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DCI Matilda Darke #10
Silent Victim
A CENSURED DETECTIVE WITH NO LEADS
DCI Matilda Darke and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force.
A BRUTAL ATTACK WITH NO WITNESSES
Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method.
A DEPRAVED KILLER WHO LEAVES NO TRACES
When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cords being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her key suspect. If only she had a way to prove it…
DCI Matilda Darke and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force.
A BRUTAL ATTACK WITH NO WITNESSES
Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method.
A DEPRAVED KILLER WHO LEAVES NO TRACES
When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cords being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her key suspect. If only she had a way to prove it…
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2022
218 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 13, 2022
Oh my! That was a cliffhanger of an ending if ever I saw one! WilI I be waiting with bated breath for the next instalment? You bet I will!
Sheffield in the North of England, and the story begins in a shocking manner with the abduction and rape of 14 year old Tilly Hall. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, her abductor tortures her and leaves her for dead. Tilly survives but she isn’t the first victim - he’s already killed his three previous victims.
DCI Matilda Darke isn’t working currently due to her team being disbanded, but after being approached by the Chief begging her to help them on this case, she reluctantly agrees, but she knows this is a killer who is exceptionally clever as he leaves no clues whatsoever at the crime scenes. Matilda manages to get most of her old team back together, but how do you find a killer without anything to go on? The covid pandemic is rife, and that isn’t helping investigations either with a shortage of staff.
The tension is maintained throughout, accompanied by much nail biting, but thankfully it’s sprinkled with some much needed humour. This disturbing but clever storyline, eventually reaches its denouement with the mother of all cliff hangers! Unmissable!
Sheffield in the North of England, and the story begins in a shocking manner with the abduction and rape of 14 year old Tilly Hall. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, her abductor tortures her and leaves her for dead. Tilly survives but she isn’t the first victim - he’s already killed his three previous victims.
DCI Matilda Darke isn’t working currently due to her team being disbanded, but after being approached by the Chief begging her to help them on this case, she reluctantly agrees, but she knows this is a killer who is exceptionally clever as he leaves no clues whatsoever at the crime scenes. Matilda manages to get most of her old team back together, but how do you find a killer without anything to go on? The covid pandemic is rife, and that isn’t helping investigations either with a shortage of staff.
The tension is maintained throughout, accompanied by much nail biting, but thankfully it’s sprinkled with some much needed humour. This disturbing but clever storyline, eventually reaches its denouement with the mother of all cliff hangers! Unmissable!
October 15, 2022
Thank you Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
2.5 rounded down
One second review: It's not you, it's the fact I'm wrong audience
SYNOPSIS
DCI Matilda Drake is called back into action to help find a serial r@pist wreaking havoc around town.
MY OPINION
Ok so essentially all I've read this month are NetGalley arcs and a h0e is STRUGGLING. I've had some gems but I've also had some grade A stankers that seem to implode in the last third. I wouldn't say this one imploded, but I just think I wasn't ... senior enough to enjoy this? Idk how to explain it, but I feel like the older generation would vibe more aggressively with Matilda's character and the storytelling.
The premise was tres juicy. There was a lot of potential here for an absolute banger. You know when you're in the car and the driver has a lead foot so you're jerkin back and forth? That's what this plot was like because of all the long ass chapters about Matilda's Christmas cooking adventures with her female friends. Maybe because I jumped in at the end of the series (you know the vibez) so I wasn't invested in her character enough to really enjoy reading 10 pages about mundane convos with Adele and Pat, but I found myself skimming through these sections just to get back to the case itself.
Unfortunately the writing was basique. Usually this wouldn't bother me because I consider it a staple of the genre (no shade) but the plot wasn't hittin enough for me to overlook it. The number of times I found instances where the author started MULTIPLE sentences in a row with "She (verb)" was appalling. Editor??? Where art thou????
Also, CCTV seemed to be MIA – it wasn't even addressed. And who wants blurays as a 15 yr old? They still exist? In big 2022? I think not. Big cringe when the k!ller literally taped a sign that said "I'm up here" on the door......... cmon now LMAO. But to be fair, Wood does a good job tossing in several red herrings. He did have me second guessing myself.
I really wish I could call this Honda Civic Reliable, but I just can't recommend it in good faith. I would describe it as VERY middle of the road. And since we can't give half stars (lame), I've rounded it down.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: the case itself was juicy, some humour, solid red herrings that kept me second guessing myself
Cons: writing was bleh, didn't care for all the chapters about Matilda's personal life that had NOTHING to do with the plot, ending was trolololol, idk how to explain it but I felt like this was written specifically for senior citizens
2.5 rounded down
One second review: It's not you, it's the fact I'm wrong audience
SYNOPSIS
DCI Matilda Drake is called back into action to help find a serial r@pist wreaking havoc around town.
MY OPINION
Ok so essentially all I've read this month are NetGalley arcs and a h0e is STRUGGLING. I've had some gems but I've also had some grade A stankers that seem to implode in the last third. I wouldn't say this one imploded, but I just think I wasn't ... senior enough to enjoy this? Idk how to explain it, but I feel like the older generation would vibe more aggressively with Matilda's character and the storytelling.
The premise was tres juicy. There was a lot of potential here for an absolute banger. You know when you're in the car and the driver has a lead foot so you're jerkin back and forth? That's what this plot was like because of all the long ass chapters about Matilda's Christmas cooking adventures with her female friends. Maybe because I jumped in at the end of the series (you know the vibez) so I wasn't invested in her character enough to really enjoy reading 10 pages about mundane convos with Adele and Pat, but I found myself skimming through these sections just to get back to the case itself.
Unfortunately the writing was basique. Usually this wouldn't bother me because I consider it a staple of the genre (no shade) but the plot wasn't hittin enough for me to overlook it. The number of times I found instances where the author started MULTIPLE sentences in a row with "She (verb)" was appalling. Editor??? Where art thou????
Also, CCTV seemed to be MIA – it wasn't even addressed. And who wants blurays as a 15 yr old? They still exist? In big 2022? I think not. Big cringe when the k!ller literally taped a sign that said "I'm up here" on the door......... cmon now LMAO. But to be fair, Wood does a good job tossing in several red herrings. He did have me second guessing myself.
I really wish I could call this Honda Civic Reliable, but I just can't recommend it in good faith. I would describe it as VERY middle of the road. And since we can't give half stars (lame), I've rounded it down.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: the case itself was juicy, some humour, solid red herrings that kept me second guessing myself
Cons: writing was bleh, didn't care for all the chapters about Matilda's personal life that had NOTHING to do with the plot, ending was trolololol, idk how to explain it but I felt like this was written specifically for senior citizens
November 7, 2022
EXCERPT: He needed to kill again. Tomorrow night, he would go out, find someone, anyone, and inhale their screams, feel the warmth of their blood on his cold skin, listen as their heart beat one last time and savour the presence of death.
ABOUT 'SILENT VICTIM': A CENSURED DETECTIVE WITH NO LEADS
DCI Matilda Darke and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force.
A BRUTAL ATTACK WITH NO WITNESSES
Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method.
A DEPRAVED KILLER WHO LEAVES NO TRACES
When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cords being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her key suspect. If only she had a way to prove it…
MY THOUGHTS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ bright and shining, slightly blood-stained stars for Michael Wood's latest offering in the DI Matilda Darke series. It was a one sitting read for me that I simply could not put down, and ignored all my other reads in favour of. There is one particular scene in this book which is not going to leave me for a very long time!
Silent Victim is a relentlessly heart pounding, compelling read that ends with a real cliffhanger! I'll be chewing my nails until #11 is released in March 2023.
