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DI Eve Hunter #3
From the Ashes
In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive.
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2022
14 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Masson
7 books113 followersDeborah Masson was born and bred in Aberdeen, Scotland. Always restless and fighting against being a responsible adult, Deborah worked in several jobs including Secretarial, Marketing, Reporting for the city’s weekly freebie newspaper, and a stint as a Postie - to name but a few. But through it all, she always read crime fiction and, when motherhood finally settled her in to being an adult, maybe even a responsible one, she turned her hand to trying to write what she loved to read. Deborah started with short stories and flash fiction whilst her daughter napped and, when she later welcomed her son into the world, decided to challenge her writing further through online courses with Professional Writing Academy and Faber Academy. Her debut, Hold Your Tongue, was the result of those courses. She’s since published Out For Blood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 4, 2022
This is the latest in Deborah Masson's DI Eve Hunter series, based in Aberdeen, the Granite City, a dark and intense harrowing mystery which begins with a horrifying case of arson when Wellwood, a privately run children's residential home, owned by Stephen Alderton, is set on fire that results in the tragic death of young boy, 11 year old Lucas Fyfe. What is more shocking and sinister is that his body is not discovered in his bedroom, but locked beneath a recently discovered secret underground basement, Lucas had had no chance of escaping the fire. DC Scott Ferguson finds himself haunted by old traumas which rise to the surface when he is caught up in a road accident with a boy suffering from life threatening injuries that he follows to the hospital. Feeling personally involved, he pours his energies into being there for the unidentified boy, trying to work out who he is and his background.
Unfortunately, this means Scott neglects his responsibilities in the high profile children's home investigation, leaving the hard pressed and overworked DS Jo Mearns covering up for him, but what are the secrets in his past that he has buried deep? As Eve and her team look into the lives of the remaining children, and the staff of the home, huge debts come to light, could it be that the arson was a means to collect on the insurance? The media focus is intense, and the team are under nightmare pressures, particularly with a local journalist's determination to get exclusives. Matters are exacerbated considerably when the police learn of the macabre contents of an oil drum retrieved from the basement. This has Eve digging into the horrors that took place at the children's home in its past when it was run by a previous owner, Sally Fields.
Masson highlights the dangers and all too real vulnerabilities of children placed in care in residential children's homes, the abuse that can take place and the consequent emotional damage and trauma that devastates and ruins lives. The author skilfully develops the character of Scott, throwing a light on what has made him the person he is, and creating the circumstances that offer him the opportunity to at least address to some degree what happened to him. This is a heartrending crime read, although it was a more choppy addition from the previous novels, where the disparate threads come together in surprising ways to connect, and it all comes together in a terrifying nail-biting finale. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Unfortunately, this means Scott neglects his responsibilities in the high profile children's home investigation, leaving the hard pressed and overworked DS Jo Mearns covering up for him, but what are the secrets in his past that he has buried deep? As Eve and her team look into the lives of the remaining children, and the staff of the home, huge debts come to light, could it be that the arson was a means to collect on the insurance? The media focus is intense, and the team are under nightmare pressures, particularly with a local journalist's determination to get exclusives. Matters are exacerbated considerably when the police learn of the macabre contents of an oil drum retrieved from the basement. This has Eve digging into the horrors that took place at the children's home in its past when it was run by a previous owner, Sally Fields.
Masson highlights the dangers and all too real vulnerabilities of children placed in care in residential children's homes, the abuse that can take place and the consequent emotional damage and trauma that devastates and ruins lives. The author skilfully develops the character of Scott, throwing a light on what has made him the person he is, and creating the circumstances that offer him the opportunity to at least address to some degree what happened to him. This is a heartrending crime read, although it was a more choppy addition from the previous novels, where the disparate threads come together in surprising ways to connect, and it all comes together in a terrifying nail-biting finale. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
March 6, 2022
DI Eve Hunter #3
It’s the 7th of March and Eve’s birthday which she rarely celebrates due to connections in her past. When her phone rings to inform her of a fire at a children’s home and the discovery of a body she heads to the scene. As does DS Scott Ferguson who sees the smoke while on his morning run. Whilst he is en route a young man is knocked down and has life-threatening injuries. Why does Scott take such an interest in this boy and take his eye of the investigation ball into the children’s home?
This is another well written dark and gritty read, as gritty as the granite that Aberdeen is famous for. The city makes an excellent backdrop and really matches the storytelling. This is an interesting police team too whose characters are well fleshed out making them feel authentic.
The dynamics between them are very interesting too. The plot is well thought out and it takes many a twist and turn to get the truth.
For awhile you cannot see how the different strands of the storyline connect but connect they do. The children’s home becomes central to the investigation and you feel empathy with a small number of teens who live there as they stick together for a wide variety of reasons. What emerges is not a pretty tale as several shocking and disturbing discoveries are made which makes your heart bleed and break with the examples of heartlessness. Sadly these events are not uncommon as we all now know.
The novel deals with mental as well as physical damage both in the recent and more distant past and it becomes personal as we see how some characters are caught up and haunted by their backgrounds. There are parts that are chilling and at times it’s spooky, even a bit ghostly, as it builds to a dramatic end. It’s maybe a bit overly dramatic but it does fit and tie things together. I like this series and I like Eve Hunter so eagerly await number four.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Transworld, Penguin for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
It’s the 7th of March and Eve’s birthday which she rarely celebrates due to connections in her past. When her phone rings to inform her of a fire at a children’s home and the discovery of a body she heads to the scene. As does DS Scott Ferguson who sees the smoke while on his morning run. Whilst he is en route a young man is knocked down and has life-threatening injuries. Why does Scott take such an interest in this boy and take his eye of the investigation ball into the children’s home?
This is another well written dark and gritty read, as gritty as the granite that Aberdeen is famous for. The city makes an excellent backdrop and really matches the storytelling. This is an interesting police team too whose characters are well fleshed out making them feel authentic.
The dynamics between them are very interesting too. The plot is well thought out and it takes many a twist and turn to get the truth.
For awhile you cannot see how the different strands of the storyline connect but connect they do. The children’s home becomes central to the investigation and you feel empathy with a small number of teens who live there as they stick together for a wide variety of reasons. What emerges is not a pretty tale as several shocking and disturbing discoveries are made which makes your heart bleed and break with the examples of heartlessness. Sadly these events are not uncommon as we all now know.
The novel deals with mental as well as physical damage both in the recent and more distant past and it becomes personal as we see how some characters are caught up and haunted by their backgrounds. There are parts that are chilling and at times it’s spooky, even a bit ghostly, as it builds to a dramatic end. It’s maybe a bit overly dramatic but it does fit and tie things together. I like this series and I like Eve Hunter so eagerly await number four.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Transworld, Penguin for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2022
DI Eve Hunter #3
In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive. But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; discovered located inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
The pace is steady throughout and it kept me guessing all the way through. DI Eve Hunter and her team are called out to investigate a fire at a children's home where a child's body was found in the basement. The firefighters also find the remains of a woman and a foetus. Is there a connection to the two deaths? This is an emotional read. The story is descriptively written and fully describes the vulnerability of the children within the care sector. It has also been well researched. The plotline is gripping and held my attention throughout. Everything was woven together seamlessly with no loose ends left hanging.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUk #TransworldPublishers and the author #DeborahMasson for my ARC of #FromTheAshes in exchange for an honest review.
