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Detective Gaby Darin #6
Cold Grave
‘Omg… Gripping from page one… Love love loved it!!!’ NetGalley reviewer
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare…
Seventeen-year-old Bryony Lloyd’s father drops her off at a friend’s house to study – but when he returns to pick her up there’s no sign of her, and the woman who lives in the house swears she lives alone. Bryony has vanished into thin air, and her ‘friend’ doesn’t seem to exist.
DI Gaby Darin immediately sees similarities with another missing-persons case: seventeen-year-old Christy Taylor, who vanished without warning several months earlier. There’s nothing in the girls’ personal lives to suggest trouble at home – could someone have taken them both?
After a third case is linked, Gaby knows time is running out if she’s going to find Bryony and Christy alive. After going missing over a year ago, this girl’s just been found dead.
When a tragic accident means Gaby loses a vital member of her team, she distracts herself from her grief by throwing herself into finding the missing girls. Even if it means putting her whole career on the line…
A gripping and thrilling mystery for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean and Cara Hunter. Cold Grave will have you hooked!
Readers LOVE Cold Grave!
‘Absolutely brilliant!… I read it in one sitting, just could not put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘I was engrossed from start to finish… A well-crafted, thrilling and moving story… I can't wait for more!’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Brilliant plot with plenty of twists and turns, I was totally gripped and sorry to reach the end.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘So fast paced you won’t want to put it down… I actually cried… This author is just brilliant.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Gripping… Full of shocks and surprises and some heart-stopping moments.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Another brilliant addition to this excellent series.’ NetGalley reviewer
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare…
Seventeen-year-old Bryony Lloyd’s father drops her off at a friend’s house to study – but when he returns to pick her up there’s no sign of her, and the woman who lives in the house swears she lives alone. Bryony has vanished into thin air, and her ‘friend’ doesn’t seem to exist.
DI Gaby Darin immediately sees similarities with another missing-persons case: seventeen-year-old Christy Taylor, who vanished without warning several months earlier. There’s nothing in the girls’ personal lives to suggest trouble at home – could someone have taken them both?
After a third case is linked, Gaby knows time is running out if she’s going to find Bryony and Christy alive. After going missing over a year ago, this girl’s just been found dead.
When a tragic accident means Gaby loses a vital member of her team, she distracts herself from her grief by throwing herself into finding the missing girls. Even if it means putting her whole career on the line…
A gripping and thrilling mystery for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean and Cara Hunter. Cold Grave will have you hooked!
Readers LOVE Cold Grave!
‘Absolutely brilliant!… I read it in one sitting, just could not put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘I was engrossed from start to finish… A well-crafted, thrilling and moving story… I can't wait for more!’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Brilliant plot with plenty of twists and turns, I was totally gripped and sorry to reach the end.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘So fast paced you won’t want to put it down… I actually cried… This author is just brilliant.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Gripping… Full of shocks and surprises and some heart-stopping moments.’ NetGalley reviewer
‘Another brilliant addition to this excellent series.’ NetGalley reviewer
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2022
74 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Jenny O'Brien
30 books146 followersHi and thanks for stopping by.
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
I took up writing about twenty years ago when I first came up with a plot for a book, and I haven't stopped since. When I’m not writing, I’m ferrying around 3 teenagers or working as a nurse. I’m also an all-year-round sea swimmer.
I write what I love to read, which is romance and thrillers.
My next release, out February, 2026, is The Resistance Knitting Club, a World War 2 historical novel set in Guernsey, the UK and France. I am currently working on my third WW2 novel.
If you like my writing please get in touch - my social media links are below (I’m rarely on Goodreads so it’s best not to drop me a message here). I also have a newsletter, which you can sign up to via my website.
Jenny O
Facebook: Jenny O'Brien Guernsey Writer
Twitter: scribblerjb
Instagram: scribblerjb
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 2, 2022
Once again I jump into a new crime series, this time it is Jenny O'Brien's North Wales series featuring DI Gabriella 'Gaby' Darin, based at St Asaph's Police Station, under her boss DCI Sherlock and with her hardworking, supportive team of DS Owen Bates, DC Marie Morgan, DC Malachy Devine and DC Jax Williams. Gaby is called in when 17 year old sixth form student, the very bright but nerdy Bryony, disappears, her father, Dr Lewis Lloyd, had dropped her off at a friend's home, but it later transpires that his daughter is a stranger to the householder. Ordinarily a missing teenager would not be an immediate priority, but the many similarities to an earlier case of the still missing Christy Taylor, ring alarm bells with the police. Gaby and her team start an investigation that involves interviewing Bryony's distraught parents and her younger sister, Cerys.