Wood's clever writing had me suspecting several people of these heinous crimes, one correctly, but he wasn't my top pick. Michael Wood 10, Sandy 0.
Matilda grows a lot as a person in Silent Victim when the value of friendship is brought home to her as a result of her own actions. She is also incredibly nurturing towards Tilly, the only victim of the sadistic rapist to survive, sharing her own struggles during her recovery from the brutal attack she herself survived.
Even though Sian is no longer a member of the team, she and her family still feature in the storyline. Everyone is missing her snack drawer! And Sian is facing struggles of her own.
I love the way Michael Wood weaves a little humour in to relieve the darkness of his storyline. The Christmas turkey episode had me hooting with laughter.
Twisty, fast-paced, compelling, sinister and clever. I loved Silent Victim just as much as, if not more than, the previous nine books and I am counting down the days until the release of book #11.
Although this is a series, Michael Wood gives enough background information to enable Silent Victim to be read as a stand-alone. However, in order to fully understand the relationships between the characters, I recommend that you start from book #1. You won't regret it.
Silent Victim is due for publication 28 October 2022
#SilentVictimMichaelWood #NetGalley
I: @michaelwoodbooks @onemorechapter
T: @MichaelHWood @OneMoreChapter
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #mystery #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Silent Victim by Michael Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'SILENT VICTIM': A CENSURED DETECTIVE WITH NO LEADS
DCI Matilda Darke and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force.
A BRUTAL ATTACK WITH NO WITNESSES
Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method.
A DEPRAVED KILLER WHO LEAVES NO TRACES
When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cords being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her key suspect. If only she had a way to prove it…
MY THOUGHTS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ bright and shining, slightly blood-stained stars for Michael Wood's latest offering in the DI Matilda Darke series. It was a one sitting read for me that I simply could not put down, and ignored all my other reads in favour of. There is one particular scene in this book which is not going to leave me for a very long time!
Silent Victim is a relentlessly heart pounding, compelling read that ends with a real cliffhanger! I'll be chewing my nails until #11 is released in March 2023.
Wood's clever writing had me suspecting several people of these heinous crimes, one correctly, but he wasn't my top pick. Michael Wood 10, Sandy 0.
Matilda grows a lot as a person in Silent Victim when the value of friendship is brought home to her as a result of her own actions. She is also incredibly nurturing towards Tilly, the only victim of the sadistic rapist to survive, sharing her own struggles during her recovery from the brutal attack she herself survived.
Even though Sian is no longer a member of the team, she and her family still feature in the storyline. Everyone is missing her snack drawer! And Sian is facing struggles of her own.
I love the way Michael Wood weaves a little humour in to relieve the darkness of his storyline. The Christmas turkey episode had me hooting with laughter.
Twisty, fast-paced, compelling, sinister and clever. I loved Silent Victim just as much as, if not more than, the previous nine books and I am counting down the days until the release of book #11.
Although this is a series, Michael Wood gives enough background information to enable Silent Victim to be read as a stand-alone. However, in order to fully understand the relationships between the characters, I recommend that you start from book #1. You won't regret it.
Silent Victim is due for publication 28 October 2022
#SilentVictimMichaelWood #NetGalley
I: @michaelwoodbooks @onemorechapter
T: @MichaelHWood @OneMoreChapter
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #mystery #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Michael Wood is a freelance journalist and proofreader living in Sheffield. As a journalist he has covered many crime stories throughout Sheffield, gaining first-hand knowledge of police procedure. He also reviews books for CrimeSquad, a website dedicated to crime fiction.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Silent Victim by Michael Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 7, 2022
Matilda Darke #19
December 2020, Sheffield
Whoop, whoop! The latest Matilda Darke by Michael Wood! Talk about eager anticipation and that KNOWING that it’s going to be a cracker before you’ve even started and oh boy, is it ever, I need oxygen!!!
The novel starts in a terrifying and emotional way with the abduction and rape of 14-year-old Tilly Hall and subsequent emergency SOS calls to her mother and the police. They find poor Tilly in some woods, semi clothed, her throat cut and barely alive. A forensic team assemble, the cold wet weather not making things easy, nor is Covid as they’re seriously shortstaffed. Tragically, Tilly is the fourth victim in a horrifying case.
The situation is difficult for South Yorkshire police as they are in special measures. DI Christian Brady is really feeling the pressure and he wants Matilda back. We know Matilda is a survivor, look at what she’s been through these last few years but can she survive this incredibly tough case?
I’m running out of superlatives to describe how much I love the series and the team in South Yorkshire who now feel like old friends and with a few new good additions in the latest novel. As ever, the pace is fast, at times at warp speed, the pressure is intense and like the team you cast your beady eye in several directions trying to suss out the evil perpetrator .
This really does have you gripped, on the edge of your seat, quite often breathless and it’s possible the odd naughty maybe uttered in the several wow,wow, wow moments. It’s nightmarish and grotesque and the author cleverly utilises the circumstances of late 2020 as well as the locations and weather to great effect . The tension builds, the plot twists and turns and yes, Mr Wood has done it again! That ending and oh my, that cliffhanger what are you doing to your readers?!! How long have we got to wait for number 11? Please hurry up as your many fans are on tenterhooks as per usual ! A terrific read from beginning to end.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 2020, Sheffield
Whoop, whoop! The latest Matilda Darke by Michael Wood! Talk about eager anticipation and that KNOWING that it’s going to be a cracker before you’ve even started and oh boy, is it ever, I need oxygen!!!
The novel starts in a terrifying and emotional way with the abduction and rape of 14-year-old Tilly Hall and subsequent emergency SOS calls to her mother and the police. They find poor Tilly in some woods, semi clothed, her throat cut and barely alive. A forensic team assemble, the cold wet weather not making things easy, nor is Covid as they’re seriously shortstaffed. Tragically, Tilly is the fourth victim in a horrifying case.
The situation is difficult for South Yorkshire police as they are in special measures. DI Christian Brady is really feeling the pressure and he wants Matilda back. We know Matilda is a survivor, look at what she’s been through these last few years but can she survive this incredibly tough case?
I’m running out of superlatives to describe how much I love the series and the team in South Yorkshire who now feel like old friends and with a few new good additions in the latest novel. As ever, the pace is fast, at times at warp speed, the pressure is intense and like the team you cast your beady eye in several directions trying to suss out the evil perpetrator .
This really does have you gripped, on the edge of your seat, quite often breathless and it’s possible the odd naughty maybe uttered in the several wow,wow, wow moments. It’s nightmarish and grotesque and the author cleverly utilises the circumstances of late 2020 as well as the locations and weather to great effect . The tension builds, the plot twists and turns and yes, Mr Wood has done it again! That ending and oh my, that cliffhanger what are you doing to your readers?!! How long have we got to wait for number 11? Please hurry up as your many fans are on tenterhooks as per usual ! A terrific read from beginning to end.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 14, 2022
When the email hit my inbox asking me to review this book, I jumped for joy! My joy was short lived when I finished it, that ending!
I have enjoyed, laughed and wept in all 9 of the other books in this series. Silent Victim did not disappoint. We take of running when Matilda is asked to return to work to help catch a serial killer. One victim survives and Matilda quickly forms a nurturing bound with young survivor Tilly.
I have to say that I really did not expect the killer. I had doubts but it stilled surprised me a bit. I was also really disappointed that the old team wasn't back together, but did appreciate Scott and Finn back. I have high hopes we will have a full team back for #11.
Adele and Matilda's relationship is so good for both of them. The friendship they share is exactly what they both need after all they have been through.
Michael is one of my favorite authors. I cant wait for the next book and have high hopes!