In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive. But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; discovered located inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
The pace is steady throughout and it kept me guessing all the way through. DI Eve Hunter and her team are called out to investigate a fire at a children's home where a child's body was found in the basement. The firefighters also find the remains of a woman and a foetus. Is there a connection to the two deaths? This is an emotional read. The story is descriptively written and fully describes the vulnerability of the children within the care sector. It has also been well researched. The plotline is gripping and held my attention throughout. Everything was woven together seamlessly with no loose ends left hanging.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUk #TransworldPublishers and the author #DeborahMasson for my ARC of #FromTheAshes in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2022
In Kincorth, Aberdeen, Scotland, Wellwood Children's Home owned by Stephen Alderton, is on fire and DI Eve Hunter is in attendance. An eleven-year-old named Lucas Fyfe has died. But he was found not in the fire in his room, but in a secret underground basement at the bottom of a ladder. Eve investigates with colleague DS Mark Cooper. DC Scott Ferguson has his own traumas to endure when a road accident involving two vehicles and a boy suffering from life-threatening injuries takes him over when he feels personally involved after following him to the hospital. DS Jo Mearns covers for him.
Another dark, gritty and exceptionally well-written offering from Deborah Masson which I really enjoyed. The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is great and the denouement is nailbiting. This is book three in a series and I'm already looking forward to reading book four.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Random House UK, Transworld via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Another dark, gritty and exceptionally well-written offering from Deborah Masson which I really enjoyed. The characters are well fleshed out, the plot is great and the denouement is nailbiting. This is book three in a series and I'm already looking forward to reading book four.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Random House UK, Transworld via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 28, 2022
As the house burns the hunt for the killer begins!!!!!
The third book in the series to feature Dr Eve Hunter and what a cracking read. As the house is reduced to ashes and rubble the body of a child is found in a secret cellar. Now I have set the scene welcome to one of the most heart braking stories I have read by this author. Not only does Dr Hunter and her team find the arsonist/ killer but she has to delve into the dark history of the children's home. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense, gripping, intense and so much more.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
The third book in the series to feature Dr Eve Hunter and what a cracking read. As the house is reduced to ashes and rubble the body of a child is found in a secret cellar. Now I have set the scene welcome to one of the most heart braking stories I have read by this author. Not only does Dr Hunter and her team find the arsonist/ killer but she has to delve into the dark history of the children's home. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense, gripping, intense and so much more.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
June 16, 2022
This is book three of the DI Eve Hunter series that is set in the beautiful city of Aberdeen in Scotland and it’s another thrilling instalment of a really great series.
The plot is a dark one and deals with some hard subjects involving a children’s home with physical and mental abuse but it’s all dealt with in an extremely sensitive way by the author. The story has many twists and turns and really did keep me on my toes in trying to guess the ending , which I didn’t !
The characters were well written and I love the members of Eve’s team after reading the previous two books I felt that we got to know more about them and in particular DC Ferguson and I really enjoyed that about the book.
So a gritty thriller and police procedural written so well by Deborah Masson and all I can say is many thanks to her and roll on book four.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The plot is a dark one and deals with some hard subjects involving a children’s home with physical and mental abuse but it’s all dealt with in an extremely sensitive way by the author. The story has many twists and turns and really did keep me on my toes in trying to guess the ending , which I didn’t !
The characters were well written and I love the members of Eve’s team after reading the previous two books I felt that we got to know more about them and in particular DC Ferguson and I really enjoyed that about the book.
So a gritty thriller and police procedural written so well by Deborah Masson and all I can say is many thanks to her and roll on book four.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 12, 2022
I would like to thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advance copy of From the Ashes, the third novel to feature DI Eve Hunter of the Aberdeen Police.
A fire at a children’s home which kills one person gives Eve and the team a very difficult case. It’s not just the victim or the fire, but also the secrets being kept and a shocking discovery in the basement.
I must admit that I didn’t get really invested in From the Ashes, which is a first for me with this author. I found the format too busy with quick, unheralded switches between viewpoints giving the novel a disjointed feel. There are three main points of view, Eve and the investigation, DC Scott Ferguson who is keeping secrets and doing his own thing when he should be concentrating on his job and the unnamed perpetrator who isn’t very well defined.
The plot is mostly comprised of Eve and the team uncovering what they’ve not been told, so it’s a bit slow moving. The perpetrator is unmasked when they take matters into their own hands and self reveal. Would the team have got there anyway? I think it’s doubtful. I would have rated this novel at 3*, if not for the bombshell about Scott Ferguson and what he’s been up to. It was truly a surprise and I liked the way it fitted into the story.
From the Ashes is a solid police procedural, but not, in my opinion, of the same standard as its predecessors.
A fire at a children’s home which kills one person gives Eve and the team a very difficult case. It’s not just the victim or the fire, but also the secrets being kept and a shocking discovery in the basement.
I must admit that I didn’t get really invested in From the Ashes, which is a first for me with this author. I found the format too busy with quick, unheralded switches between viewpoints giving the novel a disjointed feel. There are three main points of view, Eve and the investigation, DC Scott Ferguson who is keeping secrets and doing his own thing when he should be concentrating on his job and the unnamed perpetrator who isn’t very well defined.
The plot is mostly comprised of Eve and the team uncovering what they’ve not been told, so it’s a bit slow moving. The perpetrator is unmasked when they take matters into their own hands and self reveal. Would the team have got there anyway? I think it’s doubtful. I would have rated this novel at 3*, if not for the bombshell about Scott Ferguson and what he’s been up to. It was truly a surprise and I liked the way it fitted into the story.
From the Ashes is a solid police procedural, but not, in my opinion, of the same standard as its predecessors.
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March 16, 2022Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
Having enjoyed the two previous books I was pleased to be approved for this one. I thought this was a very good read and an excellent addition to the DI Eve Hunter series. It started off very well and immediately grabbed my attention and lured me in. DI Hunter and her team investigate a fire in a children’s home and a body is found in the basement. I really enjoyed this book, Eve and her team are very likeable and believable characters and are portrayed realistically. I particularly liked finding more about one of her team, reading of their history and I loved the separate thread running alongside the main investigation that gave an insight and more depth to that character. The story is told through three characters which I liked and it moved from past to present time easily. Overall, this is a well written and very engaging book which is quite fast paced and has a good plot line. It raced to a thrilling and final conclusion that I had already guessed. I perhaps would have liked the book to wow me a bit more although saying that it is still a great police procedural and a book and series I would recommend. I’m looking forward to the next in this series.
Having enjoyed the two previous books I was pleased to be approved for this one. I thought this was a very good read and an excellent addition to the DI Eve Hunter series. It started off very well and immediately grabbed my attention and lured me in. DI Hunter and her team investigate a fire in a children’s home and a body is found in the basement. I really enjoyed this book, Eve and her team are very likeable and believable characters and are portrayed realistically. I particularly liked finding more about one of her team, reading of their history and I loved the separate thread running alongside the main investigation that gave an insight and more depth to that character. The story is told through three characters which I liked and it moved from past to present time easily. Overall, this is a well written and very engaging book which is quite fast paced and has a good plot line. It raced to a thrilling and final conclusion that I had already guessed. I perhaps would have liked the book to wow me a bit more although saying that it is still a great police procedural and a book and series I would recommend. I’m looking forward to the next in this series.
June 20, 2022
Deborah Masson's 'From The Ashes' jumps straight into the action, with no messing about. It's a police procedural with the pacing of a thriller. I can't put these books down once I start, and I'm totally invested in this series. I particularly enjoyed the character development of team member Scott Ferguson in this one. As always, I eagerly await the next instalment from an author at the top of her game.
July 28, 2022
There are some writers when you pick up one of their books you know you are in for a treat. Deborah Masson is one of them. I was hooked before I'd finished the first few pages.