It turns out Bryony was the classic high flying, studious loner and outsider, shunned by her peers, and virtually nothing in the way of a social life, with the kind of pushy and ambitious parents that shape her future in academia and professional career. Unfortunately, this leaves her rather naive and innocent, and far too open to being taken advantage of. Matters become more urgent when a third teenage girl who went missing in identical circumstances turns up dead in Manchester, in a case headed by DCI Maureen Webb. On top of all this, personal pressure begins to pile up for Gaby when she is forced to re-examine her relationship with her partner, senior pathologist Rusty Mulholland, who shares her home with his son, Conor. The heat intensifies as Gaby finds herself having to deal with the grief and repercussions of a tragic accident involving her pregnant best friend, Amy.
It took me a little while to get into this story, initially I felt it contained far too many dry details of each member of the police team's role and activities, however these feelings soon disappeared as I become more engaged and immersed amidst the rising levels of suspense and tension. I came to really like the central protagonist, Gaby, a capable police detective facing incredible levels of pressure coming at her from every direction and I thought the bad guy here was a particularly cold and ruthless man, a real nasty piece of work. It seems I came upon this new series rather too late in the day as the author informs the reader at the end that this is the last in the series, although she may at some point in the future return to it. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
It turns out Bryony was the classic high flying, studious loner and outsider, shunned by her peers, and virtually nothing in the way of a social life, with the kind of pushy and ambitious parents that shape her future in academia and professional career. Unfortunately, this leaves her rather naive and innocent, and far too open to being taken advantage of. Matters become more urgent when a third teenage girl who went missing in identical circumstances turns up dead in Manchester, in a case headed by DCI Maureen Webb. On top of all this, personal pressure begins to pile up for Gaby when she is forced to re-examine her relationship with her partner, senior pathologist Rusty Mulholland, who shares her home with his son, Conor. The heat intensifies as Gaby finds herself having to deal with the grief and repercussions of a tragic accident involving her pregnant best friend, Amy.
It took me a little while to get into this story, initially I felt it contained far too many dry details of each member of the police team's role and activities, however these feelings soon disappeared as I become more engaged and immersed amidst the rising levels of suspense and tension. I came to really like the central protagonist, Gaby, a capable police detective facing incredible levels of pressure coming at her from every direction and I thought the bad guy here was a particularly cold and ruthless man, a real nasty piece of work. It seems I came upon this new series rather too late in the day as the author informs the reader at the end that this is the last in the series, although she may at some point in the future return to it. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
June 4, 2022
When Detective Gaby Darin and her team take on the case of a missing seventeen year old girl who disappeared when her father dropped her off at a friend's house, they soon discover the case seems linked to another missing girl. Christy Taylor was also the same age when she disappeared five months ago after going to a cafe to meet her friend for coffee and hasn't been seen since. The team feels Christy will not be found alive at this point but they know they must do everything possible to find Bryony and find the monster who seems to be preying on these young girls before another teen goes missing.
This was a very enjoyable, fast-paced and above average police procedural that was well-written with interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. This was my first time reading a book in this series and I'm sad to say that it was the last book in the Gaby Darin collection but I will look forward to reading the others that I missed in the series. If any reader enjoys detective mysteries I would definitely recommend this book and it was great as a stand-alone.
I want to thank the publisher "HQ/HQ Digital" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 1/2 ENTERTAINING 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS
This was a very enjoyable, fast-paced and above average police procedural that was well-written with interesting characters as well as an intriguing storyline. This was my first time reading a book in this series and I'm sad to say that it was the last book in the Gaby Darin collection but I will look forward to reading the others that I missed in the series. If any reader enjoys detective mysteries I would definitely recommend this book and it was great as a stand-alone.
I want to thank the publisher "HQ/HQ Digital" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 1/2 ENTERTAINING 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS
May 25, 2022
The last and the best book in the series to feature Detective Gaby Darwin. A teenage girl goes missing and this is only the beginning. The plot is clever and abhorrent. I love the characters, believable and we'll fleshed out. Full of shocks and surprises and some heart stopping moments. This author has definitely saved the best for last in this gripping and very addictive series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 25, 2022
Cold Grave is the sixth instalment in Jenny O'Brien's Detective Gaby Darin series set in North Wales.