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I have enjoyed, laughed and wept in all 9 of the other books in this series. Silent Victim did not disappoint. We take of running when Matilda is asked to return to work to help catch a serial killer. One victim survives and Matilda quickly forms a nurturing bound with young survivor Tilly.
I have to say that I really did not expect the killer. I had doubts but it stilled surprised me a bit. I was also really disappointed that the old team wasn't back together, but did appreciate Scott and Finn back. I have high hopes we will have a full team back for #11.
Adele and Matilda's relationship is so good for both of them. The friendship they share is exactly what they both need after all they have been through.
Michael is one of my favorite authors. I cant wait for the next book and have high hopes!
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
October 29, 2022
A killer who leaves behind no clues, there are no witnesses, and the clock is ticking as investigators fear he will soon be taking a new victim.
Woohoo! I'm always excited when a new book in the Matilda Darke series is coming out! The book begins with the horrific rape and attempted murder of a fourteen-year-old girl. She is barely alive but manages to make an SOS call. She was not the first victim, but she was the first to survive.
Matilda is asked to come back and help with this case. She has been through a horrific experience herself and is battle worn but ready to pick up the gauntlet and hunt down this killer. She is tough as nails but also has a heart of gold. She is like a bull seeing red, ready to charge in and get the job down.
She and her team have their work cut out for them! Speaking of teams, they are an awesome bunch and I love their witty banter, their friendships and determination to solve a case.
This one grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! This was a real page turner for me, and I could not get enough of this shocking and gripping book. Plus, that ending!!!! Holy Crap!! This was a fantastic addition to the series, and I am already hoping with fingers crossed that I won’t have to wait too long for the next book!
Gripping, shocking, tense, and fast paced!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Woohoo! I'm always excited when a new book in the Matilda Darke series is coming out! The book begins with the horrific rape and attempted murder of a fourteen-year-old girl. She is barely alive but manages to make an SOS call. She was not the first victim, but she was the first to survive.
Matilda is asked to come back and help with this case. She has been through a horrific experience herself and is battle worn but ready to pick up the gauntlet and hunt down this killer. She is tough as nails but also has a heart of gold. She is like a bull seeing red, ready to charge in and get the job down.
She and her team have their work cut out for them! Speaking of teams, they are an awesome bunch and I love their witty banter, their friendships and determination to solve a case.
This one grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go! This was a real page turner for me, and I could not get enough of this shocking and gripping book. Plus, that ending!!!! Holy Crap!! This was a fantastic addition to the series, and I am already hoping with fingers crossed that I won’t have to wait too long for the next book!
Gripping, shocking, tense, and fast paced!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 7, 2022
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and HarperCollins one more chapter, and one of my favourite authors Michael wood for an early copy of this book.
This is book 10 in this series,this book starts with a bang, a 14 year old abducted and left for dead she survived. This killer has struck before multiply times,cutting there throats and raping them.due to covid they need DCI Matilda Drake back she had suffered a terrible past should she return. She got most of her old team back with a new member. Theres lack of evidence will they find this killer?Theres a funny part in this book over the Christmas period over the Turkey it made me laugh. Great ending leading onto his next instalment. CANT WAIT.if you love crime I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES.
This is book 10 in this series,this book starts with a bang, a 14 year old abducted and left for dead she survived. This killer has struck before multiply times,cutting there throats and raping them.due to covid they need DCI Matilda Drake back she had suffered a terrible past should she return. She got most of her old team back with a new member. Theres lack of evidence will they find this killer?Theres a funny part in this book over the Christmas period over the Turkey it made me laugh. Great ending leading onto his next instalment. CANT WAIT.if you love crime I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SERIES.
October 25, 2022
Dear Micheal Wood, I have really enjoyed all the Matilda Darke books but the last two have been harrowing - and now you give us another harrowing book with a cliff hanger ending? Please have some pity on your readers. Just kidding, I enjoyed every minute of it although it may not be for those who are squeamish!
DCI Matilda Darke, who has been off from her job for a long time following a shooting and it’s aftermath, is lured back because the South Yorkshire constabulary is so short staffed due to being Ill with covid and the Assistant Commissioner desperately needs her skill set.
They have a very evil killer to catch - one who simply doesn’t leave any clues, forensic or otherwise. He has already r@ped and killed three young women and r@ped a fourth but she survived. Just. Although she will never speak again because her voice box is so damaged.
This was yet another edge of your seat, nail biting story. Everybody knew the killer would strike again - but when and how and who are all unknown. The victims so far have absolutely nothing in common, except that they’re all women. Matilda’s tiny team, which includes the luscious looking, motorbike riding new DC, Tom, give this investigation their all even though Christmas is nearly upon them.
Sure enough they get another body. But this one is slightly different. Everyone was a suspect until they were cleared. But things were not as they seemed and the red herrings came into play. There were a couple of other new characters including the previously mentioned Tom and Donal, the mortuary assistant who Is smitten with Chris. I think in this book Matilda seems to ‘soften’ a bit more as she clearly identifies the distress that young Tilly (the victim who survived) is going through and she becomes a much needed crutch for Tilly whose mother is too weepy to be much help to her.
I will leave it there as I don’t want to ruin the plot for others. Suffice it to say this is a very thrilling thriller, but, probably not best read as a stand alone. I know I often jump into a series midway. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
DCI Matilda Darke, who has been off from her job for a long time following a shooting and it’s aftermath, is lured back because the South Yorkshire constabulary is so short staffed due to being Ill with covid and the Assistant Commissioner desperately needs her skill set.
They have a very evil killer to catch - one who simply doesn’t leave any clues, forensic or otherwise. He has already r@ped and killed three young women and r@ped a fourth but she survived. Just. Although she will never speak again because her voice box is so damaged.
This was yet another edge of your seat, nail biting story. Everybody knew the killer would strike again - but when and how and who are all unknown. The victims so far have absolutely nothing in common, except that they’re all women. Matilda’s tiny team, which includes the luscious looking, motorbike riding new DC, Tom, give this investigation their all even though Christmas is nearly upon them.
Sure enough they get another body. But this one is slightly different. Everyone was a suspect until they were cleared. But things were not as they seemed and the red herrings came into play. There were a couple of other new characters including the previously mentioned Tom and Donal, the mortuary assistant who Is smitten with Chris. I think in this book Matilda seems to ‘soften’ a bit more as she clearly identifies the distress that young Tilly (the victim who survived) is going through and she becomes a much needed crutch for Tilly whose mother is too weepy to be much help to her.
I will leave it there as I don’t want to ruin the plot for others. Suffice it to say this is a very thrilling thriller, but, probably not best read as a stand alone. I know I often jump into a series midway. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
October 19, 2022
Prolific writer, Michael Wood’s Silent Victim is the tenth in the DCI Matilda Drake police procedural series. It’s nearly Christmas in 2020 as the pandemic rages and Matilda Drake is enjoying her sabbatical before she is reinstated in the understaffed South Yorkshire police crime investigation team. There is a serial killer at work who leaves no evidence at the crime scene and the police are under pressure. Whilst the fourth victim surprisingly survives the attack, there are no forensic clues or leads. As Matilda’s new team struggles to advance the investigation, the frustration leads to Matilda challenging the killer and resulting in a climactic finale. Warning: some of the forensic descriptions are gruesome and may upset some readers. Although comic in places, the narrative is a first-class tale of a police investigation and a good balance of characters’ lives which makes for an enjoyable standalone crime read, with a four star rating. With thanks to Harper Collins UK and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
October 21, 2022
DCI Matilda Drake #10
DCI Matilda Drake and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force. Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method. When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cord being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her hey suspect. If only she had a way to prove it....
