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Anglesey #1
The Dark Tide
Bestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with a gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller series set on the Isle of Anglesey.
Will there be blood in the water?
Three years ago, DCI Laura Hart was the top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for the Greater Manchester Police. Then her husband was kidnapped. Despite her best efforts to reason with the criminals, he was brutally murdered.
Now living on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, Laura is slowly healing. Then she gets a call: armed drug dealers have seized a tourist boat – and her ten-year-old son Jake is on board. There’s no other negotiator available, and the police need her to step up.
With the life of a loved one yet again on the line and memories of the last time she failed still searingly fresh, Laura is living her worst nightmare. Can she lay to rest the ghosts of her past in time to save her son?
An atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat read that’s perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
Readers love Simon McCleave!
‘The fact that I've already pre-ordered the next book in this series says it all really.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘If you've never read Simon’s books, take the chance and find yourself a new go-to writer.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Good action with unpredictable twists and turns to keep you from putting down the book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Thanks, Simon, for another great book- please keep ‘em coming!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Not enjoyed a book more for years! A real page-turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Will there be blood in the water?
Three years ago, DCI Laura Hart was the top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for the Greater Manchester Police. Then her husband was kidnapped. Despite her best efforts to reason with the criminals, he was brutally murdered.
Now living on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, Laura is slowly healing. Then she gets a call: armed drug dealers have seized a tourist boat – and her ten-year-old son Jake is on board. There’s no other negotiator available, and the police need her to step up.
With the life of a loved one yet again on the line and memories of the last time she failed still searingly fresh, Laura is living her worst nightmare. Can she lay to rest the ghosts of her past in time to save her son?
An atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat read that’s perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
Readers love Simon McCleave!
‘The fact that I've already pre-ordered the next book in this series says it all really.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘If you've never read Simon’s books, take the chance and find yourself a new go-to writer.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Good action with unpredictable twists and turns to keep you from putting down the book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Thanks, Simon, for another great book- please keep ‘em coming!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Not enjoyed a book more for years! A real page-turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
384 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
1118 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
December 6, 2022
Three years ago DCI Laura Hart was a hostage negotiator with the Greater Manchester Police. That is until her husband, Sam, was killed during a raid on a drug warehouse where he was being held as a hostage, a raid Laura was attending. Now she has left the police and moved back to the island of Anglesey in Wales with her two children where she runs her own business and is trying to get over her grief. However, when a gang from Liverpool bringing drugs into Anglesey seize a tourist boat with a class of school children on board and with no one else available, Laura is called in to act as a hostage negotiator once again.
Although this is a fairly slow developing plot at first, once it builds up it is really suspenseful with boat chases, car chases, helicopters and a very unstable, irrational gang leader. Lots of unexpected twists where you really didn't know what the gang is going to do next, all leading to a very tense read. The novel unfolds in two threads, one describing the events leading up to and after Sam's death and the other the current events. It seems that the gang who killed Sam were tipped off about the raid in a conspiracy and the end of the novel suggests this is likely to continue in the next book. However, this thread did seem to slow down the build up of the main plot. I liked the main characters introduced in this first book in the series (although now Laura has a romantic interest it might be time for her to spend less time talking to Sam's ghost) and would be keen to continue on with the series.
With thanks to Avon Books via Netgalley for a copy to read
Although this is a fairly slow developing plot at first, once it builds up it is really suspenseful with boat chases, car chases, helicopters and a very unstable, irrational gang leader. Lots of unexpected twists where you really didn't know what the gang is going to do next, all leading to a very tense read. The novel unfolds in two threads, one describing the events leading up to and after Sam's death and the other the current events. It seems that the gang who killed Sam were tipped off about the raid in a conspiracy and the end of the novel suggests this is likely to continue in the next book. However, this thread did seem to slow down the build up of the main plot. I liked the main characters introduced in this first book in the series (although now Laura has a romantic interest it might be time for her to spend less time talking to Sam's ghost) and would be keen to continue on with the series.
With thanks to Avon Books via Netgalley for a copy to read
May 17, 2022
4.5 stars
Laura leaves the force after a horrific event and moves to Beaumaris on Anglesey. There, she is forced to rethink her options after a kidnapping takes place and she is asked to cooperate with the police.
Simon McCleave mentions a welsh word 'Hiraeth' which he translates with a mixture of pride, homesickness and a determination to return. After having visited Anglesey and our friends in Holyhead many, many times I know exactly what he's talking about.