DI Eve Hunter and her team are called to a house fire in a children's home. When a body is discovered in a basement room it's obvious this is not just a straight forward accident.
For one of the team this investigation is about to get very personal.
A fantastic page turner that kept me reading late into the night. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
DI Eve Hunter and her team are called to a house fire in a children's home. When a body is discovered in a basement room it's obvious this is not just a straight forward accident.
For one of the team this investigation is about to get very personal.
A fantastic page turner that kept me reading late into the night. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
January 4, 2023
Having never read this series before I had no expectations. All I can say is Wow what a roller-coaster of a book. Its a devastatingly dark thriller that had me gripped straight away and I still genuinely haven't got my my breath back. The previous books in this series were instantly placed on my must read TBR. If you like extremely dark thrillers then then this will be perfect for you.
#FromTheAshes @DeborahMasson
#FromTheAshes @DeborahMasson
September 28, 2024
Easy to read but a good mystery novel.
March 26, 2025
A fire is started at a children’s home Wellwood and one boy is killed, Lucas, only 11. They find out it was arson, petrol put through the letter box. He was found in a basement with carpet covering so he couldn’t escape. They go to tell his grandmother who is heartless and has no care or interest, talking about her daughter’s addiction from 14 and going with Lucas’ father who was 10 years older. His mother died from a fire in the home causing Lucas to be terrified of fire.
Stephen runs the home, with support from 3 staff - Beth, Jake, Ben. There are 5 other kids - Darren, Matt, Hannah, Charlotte, Sadie. Stephen’s father William ran off with Sally Fields who started the children’s home when he was 6. When she died she left it to his father and then he left it to him. He is £250,000 in debt and addicted to gambling. He’d been permanently staying in the children’s home as his wife left him.
Meanwhile, Ferguson finds a vehicle incident nearby where a boy is left in a coma. He had purposefully ran in front of a car. Ferguson gets heavily emotionally invested in the case despite it not being part of his teams. The boys identified as Archie. Ferguson has a past hinted at as the reason for why he’s so invested in this boy, and he falls out with the team when they realise he’s been investigating this instead of the home. Archie on cctv is shown to have been harassed by Brian Logan, a dodgy loan shark.
In a flammable old oil drum below the house, another body is found inside of a pregnant girl from 30 years before. She’s only a teenager and the baby was 7 months into pregnancy. She had been suffocated and hit over the head. They find Jane Henderson, somebody who would’ve been a child in the home around that time - Marcie Wade the reporter got to her first though. She tells Marcie about how horrendous the home was, full of abuse, she believes the girl who died is Danny, who was dating somebody called John in there. She believes he’s also dead.
At the funeral of Lucas, Brian Logan appears, talking to Stephen. When Ferguson questions Archie, he confirms that he helped get customers for Brian and one of them was Stephen. Stephen reveals that Archie used to be a child at the home until 6 months ago. Archie reveals he went to visit Stephen at the home that night but when he got there the fire had started. Ferguson tells Mearns that he was also a child at Wellwood and knows the girl in the barrel. Ferguson says he blames himself for her being in there, as he told Sally about her being pregnant.
Throughout we get a narrative from a boy, somebody who was in the children’s home when Sally started it years earlier. He has fallen in love with a girl, Danny. The boy, John, was sexually abused alongside his mother by men, leading to him being in the home.
The children are rehomed in a nearby church temporarily. They have Ferguson on watch who goes missing. When Eve goes to see what’s going on, Jake recommends they go to Wellwood as Stephen may have gone back there - at this point it’s obvious to me Jake is the murderer. They go down to the basement where he hits her over the head. At the same time, Mearns and Cooper find cctv of Jake in the car with Stephen after Stephen’s disappearance. Jake was in the home when Ferguson was who is also tied up in the basement too. He set the fire and put Lucas in the basement when he saw what he was doing. Jake was “John” and killed Danny in anger when she mentioned how kind Scott (Ferguson) had been to her. He wanted Stephen dead for allowing the kids in the basement near where they were, Ferguson for “stealing” her from him and Eve for taking the bodies away. Mearns and Cooper come to the rescue and whilst cooper is stabbed, Mearns manages to knock Jake out.
The book ends really positively with Jake’s imprisonment, and Ferguson reuniting with Jane from the home, on his healing journey for everything they went through.
Really enjoyed this book. The ending was a little rushed though I felt. I think the first in the series will always be best for me but this came close!
Stephen runs the home, with support from 3 staff - Beth, Jake, Ben. There are 5 other kids - Darren, Matt, Hannah, Charlotte, Sadie. Stephen’s father William ran off with Sally Fields who started the children’s home when he was 6. When she died she left it to his father and then he left it to him. He is £250,000 in debt and addicted to gambling. He’d been permanently staying in the children’s home as his wife left him.
Meanwhile, Ferguson finds a vehicle incident nearby where a boy is left in a coma. He had purposefully ran in front of a car. Ferguson gets heavily emotionally invested in the case despite it not being part of his teams. The boys identified as Archie. Ferguson has a past hinted at as the reason for why he’s so invested in this boy, and he falls out with the team when they realise he’s been investigating this instead of the home. Archie on cctv is shown to have been harassed by Brian Logan, a dodgy loan shark.
In a flammable old oil drum below the house, another body is found inside of a pregnant girl from 30 years before. She’s only a teenager and the baby was 7 months into pregnancy. She had been suffocated and hit over the head. They find Jane Henderson, somebody who would’ve been a child in the home around that time - Marcie Wade the reporter got to her first though. She tells Marcie about how horrendous the home was, full of abuse, she believes the girl who died is Danny, who was dating somebody called John in there. She believes he’s also dead.
At the funeral of Lucas, Brian Logan appears, talking to Stephen. When Ferguson questions Archie, he confirms that he helped get customers for Brian and one of them was Stephen. Stephen reveals that Archie used to be a child at the home until 6 months ago. Archie reveals he went to visit Stephen at the home that night but when he got there the fire had started. Ferguson tells Mearns that he was also a child at Wellwood and knows the girl in the barrel. Ferguson says he blames himself for her being in there, as he told Sally about her being pregnant.
Throughout we get a narrative from a boy, somebody who was in the children’s home when Sally started it years earlier. He has fallen in love with a girl, Danny. The boy, John, was sexually abused alongside his mother by men, leading to him being in the home.
The children are rehomed in a nearby church temporarily. They have Ferguson on watch who goes missing. When Eve goes to see what’s going on, Jake recommends they go to Wellwood as Stephen may have gone back there - at this point it’s obvious to me Jake is the murderer. They go down to the basement where he hits her over the head. At the same time, Mearns and Cooper find cctv of Jake in the car with Stephen after Stephen’s disappearance. Jake was in the home when Ferguson was who is also tied up in the basement too. He set the fire and put Lucas in the basement when he saw what he was doing. Jake was “John” and killed Danny in anger when she mentioned how kind Scott (Ferguson) had been to her. He wanted Stephen dead for allowing the kids in the basement near where they were, Ferguson for “stealing” her from him and Eve for taking the bodies away. Mearns and Cooper come to the rescue and whilst cooper is stabbed, Mearns manages to knock Jake out.
The book ends really positively with Jake’s imprisonment, and Ferguson reuniting with Jane from the home, on his healing journey for everything they went through.
Really enjoyed this book. The ending was a little rushed though I felt. I think the first in the series will always be best for me but this came close!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
I enjoy Deborah Masson’s D.I. Eve Hunter series. With each book you learn a little more about Eve’s team and the focus this time is on D.C. Scott Ferguson. This time the Aberdeen based D.I. Hunter is faced with a truly awful crime.