What a fantastic, edge of your seat read this book was. I could not put this book down. The opening scene is quite horrific - a fourteen-year-old girl left for dead after being kidnapped. This story is action packed, and I was quickly pulled in. The pace is fast, but I was kept guessing. My heart was racing as I sat gripped on the edge of my seat. The murders are savage and graphic, and it can be disturbing to read about. There are some great twists. There are some laugh out loud moments to lighten up some of the darker parts. With a great cliffhanger ending, I can't wait to read the next installment to this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #MichealWood for my ARC of #SilentVictim in exchange for an honest review.
DCI Matilda Drake and her team have been restricted under special measures after a series of calamitous scandals nearly brought down the South Yorkshire police force. Now Matilda is on the trail of another murderer, an expert in avoiding detection with no obvious motive but one obvious method. When his latest victim survives the attack despite her vocal cord being severed, Matilda is more convinced than ever of the guilt of her hey suspect. If only she had a way to prove it....
What a fantastic, edge of your seat read this book was. I could not put this book down. The opening scene is quite horrific - a fourteen-year-old girl left for dead after being kidnapped. This story is action packed, and I was quickly pulled in. The pace is fast, but I was kept guessing. My heart was racing as I sat gripped on the edge of my seat. The murders are savage and graphic, and it can be disturbing to read about. There are some great twists. There are some laugh out loud moments to lighten up some of the darker parts. With a great cliffhanger ending, I can't wait to read the next installment to this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #MichealWood for my ARC of #SilentVictim in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2022
After finishing a number of complex, thought-provoking novels, I was in the mood for a bit of entertaining, serial-killer foolishness—satisfying trash. So, I picked up Michael Wood’s SILENT VICTIM, a book that several of my friends rated highly. I must have read a different book than they did.
The fundamental elements of SILENT VICTIM met my basic criteria for meaningless pleasure: police procedural—“yes”; serial killer butchering his victims—“yes”; police officers investigating the crime have messy personal lives—“yes”; sympathetic victim who survived—“yes”; a few red herrings—“yes”. So why was it torture to read? I was seeking some light fluff that I could merely enjoy, without taxing my brain.
It was the writing! The author has not progressed beyond the SIXTH GRADE WRITING LEVEL. For example:
The killer climbed out of his van and went around to the back. It was dark, cold, windy, and snow was falling heavily. He opened the rear doors and had to use the torch on his phone to find his latest victim. She was curled up in the furthest corner of the van. She looked so scared. Her brown eyes were wide, tears were streaming down her face. Her make-up had run. She was shaking with cold and fear.
The entire novel is written in this way—simple sentences using far too many “to be” verbs to describe actions and feelings. ALL TELL AND NO SHOW.
Incidentally, notice that “It was dark, cold, windy, and snow was falling heavily” is also grammatically inaccurate.
Reading this novel was a painful experience, not because of the gore or contents, but because it was written for those whose grammar had never progressed past Grade Six. My friends must have been under pressure to finish it and consequently skimmed just the main words, ignoring how these words were combined. The basic story line of this novel was what I was looking for (a bit of fun nonsense); the grammar used to convey this “thriller lite” diversion was not.
Addendum: In July, I read another book from this series (The Lost Children) and gave it a four-star rating. I can’t remember much about the plot now—it served its purpose of providing the entertaining “thriller-lite” that I was looking for at the time. I still have it on my Kindle, and checked the writing style. The author’s composition skills for The Lost Children were satisfactory; no problems such as those found with SILENT VICTIM. This suggests that SILENT VICTIM did not receive adequate editing, that it was published before it could receive a competent, tight revision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for another book in this series:
The Lost Children (DCI Matilda Drake #9)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The fundamental elements of SILENT VICTIM met my basic criteria for meaningless pleasure: police procedural—“yes”; serial killer butchering his victims—“yes”; police officers investigating the crime have messy personal lives—“yes”; sympathetic victim who survived—“yes”; a few red herrings—“yes”. So why was it torture to read? I was seeking some light fluff that I could merely enjoy, without taxing my brain.
It was the writing! The author has not progressed beyond the SIXTH GRADE WRITING LEVEL. For example:
The killer climbed out of his van and went around to the back. It was dark, cold, windy, and snow was falling heavily. He opened the rear doors and had to use the torch on his phone to find his latest victim. She was curled up in the furthest corner of the van. She looked so scared. Her brown eyes were wide, tears were streaming down her face. Her make-up had run. She was shaking with cold and fear.
The entire novel is written in this way—simple sentences using far too many “to be” verbs to describe actions and feelings. ALL TELL AND NO SHOW.
Incidentally, notice that “It was dark, cold, windy, and snow was falling heavily” is also grammatically inaccurate.
Reading this novel was a painful experience, not because of the gore or contents, but because it was written for those whose grammar had never progressed past Grade Six. My friends must have been under pressure to finish it and consequently skimmed just the main words, ignoring how these words were combined. The basic story line of this novel was what I was looking for (a bit of fun nonsense); the grammar used to convey this “thriller lite” diversion was not.
Addendum: In July, I read another book from this series (The Lost Children) and gave it a four-star rating. I can’t remember much about the plot now—it served its purpose of providing the entertaining “thriller-lite” that I was looking for at the time. I still have it on my Kindle, and checked the writing style. The author’s composition skills for The Lost Children were satisfactory; no problems such as those found with SILENT VICTIM. This suggests that SILENT VICTIM did not receive adequate editing, that it was published before it could receive a competent, tight revision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for another book in this series:
The Lost Children (DCI Matilda Drake #9)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 11, 2022
How do you follow the superb book 9, with an even better book 10.
Mathilda is no longer working, the Covid pandemic is in full swing around Christmas 2020, Sheffield police are in special measures and there is a serial rapist out there. Who is leaving no clues or forensic evidence or even the same type of victim.
The Chief Constable practically begs Matilda to help him out. She recruits much of her old team and they start the impossible task of solving the crimes.
As always this has everything you can wish for a superb plot, terrifying crimes, tension, horrific crime scenes, humour- love the Christmas Turkey scene, Mathilda shows great empathy to the one survivor, albeit with life changing injuries.
As always this is well written and the pace of this is incredible, it took a lot of will power not to phone in sick so I could read this in one go. And just when you thought things had settled down…. that climax. Such an addictive series how can I wait till March for book 11?
This needs far more than 5 stars, could easily be awarded 6 or even 7 stars!
Thank you so to Michael Wood, Sara Roberts of One More Chapter and NetGalley, for the privilege of reading an ARC of this amazing book
Mathilda is no longer working, the Covid pandemic is in full swing around Christmas 2020, Sheffield police are in special measures and there is a serial rapist out there. Who is leaving no clues or forensic evidence or even the same type of victim.
The Chief Constable practically begs Matilda to help him out. She recruits much of her old team and they start the impossible task of solving the crimes.
As always this has everything you can wish for a superb plot, terrifying crimes, tension, horrific crime scenes, humour- love the Christmas Turkey scene, Mathilda shows great empathy to the one survivor, albeit with life changing injuries.
As always this is well written and the pace of this is incredible, it took a lot of will power not to phone in sick so I could read this in one go. And just when you thought things had settled down…. that climax. Such an addictive series how can I wait till March for book 11?
This needs far more than 5 stars, could easily be awarded 6 or even 7 stars!
Thank you so to Michael Wood, Sara Roberts of One More Chapter and NetGalley, for the privilege of reading an ARC of this amazing book
November 2, 2022
The next addition in the Matilda Darke series and I can't wait to start reading. After her last case and the aftermath her team has been disbanded and Matilda is on leave.
