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Kate Marshall #4
Duivelsbocht
De vierde Kate Marshall-thriller van de immens populaire Robert Bryndza
Op een frisse voorjaarsochtend gaat Kate Marshall zwemmen in zee. Maar afgeleid door een discussie met haar moeder merkt ze de opkomende gevaarlijke getijdenstroom niet op. Kate wordt richting open zee getrokken en kan ternauwernood gered worden door de kustwacht.
In het ziekenhuis ontmoet Kate een oudere dame die haar vertelt over de tragedie in haar familie. Haar kleinzoon Charlie raakte tien jaar geleden vermist tijdens een kampeertripje. Hij verdween ‘s nachts in het mistige landschap, pas vier jaar oud. Er werd nooit een spoor van hem gevonden. Zijn verdwijning zorgde ervoor dat de moeder van Charlie in een diepe depressie wegzakte en uiteindelijk zelfmoord pleegde.
Wanneer Kate herstelt en het ziekenhuis verlaat, blijft het schrijnende verhaal haar bij, en ze besluit om samen met haar partner Tristan de zaak te gaan onderzoeken. Ze haalt de lokale politie over om een nieuwe onderzoeksmethode te gebruiken op de oorspronkelijke picknickplaats en daar ontdekken ze het lichaam van een jongen, maar het is niet Charlie. Tien jaar geleden was het kampeerterrein echter ook al gecontroleerd – en toen werden er geen lichamen gevonden. Hoe komt dit lichaam hier dan? En kunnen er meer kinderen vermist zijn?
Op een frisse voorjaarsochtend gaat Kate Marshall zwemmen in zee. Maar afgeleid door een discussie met haar moeder merkt ze de opkomende gevaarlijke getijdenstroom niet op. Kate wordt richting open zee getrokken en kan ternauwernood gered worden door de kustwacht.
In het ziekenhuis ontmoet Kate een oudere dame die haar vertelt over de tragedie in haar familie. Haar kleinzoon Charlie raakte tien jaar geleden vermist tijdens een kampeertripje. Hij verdween ‘s nachts in het mistige landschap, pas vier jaar oud. Er werd nooit een spoor van hem gevonden. Zijn verdwijning zorgde ervoor dat de moeder van Charlie in een diepe depressie wegzakte en uiteindelijk zelfmoord pleegde.
Wanneer Kate herstelt en het ziekenhuis verlaat, blijft het schrijnende verhaal haar bij, en ze besluit om samen met haar partner Tristan de zaak te gaan onderzoeken. Ze haalt de lokale politie over om een nieuwe onderzoeksmethode te gebruiken op de oorspronkelijke picknickplaats en daar ontdekken ze het lichaam van een jongen, maar het is niet Charlie. Tien jaar geleden was het kampeerterrein echter ook al gecontroleerd – en toen werden er geen lichamen gevonden. Hoe komt dit lichaam hier dan? En kunnen er meer kinderen vermist zijn?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2023
793 people are currently reading
6160 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bryndza
35 books7,171 followersRobert Bryndza is an international bestselling author, best known for his page-turning crime and thriller novels, which have sold over seven million copies.
His crime debut, The Girl in the Ice was released in February 2016, introducing Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. Within five months it sold one million copies, reaching number one in the Amazon UK, USA and Australian charts. To date, The Girl in the Ice has sold over 1.5 million copies in the English language and has been sold into translation in 30 countries. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2016), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in France (2018), and it won two reader voted awards, The Thrillzone Awards best debut thriller in The Netherlands (2018) and The Dead Good Papercut Award for best page turner at the Harrogate Crime Festival (2016).
Robert has released a further six novels in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath, Cold Blood and Deadly Secrets, all of which have been global bestsellers, and in 2017 Last Breath was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Mystery and Thriller. Fatal Witness, is the seventh Erika Foster novel.
Most recently, Robert created a new crime thriller series based around the central character Kate Marshall, a police officer turned private detective. The first book, Nine Elms, was an Amazon USA #1 bestseller and an Amazon UK top five bestseller, and the series has been sold into translation in 18 countries. The second book in the series is the global bestselling, Shadow Sands, the third book is, Darkness Falls and the fourth, Devil’s Way has just been published.
Robert was born in Lowestoft, on the east coast of England. He studied at Aberystwyth University, and the Guildford School of Acting, and was an actor for several years, but didn’t find success until he took a play he’d written to the Edinburgh Festival. This led to the decision to change career and start writing. He self-published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels, before switching to writing crime. Robert lives with his husband in Slovakia, and is lucky enough to write full-time.
You can find out more about Robert and his books at www.robertbryndza.com
His crime debut, The Girl in the Ice was released in February 2016, introducing Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. Within five months it sold one million copies, reaching number one in the Amazon UK, USA and Australian charts. To date, The Girl in the Ice has sold over 1.5 million copies in the English language and has been sold into translation in 30 countries. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2016), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in France (2018), and it won two reader voted awards, The Thrillzone Awards best debut thriller in The Netherlands (2018) and The Dead Good Papercut Award for best page turner at the Harrogate Crime Festival (2016).
Robert has released a further six novels in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath, Cold Blood and Deadly Secrets, all of which have been global bestsellers, and in 2017 Last Breath was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Mystery and Thriller. Fatal Witness, is the seventh Erika Foster novel.
Most recently, Robert created a new crime thriller series based around the central character Kate Marshall, a police officer turned private detective. The first book, Nine Elms, was an Amazon USA #1 bestseller and an Amazon UK top five bestseller, and the series has been sold into translation in 18 countries. The second book in the series is the global bestselling, Shadow Sands, the third book is, Darkness Falls and the fourth, Devil’s Way has just been published.
Robert was born in Lowestoft, on the east coast of England. He studied at Aberystwyth University, and the Guildford School of Acting, and was an actor for several years, but didn’t find success until he took a play he’d written to the Edinburgh Festival. This led to the decision to change career and start writing. He self-published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels, before switching to writing crime. Robert lives with his husband in Slovakia, and is lucky enough to write full-time.
You can find out more about Robert and his books at www.robertbryndza.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 850 reviews
December 4, 2022
Devil’s Way is the fourth, and IMHO, the best book in the Kate Marshall series. This is a procedural mystery about a missing child case.
11 years ago, a 3-year-old boy went missing from a campsite. While in the hospital recovering from an accident, PI Kate Marshall is commissioned to solve the crime. With her partner Tristan in tow, the two begin digging up the past, leading to a startling revelation about little Charlie’s disappearance.
This book can be read as a standalone.
Kate and Tristan’s characters make this book so readable. After an accident, Kate is struggling--she is questioning her choices and is tempted to drink again. Tristan is also struggling in his relationship with Kate--he is now her partner, but she is icing him out, making him question if he is in the right profession. The tension between Tristan and Kate had me on edge.
In addition to Tristan and Kate, characters from previous books make an appearance--I was happy to see Ade back.
The mystery was just ok--it was easy to figure out, and a plot I have read before. It has many layers, numerous unsavory suspects, and red herrings mixed in. However, it was made more interesting by some of the main players, and it takes a bit of a crazy turn towards the end.
My one gripe is that the ending dragged for a bit--I just wanted them to get on with it.
This series got off to a slow start for me, but it has really come together. What made this book especially compelling was the character development of both Kate and Tristan. This book makes a solid addition to an entertaining and compelling series, and I look forward to seeing what is up next for these two.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
11 years ago, a 3-year-old boy went missing from a campsite. While in the hospital recovering from an accident, PI Kate Marshall is commissioned to solve the crime. With her partner Tristan in tow, the two begin digging up the past, leading to a startling revelation about little Charlie’s disappearance.
This book can be read as a standalone.
Kate and Tristan’s characters make this book so readable. After an accident, Kate is struggling--she is questioning her choices and is tempted to drink again. Tristan is also struggling in his relationship with Kate--he is now her partner, but she is icing him out, making him question if he is in the right profession. The tension between Tristan and Kate had me on edge.
In addition to Tristan and Kate, characters from previous books make an appearance--I was happy to see Ade back.
The mystery was just ok--it was easy to figure out, and a plot I have read before. It has many layers, numerous unsavory suspects, and red herrings mixed in. However, it was made more interesting by some of the main players, and it takes a bit of a crazy turn towards the end.
My one gripe is that the ending dragged for a bit--I just wanted them to get on with it.
This series got off to a slow start for me, but it has really come together. What made this book especially compelling was the character development of both Kate and Tristan. This book makes a solid addition to an entertaining and compelling series, and I look forward to seeing what is up next for these two.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2023
Atmospheric and absorbing!
I didn't know this was book #4 in the PI Kate Marshall series when I requested a review copy, but no fear this can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Kate encounters a mishap while sea swimming and ends up in a hospital. There, her "roommate" Jean asks if she can look into an 11-year-old case of her missing grandson then three, Charlie. They went camping at Devil's Tor in Dartmoor and he hasn't been seen again.
Was Charlie abducted or swallowed into a raging gorge?
The story was very engaging, I LOVE the setting and "Devil's Way", what a name! Kate and her partner Tristan are great characters and are nicely developed. I find that people in their lives are interesting too. I'll have to read book one for more detail. The even pace is nice throughout the story. I kind of know what's up but I didn't fully guess it right. A satisfying ending!
This was my first read by the author and like I said I'll have to read more for the characters. Jan Cramer, the narrator is excellent at portraying voices for male and female characters.
Thank you Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for my ALC.
Published Jan 12, 2023!