Teenage girls are going missing -Bryony Lloyd was dropped off at her friend's to study and when her dad, Lewis arrives to pick up his daughter, she cannot be found. Seventeen-year-old Christy Taylor has also disappeared five months earlier. In early February, in Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy, DI Gaby Darin, in charge of the North Wales Major Incident Team at St Asaph Police Station has taken a call from DC Malachy Devine and alarm bells ring for Gaby and the team...
With its fast pacing, there is always plenty going on in Cold Grave and there is certainly never a dull moment! Jenny O'Brien knows how to write a story that is compelling and entertaining with characters that are not easy to love but fit with the story very well. I really enjoy Gaby's personality traits - particularly her brashness and astuteness. The author's clever writing, revealing little tidbits and morsels here and there, continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end! Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Teenage girls are going missing -Bryony Lloyd was dropped off at her friend's to study and when her dad, Lewis arrives to pick up his daughter, she cannot be found. Seventeen-year-old Christy Taylor has also disappeared five months earlier. In early February, in Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy, DI Gaby Darin, in charge of the North Wales Major Incident Team at St Asaph Police Station has taken a call from DC Malachy Devine and alarm bells ring for Gaby and the team...
With its fast pacing, there is always plenty going on in Cold Grave and there is certainly never a dull moment! Jenny O'Brien knows how to write a story that is compelling and entertaining with characters that are not easy to love but fit with the story very well. I really enjoy Gaby's personality traits - particularly her brashness and astuteness. The author's clever writing, revealing little tidbits and morsels here and there, continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end! Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 19, 2022
*** four and a half shiny stars
The sixth installment of the addictive and immensely enjoyable DI Gaby Darin series, (the second this reader has had a chance to read so far) this story works well as a stand-alone novel.
Based in North Wales, DI Gaby Darin is a petite yet fiercely-driven woman, a leader who brings her all to the job, a proud mentor to her high-functioning major-crime-squad team, and a woman who is burdened, like the rest of us, with inadequate time to share with her family - which has ballooned lately, with the move-in addition of her lover, pathologist Dr Rusty Mulholland, and his twelve-year-old son, Conor.
(Readers Note: Gaby is also burdened by a deeply unsympathetic and emotionally-abusive boss DCI Sherlock. Would that she could find the strength to stand up to him!)
With the frustratingly-clueless disappearance of three seventeen-year-old girls across an eighteen-month span, Gaby and her team are stymied - searching for links and battling the clock, as desperation mounts and the search for bodies intensifies.
A tensely-plotted, cleverly-detailed chase ensues, as a killer and a heinous plan begin to slowly emerge, the author revealing just enough, (but no more) to tantalize, terrify, and challenge the now-captive reader.
Rich with wonderfully-drawn characters, the author deftly blends procedural crime-drama with the real-life drama of the protagonists, giving the reader glimpses (and in Gaby’s case, a much more intimate gape) into their lives, loves, fears and desires (much of which emotion is only partially self-sorted).
Unputdownable in its pacing, this is a wonderful read, and without giving the plot away(no spoilers here), a particularly saddening one for several reasons.
Highly recommended for fans of UK crime, and really, any reader of first-rate character-based fiction, I read this one almost straight though a rainy afternoon and evening.
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
The sixth installment of the addictive and immensely enjoyable DI Gaby Darin series, (the second this reader has had a chance to read so far) this story works well as a stand-alone novel.
Based in North Wales, DI Gaby Darin is a petite yet fiercely-driven woman, a leader who brings her all to the job, a proud mentor to her high-functioning major-crime-squad team, and a woman who is burdened, like the rest of us, with inadequate time to share with her family - which has ballooned lately, with the move-in addition of her lover, pathologist Dr Rusty Mulholland, and his twelve-year-old son, Conor.
(Readers Note: Gaby is also burdened by a deeply unsympathetic and emotionally-abusive boss DCI Sherlock. Would that she could find the strength to stand up to him!)
With the frustratingly-clueless disappearance of three seventeen-year-old girls across an eighteen-month span, Gaby and her team are stymied - searching for links and battling the clock, as desperation mounts and the search for bodies intensifies.
A tensely-plotted, cleverly-detailed chase ensues, as a killer and a heinous plan begin to slowly emerge, the author revealing just enough, (but no more) to tantalize, terrify, and challenge the now-captive reader.