The force is short staffed and Matilda is called back to try and solve an abhorrent case . Young women are being abducted, raped then having their throats cut. There have been three attacks two of the victims are dead but a school girl has survived but with life changing injuries. With the help of the silent victim and her team they are getting nowhere, so Matilda puts herself as bait. Another nerve shredding nail biting page turner. With an ending I never saw coming and left me speechless. I need the next book now PLEASE!!!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
The force is short staffed and Matilda is called back to try and solve an abhorrent case . Young women are being abducted, raped then having their throats cut. There have been three attacks two of the victims are dead but a school girl has survived but with life changing injuries. With the help of the silent victim and her team they are getting nowhere, so Matilda puts herself as bait. Another nerve shredding nail biting page turner. With an ending I never saw coming and left me speechless. I need the next book now PLEASE!!!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.
October 15, 2022
The story is set in the immediate run up to Christmas. It’s a time of year where spirits are usually high due to the upcoming festivities but young women in Sheffield are under threat from a serial killer. This is a very sadistic killer and what they do to the victims is horrific. It is guaranteed to chill you to the bone!
Matilda is one of my favourite detectives and was great to see her back in action trying to stop this killer. Along with a few of my other favourite characters, it was so good to be back with them as I do miss them when I close the pages from the previous novel and wait for the next one. They feel like good friends and I can’t wait to see what is going on in their lives.
The closeness between Matilda and one of the surviving victims was so endearing to read. I love how Matilda having been through what she has, is able to connect with other victims of crime and the empathy she shows really pulls on the heart strings. Tilly is such an admirable character and I would love to see more of her. The author always creates some of the best and worst characters in his books and it always gives the reader food for thought.
Silent Victim is another winning read in the series. Every time I thought I had the killer pegged out, another possibility comes along to throw a spanner in the works so that I was looking at everyone suspiciously. Due to the nature of the attacks, I could hardly sit still as I was desperate for Matilda and the team to put a stop to this vile person’s actions. The pacing was as electrifying as always and with cliff hanger of an ending, I am more than eager to get my hands on the next book in this brilliant series.
My thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Matilda is one of my favourite detectives and was great to see her back in action trying to stop this killer. Along with a few of my other favourite characters, it was so good to be back with them as I do miss them when I close the pages from the previous novel and wait for the next one. They feel like good friends and I can’t wait to see what is going on in their lives.
The closeness between Matilda and one of the surviving victims was so endearing to read. I love how Matilda having been through what she has, is able to connect with other victims of crime and the empathy she shows really pulls on the heart strings. Tilly is such an admirable character and I would love to see more of her. The author always creates some of the best and worst characters in his books and it always gives the reader food for thought.
Silent Victim is another winning read in the series. Every time I thought I had the killer pegged out, another possibility comes along to throw a spanner in the works so that I was looking at everyone suspiciously. Due to the nature of the attacks, I could hardly sit still as I was desperate for Matilda and the team to put a stop to this vile person’s actions. The pacing was as electrifying as always and with cliff hanger of an ending, I am more than eager to get my hands on the next book in this brilliant series.
My thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
November 8, 2022
I´m done with this series. I really tried,because the basics aren´t bad,but something-or several somethings-are off.
The plots aren´t bad,the characters are interesting but,oddly, that amounts to boring books.
Might be that most crimes end up being "endogamic";the culprit´s the spouse of a team member, the almost victim is the child of another,some are shot, some are killed,another one´s suffered abuse and the case is about it,etc,etc. Lack of imagination? A writer so enamoured of his characteres everything has to be about them,again and again?
Darke, the protagonist,ends up being irritating-so perfect,always getting shot, targeted, kidnapped.A sort of Wonder Woman. Gets tiresome. I prefer my Rebus, Bosch,Hole,Dalziel.
This one is basically a long winded story which could have been wrapped up pretty soon, as the suspect was identified early on.
The plots aren´t bad,the characters are interesting but,oddly, that amounts to boring books.
Might be that most crimes end up being "endogamic";the culprit´s the spouse of a team member, the almost victim is the child of another,some are shot, some are killed,another one´s suffered abuse and the case is about it,etc,etc. Lack of imagination? A writer so enamoured of his characteres everything has to be about them,again and again?
Darke, the protagonist,ends up being irritating-so perfect,always getting shot, targeted, kidnapped.A sort of Wonder Woman. Gets tiresome. I prefer my Rebus, Bosch,Hole,Dalziel.
This one is basically a long winded story which could have been wrapped up pretty soon, as the suspect was identified early on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
Bit of a rollercoaster this one, with highs and lows. Good paced read and different enough to the standard template to keep interest up. Antagonist is over-the-top evil and that annoys quite a bit and the ending had me moaning... I'm not going to sit on needles waiting for #11.
August 3, 2025
DCI Matilda Darke is back and oh my days is she back with a bang!
Silent Victim begins with a vicious attack and it just doesn't let off right till the very end. And that ending! Oh my, what an ending!
I love that series and I didn't think it could be any better but does it get better and the some! Silent Victim might be book ten but it feels as fresh and exciting as book one. Michael Wood is a brilliant writer and sure knows how to keep his readers happy.
I loved that book and I'm more than happy to recommend it and the whole series. It's just brilliant!
Silent Victim begins with a vicious attack and it just doesn't let off right till the very end. And that ending! Oh my, what an ending!
I love that series and I didn't think it could be any better but does it get better and the some! Silent Victim might be book ten but it feels as fresh and exciting as book one. Michael Wood is a brilliant writer and sure knows how to keep his readers happy.
I loved that book and I'm more than happy to recommend it and the whole series. It's just brilliant!
September 6, 2022
DI Christian Brady is feeling the pressure, and up to his eyes in paperwork. with the Homicide and Major Crime Unit disbanded earlier in the year, after a major investigation in to historic child abuse uncovered that the previous Police and crime commissioner and chief constable we’re deeply involved along with some politicians. BothMatilda and Sian have now left and with little staff due to the pandemic, and 3 murders to solve South Yorkshire Police are once again under the microscope. When a fourth victim, Tilly, a 14 year old girl is found brutally raped and barely alive with her throat cut, and unable to speak, the now Chief Constable Benjamin Ridley has no choice, the only person who can crack this case is DCI Matilda Darke and he must ask her to return. Matilda accepts, and puts together her team including DS Scott Andrews, the now returned to work albeit in a wheelchair DC Zofia Novak, DC Finn Cotton and the newest member of the team DC Tom Simpson. With little in the way of forensic evidence or otherwise, can the team catch this evasive killer before he claims any more victims?
I don’t really know where to start, I read this in a day including an overnight until 2am when I fell asleep with my kindle, I couldn’t stop reading! Michael’s storylines have you gripped from the very first page, you have no idea where the story is going, even when you think you know, another hammer blow is thrown at you! It’s fast paced and gritty, and I loved being along for the ride! The characters feel like old friends by this point, and you are rooting for Matilda and the team as the minutes and seconds count down! I loved this book, the cliffhanger at the end has made me feel so frustrated- I want to read it now!!! Absolutely fantastic, loved every second, I’ve literally nothing negative to say about this book apart from I didn’t want it to end! Michael, you are one of my most favourite authors, and I look forward to each and every book you write! Easy 5 stars from me, absolutely amazing!
Thank you One More Chapter, Harper Collins and of course to Michael Wood for letting me have a pre read of this book!