I didn't know this was book #4 in the PI Kate Marshall series when I requested a review copy, but no fear this can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Kate encounters a mishap while sea swimming and ends up in a hospital. There, her "roommate" Jean asks if she can look into an 11-year-old case of her missing grandson then three, Charlie. They went camping at Devil's Tor in Dartmoor and he hasn't been seen again.
Was Charlie abducted or swallowed into a raging gorge?
The story was very engaging, I LOVE the setting and "Devil's Way", what a name! Kate and her partner Tristan are great characters and are nicely developed. I find that people in their lives are interesting too. I'll have to read book one for more detail. The even pace is nice throughout the story. I kind of know what's up but I didn't fully guess it right. A satisfying ending!
This was my first read by the author and like I said I'll have to read more for the characters. Jan Cramer, the narrator is excellent at portraying voices for male and female characters.
Thank you Raven Street Publishing and Netgalley for my ALC.
Published Jan 12, 2023!
October 28, 2022
My thanks to Raven Street Publishing, Robert Bryndza and Netgalley. I'm a fan of Mr. Bryndza's books, but I don't mind telling you that I've somehow developed a soft spot for Kate and Tristan! I'll admit that I'm not someone who would enjoy the moors at all. It actually sounds rather bleak and terrifying. Also, just thinking of all the dead and disappeared bodies out there would completely mess me up! This was a solid addition to this series. I'm ready for Kate and Tristan to find their love interests. Not that I want romance, because I mostly hate that! But, just a hint would be good! As usual, no review for this book. Just me meandering my way through! Highly recommended!
November 2, 2022
The sea will never be restrained.
Kate Marshall wrestled with it and nearly lost. A daily swim in Thurlow Bay was the usual for P.I. Kate Marshall. It helped to release tension and get the kinks out of her mind. But this day the sea revved its muscles and the result was a treacherous riptide that almost proved too much for even Kate. Two surfers came to her rescue. It could have been her last swim.
As a precaution, Kate was sent to the hospital for tests and recovery. Nothing proved more frustrating for her. But an older woman, Jean Julings, just so happened to be her room partner that day. And Fate would deal out the cards. Jean explained that her three year old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago. She hires Kate and her partner, Tristan Harper, to sift through evidence and see if they can find out what actually happened to Charlie. It came to a dead end for the police.
Robert Bryndza paints a whole different set of scenery for Kate this time. She's been weakened by the riptide accident and must lean more on Tristan. She even sees herself in a different light. Tristan takes the lead and we're impressed by his stamina. He searches out former police officers who were on duty that day when Charlie went missing by Devil's Way. This was a dangerous area for any three year old to survive.
Bryndza is known for his multi-layered storylines and he certainly doesn't disappoint in Devil's Way. He lines this with a cast of characters who live on the shadier side of life and those who held information never realizing its true value. Kate and Tristan will come upon the murder of a young woman who may or may not be tied somehow to Charlie. Bryndza is gonna make us work for this one......and we're delighted to step up front and center to do just that.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Raven Street Ltd. and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
Kate Marshall wrestled with it and nearly lost. A daily swim in Thurlow Bay was the usual for P.I. Kate Marshall. It helped to release tension and get the kinks out of her mind. But this day the sea revved its muscles and the result was a treacherous riptide that almost proved too much for even Kate. Two surfers came to her rescue. It could have been her last swim.
As a precaution, Kate was sent to the hospital for tests and recovery. Nothing proved more frustrating for her. But an older woman, Jean Julings, just so happened to be her room partner that day. And Fate would deal out the cards. Jean explained that her three year old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago. She hires Kate and her partner, Tristan Harper, to sift through evidence and see if they can find out what actually happened to Charlie. It came to a dead end for the police.
Robert Bryndza paints a whole different set of scenery for Kate this time. She's been weakened by the riptide accident and must lean more on Tristan. She even sees herself in a different light. Tristan takes the lead and we're impressed by his stamina. He searches out former police officers who were on duty that day when Charlie went missing by Devil's Way. This was a dangerous area for any three year old to survive.
Bryndza is known for his multi-layered storylines and he certainly doesn't disappoint in Devil's Way. He lines this with a cast of characters who live on the shadier side of life and those who held information never realizing its true value. Kate and Tristan will come upon the murder of a young woman who may or may not be tied somehow to Charlie. Bryndza is gonna make us work for this one......and we're delighted to step up front and center to do just that.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Raven Street Ltd. and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
February 20, 2023
EXCERPT: 'Mum, is Charlie with you?' she said.
'He's not in the tent?' said Jean, feeling panic return.
'No.'
Jean pushed past her and looked inside. Both sleeping bags were empty and she felt her stomach drop.
'He must be with Joel,' she said, coming back and seeing Becky's worried face.
'No, Mum, he's not. I thought I heard him outside our tent. That's why I came out to look for him. Why aren't you with him?'
'I went for a cigarette. Just for a minute,' said Jean. The lie dropping out of her mouth without any preparation needed.
'What if he went down to the river? I don't know if it's rained, can you hear how loud the water is?' said Becky. Her voice had a tinge of hysteria.
'Let's look. Charlie can't have wandered far,' said Jean, trying to keep calm. The fact that Becky was more scared than angry frightened her.
Becky woke Joel and they all found torches and started to search, taking in the river, the rocks on the Tor, and the surrounding fields. The arcs of light from their torches swept across the dark landscape, searching. The river was higher than it had been the day before, and as Jean swung her torch over the dark, raging torrent, and called out Charlie's name, her voice seemed to get swallowed up by the darkness. She felt sick as the minutes passed, turning to an hour, then two. Charlie was nowhere to be found. Around 4am, the sky started to turn light, and this was when they called the police.
As the sun rose over the moors, a police car arrived, then two more.
The search began in earnest, but they never found Charlie.
ABOUT 'DEVIL'S WAY': When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly lady on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of how her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor.
By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way? A rushing river that vanishes into a gorge close to where they were camping.
When Kate and Tristan discover that a social worker who flagged concerns about Jean and her daughter was found brutally murdered shortly after Charlie vanished, it makes them question everything they thought they knew about the family...
MY THOUGHTS: I think this is the best of the series yet! I was riveted throughout even though I figured out what had happened to Charlie well before the reveal.
Kate and Tristan make a great team, although their relationship takes a bit of a knock in this book. And other than an admonishing phone call, Kate's son Jake is absent. I kind of missed him.
This is a multilayered mystery; it seems the more Kate and Tristan dig into Charlie's disappearance, the more mysteries and unanswered questions they uncover. Cold cases always fascinate me, and Charlie's disappearance is no exception. Things become even more interesting when Charlie's case is linked to the unsolved murder of a social worker who had more than a passing interest in Charlie.
If you are looking for a good twisty mystery, this is it.
Devil's Way can be read as a stand-alone but, believe me, you will get so much more out of it if you read this series from the beginning.
I read/listened to Devil's Way - probably listened more than read - but both formats are great. Devil's Way is brilliantly narrated by Jan Cramer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#DevilsWay #NetGalley
I: @robertbryndza #ravenstreetpublishing
T: @RobertBryndza #RavenStreetPublishing
#contemporaryfiction #crime #murdermystery #mystery #privateinvestigator
THE AUTHOR: Robert Bryndza was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that he'll be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Raven Street Publishing via Netgalley for providing both a digital and audio ARC of Devil's Way by Robert Bryndza 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/...
'He's not in the tent?' said Jean, feeling panic return.
'No.'
Jean pushed past her and looked inside. Both sleeping bags were empty and she felt her stomach drop.
'He must be with Joel,' she said, coming back and seeing Becky's worried face.
'No, Mum, he's not. I thought I heard him outside our tent. That's why I came out to look for him. Why aren't you with him?'
'I went for a cigarette. Just for a minute,' said Jean. The lie dropping out of her mouth without any preparation needed.
'What if he went down to the river? I don't know if it's rained, can you hear how loud the water is?' said Becky. Her voice had a tinge of hysteria.
'Let's look. Charlie can't have wandered far,' said Jean, trying to keep calm. The fact that Becky was more scared than angry frightened her.
Becky woke Joel and they all found torches and started to search, taking in the river, the rocks on the Tor, and the surrounding fields. The arcs of light from their torches swept across the dark landscape, searching. The river was higher than it had been the day before, and as Jean swung her torch over the dark, raging torrent, and called out Charlie's name, her voice seemed to get swallowed up by the darkness. She felt sick as the minutes passed, turning to an hour, then two. Charlie was nowhere to be found. Around 4am, the sky started to turn light, and this was when they called the police.
As the sun rose over the moors, a police car arrived, then two more.
The search began in earnest, but they never found Charlie.
ABOUT 'DEVIL'S WAY': When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly lady on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of how her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor.
By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way? A rushing river that vanishes into a gorge close to where they were camping.
When Kate and Tristan discover that a social worker who flagged concerns about Jean and her daughter was found brutally murdered shortly after Charlie vanished, it makes them question everything they thought they knew about the family...
MY THOUGHTS: I think this is the best of the series yet! I was riveted throughout even though I figured out what had happened to Charlie well before the reveal.
Kate and Tristan make a great team, although their relationship takes a bit of a knock in this book. And other than an admonishing phone call, Kate's son Jake is absent. I kind of missed him.
This is a multilayered mystery; it seems the more Kate and Tristan dig into Charlie's disappearance, the more mysteries and unanswered questions they uncover. Cold cases always fascinate me, and Charlie's disappearance is no exception. Things become even more interesting when Charlie's case is linked to the unsolved murder of a social worker who had more than a passing interest in Charlie.
If you are looking for a good twisty mystery, this is it.
Devil's Way can be read as a stand-alone but, believe me, you will get so much more out of it if you read this series from the beginning.