Rich with wonderfully-drawn characters, the author deftly blends procedural crime-drama with the real-life drama of the protagonists, giving the reader glimpses (and in Gaby’s case, a much more intimate gape) into their lives, loves, fears and desires (much of which emotion is only partially self-sorted).
Unputdownable in its pacing, this is a wonderful read, and without giving the plot away(no spoilers here), a particularly saddening one for several reasons.
Highly recommended for fans of UK crime, and really, any reader of first-rate character-based fiction, I read this one almost straight though a rainy afternoon and evening.
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
April 10, 2022
i have read every book of this series. and loved everyone its like each Caracter becomes part of your life and you know them this one so fast paced you wont want to put down. Bryony Lloyd gets her dad to drop her of at a friend's house. but that s the last time her family ever seen her she never comes home. Gaby is called out on a cold night to the police station as her parents reported her missing but Gaby is not worried as teenagers run from home but as the inspector warns her this the second one as Christy Taylor has not been found. as the case goes on they have now got a link with the police in Manchester. Rusty and his son has now moved in with Gaby. there relationship is strong .i wont say no more . but I actually cried and I think this is the last series in book .this author is just brilliant
April 6, 2022
Gaby Darin is back with book six the final.
Rhos-on-sea Wales with a missing teenager Bryony Lloyd, and Gaby doesn't like loose ends as five months ago Christy Taylor was also reported missing and the case was never solved. Teenagers go missing every day but there's a link somewhere and Gaby won't rest till they are found, safe and well.
What another cracking book in this series, I was totally gripped reading with a lot of twists that get you ready to jump into the book. this amazing author is so clever, and I was sorry to see the end, that made me content. A mind blowing read that will take your breathe away, that is all I have to say, once again I loved it.
Rhos-on-sea Wales with a missing teenager Bryony Lloyd, and Gaby doesn't like loose ends as five months ago Christy Taylor was also reported missing and the case was never solved. Teenagers go missing every day but there's a link somewhere and Gaby won't rest till they are found, safe and well.
What another cracking book in this series, I was totally gripped reading with a lot of twists that get you ready to jump into the book. this amazing author is so clever, and I was sorry to see the end, that made me content. A mind blowing read that will take your breathe away, that is all I have to say, once again I loved it.
May 30, 2022
Cold Grave’s another fantastic crime thriller. Intense, emotionally charged and urgent, it had me reeling at the shocks along the way. The team are tested to the limit personally and professionally and the question of ‘whydunnit’ was compelling. As ever, the switches of scene between the team and the unfolding crime dialled up the pace, making for a breathless, edge-of-your-seat read. Highly recommended.
March 1, 2023
Fab, edge of the seat, thriller! Top notch.
January 12, 2023
I really didn’t enjoy this book at all and wanted to give up reading it several time. I didn’t like the way it was written and there was too many characters. It got kind of interesting towards the end of the book but then we don’t actually find out how the case ended?? I was glad to have finished it.
April 21, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Cold Grave, the sixth novel to feature DI Gaby Darin of North Wales Police.
When 17 year old Bryony Lloyd disappears in mysterious circumstances Gaby and the team are on high alert as it resembles the disappearance of Christy Taylor several months earlier. Bryony’s father dropped her at friend’s house but when he went to pick her up the woman in the house didn’t know Bryony and had never seen her, while Christy had disappeared from a tearoom. When a third case in Manchester is linked Gaby knows there is danger involved, but she’s distracted by the serious accident a colleague is involved in.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Grave, which is a searingly emotional novel with a good and interesting plot as a bonus. The author says that this is the last novel in the series and, boy, does she go out with a bang. It’s all change for Gaby, in both good and bad ways.
The plot is very interesting and throws up more than one great twist. It doesn’t go where the reader would expect it to, so I found it engrossing and a real page turner. The novel is mostly told from Gaby and the investigation’s point of view with the odd contribution from the other side. In a sense it means that the reader has an idea of who Gaby is hunting and watching her catch up, but that depends on the assumption that he’s telling the truth. The big mystery, therefore, lies in the motive and that’s totally unexpected, and perhaps a touch impractical as I couldn’t get my head round the mechanics of it.
As I said this is an emotional novel. Gaby has to deal with more than most could stand, the accident and a realisation that she and her partner Rusty might not see the future in the same terms. It’s devastating and no surprise that she becomes a bit unstable. I think the emotions are all understandable and relatable so it’s an excellent piece of writing in this area.