I don’t really know where to start, I read this in a day including an overnight until 2am when I fell asleep with my kindle, I couldn’t stop reading! Michael’s storylines have you gripped from the very first page, you have no idea where the story is going, even when you think you know, another hammer blow is thrown at you! It’s fast paced and gritty, and I loved being along for the ride! The characters feel like old friends by this point, and you are rooting for Matilda and the team as the minutes and seconds count down! I loved this book, the cliffhanger at the end has made me feel so frustrated- I want to read it now!!! Absolutely fantastic, loved every second, I’ve literally nothing negative to say about this book apart from I didn’t want it to end! Michael, you are one of my most favourite authors, and I look forward to each and every book you write! Easy 5 stars from me, absolutely amazing!
Thank you One More Chapter, Harper Collins and of course to Michael Wood for letting me have a pre read of this book!
September 7, 2022
Isn't Christmas, supposed to be the happiest time of the year? If you're a member of the beleaguered South Yorkshire Police Force, recently put in special measures and struggling with staff shortages, probably not!. In the midst of the turmoil a serial killer has set his sights on the women of Sheffield, attacking with increasing violence and regularity, leaving three mutilated bodies in his wake.
DCI Matilda Darke has been watching from the sidelines as her city is rocked by the killings and when a fourth victim is discovered her phone finally rings. Enticed back to help catch a murderer who leaves no clues, while also improving the reputation of the police force which has shaped her life for so long, Matilda knows no woman is safe. With little hesitation she begins an investigation which could, once again, place her in the line of fire.
Book ten in Michael Wood's excellent series is as explosive as the previous nine! The story starts with a bang and is a compelling page turner which provides action all the way to the end where the epilogue is a cliffhanger which will leave readers desperate for more.
The dialogue is realistically delivered between colleagues and friends who know each other exceptionally well. There are also lighter moments including a laugh out loud series of events which were as expertly written as those of the utmost seriousness. Spoilers for previous books are included so Matilda is best read in order for maximum enjoyment of a first class set of stories.
I was able to read an advanced copy of Silent Victim thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is another excellent book in one of the best British police procedural series available and highly recommended.
DCI Matilda Darke has been watching from the sidelines as her city is rocked by the killings and when a fourth victim is discovered her phone finally rings. Enticed back to help catch a murderer who leaves no clues, while also improving the reputation of the police force which has shaped her life for so long, Matilda knows no woman is safe. With little hesitation she begins an investigation which could, once again, place her in the line of fire.
Book ten in Michael Wood's excellent series is as explosive as the previous nine! The story starts with a bang and is a compelling page turner which provides action all the way to the end where the epilogue is a cliffhanger which will leave readers desperate for more.
The dialogue is realistically delivered between colleagues and friends who know each other exceptionally well. There are also lighter moments including a laugh out loud series of events which were as expertly written as those of the utmost seriousness. Spoilers for previous books are included so Matilda is best read in order for maximum enjoyment of a first class set of stories.
I was able to read an advanced copy of Silent Victim thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is another excellent book in one of the best British police procedural series available and highly recommended.
August 30, 2024
I love this murder mystery series. Michael Wood does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with dark, twisty plots that grip the reader. Each book builds on previous events and characters, so I feel like I'm with old friends each time I pick up a new book.
Matilda was brought back after her team was disbanded, and she was made redundant in a scandal-laden case involving child abuse. This time, she is after a serial killer who rapes and kills his victims. One victim survived, however, but she had life-changing injuries and can no longer speak. It is now up to Matilda and her team to hunt a killer who leaves no trace evidence. Leads are sparse, and political pressure is high to catch the killer before he strikes again.
This fast-paced police procedural has Matilda stumped with no clues to the killer's identity; she and her team grasp at straws. It's interesting to see how the meager clues eventually identify the killer and the lengths Matilda goes to capture him. I'm looking forward to book #11 in the series. 5/5 stars.
Matilda was brought back after her team was disbanded, and she was made redundant in a scandal-laden case involving child abuse. This time, she is after a serial killer who rapes and kills his victims. One victim survived, however, but she had life-changing injuries and can no longer speak. It is now up to Matilda and her team to hunt a killer who leaves no trace evidence. Leads are sparse, and political pressure is high to catch the killer before he strikes again.
This fast-paced police procedural has Matilda stumped with no clues to the killer's identity; she and her team grasp at straws. It's interesting to see how the meager clues eventually identify the killer and the lengths Matilda goes to capture him. I'm looking forward to book #11 in the series. 5/5 stars.
October 19, 2022
I would like to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of Silent Victim, the tenth novel to feature DCI Matilda Darke of the Sheffield Police.
Matilda is lured back to work to hunt a serial killer who is raping and cutting the throat of his victims. He has managed to kill three young women and so severely injured fourteen year old Tilly that she will never talk again. With no forensics it is up to Matilda to devise a plan that will catch him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Victim, which is an excellent police procedural. It is told mostly from the investigative point of view with the odd chapter describing the unnamed killer’s thoughts and actions. This latter may interest some readers, but it doesn’t add much to the read for me.
The plot mostly consists of Matilda and her team trying to run down the angles and interviewing anyone who crosses their radar in an effort to find an elusive killer. It is a break, not lucky but forced by one of the team, that gives them the answers. This all seems realistic to me, but the strength of the novel, in fact the series, is not just the realism of the investigation but equally the realistic characterisation. The team members have personal trials and tribulations but are close enough that it all gets discussed and hashed out, be it survivor guilt, grief or relationships.
I have to say that Matilda is reckless in this novel. She seems to have shut down the future and can’t see beyond catching this killer. For more detail you’ll have to read the book. On the other hand she is brilliant with the survivor, Tilly, offering sound and empathetic advice.
It is an absorbing read with plenty of activity but not much forward momentum on the investigation, due to a lack of propulsion or, as us oldies call it, clues. The resolution is a flurry and slightly ambiguous, but the job gets done. I have deducted a point from my review due to the epilogue. This is a cliffhanger, setting up the next novel and so what? I would read it anyway and will have no memory of said development when the time comes.
Silent Victim is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Matilda is lured back to work to hunt a serial killer who is raping and cutting the throat of his victims. He has managed to kill three young women and so severely injured fourteen year old Tilly that she will never talk again. With no forensics it is up to Matilda to devise a plan that will catch him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Victim, which is an excellent police procedural. It is told mostly from the investigative point of view with the odd chapter describing the unnamed killer’s thoughts and actions. This latter may interest some readers, but it doesn’t add much to the read for me.
The plot mostly consists of Matilda and her team trying to run down the angles and interviewing anyone who crosses their radar in an effort to find an elusive killer. It is a break, not lucky but forced by one of the team, that gives them the answers. This all seems realistic to me, but the strength of the novel, in fact the series, is not just the realism of the investigation but equally the realistic characterisation. The team members have personal trials and tribulations but are close enough that it all gets discussed and hashed out, be it survivor guilt, grief or relationships.
I have to say that Matilda is reckless in this novel. She seems to have shut down the future and can’t see beyond catching this killer. For more detail you’ll have to read the book. On the other hand she is brilliant with the survivor, Tilly, offering sound and empathetic advice.
It is an absorbing read with plenty of activity but not much forward momentum on the investigation, due to a lack of propulsion or, as us oldies call it, clues. The resolution is a flurry and slightly ambiguous, but the job gets done. I have deducted a point from my review due to the epilogue. This is a cliffhanger, setting up the next novel and so what? I would read it anyway and will have no memory of said development when the time comes.
Silent Victim is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 6, 2022
Silent Victim is book 10 in the DCI Matilda Darke series by Michael Wood. 5 murdered women and 1 survivor. The murderer is expected to kill again and more viciously next time. There is no evidence. What a story. You are grabbed by the throat and dragged into the story from the beginning. It is heart in the mouth reading. Set in late 2020, covid is ruling Sheffield. Matilda is asked to return to work to help with this perplexing case. The usual members of the team are back except for Sian, and they are joined by DC Tom Simpson. Matilda is able to help the survivor as she struggles with her recovery, having gone through a trauma herself a couple of years ago. A fabulous addition to the series and I look forward to the next book.
