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DI Max Byrd & DI Orion Tanzy #1
That Night
Local detectives, DI Max Byrd and DI Orion Tanzy, along with a team of forensics, are called to a crime scene in the early hours after a woman and a baby have been abducted.They can't believe what they find. This sickening evil hasn't been witnessed in Darlington for a very long time.But when there's another brutal murder shortly after, the detectives need to determine if this is the work of a serial killer, because of what happened on that night, many years ago?Is it revenge, or is it justice?Either way, the numbers will fall.Darlington used to be a nice town - it isn't anymore.
425 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 9, 2020
A really good start to a new series
Having read the authors previous book ‘Someone’s There’ and also knowing this book was based in Darlington, where I lived from ages 4-10 (and still have links to and have friends there) I was more than keen to read this
And I am glad I did! I liked both DI’s, Max and Orion, neither over-powering but both with back and current stories and both easy to ‘get to know’ ( although I did keep reading DI Onion 🤗 ) they gel well together and are a good team to base a series on
The actual story is dark and horrific in nature and centres around what happened ‘That Night’ years ago at a party, who did it, how it was covered up and subsequently how it was ‘found out’ and the repercussions for all involved, grisly it has to be said for some of them
There is a really nail biting sub story and tbh lots going on throughout the book, the part in the Aldi car park particularly chilling.....
The writing is reader friendly, the authors enthusiasm for his work evident, it’s very descriptive and there is humour now and again as some light relief from the disturbing facts of the case
A satisfying ending to a thrill and spill read that kept me on my toes throughout, I look forward to Book 2
10/10
5 Stars
Having read the authors previous book ‘Someone’s There’ and also knowing this book was based in Darlington, where I lived from ages 4-10 (and still have links to and have friends there) I was more than keen to read this
And I am glad I did! I liked both DI’s, Max and Orion, neither over-powering but both with back and current stories and both easy to ‘get to know’ ( although I did keep reading DI Onion 🤗 ) they gel well together and are a good team to base a series on
The actual story is dark and horrific in nature and centres around what happened ‘That Night’ years ago at a party, who did it, how it was covered up and subsequently how it was ‘found out’ and the repercussions for all involved, grisly it has to be said for some of them
There is a really nail biting sub story and tbh lots going on throughout the book, the part in the Aldi car park particularly chilling.....
The writing is reader friendly, the authors enthusiasm for his work evident, it’s very descriptive and there is humour now and again as some light relief from the disturbing facts of the case
A satisfying ending to a thrill and spill read that kept me on my toes throughout, I look forward to Book 2
10/10
5 Stars
December 6, 2020
5 stars for the concept
5 stars for the prologue and narrative
2 stars for development
2 stars for characterization
1 star for the conclusion
Yes, this one did not work for me.
This is my second book by this author and the first one of a new series.
With this one I can tell that there is some improvement, except when it comes to writing dialogues, which was one of my main complaint on his debut.
He is wonderful with narratives.
I do think that the author has a great creativity and the plot was well thought and interesting.
Unfortunately this book is not flawless.
The development and characterization wasn’t very good.
The structure could have been different.
The use of the “f” word to describe/create an emotion was used too many times.
The sentences were too short (as were the chapters).
I wasn’t connected with any of the characters and I did not feel the thrill, not that I was bored, I just did not feel engaged.
I do have the next book of this series and I will read it soon, as I do want to see this author growing (and not just because he is charming and have a beautiful family).
C.J., perhaps you should consider an editor, if you don’t have one, even if it means that you would need to increase the price of a single book. You have great potential.
5 stars for the prologue and narrative
2 stars for development
2 stars for characterization
1 star for the conclusion
Yes, this one did not work for me.
This is my second book by this author and the first one of a new series.
With this one I can tell that there is some improvement, except when it comes to writing dialogues, which was one of my main complaint on his debut.
He is wonderful with narratives.
I do think that the author has a great creativity and the plot was well thought and interesting.
Unfortunately this book is not flawless.
The development and characterization wasn’t very good.
The structure could have been different.
The use of the “f” word to describe/create an emotion was used too many times.
The sentences were too short (as were the chapters).
I wasn’t connected with any of the characters and I did not feel the thrill, not that I was bored, I just did not feel engaged.