Laura leaves the force after a horrific event and moves to Beaumaris on Anglesey. There, she is forced to rethink her options after a kidnapping takes place and she is asked to cooperate with the police.
Simon McCleave mentions a welsh word 'Hiraeth' which he translates with a mixture of pride, homesickness and a determination to return. After having visited Anglesey and our friends in Holyhead many, many times I know exactly what he's talking about.
June 19, 2022
The Dark Tide by Simon McCleave sounded good on the paper but I found myself both bored and annoyed while I listened to the audio version. I liked some bits of the book, the widow who sees her dead husband. who have talks with him now and then. And who is trying to figure out why he was at the place that got him killed. However, the constant internal monologue about how sexy someone is, especially a moment in the middle of a crisis like one's son is kidnapped did I find disturbing. The ending was pretty good and I might even pick up the next book to see what happens next. However, I can't give the book more than 2 stars because for the most part I just listened half-heartedly.
Alice White did a great job narrating the book which helped me get through the slow parts.
Alice White did a great job narrating the book which helped me get through the slow parts.
September 13, 2022
The Dark Tide is the first book in a new series by crime/thriller writer Simon McCleave and the first book I have read by the author.
It is a fast paced and to the point thriller which follows two time and story lines with DCI Laura Hart, a top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, in the centre of action in both.
The first plotline deals with a hostage situation gone wrong in 2018 when Laura was still in active service as a hostage negotiator, which leads to the death of her policeman husband Sam.
The second plotline takes place in 2021 when Jake, Laura's ten year old son becomes part of a group taken hostage by a gang of drug dealers. Laura, who has retired from the police, is forced to put her past failure behind her and help the Wales police force with her skills to make sure the same tragedy doesn't strike twice to her small family.
As the story moves forward things are revealed pertaining to both plotlines and the climax sets the action for book two. Laura is also shown conversing with her dead husband who constantly visits her... is he really a ghost or just a figment of Laura's imagination that is something for the viewers to decide but I did find it interesting.
A good start to the series and I am interested to know how the series moves forward.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK and the author Simon McCleave for the e-Arc of the book.
It is a fast paced and to the point thriller which follows two time and story lines with DCI Laura Hart, a top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, in the centre of action in both.
The first plotline deals with a hostage situation gone wrong in 2018 when Laura was still in active service as a hostage negotiator, which leads to the death of her policeman husband Sam.
The second plotline takes place in 2021 when Jake, Laura's ten year old son becomes part of a group taken hostage by a gang of drug dealers. Laura, who has retired from the police, is forced to put her past failure behind her and help the Wales police force with her skills to make sure the same tragedy doesn't strike twice to her small family.
As the story moves forward things are revealed pertaining to both plotlines and the climax sets the action for book two. Laura is also shown conversing with her dead husband who constantly visits her... is he really a ghost or just a figment of Laura's imagination that is something for the viewers to decide but I did find it interesting.
A good start to the series and I am interested to know how the series moves forward.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK and the author Simon McCleave for the e-Arc of the book.
May 17, 2022
This was my first novel by Simon McCleave and he told a compelling crime story with interesting and complex characters. Told from dual timelines it drew me closer and closer to the climax of the story. It was action packed and I didn’t want to stop listening. The narrator was Alice White and she did such a great job that I thought I was listening to a movie. Yes, I thought it was really good. I chose to listen to this and recommend anyone who loves crime audiobooks.
I. Can’t. Wait. For. Book. Two. Great job with this one.
Thanks Avon via Netgalley
I. Can’t. Wait. For. Book. Two. Great job with this one.
Thanks Avon via Netgalley
November 17, 2022
I was craving a well-written police procedural with high-stakes and full-throttle adrenaline - Simon McCleave delivered.
I’d never heard of this author before, but his publisher reached out and invited me to read the second book in this series. Being gifted book 2 meant that I needed to read book 1! No regrets.
I loved the unique setting! Anglesey is a beautiful, historic island off the NW coast of Wales and McCleaves brings it to life. He gave me an inside view of a place I’d never visited and highlighted why and how this setting added to his police-procedural.
