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Atticus Priest #2
Friedhof für Fremde (Atticus Priest 2)
A dog walker finds a human bone on lonely Salisbury Plain. DCI Mackenzie Jones investigates the grisly discovery but cannot explain how it ended up there. She contacts disgraced ex-detective Atticus Priest and the two of them trace the bone to a graveyard in the nearby village of Imber. But the village was abandoned after it was purchased by the Ministry of Defence to train the army, so why have bodies been buried in the graveyard since the church was closed?
At the same time, Atticus is approached by a single dad who needs his help to track down his missing daughter. Atticus takes on the case and finds himself battling a London gang who are selling their drugs in Salisbury and a host of witnesses who don’t seem to be telling him the truth.
Atticus and Mack deal with the fiendishly complex case and unpick a conspiracy that cuts to the heart of the English establishment - while dealing with their own feelings for one another.
At the same time, Atticus is approached by a single dad who needs his help to track down his missing daughter. Atticus takes on the case and finds himself battling a London gang who are selling their drugs in Salisbury and a host of witnesses who don’t seem to be telling him the truth.
Atticus and Mack deal with the fiendishly complex case and unpick a conspiracy that cuts to the heart of the English establishment - while dealing with their own feelings for one another.
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2021
1040 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,857 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
September 6, 2022
Another twisty and twisted story with DI Mack and PI Atticus. But that ending, Mark! You better be tippy typing book three right this very moment, good sir!
March 9, 2021
Atticus Priest returns for an intense, thrilling story that you will Not forget! Atticus was a London Detective, now working as a Private Investigator, using his amazing intuitive skills and fab detective prowess to attain results for all his customers...With wild action, unbelievable scenes and characters so well-developed they seem real, you will feel and See this story happening right in front of you!
A dog walker finds a bone his pup drags from the field...There is a graveyard there, But...This bone seems too clean...DCI Mackenzie Jones arrives on the scene, yet is unable to figure how the bone got there...So she calls in old friend Atticus Priest...Hoping he can find some answers...Only soon to find more bones, and they are Not from the old graves...
Atticus also takes a case of a missing daughter, finding himself up against a drug-dealing London gang...Mack and he Must find out What is behind the bones, in a case that seems to go higher and higher in the England establishment...While their feelings for each other steam up every step they take...
A wonderful book with a character I really have come to enjoy!! I received an ARC from the author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
A dog walker finds a bone his pup drags from the field...There is a graveyard there, But...This bone seems too clean...DCI Mackenzie Jones arrives on the scene, yet is unable to figure how the bone got there...So she calls in old friend Atticus Priest...Hoping he can find some answers...Only soon to find more bones, and they are Not from the old graves...
Atticus also takes a case of a missing daughter, finding himself up against a drug-dealing London gang...Mack and he Must find out What is behind the bones, in a case that seems to go higher and higher in the England establishment...While their feelings for each other steam up every step they take...
A wonderful book with a character I really have come to enjoy!! I received an ARC from the author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
July 3, 2025
4.50 Stars (rounded ⬆️) — It’s exciting for me to have Atticus Priest (the most best & most interesting detective name in modern crime-fiction) back in action again, after throughly enjoying Mark Dawsons latest literary creation in his debut novel (for the character) The House in the Woods (2020) so much that the character stayed with me for some time lost reading, a rare experience for me when reading crime!
PI Priest returns here in his spectrum-coping best form yet, where is he called upon by his usual type customers as well as his old Friend Mac, & former boss when he was on the force. Atticus is a delightful, human, flawed and somehow affable snob of a PI & I somehow relate to him in a number of ways, Dawson writes Preist well here but there does lack a teensy amount of the panache from the previous effort here. All goes a little more according to plan. Atticus always feels in control, but the other characters are fleshed out well & the plot remains at a good pace throughout, even if this one felt a little less fun and cheeky.
Atticus is on the trail of a missing girl, whilst Mac - his ex-boss and sometimes love interest has stumbled on a a limb that is sure to lead to something bigger, whereby she will most assuredly needs PI Priest’s nous to crack. Things move at a solid but steady pace & Dawson’s uses his usual staunch, confident prose to lure the reader into the intrigue with conviction. The cases become entwined & it’s here the author really starts to darken the tone — with aplomb! It’s here I began to turn the page with unadulterated gambol, such is the skill applied in the escalation of moorish depravity that Atticus and Mac are confronted with. The light-hearted romance angles add depth & reprise the fondness of their chemistry, laminating layers of fun amongst the disturbed!
The climax here does help elevate it & manages to whet the appetite for the third instalment, it was one I didn’t see coming in it’s entirety, which is rare unfortunately these days — the setup and payoff for book three are huge & if it works all four novels will elevate to a new level.. If it falls flat all may — I fear — risk falling back to more of the run-of-the-mill crime-fiction opposed to being a more literary crime experience like say Joe Ide’s IQ series for example — who’s the most similar to Priest of modern-day PI’s.