Cold Grave is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When 17 year old Bryony Lloyd disappears in mysterious circumstances Gaby and the team are on high alert as it resembles the disappearance of Christy Taylor several months earlier. Bryony’s father dropped her at friend’s house but when he went to pick her up the woman in the house didn’t know Bryony and had never seen her, while Christy had disappeared from a tearoom. When a third case in Manchester is linked Gaby knows there is danger involved, but she’s distracted by the serious accident a colleague is involved in.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Grave, which is a searingly emotional novel with a good and interesting plot as a bonus. The author says that this is the last novel in the series and, boy, does she go out with a bang. It’s all change for Gaby, in both good and bad ways.
The plot is very interesting and throws up more than one great twist. It doesn’t go where the reader would expect it to, so I found it engrossing and a real page turner. The novel is mostly told from Gaby and the investigation’s point of view with the odd contribution from the other side. In a sense it means that the reader has an idea of who Gaby is hunting and watching her catch up, but that depends on the assumption that he’s telling the truth. The big mystery, therefore, lies in the motive and that’s totally unexpected, and perhaps a touch impractical as I couldn’t get my head round the mechanics of it.
As I said this is an emotional novel. Gaby has to deal with more than most could stand, the accident and a realisation that she and her partner Rusty might not see the future in the same terms. It’s devastating and no surprise that she becomes a bit unstable. I think the emotions are all understandable and relatable so it’s an excellent piece of writing in this area.
Cold Grave is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 18, 2022
Bryony Lloyd's father gives her a lift to a friend's house so they can study together, but several hours later when he knocks on the door to collect her, the woman who answers it says that Bryony isn't there - and that her friend doesn't live there either. Bryony seems to have vanished & the police are called in. DI Gaby Darin worked on the case of Christy Taylor, another 17-year-old, who disappeared from a local café in broad daylight about a year ago & has never been found. There are similarities between the two, but a lot more differences, so could the cases be related?
This is the sixth book in a series but the first one that I have read, & it mainly works as a standalone. The main character has just moved in with her boyfriend, Rusty, & his 12-year-old son & there are some problems already & when Rusty declares his parenting days are over & done after his son, their relationship becomes strained. Throw in a flirtatious ex of Rusty's, a due-to-give-birth-any-second best friend, two tragedies just around the corner, as well as the cases of the missing girls & Gaby is at breaking point.
Although it was an interesting enough read & the plot was quite good, I have no desire to read the previous books as the characters just didn't appeal to me that much. For me to commit to a series there usually has to be some kind of wow factor & I just didn't feel that here. Judging by other reviews, mine is in the minority though, so if you like crime/police procedurals set in the UK, you may like this one.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ Digital, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This is the sixth book in a series but the first one that I have read, & it mainly works as a standalone. The main character has just moved in with her boyfriend, Rusty, & his 12-year-old son & there are some problems already & when Rusty declares his parenting days are over & done after his son, their relationship becomes strained. Throw in a flirtatious ex of Rusty's, a due-to-give-birth-any-second best friend, two tragedies just around the corner, as well as the cases of the missing girls & Gaby is at breaking point.
Although it was an interesting enough read & the plot was quite good, I have no desire to read the previous books as the characters just didn't appeal to me that much. For me to commit to a series there usually has to be some kind of wow factor & I just didn't feel that here. Judging by other reviews, mine is in the minority though, so if you like crime/police procedurals set in the UK, you may like this one.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ Digital, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
May 10, 2022
This is book six in the Detective Gaby Darin series and I think possibly my favourite. Set in North Wales this, like the rest of the series, is almost a cozy read with no gore. I’m a sucker for a good police procedural and this is just that. Gaby has a great team behind her and is now living with Rusty and his son. Well written with a good plot, more of that later.
Briefly, when Bryony Lloyd goes missing Gaby and her team soon realise this could be connected to another missing teenager. The deeper they investigate they soon link the missing girls to a body found in Manchester. Then one of Gaby’s colleagues, on maternity leave, is involved in a fatal accident and Gaby finds herself torn between her friends, personal relationship and the investigation - will the girls be found before it’s too late?
Back to the plot; there I was thinking, early on, oh I know exactly where this is going. No. No I was wrong. Ok I got a bit of it right but the motives and the perpetrator(s) I was totally wrong. This is much more emotional than previous books. Not just the case but Gaby’s concerns about her relationship with Rusty and the accident her friends and colleague were involved in. All the plot lines come together seamlessly making for a very enjoyable read that I finished in a day ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, when Bryony Lloyd goes missing Gaby and her team soon realise this could be connected to another missing teenager. The deeper they investigate they soon link the missing girls to a body found in Manchester. Then one of Gaby’s colleagues, on maternity leave, is involved in a fatal accident and Gaby finds herself torn between her friends, personal relationship and the investigation - will the girls be found before it’s too late?