His characters were well-crafted and layered. I loved that they were fleshed out beyond their careers. The different backgrounds, motivations and personalities added to my engagement and McCleave added just enough back story so that I cared and connected, but not too much that it hampered the pace. Furthermore, he put just as much detail into crafting the protagonist as the antagonist. I was equally pulled in by the protagonist’s investigation as I was by the antagonist’s crimes. In fact, the tense scenes where their two worlds collided gave me the palpitating suspense I craved and set the stage for the characters to reveal another layer of their complexity.
Although I was disappointed by the language and the frequent reminders that this was definitely written by a male author, the in-depth research overshadowed my frustrations. McCleave was able to show how skilled his characters were and this, mixed with his ability to show me their ulterior motives without spelling them out, deepened my connection. Adding to my enjoyment was the dry humour, the vivid descriptions, the multi-POV, the British expressions and the Mancunian slang!
“I don’t wanna think there’s someone bent in our nick.”
This fantastically executed plot-driven crime fiction offered a high-stakes opening that pulled me in immediately and continued with enough car/boat chases, helicopters, raids, hostage situations and gang activity that kept the adrenaline flowing! Underneath all this was a subtle layer about dealing with loss, grief, and opening one’s heart to love again.
Bring on book 2 in this exciting series!
I’d never heard of this author before, but his publisher reached out and invited me to read the second book in this series. Being gifted book 2 meant that I needed to read book 1! No regrets.
I loved the unique setting! Anglesey is a beautiful, historic island off the NW coast of Wales and McCleaves brings it to life. He gave me an inside view of a place I’d never visited and highlighted why and how this setting added to his police-procedural.
His characters were well-crafted and layered. I loved that they were fleshed out beyond their careers. The different backgrounds, motivations and personalities added to my engagement and McCleave added just enough back story so that I cared and connected, but not too much that it hampered the pace. Furthermore, he put just as much detail into crafting the protagonist as the antagonist. I was equally pulled in by the protagonist’s investigation as I was by the antagonist’s crimes. In fact, the tense scenes where their two worlds collided gave me the palpitating suspense I craved and set the stage for the characters to reveal another layer of their complexity.
Although I was disappointed by the language and the frequent reminders that this was definitely written by a male author, the in-depth research overshadowed my frustrations. McCleave was able to show how skilled his characters were and this, mixed with his ability to show me their ulterior motives without spelling them out, deepened my connection. Adding to my enjoyment was the dry humour, the vivid descriptions, the multi-POV, the British expressions and the Mancunian slang!
“I don’t wanna think there’s someone bent in our nick.”
This fantastically executed plot-driven crime fiction offered a high-stakes opening that pulled me in immediately and continued with enough car/boat chases, helicopters, raids, hostage situations and gang activity that kept the adrenaline flowing! Underneath all this was a subtle layer about dealing with loss, grief, and opening one’s heart to love again.
Bring on book 2 in this exciting series!
March 19, 2023
When you’re a trained hostage negotiator and your son has been taken, who in their right mind would have the brain space to dwell on how attractive a police officer is??? It grated my gears every time Laura did this completely, unrealistic thing
July 10, 2025
Who would have thought that Anglesey is such a hotbed for crime, eh?
In The Dark Tide Simon McCleave introduces us to DCI Laura Hart who's a retired hostage and crisis negotiator from Manchester who moved back to Anglesey after a tragic incident ripped her family's life apart.
Laura and her children are slowly rebulding their lives when a shocking crime spree brings both her and her son right in the harm's way.
Simon McCleave writes with ease and intent, the pace of the story is fantastic, there's so much going on and yet the story's really tight and delivered in great style.
I really enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what's next in store for Laura.
In The Dark Tide Simon McCleave introduces us to DCI Laura Hart who's a retired hostage and crisis negotiator from Manchester who moved back to Anglesey after a tragic incident ripped her family's life apart.
Laura and her children are slowly rebulding their lives when a shocking crime spree brings both her and her son right in the harm's way.
Simon McCleave writes with ease and intent, the pace of the story is fantastic, there's so much going on and yet the story's really tight and delivered in great style.
I really enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what's next in store for Laura.
May 4, 2022
If it is a tension-filled, high octane crime thriller you are looking for then look no further!
With sympathetic characterization, and an engrossing plot this would make a stellar action/suspense thriller movie.
Flashbacks to the day of Laura Hart's husband's death, gave valuable background to her character.
The unpredictable, unstable, and unhinged personality of the head villain, made the dire hostage situation very tense. The slow start picked up exponentially with boat chases and car chases, all the while fearing for the hostages well-being.