A child is dead and the cause of that death is wilful arson. Someone has set fire to a Wellwood, a privately run Children’s Home and now 11 year old Lucas Fyfe is dead – found in a disused basement where he had no reason to be.
Wellwood’s owner, Stephen Alderton is distraught but as Eve and her team dig into the home and those who live and work in it, it seems that Alderton is just one of many hiding things from the Police.
The children, too have secrets; secrets that they have sworn to each other they won’t reveal, but as Eve Hunter and her team dig deeper into this case, they face a shocking discovery that is even more horrifying than finding Lucas Fyfe’s body.
DC Scott Ferguson is on his way into work when he witnesses a bad road accident in which a teenage boy is knocked down, suffering severe injury. The boy can barely speak when Ferguson reaches him, but he implores Scott to stay with him and Scott feels compelled to do so. This boy has triggered something in Ferguson and he is driven to find out more about the lad, leaving his team mates in the lurch as he prioritises this case above the work that Eve Hunter has assigned to the team.
Though she does her best, DS Jo Mearns can’t cover for Ferguson indefinitely and soon he is putting his job on the line as he openly defies her authority and makes some bad judgement calls in so doing.
Eve and her team are under huge media scrutiny and it appears that there’s one journalist who is better at getting to the facts before the Police which isn’t helping Turner’s boss to invest confidence in her or her team.
The more they investigate his case, the more it seems that the answers lie in the past and the secrets that lie buried will soon rise from the ashes. It’s a heart-rending story that echoes only too well some of the terrible stories that we have heard about residential children’s homes and what can happen in them behind closed doors where the most vulnerable have no-one to look out for their interests.
Masson sets this gritty book a lively pace which is kept up throughout. Her characters feel authentic and there’s a credible team dynamic that works really well. The inter-connecting plot, told through three characters moves from past to present. It is neatly put together and the storyline well-researched.
From the Ashes is a sometimes traumatic read but it also offers a serious look at the long term impact of neglect and abuse on children’s lives and the way that can follow them through to adulthood. By utilising the character of D.S. Scott Ferguson to offer a different angle, Masson shows us that not all crime is inevitable.
Verdict: Though I had a good inkling of what and who, this did not affect my enjoyment of a book that has a number of surprises, a deal of tension and excellent characterisation.
A child is dead and the cause of that death is wilful arson. Someone has set fire to a Wellwood, a privately run Children’s Home and now 11 year old Lucas Fyfe is dead – found in a disused basement where he had no reason to be.
Wellwood’s owner, Stephen Alderton is distraught but as Eve and her team dig into the home and those who live and work in it, it seems that Alderton is just one of many hiding things from the Police.
The children, too have secrets; secrets that they have sworn to each other they won’t reveal, but as Eve Hunter and her team dig deeper into this case, they face a shocking discovery that is even more horrifying than finding Lucas Fyfe’s body.
DC Scott Ferguson is on his way into work when he witnesses a bad road accident in which a teenage boy is knocked down, suffering severe injury. The boy can barely speak when Ferguson reaches him, but he implores Scott to stay with him and Scott feels compelled to do so. This boy has triggered something in Ferguson and he is driven to find out more about the lad, leaving his team mates in the lurch as he prioritises this case above the work that Eve Hunter has assigned to the team.
Though she does her best, DS Jo Mearns can’t cover for Ferguson indefinitely and soon he is putting his job on the line as he openly defies her authority and makes some bad judgement calls in so doing.
Eve and her team are under huge media scrutiny and it appears that there’s one journalist who is better at getting to the facts before the Police which isn’t helping Turner’s boss to invest confidence in her or her team.
The more they investigate his case, the more it seems that the answers lie in the past and the secrets that lie buried will soon rise from the ashes. It’s a heart-rending story that echoes only too well some of the terrible stories that we have heard about residential children’s homes and what can happen in them behind closed doors where the most vulnerable have no-one to look out for their interests.
Masson sets this gritty book a lively pace which is kept up throughout. Her characters feel authentic and there’s a credible team dynamic that works really well. The inter-connecting plot, told through three characters moves from past to present. It is neatly put together and the storyline well-researched.
From the Ashes is a sometimes traumatic read but it also offers a serious look at the long term impact of neglect and abuse on children’s lives and the way that can follow them through to adulthood. By utilising the character of D.S. Scott Ferguson to offer a different angle, Masson shows us that not all crime is inevitable.
Verdict: Though I had a good inkling of what and who, this did not affect my enjoyment of a book that has a number of surprises, a deal of tension and excellent characterisation.
September 7, 2022
Deborah Masson is back with another gritty police thriller set in her home town of Aberdeen. This time, DI Eve Hunter (previously seen in Out For Blood and Hold Your Tongue) faces the grimmest challenge presented to police officers all over the world - the death of a child. Lucas Fyfe - dead mother, drug addicted father and unfeeling grandmother - has been in care since he was little. When someone deliberately sets fire to Wellwood, a children's home, he is the one resident who doesn't make it out. Why? Because the body of the eleven year-old is discovered in the cellar, and the trapdoor which is the only access is concealed under a heavy carpet.
Literally from page one, Masson gives us another perspective - that of the presumed arsonist. We know it's a 'he', and we know that he was a former resident of Wellwood when it was run by the current warden's father, William Alderton and the sadistic Sally Fields. I find that the backstory narrative trope can be irritating when an author uses too many viewpoints and too many time frames, but here it is used with subtlety and works very well.
Eve Hunter's team consists of DS Cooper, DS Mearns and DC Ferguson, and the sparky dynamics between them provide an intriguing counterpoint to the investigation. Scott Ferguson is peripherally involved in a road accident on his way to work, but his obsession with the young man who was the main casualty starts to distract him from the Wellwood case. When a further shocking discovery is made in the cellar where Lucas Fyfe died, Ferguson's lack of attention becomes even more serious. We eventually learn why Ferguson feels compelled to be at the bedside of the young vagrant who was badly injured in the RTA, and it turns the case on its head.
Hunter and her team soon realise that the surviving children and the three adult staff of Wellwood are not telling all that they know. That much is obvious, but penetrating the veil of secrecy proves more difficult. With both of the original owners dead, and local Children's Services being very protective of the few remaining historic records of the children who were residents, the case seems to go round in circles, until Ferguson's with Archie, the young RTA victim, finally pays off.
Deborah Masson is a writer who enjoys providing her readers with the unexpected, and the finale of the novel, in the grim basement of Wellwood, is a prime example. Eve Hunter comes over as tough and uncompromising in pursuit of the bad guys, but her family background has left her with a strong streak of compassion, and when Scott Ferguson finally reveals his own secrets - and his link to the Wellwood basement - she is well-equipped to provide emotional support.
This novel is dark, cleverly plotted, full of well-concealed surprises and a master class in how to write a good police-procedural. From The Ashes is published by Transworld/Penguin and is available now.
Literally from page one, Masson gives us another perspective - that of the presumed arsonist. We know it's a 'he', and we know that he was a former resident of Wellwood when it was run by the current warden's father, William Alderton and the sadistic Sally Fields. I find that the backstory narrative trope can be irritating when an author uses too many viewpoints and too many time frames, but here it is used with subtlety and works very well.
Eve Hunter's team consists of DS Cooper, DS Mearns and DC Ferguson, and the sparky dynamics between them provide an intriguing counterpoint to the investigation. Scott Ferguson is peripherally involved in a road accident on his way to work, but his obsession with the young man who was the main casualty starts to distract him from the Wellwood case. When a further shocking discovery is made in the cellar where Lucas Fyfe died, Ferguson's lack of attention becomes even more serious. We eventually learn why Ferguson feels compelled to be at the bedside of the young vagrant who was badly injured in the RTA, and it turns the case on its head.