I read/listened to Devil's Way - probably listened more than read - but both formats are great. Devil's Way is brilliantly narrated by Jan Cramer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#DevilsWay #NetGalley
I: @robertbryndza #ravenstreetpublishing
T: @RobertBryndza #RavenStreetPublishing
#contemporaryfiction #crime #murdermystery #mystery #privateinvestigator
THE AUTHOR: Robert Bryndza was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that he'll be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Raven Street Publishing via Netgalley for providing both a digital and audio ARC of Devil's Way by Robert Bryndza 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/...
November 5, 2022
Robert Bryndza's latest addition to his former police officer, PI Kate Marshall series is absolutely terrific. Kate has 13 years of sobriety under her belt, is missing her son, Jake, now at university in California, runs her private detective agency with her partner, Tristan Harper, who takes a much bigger role in this twisty and complex 2018 case. She lives on the beautiful Thurlow Bay, and part of her everyday routine is waking up in the morning and going for a swim in the sea that sets her up for the day, only this time she fails to notice a deadly riptide. She almost pays with her life for this error, waking up in hospital, learning she had been rescued by 2 surfers, finding herself struggling to process the terror of what happened and its impact on her health, mentally and physically.
Next to her on the hospital ward is Jean Julings, who goes on to relate the traumatic events of 11 years ago, on a camping trip to Dartmoor where her grandson, 3 year old Charlie, went missing, with a search party unable to find him, and it being assumed he fell into the river and drowned. This horror is exacerbated when Jean's daughter, Becky, unable to cope with this and in 2014 commiting suicide. Jean needs closure, she has to know what happened to her beloved grandson, and using her precious savings, hires Kate and Tristan to investigate. Kate makes few allowances for the state of her health, and as a result is laid low as she is forced to rest as she endeavours to come to terms with what she went through. With Tristan having to take a bigger role, the two of them dig deep, including delving into Jean's personal history, going to Dartmoor, looking into the police investigation, and discovering the brutal murder of a social worker, Anna Treadwell, taking place soon after Charlie disappeared.
One of the delights of this crime read is the wonderful sense of location, Dartmoor is a magnificent place of great beauty, but it has its menacing and deadly side, with dangerous bogs that can claim a life so easily, and its folklore, such as that surrounding the Pixie tree. This is a darkly atmospheric, engaging, thrilling and intense read, it is eye opening observing how Kate responds to her near death experience, not that this stops her rebellious side coming to the fore, and which is to prove crucial to her and Tristan solving their cold case. Fans of the author and this series are likely to love this, as will other readers who enjoy the crime and mystery genre. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Next to her on the hospital ward is Jean Julings, who goes on to relate the traumatic events of 11 years ago, on a camping trip to Dartmoor where her grandson, 3 year old Charlie, went missing, with a search party unable to find him, and it being assumed he fell into the river and drowned. This horror is exacerbated when Jean's daughter, Becky, unable to cope with this and in 2014 commiting suicide. Jean needs closure, she has to know what happened to her beloved grandson, and using her precious savings, hires Kate and Tristan to investigate. Kate makes few allowances for the state of her health, and as a result is laid low as she is forced to rest as she endeavours to come to terms with what she went through. With Tristan having to take a bigger role, the two of them dig deep, including delving into Jean's personal history, going to Dartmoor, looking into the police investigation, and discovering the brutal murder of a social worker, Anna Treadwell, taking place soon after Charlie disappeared.
One of the delights of this crime read is the wonderful sense of location, Dartmoor is a magnificent place of great beauty, but it has its menacing and deadly side, with dangerous bogs that can claim a life so easily, and its folklore, such as that surrounding the Pixie tree. This is a darkly atmospheric, engaging, thrilling and intense read, it is eye opening observing how Kate responds to her near death experience, not that this stops her rebellious side coming to the fore, and which is to prove crucial to her and Tristan solving their cold case. Fans of the author and this series are likely to love this, as will other readers who enjoy the crime and mystery genre. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 27, 2022
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and Raven street publishers, and one of my favourite authors Robert Bryndza for an early copy of this book to read.
I recently read book one of this series still to read book two and three,This is book four another fantastic read. This book starts with Kate Marshall and her assistant Tristan on a case.Kate goes swimming in the morning and gets herself into trouble and ends up in hospital, where she meets Jean who tells her story of her missing 3 year old grandson Charlie at a campsite.does Kate find out what happened to the boy eleven years ago? I guessed the ending still a brilliant read.I recommend this series and his books as a first class read...
I recently read book one of this series still to read book two and three,This is book four another fantastic read. This book starts with Kate Marshall and her assistant Tristan on a case.Kate goes swimming in the morning and gets herself into trouble and ends up in hospital, where she meets Jean who tells her story of her missing 3 year old grandson Charlie at a campsite.does Kate find out what happened to the boy eleven years ago? I guessed the ending still a brilliant read.I recommend this series and his books as a first class read...
January 9, 2023
Devil’s Way (Kate Marshall, #4) by Robert Bryndza was a British crime thriller. It was the first book I have had the pleasure of reading by Robert Bryndza and the first book in this series that I had read. Despite the fact that I had not previously read any of the three prior books in this series, I felt that it read more than fine as a stand-alone book. It was both riveting and suspenseful and the ending was satisfying. The characters were rich, well developed and believable. Devil’s Way was well plotted and fast paced. I listened to the audiobook that was excellently narrated by Jan Cramer.
When fate brought two of the most unlikely women together in a shared hospital room, a story unfolded, a request was made and an agreement was decided upon. Kate Marshall was a single mother and a private investigator. She lived by herself in a home on Thurlow Bay. Kate was in the habit of starting her day off with a swim in the sea every morning. She was a strong swimmer and the morning swim helped to eliminate the stress, concerns and worries she was carrying. One morning she ventured down to the sea for her morning swim. Her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts and so she had not recognized the rip tide before she was engulfed in it. Kate feared for her life. The rip tide was strong and it took her further and further away from the shore. The next thing Kate realized was that she was in a hospital room. Two surfers had found her and gotten Kate to the hospital. She was very lucky to be alive. Water had gotten into her lungs which caused Kate to have an infection in her lungs. As Kate looked around, she discovered that she was not alone. An elderly woman occupied the bed next to hers. The elderly woman’s name was Jean Julings and she was in the hospital for the ulcers on her legs. When Jean became aware that Kate was a private investigator, Jean began to tell Kate a story about her three year old grandson, Charlie, who disappeared eleven years ago. Jean had been on a camping trip at Devil’s Tor in Dartmoor with her daughter, Becky, Charlie’s father and Charlie. Becky and Charlie’s father had shared one tent and Jean and Charlie had shared the other. After Jean got Charlie tucked into bed she left him alone to go outside the tent and smoke a cigarette. All of a sudden, Jean’s on again and off again boyfriend showed up. Jean wanted nothing to do with him so she tried to make him leave. He was very drunk. All the commotion made Becky and Charlie’s father come out of their tent. Becky went to check on Charlie only to discover that he was not in his sleeping bag. They all began to search frantically for Charlie. When they had searched everywhere, and had not found Charlie, they called the police. Charlie was never found. The police believed that Charlie had fallen into Devil’s Way, the river by the campsite. Charlie’s body was never found though. Jean wanted Kate to reopen Charlie’s case. Something was telling Jean that Charlie was not dead. Kate felt sorry for Jean and agreed to take the case. Kate and her partner, Tristan Harper, would investigate and interview many of the people who might have had a connection with Jean, Becky or Charlie. The left no rock unturned and called in lots of favors to help with their investigation. Would Kate and Tristan be able to find out what happened to Charlie on that fateful night? Would Jean get the closure she so desperately was seeking? What secrets would Kate and Tristan discover?
Devil’s Way by Robert Bryndza was a very engaging book for me. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, a twist was thrown in. I really enjoyed the character of Kate. She was bright, determined and empathetic. Kate was a good listener, friend, partner and mother. She was always willing to go the extra yard when it came to her profession. I admired her for those qualities. Since I enjoyed Devil’s Way so much, I hope to go back and read the prior books in this series. I hope that Robert Bryndza writes more books in this series but regardless I look forward to reading his next book whatever it is. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishers for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Devil’s Way by Robert Bryndza through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for January 12, 2023.
When fate brought two of the most unlikely women together in a shared hospital room, a story unfolded, a request was made and an agreement was decided upon. Kate Marshall was a single mother and a private investigator. She lived by herself in a home on Thurlow Bay. Kate was in the habit of starting her day off with a swim in the sea every morning. She was a strong swimmer and the morning swim helped to eliminate the stress, concerns and worries she was carrying. One morning she ventured down to the sea for her morning swim. Her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts and so she had not recognized the rip tide before she was engulfed in it. Kate feared for her life. The rip tide was strong and it took her further and further away from the shore. The next thing Kate realized was that she was in a hospital room. Two surfers had found her and gotten Kate to the hospital. She was very lucky to be alive. Water had gotten into her lungs which caused Kate to have an infection in her lungs. As Kate looked around, she discovered that she was not alone. An elderly woman occupied the bed next to hers. The elderly woman’s name was Jean Julings and she was in the hospital for the ulcers on her legs. When Jean became aware that Kate was a private investigator, Jean began to tell Kate a story about her three year old grandson, Charlie, who disappeared eleven years ago. Jean had been on a camping trip at Devil’s Tor in Dartmoor with her daughter, Becky, Charlie’s father and Charlie. Becky and Charlie’s father had shared one tent and Jean and Charlie had shared the other. After Jean got Charlie tucked into bed she left him alone to go outside the tent and smoke a cigarette. All of a sudden, Jean’s on again and off again boyfriend showed up. Jean wanted nothing to do with him so she tried to make him leave. He was very drunk. All the commotion made Becky and Charlie’s father come out of their tent. Becky went to check on Charlie only to discover that he was not in his sleeping bag. They all began to search frantically for Charlie. When they had searched everywhere, and had not found Charlie, they called the police. Charlie was never found. The police believed that Charlie had fallen into Devil’s Way, the river by the campsite. Charlie’s body was never found though. Jean wanted Kate to reopen Charlie’s case. Something was telling Jean that Charlie was not dead. Kate felt sorry for Jean and agreed to take the case. Kate and her partner, Tristan Harper, would investigate and interview many of the people who might have had a connection with Jean, Becky or Charlie. The left no rock unturned and called in lots of favors to help with their investigation. Would Kate and Tristan be able to find out what happened to Charlie on that fateful night? Would Jean get the closure she so desperately was seeking? What secrets would Kate and Tristan discover?