The growing attraction between Laura and Gareth was a welcome addition to the story, but I really didn't like how Laura dwelt on this at times when she she was highly stressed and fearing for her son's life. This seemed unrealistic to me - there is a time and place for everything.
A crime thriller with exciting adventure scenes, "A Dark Tide" will no doubt be enjoyed by many readers of both sexes. I for one, will definitely put book two of this series on my TBR list.
With sympathetic characterization, and an engrossing plot this would make a stellar action/suspense thriller movie.
Flashbacks to the day of Laura Hart's husband's death, gave valuable background to her character.
The unpredictable, unstable, and unhinged personality of the head villain, made the dire hostage situation very tense. The slow start picked up exponentially with boat chases and car chases, all the while fearing for the hostages well-being.
The growing attraction between Laura and Gareth was a welcome addition to the story, but I really didn't like how Laura dwelt on this at times when she she was highly stressed and fearing for her son's life. This seemed unrealistic to me - there is a time and place for everything.
A crime thriller with exciting adventure scenes, "A Dark Tide" will no doubt be enjoyed by many readers of both sexes. I for one, will definitely put book two of this series on my TBR list.
May 30, 2022
Mid hostage situation, involving her own kid and a boat load of others, the highly trained DI seriously thinks "He's so handsome" about the man she's working with. Simpering nonsense.
April 15, 2022
Where has this author been hiding all of my life? I am happy to find a new author through this book, and I am thrilled to discover that he already has lots of books out there for me to get stuck into at a later date.
In this book, which is book 1 of a new series, we find an awesome police procedural, much like Line of Duty. Laura, a police officer in Manchester, loses her policeman husband while they are both called out to a crime. She is devastated, and her and her children move to Anglesey. At a later date, Laura's son gets involved in another crime, while he is on a boat trip, and he unfortunately gets taken hostage by criminals. Laura is called in by the police to help out in this situation, as she is a hostage negotiator.
I really enjoyed the way the characters personalities, back stories and life situations were explored, and how we were taken back to the past, to see what happened in Manchester. I like to read a lot about each character and their life, as it helps me to feel more connected to them, and it gives more meat to the story. I also liked the different settings of the story, especially when we had the descriptions of Wales and all its glory. When Laura had her dead husband talking to her, I enjoyed this too.
I found the book really exciting, fascinating, fast paced and full of suspense and tension, which kept me gripped and eager to keep reading. I look forward to the next book in series when it comes out. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, which is book 1 of a new series, we find an awesome police procedural, much like Line of Duty. Laura, a police officer in Manchester, loses her policeman husband while they are both called out to a crime. She is devastated, and her and her children move to Anglesey. At a later date, Laura's son gets involved in another crime, while he is on a boat trip, and he unfortunately gets taken hostage by criminals. Laura is called in by the police to help out in this situation, as she is a hostage negotiator.
I really enjoyed the way the characters personalities, back stories and life situations were explored, and how we were taken back to the past, to see what happened in Manchester. I like to read a lot about each character and their life, as it helps me to feel more connected to them, and it gives more meat to the story. I also liked the different settings of the story, especially when we had the descriptions of Wales and all its glory. When Laura had her dead husband talking to her, I enjoyed this too.
I found the book really exciting, fascinating, fast paced and full of suspense and tension, which kept me gripped and eager to keep reading. I look forward to the next book in series when it comes out. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2022
This had the premise of being a really good read, however there were so many unbelievable moments that it really ruined it for me. The fact that the main character was a trained hostage negotiator and was allowed to negotiate her husbands release and then after she’d left the police she was called in again as a negotiator when her son was involved and she was a civilian! And then speeding off in speed boat’s everywhere trying to catch criminals had me rolling my eyes 👀. Oh and don’t get me started on the conversations with her dead husband !!
The narrator was ok and fairly good at doing the different accents but did sound a bit robotic in places
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Harper Collins for the arc and digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The narrator was ok and fairly good at doing the different accents but did sound a bit robotic in places
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Harper Collins for the arc and digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 18, 2022
Wow!
What an intense audiobook!
I loved the short chapters and how the tension built up slowly!
The narrator was excellent and made the story more exciting.
I found myself holding my breath several times and smiling at others!
Full of emotion and excitement- perfect for me.
Looking forward to the next one!
What an intense audiobook!
I loved the short chapters and how the tension built up slowly!
The narrator was excellent and made the story more exciting.