I do have the next book of this series and I will read it soon, as I do want to see this author growing (and not just because he is charming and have a beautiful family).
C.J., perhaps you should consider an editor, if you don’t have one, even if it means that you would need to increase the price of a single book. You have great potential.
January 9, 2025
Argh I don’t know how I felt about this book. It was so bad at times but yet so good - a guilty pleasure of a book.
Was it the best book I’ve ever read……. No
Was it particularly well written…… No
But yet despite this I loved it and I can’t wait to read the second one 🙈😂
Was it the best book I’ve ever read……. No
Was it particularly well written…… No
But yet despite this I loved it and I can’t wait to read the second one 🙈😂
September 1, 2025
Fifteen years ago, four boys did some very bad things. They thought they had gotten away with gang rape and murder, but years later, someone who knows of their crimes is exacting revenge on the men's wives in a series of gruesome murders. DI Byrd and DI Tanzy are on the case; in addition they are looking for a missing 7 year old girl. This is a very dark mystery with multiple trigger warnings--a very grisly British police procedural.
July 27, 2020
I feel terrible slating a local author but I can not recommend That Night.
It’s very basic writing. Very short sentences. Don’t get me started on the grammar. Passed and past should not be confused in a published book! I nearly screamed every time I read “glared”, Mr Grayson I’d recommend a thesaurus and an editor!
The plot is good which is a shame because I had no interest in finishing.
Difficult to read and the numerous errors will drive you insane! I also feel the sentences would be better if structured differently.
“He felt every single hair on his body stand on end and almost shuddered when he felt a chill shoot through him from head to toe.”
It doesn’t flow does it? You’re aware you’re reading a story which for me takes the fun out of reading.
A disappointing 1/5.
It’s very basic writing. Very short sentences. Don’t get me started on the grammar. Passed and past should not be confused in a published book! I nearly screamed every time I read “glared”, Mr Grayson I’d recommend a thesaurus and an editor!
The plot is good which is a shame because I had no interest in finishing.
Difficult to read and the numerous errors will drive you insane! I also feel the sentences would be better if structured differently.
“He felt every single hair on his body stand on end and almost shuddered when he felt a chill shoot through him from head to toe.”
It doesn’t flow does it? You’re aware you’re reading a story which for me takes the fun out of reading.
A disappointing 1/5.
April 21, 2021
People have picked up on the grammatical errors so I won’t bang on about that, for someone from Darlington to be self published should be applauded and hopefully these books will get enough attention so an editor will come into play and only make these stories better.
I loved this book, so many twists and turns that had my heart racing. The only criticism I have personally is the amount of description about the streets of Darlington. As for someone who lives here, it did make it very visual for me, especially when a lot of journeys are routes I would take myself...never driving up Whessoe Road at night again, but at times it felt a bit much and I’m not sure people outside of town will really benefit from that amount of description? I also don’t know if I’m picking up on this more than I would usually because I am from Darlington 🤷🏻♀️
Throughout the book I thought I knew what the outcome would be and I was completely wrong, which makes for a great read and I’m looking forward to the next one.
I loved this book, so many twists and turns that had my heart racing. The only criticism I have personally is the amount of description about the streets of Darlington. As for someone who lives here, it did make it very visual for me, especially when a lot of journeys are routes I would take myself...never driving up Whessoe Road at night again, but at times it felt a bit much and I’m not sure people outside of town will really benefit from that amount of description? I also don’t know if I’m picking up on this more than I would usually because I am from Darlington 🤷🏻♀️
Throughout the book I thought I knew what the outcome would be and I was completely wrong, which makes for a great read and I’m looking forward to the next one.
June 14, 2020
Have you ever had a book that leaves you feeling as though you have been put through the wringer? I hadn’t until I read That Night! The prologue is heart wrenching and the first chapter is what you hope you only see in your nightmares.
The story is set in Darlington, County Durham and having lived near there, it was great to recognise landmarks and street names.
The book is based on ‘That Night’ which occurred 15 years ago, they say revenge is a dish best served cold! This story is full of twists and turns and non stop action. An extremely dark and tense read. A great start to a new series, I highly recommend this book.
The story is set in Darlington, County Durham and having lived near there, it was great to recognise landmarks and street names.
The book is based on ‘That Night’ which occurred 15 years ago, they say revenge is a dish best served cold! This story is full of twists and turns and non stop action. An extremely dark and tense read. A great start to a new series, I highly recommend this book.