If you like crime writing down well and without too much frills and over convoluted plot developments, this is a more relatable series that always flies through for me and I can’t help but smile most of the way! The aching pulsating menace though, take centre stage in the latter pages which further highlights why this series is so captivating.
Atticus is a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Celebes’ Perez and it’s a good thing Dawson writes so effortlessly without need for pretentious grand-standing! Todays best PI does himself justice and I can’t WAIT for the third instalment later this year.
Cross between: Cormoran Strike & Sherlock Holmes
Read if you like: IQ — Atlanta Deathwatch & Sherlock Holmes, Strike etc
Good Crime Fiction, without the excessive drama. a more humanised level-headedness here with just a hint of reclusive-self-harming Witt that works a charm.
PI Priest returns here in his spectrum-coping best form yet, where is he called upon by his usual type customers as well as his old Friend Mac, & former boss when he was on the force. Atticus is a delightful, human, flawed and somehow affable snob of a PI & I somehow relate to him in a number of ways, Dawson writes Preist well here but there does lack a teensy amount of the panache from the previous effort here. All goes a little more according to plan. Atticus always feels in control, but the other characters are fleshed out well & the plot remains at a good pace throughout, even if this one felt a little less fun and cheeky.
Atticus is on the trail of a missing girl, whilst Mac - his ex-boss and sometimes love interest has stumbled on a a limb that is sure to lead to something bigger, whereby she will most assuredly needs PI Priest’s nous to crack. Things move at a solid but steady pace & Dawson’s uses his usual staunch, confident prose to lure the reader into the intrigue with conviction. The cases become entwined & it’s here the author really starts to darken the tone — with aplomb! It’s here I began to turn the page with unadulterated gambol, such is the skill applied in the escalation of moorish depravity that Atticus and Mac are confronted with. The light-hearted romance angles add depth & reprise the fondness of their chemistry, laminating layers of fun amongst the disturbed!
The climax here does help elevate it & manages to whet the appetite for the third instalment, it was one I didn’t see coming in it’s entirety, which is rare unfortunately these days — the setup and payoff for book three are huge & if it works all four novels will elevate to a new level.. If it falls flat all may — I fear — risk falling back to more of the run-of-the-mill crime-fiction opposed to being a more literary crime experience like say Joe Ide’s IQ series for example — who’s the most similar to Priest of modern-day PI’s.
If you like crime writing down well and without too much frills and over convoluted plot developments, this is a more relatable series that always flies through for me and I can’t help but smile most of the way! The aching pulsating menace though, take centre stage in the latter pages which further highlights why this series is so captivating.
Atticus is a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Celebes’ Perez and it’s a good thing Dawson writes so effortlessly without need for pretentious grand-standing! Todays best PI does himself justice and I can’t WAIT for the third instalment later this year.
Cross between: Cormoran Strike & Sherlock Holmes
Read if you like: IQ — Atlanta Deathwatch & Sherlock Holmes, Strike etc
Good Crime Fiction, without the excessive drama. a more humanised level-headedness here with just a hint of reclusive-self-harming Witt that works a charm.
May 21, 2023
A Place to Bury Strangers is the second book in the Atticus Priest series. It was full of unexpected twists and by the end I was surprised at how good and really disturbing it was.
This was the first book I read in the series, so I didn’t have any background on Atticus Priest. I learned that he had been fired from his job with the police force. He now runs his own private investigation business. He’s a truly brilliant man and on the spectrum. I really enjoyed his character.
He has been asked by a man whose daughter has gone missing to find her. Atticus gets caught up in the world of drug dealers as he does his search.
Meanwhile, there is a human bone found by a man walking his dog. The police begin their investigation. DCI Mackenzie Jones realizes she needs the assistance of Atticus. He is contracted to help them.
Some of this story is a little far fetched. But it totally kept my attention and interest. It was really a well-done mystery thriller. I don’t get disturbed very often, but I was toward the end of this book. My heart was racing.
I’m not sure if it would have been better to read the first book before this one. I guess I’ll find out because I’m set to read it soon.
If you’re an audiobook lover, I listened to this narrated by Simon Vance. He was awesome as usual.
This was the first book I read in the series, so I didn’t have any background on Atticus Priest. I learned that he had been fired from his job with the police force. He now runs his own private investigation business. He’s a truly brilliant man and on the spectrum. I really enjoyed his character.
He has been asked by a man whose daughter has gone missing to find her. Atticus gets caught up in the world of drug dealers as he does his search.
Meanwhile, there is a human bone found by a man walking his dog. The police begin their investigation. DCI Mackenzie Jones realizes she needs the assistance of Atticus. He is contracted to help them.
Some of this story is a little far fetched. But it totally kept my attention and interest. It was really a well-done mystery thriller. I don’t get disturbed very often, but I was toward the end of this book. My heart was racing.
I’m not sure if it would have been better to read the first book before this one. I guess I’ll find out because I’m set to read it soon.
If you’re an audiobook lover, I listened to this narrated by Simon Vance. He was awesome as usual.
October 3, 2024
Listened. Once again, Simon Vance could do no wrong.