Devil’s Way by Robert Bryndza was a very engaging book for me. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, a twist was thrown in. I really enjoyed the character of Kate. She was bright, determined and empathetic. Kate was a good listener, friend, partner and mother. She was always willing to go the extra yard when it came to her profession. I admired her for those qualities. Since I enjoyed Devil’s Way so much, I hope to go back and read the prior books in this series. I hope that Robert Bryndza writes more books in this series but regardless I look forward to reading his next book whatever it is. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishers for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Devil’s Way by Robert Bryndza through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for January 12, 2023.
December 2, 2022
Private Investigator Kate Marshall and her side kick/partner Tristan Harper are back, and, in this installment, they are looking for a child who has been missing for eleven years! This is the fourth book in the series and as always, it was fantastic! Plus, that cover!
Kate Marshall loves her early morning swims in the Ocean. It is integral to her wellbeing and sobriety. One morning she gets pulled into a riptide current and wakes up in the hospital, lucky to be alive. While hospitalized she meets Jean, who lost her grandson, Charlie elven years ago on a camping trip. Kate naturally agrees to help and once she has recovered, she and Tristan begin their search.
As they investigate, they learn things about Jean's past and Charlie's early years. Did Charlie wander off in the night? Was he abducted? Was foul play involved? Could he have fallen into Devil's Way, a rushing river near where they were camping?
Following up on all the clues and speaking to everyone around at that time, Kate and Tristan, ruffle some feathers, discover some truths and make others nervous. With a child that has been missing for eleven years, there isn't much to go on, but failure is not an option for them, and they dive deep and won’t let anything get in their way!
I love Kate and Tristan' characters and their relationship with each other. They are both likeable characters with backstories that evoke emotion while also showing how far both have come in their lives. I also admire their dedication to their jobs. In this book, Kate's near-death experience has her reeling and thinking of alcohol. Tristan steps up to the plate and Kate gets testy with him when he asks how she is doing/coping. Both are fantastic and likeable characters and seeing them both rattled a little only serves to make them feel more real. Plus, Kate's conversations with her son were nice to read.
This book was interesting from the beginning. Knowing how much Kate loves her morning swims, it was hard to see her injured doing what she loves. But in the end, it also speaks to her resiliency and determination. The mystery of a missing child had me doing my own super sleuthing with these private investigators. I was invested in wanting to know what happened the night he went missing from his family's camping site.
As with the previous books in the series, this book was gripping and had a nice blending of Kate and Tristan's personal and professional lives. I have enjoyed their character development and growth from over the course of this series.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series!
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing 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
Kate Marshall loves her early morning swims in the Ocean. It is integral to her wellbeing and sobriety. One morning she gets pulled into a riptide current and wakes up in the hospital, lucky to be alive. While hospitalized she meets Jean, who lost her grandson, Charlie elven years ago on a camping trip. Kate naturally agrees to help and once she has recovered, she and Tristan begin their search.
As they investigate, they learn things about Jean's past and Charlie's early years. Did Charlie wander off in the night? Was he abducted? Was foul play involved? Could he have fallen into Devil's Way, a rushing river near where they were camping?
Following up on all the clues and speaking to everyone around at that time, Kate and Tristan, ruffle some feathers, discover some truths and make others nervous. With a child that has been missing for eleven years, there isn't much to go on, but failure is not an option for them, and they dive deep and won’t let anything get in their way!
I love Kate and Tristan' characters and their relationship with each other. They are both likeable characters with backstories that evoke emotion while also showing how far both have come in their lives. I also admire their dedication to their jobs. In this book, Kate's near-death experience has her reeling and thinking of alcohol. Tristan steps up to the plate and Kate gets testy with him when he asks how she is doing/coping. Both are fantastic and likeable characters and seeing them both rattled a little only serves to make them feel more real. Plus, Kate's conversations with her son were nice to read.
This book was interesting from the beginning. Knowing how much Kate loves her morning swims, it was hard to see her injured doing what she loves. But in the end, it also speaks to her resiliency and determination. The mystery of a missing child had me doing my own super sleuthing with these private investigators. I was invested in wanting to know what happened the night he went missing from his family's camping site.
As with the previous books in the series, this book was gripping and had a nice blending of Kate and Tristan's personal and professional lives. I have enjoyed their character development and growth from over the course of this series.
I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series!
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing 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
January 8, 2023
Robert Bryndza never lets me down! In this fourth book about Kate Marshall we find her weakened both physically and mentally by a near drowning and her partner, Tristan, has to step up and take the lead for a while. This gave the book a slightly different angle to the earlier ones and it was more interesting for that.
Of course I loved the setting on Dartmoor which really is just as the author describes. When Tristan was jumping up and down on the bog my heart was in my mouth. I thought he was about to have a near death experience too!
The case this time is a cold one of a three year old boy who disappeared from a camp site eleven years ago and has never been found. I enjoyed the investigations but guessed the answers before Kate and Tristan did. The ending was a little bleak but true to life. This was a really enjoyable, easy read and I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. You could start with this book but you would find it even more enjoyable if you began with book one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Of course I loved the setting on Dartmoor which really is just as the author describes. When Tristan was jumping up and down on the bog my heart was in my mouth. I thought he was about to have a near death experience too!
The case this time is a cold one of a three year old boy who disappeared from a camp site eleven years ago and has never been found. I enjoyed the investigations but guessed the answers before Kate and Tristan did. The ending was a little bleak but true to life. This was a really enjoyable, easy read and I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. You could start with this book but you would find it even more enjoyable if you began with book one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 21, 2022
This is the 4th book in the Private Investigator Kate Marshall series. Kate is a recovering alcoholic in treatment and undergoing counselling. The book is compelling, well-plotted, and suspenseful. It proceeds at a comfortable, leisurely pace. Kate struggles and resists the temptation to drink. To relieve stress, she has a routine of daily swimming. One day she is caught in a dangerous riptide and nearly drowns. This is a near-death experience and she is recovering in hospital. Kate works with a young partner, Tristan Harper. I found their supportive friendship and work relationship engaging. I have not read the previous three books in the series, but now I want to learn more about these intriguing characters. Character development is sympathetic and believable.
While Kate is recovering in the hospital, an older woman, Jean, tells her the tragic story about her grandson, Charlie. Eleven years earlier, the three-year-old boy disappeared while under her care while camping. Grandmother Jean and Charlie shared a tent, and his parents were in a tent nearby. Jean stepped outside for a cigarette and was confronted by a drunken former partner, who she angrily dismissed. During this short lapse of attention, Charlie vanished. The area was bleak and dangerous for small children. Moors surrounded the area with bogs, and there was the Devil's Way, a rushing river that emptied into a gorge. Was Charlie kidnapped, or did he fall into the river, and his body never recovered?
Kate agrees to take the case when she is well enough to be released from hospital. She and her partner, Tristan, begin researching and interviewing suspects and witnesses from the time of Charlie's disappearance. Kate is still sick from her near drowning and needs to take time off to rest. Tristan is left in charge of the case and manages brilliantly. They discover that Jean may have carelessly endangered Charlie while his parents blamed her for not watching him closely. In her grief, Jean's daughter/ Charlie's mother committed suicide. Kate and Tristan learn that a social worker seemed overly concerned about Charlie's welfare, and she was brutally murdered a short time after Charlie disappeared. How were those cases connected?
There were twists in their investigation; some were predictable. I guessed a major solution to the mystery before it was revealed, but this didn't diminish my enjoyment, and there were enough puzzles and secrets to keep readers enthused.
Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for the ARC for this entertaining thriller.
While Kate is recovering in the hospital, an older woman, Jean, tells her the tragic story about her grandson, Charlie. Eleven years earlier, the three-year-old boy disappeared while under her care while camping. Grandmother Jean and Charlie shared a tent, and his parents were in a tent nearby. Jean stepped outside for a cigarette and was confronted by a drunken former partner, who she angrily dismissed. During this short lapse of attention, Charlie vanished. The area was bleak and dangerous for small children. Moors surrounded the area with bogs, and there was the Devil's Way, a rushing river that emptied into a gorge. Was Charlie kidnapped, or did he fall into the river, and his body never recovered?
Kate agrees to take the case when she is well enough to be released from hospital. She and her partner, Tristan, begin researching and interviewing suspects and witnesses from the time of Charlie's disappearance. Kate is still sick from her near drowning and needs to take time off to rest. Tristan is left in charge of the case and manages brilliantly. They discover that Jean may have carelessly endangered Charlie while his parents blamed her for not watching him closely. In her grief, Jean's daughter/ Charlie's mother committed suicide. Kate and Tristan learn that a social worker seemed overly concerned about Charlie's welfare, and she was brutally murdered a short time after Charlie disappeared. How were those cases connected?