June 12, 2020
Really enjoyed the story but agree with previous comments about needing an editor. Just simple things overlooked, like names getting mixed up, grammatical inconsistencies etc. With a few tweaks, I'd have given it a higher rating.
November 6, 2025
This is an author that I have never read before and this book is the first in a series called "DI Max Byrd & DI Orion Tanzy". They are both great characters and I will look out for more in the series just to see how they develop. The plot was a really good one and has 3 seperate things going on which you initially think must be linked but are they? I didn't really work out any of it until the very end which is always good. The only thing that I didn't like was there doesn't seem to be a real explanation regarding the doctor. All in all a really good read.
*************************************
NB. This is a completely revised edition of That Night.
Darlington is a small Northern town where everyone knows everyone. And Detectives Tanzy and Byrd know there’s a twisted serial killer in their midst . . .
They find Julia Porter’s body tied to a chair in her quiet family home in the outskirts of Darlington. She’s covered in blood, and someone has cut out her eyes. Next to her is a message written in red crayon: She didn’t see it coming.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd have never seen the like of this in their town before. Then a few days later a woman is handed a package on the high street. It contains Julia Porter’s eyes.
Darlington used to be a quiet town. A nice town. Not any more.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd must stop a twisted serial killer before more women die.
*************************************
NB. This is a completely revised edition of That Night.
Darlington is a small Northern town where everyone knows everyone. And Detectives Tanzy and Byrd know there’s a twisted serial killer in their midst . . .
They find Julia Porter’s body tied to a chair in her quiet family home in the outskirts of Darlington. She’s covered in blood, and someone has cut out her eyes. Next to her is a message written in red crayon: She didn’t see it coming.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd have never seen the like of this in their town before. Then a few days later a woman is handed a package on the high street. It contains Julia Porter’s eyes.
Darlington used to be a quiet town. A nice town. Not any more.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd must stop a twisted serial killer before more women die.
September 18, 2025
The Tees Valley Killings by C.J. Grayson is the first book in the D.I. Max Byrd and D.I. Orion Tansy series. A woman and her child are kidnapped and then discovered in their home, with the woman dead, her eyes removed with a message "She didn't see it coming." Detectives Max Byrd and Orion Tansy find themselves chasing a twisted serial killer in their small town of Darlington. A great start to the series with capable and likeable detectives. There is a lot going on with missing children as well as more deaths including that of a police colleague with the detectives finding that they are being watched as well as missing information. Plenty of twists and plenty of action in a fast paced thriller where the detectives race against time to stop the killer.
June 1, 2023
A nasty murder, out of the blue, that makes you wonder why would anyone do this to another human being… It’s a really disgusting beginning to the story, and there seems to be no real reason behind the murder, even though it feels very personal. Then another victim is found, and soon a connection between the surviving spouses is slowly revealed.
A good read, surprisingly fast and easy to finish even though it is a nasty business. It’s one of those things that you kind of understand the culprit, but you just don’t understand the execution of it all. It was nice to get to know the team, and I’d like to get to know them better. I see a lot of character growth in the future.
A good read, surprisingly fast and easy to finish even though it is a nasty business. It’s one of those things that you kind of understand the culprit, but you just don’t understand the execution of it all. It was nice to get to know the team, and I’d like to get to know them better. I see a lot of character growth in the future.
June 12, 2023
Darlington is a small Northern town where everyone knows everyone. And Detectives Tanzy and Byrd know there’s a twisted serial killer in their midst . . .
They find Julia Porter’s body tied to a chair in her quiet family home in the outskirts of Darlington. She’s covered in blood, and someone has cut out her eyes.
Next to her is a message written in red She didn’t see it coming.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd have never seen the like of this in their town before. Then a few days later a woman is handed a package on the high street.
It contains Julia Porter’s eyes.
Darlington used to be a quiet town. A nice town. Not any more.
This is the first book I've read from this author but it won't be the last. It's dark and gruesome and I was hooked from start to finish.
They find Julia Porter’s body tied to a chair in her quiet family home in the outskirts of Darlington. She’s covered in blood, and someone has cut out her eyes.
Next to her is a message written in red She didn’t see it coming.
