be available, say yesterday, that would be just fab Catherine 🤣🤣
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for a gifted kindle copy. My review is voluntary and thoughts are entirely my own.
Book two of the Tangled Web Series focuses not only on the brutal kidnappings and murders of young women but also on DI Andrew “Ziggy” Thorne and his Major Investigations team.
The team is barely finished with one case when they start the next one… the body of a murdered young woman found in the park. Evidence proves the woman was killed in the park and her body left in a spot where it would be found quickly.
Progress is slow as leads are few. Ziggy is frustrated. Though his team is held in high regard in the department, it doesn’t stop his micromanaging boss from breathing down his neck, threatening to bring in another homicide team.
However, the stakes rise when another woman goes missing and she’s the best friend of the first victim.
Ziggy’s personal life isn’t ideal and his commitment to his job often gets in the way of spending time with his seven-year-old son. His ex-wife, Rachel, has no problem telling him what an awful father he is.
Deftly written, this read is written in multiple POVS, including the killer’s, who could not only be the poster child for mental illness but is just plain evil.
I enjoyed the satisfying ending until I was gobsmacked by the lead-in to book three. Are you kidding me? I need that book now! HA!
Great addition to the series! I’m definitely Team Ziggy!
“She stopped thrashing and lay still, tears running down the side of her face, diluting the mascara she had so carefully applied earlier in the evening. Multicoloured dots and stars appeared in her peripheral vision, then blackness enveloped her.”
Without giving away too many plot details, “The Web They Wove” is a classic police procedural. Set in Leeds this police investigation is about trying to solve a murder, then two where the victims are both friends and colleagues who rent chairs part time in a beauty salon.
Important clues are woven into the narrative throughout such as car models, perfume scents, vintage clothing but following up on the clues doesn’t prevent the second murder.
When the third potential victim is kidnapped the police team -DI Andrew ‘Ziggy’ Thornes, DS Nick Wilkinson, DC Angela Dove and DS Sadie Bates – are up against the clock to prevent a personal tragedy for someone on their own team.
There are chapters which are written from the perspective of the murderer to explain his or her motivation.
All in all a satisfactory denouement where although we have been led a merry dance there is still a twist or two to be had. The final chapter sets up the next book while drawing this one to a close.
A minor quibble is that the police solve the two murders but the reader knows early on that there have been more.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
We first met DI Andrew ‘Ziggy’ Thornes in book one of the Tangled Web series – ‘The Lies She Told‘, I read and loved it last year so I just had to jump at the chance to read this new instalment ‘The Web They Wove’, which is easily read as a stand alone (though trust me you will want to read book one).
‘The Web They Wove’ was a gripping, edge of your seat thriller that saw Ziggy and his team race against the clock to stop a killer. I loved how we got the killers viewpoint, and how all the thread started to come together – I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment where I thought I had it figured out and was willing Ziggy through the pages to hopefully be on the right path with me and then once the killer got too close to home that was when thing really picked up with my reading I could not put this book down until I reached the end as it just gripped me so, but boy that ending!!
Not going to lie there is a cliff-hanger and my only complaint is that I want to read the next book right now! I can only begin to imagine how great that book will be going by how amazing I thought this one was! Catherine Yaffe is definitely on my radar for great police procedurals and being English based makes her books all the more appealing.
*COPY PROVIDED BY VR IN RETUN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*
This book, wow, it was more accurate to real life than I expected, officers wearing the correct forensic kit and not just wandering in contaminating the crime scene with just a pair of gloves. The story kept me guessing and the twists didn't come out of no where they were shocking but believable. Everything ended up linking together, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cliffhanger at the end though, my god, I need to read the next book.
Anyone that enjoys crime thrillers I recommend this too. I've not been hooked by a book in this genre since I read the craftsman by Sharon Bolton (as people who follow my reviews know, it's one of my ultimate favourite books)
Potential Spoilers (but not really)
This follows DI Thorne aka Ziggy and his team on the search for a killer when a body shows up with seemingly no leads. The stakes are raised when another woman goes missing.
Annnnd that's all I'll say (I told you it wasn't really spoilers) highly recommend can't wait for the next book
I receeived an advance copy of this book from the author having previously read one of her books. This book centres on a character from the last book I read of Catherine's, Ziggy, a police inspector in Leeds. When the body of a young woman is found in a local recreation area, Ziggy is in charge of the case and the quest to find the killer. Unfortunately, another young woman is found dead in the same place only a short time later. With a clear link between the two women, Ziggy has a race against time and the killer before he or she strikes again. With the case taking over his life and his boss not being of any help, Ziggy has to rely on his team and his own initiative to catch a murderer. I really enjoyed this book as there were many twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Can't wait for the next book!!
4.5⭐️ Gore score 3/5 some description of violence,that occurs in short sections and more towards the end as the tension builds. I must comment is on the eye catching cover.
This is my first introduction to the authors work it is the 2nd book published and further explores Ziggy who appeared in the first book. I found it a bit confusing to see a quote on the back cover which suggests that it’s a debut. I feel that this is a very accomplished novel, and can sit proudly amongst the rest in the genre.