There were twists in their investigation; some were predictable. I guessed a major solution to the mystery before it was revealed, but this didn't diminish my enjoyment, and there were enough puzzles and secrets to keep readers enthused.
Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for the ARC for this entertaining thriller.
December 12, 2022
I have loved Robert Bryndza’s books featuring Erika Foster. This is my first read of the Kate Marshall series. Though I have started with book #4 directly, had no problems as it is written as a standalone story.
Kate Marshall, a private investigator, gets caught in a riptide while swimming at sea, is rescued and recuperates in hospital. In the next bed at the hospital is Jean, who upon learning that Kate is a private investigator, speaks to her about her three-year-old grandson who disappeared 11 years ago. Jean & Charlie shared a tent while camping in Dartmoor, while his parents were in a tent a short distance away. Jean steps out for a smoke, is caught in a brief chat with her partner and returns to find that Charlie is missing. After many years, Jean wants to know what happened. As Kate and her business partner Tristan investigate, they find several aspects which need further digging into –theories that Charlie probably fell into a gorge have unexplained aspects, and also a social worker in touch with the family after a complaint from a neighbour was murdered shortly after Charlie disappeared – it is not clear if there is a connection.
I loved the descriptions of the locale, and the speculation of what could have happened - of the police many years back as well as Kate & Tristan. I prefer books which keep the plot elements realistic, rather than introduce far-fetched twists which do not tie up well, and Bryndza’s books have some solid investigative work. I liked the contrast in characters between Erika Foster, as a police officer and Kate as an older private investigator – the build-up is subtle and very realistic. At about 80%, I could guess what was to come in the rest of the book, and the last sections could have been a little better. Nevertheless, this is a very engaging story and much recommended!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for a free electronic review copy.
Kate Marshall, a private investigator, gets caught in a riptide while swimming at sea, is rescued and recuperates in hospital. In the next bed at the hospital is Jean, who upon learning that Kate is a private investigator, speaks to her about her three-year-old grandson who disappeared 11 years ago. Jean & Charlie shared a tent while camping in Dartmoor, while his parents were in a tent a short distance away. Jean steps out for a smoke, is caught in a brief chat with her partner and returns to find that Charlie is missing. After many years, Jean wants to know what happened. As Kate and her business partner Tristan investigate, they find several aspects which need further digging into –theories that Charlie probably fell into a gorge have unexplained aspects, and also a social worker in touch with the family after a complaint from a neighbour was murdered shortly after Charlie disappeared – it is not clear if there is a connection.
I loved the descriptions of the locale, and the speculation of what could have happened - of the police many years back as well as Kate & Tristan. I prefer books which keep the plot elements realistic, rather than introduce far-fetched twists which do not tie up well, and Bryndza’s books have some solid investigative work. I liked the contrast in characters between Erika Foster, as a police officer and Kate as an older private investigator – the build-up is subtle and very realistic. At about 80%, I could guess what was to come in the rest of the book, and the last sections could have been a little better. Nevertheless, this is a very engaging story and much recommended!
My rating: 4.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for a free electronic review copy.
November 22, 2022
Stunning cliffs and a raging sea, secluded moors and an ancient stone structure, and close by an old farm with some buried secrets. When private detective Kate is asked to investigate the disappearance of a little boy, which happened 15 years ago, the scene of gloom and doom is very well set.
I absolutely loved the character of Kate and of her sidekick Tristan and the intricate relationship that they have. The fact that they are PI's takes away the police office politics, which I don't like in procedurals, so kudos for that. The other main characters which were involved in this story were all well drafted and the story itself was engaging and intriguing. Even the "Hyacinth Bucket" character was well depicted - I see what you did there Robert!
The writing style is so fluid and captivating that I had the feeling I was reading for 5 minutes but already a quarter of the book had passed. Although this is the 4th book in the series it was a first for me, and I can confirm that it can easily be read as a stand-alone, at no point did I feel as if I lacked info to progress with the story. The good news for me is that I can now read the 3 first !
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the character of Kate and of her sidekick Tristan and the intricate relationship that they have. The fact that they are PI's takes away the police office politics, which I don't like in procedurals, so kudos for that. The other main characters which were involved in this story were all well drafted and the story itself was engaging and intriguing. Even the "Hyacinth Bucket" character was well depicted - I see what you did there Robert!
The writing style is so fluid and captivating that I had the feeling I was reading for 5 minutes but already a quarter of the book had passed. Although this is the 4th book in the series it was a first for me, and I can confirm that it can easily be read as a stand-alone, at no point did I feel as if I lacked info to progress with the story. The good news for me is that I can now read the 3 first !
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2025
This was another excellent installation in the Kate Marshall series. I like that the series has moved on from the initial book and did not drag the Nine Elms killer into every story. That was a concern I had after the second book, but Bryndza has deftly moved the story away from that and made it more about Kate and Tristan's lives and their investigations with the Nine Elms killer just being part of their history.
This book can be read as a stand-a-lone, but you would miss out on some of the background and development of the main characters and their relationships. There is just enough background included that you will understand where the characters are coming from, but not a lot of detail to make it cumbersome. I love the combination of Kate and Tristan and that they have real life situations outside of their investigations, so would recommend reading the series from the beginning.
I listened to the audiobook. This installation was narrated by Jan Cramer, who has narrated Bryndza's Erica Foster series. (Another fabulous series with a female detective as a main character if you're looking for one.) I'm not sure why Kristin Atherton didn't continue with the narration of this series, but Cramer does an excellent job bringing the story to life and I would highly recommend the audio.
#DevilsWay #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book can be read as a stand-a-lone, but you would miss out on some of the background and development of the main characters and their relationships. There is just enough background included that you will understand where the characters are coming from, but not a lot of detail to make it cumbersome. I love the combination of Kate and Tristan and that they have real life situations outside of their investigations, so would recommend reading the series from the beginning.
I listened to the audiobook. This installation was narrated by Jan Cramer, who has narrated Bryndza's Erica Foster series. (Another fabulous series with a female detective as a main character if you're looking for one.) I'm not sure why Kristin Atherton didn't continue with the narration of this series, but Cramer does an excellent job bringing the story to life and I would highly recommend the audio.
#DevilsWay #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 9, 2023
The Kid Just Disappeared
Robert Bryndza has created a great character in Private Investigator Kate Marshall. “Devil’s Way” is the fourth installment in the series, the first one I have read. Here she finds herself rushed off to the hospital after nearly drowning. She meets another patient, Jean, who hires her on to investigate the disappearance of her three-year-old grandson eleven years ago. He may have drowned in the river, he may have been abducted, he basically disappeared off the face of the earth. It is considered a cold case, something the police never solved, but the woman just wants closure.
The plot takes a series of twists, of course, and the pages speed by quickly. Kate turns up a number of overlooked leads with the assistance of incredibly cooperative police. Just when things seem too easy and predictable a wonderful device appears– a short story within the story– and the players need to be reevaluated.
So, once again, my TBR list expands even more as I am adding the rest of this series to it.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for providing the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #DevilsWay #NetGalley
Robert Bryndza has created a great character in Private Investigator Kate Marshall. “Devil’s Way” is the fourth installment in the series, the first one I have read. Here she finds herself rushed off to the hospital after nearly drowning. She meets another patient, Jean, who hires her on to investigate the disappearance of her three-year-old grandson eleven years ago. He may have drowned in the river, he may have been abducted, he basically disappeared off the face of the earth. It is considered a cold case, something the police never solved, but the woman just wants closure.
The plot takes a series of twists, of course, and the pages speed by quickly. Kate turns up a number of overlooked leads with the assistance of incredibly cooperative police. Just when things seem too easy and predictable a wonderful device appears– a short story within the story– and the players need to be reevaluated.
So, once again, my TBR list expands even more as I am adding the rest of this series to it.
Thank you to Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for providing the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #DevilsWay #NetGalley
November 10, 2022
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it!! Kate is in the hospital recovering from a near drowning when she meets an older woman in her room whose grandson has been missing for 11 years. When she finds out Kate is a private investigator, she hires Kate to find him. This is a great story and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
June 18, 2023
Firstly, thank you to Net Galley, The publishers, and of course the author for an ARC copy for my review.
With my apologies for the delay, retirement is very busy.
THE TRUTH HIDES IN THE DARK
Kate Marshall’s investigation into a young boy’s disappearance sends her down an unexpectedly twisted path in a riveting thriller by multi-million bestselling author, Robert Bryndza.
When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly lady on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of how her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor.
By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way? A rushing river that vanishes into a gorge close to where they were camping.
When Kate and Tristan discover that a social worker who flagged concerns about Jean and her daughter was found brutally murdered shortly after Charlie vanished, it makes them question everything they thought they knew about the family...
Filled with twists and turns, yes especially the last third of the book, although rather slow in the middle, where the pace of the book did get a little hard, my first time with this happening with this author's work. Devil's Way is the fourth Kate Marshall novel.
Four stars, due the strength of the last part of the book, and the great main characters.
With my apologies for the delay, retirement is very busy.
THE TRUTH HIDES IN THE DARK
Kate Marshall’s investigation into a young boy’s disappearance sends her down an unexpectedly twisted path in a riveting thriller by multi-million bestselling author, Robert Bryndza.
When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly lady on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of how her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor.
By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way? A rushing river that vanishes into a gorge close to where they were camping.
When Kate and Tristan discover that a social worker who flagged concerns about Jean and her daughter was found brutally murdered shortly after Charlie vanished, it makes them question everything they thought they knew about the family...