Detectives Tanzy and Byrd have never seen the like of this in their town before. Then a few days later a woman is handed a package on the high street.
It contains Julia Porter’s eyes.
Darlington used to be a quiet town. A nice town. Not any more.
This is the first book I've read from this author but it won't be the last. It's dark and gruesome and I was hooked from start to finish.
September 11, 2023
THE TEES VALLEY KILLINGS by C.J. Grayson was a excellent book and the first book in the brilliant DI Max Byrd & DI Orion Tanzy series.
The two DI in this book were excellent fitted well within the storyline, which was gripping, fast pace, that will throws you around like a rollercoaster. But Hold on to your seat as it doesn't stop there!!! There are more twists and turns throughout this book which made it an excellent read for start to finish! I loved it
I highly recommend this series.
The two DI in this book were excellent fitted well within the storyline, which was gripping, fast pace, that will throws you around like a rollercoaster. But Hold on to your seat as it doesn't stop there!!! There are more twists and turns throughout this book which made it an excellent read for start to finish! I loved it
I highly recommend this series.
January 20, 2025
Fabulous
I loved the story line of the book and the character's. I read it over two nights as I couldn't put it down. Will be reading all books by the author. I'm from the North East and know Darlington quite well, I'm not at all biased and would of read this book, whichever town it was set in. Well done C.J.
I loved the story line of the book and the character's. I read it over two nights as I couldn't put it down. Will be reading all books by the author. I'm from the North East and know Darlington quite well, I'm not at all biased and would of read this book, whichever town it was set in. Well done C.J.
June 27, 2023
What a brilliant crime thriller. Can't wait for next book in series
August 28, 2025
This was an action-packed book centred around a series of seemingly connected murders in Darlington, with the kidnapping of a young girl running as a side story.
Lots of interesting characters and surprising twists and turns until the very end.
Lots of interesting characters and surprising twists and turns until the very end.
April 23, 2024
Had me hooked from the first page. Can't wait to start the next book in the series
August 13, 2022
This is my first novel by CJ Grayson and I can say I am a fan! I enjoyed the two MCs very much. Both great characters with depth. They aren't perfect, they have life issues, but are both excellent at their jobs, and very dedicated. They mystery itself had many layers that aren't at first seeming connected buy all tie together nicely in the end. Starting book 2 right away!
October 1, 2025
Highly unlikely, but one thing is certain; I am never going to Darlington.
June 7, 2023
This is a new author to me, so I was unsure of what to expect, and oh, my goodness, there is so much going on in this book! First of all, there are a plethora of characters to get to know – so many that I found myself having to re-read a few chapters to remind myself who’s who. We also have a subplot: a missing seven-year-old girl. I really couldn’t work out why this was incorporated, as it felt as though the case had been forgotten about and only included to provide a dramatic showdown between the perpetrator and the police. And not forgetting that the lead detectives have turbulent homelives, oh, and one of them is a martial arts expert. Phew – such a lot to take in!
There are some really creative murders, all of which are violent, even the motive is violent. The book also deals with gang-rape, although I did feel that section was handled with sensitivity. The tale moves swiftly from one murder to the next, and in the second part of the book, the reader gets the full story, which is told via flashbacks intermingled with the present-day investigation – this worked well for me, and I enjoyed these sections. Sadly, I found the twist at the end just a bit too much. I think this book has real promise, but for me, it needs condensing and polishing.
There are some really creative murders, all of which are violent, even the motive is violent. The book also deals with gang-rape, although I did feel that section was handled with sensitivity. The tale moves swiftly from one murder to the next, and in the second part of the book, the reader gets the full story, which is told via flashbacks intermingled with the present-day investigation – this worked well for me, and I enjoyed these sections. Sadly, I found the twist at the end just a bit too much. I think this book has real promise, but for me, it needs condensing and polishing.
July 17, 2023
I couldn't get on with the writing style in this book . I found there was too much going on and I was neither intrigued by the crimes which came too thick and fast and violent, the characters or the detectives, who are not really introduced. On top of this both of detectives have serious family problems so it all felt overdone and was a lot to take on board when getting into the flow of the book.