Hunter and her team soon realise that the surviving children and the three adult staff of Wellwood are not telling all that they know. That much is obvious, but penetrating the veil of secrecy proves more difficult. With both of the original owners dead, and local Children's Services being very protective of the few remaining historic records of the children who were residents, the case seems to go round in circles, until Ferguson's with Archie, the young RTA victim, finally pays off.
Deborah Masson is a writer who enjoys providing her readers with the unexpected, and the finale of the novel, in the grim basement of Wellwood, is a prime example. Eve Hunter comes over as tough and uncompromising in pursuit of the bad guys, but her family background has left her with a strong streak of compassion, and when Scott Ferguson finally reveals his own secrets - and his link to the Wellwood basement - she is well-equipped to provide emotional support.
This novel is dark, cleverly plotted, full of well-concealed surprises and a master class in how to write a good police-procedural. From The Ashes is published by Transworld/Penguin and is available now.
August 3, 2022
Being caught in a house fire is something I, like many people, have a healthy fear of, so the opening chapter of From The Ashes sends a shiver down any spine. DI Eve Hunter gets a call from dispatch the next morning - the fire was in a small, privately-run children's home, deliberately set. One boy was killed, his body found in a basement accessed by a heavy trapdoor which was closed, leaving no way he could escape - though there are signs he'd tried desperately to do so. There's also another discovery made by firefighters in the basement...
Meanwhile, DC Scott Ferguson is driving to work when a bakery van a few vehicles ahead of him in traffic crashes after hitting a young male pedestrian. He carries no identification, but there's something about him that Ferguson feels drawn to and though technically the case belongs to the traffic team, he can't stop himself from getting involved - to the detriment of the work he's supposed to be doing. It's an obsession that is fed by his past.
The children's home, Wellwood, is small, just a few youngsters and a handful of staff. The boy who died is Lucas, just 11. He's in care as his mum died and his father was found not fit to look after him - each of the children has a similar story of neglect, all too sadly realistic.
There are short snippets from "Then", showing a glimpse of life in the house under its previous owners, with abuse both physical and psychological revealed. The teens from these sections, a girl and a boy, vanished at the same time - the assumption being they'd run away together. But that wasn't the whole story, as becomes clear as Hunter and her team delve more deeply into the house and its history.
It's sometimes a tough read but the abuse of the past is not dwelt on. It's more about can you overcome the trauma of childhood, and why kids need somewhere safe to be - somewhere that can be a surrogate family, as the kids in the home are. The cops are another kind of family; arguing and far from perfect, but together in the tough times.
It's a fast read, pages turning all the time, and flows nicely with just a couple of slight clunks towards the end, though these don't spoil the enjoyment. Masson won the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize a couple of years ago and this year has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize - both accolades well earned; this series is shaping up nicely.
Meanwhile, DC Scott Ferguson is driving to work when a bakery van a few vehicles ahead of him in traffic crashes after hitting a young male pedestrian. He carries no identification, but there's something about him that Ferguson feels drawn to and though technically the case belongs to the traffic team, he can't stop himself from getting involved - to the detriment of the work he's supposed to be doing. It's an obsession that is fed by his past.
The children's home, Wellwood, is small, just a few youngsters and a handful of staff. The boy who died is Lucas, just 11. He's in care as his mum died and his father was found not fit to look after him - each of the children has a similar story of neglect, all too sadly realistic.
There are short snippets from "Then", showing a glimpse of life in the house under its previous owners, with abuse both physical and psychological revealed. The teens from these sections, a girl and a boy, vanished at the same time - the assumption being they'd run away together. But that wasn't the whole story, as becomes clear as Hunter and her team delve more deeply into the house and its history.
It's sometimes a tough read but the abuse of the past is not dwelt on. It's more about can you overcome the trauma of childhood, and why kids need somewhere safe to be - somewhere that can be a surrogate family, as the kids in the home are. The cops are another kind of family; arguing and far from perfect, but together in the tough times.
It's a fast read, pages turning all the time, and flows nicely with just a couple of slight clunks towards the end, though these don't spoil the enjoyment. Masson won the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize a couple of years ago and this year has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize - both accolades well earned; this series is shaping up nicely.
July 17, 2022
Thanks to Anne at Random Tours & Penguin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow this is the quickest I’ve read a book in a while.
Synopsis:
As the house burns, the hunt for a killer begins...
In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive.
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?
Thoughts: Raced through this. Everything you want in a thriller. Strong characters and a good pace. Even like 300 pages in, I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was. So it kept me guessing til the very end. There’s a few different stories thorough out that blend together very well. I really liked DI Hunter and her team. They have good chemistry and have each other’s backs. My only criticism and hasn’t this happened it would have been 5 stars cause it was a great story, a part in the story a druggie has a staffie and is referred to as ‘the token staffie’. I have had staffies since I was 9 and they’ve been the most loving dogs I’ve ever met. It really put my back up and made me not want to finish the story, but I’m pleased I did as like I said it was excellent, and hope my review has changed the authors view of staffies. My dog is like another child, she literally lyes down for cats. Soft as clarts, I’ve met viscous other dogs and I’d never be so ignorant to think all the breed is the same, it’s the way people bring the dog up. Staffies are known to be ‘nanny dogs’ and she’s wonderful with my 2 year old. But back to the book, this is the 3rd in the DI Hunter series, and does very well as a stand alone. Looking forward to the next one!
Wow this is the quickest I’ve read a book in a while.
Synopsis:
As the house burns, the hunt for a killer begins...
In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive.
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?
Thoughts: Raced through this. Everything you want in a thriller. Strong characters and a good pace. Even like 300 pages in, I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was. So it kept me guessing til the very end. There’s a few different stories thorough out that blend together very well. I really liked DI Hunter and her team. They have good chemistry and have each other’s backs. My only criticism and hasn’t this happened it would have been 5 stars cause it was a great story, a part in the story a druggie has a staffie and is referred to as ‘the token staffie’. I have had staffies since I was 9 and they’ve been the most loving dogs I’ve ever met. It really put my back up and made me not want to finish the story, but I’m pleased I did as like I said it was excellent, and hope my review has changed the authors view of staffies. My dog is like another child, she literally lyes down for cats. Soft as clarts, I’ve met viscous other dogs and I’d never be so ignorant to think all the breed is the same, it’s the way people bring the dog up. Staffies are known to be ‘nanny dogs’ and she’s wonderful with my 2 year old. But back to the book, this is the 3rd in the DI Hunter series, and does very well as a stand alone. Looking forward to the next one!
August 5, 2022
"It was the sound. That's what drew him in. The seconds of silence watching as the flame caught; orange-tinged yellow sparkling before growing and picking up speed - the poor bastards inside unaware of the nightmare headed their way."
The flames start to lick at the building as he silently watches in the dark. As the residents of Wellwood Children’s Home begin to emerge, coughing from the smoke, he vanishes quickly to avoid detection. But not everyone made it out alive. Eleven-year-old Lucas Fyfe’s body is found in the basement and the evidence points to someone deliberately putting him there. But who would want to hurt him? And was it the same person who started the fire?
DI Eve Hunter and her team are back in another gripping thriller that had my heart pounding and my head swimming with unanswered questions. I was on the edge of my seat as author Deborah Masson took me on a twist-filled rollercoaster ride that built to a jaw-dropping finale. But this book is so much more than a simple thriller. Not only are there shady characters, unreliable witnesses and dark secrets, but Masson has woven in moments that are moving, heartbreaking and poignant, bringing tears to my eyes as I was reminded of how callous and cruel some humans can be towards others.