I found myself holding my breath several times and smiling at others!
Full of emotion and excitement- perfect for me.
Looking forward to the next one!
April 2, 2022
A thriller set on the island of Anglesey. Laura Hart has left the police force after the death in service of her husband. Following an incident in which her son is taken hostage, she finds herself drafted in to act as a negotiator with the hostage takers.
The story of the hostage taking and subsequent police chase runs alongside the retelling of the events three years previously that led to the death of her husband.
For me the book started off slowly but picked up pace later on, with the hostage taking provided a thrilling storyline. The ending finished on a cliff hanger, a definite hook for the second book.
Unfortunately, I found the writing style off-putting. The tone was rather patronising and the constant explanations of police terms and welsh words interrupted the flow of the narrative, making it seem forced and it was very irritating.
I couldn't warm to the characters. Laura Hart seemed to flit between being a grieving widow and a giddy flirtatious teenager. The constant appearances of her dead husband holding conversations with her was too much.
Overall, a thrilling but implausible story let down by the writing style.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
The story of the hostage taking and subsequent police chase runs alongside the retelling of the events three years previously that led to the death of her husband.
For me the book started off slowly but picked up pace later on, with the hostage taking provided a thrilling storyline. The ending finished on a cliff hanger, a definite hook for the second book.
Unfortunately, I found the writing style off-putting. The tone was rather patronising and the constant explanations of police terms and welsh words interrupted the flow of the narrative, making it seem forced and it was very irritating.
I couldn't warm to the characters. Laura Hart seemed to flit between being a grieving widow and a giddy flirtatious teenager. The constant appearances of her dead husband holding conversations with her was too much.
Overall, a thrilling but implausible story let down by the writing style.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
August 30, 2025
4.5- New series but the 6th book of Simon McCleaves's I have read .. Shows good potential and look forward to book No.2
April 9, 2022
Following a personal tragedy from her time as a police officer in Manchester Laura leaves the police force and moves back to Anglesey with her children. However growing events are to put her family at risk once more and take her right back into the thick of police action whether she likes it or not.
What starts out quite gently as a quiet day in Beaumaris on the peaceful island of Anglesey, where a class of children, involving Laura’s son, are about to go on a boat trip to Puffin Island to look at the wildlife, soon descends into life threatening situations.
This book quickly grabs you as you can almost feel, see and smell what is about to happen to all those on the boat trip following a drugs drop that goes wrong. Suddenly events unravel and you just cannot put the book down as a rollercoaster ride of tension, intrigue and suspense unfolds as the pages turn. I love the way Simon kept this tension up throughout the rest of the book and made me having to keep turning those pages into the early morning.
This is a great start to a series, that has an underlying story alongside the main storyline linking back to events in Manchester. Loving the characters central to the story, and most definitely could not have a better setting, think I need to book a trip to North Wales! I strongly recommend this series to others and now wait impatiently for the next book in the series which has been well set up by the ending to this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a review copy of the book in exchange for a fair, open and honest review.
What starts out quite gently as a quiet day in Beaumaris on the peaceful island of Anglesey, where a class of children, involving Laura’s son, are about to go on a boat trip to Puffin Island to look at the wildlife, soon descends into life threatening situations.
This book quickly grabs you as you can almost feel, see and smell what is about to happen to all those on the boat trip following a drugs drop that goes wrong. Suddenly events unravel and you just cannot put the book down as a rollercoaster ride of tension, intrigue and suspense unfolds as the pages turn. I love the way Simon kept this tension up throughout the rest of the book and made me having to keep turning those pages into the early morning.
This is a great start to a series, that has an underlying story alongside the main storyline linking back to events in Manchester. Loving the characters central to the story, and most definitely could not have a better setting, think I need to book a trip to North Wales! I strongly recommend this series to others and now wait impatiently for the next book in the series which has been well set up by the ending to this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a review copy of the book in exchange for a fair, open and honest review.
February 8, 2025
☆ 3.5 stars ☆
(Rounded up)
My first read by this author - Simon McCleave - and it was a good one!
An interesting plotline, intriguing set of new characters to develop and get to know, action and a good twist with a character in the climax of the action.
It is a story about love, tragedy, and grief. About mystery and murder ... hostages and hostage negotiating, career paths.. and it all comes together nicely.
I like how the author builds the environment and settings and stays true to the linguistic style, accents, and slang of the geographical areas.