Eh. Didn't love this one half as much as #1. Plus, I had NO IDEA that Book 2 would suddenly END mid-story whereas Book #1 came to a satisfying conclusion.
I still adore Atticus and Mack and will most likely go on to #3, but I def had some issues with this book:
1) I had trouble believing that one character would actually take the life of another;
2) A few of the same situations that Atticus found himself in in #1 were repeated here, almost word for word. (It's when he sneaks into a house to find evidence, hides, is discovered and then and then beaten up--same exact thing happened--felt very old-school television series-like).
3) The plot/conceit was not as original as the first book's. I didn't care about anyone, tbh.
I dunno: maybe I won't read #3 and instead move on to a different series. Lavins? Which one should I try next?
Eh. Didn't love this one half as much as #1. Plus, I had NO IDEA that Book 2 would suddenly END mid-story whereas Book #1 came to a satisfying conclusion.
I still adore Atticus and Mack and will most likely go on to #3, but I def had some issues with this book:
1) I had trouble believing that one character would actually take the life of another;
2) A few of the same situations that Atticus found himself in in #1 were repeated here, almost word for word. (It's when he sneaks into a house to find evidence, hides, is discovered and then and then beaten up--same exact thing happened--felt very old-school television series-like).
3) The plot/conceit was not as original as the first book's. I didn't care about anyone, tbh.
I dunno: maybe I won't read #3 and instead move on to a different series. Lavins? Which one should I try next?
July 23, 2023
3.5 / 5
This is a downgrade to the first book that Dawson had published. I wasn’t drawn in and engaged as I was before when I read his first book.
For starters you can’t read this book as a standalone, it starts right after the events of book 1. For things to make complete sense, you must read the first book because there are references that wouldn’t make sense if you just read it without context. That being said the book follows after the events of book 1. A dog walker ends up finding human remains on a patch of land owned by the army. DCI Mackenzie Jones is tasked with locating where the humans remains were originally placed, with the help of Atticus Priest. Priest is a private investigator who takes on the job from James York a single dad who’s 17 year old daughter is missing, who is linked to a gang in London selling drugs on the streets of Hackney. What was meant to be a mundane search for Mack ends up complicated, as they located the home of the missing femur bone at a graveyard at the back of a baptist church. In order to close this case up they must follow police procedure and the bones are tested to ensure that they match, but it’s later revealed that the body was buried 20 years ago given away by dental records. The last known burial from the Baptist church was 80 years ago. Meaning that someone had buried the body recently and to make matters worse, more starts to appear. Mack than hires Priest as a consultant to help with the case.
Even though the plot near the end of the book was slightly convoluted, I think the best part is the character development of Mackenzie and Atticus who are going through their own problems whilst working to solve a case. This aspect alone I think help feeds the plot more to make it more impacting. But that being said, this wasn’t as good as the first book. The start of the book is slow and the plot takes time to develop, I’m not a fan of how many pages this book had standing at 476 pages for paperback. It’s not only 200 pages where the plot begins to play out which in my opinion took too long. Another thing I’m not a fan of is the constant chess reference and moves portrayed. It felt quite random and odd at some points. Essentially Atticus has a online account where he plays matches with randomers online (a reoccurring theme in the first book as well). He plays this one person ‘Jack of hearts’ and they proceeed to play a match of psychological warfare tactics- their conversations are shown in the book but I struggled to understand how this contributed to the plot. Overall this was not as great as the first book, but I’m willing to try the third book to see if this gets any better.
This is a downgrade to the first book that Dawson had published. I wasn’t drawn in and engaged as I was before when I read his first book.
For starters you can’t read this book as a standalone, it starts right after the events of book 1. For things to make complete sense, you must read the first book because there are references that wouldn’t make sense if you just read it without context. That being said the book follows after the events of book 1. A dog walker ends up finding human remains on a patch of land owned by the army. DCI Mackenzie Jones is tasked with locating where the humans remains were originally placed, with the help of Atticus Priest. Priest is a private investigator who takes on the job from James York a single dad who’s 17 year old daughter is missing, who is linked to a gang in London selling drugs on the streets of Hackney. What was meant to be a mundane search for Mack ends up complicated, as they located the home of the missing femur bone at a graveyard at the back of a baptist church. In order to close this case up they must follow police procedure and the bones are tested to ensure that they match, but it’s later revealed that the body was buried 20 years ago given away by dental records. The last known burial from the Baptist church was 80 years ago. Meaning that someone had buried the body recently and to make matters worse, more starts to appear. Mack than hires Priest as a consultant to help with the case.
Even though the plot near the end of the book was slightly convoluted, I think the best part is the character development of Mackenzie and Atticus who are going through their own problems whilst working to solve a case. This aspect alone I think help feeds the plot more to make it more impacting. But that being said, this wasn’t as good as the first book. The start of the book is slow and the plot takes time to develop, I’m not a fan of how many pages this book had standing at 476 pages for paperback. It’s not only 200 pages where the plot begins to play out which in my opinion took too long. Another thing I’m not a fan of is the constant chess reference and moves portrayed. It felt quite random and odd at some points. Essentially Atticus has a online account where he plays matches with randomers online (a reoccurring theme in the first book as well). He plays this one person ‘Jack of hearts’ and they proceeed to play a match of psychological warfare tactics- their conversations are shown in the book but I struggled to understand how this contributed to the plot. Overall this was not as great as the first book, but I’m willing to try the third book to see if this gets any better.