"The ghosts were swarming now, trying to tell her their stories. Wanting her to help them be heard."
The story is told by multiple narrators in dual timelines. Each of the narrators reveal pieces of the story that we slowly piece together to create the full picture. But it was the mystery narrator and the chapters that discussed the history of Wellwood that were the most compelling. This place that should be a sanctuary of safety for the children sent to live there is slowly revealed to be something else entirely as the dark, horrific secrets that have been hidden for decades are finally brought to light.
Tense, twisty and addictive, From the Ashes is a dark and riveting thriller that I highly recommend.
The flames start to lick at the building as he silently watches in the dark. As the residents of Wellwood Children’s Home begin to emerge, coughing from the smoke, he vanishes quickly to avoid detection. But not everyone made it out alive. Eleven-year-old Lucas Fyfe’s body is found in the basement and the evidence points to someone deliberately putting him there. But who would want to hurt him? And was it the same person who started the fire?
DI Eve Hunter and her team are back in another gripping thriller that had my heart pounding and my head swimming with unanswered questions. I was on the edge of my seat as author Deborah Masson took me on a twist-filled rollercoaster ride that built to a jaw-dropping finale. But this book is so much more than a simple thriller. Not only are there shady characters, unreliable witnesses and dark secrets, but Masson has woven in moments that are moving, heartbreaking and poignant, bringing tears to my eyes as I was reminded of how callous and cruel some humans can be towards others.
"The ghosts were swarming now, trying to tell her their stories. Wanting her to help them be heard."
The story is told by multiple narrators in dual timelines. Each of the narrators reveal pieces of the story that we slowly piece together to create the full picture. But it was the mystery narrator and the chapters that discussed the history of Wellwood that were the most compelling. This place that should be a sanctuary of safety for the children sent to live there is slowly revealed to be something else entirely as the dark, horrific secrets that have been hidden for decades are finally brought to light.
Tense, twisty and addictive, From the Ashes is a dark and riveting thriller that I highly recommend.
October 22, 2022
This is book 3 of the DI Eve Hunter books and boy does it start off with a bang. Set in Aberdeen, Someone is putting a rag covered with fuel through the letterbox of a children’s residential home. Most of the residents and staff get out except for one 11 year old boy who is for some reason in the basement. Did the person who lit the fire know Lucas was down there? It’s a privately run children’s home, Stephen Alderton took over running it after his dad and the previous woman Sally Fields had passed away. What secrets does the house hold? Can Stephen Alderton be trusted?Why? Who? Those are the questions the team have to ask and work on. It starts on March 7th which is Eve’s birthday but no one knows.
On his way to the fire DC Scott Ferguson witnesses a young male knocked over by a van. The male is badly injured and Scott promises to stay with him. The problem is he starts paying more attention to this than the job he is supposed to be doing. What is bothering Scott about the children’s home? something clearly is. It seems like something personal, what secrets is he holding?
As the team dig deeper into the running of the home, they realise that Stephen Alderton is deep in debt. How? Something else from the past comes to light as the basement is investigated further.
This is a terrific read, I have followed the series since book one and the writing just gets stronger with each book. The character’s are likeable and the emotions feel real as you find out what has affected Scott from his childhood, things he has buried away, but they still haunt him. The vulnerability comes across really well, as he desperately wants to help the boy who was knocked down,who he eventually finds out is named Archie. Could the two cases be somehow linked?
This was engrossing from the minute you start to the very climactic end which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. I personally can’t wait until book 4 in this terrific series.
I would like to thank #netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
On his way to the fire DC Scott Ferguson witnesses a young male knocked over by a van. The male is badly injured and Scott promises to stay with him. The problem is he starts paying more attention to this than the job he is supposed to be doing. What is bothering Scott about the children’s home? something clearly is. It seems like something personal, what secrets is he holding?
As the team dig deeper into the running of the home, they realise that Stephen Alderton is deep in debt. How? Something else from the past comes to light as the basement is investigated further.
This is a terrific read, I have followed the series since book one and the writing just gets stronger with each book. The character’s are likeable and the emotions feel real as you find out what has affected Scott from his childhood, things he has buried away, but they still haunt him. The vulnerability comes across really well, as he desperately wants to help the boy who was knocked down,who he eventually finds out is named Archie. Could the two cases be somehow linked?
This was engrossing from the minute you start to the very climactic end which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. I personally can’t wait until book 4 in this terrific series.
I would like to thank #netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.
July 24, 2022
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
I have read the first two books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them so was itching to get my sticky little fingers on this the latest instalment and I wasn't disappointed. Please be reassured that you don't have to have read the others in the series , as this can be read as a standalone quite well although I would recommend you do so.
Once again, we are treated to an excellent and gripping story which although deals with a difficult subject, does so without being over-the-top. An arson attack on a children's home results in the death of a young boy and DI Hunter and her team are quickly mired in the investigation. What was he doing there and are there further dark secrets to be unearthed?
Meanwhile, whilst on his way to work, DI Hunter's colleague, DC Scott Ferguson, witnesses a car accident where a young man is seriously injured. Scott promises the young man he will be there for him but this takes him away from the arson investigation and creates tension within the team. What is it about the young man that has affected him so much?
I raced through this book; I was totally hooked from the start. I really enjoyed the gradual unveiling of secrets which had me wondering what was going to happen next and definitely kept me guessing as to who the arsonist was. The chemistry and loyalty DI Hunter and her team have with each other felt believable and natural; the characters are strong and credible and the pace was just right for me.
All in all, a really good book and a great addition to the series and I have to thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read From The Ashes and sharing my thoughts.
I have read the first two books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them so was itching to get my sticky little fingers on this the latest instalment and I wasn't disappointed. Please be reassured that you don't have to have read the others in the series , as this can be read as a standalone quite well although I would recommend you do so.
Once again, we are treated to an excellent and gripping story which although deals with a difficult subject, does so without being over-the-top. An arson attack on a children's home results in the death of a young boy and DI Hunter and her team are quickly mired in the investigation. What was he doing there and are there further dark secrets to be unearthed?
Meanwhile, whilst on his way to work, DI Hunter's colleague, DC Scott Ferguson, witnesses a car accident where a young man is seriously injured. Scott promises the young man he will be there for him but this takes him away from the arson investigation and creates tension within the team. What is it about the young man that has affected him so much?
I raced through this book; I was totally hooked from the start. I really enjoyed the gradual unveiling of secrets which had me wondering what was going to happen next and definitely kept me guessing as to who the arsonist was. The chemistry and loyalty DI Hunter and her team have with each other felt believable and natural; the characters are strong and credible and the pace was just right for me.
All in all, a really good book and a great addition to the series and I have to thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read From The Ashes and sharing my thoughts.
August 16, 2022
A burning rag, into a pool of petrol, destroys much of a Children’s Home and causes the death of one of the residents. Murder or unintended consequence? That is the first question, DI Eve Hunter and her team have to answer. There will be others. The child, an eleven year old boy, had somehow become trapped in an underground ‘storage' space, which was out of bounds to the children. It quickly becomes apparent that the Home is a loving and caring refuge, despite the poor quality of the fabric; a far cry from its existence under its previous owners, some thirty years ago, when it had been a place of desolation and cruelty for its residents. That earlier existence become relevant when a further disquieting discovery is made. The team are initially hampered by DC Ferguson being more concerned about a boy injured in an RTA which he had observed and attended on his way to the fire. This, apparently random, side story does allow a lot of Ferguson’s traumatic childhood (and some of Eve’s) to be explored, which will eventually bleed through to the main investigation, of course.