This author takes a bit of a different approach and has a different style of writing than what I usually read, and I enjoyed it.
The first book in the Anglesey series and it was a good, strong introduction. I will definitely read the rest.
(Rounded up)
My first read by this author - Simon McCleave - and it was a good one!
An interesting plotline, intriguing set of new characters to develop and get to know, action and a good twist with a character in the climax of the action.
It is a story about love, tragedy, and grief. About mystery and murder ... hostages and hostage negotiating, career paths.. and it all comes together nicely.
I like how the author builds the environment and settings and stays true to the linguistic style, accents, and slang of the geographical areas.
This author takes a bit of a different approach and has a different style of writing than what I usually read, and I enjoyed it.
The first book in the Anglesey series and it was a good, strong introduction. I will definitely read the rest.
April 10, 2024
.5 of a star
So according to the reviews on this site this is obviously a book that people love (the majority) or people don't love (the minority) and I fall into the latter category. This novel dragged on and on. I found the writing problematic - why did we have to have the full name of the police radio every time they reached for it for example. The scenarios were just unbelievable - the navy vessels are coming - oh actually they are not. The main character, recently widowed, is worried for her son, the second in the family to be held hostage! Oh my poor son, oh he is a sexy policeman I think I can see a relationship with him, oh my poor son - all in the same breath!!!! There were plot lines that went no where - and I could go on. So why did I read on, well actually I was listening to the audio book (and there is a positive - the narrator was good) and in a car on a 10 hour drive with another person who falls into the other category and was enjoying the novel, although by the end was less enamored.
Not for me and despite the cliff hanger ending I will not be reading book 2 in the series.
So according to the reviews on this site this is obviously a book that people love (the majority) or people don't love (the minority) and I fall into the latter category. This novel dragged on and on. I found the writing problematic - why did we have to have the full name of the police radio every time they reached for it for example. The scenarios were just unbelievable - the navy vessels are coming - oh actually they are not. The main character, recently widowed, is worried for her son, the second in the family to be held hostage! Oh my poor son, oh he is a sexy policeman I think I can see a relationship with him, oh my poor son - all in the same breath!!!! There were plot lines that went no where - and I could go on. So why did I read on, well actually I was listening to the audio book (and there is a positive - the narrator was good) and in a car on a 10 hour drive with another person who falls into the other category and was enjoying the novel, although by the end was less enamored.
Not for me and despite the cliff hanger ending I will not be reading book 2 in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2024
1 bored star. DNF.
Too many chapters of long introductions and unnecessary descriptions of characters and police lingo, along with inner sexual thoughts, but absolutely nothing happening to grab interest. Not my cup of tea.
Too many chapters of long introductions and unnecessary descriptions of characters and police lingo, along with inner sexual thoughts, but absolutely nothing happening to grab interest. Not my cup of tea.
April 3, 2022
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic book. I have read the first series Simon McCleave wrote with DI Ruth Hunter and rated the whole series highly. So, when I saw he had a new series out based in my home town I jumped at the chance to review on Netgalley.
What can I say, I could not put this book down, people say this a lot but with this book I mean I was reading it every chance I got, while drying my hair, cooking tea, walking the dog! Everywhere!! I was so fast paced, gripping, heart wrenching
Throughout the book there are references to the area and local facts which I found fascinating and enjoyed once again seeing Welsh words in Simon's books. I love that he's bringing people's attention to our beautiful part of the world. His historical facts and knowledge of local areas and events has been very well researched, and there were I good few things I didn't know!
All in all this is a suberb book which has set the scene for what looks like a fantastic series to come.
I'm only sad that I have come to the end!!!!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books Uk, and Simon McCleave for an advance copy in return for an open and honest review.
What can I say, I could not put this book down, people say this a lot but with this book I mean I was reading it every chance I got, while drying my hair, cooking tea, walking the dog! Everywhere!! I was so fast paced, gripping, heart wrenching
Throughout the book there are references to the area and local facts which I found fascinating and enjoyed once again seeing Welsh words in Simon's books. I love that he's bringing people's attention to our beautiful part of the world. His historical facts and knowledge of local areas and events has been very well researched, and there were I good few things I didn't know!
All in all this is a suberb book which has set the scene for what looks like a fantastic series to come.
I'm only sad that I have come to the end!!!!
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books Uk, and Simon McCleave for an advance copy in return for an open and honest review.