As a born and bred Teessider, I wanted to like this one but having been bogged down by what I have read, I have decided not to carry on with it at the moment. I may come back to it, but at this time I feel my energy would be better spent on a different book. (I read 35%). May be because I am not in the mood for this particular book now
Sorry I could not like this book more
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
As a born and bred Teessider, I wanted to like this one but having been bogged down by what I have read, I have decided not to carry on with it at the moment. I may come back to it, but at this time I feel my energy would be better spent on a different book. (I read 35%). May be because I am not in the mood for this particular book now
Sorry I could not like this book more
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
August 18, 2020
I really wanted to enjoy this - I will always jump to support a local indie author. But, I’m sorry, this author is in desperate need of an editor. A potentially strong plot was derailed by poor characterisation, clichés, and some truly unforgivable spelling and grammar errors.
I did enjoy the depth and detail of the crime scenes, and there is definite creativity in the plot. I would perhaps be happy to watch a TV show with a script written by this author, but I won’t be reading anything else until a decent editor gets their hands on his material.
I did enjoy the depth and detail of the crime scenes, and there is definite creativity in the plot. I would perhaps be happy to watch a TV show with a script written by this author, but I won’t be reading anything else until a decent editor gets their hands on his material.
July 18, 2021
Fantastic reading a book set in my home town, the first bit is literally round the corner from me! I'm a big fan of crime, so I'm perhaps being a little overly critical about some of the procedures, logic and story line. However it definitely needs an editor as the inconsistencies, spelling errors and some muddled areas detracted from the story. Also the UK, let alone Darlington, isn't known for its Vulture population! Overall though I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one.
May 28, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Notre Books for the eARC.
I must be getting soft in my old age, but I found this a bit depressing: horrific murder, traumatized family, alcoholism, missing girl, death by hanging. It's a tense story which I think will appeal to many readers, but it was all a bit much for me. It's well written and hard to put down, but I was happy it was over.
I must be getting soft in my old age, but I found this a bit depressing: horrific murder, traumatized family, alcoholism, missing girl, death by hanging. It's a tense story which I think will appeal to many readers, but it was all a bit much for me. It's well written and hard to put down, but I was happy it was over.
October 17, 2024
My first encounter with D.I. Byrd and D.I. Tanzy was a memorable one. In this, the first book in the series, we learn a bit about their sixteen year long work partnership as well as some pertinent facts about their home lives.
D.I. Orion Tanzy is married to an alcoholic and is the father to a young boy and girl. His wife, Phillipa, has recently relapsed in her fight for sobriety and his children are staying with his mother-in-law while he works. Tanzy, a martial arts expert, is very intelligent.
D.I. Max Byrd is in a tentative relationship with Claire, but he fears that she is moving away from him due to his long hours, and constant work demands. Boyd is meticulous and diligent. In this book, Byrd's parents are involved in a terrible automobile accident.
The detectives work for the Durham Constabulary, in North East England.
In this book there is a spate of brutal murders of young mothers, all with the note "She didn't see it coming" linking them. Boyd and Tanzy attempt to determine who is doing this and WHY? Also, on their plate, is the disappearance of a young seven-year-old girl who has been missing for more than a week now. Hope for her return is beginning to wane.
This dual time line mystery has another storyline which takes place fifteen years previously, at a teenage party in the summer of 2004.
I really enjoyed this novel, but personally felt that the revenge crimes were misguided and over the top, for them to be in any way justifiable. Also, their were some continuity errors in my digital ARC which marred my reading enjoyment somewhat. These quibbles aside, I will continue with the series due to my appreciation of the two main protagonists, Boyd and Tanzy.
Recommended to those readers who enjoy gritty police procedurals, with macabre crimes, and an unexpected plot twist near the end.
D.I. Orion Tanzy is married to an alcoholic and is the father to a young boy and girl. His wife, Phillipa, has recently relapsed in her fight for sobriety and his children are staying with his mother-in-law while he works. Tanzy, a martial arts expert, is very intelligent.
D.I. Max Byrd is in a tentative relationship with Claire, but he fears that she is moving away from him due to his long hours, and constant work demands. Boyd is meticulous and diligent. In this book, Byrd's parents are involved in a terrible automobile accident.
The detectives work for the Durham Constabulary, in North East England.
In this book there is a spate of brutal murders of young mothers, all with the note "She didn't see it coming" linking them. Boyd and Tanzy attempt to determine who is doing this and WHY? Also, on their plate, is the disappearance of a young seven-year-old girl who has been missing for more than a week now. Hope for her return is beginning to wane.