Filled with twists and turns, yes especially the last third of the book, although rather slow in the middle, where the pace of the book did get a little hard, my first time with this happening with this author's work. Devil's Way is the fourth Kate Marshall novel.
Four stars, due the strength of the last part of the book, and the great main characters.
December 9, 2022
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Raven Street Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to get my hands on novels by Robert Bryndza, I reached for this ARC in the Kate Marshall series. Pushing the limits of private investigation, Kate and her associate delve into some of the seedier cases across the UK, only to discover how past secrets can emerge and haunt those who hoped they would stay buried. Bryndza spins quite the tale here, pulling the reader into the middle of it all with an impactful novel.
After a freak swimming accident leaves Kate Marshall hospitalised, she has a great deal of time on her hands. Some of that time is spent speaking to her roommate, who recounts the horror of her missing grandson. Charlie Julings disappeared during a family camping trip eleven years earlier. Kate, in a moment of medicated curiosity, agrees to take the case, working with her associate, Tristan. How could a little boy disappear into thin air?
After trolling the area and determining that Charlie did not fall into the raging river close by, at least by police investigative notes, Kate and Tristan must look elsewhere for more information. When Kate learns that a social worker who had been looking into Charlie’s well-being was brutally murdered two weeks after the disappearance, the case takes on a new level of interest.
Could Charlie still be alive? Is someone harbouring a deep secret that cannot get out? With the help of a few others, Kate and Tristan begin piecing things together, in hopes of bringing some peace to a family that has been on the edge for over a decade. Bryndza does a masterful job spinning this tale, keeping the reader wondering until the very end.
I have come to expect great things from Robert Bryndza when reading his novels, as he has impressed me so much in the past. Crime procedurals that pack a punch and leave things slightly off-kilter, these novels never fail to leave a lasting impression. Great narrative approaches help shape the story and propel it along, with a few twits to keep the reader from feeling too comfortable along the way.
Both of Bryndza’s crime thriller series had the advantage of a strong narrative foundation, keeping though moving and forcing the reader to pay close attention. Bryndza weaves his story through the narrative, which encapsulates the intensity of the moment, while adding characters who flavour things for the reader’s enjoyment. Plot twists abound, as does the necessary character development, leaving readers feeling a sense of comfort and discomfort in the same breath. I have long enjoyed the work of Robert Bryndza and this was no exception. I only hope that there is more to come, as Kate Marshall is one character who remains somewhat of a mystery to me.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for another winner!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to get my hands on novels by Robert Bryndza, I reached for this ARC in the Kate Marshall series. Pushing the limits of private investigation, Kate and her associate delve into some of the seedier cases across the UK, only to discover how past secrets can emerge and haunt those who hoped they would stay buried. Bryndza spins quite the tale here, pulling the reader into the middle of it all with an impactful novel.
After a freak swimming accident leaves Kate Marshall hospitalised, she has a great deal of time on her hands. Some of that time is spent speaking to her roommate, who recounts the horror of her missing grandson. Charlie Julings disappeared during a family camping trip eleven years earlier. Kate, in a moment of medicated curiosity, agrees to take the case, working with her associate, Tristan. How could a little boy disappear into thin air?
After trolling the area and determining that Charlie did not fall into the raging river close by, at least by police investigative notes, Kate and Tristan must look elsewhere for more information. When Kate learns that a social worker who had been looking into Charlie’s well-being was brutally murdered two weeks after the disappearance, the case takes on a new level of interest.
Could Charlie still be alive? Is someone harbouring a deep secret that cannot get out? With the help of a few others, Kate and Tristan begin piecing things together, in hopes of bringing some peace to a family that has been on the edge for over a decade. Bryndza does a masterful job spinning this tale, keeping the reader wondering until the very end.
I have come to expect great things from Robert Bryndza when reading his novels, as he has impressed me so much in the past. Crime procedurals that pack a punch and leave things slightly off-kilter, these novels never fail to leave a lasting impression. Great narrative approaches help shape the story and propel it along, with a few twits to keep the reader from feeling too comfortable along the way.
Both of Bryndza’s crime thriller series had the advantage of a strong narrative foundation, keeping though moving and forcing the reader to pay close attention. Bryndza weaves his story through the narrative, which encapsulates the intensity of the moment, while adding characters who flavour things for the reader’s enjoyment. Plot twists abound, as does the necessary character development, leaving readers feeling a sense of comfort and discomfort in the same breath. I have long enjoyed the work of Robert Bryndza and this was no exception. I only hope that there is more to come, as Kate Marshall is one character who remains somewhat of a mystery to me.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for another winner!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 12, 2023
Readers of the previous three books in the Kate Marshall series know that she is an avid swimmer. But even experienced swimmers can get into trouble and that is what happens to Kate as this story opens. While taking an early morning swim Kate gets caught in a riptide and nearly drowns. She is rushed to the hospital. There she meets Jean Julings.
Kate and Jean are patients together in the same hospital room and strike up a conversation. Upon hearing that Kate is a private investigator Jean tells her that eleven years ago her grandchild, Charlie, disappeared while on a camping trip on Dartmoor. He was three and was never found. Was he abducted? Did he fall into the neaby river and get swept into the gorge? Many questions and no answers. Jean wants to hire Kate to find out what happened to Charlie. Kate agrees to take the case.
When she is released from the hospital she and her partner, Tristan Harper, begin their investigation. They learn that Jean is not who she appears to be at first glance. She has a past. A social worker who raised concerns about Jean and her daughter was found bruttaly murdered. The police who had first investigated Charlie's disappearance had mentioned some oddities about the tenants of a nearby farm.
At the same time Kate is having issues following her near drowning experience. Both physical and emotional. Kate is a recovering alcoholic and she is thinking about having a drink. For medicianal purposes. Tristan is forced to take a more active role in the agency while Kate recovers. And hopefully doesn't take a drink.
Plenty of twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages. I made a guess as to the fate of Charlie and turned out I was right. I look forward to the next installment and what happens next for Kate (and Tristan).
Kate and Jean are patients together in the same hospital room and strike up a conversation. Upon hearing that Kate is a private investigator Jean tells her that eleven years ago her grandchild, Charlie, disappeared while on a camping trip on Dartmoor. He was three and was never found. Was he abducted? Did he fall into the neaby river and get swept into the gorge? Many questions and no answers. Jean wants to hire Kate to find out what happened to Charlie. Kate agrees to take the case.
When she is released from the hospital she and her partner, Tristan Harper, begin their investigation. They learn that Jean is not who she appears to be at first glance. She has a past. A social worker who raised concerns about Jean and her daughter was found bruttaly murdered. The police who had first investigated Charlie's disappearance had mentioned some oddities about the tenants of a nearby farm.
At the same time Kate is having issues following her near drowning experience. Both physical and emotional. Kate is a recovering alcoholic and she is thinking about having a drink. For medicianal purposes. Tristan is forced to take a more active role in the agency while Kate recovers. And hopefully doesn't take a drink.
Plenty of twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages. I made a guess as to the fate of Charlie and turned out I was right. I look forward to the next installment and what happens next for Kate (and Tristan).
June 7, 2023
De Kate Marshall reeks heeft er met Duivelsbocht een vierde deel bij en ik was er dan ook redelijk snel bij om Bryndza’s nieuwste werk rap te gaan lezen. Ditmaal zien we dat het Kate wat moeilijk vergaat in het begin van het verhaal. Tijdens een zwemtochtje schat ze de getijden verkeerd in en geraakt ze in de problemen. Gelukkig voor haar kan ze op tijd gered worden, maar ze dient wel enige tijd in het ziekenhuis te blijven. Die opname zal ervoor zorgen dat ze kennismaakt met Jean, de oma van Charlie die enkele jaren daarvoor vermist raakte tijdens een uitje met zijn familie. Het toenmalige onderzoek leverde niets op en de zaak werd afgesloten wegens gebrek aan verdere opties. Kate en Tristan nemen de taak op zich om uit te zoeken wat er met Charlie is voorgevallen.
Duivelsbocht is een mooie toevoeging aan de reeks en ik moet toegeven dat deze serie met het aantal boeken dat ik ervan lees, me meer is gaan liggen dan in het begin. Het eerste deel Zonder gezicht kon me toen minder overtuigen, maar vanaf het derde deel Vallend duister ligt de serie me alvast beter! Dit boek bevat ook de nodige twist en de snelheid is enorm goed. Er zit genoeg vaart in het boek om het spannend te houden en ook het verhaal is wel een kolfje naar mijn hand. De ontknoping is ronduit mooi en doet alweer uitkijken naar een nieuw deel van ons speurdersduo! Ik geef Duivelsbocht 4 sterren.
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
Duivelsbocht is een mooie toevoeging aan de reeks en ik moet toegeven dat deze serie met het aantal boeken dat ik ervan lees, me meer is gaan liggen dan in het begin. Het eerste deel Zonder gezicht kon me toen minder overtuigen, maar vanaf het derde deel Vallend duister ligt de serie me alvast beter! Dit boek bevat ook de nodige twist en de snelheid is enorm goed. Er zit genoeg vaart in het boek om het spannend te houden en ook het verhaal is wel een kolfje naar mijn hand. De ontknoping is ronduit mooi en doet alweer uitkijken naar een nieuw deel van ons speurdersduo! Ik geef Duivelsbocht 4 sterren.
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
September 25, 2023
DEVIL’S WAY is the fourth novel Kate Marshall Crime Thriller Series by international bestselling author Robert Bryndza. The novel’s central character Kate Marshall, is a police officer turned private detective.