May 29, 2024
What a boring, long, slog of a book [that was only decent in a coup!e spots, and I barely enjoyed even that]. Blech. The author writes the female MC like he must see women, and that makes me sad for any of them that have to be around him for any length of time.
I will not be reading any more of this deeply frustrating series []; what a huge disappointment!!
I will not be reading any more of this deeply frustrating series []; what a huge disappointment!!
March 21, 2022
Hiraeth
Wales, land of Druids, Arthur legends, and Viking settlements. It’s here that Laura Hart, - with a background in hostage & crises negotiation- , moves back to after the death of her husband Sam, who died in a hostage situation three years prior.
It’s in beautiful Beaumaris that Laura and her children Jake and Rosie try to build a new life; each trying to cope with this loss: son Jake has become quiet and withdrawn, and Laura finds comfort in talking to her husband like before.
Their quiet life comes to an end, when a drug drop in a country line drug supply from Liverpool to Anglesey goes terribly wrong. Panicked, the three scousers capture a boot with a school class on their way to Puffin island for a school outing and take its passengers hostage.
Simon McCleave, best known for his DI Hunter crime thrillers, has written a gripping and sublieme crime thriller, with lots and lots of exciting historical background information about Anglesey and Beaumaris, topped with plenty of room for action and exciting storylines.
The story switches back and forth from a hostage situation in 2018 in Manchester and 2021 at Anglesey, where each time, a little more information is given, but never too much though, so it remains a guess at what and how things could have gone so wrong in 2018.
Nail biting excitement to the very last page. Already being a fan of the Hunter series, and familiar with his writing, I was looking forward to this one, and it didn’t disappoint, on the contrary, it more than lived up to all my high expectations.
***** 5 stars.
* Publication date: May 12, 2022*
I would like to thank Netgalley and the author for this ARC. This opinion is my own.
Wales, land of Druids, Arthur legends, and Viking settlements. It’s here that Laura Hart, - with a background in hostage & crises negotiation- , moves back to after the death of her husband Sam, who died in a hostage situation three years prior.
It’s in beautiful Beaumaris that Laura and her children Jake and Rosie try to build a new life; each trying to cope with this loss: son Jake has become quiet and withdrawn, and Laura finds comfort in talking to her husband like before.
Their quiet life comes to an end, when a drug drop in a country line drug supply from Liverpool to Anglesey goes terribly wrong. Panicked, the three scousers capture a boot with a school class on their way to Puffin island for a school outing and take its passengers hostage.
Simon McCleave, best known for his DI Hunter crime thrillers, has written a gripping and sublieme crime thriller, with lots and lots of exciting historical background information about Anglesey and Beaumaris, topped with plenty of room for action and exciting storylines.
The story switches back and forth from a hostage situation in 2018 in Manchester and 2021 at Anglesey, where each time, a little more information is given, but never too much though, so it remains a guess at what and how things could have gone so wrong in 2018.
Nail biting excitement to the very last page. Already being a fan of the Hunter series, and familiar with his writing, I was looking forward to this one, and it didn’t disappoint, on the contrary, it more than lived up to all my high expectations.
***** 5 stars.
* Publication date: May 12, 2022*
I would like to thank Netgalley and the author for this ARC. This opinion is my own.
December 24, 2023
For a first book, this would have been okay, but as the author has written 12 or more books already this was disappointing. The appearance of Sam - Lauras deceased husband was both confusing and soon became annoying.
For a police thriller, the police seemed to be rather inept. One example: drugs were being delivered by boat to a coastal beach in Anglesey. The police were staked out along the shore only. They had no boats in the water to intercept the craft if it got away or chose not to land and there didnt seem to be any effort to locate the individuals on shore that the drugs were being delivered to.
There was backstory relative to the death of Sam, but it was so sparse. Laura goes to interview a police dispatcher who does a runner and thats it. No follow up to the story, nothing.
There were also a number of editorial errors, one character called by one name in one sentence and a different name in another; Gareths hair matted to his head by the rain - except he has a shaved head. All in all I wasnt impressed and doubt I will be reading any others.
For a police thriller, the police seemed to be rather inept. One example: drugs were being delivered by boat to a coastal beach in Anglesey. The police were staked out along the shore only. They had no boats in the water to intercept the craft if it got away or chose not to land and there didnt seem to be any effort to locate the individuals on shore that the drugs were being delivered to.