December 11, 2021
I really enjoy Mark Dawson's writing having read most of the John Milton series and two of the Atticus Priest series, which now stands at three and a couple of others. One unique thing about the Milton and Priest series is that they are completely different and both very good. Whereas John Milton was an international professional assassin who has begun doing good stuff, Atticus Priest is a disused and disgraced ex-English cop spiced with Aspergers which, in his case presents as being fairly devoid of social skills, having an extraordinary eye for detail as well as an exceptional memory and a profound sense of justice. He was fired for being caught smoking dope on the job which seems a rather minor offense compared to what we read about in the newspapers.
A dogwalker's dog, when off-leash bordering a large military installation, finds what appears to be a large human bone. The police are summoned in the form of DCI Mack Jones, Atticus's former subordinate and lover. She calls Atticus, now operating as a private detective and the investigation is on! It takes them to people and a time they would not have imagined as the very complicated case unfolds. She is able to employ Atticus as a consultant and resultantly, he works with many of the cops who previously worked for and harbor great distaste for him.
The book was a great deal of fun to read and, because it absorbed me so completely, went very quickly. Dawson isn't Shakespeare and is in no danger of winning the Nobel prize for literature. What he is, is a really solid writer who knows how to create plots that are interesting, fun and keep the reader (at least this beat-up old wreck of a reader) engaged from beginning to end. I haven't loved every one of his books but I have loved most of them. His characters, in this book, were believable and very nicely developed. I was able to enjoy the dialogue even though Mr. Dawson writes in British English without too much slang so more understandably than many British authors for someone from the Colonies like me. And following Atticus's thinking is great fun and quite challenging at times.
The book does not feature end-to-end action so if you are addicted to that style, this may not be for you. If you prefer clever, insightful investigation, you might start with the first book in the Atticus Priest series and, since this is only the second, you will not have difficulty catching up.
Over and Out
A dogwalker's dog, when off-leash bordering a large military installation, finds what appears to be a large human bone. The police are summoned in the form of DCI Mack Jones, Atticus's former subordinate and lover. She calls Atticus, now operating as a private detective and the investigation is on! It takes them to people and a time they would not have imagined as the very complicated case unfolds. She is able to employ Atticus as a consultant and resultantly, he works with many of the cops who previously worked for and harbor great distaste for him.
The book was a great deal of fun to read and, because it absorbed me so completely, went very quickly. Dawson isn't Shakespeare and is in no danger of winning the Nobel prize for literature. What he is, is a really solid writer who knows how to create plots that are interesting, fun and keep the reader (at least this beat-up old wreck of a reader) engaged from beginning to end. I haven't loved every one of his books but I have loved most of them. His characters, in this book, were believable and very nicely developed. I was able to enjoy the dialogue even though Mr. Dawson writes in British English without too much slang so more understandably than many British authors for someone from the Colonies like me. And following Atticus's thinking is great fun and quite challenging at times.
The book does not feature end-to-end action so if you are addicted to that style, this may not be for you. If you prefer clever, insightful investigation, you might start with the first book in the Atticus Priest series and, since this is only the second, you will not have difficulty catching up.
Over and Out
December 31, 2021
"A Place to Bury Strangers" is the second book in Mark Dawson's new Mackenzie Jones/Atticus Priest series. "The House in the Woods" is the first book in the series.
Both books were mesmerizing tales of obsession and betrayal with two deeply flawed protagonists. Both thrillers were smart, textured, and absorbingly atmospheric - with no shortage of compelling twists and turns.
"The House in the Woods" was my favorite book of the two.
Both books were fast-paced, well written, and never missed a beat. But it was the author's superb skills in character development and brilliant police procedurals that set this series apart from similar series in its genre.
Protagonist Atticus Priest, a former police detective, is not your "typical" private investigator. He is irascible, impatient, unpredictable, and endearing. Atticus painstakingly picks at the loose ends of the case, taking the investigation discovery process to the next level.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was flawless.
Hopefully, talented author Mark Dawson will be adding many new titles to the riveting new series.
Both books were mesmerizing tales of obsession and betrayal with two deeply flawed protagonists. Both thrillers were smart, textured, and absorbingly atmospheric - with no shortage of compelling twists and turns.
"The House in the Woods" was my favorite book of the two.
Both books were fast-paced, well written, and never missed a beat. But it was the author's superb skills in character development and brilliant police procedurals that set this series apart from similar series in its genre.
Protagonist Atticus Priest, a former police detective, is not your "typical" private investigator. He is irascible, impatient, unpredictable, and endearing. Atticus painstakingly picks at the loose ends of the case, taking the investigation discovery process to the next level.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was flawless.