Novels In The Kate Marshall Series Include:
1. Nine Elms (2019)
2. Shadow Sands (2020)
3. Darkness Falls (2021)
4. Devil's Way (2023)
This is my review of Devil’s Way.
This is the story of a young boy’s disappearance, and the investigation of a cold case file by private detective Kate Marshall and her associate, Tristan.
Kate Marshall had been hospitalized after a swimming accident. In order to past the time, she spends her time talking to her roommate, an older woman, Jean Julings, who tells about the horror of her missing three-year-old grandson. Charlie Julings disappeared during a family camping trip eleven years earlier. Kate, caught up in the story, agrees to take on the case, working with her associate, Tristan.
What happened to Charlie? Could he still be alive?
After further investigation and reviewing the case notes, Kate and Tristan must look elsewhere for more information. Then Kate learns that a social worker who had been looking into Charlie’s well-being was brutally murdered two weeks after the disappearance.
Slowly Kate and Tristan start piecing things together, in hopes of bringing some peace and resolution to the family. They soon discover that Jean has a dark past that could have affected Charlie’s disappearance.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way?
Clues are disclosed on a need-to-know basis, and this gripping novel will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for my digital copy.
Novels In The Kate Marshall Series Include:
1. Nine Elms (2019)
2. Shadow Sands (2020)
3. Darkness Falls (2021)
4. Devil's Way (2023)
This is my review of Devil’s Way.
This is the story of a young boy’s disappearance, and the investigation of a cold case file by private detective Kate Marshall and her associate, Tristan.
Kate Marshall had been hospitalized after a swimming accident. In order to past the time, she spends her time talking to her roommate, an older woman, Jean Julings, who tells about the horror of her missing three-year-old grandson. Charlie Julings disappeared during a family camping trip eleven years earlier. Kate, caught up in the story, agrees to take on the case, working with her associate, Tristan.
What happened to Charlie? Could he still be alive?
After further investigation and reviewing the case notes, Kate and Tristan must look elsewhere for more information. Then Kate learns that a social worker who had been looking into Charlie’s well-being was brutally murdered two weeks after the disappearance.
Slowly Kate and Tristan start piecing things together, in hopes of bringing some peace and resolution to the family. They soon discover that Jean has a dark past that could have affected Charlie’s disappearance.
Was Charlie abducted? Or did he fall into Devil's Way?
Clues are disclosed on a need-to-know basis, and this gripping novel will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Many thanks to the author, Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for my digital copy.
June 18, 2023
4.5*
The fourth book in Robert Bryndza's series featuring private investigator Kate Marshall and her associate Tristan, Devil's Way might just be the best yet!
After suffering a near-death experience when caught in a rip current during her morning sea-swim, Kate is drawn into the case of a child who went missing on Dartmoor eleven years previously. Kate and Tristan's investigations quickly lead them to the unsolved murder of the same child's social worker, only days after three-year-old Charlie went missing. While the two cases have never previously been linked, surely the two events occurring in such proximity can't be a coincidence? In a well-paced and intriguing story, Kate and Tristan pursue many tantalising clues, unearth new suspects and make a startling discovery on the moor. A somewhat bittersweet ending pulls all the threads together for a satisfying conclusion.
A longtime fan of Bryndza's D.I. Erika Foster series, it's taken me longer to warm to Kate Marshall as a central protagonist. She's somewhat prickly, understandably given the past trauma she's recovered from, and can be a little pushy with witnesses and professional contacts, but there's no denying that she gets the job done when it comes to unsolved crimes and intrigue! The investigation into three-year-old Charlie's disappearance raises some personal spectres for Kate, given that she lost custody of her own child at a similar age. Tristan's character is a more innocent and endearing foil to Kate's dourness. He takes on more sole responsibility in this instalment, given Kate's need to convalesce from her near-drowning. The English south-west coast and moorland settings are evocative and well-used by Robert Bryndza to enhance the drama of the plot. The supporting cast, including a couple of returning characters, are well-developed and intriguing and Bryndza weaves plenty of suspicious behaviour and misdirection into the story, keeping us guessing until near the end.
I'd enthusiastically recommend Devil's Way to any reader who enjoys twisty and atmospheric mysteries - it's a compelling read.
My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
The fourth book in Robert Bryndza's series featuring private investigator Kate Marshall and her associate Tristan, Devil's Way might just be the best yet!
After suffering a near-death experience when caught in a rip current during her morning sea-swim, Kate is drawn into the case of a child who went missing on Dartmoor eleven years previously. Kate and Tristan's investigations quickly lead them to the unsolved murder of the same child's social worker, only days after three-year-old Charlie went missing. While the two cases have never previously been linked, surely the two events occurring in such proximity can't be a coincidence? In a well-paced and intriguing story, Kate and Tristan pursue many tantalising clues, unearth new suspects and make a startling discovery on the moor. A somewhat bittersweet ending pulls all the threads together for a satisfying conclusion.
A longtime fan of Bryndza's D.I. Erika Foster series, it's taken me longer to warm to Kate Marshall as a central protagonist. She's somewhat prickly, understandably given the past trauma she's recovered from, and can be a little pushy with witnesses and professional contacts, but there's no denying that she gets the job done when it comes to unsolved crimes and intrigue! The investigation into three-year-old Charlie's disappearance raises some personal spectres for Kate, given that she lost custody of her own child at a similar age. Tristan's character is a more innocent and endearing foil to Kate's dourness. He takes on more sole responsibility in this instalment, given Kate's need to convalesce from her near-drowning. The English south-west coast and moorland settings are evocative and well-used by Robert Bryndza to enhance the drama of the plot. The supporting cast, including a couple of returning characters, are well-developed and intriguing and Bryndza weaves plenty of suspicious behaviour and misdirection into the story, keeping us guessing until near the end.
I'd enthusiastically recommend Devil's Way to any reader who enjoys twisty and atmospheric mysteries - it's a compelling read.
My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
January 9, 2023
This is a great series, so I was happy to see a new book continuing Kate Marshall's adventures. Early in the book Kate is caught in a riptide while swimming and is rushed to the hospital. While sharing a room she makes friends with Jean, an elderly patient. Jean tells Kate the story of her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, who disappeared eleven years ago during a camping trip to Dartmoor.
Kate agrees to take the case and try and find out what happened to Charlie. When she and Tristan start their investigation, they find Jean has a dark past that could have contributed to Charlie's disappearance. Kate and Tristan keep investigating with some interesting clues uncovered.
This was an intriguing investigation and I enjoyed following it through to the end. Kate Marshall is an interesting character and this series is a good one to sink your teeth into. I like the interaction between Tristan and Kate. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Raven Street Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 12, 2023.
Kate agrees to take the case and try and find out what happened to Charlie. When she and Tristan start their investigation, they find Jean has a dark past that could have contributed to Charlie's disappearance. Kate and Tristan keep investigating with some interesting clues uncovered.
This was an intriguing investigation and I enjoyed following it through to the end. Kate Marshall is an interesting character and this series is a good one to sink your teeth into. I like the interaction between Tristan and Kate. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Raven Street Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 12, 2023.
November 17, 2022
Robert Bryndza crime novels are just so addictive and well plotted. There is always so much going on and the pieces come together in the end to solve the puzzle. Kate and Tristan are such great characters, so different and yet they work together so well as a team. If you haven’t read this series get onto it now.
Kate begins this book in trouble and finds herself in hospital. Whilst there, she meets Jean, a woman whose grandson Charlie went missing 11 years ago. She asks Kate to look into the case and see if they can find Charlie and put the family at peace. As they start to investigate, they find that it is more complicated than just a missing boy. The ending will surprise you.
Thanks to Raven St Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read, always a pleasure to read this author. Published January 12th.
Kate begins this book in trouble and finds herself in hospital. Whilst there, she meets Jean, a woman whose grandson Charlie went missing 11 years ago. She asks Kate to look into the case and see if they can find Charlie and put the family at peace. As they start to investigate, they find that it is more complicated than just a missing boy. The ending will surprise you.
Thanks to Raven St Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read, always a pleasure to read this author. Published January 12th.
November 17, 2022
Devils’ way by Robert Bryndza is the fourth book in the Kate Marshall series and what a fab edition to the series it is.
While Kate goes on her daily swim at Thurlow bay, she gets caught in a riptide and wakes up at the local hospital. The doctor told her she was lucky that there were two surfers nearby who rescued her. While she is recuperating, she meets Jean who is in the same ward as her. After discovering Kate is a private investigator, she tells Kate about her three-year-old grandson Charlie that went missing 11 years ago never to be seen again, when he was camping with his parents at Devil’s Tor in Dartmoor.
Did Charlie drown in Devil’s way of was he abducted?
When Kate leaves the hospital and has recovered from her injuries. Herself and her partner Tristan decided to take on the case of missing Charlie. But they discover a social worker that was concerned about Jean and the welfare of Charlie was lying for 12 days in her home dead when she was discovered. Kate after hearing Jean’s plight releases that the case is not as straightforward as she thought and starts delving into the family’s history.
Thank you, Raven Street Publishing, for a copy of Devils Way. I have been a big fan of this author and yet again he does not disappoint. This another well plotted story with great characters and although I did predict the last few chapters of this story I still thought this was another excellent read by Robert Bryndza. 5 stars from me.
While Kate goes on her daily swim at Thurlow bay, she gets caught in a riptide and wakes up at the local hospital. The doctor told her she was lucky that there were two surfers nearby who rescued her. While she is recuperating, she meets Jean who is in the same ward as her. After discovering Kate is a private investigator, she tells Kate about her three-year-old grandson Charlie that went missing 11 years ago never to be seen again, when he was camping with his parents at Devil’s Tor in Dartmoor.