This is a fairly linear police procedural, with a few minor twists along the way. As such it isn’t a very challenging read and the solution to the mysteries was not very difficult to deduce. The pace is quite pedestrian until the dénouement, when it does pick up and a certain amount of tension and jeopardy is created. An important part of any detective story is the criminal’s motivation and I’m a bit dubious about the explanation here. This is the third DI Hunter novel and will attract followers of the series, but it hasn’t persuaded me to join them.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is a fairly linear police procedural, with a few minor twists along the way. As such it isn’t a very challenging read and the solution to the mysteries was not very difficult to deduce. The pace is quite pedestrian until the dénouement, when it does pick up and a certain amount of tension and jeopardy is created. An important part of any detective story is the criminal’s motivation and I’m a bit dubious about the explanation here. This is the third DI Hunter novel and will attract followers of the series, but it hasn’t persuaded me to join them.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
August 16, 2022
This is book three of what is shaping up to be a cracking series featuring DI Eve Hunter so, do yourself a favour and, if you haven't already, go back and start from the beginning...
We start with a nasty one. A fire in a children's home. Set deliberately. Most get out but the body of one of the children, 11 year old Lucas, is found in the basement.
But, if this wasn't a dark enough start. Once Eve and her team start to investigate, it all takes on another level of devastating. Also spitting out a whole host of motives and suspects. Pretty much everyone has a secret, it's just going to be a task working out whose secret is worth killing to keep...?
Eve's team have to work smart on this one, But one of her team is caught up in a road accident on his way to work which distracts him somewhat. Meaning that things get missed and the investigation stutters and slows. I found this to be quite an effective way of slowing things down, as well as providing a side-investigation for DC Scott Ferguson and a bit of an eye opener to his backstory.
The main plot was both interesting and intriguing and kept me on my toes throughout. With secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour aplenty from pretty much the whole cast of suspects, Eve and her team really did have their work cut out for them trying to pare it all back to discover the shocking truth.
All in all, a solid addition to a series now firmly on my watch list. Roll on next time... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with a nasty one. A fire in a children's home. Set deliberately. Most get out but the body of one of the children, 11 year old Lucas, is found in the basement.
But, if this wasn't a dark enough start. Once Eve and her team start to investigate, it all takes on another level of devastating. Also spitting out a whole host of motives and suspects. Pretty much everyone has a secret, it's just going to be a task working out whose secret is worth killing to keep...?
Eve's team have to work smart on this one, But one of her team is caught up in a road accident on his way to work which distracts him somewhat. Meaning that things get missed and the investigation stutters and slows. I found this to be quite an effective way of slowing things down, as well as providing a side-investigation for DC Scott Ferguson and a bit of an eye opener to his backstory.
The main plot was both interesting and intriguing and kept me on my toes throughout. With secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour aplenty from pretty much the whole cast of suspects, Eve and her team really did have their work cut out for them trying to pare it all back to discover the shocking truth.
All in all, a solid addition to a series now firmly on my watch list. Roll on next time... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
November 14, 2022
If I had to sum this book up in one word.. wow!
This is book no#3 in the DI Eve Hunter Series and wow does it start with a bang!
Set in Aberdeen the Granite City it starts with a harrowing case of an arson attack on Wellwood a private Children's Residential Home owned by Stephen Alderton. All staff and children manage to escape apart from one, an 11 year old boy who is found locked in the basement.
DC Scott Ferguson on his way into work witnesses a road accident where a young boy suffers life threatening injuries, DI Ferguson feels personally involved due to past traumas and pours all his energy into finding out who this boy is and how he ended up being involved in the accident. What is it in his past he is hiding?
His partner DS Jo Mearns is now tasked with handling the investigation into the care home near on single handedly whilst covering for him. Not easy when she is already stretched and stressed to her limit.
DI Eve Hunter and her team take on the task of finding out about the rest of the children residing in the home and the staff that work there. During their investigation huge debts come to light.. was this an insurance job gone wrong?
As I've now come to expect from this author the whole book was fantastically paced and the plot had me guessing the whole way through. Everything was intricately weaved together and tied in a big now at the end.
I really enjoyed the character development in this installment *no spoilers* and getting to know them a bit more personally.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers,
This is book no#3 in the DI Eve Hunter Series and wow does it start with a bang!
Set in Aberdeen the Granite City it starts with a harrowing case of an arson attack on Wellwood a private Children's Residential Home owned by Stephen Alderton. All staff and children manage to escape apart from one, an 11 year old boy who is found locked in the basement.
DC Scott Ferguson on his way into work witnesses a road accident where a young boy suffers life threatening injuries, DI Ferguson feels personally involved due to past traumas and pours all his energy into finding out who this boy is and how he ended up being involved in the accident. What is it in his past he is hiding?
His partner DS Jo Mearns is now tasked with handling the investigation into the care home near on single handedly whilst covering for him. Not easy when she is already stretched and stressed to her limit.
DI Eve Hunter and her team take on the task of finding out about the rest of the children residing in the home and the staff that work there. During their investigation huge debts come to light.. was this an insurance job gone wrong?
As I've now come to expect from this author the whole book was fantastically paced and the plot had me guessing the whole way through. Everything was intricately weaved together and tied in a big now at the end.
I really enjoyed the character development in this installment *no spoilers* and getting to know them a bit more personally.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers,
March 4, 2023
From the Ashes is the third book in the DI Eve Hunter series. I’ve enjoyed the previous two books, and after attending an event with the author, I was looking forward to the latest instalment.
The book would work as a stand-alone but I think you get to know the characters more if you’ve read the previous books.
A children’s home in Aberdeen is deliberately set on fire. Tragically, one of the young residents doesn’t make it out alive. As Eve and her team begin investigating, they find out that the home was in trouble and unpleasant revelations about its past are brought to light.
Ferguson is also caught up in another incident which leads him to face his childhood trauma.
I have definitely warmed to Eve’s character and I like her and the team. I felt this book gave the other characters a chance to be developed further which was good.
If I had the time I would have probably read the book in one sitting. I was drawn into the story straight away and the descriptions of the setting are very accurate.
The story is well paced and it keeps you guessing. The last section is really nail biting!
There are various issues raised in the book, such as abuse, trauma, and abandonment. They aren’t sensationalised and I thought they were dealt with sensitively.
The cover definitely fits really well with the story and stands out on a bookshelf.
This is another great book in the DI Eve Hunter series. I would highly recommend it and the other books, especially if you know Aberdeen.
I’m already looking forward to the next book by Deborah!
The book would work as a stand-alone but I think you get to know the characters more if you’ve read the previous books.
A children’s home in Aberdeen is deliberately set on fire. Tragically, one of the young residents doesn’t make it out alive. As Eve and her team begin investigating, they find out that the home was in trouble and unpleasant revelations about its past are brought to light.
Ferguson is also caught up in another incident which leads him to face his childhood trauma.
I have definitely warmed to Eve’s character and I like her and the team. I felt this book gave the other characters a chance to be developed further which was good.
If I had the time I would have probably read the book in one sitting. I was drawn into the story straight away and the descriptions of the setting are very accurate.
The story is well paced and it keeps you guessing. The last section is really nail biting!
There are various issues raised in the book, such as abuse, trauma, and abandonment. They aren’t sensationalised and I thought they were dealt with sensitively.
The cover definitely fits really well with the story and stands out on a bookshelf.