Hopefully, talented author Mark Dawson will be adding many new titles to the riveting new series.
January 4, 2024
Book 2 of this compelling series based in Salisbury.
Atticus Prime is our sleuthing protagonist who still finds a way to be front and central in the next difficult Police investigation his former boss and ex-lover leads.
It is particularly intriguing for him as it involves Alfred Burns the man who he helped bring to trial when he was still a serving a detective and watched helplessly as Burns escaped justice.
I liked the two cases here melding into one, and the continuing development of the main characters. I also enjoy a novel where there is a good human / dog relationship and Bandit is a faithful companion.
Prime is an unconventional investigator; clearly never really suited to the formality and procedures the Police must follow to obtain evidence. He is a quite inspirational in his abilities to find links and play out his hunches.
The key to this investigation is the past of Alfred Burns and that is well pursued by Prime and cleverly unwound in plot by author, Mark Dawson.
As a writer Dawson always appears to have an abundance ideas and more story lines than the pages of one book can fill. This series is no exception but it is the clever plotting and links to where the story is going that makes these books and his writing, both satisfying within the present novel and tantalising for what is to come.
This is a standalone in every sense but also throws ups another cliffhanger. This almost demands that the reader has to read on and start book three as soon as possible. But whatever the gap between finishing A Place To Bury Strangers and picking up The Red Room you are unlikely to forget the unique gifts and fun that Atticus Prime has and provides.
Atticus Prime is our sleuthing protagonist who still finds a way to be front and central in the next difficult Police investigation his former boss and ex-lover leads.
It is particularly intriguing for him as it involves Alfred Burns the man who he helped bring to trial when he was still a serving a detective and watched helplessly as Burns escaped justice.
I liked the two cases here melding into one, and the continuing development of the main characters. I also enjoy a novel where there is a good human / dog relationship and Bandit is a faithful companion.
Prime is an unconventional investigator; clearly never really suited to the formality and procedures the Police must follow to obtain evidence. He is a quite inspirational in his abilities to find links and play out his hunches.
The key to this investigation is the past of Alfred Burns and that is well pursued by Prime and cleverly unwound in plot by author, Mark Dawson.
As a writer Dawson always appears to have an abundance ideas and more story lines than the pages of one book can fill. This series is no exception but it is the clever plotting and links to where the story is going that makes these books and his writing, both satisfying within the present novel and tantalising for what is to come.
This is a standalone in every sense but also throws ups another cliffhanger. This almost demands that the reader has to read on and start book three as soon as possible. But whatever the gap between finishing A Place To Bury Strangers and picking up The Red Room you are unlikely to forget the unique gifts and fun that Atticus Prime has and provides.
January 15, 2023
A cliffhanger 😱, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
Can October be tomorrow 😂🤭, I’m so anxious for the next book, I don’t even know how to review this book without spoiling it so I’m not going to the Five star rating speaks for itself
Can October be tomorrow 😂🤭, I’m so anxious for the next book, I don’t even know how to review this book without spoiling it so I’m not going to the Five star rating speaks for itself
April 29, 2021
Big let down
After a promising first book, it's back to preposterous plot line and bad writing , and technical mumbo jumbo. Completely unbelievable tosh.
After a promising first book, it's back to preposterous plot line and bad writing , and technical mumbo jumbo. Completely unbelievable tosh.
February 24, 2025
‘A Place to Bury Strangers’ by Mark Dawson is a high octane mystery, well written and exciting. It begins with two threads which do not apparently intersect, but of course they eventually link together. Ok, ok, I agree the coincidences are improbable, but what mysteries do not rely on improbable coincidences in building suspense? I love this series! I plan to go on to book three in the PI Atticus Priest/DCI Mackenzie Jones novels. Book two, ‘A Place to Bury Strangers’ ends with a new twist in a continuing mystery, a strange standoffish stalker, which was introduced in book one, The House in the Woods. The books must be read in order.
I have copied the book blurb:
”A dog walker finds a human bone on lonely Salisbury Plain. DCI Mackenzie Jones investigates the grisly discovery but cannot explain how it ended up there. She contacts disgraced ex-detective Atticus Priest and the two of them trace the bone to a graveyard in the nearby village of Imber. But the village was abandoned after it was purchased by the Ministry of Defence to train the army, so why have bodies been buried in the graveyard since the church was closed?
At the same time, Atticus is approached by a single dad who needs his help to track down his missing daughter. Atticus takes on the case and finds himself battling a London gang who are selling their drugs in Salisbury and a host of witnesses who don’t seem to be telling him the truth.
Atticus and Mack deal with the fiendishly complex case and unpick a conspiracy that cuts to the heart of the English establishment - while dealing with their own feelings for one another.”
It isn’t often I get really excited by a new mystery series (to me) anymore, but this one definitely has become a welcome addition to my ‘liked’ list of mystery series! However, I don’t recommend it to sensitive readers. It isn’t overly graphic, but there are occasional scenes which might be too much graphic violence or morgue descriptions for some.