There was backstory relative to the death of Sam, but it was so sparse. Laura goes to interview a police dispatcher who does a runner and thats it. No follow up to the story, nothing.
There were also a number of editorial errors, one character called by one name in one sentence and a different name in another; Gareths hair matted to his head by the rain - except he has a shaved head. All in all I wasnt impressed and doubt I will be reading any others.
March 23, 2023
This book has good moments here and there. The protagonist little boy is taken hostage and she is afraid for his live and had lost her husband in the same situation. She was thinking all the time how the cop overseeing the case was sexy, how it would feel to take a shower with him. I do not think any mother would be thinking like that at moments like this. Also she was called in as a negotiator in her husband and son case and she was a civilian. The story is not believable, hence two stars. The ending though was a surprise and could be an exciting sequel.
June 24, 2022
dnf
I gave up on this book after struggling through the first few chapters because I found the writing poor. There were too many long winded descriptions of the characters and explanations of police acronyms which I found a tedious and really got in the way of the story and I wasn't engaged at all.
I do seem to be in a minority here, but many of the good reviews are about audiobooks, which may have made the going easier.
I gave up on this book after struggling through the first few chapters because I found the writing poor. There were too many long winded descriptions of the characters and explanations of police acronyms which I found a tedious and really got in the way of the story and I wasn't engaged at all.
I do seem to be in a minority here, but many of the good reviews are about audiobooks, which may have made the going easier.
October 6, 2022
Well, it would have been four stars, but all that stuff with her dead husband was way off. I mean, yes, you can talk to the dead but they don’t initiate conversation or say unexpected things. Totally spoilt the book, in my view. Otherwise, a good plot and reasonably well written. I’m not sure a mother whose child was in danger would finding men sexually attractive at the time, though. Just saying.
November 10, 2024
DCI Laura Hart was the chief hostage negotiator with Greater Manchester Police. She was also the negotiator working with a gang on the day her husband ended up dead.
After that moment life on the force wasn’t for her. So she upped sticks and went to live in her home town of Beaumaris, starting a new life as a business consultant.
Her getting on with life would make for a rather boring story. So, instead, we get a rather barmy plot featuring three Liverpool teens trying to do a drugs run on Holyhead which goes wrong and they end up taking a bunch of kids on a school trip hostage, one of which is her son.
A pacy thriller, full of details about police procedure and criminal behaviour, which entertains (even if it all feels a little forced). My main issue was with the setting. For personal reasons a book set in and around this area wasn’t going to go down well, and having details about how wonderful the place is rammed down my throat at every opportunity got in the way of the story.
After that moment life on the force wasn’t for her. So she upped sticks and went to live in her home town of Beaumaris, starting a new life as a business consultant.
Her getting on with life would make for a rather boring story. So, instead, we get a rather barmy plot featuring three Liverpool teens trying to do a drugs run on Holyhead which goes wrong and they end up taking a bunch of kids on a school trip hostage, one of which is her son.
A pacy thriller, full of details about police procedure and criminal behaviour, which entertains (even if it all feels a little forced). My main issue was with the setting. For personal reasons a book set in and around this area wasn’t going to go down well, and having details about how wonderful the place is rammed down my throat at every opportunity got in the way of the story.
August 17, 2022
DCI Laura Hart was the top hostage and crisis negotiator for Greater Manchester police, she never thought she would been involved in negotiating the release of her husband, but still he was killed. Returning home to Anglesey and quitting the police, she tries to rebuild her life and all was going well before drug dealers took a tourist boat hostage that her son was on. Facing the nightmare again, can Laura save her son?
An interesting first novel in this series. It’s told in dual timeline, slowly but surely you discover the back story of her husband’s murder and it’s clear this will become a recurring theme in this series. The present day story is non-stop as the tragedy unfolds. Always good to see a book set in Wales as well.
An interesting first novel in this series. It’s told in dual timeline, slowly but surely you discover the back story of her husband’s murder and it’s clear this will become a recurring theme in this series. The present day story is non-stop as the tragedy unfolds. Always good to see a book set in Wales as well.
May 3, 2022
Narrator 5 stars
Story 4 stars
Great opening, moved along fast like and action movie
Story 4 stars
Great opening, moved along fast like and action movie
May 22, 2024
Just when you think you've got over the Snowdonia Killings series, along comes the Anglesey series, and blows your mind! It's another amazing tale from Simon McCleave!
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