I love the nickname of the lead detective Ziggy, aka DI Andrew Thornes with the Major investigations team. The story is mainly told from Ziggy’s and the teams point of view but we also hear from the killer, the information from the killer is gradually divulged, we also hear from other characters at various points, to avoid spoilers not naming them. There is good character development of the main players which I like to see, and helps me to engage with the characters. There’s a good balance between plot and character development. It’s got a good concise writing style, with a light hearted touch in places. That adds a bit of personality into what can become quite dry formats in police procedurals. It has a steady pace, although I am a pace junky, always wanting more. It takes on a darker more gritty feel towards the end of the book that I really enjoyed. The book has a satisfying conclusion, and at the same time leads us straight into the next book which I’m looking forward to.
Honestly, the cover gives me chills, so I knew I had to read this. The words on the inside, though…the writing is phenomenal! The Web They Wove by Catherine Yaffe is gritty, intense, and unique.
It didn’t take long to hook me, and once I was hooked, there was no chance of setting this down. This is so well written. It’s fast-paced, and the storytelling is so realistic.
I loved The Web They Wove. I highly recommend this to fans of this genre, because I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! Check it out!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Entartaining and surprising! This was a very good thriller that had me wondering almost until the end. The book is written using the point of view of different characters including the killer, which was really teasing as I tried to guess who it was with little success. I enjoyed reading again about Ziggy and his colleagues and I'd definitely read more. I started this book with little expectations after reading the first one where Ziggy makes his debut but I was honestly impressed! The only frustrating thing is that it finishes with a massive cliffhanger and I can't wait to know what happens next.
Crime fiction tropes aside, this was a good novel. The lead detective was easy to like and his team were a welcome addition to the story. Each characters connection to the murder victims was well weaved and although the climax was quite abrupt, did tie up all loose ends nicely. My only complaint is it ended on a huge cliffhanger so now I have to wait to find out what happens next!
I was given an advanced copy through Voracious Readers so there were a few typos and grammatical errors which I’m sure were fixed up for the full release.
Ahhh I absolutely loved this book ! This is the first book I have read by this author (I guarantee it will not be the last!) , this book was up my street completely, I love a good crime mystery book.
This is one of them books that keeps you gripped onto every word, every sentence, every page! Oh I loved Catherine's writing style , the way she describes everything and everyone in the book paints a clear picture in the readers mind .
The character of DI Andrew Thornes, is one of them detectives that you would love to live in the mind of , to see the workings of the characters mind (well the authors mind too) , and try to figure out whodunit and what's is going to happen next. If you are a fan of crime thrillers , then I would definitely suggest checking this one out!
I really enjoyed this book and would look forward to more in a series. It’s nice to have a police protagonists and team that are competent and work well together. The story was interesting and had some good twists, though the ending could be viewed as negative to different sexual identities/mental health people. It’s a fine line. But overall an entertaining read and I’d read more from the author.
Loved this book. There were so many twists and turns. The main character is also someone you can really empathise with - his situation, the stresses of his work, his relationships they're all things you can sympathise and empathise with. There was a lot of suspense throughout which made it a real page turner and I found myself thinking about the story while going about my day to day life trying to guess what would happen next. The best twist is at the end when you figure out the truth before the main character(s) do and then you're willing for them to work it out. But will they make it there in time to save the day?!
Overall this was a solid book, where I was hooked in by the first few pages. However, a little later into the story I started finding a few flaws. Personally, I thought that the main character could’ve had a little more personality because he seemed emotionally flat. The other characters had good backstories, but it was lot of telling rather than showing. Once I read about 60% of the book, I found that I was getting a little bored. It was hard to stay focused because there was a lot of repetition, and extra explanation that didn’t necessarily need to be there. Overall, I think the concept was great, but it could’ve been a little more fledged out
This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great suspense and action with wonderful world building. Can't wait to read what the author brings out next. Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Loved it! The main characters are believable and the plot kept me guessing, but the clues are there if you spot them. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and am really looking forward to reading more. I’d love a Ziggy series! Highly recommend, it’s a page turner that’s so easy to read - great for holidays.
This story gave me chills. A murder mystery that is action packed and kept me interested until the end. I liked the way the author let us into the mind of the killer, so we could understand what led him to be the way he was. I would recommend this book. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Wow. This kept me turning the pages and I didn't want the story to end. I really enjoyed this crime novel about a serial killer and the differing points of view of the characters. Now I can't wait for the next one in the series. DI, 'Ziggy' Thornes and his team are not to be missed. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. Wow! This is not my usual genre of choice but I am so glad I tried it. Characters that you can connect and sympathise with, a plot that keeps you hooked and not too gory! Ziggy's relationship with his team is realistic and we've all had a boss like his! Loved it! Hope there's more to come..
I love thrillers, enjoy police procedurals, thrive on mysteries. I felt this one was well written. Excellent character development. Strong plot line. Believable police procedures. You do figure out before the end who the bad guy is but it is not a let down. Still plenty of action to go. Definitely worth a read.
I received an ARC of The Web They Wove by the author. It is an superb, heart wrenching story that is impossible to put down. "She shouted and yelled, trying to make as much noise as possible, hoping to attract attention, but the wind blew the screams back into her mouth, trapping them in her throat." is one of the first sentences of the book that creates such imagery that sets the stage for the entire book. Ziggy, Sadie and Nick are amazing characters that work so well together. I can't wait to read Ziggy's next story. Hopefully he has many more stories to tell.
Wonderfully written! The suspense made it hard to put the book down! The ending left me wanting to read more! Thanks to Voracious Readers and the author for the free copy! Highly recommend reading this book! I look forward to reading more of this author’s work!