I have copied the book blurb:
”A dog walker finds a human bone on lonely Salisbury Plain. DCI Mackenzie Jones investigates the grisly discovery but cannot explain how it ended up there. She contacts disgraced ex-detective Atticus Priest and the two of them trace the bone to a graveyard in the nearby village of Imber. But the village was abandoned after it was purchased by the Ministry of Defence to train the army, so why have bodies been buried in the graveyard since the church was closed?
At the same time, Atticus is approached by a single dad who needs his help to track down his missing daughter. Atticus takes on the case and finds himself battling a London gang who are selling their drugs in Salisbury and a host of witnesses who don’t seem to be telling him the truth.
Atticus and Mack deal with the fiendishly complex case and unpick a conspiracy that cuts to the heart of the English establishment - while dealing with their own feelings for one another.”
It isn’t often I get really excited by a new mystery series (to me) anymore, but this one definitely has become a welcome addition to my ‘liked’ list of mystery series! However, I don’t recommend it to sensitive readers. It isn’t overly graphic, but there are occasional scenes which might be too much graphic violence or morgue descriptions for some.
December 14, 2023
I don't know why but I'm really surprised at how much I enjoy this series. Atticus is a bit of a Sherlock clone but he's got a great personality and Mark Dawson knows how to tell a great story
March 21, 2021
This was a very good murder mystery featuring a damaged, flawed, ex-cop who gets deeply embroiled in helping the police solve a number of murders, likely done by a single serial killer. The story moves along at pace and kept me interested. I deducted one star because the author used the unsavory, old trick of leaving part of the mystery unsolved at the end, forcing us to purchase the next book in the series to find out 'whodunit'. I have followed Mark Dawson's books faithfully, reading and enjoying every one prior to this, but I have to say, I don't appreciate this new 'dangling cliffhanger' approach!
April 28, 2021
Another excellent installment in the Atticus Priest series.
I could into a long winded review...blah blah...but instead both book #1 and this one are wonderful reads! I cannot wait for book #3 in the Fall
I could into a long winded review...blah blah...but instead both book #1 and this one are wonderful reads! I cannot wait for book #3 in the Fall
May 27, 2021
Never leave me hanging.
My rating went from a 5 to a 2 when it dropped the ball and left me hanging with a "to be continued" . That is a real turn off and really stinks!!
If it is going to be a 2 or more long series, the next one should be available when the first one is published.
My rating went from a 5 to a 2 when it dropped the ball and left me hanging with a "to be continued" . That is a real turn off and really stinks!!
If it is going to be a 2 or more long series, the next one should be available when the first one is published.
November 28, 2023
Kaip ir pirmoje dalyje The House in the Woods, patiko personažai ir prielaida – žmogus vedžiodamas šunį atranda žmogaus kaulą, o šis nuveda iki kone sąmokslo lygio nusikaltimų. Aš vedžiodama šunį esu atradusi ištisą apdegusį skeletą, bet abejoju, ar tai atvedė iki kokių didelių atradimų:(
Mažiau patiko visas tas "sąmokslas", kuris prasitęsia ir į trečiąją trilogijos dalį. Žinoma, šito pobūdžio nusikaltimai baisūs, bet pastaruoju metu tai toks dažnas motyvas kriminaliniuose romanuose, kad kiek jau nujautrinta esu.
Mažiau patiko visas tas "sąmokslas", kuris prasitęsia ir į trečiąją trilogijos dalį. Žinoma, šito pobūdžio nusikaltimai baisūs, bet pastaruoju metu tai toks dažnas motyvas kriminaliniuose romanuose, kad kiek jau nujautrinta esu.
March 1, 2023
I have read all of Mark Dawson's books and enjoyed them immensely. I particularly enjoyed Atticus Priest first book The House in the Woods. But this book was a disappointment. It failed to finish. I don't mind the odd loose end but the whole plot failed to complete. The ending never came, it felt like a prequel to the next Atticus Priest book The Red Room.
Also unless you've read the first book The House in the Woods, there are some sub plots in this book that would make no sense. I would have preferred the book to be more standalone but with the established characters.
Read for a second time ready for the release of third book in series.
Also unless you've read the first book The House in the Woods, there are some sub plots in this book that would make no sense. I would have preferred the book to be more standalone but with the established characters.
Read for a second time ready for the release of third book in series.
May 17, 2023
Ahh, I think I've found a new favourite to add to my list over mystery series.
This second book was just as good as the first, maybe even more so.
All elements of sleuthing, deducing, and analysing I truly enjoy are woven together in a wonderfully well crafted way in this book. I enjoyed it a lot!
I've also warmed up more to Mackenzie. I didn't really like her in the first book, mainly because I thought the husband she was desperately clinging to was something of an ass - even within the realm of being the wounded party in their marriage.
Atticus continues being adorably Sherlockian in his character build, but as stated before: It's very much to my liking.
This second book was just as good as the first, maybe even more so.
All elements of sleuthing, deducing, and analysing I truly enjoy are woven together in a wonderfully well crafted way in this book. I enjoyed it a lot!