This is another great book in the DI Eve Hunter series. I would highly recommend it and the other books, especially if you know Aberdeen.
I’m already looking forward to the next book by Deborah!
October 10, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the DI Eve Hunter series. I have not read the others but decided to dive straight in with this book.
It is DI Hunter’s birthday and she is alone. She doesn’t celebrate birthdays which at this stage is unclear as to the reason. She suddenly receives a call. Someone has started a fire deliberately in a home for underprivileged children. In the rubble, a child’s body is discovered. The body, however, is not discovered in the child’s bedroom or one of the living areas, but in a secret part of the cellar underground. Running alongside this strand of the story is a counter-story of Eve’s colleague, DS Scott Ferguson. He sees the smoke from the fire while he is on his morning run. He is instructed to attend but en route, he witnessed a young man being knocked down in a road accident. Scott ignores orders to leave this event to uniform and appears to take an unhealthy interest in the accident victim. Why is that?
This is a really well-written police procedural with excellent characterisation. I loved the Aberdeen setting too. The plot is complex and there are multiple twists and turns and I was kept guessing throughout.
This is also a quite dark and chilling read. As well as the child’s body, the remains of a woman and foetus are also found later in the story. The story is also an excellent although bleak commentary on how vulnerable children are treated in the care sector.
A definitely recommended read and I will be back for more from this author.
It is DI Hunter’s birthday and she is alone. She doesn’t celebrate birthdays which at this stage is unclear as to the reason. She suddenly receives a call. Someone has started a fire deliberately in a home for underprivileged children. In the rubble, a child’s body is discovered. The body, however, is not discovered in the child’s bedroom or one of the living areas, but in a secret part of the cellar underground. Running alongside this strand of the story is a counter-story of Eve’s colleague, DS Scott Ferguson. He sees the smoke from the fire while he is on his morning run. He is instructed to attend but en route, he witnessed a young man being knocked down in a road accident. Scott ignores orders to leave this event to uniform and appears to take an unhealthy interest in the accident victim. Why is that?
This is a really well-written police procedural with excellent characterisation. I loved the Aberdeen setting too. The plot is complex and there are multiple twists and turns and I was kept guessing throughout.
This is also a quite dark and chilling read. As well as the child’s body, the remains of a woman and foetus are also found later in the story. The story is also an excellent although bleak commentary on how vulnerable children are treated in the care sector.
A definitely recommended read and I will be back for more from this author.
August 9, 2022
This was a really good read and I read it in 3 days.
The blurb reads
"In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive.
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?"
This novel sounded right up my street and it did not disappoint me at all. This is a series of novels featuring DI Eve Hunter, and I love reading about this character. I find her complex and interesting. I really enjoyed how this novel unravelled and it really kept me guessing. The children's home that is in Aberdeen has an extremely dark and awful past and DI Eve Hunter and her team have to unravel this mystery. Quite heart-breaking at times and tough to read but a very good and captivating novel by author Deborah Massons.
Thanks to Deborah Massons, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
The blurb reads
"In the dead of night someone starts a fire in a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen. The flames spread quickly, and one person doesn't make it out alive.
But the victim wasn't found in their bedroom; they were discovered locked inside a secret basement underground. As DI Eve Hunter and her team search the blackened ruins, the case takes them into even darker territory.
Soon Eve unearths a horrific discovery at the heart of the property - one that turns the whole investigation on its head. Everyone in this home has something to hide, but who has a secret worth killing for?"
This novel sounded right up my street and it did not disappoint me at all. This is a series of novels featuring DI Eve Hunter, and I love reading about this character. I find her complex and interesting. I really enjoyed how this novel unravelled and it really kept me guessing. The children's home that is in Aberdeen has an extremely dark and awful past and DI Eve Hunter and her team have to unravel this mystery. Quite heart-breaking at times and tough to read but a very good and captivating novel by author Deborah Massons.
Thanks to Deborah Massons, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 17, 2022
When DI Eve Hunter receives a call no detective wants, she is directed to a local children’s home where she finds the aftermath of a suspicious fire which resulted in a fatality. Shaken by what she sees Eve gathers her team ready to discover what happened and why as soon as possible, and preferably before the local press takes too much interest.
With only herself and a small team available, Eve needs everyone working together and informing her of their discoveries but worryingly one colleague isn't pulling their weight. When the fire reveals more devastating secrets it becomes obvious they are dealing with someone who has no intention of revealing secrets they have guarded for decades.
This is the third in the ever improving Eve Hunter Mystery Series and is a great read. There are a lot of new characters to remember and various threads which need to be followed but it flowed beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I read this in two sittings but didn't want it to end. This series gets better and better.
With only herself and a small team available, Eve needs everyone working together and informing her of their discoveries but worryingly one colleague isn't pulling their weight. When the fire reveals more devastating secrets it becomes obvious they are dealing with someone who has no intention of revealing secrets they have guarded for decades.
This is the third in the ever improving Eve Hunter Mystery Series and is a great read. There are a lot of new characters to remember and various threads which need to be followed but it flowed beautifully and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I read this in two sittings but didn't want it to end. This series gets better and better.
February 27, 2022
This is the 3rd instalment of the DI Eve Hunter series, I was really looking forward to reading this after throughly enjoying the last two books.
DI Hunter and her team are called out to investigate a suspicious house fire in a children’s home in Aberdeen, which unfortunately has a fatal casualty found in an underground layer beneath the house. The detectives quickly establish that this was no accident, and everyone close to the children’s home is a suspect, they are all hiding something, but what? When further investigations make another grim discovery the team are left asking, what is going on, and who is involved? Was someone there trying to cover up a secret from long ago that they didn’t want to be discovered?
This was a brilliant read full of twists and turns, for a while I thought I had it sussed but I was completely wrong!!
Thank you Deborah and NetGalley for letting me pre read this book, I enjoyed it and I knew it would be just as good as the others!
DI Hunter and her team are called out to investigate a suspicious house fire in a children’s home in Aberdeen, which unfortunately has a fatal casualty found in an underground layer beneath the house. The detectives quickly establish that this was no accident, and everyone close to the children’s home is a suspect, they are all hiding something, but what? When further investigations make another grim discovery the team are left asking, what is going on, and who is involved? Was someone there trying to cover up a secret from long ago that they didn’t want to be discovered?
This was a brilliant read full of twists and turns, for a while I thought I had it sussed but I was completely wrong!!
Thank you Deborah and NetGalley for letting me pre read this book, I enjoyed it and I knew it would be just as good as the others!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2022
This is the first time I've read a book by Deborah Masson and it will definitely not be the last! What an absolutely brilliant read and as a bonus, it's set in Scotland!
I love her style of writing and the twist, in the end, was a humdinger!
A children's home is set alight and the 11-year-old Lucas lost his life but why was he locked up in the underground basement? DI Eve Hunter and her colleagues are investigating this horrific crime but soon things go from bad to worse when an old oil drum is found with something shocking inside. There is also, on top of it all, something going on with DC Scott Ferguson whose head is not in the game. Why did the accident that he witnessed affect him so much?
I loved every minute of this read and can't wait to get my grubby paws on more books from this author!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
I love her style of writing and the twist, in the end, was a humdinger!
A children's home is set alight and the 11-year-old Lucas lost his life but why was he locked up in the underground basement? DI Eve Hunter and her colleagues are investigating this horrific crime but soon things go from bad to worse when an old oil drum is found with something shocking inside. There is also, on top of it all, something going on with DC Scott Ferguson whose head is not in the game. Why did the accident that he witnessed affect him so much?
I loved every minute of this read and can't wait to get my grubby paws on more books from this author!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
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