Did Charlie drown in Devil’s way of was he abducted?
When Kate leaves the hospital and has recovered from her injuries. Herself and her partner Tristan decided to take on the case of missing Charlie. But they discover a social worker that was concerned about Jean and the welfare of Charlie was lying for 12 days in her home dead when she was discovered. Kate after hearing Jean’s plight releases that the case is not as straightforward as she thought and starts delving into the family’s history.
Thank you, Raven Street Publishing, for a copy of Devils Way. I have been a big fan of this author and yet again he does not disappoint. This another well plotted story with great characters and although I did predict the last few chapters of this story I still thought this was another excellent read by Robert Bryndza. 5 stars from me.
December 21, 2022
Kate Marshall #4
When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly woman on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, who went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor. By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
This time Kate is investigating the cold case of a child who went missing eleven years ago on Dartmoor. Kate and her assistant, Tristan, plunge themselves into the investigation. Kate and Tristan work well together. There are quite a few characters in this book to try and remember. I was quickly pulled into this story. It's also a quick and easy book to read. The pace is steady throughout in this twisted read. I did guess correctly where this story was heading, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you read them in the order they were written in, you won't be disappointed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RavenStreetPublishing and the author #RobertBryndza for my ARC of #DevilsWay in exchange for an honest review.
When Private Investigator Kate Marshall is rushed to hospital after being pulled into a riptide current in the sea, the near-death experience leaves her shaken. During her recovery, she befriends Jean, an elderly woman on the same ward. Jean tells the harrowing story of her three-year-old grandson, Charlie, who went missing eleven years ago during a camping trip on Dartmoor. By the time Kate is well enough to go home, she's agreed to take on the case, but when Kate and her trusty sidekick Tristan start to look at the events of that fateful night, they discover that Jean has a dark past that could have put Charlie in jeopardy.
This time Kate is investigating the cold case of a child who went missing eleven years ago on Dartmoor. Kate and her assistant, Tristan, plunge themselves into the investigation. Kate and Tristan work well together. There are quite a few characters in this book to try and remember. I was quickly pulled into this story. It's also a quick and easy book to read. The pace is steady throughout in this twisted read. I did guess correctly where this story was heading, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you read them in the order they were written in, you won't be disappointed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RavenStreetPublishing and the author #RobertBryndza for my ARC of #DevilsWay in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2022
Devil’s Way is the fourth book in the Kate Marshall series by best-selling, award-winning British author, Robert Bryndza. While private investigator, Kate Marshall recovers in hospital after almost drowning, she encounters a woman whose three-year-old grandson went missing eleven years earlier: Charlie Julings disappeared from the tent he was sharing with his grandmother, Jean, in June 2007. Police believed he fell into the raging torrent that was Devil’s Way River and was swept into a sinkhole: no remains were ever found.
But even though the courts have declared Charlie dead, Jean wants Kate and her business partner Tristan Harper to find out what happened. Eleven years on, trace evidence is non-existent, but they can examine the scene and talk to those involved: the police at the scene, the boy’s father, the tenants of the nearby farm, Jean’s lover. Their thorough research makes it apparent that Jean is being a little economical with the truth.
As they explore all avenues around the disappearance, and when they focus on a social worker with whom Jean had an altercation, it seems a bit as if they’re going off on a tangent but, intuitively, they persist despite the seemingly tenuous link to the case. A late-night episode with a ground-penetrating radar unit nets Kate and Tristan a dose of mace in the face along with a grisly result. Have they found the boy’s body?
While their agency is gaining a good reputation, Kate doesn’t hesitate to mention her police experience where it might facilitate cooperation with investigating officers. Tristan is proving himself capable and innovative.
The backstory fill-in is a little clumsily done but Bryndza throws in a good number of red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing in the lead up to a dramatic climax and a very satisfactory resolution. Very readable British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing
But even though the courts have declared Charlie dead, Jean wants Kate and her business partner Tristan Harper to find out what happened. Eleven years on, trace evidence is non-existent, but they can examine the scene and talk to those involved: the police at the scene, the boy’s father, the tenants of the nearby farm, Jean’s lover. Their thorough research makes it apparent that Jean is being a little economical with the truth.
As they explore all avenues around the disappearance, and when they focus on a social worker with whom Jean had an altercation, it seems a bit as if they’re going off on a tangent but, intuitively, they persist despite the seemingly tenuous link to the case. A late-night episode with a ground-penetrating radar unit nets Kate and Tristan a dose of mace in the face along with a grisly result. Have they found the boy’s body?
While their agency is gaining a good reputation, Kate doesn’t hesitate to mention her police experience where it might facilitate cooperation with investigating officers. Tristan is proving himself capable and innovative.
The backstory fill-in is a little clumsily done but Bryndza throws in a good number of red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing in the lead up to a dramatic climax and a very satisfactory resolution. Very readable British crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing
November 24, 2022
The fourth book in this amazing series is Devils way. Follows the investigations of Kate and Tristren, as they to track down a child who disappeared 11 years ago., at the age of 3
All the twists and turns you could need in this expertly woven plot. As the characters are further developed. You could easily read as a standalone, but why would you? I strongly suggest you read all 4.
The author paints such amazing pictures with his words, you really feel part of the beautiful scenery.
Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
All the twists and turns you could need in this expertly woven plot. As the characters are further developed. You could easily read as a standalone, but why would you? I strongly suggest you read all 4.
The author paints such amazing pictures with his words, you really feel part of the beautiful scenery.
Thanks to Netgalley and Raven Street publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
December 26, 2022
This is the fourth in the Kate Marshall private detective series; it is the second I have read.
In 2007, three year old Charlie went missing from a campsite. He had been sleeping in his grandmother’s tent, while his parents were in a tent nearby. Eleven years later, after a chance meeting, the grandmother hires Kate and her partner Tristan to find out what happened to the boy. Did he really drown in the river as the police supposed? The discovery that a social worker who had investigated the family was murdered after Charlie’s disappearance nags at Kate.
Bryndza writes fast moving, quick reading, entertaining police/detective procedurals and Devil’s Way is no exception. Although the resolution to this case was not a big surprise, I couldn’t put the book down. As in prior novels, Bryndza creates a good sense of place; I could picture the fast moving river, the boggy terrain, the “ear” tree.
Kate is a bright, capable, strong, but vulnerable female character despite her earlier difficulties in life. Tristan, her once research assistant, is growing into being a valuable partner. I enjoy these characters.
Although this is part of a series, I think it can work well as a standalone. This series along with Bryndza’s Erika Foster stories are both on my “don’t miss” list.
In 2007, three year old Charlie went missing from a campsite. He had been sleeping in his grandmother’s tent, while his parents were in a tent nearby. Eleven years later, after a chance meeting, the grandmother hires Kate and her partner Tristan to find out what happened to the boy. Did he really drown in the river as the police supposed? The discovery that a social worker who had investigated the family was murdered after Charlie’s disappearance nags at Kate.
Bryndza writes fast moving, quick reading, entertaining police/detective procedurals and Devil’s Way is no exception. Although the resolution to this case was not a big surprise, I couldn’t put the book down. As in prior novels, Bryndza creates a good sense of place; I could picture the fast moving river, the boggy terrain, the “ear” tree.
Kate is a bright, capable, strong, but vulnerable female character despite her earlier difficulties in life. Tristan, her once research assistant, is growing into being a valuable partner. I enjoy these characters.
Although this is part of a series, I think it can work well as a standalone. This series along with Bryndza’s Erika Foster stories are both on my “don’t miss” list.
November 27, 2022
Devil's Way by Robert Bryndza (Detective Kate Marshall Thriller) - book and audiobook review
Narrated by Jan Cramer - Audiobook 9 hours, 2 minutes
Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robert Bryndza has written an amazing and stunning thriller. It's a terrific choice whether you enjoy reading books or listening to audiobooks. My attention was captured from the first chapter until the very end. This story is full of action, and I enjoyed every minute of the plot.
Synopsis:
During a hospital stay, Detective Kate Marshall meets Jean, an older woman on the same ward. Jean tells Kate that on a camping trip on Dartmoor eleven years ago, Jean's three-year-old grandson Charlie disappeared.
When Kate is released from the hospital she agrees to look into Charlie's case. Was Charlie kidnapped? Could he have drowned in Devil's Way, the nearby rushing river that flows into a gorge near where they camped?
Devil's Way book and audiobook will be available on January 12th.
Thank you NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for sharing this exciting book and audiobook with me. This book is very well written and Jan Cramer's narration is excellent. Congratulations Robert Bryndza!
#DevilsWay #RobertBryndza #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #audiobooks
Narrated by Jan Cramer - Audiobook 9 hours, 2 minutes
Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Robert Bryndza has written an amazing and stunning thriller. It's a terrific choice whether you enjoy reading books or listening to audiobooks. My attention was captured from the first chapter until the very end. This story is full of action, and I enjoyed every minute of the plot.
Synopsis:
During a hospital stay, Detective Kate Marshall meets Jean, an older woman on the same ward. Jean tells Kate that on a camping trip on Dartmoor eleven years ago, Jean's three-year-old grandson Charlie disappeared.
When Kate is released from the hospital she agrees to look into Charlie's case. Was Charlie kidnapped? Could he have drowned in Devil's Way, the nearby rushing river that flows into a gorge near where they camped?
Devil's Way book and audiobook will be available on January 12th.
Thank you NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing for sharing this exciting book and audiobook with me. This book is very well written and Jan Cramer's narration is excellent. Congratulations Robert Bryndza!
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