I've also warmed up more to Mackenzie. I didn't really like her in the first book, mainly because I thought the husband she was desperately clinging to was something of an ass - even within the realm of being the wounded party in their marriage.
Atticus continues being adorably Sherlockian in his character build, but as stated before: It's very much to my liking.
July 17, 2023
Excellent book, kept me engaged until the end. A real page turner.
April 12, 2021
This was really a book of 2 halves.The first half was far too laboured and could easily have been condensed into a few chapters.The second half was what I've come to expect from Mark Dawson,exciting,thrilling and a definite page turner,sadly however the story didn't conclude and we are left to purchase number 3 in the series in order to uncover the full outcome.
Only 3 stars because I do not like being forced into buying the next in the series in order to find out who actually did what.Mark,I feel a bit short changed and I believe you are a good enough writer not to have to do this in order to sell your books.......plus if it's true the 3rd episode isn't due for release until towards the end of the year,then some of the excitement will diminish because I will have read a lot more books between now and then and not sure how much I'll remember of this one and hence how keen I'll be to be reunited with the storyline.
Only 3 stars because I do not like being forced into buying the next in the series in order to find out who actually did what.Mark,I feel a bit short changed and I believe you are a good enough writer not to have to do this in order to sell your books.......plus if it's true the 3rd episode isn't due for release until towards the end of the year,then some of the excitement will diminish because I will have read a lot more books between now and then and not sure how much I'll remember of this one and hence how keen I'll be to be reunited with the storyline.
October 3, 2021
3.5 stars
Although it is a good story and I still enjoyed Atticus power of deduction, I felt this second book was not as good as the first one. The story was a bit predictable and not as thrilling and surprising as the first one.
Nevertheless an enjoyable read.
Although it is a good story and I still enjoyed Atticus power of deduction, I felt this second book was not as good as the first one. The story was a bit predictable and not as thrilling and surprising as the first one.
Nevertheless an enjoyable read.
March 22, 2021
Didn't 't finish it
Enjoy all the Milton books and have read them all. Don't enjoy the Atticus Priest series. Atticus is too strange and Mack is incompetent as a police officer.
Enjoy all the Milton books and have read them all. Don't enjoy the Atticus Priest series. Atticus is too strange and Mack is incompetent as a police officer.
May 15, 2023
Brauchte leider fast 200 Seiten bis es für mich spannend wurde.
October 22, 2025
This mystery crime novel was incredibly detailed and kept me hooked from the start. It begins with a man walking his dog who stumbles upon human bones, setting off an intense investigation.
Atticus Priest, the intuitive and sharp detective, takes on two cases — a father searching for his missing daughter who supposedly ran off with her drug-dealer boyfriend, and a consultancy case involving human remains found on military land.
The story unfolds layer by layer, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the twist in the dad’s case completely shocked me. I couldn’t stop reading — I needed to know what really happened. The mystery kept me guessing the whole way through; it’s never obvious who did it, and that’s what makes it so good.
I’ve been rooting for Atticus and Mack since the first book, and this one deepened my investment in their story. But that ending! A mystery person who knows everything about Atticus, another secret revealed, and then a cliffhanger? I can’t believe it ended like that.
While I was disappointed the main crime wasn’t solved, the bigger picture and hints of a larger operation left me intrigued — and I’m really looking forward to the continuation of the case in the next book.
Kelly’s Rating Scale:
1. Storyline - 4/5
2. Characters (well developed or relatable?) - 4/5
3. Writing - 4/5
4. Pace (good pace, dragged or rushed?) - 3/5
5. Enjoyment - 4/5
6. Originality (compared to past books I’ve read) – 4/5
7. Ending (fulfilling or disappointing?) - 3/5
8. Emotional Impact (evokes strong emotions?) - 3/5
Atticus Priest, the intuitive and sharp detective, takes on two cases — a father searching for his missing daughter who supposedly ran off with her drug-dealer boyfriend, and a consultancy case involving human remains found on military land.
The story unfolds layer by layer, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the twist in the dad’s case completely shocked me. I couldn’t stop reading — I needed to know what really happened. The mystery kept me guessing the whole way through; it’s never obvious who did it, and that’s what makes it so good.
I’ve been rooting for Atticus and Mack since the first book, and this one deepened my investment in their story. But that ending! A mystery person who knows everything about Atticus, another secret revealed, and then a cliffhanger? I can’t believe it ended like that.
While I was disappointed the main crime wasn’t solved, the bigger picture and hints of a larger operation left me intrigued — and I’m really looking forward to the continuation of the case in the next book.
Kelly’s Rating Scale:
1. Storyline - 4/5
2. Characters (well developed or relatable?) - 4/5
3. Writing - 4/5
4. Pace (good pace, dragged or rushed?) - 3/5
5. Enjoyment - 4/5
6. Originality (compared to past books I’ve read) – 4/5
7. Ending (fulfilling or disappointing?) - 3/5
8. Emotional Impact (evokes strong emotions?) - 3/5
April 25, 2022
Dawson's Book 2 in his Atticus Priest, PI Series is Even Better than the 1st!