This dual time line mystery has another storyline which takes place fifteen years previously, at a teenage party in the summer of 2004.
I really enjoyed this novel, but personally felt that the revenge crimes were misguided and over the top, for them to be in any way justifiable. Also, their were some continuity errors in my digital ARC which marred my reading enjoyment somewhat. These quibbles aside, I will continue with the series due to my appreciation of the two main protagonists, Boyd and Tanzy.
Recommended to those readers who enjoy gritty police procedurals, with macabre crimes, and an unexpected plot twist near the end.
May 12, 2022
DIs Byrd and Tanzy are the head of a formidable team of police officers (and not forgetting their awesome forensic team) working the mean streets of Darlington ~ not a description you'd generally ascribe to the somewhat sleepy County Durham town, but a tale of revenge will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the Darlo.
Byrd and Tanzy are not just co-workers, they're also friends; both battling with situations in their personal lives. Those situations could throw anyone off their game, but it makes our intrepid detectives even more driven to solve the case.
Having lived in the town for a number of years, I found it much easier to imagine the events rapidly unfolding, street names and descriptions added to the realism. I found myself entranced by the novel from the very beginning. The prologue was haunting and the start into the main body of the novel certainly didn't disappoint. The writing was reader friendly, the twists came thick and fast, and I felt by the end of it that I'd experienced every emotion I could possibly imagine. I really thought that I'd worked out who was responsible, but boy was I wrong. To be honest this novel has been sat in my TBR file for a while, if I'd known how gripping it was going to be I'd have pushed it to the top long before now.
Looking forward to the subsequent two books to see what Byrd and Tanzy will face next......
Byrd and Tanzy are not just co-workers, they're also friends; both battling with situations in their personal lives. Those situations could throw anyone off their game, but it makes our intrepid detectives even more driven to solve the case.
Having lived in the town for a number of years, I found it much easier to imagine the events rapidly unfolding, street names and descriptions added to the realism. I found myself entranced by the novel from the very beginning. The prologue was haunting and the start into the main body of the novel certainly didn't disappoint. The writing was reader friendly, the twists came thick and fast, and I felt by the end of it that I'd experienced every emotion I could possibly imagine. I really thought that I'd worked out who was responsible, but boy was I wrong. To be honest this novel has been sat in my TBR file for a while, if I'd known how gripping it was going to be I'd have pushed it to the top long before now.
Looking forward to the subsequent two books to see what Byrd and Tanzy will face next......
August 7, 2023
In the small town of Darlington, England there is a serial killer on the loose and Ian Porter knows firsthand how vicious they can be. When a small accident led Julia Porter to have to leave her husband and children at home to take her youngest child Liam to the emergency room, no one had any idea what the killer had in store for her. No one could have seen what pure evil was headed their way leaving a husband destroyed and 3 young children without a mother. But was Julia an actual target and is Ian responsible for what led to her murder?
Detectives Byrd and Tanzy have never seen a crime scene like this one and soon realize they may be in over their heads. While handling the murders of what appears to be a serial killer they are also working a case for a missing 7 year old girl named Evelyn who had already been missing for over a week. Could the two be connected?
The author does an incredible job of telling the story from each of the characters’ point of view so flawlessly that you hardly notice. The chapters are written in a way that makes you want to read just one more chapter and then finding yourself unable put it down! If you love a good suspense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat I highly recommend this one. The ending is one you won’t see coming!
Detectives Byrd and Tanzy have never seen a crime scene like this one and soon realize they may be in over their heads. While handling the murders of what appears to be a serial killer they are also working a case for a missing 7 year old girl named Evelyn who had already been missing for over a week. Could the two be connected?
The author does an incredible job of telling the story from each of the characters’ point of view so flawlessly that you hardly notice. The chapters are written in a way that makes you want to read just one more chapter and then finding yourself unable put it down! If you love a good suspense novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat I highly recommend this one. The ending is one you won’t see coming!