Back to the plot; there I was thinking, early on, oh I know exactly where this is going. No. No I was wrong. Ok I got a bit of it right but the motives and the perpetrator(s) I was totally wrong. This is much more emotional than previous books. Not just the case but Gaby’s concerns about her relationship with Rusty and the accident her friends and colleague were involved in. All the plot lines come together seamlessly making for a very enjoyable read that I finished in a day ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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June 30, 2025“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare…”
They say all good things must come to an end and Cold Grave is a fitting farewell to this wonderful series, that has been an absolute pleasure to read over six books. There are not many characters that leave a mark on you, but Detective Gaby Darin has done that for me and she is up there as one of my all time favourite characters.
For Gaby’s last hurrah, we see an unsolved case come to light again when another two teenage girls go missing under similar circumstances. The team have their work cut out for them to solve this case, but nothing can prepare them for the tragedy that is to come.
This is a well crafted, fast paced police procedural that will have you on the edge of your seat. O’Brien once again nails the tension and suspense that she builds throughout making for a very compelling, thrilling and highly addictive page turner.
So with this being the end of the road for the Detective Gaby Darin series, whilst I am sad to have turned the final chapter in this story, I can’t wait for Jenny O’Brien’s future offerings and to connect with a whole new bunch of stories and characters.
They say all good things must come to an end and Cold Grave is a fitting farewell to this wonderful series, that has been an absolute pleasure to read over six books. There are not many characters that leave a mark on you, but Detective Gaby Darin has done that for me and she is up there as one of my all time favourite characters.
For Gaby’s last hurrah, we see an unsolved case come to light again when another two teenage girls go missing under similar circumstances. The team have their work cut out for them to solve this case, but nothing can prepare them for the tragedy that is to come.
This is a well crafted, fast paced police procedural that will have you on the edge of your seat. O’Brien once again nails the tension and suspense that she builds throughout making for a very compelling, thrilling and highly addictive page turner.
So with this being the end of the road for the Detective Gaby Darin series, whilst I am sad to have turned the final chapter in this story, I can’t wait for Jenny O’Brien’s future offerings and to connect with a whole new bunch of stories and characters.
October 26, 2025
Cold Grave is the final instalment in the Detective Gaby Darin series, all of which I have enjoyed over the years. I can't believe this series has come to an end, and with an ending I was neither expecting nor able to digest. Cold Grave can easily be read as a standalone as the focus, as always, is on the case Darin's team are working on. However, I'd recommend reading the series from the beginning to get a better understanding of the characters in Darin's team and her personal life.
Although I felt the story started slowly, it soon picked up pace as the investigation took off. I found this gripping story about child abduction both intriguing and unsettling. The plot, to my mind, is perfectly plausible, and that made it all the more disturbing.
While the blurb warns us that Darin loses a valued member of her team, I was not prepared for how this thread would pan out, nor the long-term consequences it would have for Darin personally.
Cold Grave kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I would highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy a police procedural with a strong female lead.
Although I felt the story started slowly, it soon picked up pace as the investigation took off. I found this gripping story about child abduction both intriguing and unsettling. The plot, to my mind, is perfectly plausible, and that made it all the more disturbing.
While the blurb warns us that Darin loses a valued member of her team, I was not prepared for how this thread would pan out, nor the long-term consequences it would have for Darin personally.
Cold Grave kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I would highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy a police procedural with a strong female lead.
April 25, 2022
This is #6 in the Detective Gaby Darin series but can easily be read as a standalone.
I’ve read all the Gaby Darin books and was really looking forward to this one – it didn’t disappoint!
Bryony’s father drops her off at a friend’s house for a study evening but, when he returns to pick her up there’s no sign of her. The woman who lives in the house swears that Bryony definitely isn’t there, and never has been. So where is she? As Gaby and her team become involved in the hunt for the missing teenager, they realise there are similarities with another teenage girl who went missing in the area a few months ago.
Then a missing teenage girl is found dead over in Manchester – not far away – and it seems as if this case might also be connected in some way with the girls Gaby and her team are searching for.
A brilliant plot with plenty of twists and turns, I was totally gripped and sorry to reach the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ/HQ Digital for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
I’ve read all the Gaby Darin books and was really looking forward to this one – it didn’t disappoint!