November 8, 2022
This series has been a long time favourite of mine and I read the first 8 books in the space of week they was that good!
This was another heart stopping instalment that kept me riveted all the way through! And that ending! Wow! How can we wait for the next book with that cliffhanger?!.
This was another heart stopping instalment that kept me riveted all the way through! And that ending! Wow! How can we wait for the next book with that cliffhanger?!.
October 19, 2022
Silent Victim, book ten in the utterly brilliant DCI Matilda Darke series gets off to a blistering start and stays that way throughout.
As Michael Wood once again delivers a harrowing story that packs a punch and inevitably keeps you on the edge of your seat.
When fourteen year old Tilly Hall is abducted, raped and left for dead. DI Christian Brady is at the end of his tether. As Tilly is not the first to be forcibly abducted and brutally attacked and an understaffed CID thanks to budget cuts and Covid just can't cope.
Not to mention the last case, the now disbanded HMCU worked on is still reverberating around Sheffield. With South Yorkshire Police in special measures and very few coming out unscathed.
But DI Brady has an idea of how to get things back on track. Bring back DCI Matilda Darke in the hope she can crack this latest horrific case wide open and get South Yorkshire police out of the governments bad books.
But with Tilly just about alive and unable to talk and no evidence to go on. How can Matilda really make any difference? And will she even want to?
And with fantastic pacing, humour, twists you won't see coming and an ending that I can guarantee will leave you asking WTH?!?! This is quite frankly a bloody brilliant read. But then I've naturally come to expect nothing less from Michael Wood. But seriously what the hell? And when can I get my very eager hands on book eleven?
I would 100% recommend Silent Victim and the DCI Matilda Darke series to all.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
As Michael Wood once again delivers a harrowing story that packs a punch and inevitably keeps you on the edge of your seat.
When fourteen year old Tilly Hall is abducted, raped and left for dead. DI Christian Brady is at the end of his tether. As Tilly is not the first to be forcibly abducted and brutally attacked and an understaffed CID thanks to budget cuts and Covid just can't cope.
Not to mention the last case, the now disbanded HMCU worked on is still reverberating around Sheffield. With South Yorkshire Police in special measures and very few coming out unscathed.
But DI Brady has an idea of how to get things back on track. Bring back DCI Matilda Darke in the hope she can crack this latest horrific case wide open and get South Yorkshire police out of the governments bad books.
But with Tilly just about alive and unable to talk and no evidence to go on. How can Matilda really make any difference? And will she even want to?
And with fantastic pacing, humour, twists you won't see coming and an ending that I can guarantee will leave you asking WTH?!?! This is quite frankly a bloody brilliant read. But then I've naturally come to expect nothing less from Michael Wood. But seriously what the hell? And when can I get my very eager hands on book eleven?
I would 100% recommend Silent Victim and the DCI Matilda Darke series to all.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 20, 2022
OMG….sorry to talk about the ending of the book first. But holy smoke I can’t believe I have to wait until the end of March 2023 for the next installment! What a flippin cliff hanger to leave us on….my jaw just hit the floor with that shocker of an ending. There I was thinking how nicely the story had been wrapped up. Then BOOM a full on WTAF ending!!! Well I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Now I have got that off my chest I need to say that this is the tenth book in the series which I absolutely love. Just when I thought it could’nt get any better. Michael totally nails it making this his best book ever. Those of you that read this series will know its dark but in this story Michael takes it to a whole new level. When we follow Matilda on the hunt for a killer who is a total nut job to say the least. Having no idea who it is or why this malicious killings are happening. A victim survives the attack and we follow Matilda on a roller coaster ride trying to work out who it is.
I loved the connection and relationship thats built up with the surviving victim the author uses sensitivity in his writing and you can feel the genuine side of Matilda showing her caring authentic side. Giving some brilliant characterisation.
Silent Victim is full of twists and turns and OMG moments. I had no idea who it was. It is totally addictive and unputdownable I loved everything about it.
I still can’t get over the ending! This book ticked all the boxes. It is an excellent read which I highly recommend….. roll on March!!
Now I have got that off my chest I need to say that this is the tenth book in the series which I absolutely love. Just when I thought it could’nt get any better. Michael totally nails it making this his best book ever. Those of you that read this series will know its dark but in this story Michael takes it to a whole new level. When we follow Matilda on the hunt for a killer who is a total nut job to say the least. Having no idea who it is or why this malicious killings are happening. A victim survives the attack and we follow Matilda on a roller coaster ride trying to work out who it is.
I loved the connection and relationship thats built up with the surviving victim the author uses sensitivity in his writing and you can feel the genuine side of Matilda showing her caring authentic side. Giving some brilliant characterisation.
Silent Victim is full of twists and turns and OMG moments. I had no idea who it was. It is totally addictive and unputdownable I loved everything about it.
I still can’t get over the ending! This book ticked all the boxes. It is an excellent read which I highly recommend….. roll on March!!
November 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Sara Roberts @ Just one more chapter publishing for inviting me to read and review this book.
The DCI Matilda Darke series is without a doubt my favourite. I absolutely devour these books, they are amazing!
The book opens with DI Christian Brady overworked and overwhelmed with paperwork. Matilda is still at home not working after the unit was shut down in the previous book. A serial killer has murdered 3 women by slitting their throats. The fourth survives! With no evidence or suspects the chief invites Matilda to come back to work and investigate the case. She agrees to comeback to solve this one case.
The team has been disbanded. They are without Sian and Matilda no longer trusts Christian. Scott and Finn return and Zofia, now in a wheelchair. A new member Tom rounds up the team. Together they investigate, but the killer is clever and leaves no evidence. Tilly the survivor saw him, but he cut her throat and she can’t speak. With little to go on Matilda baits the killer…
I enjoyed this so much. I couldn’t put it down. The whole series is addictive, well written, fast paced and able to pull you in and invest with both the characters and the storyline.
Just when you think @MichaelHWood can’t put Matilda Darke through any more he pulls a blinder. What a cliffhanger! 5stars!
Last thoughts -the whole Matilda Darke series deserves to be a tv show!
The DCI Matilda Darke series is without a doubt my favourite. I absolutely devour these books, they are amazing!
The book opens with DI Christian Brady overworked and overwhelmed with paperwork. Matilda is still at home not working after the unit was shut down in the previous book. A serial killer has murdered 3 women by slitting their throats. The fourth survives! With no evidence or suspects the chief invites Matilda to come back to work and investigate the case. She agrees to comeback to solve this one case.
The team has been disbanded. They are without Sian and Matilda no longer trusts Christian. Scott and Finn return and Zofia, now in a wheelchair. A new member Tom rounds up the team. Together they investigate, but the killer is clever and leaves no evidence. Tilly the survivor saw him, but he cut her throat and she can’t speak. With little to go on Matilda baits the killer…
I enjoyed this so much. I couldn’t put it down. The whole series is addictive, well written, fast paced and able to pull you in and invest with both the characters and the storyline.
Just when you think @MichaelHWood can’t put Matilda Darke through any more he pulls a blinder. What a cliffhanger! 5stars!
Last thoughts -the whole Matilda Darke series deserves to be a tv show!
March 29, 2023
Matilda is back - and I adore her just as much as usual!
Having recently spent time with another female detective, Lottie Parker, I once again come to the conclusion that Matilda Darke is my absolute favourite.