Priest, A disgraced, fired former police DI, inspector detective if you will, is on the spectrum and that doesn't win him friends amongst fellow detectives. He's too outspoken and usually right to the dismay of his teammates and other colleagues. Ultimately, some minor drug use is what has him turning in his badge. Book 2 new begins with the final jury reading of the verdict for the case that ends Book 1. Detective, Mack Mackenzie was not there for the verdict after being ordered to be at every day of the trial. She had asked Atticus to consult on the finding of a human femur by a dog walker. The police were searching all the adjacent area for the rest of the remains. Priest and his dog left the area entirely telling the coroner that it was a fox who dragged the bone that far and the remains would not be near. In less than a couple of hours he and his dog, Bandit county's grave two miles away in an abandoned cemetery.
Investigation showed the bones to be only buried for twenty years when the graveyard hadn't been used for more than forty!
This means the cemetery had to be dug up! Who else may be buried there that shouldn't be?
A great PI story filled with human drama and a big surprise that has Mack needing to have the police hire Atticus Priest again for he has the most knowledge of a case he had long ago that now appears to be related to Mack's current case!
Priest, A disgraced, fired former police DI, inspector detective if you will, is on the spectrum and that doesn't win him friends amongst fellow detectives. He's too outspoken and usually right to the dismay of his teammates and other colleagues. Ultimately, some minor drug use is what has him turning in his badge. Book 2 new begins with the final jury reading of the verdict for the case that ends Book 1. Detective, Mack Mackenzie was not there for the verdict after being ordered to be at every day of the trial. She had asked Atticus to consult on the finding of a human femur by a dog walker. The police were searching all the adjacent area for the rest of the remains. Priest and his dog left the area entirely telling the coroner that it was a fox who dragged the bone that far and the remains would not be near. In less than a couple of hours he and his dog, Bandit county's grave two miles away in an abandoned cemetery.
Investigation showed the bones to be only buried for twenty years when the graveyard hadn't been used for more than forty!
This means the cemetery had to be dug up! Who else may be buried there that shouldn't be?
A great PI story filled with human drama and a big surprise that has Mack needing to have the police hire Atticus Priest again for he has the most knowledge of a case he had long ago that now appears to be related to Mack's current case!
October 2, 2024
Couldn’t put it down! A modern Sherlock Holmes adaptation (the comparison is even made in the book). I didn’t read the first in the series, but the book provides enough information that reading in order isn’t necessary. I’ll probably just skip the first and move to the next book.
My favorite tv show is Elementary, and this book felt like watching a fan made episode.
I read some reviews that the book over-explains certain things, but I didn’t really mind. I took it as providing extra space to hide details so you could try to pick out clues to which direction the book was headed (I didn’t guess the reveal but I’m sure someone else could). If you want only action, no description about “holding a coffee with one hand and opening the door with the other” then just skim the book.
Book would have been 5 stars but I forgot they were British halfway through until one of the characters jumpscared me by saying “knackered”.
My favorite tv show is Elementary, and this book felt like watching a fan made episode.
I read some reviews that the book over-explains certain things, but I didn’t really mind. I took it as providing extra space to hide details so you could try to pick out clues to which direction the book was headed (I didn’t guess the reveal but I’m sure someone else could). If you want only action, no description about “holding a coffee with one hand and opening the door with the other” then just skim the book.
Book would have been 5 stars but I forgot they were British halfway through until one of the characters jumpscared me by saying “knackered”.
April 17, 2021
A father hires Atticus to find his missing daughter, just as decades-old remains of another girl are found by a local dog. DCI Mackenzie Jones ('Mack') brings Atticus in to consult, and more girls' remains are unearthed. Then, a man's murdered body is discovered. It's an acquitted pedophile that Atticus investigated years back. Who killed him and why? A sinister wartime photo yields clues that help launch the investigation.
Meanwhile, Mack's marriage finally collapses and Atticus tries to figure out how to rekindle the relationship they once had.
The problem with Mark Dawson (in this and at least two other series) is how he ends books with extreme cliffhangers. The reader is left suffering for many months awaiting a new installment. Open Note to Mr. Dawson: Your characters are addictive enough to give us case-resolving endings and still count on us running back for your next in series!
4 dramatic stars
Meanwhile, Mack's marriage finally collapses and Atticus tries to figure out how to rekindle the relationship they once had.
The problem with Mark Dawson (in this and at least two other series) is how he ends books with extreme cliffhangers. The reader is left suffering for many months awaiting a new installment. Open Note to Mr. Dawson: Your characters are addictive enough to give us case-resolving endings and still count on us running back for your next in series!
4 dramatic stars
June 15, 2025
This was so easy to get into and I got hooked immediately. I really liked the character progression and I love atticus and Mack as characters. The short chapters and changing points of view make it so easy to keep reading and to get invested in the plot line. The ending actually gave me chills and I will definitely be reading the rest of the atticus priest series.
July 29, 2023
Great addition to the series
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