Bryony’s father drops her off at a friend’s house for a study evening but, when he returns to pick her up there’s no sign of her. The woman who lives in the house swears that Bryony definitely isn’t there, and never has been. So where is she? As Gaby and her team become involved in the hunt for the missing teenager, they realise there are similarities with another teenage girl who went missing in the area a few months ago.
Then a missing teenage girl is found dead over in Manchester – not far away – and it seems as if this case might also be connected in some way with the girls Gaby and her team are searching for.
A brilliant plot with plenty of twists and turns, I was totally gripped and sorry to reach the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ/HQ Digital for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
May 20, 2022
Absolutely brilliant. I think this may be my favourite of the Gaby Darin books.
Gaby has to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of several teenage girls and find a particularly devious and twisted serial killer. The story is told from different people's perspectives, including young Bryony, the latest girl to go missing.
My heart was in my mouth for her knowing what could possibly happen as she tried to find a way to survive.
I love the relationship Gaby has with her team. It's like a big family and it hurts emotionally when any of them gets injured. Rusty and Gaby's relationship goes through a few hiccups, and they have a few issues to discuss and resolve. Rusty is adorable and I loved how things worked out for them at the end of the book.
I read this book in one day, and I couldn't put it down. It is exciting from start to finish from the drama of the investigation as it made progress to the final nail-biting conclusion.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher.
Gaby has to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of several teenage girls and find a particularly devious and twisted serial killer. The story is told from different people's perspectives, including young Bryony, the latest girl to go missing.
My heart was in my mouth for her knowing what could possibly happen as she tried to find a way to survive.
I love the relationship Gaby has with her team. It's like a big family and it hurts emotionally when any of them gets injured. Rusty and Gaby's relationship goes through a few hiccups, and they have a few issues to discuss and resolve. Rusty is adorable and I loved how things worked out for them at the end of the book.
I read this book in one day, and I couldn't put it down. It is exciting from start to finish from the drama of the investigation as it made progress to the final nail-biting conclusion.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher.
July 11, 2022
I just love Jenny O'Brien. She writes a great series which brings the characters to life and doesn't overdo the personal entanglements at the expense of the police investigation.
Detective Gaby Darin is a Welsh detective of Italian background, fiercely loyal to her team, job and a woman you'd want in your corner.
After a few DNF books it was a great pleasure to sit back with one of my favorite authors and series. I am sad to see this series end but what a way to tie things up. Hoping we see the team back together again in the future as I loved watching these characters develop.
Gaby, Mal, Owen, Marie, Jax and Rusty are well fleshed out. I feel as if I know them and can certainly get a mental image of them all. If you are looking for a series which involves police procedurals, a little bit of the detectives' personal lives and is grittier than a cozy - this is your series.
April 3, 2022
Cold Grave by Jenny O’Brien is book 6 in the DI Gaby Darin series. I like Gaby – she is very easy to like, I must say. She inspires confidence and the team want to do their best and more. Such interesting characters in the story and they really add to it, all in their own way. Such a gripping introduction which hooked me right in and I couldn’t put it down. Jenny’s writing is wonderful. She is very good at painting the scene so clearly, whatever the setting. I was drawn in to all the emotions throughout the book, both happy and sad, even crying a couple of times. Bryony Lloyd, a studious teenager, has disappeared. Is it a teenager who has just run away? Or is it something more serious? There are a few layers to this story and what a gripping story it is. The best in the series so far.
October 25, 2022
This is the second Jenny O'brien book I have read and tbh I didn't enjoy it!! Her writing seems very irratic and all over the place, the book had no flow to it as she kept jumping from character to character.
The chapters were all very small, yet each chapter was on a different character and a different part of the story, not really keen on books like this as it takes ages for the story to get going!!
Once the story did get going (2/3rds through the book), it was enjoyable, even though I'd already sussed out the story wayyyyyy before they did lol.
I won't be reading anymore of her books, the 2 I've read are set out the same way, small chapters flitting between characters, I thought I'd give her a go, but she's not my cup of tea!!
The chapters were all very small, yet each chapter was on a different character and a different part of the story, not really keen on books like this as it takes ages for the story to get going!!
Once the story did get going (2/3rds through the book), it was enjoyable, even though I'd already sussed out the story wayyyyyy before they did lol.
I won't be reading anymore of her books, the 2 I've read are set out the same way, small chapters flitting between characters, I thought I'd give her a go, but she's not my cup of tea!!