Through all the tragedies and horrors, Matilda keeps on growing and evolving and getting stronger.
The author constantly manages to bring Matilda and her friends to life in an incredibly real way. They all feel like real people to me - and by now I know some of them so well I've started to care a lot about them.
The dark side to this book is the glints into the murderer's mind. They are, if anything, trigger warning worthy. I'm usually not overly concerned when it comes to dark content, but in this book, Michael Wood, has rolled up his sleeves and made a real (mad) effort to bring the perverted inside of a sexually motivated killer to life.
In a way, I think this wasn't exactly necessary, but it does bring the whole thing alive in a terrifying way. I can actually believe that the thoughts and dreams of a perverse psychopath sound like what's in this book.
But at the same time - it's almost over the top atrocious. The book, with its characters and mystery, is good on its own. It doesn't really need that shock value to elevate it.
So the effect is double edged for me personally. While I can strategically see why the passages are included, I can intellectually still wonder: Why?
Now, here's the one flaw in this book, if you ask my hobby sleuthing ass: There's only really one suspect and the police somehow naively dismiss them far too easily and quickly.
The author doesn't offer up other, viable suspects, and that one (obvious) suspect is still around. Still not really taken seriously as a suspect, even when, I kid you not, all the signs are there, spelled out in red crayon all over the place.
The police, and Matilda especially, are supposed to be experts and psychology is a thing that is used through out the book - and yet!!!
This was so very frustrating for me. When the "twist" and revelation finally came, I was like: DUUUUUUH!!!!
And then the author finished the whole thing off with a moral dilemma that I don't mind all that much. (Well done, Matilda! Good riddance!)
PLUS a cliff hanger, pretty much from Hell. Honestly, that made me a bit grumpy.
Just like with the Carl Meagan arc I feel like the whole thing with the homicidal cop in prison (can't for the life of me remember his name right now) has overstayed its welcome.
Fingers crossed for more Matilda in the future - AND an end to the psycho behind bars.
Having recently spent time with another female detective, Lottie Parker, I once again come to the conclusion that Matilda Darke is my absolute favourite.
Through all the tragedies and horrors, Matilda keeps on growing and evolving and getting stronger.
The author constantly manages to bring Matilda and her friends to life in an incredibly real way. They all feel like real people to me - and by now I know some of them so well I've started to care a lot about them.
The dark side to this book is the glints into the murderer's mind. They are, if anything, trigger warning worthy. I'm usually not overly concerned when it comes to dark content, but in this book, Michael Wood, has rolled up his sleeves and made a real (mad) effort to bring the perverted inside of a sexually motivated killer to life.
In a way, I think this wasn't exactly necessary, but it does bring the whole thing alive in a terrifying way. I can actually believe that the thoughts and dreams of a perverse psychopath sound like what's in this book.
But at the same time - it's almost over the top atrocious. The book, with its characters and mystery, is good on its own. It doesn't really need that shock value to elevate it.
So the effect is double edged for me personally. While I can strategically see why the passages are included, I can intellectually still wonder: Why?
Now, here's the one flaw in this book, if you ask my hobby sleuthing ass: There's only really one suspect and the police somehow naively dismiss them far too easily and quickly.
The author doesn't offer up other, viable suspects, and that one (obvious) suspect is still around. Still not really taken seriously as a suspect, even when, I kid you not, all the signs are there, spelled out in red crayon all over the place.
The police, and Matilda especially, are supposed to be experts and psychology is a thing that is used through out the book - and yet!!!
This was so very frustrating for me. When the "twist" and revelation finally came, I was like: DUUUUUUH!!!!
And then the author finished the whole thing off with a moral dilemma that I don't mind all that much. (Well done, Matilda! Good riddance!)
PLUS a cliff hanger, pretty much from Hell. Honestly, that made me a bit grumpy.
Just like with the Carl Meagan arc I feel like the whole thing with the homicidal cop in prison (can't for the life of me remember his name right now) has overstayed its welcome.
Fingers crossed for more Matilda in the future - AND an end to the psycho behind bars.
January 29, 2023
Even though both Matilda and the team are still struggling after traumas from previous cases, covid and internal politics, plus now a ruthless serial killer on the loose, I felt that this was the freshest that we've seen Matilda. Let's face it she was hot mess in book one and slowly through her team and her friendships with Adelle and Pat she is building her life back, but in this book she was on fire!
Technically this could be read as a standalone but a) every other book in the series is brilliant and b) this is a series where characters and relationships do change and evolve, so I would recommend going back and reading from book one and in order. But when you do make it to book ten - it's a ripper!
I saw another reviewer mention 'the turkey scene' as being hilarious, I'd have to say the scene that really made me LOL was the 'I'm a survivor' scene. Lots of light hearted relief, with characters that feel like home, support a dark and twisted serial killer thriller. I'd give this 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Love!
Technically this could be read as a standalone but a) every other book in the series is brilliant and b) this is a series where characters and relationships do change and evolve, so I would recommend going back and reading from book one and in order. But when you do make it to book ten - it's a ripper!
I saw another reviewer mention 'the turkey scene' as being hilarious, I'd have to say the scene that really made me LOL was the 'I'm a survivor' scene. Lots of light hearted relief, with characters that feel like home, support a dark and twisted serial killer thriller. I'd give this 10 out of 5 stars if I could. Love!
September 3, 2022
A really well thought out storyline and great read.
The premise is that a man is violently raping and then murdering women and there is no particular pattern to the murder victims. The one we focus on is a fourteen year old girl as she is set apart from the other victims (no spoilers). I think the terror of the killer being at large was built up stealthily and brilliantly as was the fear of the unknown and not knowing who would be attacked next with escalating violence and grotesque means.
I’ve read several books in the series so it was also great to pick up where I left off with them and it was easy to catch up and feel involved and engaged with them almost on a personal level.
The pace was excellent and built to a terrifying crescendo, which then had a satisfying ending which lulled me into a false sense of security, followed by a heart racing ending, I actually don’t think I can wait for the next book, definitely the mark of a great author. Thank you for letting me read this instalment, very enjoyable.
The premise is that a man is violently raping and then murdering women and there is no particular pattern to the murder victims. The one we focus on is a fourteen year old girl as she is set apart from the other victims (no spoilers). I think the terror of the killer being at large was built up stealthily and brilliantly as was the fear of the unknown and not knowing who would be attacked next with escalating violence and grotesque means.
I’ve read several books in the series so it was also great to pick up where I left off with them and it was easy to catch up and feel involved and engaged with them almost on a personal level.
The pace was excellent and built to a terrifying crescendo, which then had a satisfying ending which lulled me into a false sense of security, followed by a heart racing ending, I actually don’t think I can wait for the next book, definitely the mark of a great author. Thank you for letting me read this instalment, very enjoyable.
September 21, 2022
If only I could give Silent Victim more than 5 stars.
Michael Wood has done it again and Silent Victim is his best yet.
Matilda Darke is back and this is one of her most challenging cases.
The team, some new, some old members are racing against the clock to find a serial killer that is targeting women.
One is left alive but unable to speak.
That's all I will say except the ending I did not see coming at all (though Michael Wood always surprises me) and my cat ran when I yelled out loud.
I anxiously await book 11.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for a heart pounding read.
Michael Wood has done it again and Silent Victim is his best yet.
Matilda Darke is back and this is one of her most challenging cases.
The team, some new, some old members are racing against the clock to find a serial killer that is targeting women.
One is left alive but unable to speak.
That's all I will say except the ending I did not see coming at all (though Michael Wood always surprises me) and my cat ran when I yelled out loud.
I anxiously await book 11.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for a heart pounding read.
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