August 21, 2023
A woman is murdered in her home with her eyes removed and a note, "She didn't see it coming." When another very similar murder happens shortly after, Detectives Tanzy and Byrd scramble to find out what is going on in their quiet town. On top of that, there is a kidnapped child to find, a suspicious team member, and Byrd and Tanzy's own personal problems. There was maybe a little too much going on. I liked this enough that I would be interested in reading the next in the series, but I thought the ending was more than a bit chaotic. There were also a lot of people to keep track of, between all the detectives/officers and forensics team. I think continuing the series will help with that, reading more about the same people and the personal stuff, but it seemed like a lot to throw into the first book. The main thing I didn't like was the very ending with what I just refer to as the thing with the killer's aunt, to avoid spoilers. It seemed unnecessarily, a plot twist just for the sake of a plot twist.
June 3, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Tees Valley Killings, the first novel to feature DIs Orion Tanzy and Max Byrd, set in Darlington.
Julia Porter is found tied to a chair in her dining room, covered in blood and her eyes removed, the words “she didn’t see it coming” written in crayon beside her body. Tanzy and Byrd have never seen anything like it and it’s only the start.
I enjoyed The Tees Valley Killings, which is a fast paced read with some imaginative twists and turns, notably in the execution of the killings. I should point out that this is violent novel, be it Tanzy using his martial arts skills or the way the victims are killed, even the motive behind the murders is violent.
The plot moves swiftly from one murder to the next. There is a hint of secrets so Byrd in particular is sure that they aren’t getting the full story. In the second half the reader gets the full story in flashback form that alternates with the present day investigation. It’s not pleasant reading, but is very plausible. I didn’t overly enjoy the initial caginess with information as I found it a bit frustrating, but I kept reading and it all became clear. There is a subplot with a missing seven year old girl that I thought was a waste of time as Tanzy and Byrd don’t actually investigate anything until the showdown and that has to be read to be believed, or more likely not. I did, however, really enjoy the solution to the murder enquiry. No, it’s hardly more credible than the missing child solution, but it’s fun and full of surprises, so what’s not to like?
I think that I will come to like Tanzy and Byrd as the series progresses, but I don’t feel that I got to know them over much in this first meeting. There are hints of turbulence in their personal lives, but not enough to draw firm conclusions about how it will pan out. It’s a good start to a new series.
The Tees Valley Killings is a good read that I can recommend.
Julia Porter is found tied to a chair in her dining room, covered in blood and her eyes removed, the words “she didn’t see it coming” written in crayon beside her body. Tanzy and Byrd have never seen anything like it and it’s only the start.
I enjoyed The Tees Valley Killings, which is a fast paced read with some imaginative twists and turns, notably in the execution of the killings. I should point out that this is violent novel, be it Tanzy using his martial arts skills or the way the victims are killed, even the motive behind the murders is violent.
The plot moves swiftly from one murder to the next. There is a hint of secrets so Byrd in particular is sure that they aren’t getting the full story. In the second half the reader gets the full story in flashback form that alternates with the present day investigation. It’s not pleasant reading, but is very plausible. I didn’t overly enjoy the initial caginess with information as I found it a bit frustrating, but I kept reading and it all became clear. There is a subplot with a missing seven year old girl that I thought was a waste of time as Tanzy and Byrd don’t actually investigate anything until the showdown and that has to be read to be believed, or more likely not. I did, however, really enjoy the solution to the murder enquiry. No, it’s hardly more credible than the missing child solution, but it’s fun and full of surprises, so what’s not to like?
I think that I will come to like Tanzy and Byrd as the series progresses, but I don’t feel that I got to know them over much in this first meeting. There are hints of turbulence in their personal lives, but not enough to draw firm conclusions about how it will pan out. It’s a good start to a new series.
The Tees Valley Killings is a good read that I can recommend.
June 10, 2023
Wow, this is a thrilling read which I thoroughly enjoyed. It got off to the best start - the author knows how to grab his readers attention and interest and hold it from the first page to the last. I think the writing style is very good, the story flowed really well and I liked that it moved from past to present times easily. The author certainly knows how to set the scene, then ramp up the tension and suspense which makes this such an absorbing read. I liked and was rooting for the two main detectives and enjoyed the small glimpses into their home and personal lives. Here they investigate a horrific murder where the case quickly escalates. I think the plot line is well thought out and executed, there is a hell of a lot going on in the story - which for me made this a very moreish read where I was picking my kindle up to carry on reading whenever I could. Overall I think this is a very good, fast paced and thrilling read, and one which I would highly recommend.
5 stars
5 stars
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