May 19, 2022
What a brilliant and gripping novel. This is far and away the best Jenny O’Brien book I’ve read. Great story line and very well written. I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end which was disappointing (I won’t pose them here as it may spoil the plot for others), and without them I would have rated this a very definite 5, rather than a 4.5 (which I’ve upped to a 5 anyway!). I’m sad this is the last book in the series, and will be keeping my eyes peeled for whatever Jenny brings us next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in return for an honest review.
May 19, 2022
Detective Gaby Darin and her motivated detectives try to find a missing teenager whilst looking for links with a past unsolved case. Gaby's issues, coupled with a bereft of clues case, make it an emotionally challenging time for her. I enjoyed the detailed plot, which only allows Gaby and her team and thus the reader a few clues to solve the mystery. A cleverly crafted antagonist and the impactful plot twists make this an addictive read.
Cold Grave is an excellently paced police drama whose engaging detective team and twisty plot make this a compelling crime fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Cold Grave is an excellently paced police drama whose engaging detective team and twisty plot make this a compelling crime fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 5, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the copy of Cold Grave. This book took me some time to get into and then I read in the author notes that this is part of a series and I realized why it was so hard for me to connect with the characters until the end of the book. After I got into the book and characters I really liked them and the story was chilling.
If you are already reading this series you will love this book. If you’re not reading the series I suggest you start from book one like I’m going to do now!
If you are already reading this series you will love this book. If you’re not reading the series I suggest you start from book one like I’m going to do now!
September 9, 2022
COLD GRAVE by Jenny O'Brien - Crime Procedural
Publish date - 18 May 2022
BOOK - 384 pages
Publisher - HQ Digital
Jenny O'Brien is a first time author for me. I was looking forward to the storyline and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the characters, connected immediately to all of them! The writing is sharp and full of humour between characters, which I enjoy. The story twists and turns and I was engrossed as to what might happen in the end.
I give a 4 star rating. I enjoyed this novel.
Publish date - 18 May 2022
BOOK - 384 pages
Publisher - HQ Digital
Jenny O'Brien is a first time author for me. I was looking forward to the storyline and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the characters, connected immediately to all of them! The writing is sharp and full of humour between characters, which I enjoy. The story twists and turns and I was engrossed as to what might happen in the end.
I give a 4 star rating. I enjoyed this novel.
May 18, 2022
Gripping and highly entertaining, a well written police procedural featuring a cast of likeable an relatable characters.
The plot is fast paced, differnt POVs that helps you to see the story from different angles. The characters are fleshed out and I liked Gaby.
I can't wait to read the next one as I want to know what will happen.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The plot is fast paced, differnt POVs that helps you to see the story from different angles. The characters are fleshed out and I liked Gaby.
I can't wait to read the next one as I want to know what will happen.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 18, 2022
A fabulous read. Heart pounding. A real rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end. Great plot and detective work. Engaging characters which I have grown to love throughout the series. Very tense. Nice short chapters especially towards the nail biting end which had a lot of 'oh nooo!' moments.
An unmissable book, just wish I hadn't read it so quickly....but that was unavoidable.
If you want a great page turner, this is it.
An unmissable book, just wish I hadn't read it so quickly....but that was unavoidable.
If you want a great page turner, this is it.
February 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this book although I have read none of the Gaby Darin series so it does work as a standalone. It has a very creepy theme and the side stories of the characters work alongside with the theme seamlessly. Each chapter is based on one of the detective team or the victim and so each chapter is different than the last. I would read Jenny O'Brien books again but I feel that I should not go backwards in this series - can't tell you why without spoilers.
April 9, 2022
Oh my word I don’t know how to sum this one up. It packs in everything you expect from a Jenny O’Brien book with a whole lot more. This is one that will play on your emotions for a long while after you read it, but it’s so worth the read, Gaby is a great protagonist and fans of UkCbc will recognise some of the other characters involved in this story as well. A massive 5* read for me
April 28, 2022
Oh wow! What an absolutely cracking read in the DI Gaby Darin series! I loved it and honestly struggled to put it down once I started reading it. The character development, the plot, the pace and that ending! A must read for fans of the series and the genre. Boom! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
April 28, 2022
Omg I have loved every book in this series but this is the best one of the lot - gripping from page one could not put it down and not to give the plot away but loved the fact that the story came to a great conclusion with all the ends tied up (unexpectedly). Love love loved it!!!
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